Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1923-03-31
MOSES ON THE EPOCH
MAKING MEETING Of
BAPTIST AT MEMPHIS
To the Members and Friends oil thu
National Baptist Convention, u. s

To the Members and Friends OF the
National Baptist Convention, u. $.
A. Dear Brethren:--
The messengers OF the National
Baptist Convention left the st. LOUIS
meeting in December, 1929. pledged
to man to heartily support our de-
nominationGl enterprises under the
leadership OF our new president.
DR.. l.. X. Williams. OF Chicago, III.
The unexpected death Of DR.. Parks
which shocked the denomination for
a few days ana made us all examine
our method OF procedure In tlectins
the new president at St. Louis, to salts
fy our conscience afresh as to wheth
er we had been fair and wise in clos
ing the strenuous campaign. which cul
minated in the election of our new
president which campaign necessarily
had deteriorating pathological effec:
on all conscientious participating
leaders of the convention.
We all remember that the official
family supported DR.. Parks to a man.
The election proceeded under his di.
rection without protest ut any point.
from beginning to end. 1t was not has
tily conducted. but painstakingly and
patiently carried out without a break
for sixteen hours. Each group did its
best to elect its candidate. II there
was any irregularity, neither side call
ed attention to 1t or protested against
1t. There was no excitement. DR.. Parks
and his manager carefully observed
every step OF the procedure. DR.. VIII
iiams was elected by majority. Not 4
word OF protest was offered. DR.. Parks
followers took the initiative in max
ing the vote unanimous. We left ST.
Louis united and the finest spirit we
had witnessed for years. with the ex-
pI ess pledge to unite every church IN
our denomination in one National
Baptist Convention. and put through
tire largest program in our history.
When we examined our conscience in
the light OF the above facts, the Bapt
lists OF the country soon recovered tn,
shock of DIR. Parks death.
The Executive Board called it's first
meeting in January to shape the gen,
eral line of procedure and decided,
among other things to get in vital
! touch with National and State Baptist
officers and leaders and let tirem help
, our denominational policy in a way
that will make the local interests head
up in the National program and put
the National forces behind every lOca,
interest
The Executive Board has called the
general UNCONVENTIONAL workers, stat @
officers, laymen and auxiIliaries to
meet in Memphis, April the Ord to bet
ter understand each other and decide
on the line of procedure for putting
through the whole denominations;
budget. This then will undoubtedly he
an epoch-making meeting The policy
OF the denomination will be definitely
expressed and fixed toward every de-
nominationaI activity, from the con-
version of souls and strengthening Of
local churches including educational
missionary work and all the intere st
of the Kingdom of Cod on earth anu
to begin at once putting the program
I through.
| The old heads are bending and bid.
ding us farewell and welcome to our
! Inheritance from their labors. The
younger generation is called to Join
hands with the remaining "Old Guard
to help make the dreams of the faith
ers come true. This is the day OF large
opportunities for every faithful bapt-
list.
| The indications are that the Mem.
phis meeting will he as largely attend
ed as regular National gathering and
equally as representative Let us take
advantage of the opening and be there
to get in on the ground floor of or
denominational activities. The work
to the National Baptist Convention is
the work of the local churches. The
officers and directors are the proxies
! o: the people in our respective churcr-
eS
The whole world is attempting to re
adjust relations that will be more sat
isfactory to the individual, race and
nation. Our own country, North and
South is endeavoring to bring about
better understanding between white III
black people. The Baptist World Ali
ance is meeting this year. The Nation
al Baptist Convention is the religious
clearing house for the largest group CT
colored Christians in the world. Let
us not be false TO our trust in the pres
emit world crisis. Let us be counted in
the aggregate group regardless of how
humble our individual units may he.
have been exceedingly busy trying
to felp save a large church house foy
our denomination in New York. which
prevented me from attending the meet
ing of the Executive Board and other
meetings to which the officers of the
Convention were gracious enough &c
invite me. But I am going to be pres
| ent Mt the Memphis meeting and from
now on nothing shall Drevent mo from
Going al that IS in my power TO helr
| E!&E1 our National Baptist Conven
tion function efficiently. commensur
etc with our wealth, material and
nrmbers. Mark my words: The Men,
phis meeting is the beginning of a
new epoch in the history of colored
American Baptists Let us take advant
age OF the general invitation and he
there by all means
Yours truly.
w. II. MOSES.
Is r. 125th Street