Richmond planet., 1930-11-22
DIR. W. [. RanSolle
On
(RELIGIO-SOCIAL)(
The White Pulpit And The Race Problem

AkO
Some time ago we were reminded by a white press of our re-
s~ponsibiity as Negro leaders to see that criminal assault by Neg
roes against white women be stopped. We make no complaint at
this reminder. There are, however, some interesting things tnat
ro;oht he said in this connection, to wit:-Few OF the Negroes
+hus cbayced are or ever have been church goers. Some OF THESE
Negroes so charged are by no means guilty. even those VINO nave
charged them have been known to admit the faslty u IL ch"is
latar MANY of those so charged have been men that We're not
Negroes but had blackened their faces that they mlgh' max "
"get away" at the expense of the Negro.
The Purpose Of This Article
We do not purpose to discuss crime as such, nor any partlcu-
lar nhase of the race problem, but the conditions IN general anu
rho+ tho white pulpit can do to relieve it. The Negro preacher
does not preach to the law makers, nor to the ruhhg Glass; ~ W
the Nnching class. He breaches to the class that Is IN 1he mlhuai-
tv. with little or no power, no means OF defence Out iO
Negro preacher has been preaching claw abidance" ever since III
civil war IF the white man had to abide by such laws, under such
conditions as the Negro does, this country would not stana III
peace twenty four hours.
The Church Losing It's Great Opportunity
The white pulpit, with some exceptions mas oeen lit 10
still losing a great opportunity in the race matter II Is n' n0aSI
nature to die for the sake of dying. we make no special PEA ~
martvdom on the part of our white brother OF the cloth' t ~eN
uorv position is a challenge to their manhood. Wyclhe III lyH
dalo suffered that we might read the Bible IN the IGN" .H
ouaoe Greater is he who suffers that the principles Oh IL Di"e
NAV be carried out. Inter-racal commissions seminars, ahu ~ "a.
A G. Ps are all good, but they are substitutes IL Is Lilo WILL ~
tho church. led on by the clergy to teach men te goiueh i"'
II is not surprising that men IND more HIelesI Ill o'hN "e
+ions than in the church, when such organizations hgh' . mule
sa6ni+e and fundamental principles of Christianity than does the
church.
In earlier days of plantation life there was some haN0e IN ~
contact between the white and colored people SOON ai0ei ~ w.
a. the public school teachers formed a basis u oon@o" -.
uri+or was taught by southern white people mostly women ""en
lA~1ont ~ +be bioh school of Richmond. But little by little these
uoin+. Of contact have ceased and the two races have become moi
ad strangers. Our claim is that the Negro and "hlte HILLS
trv should be the point of contact and te ceain "oN'0
racial differences. -a;4 x;niS+or
Tho Nooroes will still hear their preacher. Inc white mlhis'ei
too uen,her Of the law making group. Nothing grips tne
- roIoion No voice is like that of their priest. Jesus mtehue0
+ho+ the oospel and not law as such should MAKE o'Aelo
The Negro and white ministers OF richmond ahu u ,' "" -
large southern city are absolute strangers to one announcer ineS
two groups, heading two dn1ereh' races ""0o
iustment, do not know each other.
' er uoors the writer spoke to the white ministers con-
foronca Of Richmond and proposed a closer afhliatlon Tor the gooo
le 10TH aronns He proposed a good will day at which time Negro
ministers and white ministers would eAchahge +pap
flo + n This proposal, in substance, was ABOUT ills
'"N ~ W white neople would not stand for it. The time was not
yet ripe. Every man should meet ms own M Soi ~ hga Tho w white
nastor who advocated such might be requested 10 hahu III his
resignation etc.
These are no worthwhile excuses. How would such an aisu-
mont compare with the example which the Apostle Paul set Tor
tho ministry? Who is he that has ever accomplished anything
worth while that has not faced criticism and hardshlps! Inc
would still waits for more men who will say, l mad rather DE
right than Pastor"
Hopeful Signs
The recent movement among the cergymen, led on by an
official of the Union Theological Seminary at Richmond is des1lneo
TO do more than all the substitutes of the past ana present. IN
W uo a LILY; tho writer has to make is that it is not broad
enough numerically. Every minister-white and black-ot every de-
nomination in this city should assemble together and talk thlngs
over N the race question. 1t is we'll enough to send for DR.. Motion
from Alabama to talk about things at large, but we here at nome
know MANY things of which DR.. Motion has never heard. The same
is true in every locality.
That Saint Paul Meeting
,- L...L o,0b+
The recent meeting at the Saint Paul Episcopal church ou gt
70 he an example for the white clergy in more than one way; Ihe
writer knows little or nothing about the rector OF 81. Paul chufcn'
but he ventures to say that such a meeting as the one at "hcn
d., Motion spoke would not have been held in such a manner II II
had not met the approval of the rector. The communicates OF 81;
Paul church did not object, because they reverence the voice anu
things should their pulpit desire it. The nature of the Saint Paul
meeting was this:
J.. Its purpose was rather for Negro than white welfare.