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

Bucna Vista, Va, August 9.--Thc
Valley Baptist Association OF South
west Virginia met August Sth with
the First Baptist Church, Bucna Vista,
i'll its tifty-lirst 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 city where the races
live together as friends. He said
that the morn Of Il brighter day for
both his people and ours has dawncd,
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 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 Il friend. Attorney II. Rucker
was next presented to the body who
spoke OF the origin of the Baptist
Church and of it's wonderful history.
The attorney said also that each race
has its portions of good and bad, aud
that we rise and are recognized i'll
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-
errng manner and with select words,
made a 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 more men
in Senate like Senator Robinson, and
when that is done, there will be
Nationai Legislation to handle the
leaders of such lawlessness as oc-
Cured in East ST. Louis
The annual sermon was preached
by Rev DR.. 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;
Moderator, Rev. DR.. w. w. Hicks;
Recording Secretary, DR.. w. ID.
Woods; Corresponding Secretary, DR..
{. +. Miller; Treasurer. Rev Glkana
Scott.
The Association was addressed by
DR.. +. II. Roe, President Female Sem
mary, Bucna Vista, Va. Il feel at
home among colorcd Baptists, because
my grandfather was Baptist and
gave to the colored people OF Fred
erlcksburg Il church home. No man
oan know the meaning nor joy Of life
without the Christian religion. Con-
dltlons OF race, color, circumstances,
prestige, etc, are things which we
do not understand, and adjustment
must comc through the Christian re-
ligion.' DR.. II. G. Woods, A. NJ, re-
sponded: 1--WE are loyal citizens.
The Negro has no hope in any nation
except the American people. VENUS;
share what America has to give; we
DO 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"
The grand old body was favored
win sermons by Revs. Elkana Scott.
c. c. Harvey, Vim. Price, and Drs. &c.
+. Kicks, A. A.. Spencer and NJ. l..
Gnrdon and addresses by Drs. II. II.
White II. G. Woods, Rev. Shadd, Prof.
Hi and others, all of which was
sood. FROM many viewpoints the
greatest or the most powerful scr
mon that was delivered to the BODY
was mat delivered by DR. NJ. L. Cor
Hoh' OF the Jerusalem Baptist Church,
roanoke Va. The Valley closed a
splendid session from every point Of
view The next session will be held
WIN the First Baptist Church, East
Radford, Va. REpORTED