Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-11-26

stated today that in case he insisted
on occupying the pulpit Sunday a
court order would be sought to pre-
vent it. DR.. Chisholm stated later.
however, that he would not attempt to
preach Sunday, but would await a
settlement of the controversy. He
left this afternoon for Forsyth.
Declaring that he is the legal pas.
tor of Big Bethel colored BAPTIST
church; that the recent meeting of
minority of the congregation at
which the pulpit was declared va
cant was illegal in church proceed
ure; that the leaders of this opposi-
ton, including Edgar G.. Wilson, are
not members of the congregation,
having been turned out long ago |:
and that the opposition to him has
resulted from his patriotic activity
during the war and his preaching
since then of the desirability and
necessity for the negroes of the
South to stay in the South and main.
tain good relations with the white
man, DR.. ]. J. Chisholm, the pastor.
is back in Americas to fight it out
''if the real people of the conprega-
ton want me to stay" A congre-
gatlonal meeting to thresh out the
whole afafir is announced for to-
night.
Wilson and others in a series of
advertisements a short time ago in
formed DR.. Chisholm that he had
been deposed and warned him that
ne had better >stay away, limiting
that should he not do so certain
criminal charges in connection with
his pastorate would be brought. DIR.
Chisholm, whose home is in Opelika
Ala, and who comes here once a
month to preach, had little to say at
this time, leaving the fight in the
hands of his supporters. Now a plan
OF action has been agreed upon, and
he is here to see it through, he saws,
II his own people want him and will
stand behind him.
He says he has at present, among
others a call from the First Baptist
church, colored, of Besemer, Ala,
reply to which he is holding up un-
til the matter here is settled. He
contends that, under the arrange
ment with the church here he is en-
titled to three months notice, in
case he is no longer wanted, and that
he, in turn, is obliged to give three
months notice upon resignation The
original call, dated in 1905 Shown
by him today, bears out this conten-
ton. 1t is upon this ground, among
others, that he contends that the pull
pit could not have been declared va
cant at the recent meeting, had the
meeting been legal otherwise
When Trouble Began.
"The whole trouble began" said
DR.. Chisholm today, "during the war
when there much radical agitation
among the negroes of the South. |
was appointed chairman of Red
Gross work for the entire colored
division. When undertook this
work these disgruntled members OBJ
jected. Go on they said, and let
Germany whip the United States
YOU preach the gospel and let the
Red Cross alone But I was loyal
to our country and I knew we must
win, so l continued to push the
work and preach it from my pulpit
"Again, since the war, I have been
urging my people not to go North,
but to stay in the South, because
knew the white man of the South
is the colored mans best friend.
One day from my pulpit I read an
article sent me by friend at Gary,
Ind, telling of hardships being borne
by the negroes who had gone there.
Some of these same members of
nv congregation again objected and
sneeringly said it was some white
mans tale just made up.
"On repeated occasions | have
from the pulpit advised my people to
subscribe to and read the Times-Re-
corder, because I believe it a good
paper and constantly contains good
things which will profit them to read
i believe it's advice usually sound
and helpful and that it will help my
people to read it. These same op-
ponents of mine have objected tC
this, and now Wilson is boasting that
he has used this paper which / have
urged my people to read to kill
me here.
"Again, they say that I am q
Democrat. Well. that is matter OF
my own concern. If I am Demo.
crat, it is from principle. but ! ac
COTu 10 OIneF men CHe TISuI W thilih
on these matters as they choose, and
expect the same consideration.
Paid Out Own Money.
GAS to charges they have made
that I took money from the church
not belonging to me, this is not only
untrue, but I have frequently paid
out of my own pocket money fol
church matters, of which / hav rec
ord.
"I feel no hesitancy in saying that
the bulk of the congregation is with
me. Our last reoprt showed a mem,
bership of 472. I am confident
can personally count upon the sup
mort of 400: the West-Stale ley
lection numbers not more than the
72 balance, and probably less.
''I am replying in this controversy
npon the moral support Of the sub.
stantial white people of this com
munity, as we'll as of the great hulp
IF my congregation. | know an
RIGHT and that nave been preach