Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-08-24
IS TIE NATIONAL
BAPTIST CONVENTION
UNION ESS?
Rev. Pollard Discusses Great Questi0n===S0me
Leaders DO Not Want Una0ns=7'eU How to SCI
cure Union Ana0n& the Brethreuz= The g0nditiOn
of affairs by the Writer==The Issues at
the Little Rock NHeetin6..

nOminational papers, one would con-
clude that the efforts to unite the
two factions Of the National Baptist
Convention has failed. II seems that
this conclusion, from whatever source
is based upon anything but tho facts
in the case. The belief that tho Of
fort has failed comes, on the ono
hand from the Il told you so" crowd
and on the other from those who
interpret the action OF the Executive
Board, of the Jones' faction in refus-
ing the compact OF the Commission.
in the form In which it was presented
TO it, as prima facic evidence that
the project has failed. If this same
action was taken by one branch OF
the Congress Of the United States In
its relation to tho other branch OF
the same, nobody would say that tho
project had failed, but rather that
1t opened up tho way for further
conference.
The condition of affairs, as this
writer sees it. prolongs the time with
in which an agreement may DO
cached, and, hence, calls for greater
oXcrtion and more cautious effort on
the part Of the lovers OF peace among
tho Baptists. Two facts stand out
pla.nl, MS ihi: Wyi.7r GcoG them viz,
First, That the Executive Board
Of the National Baptist Convention,
Incorporated Il am using tho words
Incorporated and unincOrporated rs
accOmm mediation OF tcrmS) is under
obligation to report to the st. Louis
Convention the full text of the report
Of the Commission, together with its
own action on it, that the Executive
Rnor1 pf thn National Rnnict Com
vention, Unincorporated, is under oh
legation to report to the Little Rock
Convention the full text of the report
OF tho Commission together with its
own modification of the same, and Il
clear cut reason or reasons for this
modification; otherwise. it will stand
condemned as being in rebellion
against the Judgment of a three
corncred Commission. one corner of
which was not only chosen by their
own Convention, but confcssedly
made up Of some OF tho best brain
and cultivated Sanctity OF that Con-
vcntion
But whether or not tho Executive
Board Of the National Baptist Con
vention, Unincorporatcd can make
out II good case to its head, it is
evident that there is much room for
vention or both Conventions decide
to stop further conference. In that
case. it would seem to tho writer
that there has never been any sim
ccro desire for union.
Furthermore, it would seem clear
that, il either Convention or both
Conventions break off negotiation Mt
the September meeting, the leaders
did not want union at the Memphis
meeting Of the Commission. The
writer has faith enough in tho power
Of influence in the leadership of eth
er Convention to say beforehand that
the leaders can make possible and
sure the union Of the two factions
OF our Baptist host. !
Rev. DR.. IT. 0. Fuller, Chairman
Of the Commission Of the Morris side
in his circular sent forth over the
country has shown very plainly that
he will not stand in the way of fur. !
Their efforts for peace. DR.. d. r
Gaines, Chairman Of the Commission
on the Jones' side has through news
paper publication shown that he is
for the union. 1t now re.
mains for the Presidents of the two
factions to show at their respective
that they are in word
and in deed for a united Convention
There can be no question about the
desire of the denomination for peace
They want it and they are going to
have it. IF the leaders get in the
way OF peace at tho September meet
ings this writer ventures to say that
the denomination will break by them.
Now, how can union be secured?
1t can be secured On the basis Of the
decision of the Commission at Mem.
phis. The Executive Board at Alex
andria recommends the adoption Of
the report of tho Commission, with
certain notifications. One modif-
cation was that the Commission
state just when the charter gotten
out in Washington will be annulled
they could not expect it to
be annulled before tho compact will
have been endorsed by tho respective 1
If the Little Rock Convention en-
lorses tho compact with or without
his modification, they will have one
rear within which to make certain
hat the charter be annulled before
he union can be organically carried !
Continued on the Eighth Page.) s