Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-08-03
AUGUST 3, 1917
PEACE Commission
Continued From First Page.)


Baptists, whose hearts ycarncd moro
Tor the peace and progress of the
family than for the triumph of fac
lions, or Individuals
Peace proposals appeared here and
there to be rejected because they
came from this or that side, The
situation grow worse with no relief
IN sight. Strong pastors, North and
South, East and West wearied of
the strife and contention and decided
TO remain away from both wings Of
the Convention, until the situation
cleared. Special efforts took large
crowds to both Conventions and large
sums OF money were raised and these
facts were emphasized and used to
justify the separation; but they serv-
ed more to demonstrate the folly of
separation and to illustrate with n
large, we'll organized and vigorously
handled, united Convention could ac-
complish for the denomination and
the race.
The Southern Baptist Convention
had been in cooperation with pur
Home Mission Board for several
years and had in many cases been
in helpful touch with the work in the
States. They were interested in us
and had watched any DEVELOPMENTS
that might affect our cooperation
and hinder their new plan to cstab-
dish Seminary for the training OF
Cur Ministry. They had, also, antici-
pated the embarrassment that would
likely come with the necessity OF .
making choice between two contend
ing divisions of our once united Con-
vention. At their session, in New Or
leans May, 1917, Il committee on Me-
Isnf ION ns,,ir ltnit n
Offers were rendered us with the
hope OF bringing peace and reunion.
On this Mediation Committee were
some OF the ablest and wisest mem ,
lbcrS of the Southern Baptist Conven-
ton. Men OF scholarship and cxper
fence, who were thoroughly interest
cd in the accomplishment OF the task !
assigned them. Besides, they were
men we'll and favorably known for
their friendly activities among Nc
SrocS, at their homes and for No
grocs. wherever the opportunity pre-
scented itself. They were DR.. o. l..
HALEY, DR.. A. J. Barton, DR.. Ben
Cox, DR.. r.. w. Weaver. w. II. Atkin-
son. DR.. A. u. Boone, DR.. j. b. Gam
Drell There are no men in the South
ern Baptit Convention who are high
or in official station than these men,
afford men OF higher personal inte-
gritty. No one who knows Thorn
would for one moment question thoir
intentions or entertain the idea that
thev would countcnancc any act that
is tainted with partisan bias. At tho
request of the Southern Baptist Com
mittce, the two Conventions appoint
ed Commissions for conference. Each
Convention knew what it meant to
them and it must be presumed that
they appointed those who in their
Judgment, were strong men, and who
were able to protect the rights and
interests of their constituents. DR..
e. p. Jones selected Rev. ID. b..
Gaines, Rev. Geo. w. Alexander, Rev.
s. II. Prince, Row. Jno w. Nurse,
Rev. J. l. Harding, Rev. Il. w. Bowen
and Rev. S. S. Jones to represent the
Un-incorporated Convention. ! have
never heard it charged that these
brethren were not able and intell-
gent representatives, nor that they
did not contest every inch of ground,
until an agreement was reached
which In their judgment, was fair
and reasonable. DR.. e. G. Morris,
of the National Baptist Convention,
appointed Rev. II. O. Fuller, Rev. A
r. Griggs, Rev. JOS A. Booker, Rev.
G. r. Walker, Rev. G. II. Parrish
Rev. l.. X. Williams and Rev. w. Fl
Moses. The names Of these brethren
were published in the press OF the
country and the approval of the
brotherhood was universal. A call
was made for a meeting Of the joint
commission to be held in Memphis
Tenn, March 10th. A large body OF
interested brethren from various
parts Of the country came to Mem
phis, and, on the 18th an Open Con
ference was held at the First Baptis
Church, st. Paul Avenue, where thu
brethren, white and colorod, preach
.ers and laymen spoke ont Of theil
great desire for peace and uniol
among Negro Baptists. This meeting
gave fredeom to q sentiment Ion,
suppressed, and was an index flnge
that pointed the way for the anxious
Commissioners. Following this opel
conference, the Commission, from
the National Baptist Convention AM
the National Baptist Convention Gun
incorporated) held separate confer
ences to formulate their separate peac
terms. On the 10th, the First Bar
fist Church was so crowded with ann
ious visitors that the Joint Commits
sion found it best to repair to tn
chapel Of the Howe Institute. acros
the street, where their work coul'
be done calmly and deliberately, III
interrupted by any partisan demon
STATIONS. When the Commission dc
parted, the vast congregation resolve
itself into soul reaching, praye
meeting, which soon took on pente
costal aspects. The great soul Still
ring hymns of the olden time, tn
fervent prayers, and spiritual enthr
siasm gripped every one within reac
and sealed the day for denomination
al peace. If any man on the seen
was not seasoned by these graciou
services. he either kept out Of rang
of the spiritual fire, or he was locke
and sealed against the objects to b
attained. This much Is written, tina
the absent, but honest, unselflsh seel
er after truth might properly int
pref the atmosphere in which tn
: peace report was born. Great const