Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-24
up and bring forth abundant fruitage.
PEACE SENTIMENT.


PEACE SENTIMENT.
(A) No ilayman who Is not making
money out Of The split favors 1t. We
have talked with laymen of all class
es II many sections of the country and
without exception they deplore the
spit and feel outraged by the divis--
ion. 1t is an undeniable fac that 1t
is the prayer and deep desire of the
millions who make up our churches
that our Baptist family be once more
reunited In one great National Con-
vention.
OBJ The "Christian Review" one
of our strongest and clcanest denomi-
national papers has taken bold edi
torial stand for "peace and reunion"
We hope that under dts new editorial
management 1t wi 4 continue to stand
for harmony and union In our ranks
Able and eloQueng articles have
been published from the pens Of Rev.
w. B. Reed, d. D., of Hartford, Conn
Rev. DR.. r. r. Jones Of Pittsburg
and Rev. Dr. e. w. McCre Of C,lum
bus, Ohio, calling for n cessation OF
abuse and reunion Of on" forces. In
DR. Moore's article which appeared
In "The Christian Banner" of Novem
her 10. 1917 he made this plea to the
Banner Editor: IT plead with you to
use your paper for suggestions that
will get us together and not for g. ut
which will tear us further apart This
statement is from one Of the ables.
and one of The most influential men
who belongs to and who attended the
Atlanta Convention.
Hero again l 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
world conditions demand union Of
forces and not division Of powers.
Our UNCONVENTIONAL position at pres
ent is opposed to and contrary % the
spirits of the age and the demand
that word conditions max. upon us.
(B) The weakness of our race de-
mands harmony and union. AS to pop
ulation as we'll as material possessions
we are a weak race when compar
cd with the other race. We need 70
husband our forces wisely and con
serve our strength to insure life and
development. There ought to be no
doubt In our minds as to whether this
can be brought about through union
or through division.
CO. New Testament teaching and
spirit against our presenJ course.
Malice. hatred, abuse, evil speaking
divisions are condemned in the New
Testament. =, Eph. 4:31t 32-"uet 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, forgiNlng one another, even
ais God for Christ's sake hath forgiv
ell you"
CD Only selfishness of a few lead
ers approve our present course.
There Is nothing that endorses our
present course except tie selfish
nes" Of few leaders. Every consid
Grafton for the good OF the whole do
nomination and race demands "peace
and reunion." The law suit is On un
god " and unwise course that will
cost the Denomination dearly and
profits nothing. 1t may give few
men OIL either side Or on both sides
little personal, selfish satisfaction
that they have whipped an enemy OF
long standing but in She things that
count in the long run the Denomina
ton will reap nothing. However, the
law sui2 concludes. it cannot wipe out
hatred and ma ice; it cannot stop
abuse; it cannot heal the sores and
divisions throughout the states and
in every hamlet. A prayerful coming
together Of the leaders OF both sides
to consider peace and reunion can do
these things.
The proposition we offer Is that q
committee of five (5) be appointed
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 effort 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 efforts for har
mony. Lift UP your voices loud and
strong for peace and reunion"
The men who stand for hatred,
abuse and divisions are false leaders,
and the sooner the denomination
wakes up to thaJ fact the better 1t
will be for the great cause, which we
represent. We call upon all who love
the Denomination, who love peace,
who want to see the Denomination
once more reunited to Nft up their
voices and say so.
I stand unqualifiedly for "Peace
and Reunion" now