Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-14
BAPTIST PASTORS
BAR Fellowship
WITH DR.. RIDLEY
Repeated Unbecoming Con-
duct Is Charged to Minis
ter Who Is Big Figure in
Ku KIux Khan Propagation

DR.. Caleb A. Ridley was given {
vote. of confidence by his congrega-
ton when he offered to resign
Tuesday night. He said that he be-
lieved his connection with the Ku
Klux Khan as "kludd," or chaplain
and his activities as lecturer fol-
that organization caused the attack
on him by the other Baptist min
listers.
Fraternal fellowship with Rev.
Caleb A. Ridley, pastor of the Cen
trail Baptist church, has been with
drawn by the Atlanta Baptist Min
listers conference as the result of
resolutions adopted by that body at
a meeting held Monday afternoon.
| DisavoWal of further responsibility
on the part of the Baptist ministers
is based on "unbecoming conduct. "
according to the resolution.
Because of his conduct and rep
,utat:on, we regard the continuance
u LII" ~ a. IGlulSY Ill Inc bdpIlSI
ministry as an injury to the cause
of Christ and a reflection upon the
honor of Baptists," the resolution
declares.
The ministers conference dis.
claims any ecclesiastical authority
over DR.. Ridley, and sets out that
the Central Baptist church is the
only Baptist body that can deal Of
ficially with him. At the same
time, however. the conference de-
clares that it will go before the At
lanta Baptist association at its next
session in an effort to cancel the
Central Baptist church membership
in the association. This action will
be taken, according to the resolu-
ton, because of it's failure to pro-
tect the Baptist association from
the reproach of his conduct"
DIR. Ridley answers
1.-THE action of the brethren will
have no effect on me-" said DR.. Rid
ley, commenting on the adoption of
the resolution. II shall go on the
best way can, serving my day and
generation to the best of my ability,
whether I am at home or abroad.
Il am not vindictive or vicious to-
ward the Baptist ministers confer
ence. There are many things of
which they have no knowledge. L
am very human, and I have erred,
no doubt, but I have tried and shall
keep on trying to walk straight
ahead with my face to the front.
Whatever is true in the accusa-
tion made against me by the minis
ters conference was known three
years ago. I made public acknowl-
edgment Of the whole truth
DR.. Ridley said he contemplated
no change in his relationship with
the Central Baptist church.
Text of Resolution
The text of the resolution follows:
Whereas, for many years the At
Ianta Baptist Minister'S conference
:.as been panied and Inundated by
the many persistent and we'll
authenticated reports from Atlanta
and other cities throughout the
south of the urbecoming conduct Oh
Rev. C. A. Ridley, pastor of the Cen
trail Baptist church, iof Atlanta; and
Whereas, from time to time com.
mittees from this conference, as we'll
as individuals, have Iabored to re-
claim DR.. Ridley to an honorable
life; and
Whereas, DIR. Ridley has repeat
eddy acknowledged his shortcomings,
made promises of amendment, and
begged Tor another chance to make
good, only to break said promises
and disappoint our expectations of
his amendment; and
Whereas, the Central Baptist
church, of Atlanta, has continued
DR.. Ridley as it's pastor to the en-
barrassment of the Baptist denoml-
ration:
Therefore, be it resolved by the
Atlanta Baptist Minister'S confer
enco:
81. That, because of his conduct
and reputation, we regard the con-
tinuance of DR.. G. A. Ridley in the
Baptist ministry as an injury to the
cause of Christ and reflection upon
the honor of Baptists.
/ ''2. That, while we do not have
and do not claim to have any eccle-
siastical authority over DR.. Ridley,
We are involved as fellow Baptist
and must disavow any
further responsibility tor the fellow
ship which our common ordination
VOWS have created.
SO. That, since the Central Bap-
ti;t church, of Atlanta, is the only
Baptist body that can deal officially
with DR.. Ridley, we hereby notify
said church, that because of it's fail
ure to protect the Baptist denomina-
ton from the reproach of his con-
duct, We will appeal to the Atlanta
of Baptist churches at
it's next session to deny the Central
Baptist church representation in the
association.
81. That, while determined to
maintain the honor of Christ's cause
and the integrity of the Baptist
churches, it is our earnest prayer
that God may deliver DR.. Ridley
from the error of his ways. To this
end we are ready to do all in our
power to help him. None will rejoice
more than we, when we can sin
cerely and honorably welcome him
back into our fellowship as servant
of Christ and the churches.
~. A. CRUMBLEY, President,
"W. H. BARRETT, Sec'y."