The Omaha guide., 1938-07-02
A FRIENDLY CRITICISM CON
CORNING THE NEW ERA BAP-
list STATE ASSOCIATION OF
NEBRASKA

BY Rev. James S. Anderson
National Evangelist and General
Serretary-Treasurer; National
Baptist Evangelical Board Inc.
Ny first visit to an Annual Ses-
sion of the New Era Baptist ASS
ociation Of Nebraska; was Friday
June 18th 1888. This is due to the
TACT that during the few years
I have been in Omaha; each year
of the time of the annual session,
/ have been out of town. Because
of some absurd errors hat We're
made. and some nbaptistic things
that were done. I have nothing to
offer but love toward all; and
malice toward none with the foil
owing friendly criticisms.
First. The Talk Of the Two Man
Rule
Prior to this first visit, I had
heard Of the two men rule in the
Association. It had been said that
Rev. N. X. Curry, the moderator,
and Rev. G. Z. Stevenson, the re-
cording secretary of the Associa-
ton, had arroeated to themselves
the right, and the authority to
domineer, o rrule the Association.
That is, without tn evoice, the
vote, or the assent Of the A@ssoeia-
ton. CT its Boards assembled; they
would make debts for the Asso-
cation to pay and transact other
important business without com
stitutienal auhoriy, or orders o do
50. # this is true, it IS wrong, and
it is an illogical assumption Of
power, and it is unbaptistic in
every serlse of that word. Baptist
cchurches, and baptist lorgani-
cations have no Popes, nor Cars,
whose words er commands laws
per Sc. But allthings must be de
cidea by a majority vote of the
church on organization assembled
I'M u proper meeting.
Secord: In Associati0nal Min
ute. Without the Associations
Constitution.
In examining the printed min
utes of the last G937,, annual
Session Of the aforesaid assoeia-
ton; I could not find the Consti-
tuition of this Association printed
in connection with its proceedings.
This is the first time l have ever
seen the minutes of an Intelligent
Baptist Organization printed with
out its Constitution. Neither have
II seen a printed history of the
United States; to be taught ia CTR
schools, and colleges with the con-
atitution Of the United States in
serted therein. 1t is a %preposter-
Gus to compile the minutes of P.
Baptist organization without in
sorting its constitution therein. Be
cause the constitution of any Civi-
Iffd Pfr9f r., ia t. f !aWeat
81 laast ia Il I3IEs..la sia#dHl
# egy! urlt't irr Eride and d.
itstiln, in all plo Of fdure. Bal IN
luis Al uCiaii 4 il pnreulfd TN.
no enc knew it's Constitution but
Rev. G. e. Stevenson; and his
q%uotetiop in reference to what
the constitution said WITS express
sed verbally, without a visible
Constitution; and the Moderator,
Rev. M. X. Curry ruled according
ly. Why keep the people in ieno-
rance about the Constitution of the
Association?
Third: The Withholding of Some
Necessary Information
During the same session of this
Association, Rev. l.. II. Hervey
asked for some Information in re
CARDS of the expenditure of some
money and the legal side of the
transaction concerning the Associ-
ation's property in the Norfolk
Nebraska.
1t is reported that Rev. Nj. X.
Curry; and Rev. G. E.Stenvenson
%withouta vote or the assent of the
Association, or board, volunteered
and assumed the pawer to defend
the rights of the Association in
the TRANSACTION md failed to report
TO the Association, giving the de-
sired and the necessary informa-
ton touching the financial and
the LEGAL sides of the transaction