The Denver star., 1916-08-05
HEROIC WORKERS.
PLEA FOR PEACE
Division In National Baptist
Convention Is Serious.
LEADERS SHOULD CONFER.

Warning Factions to Stack Their |
Arms-Attack on Miss N. II. Bur-
roughs Is Not Supported by Facts.
The peace movement having for its
object the reuniting Of the two divi-
sions Of the national Baptist conven-
ton continues to gain adherents and
able advocates. A prominent worker
for Baptist advance recently gave the
following opinion of the present situa-
ton in view of the fact that each of
the two separate bodies has called the
annual meeting for the same date.
The opinion says:
'The thinking people of the national
Baptist convention anticipate grave
conn mpllcations In view Of the separate
meetings of the organization coming
out Of the excitement which sprang up
within the ranks at Chicago in 1915.
"BefOre this break there had been Gre
ated feeling of suspicion. and it SEEM
ed that our leaders who were there at
the head could not prevent the die from
being cast.
''The leaders are, or call themselves,
God S messengers. They should stop
and steady the army. Men and women
have an influence for good or evil. Why
not use the good now and save the
homo and dignity OF the Baptist or
ganization?
'"The situation as a whole Is full of
grave uncertainties because President
e. c. Norris and r. II. Boyd will not
conc together and settle a personal
diffe renee. Why should a personal
matter bring dishonor and ruin to SO
large and we'll esta tablished an organiza
tion as the national Baptist conven-
ton
"Our leaders should think for the
good Of the race. What have we, as
Baptists, but our national publishing
house at Nashville, the national train
ing school at Washington, presided over
by that strong Christian woman of our
race Miss Burroughs, of whom any
other race or denomination would be
proud: Now, we can still achieve vic
tory and bring about peace, but the
whole situation for peace Is in the
hands OF two men. We have every
confidence that these two leaders are
anxious to make all possible prepara-
ton against an overthrow of so grand
work They should do the superior
thing-get together. call a special
meeting and try to bring peace out Of
confusion
AS a member Of the women's work
auxiliary Of the n. B. c., l, the writer
of this article, say to the women, Let
US get together; let nothing move us
read an open letter not long ago,
written by that good man. S. X. Will
liams OF Texas. 1t was a forecast. he
said, of the disposition of Miss Bur
roughs to encourage the meeting of
the women entirely independent OF the
men. am sure that this Christian
woman's heart is in the work, and she
has made every sacrifice to make the
work a success and would do nothing
to cause a division.
The women are entirely together.
Their division depends, not on Miss
Burroughs, but on the action of the
men. 1t would be most unjust If Miss
Burroughs attitude was miSinterpeted.
In the peace movement she put forth
smphatically that our financial. spirit
ual and racial welfare depended en-
tirely on thoroughgoing unity.
IF the critics could but visit Wash
!ngton and see the wonderful work
which has been wrought there in six
years by Miss Burroughs they would
be astonished Some work for honor.
others for salary, but she who Is being
attacked by persons who are In every
way her interiors works hard and un.
remittingly without receiving adequate
salary or sympathy. While In Wash
ington recently on visit l saw Miss
Burroughs. head of the school. go down
in the woods with n pickaN and dig up
stump which, with the help of three
girls, she brought up the hill to be used
In beautifying the grounds. This Is
real servfce-service of the heart, serv
Ice that knows no thought of self, but
puts above all the love of a cause and
of race This is but one case of her
many sacrifices.
"Mr. Boyd has spent the best Of his
life, has made great sacrifice Of per
sonal means and has contributed much
of his constructive and upbuilding per-
sonality to making the work of the
national Baptist publishing house
what 1t is today-just as Miss Bur
roughs has made the national training
school what 1t is through her heroic
efforts and spending both her means
and her personality in its behalf.
The Baptists made it possible for
Mr.. Boyd to achieve all his success,
Just as the friends of Miss Burroughs
has made 1t possible for the national
training school to achieve the standard
1t now holds. How can Mr.. Boyd claip
as his own that which he held In trust
as property of the national Baptist
and of which he was but
the paid steward? Why does not Mr..
Boyd present bill for his share In the
house. which share can be