Richmond planet., 1930-12-13
VIEWS OF
THE UBL
WILL LAMBAST MINISTERS
CONTINUED from Page i

DIR. Williams accepting the state
ment of Rev. Josephine Becton flung
wide the doors Wednesday night to
continue the revival services. Agree
ing to the proposal made by tue
Evangelist that she be given complete
charge of the services Rev. Williams
said:
"The devil has been cheated, as
Christians we possess that religion
that make us get together that the
kingdom of God might 60 forward.
The misunderstanding between Mrs.
Becton and myself has been thor
oughly Strengthened out. 1t is the
policy of this church to give to the
citizens of Richmond the very best
that can be given, such as Emancipa-
ton exercises, Civic, I~nter-racial, n
public forum meetings. But the
saving of souls is more important. l
extend an invitation to Rev. Jose
phine Becton to come to this city.
She was recommended by such per-
scnages as the Rev. John W Robin
son, Rector of St. Marks Church,
New York City; Rev. Cullen Of Sa-
lem Methodist, and other divincs
in New York. I turned owe my pull
pit to her, giving her full swing,
that she may no the hampered. l in
vinted her here and mean to stick
BY"
This statement was accepted with
loud applause by the packed au-
dience. He further stated 81 regret
what happened last night. I thought
an attack had made against the
Ministerial body of Richmond and
Immediately sprang to my feet. l
vii not allow anyone to attack any
denomination or its leaders from
my pulpit. Mrs. Becton assured me
she did not mean it the way | took
the statement. / have got to live in
Richmond and any statement made
against any profession here, will az
feet m eand my church."
DR.. Williams related an instance
where he had to stop a young up
start who made an attack from his
pulpit. Rev. Williams said, 81 found
in Mrs. Becton, a Christian woman.
| wouldn't do anything to hurt her.
| know that certain forces are after
her now. My actions were merely
to protect the interest of this church.
Certain forces in Philadelphia want
her to fail. There has a reporter
from Philadelphia, here for the past
week, this reporter, having visited
my home. I wouldn't have thtt re-
Election on her. We are here to close
this meeting in a Christ-like way.
We can get together and straighten
this thing out, try to be broad-mind-
ed and broad-hearted, and not have
any prejudice against and denomina-
ton. / wouldn't raise my hand 10
hurt this woman, we have settled our
disagreement. I am ready to go
forward. She is willing to let it
drop and so am I.
Rev. Williams, in a statement to
The Planet, said that his action to-
ward the Becton party was caused
by what he considered an unjust at
tack by Rev. Becton on the Rich
mond ministry. He further stated
that he did not know Rev. Becton
prior to her coming here, and there
fore had no motive, except that he
felt that it was his duty to ask her
to discontinue her practice, in view
Of the fact that much pressure had
been brought to bear upon him by
influential members of his congrega-
ton relative to the nature Of her
conducting services and laying the
Richmond ministry.
Rev. Josephine Becton, in an in
terview with the press, said that she
dld not preach UNCONVENTIONAL issues,
BAT the religion Of Jesus Christ, and
flat she spared none, telling of their
sins and wrong-doings.