Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-24

up and bring forth abundant fruitagc.
PEACE SENTIMENT.
ca No 'layman who Is not making
money out of The split favors it. We
have talked with laymcn of all class
cs II many sections Of the country and
without exception they dcplore me
sHit and feel outraged by the divis--
ion. 1t is an undeniablc fac that it
is the prayer and deep desire of the
millions who make up our churches
tha2 our Baptist family be once more
reunited in one great National Con-
vcntion.
OBJ The "Christian Review" one
Of our strongest and cleanest dcnomi-
national papers has taken a bold cdi
torial stand for "peacc and reunion"
We hope that under its new editorial
management it viii continue to stand
for harmony and union in our ranks.
Able and cloQuen. articles have
been published from the pens OF Rev.
w. b. Reed. ID D., of Hartford. Conn
Rev. DR.. II. II. Jones Of Pittsburg
and Rev. DR.. T.. w. Mctrc of C,lum
bus, Ohio, calling for cessation Of
abuse and reunion of on" forces. In
DR. Mcorc's artiC e which appeared
in 'rhc Christian Banner" of Novcm
her 10, 1917 he made this plea to The
Banner Editor: 81 plead with you to
use your paper for suggestions that
will get us together and not for & ut
which will tear us further apar' " This
A 4 cf t,,n n1, vet
and one of 'hc most influential men
who belongs to and who attended the
Atlanta Convention.
Here again | mention the interest
our white brethren are taking In our
cause to show the bulwark of the
peace sentiment.
ILLOGICAL POSITION
OF OUR LEADERS
(A) World conditions demand union
The spirit Of the age and the present
word conditions demand union Of
forces and not division Of powers.
Our dcnominational position at pres
cnt is opposed to and contrary % the
"piric Of the age and the demand
that word conditions max upon us.
OBJ The weakness of cur race de-
mands harmony and union. AS to pop
ulation as we'll as material possessions
We are Il weak race when c0mpar
ed with the other race. We need 70
husband our forces wisely and con
serve our strength to insure life and
development. There ou,ht to be no
doubH in our minds as to whether this
1,, hr1,
or through division.
CO. New Testament teaching and
spirit against our presen" course
Malice, hatred. abuse, evil speaking
divisions are condemned in the New
Testament. Eph. 4:31t 32-"IIct all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger. and
clamor. and evil speaking be put
away from among you with all malice
and be We kind one to another, tender
hearted. forgi\lng one another, even
ais God for Christ's sake hath forgiv
eli you"
CD Only selfishncss OF a few lead
ers approve cur present course.
There is nothing that endorses our
present course except the selfish
hes" Of irw leaders. Every consid
Grafton Tor the good OF the whole dc
nomination and race demands peace
and reunion" The law suit is an un
god " and unwise course that will
cost the denomination dearly and
prof., nothing. 1t may give few
men Oh either side or on both sides
Il little personal, selfish satisfaction
that they have whipped an enemy of
long standing but in :hc things that
count in the long run the Denomina
ton will reap nothing. However, the
law suiH concludes, it cannot wipe out
hatred and ma ice; it cannot stop
abuse; it cannot heal the sores and
divisions throughout tho states and
in every hamlet. \ prayerfui coming
together Of the leaders of both sides
to consider peace and reunion can do
these things.
The proposition we offer is that a
from each side to confer on terms of
peace and reunion" What Chris
tian minister who has the welfare Of
his denomination and race at heart
can object to this course?
We appeal to the older ,eaders to
make an effor.' to settle these troubles
out OF Court. Don't perpetuate this
quarrel and division for young min
listers OF the future to stumble over.
We appeal to the younger ministers
to refrain from hatred, malice and
abuse, and use their effor:s for har
mony. Lift up your voices loud and
strong for "pcace and reunion"
The men who stand for hatred,
, abuse and divisions are false 'caders
and the sooner the denomination
wakes up to thai. fact the better it
viii be for the great cause, which we
represent. We call upon all who love
the Denomination, who love peace,
. who want to sec the Denomination
, once more reunited to lift up their
voices and say so.
stand unqualifiedly for peace
and Reunion" now
kWR