Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-18
VALLEY BApTISTS IN SESSION

Bucna Vista, Va, August 9.-The
Valley Baptist Association of South.
west Virginia met August Sth with
the First Baptist Church, Bucna Vista,
in its tifty-iirst annual session. The
morning session was taken up in adj
dresses of welcome as follows: On
behalf of the church. Mr.. Walter
Moore; Of the Sunday School, Mrs
Watts; Of the city, his honor, Mayog
James Updikc. The Mayor, in we'll
chosen words, assured the body that
it had met in a city where the races
live together as friends. He said
that the morn Of Il brighter day for
both his people and ours has dawned,
because prejudice and race hatred are
becoming to be things of the past and
we are beginning to see and recognize
each other as men and women.
On behalf of the citizens, Senator
Willis Robinson. Senator Robinson
is indeed an orator Of no mean ability.
Those who heard him were made to
feel that they have a friend in the
Senate. He said, among the many
good qualities that the Negro has,
that ,hc has the capacity to, love and
to be a friend. Attorney II. Rucker
was next presented to the body who
spoke Of the origin of the Baptist
Church and Of it's wOndorfull history.
The attorney said also that each race
has it's portions Of good and bad, and
that we rise and are recognized in
proportion as we eliminate the worth
less element.
The response to the addresses was
made by Rev. Nj. l.. Gordon, b. D.,
pastor Jerusalem Baptist Church,
Roanoke, Va. DR.. Gordon, in an un-
erring manner and with select words,
made timely BETTING and helpful
response. He said that of truth the
Negro has the ability to love and to
be a friend even amidst the most adj
verse circumstances, and this very
fact is manifested in the present con-
dition. DR.. Gordon also said that the
grand old body, The Valley Baptist
Association, Is praying that the great
head Of the church will put moro men
in Senate like Senator Robinson, and
when that is done, there will be
Nationai Legislation to handle the
leaders of such lawlessness as &C.
cured in East St. Louis.
Tho annual sermon was preached
by Rev. DIR. w. w. Hicks, Of the Mt.
Zion, Roanoke, Va.
The election Of officers took place
in the afternoon, which resulted as
follows:
Moderator, Rev. DR.. S. S. Watts;
Vice-Moderator, Rev. DR.. W. w. Hicks;
recording Secretary, DR.. w. d.
Woods; Corresponding Secretary, DR..
{. T.. Miller; Treasurer, Rev. Elkana
Scott.
The Association was addressed by
DR.. E. ii. Roe, President Female Sem
mary, Bucna Vista, Va. 81 feel at
home among colored Baptists, because
my grandfather was Il Baptist and
gave to the coloredN people OF Fred
ericksburg Il church home. No man
oan know tho meaning nor Joy of life
without the Christian religion. Con-
ditions of race, color, circumstances,
prestige, etc, are things which we
do not understand, and adjustment
must come through the Christian re.
ligion." DR.. II. G. Woods, A. NJ, re.
sponded: "Wc are loyal citizens.
The Negro has no hope In any nation
except the American people. WGrmust
share what America has to give: we
no not want the white man to fight
through this struggle alone. Where
ever we are placed in the front or
rear we will be true to trust"
me grand old body was favored
with sermons by Revs. Elkana Scott,
G. c. Harvey, VIM. Price, and Drs. Il.
E. Kicks, A. A.. Spencer and M. l..
Gordon: and addresses by Drs. II. II.
White II. G. Woods. Rev. Shadd, Prof.
Hill and others, all OF which was
soou. trom many viewpoints tho
greatest or the most powerful ser
mon that was delivered to the body
was that delivered by DR.. NJ. l.. Cor
Goh' or the Jerusalem Baptist Church,
roanoke, Va. The Valley closed a
splendid session from every point of
Wow. The next session will be held
WIN the First Baptist Church, East
Radford, Va. REPORTnR