The Petal paper. [volume] (Petal, Miss.) 1953-19??, 1957-02-21
Yes, And A Few Seem Cracked
Having To Do With Georgia Crackers

frozen, they managed to break the ice on a cattle
watering tank to get enough water to put out the
fire. The Sngletarys, who have four small child
rem, live about six miles from Koinonia and have
had warm relationship with us over the years.
Several months ago the barn of another whit
neighbor Mr.. j. D. Clements, was mysteriously
destroyed by fire Because nearly all of his heavy
machinery was housed in the barn the loss wa
around $4,000. Mr. Clements had helped with tn,
Singletary's crops while Jack was in the hospita
for six months from burns suffered from an cx
ploding fuel Gil can.
When Mr. Harrington, farmer from the othe
side of the county, moved in few weeks ago t.
pick our corn 1--WE have no corn-pckers of ou
OWN he was Immediately beset by all kinds O
physical and legal harrassments, which became
SO acute that he had to quit before the field wa
more than one-fourth picked. He is now contem
plating selling out and moving away
On the night after Christmas, car stopped
on the highway, put powerful spotlight on oul
recently installed gasoline pump and fired fou
heavy-calibre steeljacketed bullets into its mech
anisrn, then speed away. The pump is located {
short distance from one of our dwellings Just be-
fore dawn on New Years Day, the sign at the en-
trance of our drive was riddled with bullets from
an automatic rifle.
Lest you think all is darkness in this southwest
Georgia County, let US quote front-page article
in yesterdays Americas Times Recorder:
LOCAL MINISTER'S ATTACK KOIN-
ONIA FARM VIOLENCE. The Americas and
Sumpter County Ministerial Association met
in called session Wednesday at the Lee
Street Methodist Church to consider possible
action relating to the act of violence which
resulted in the destruction of the Koinonia
Farm market on the Albany Road Monday
evening.
spokesman said the meeting was called
by the executive committee after numerous
requests by laymen and preachers had been
received that some protest should be voiced
by the ministers of the churches of the city
and county.
committee OF ministers, which had been
appointed by the Association in ties December
meeting, reported that there had been a series
- Of acts OF violent nature leveiec against the
people and property of Kononia Farms A
mong things reported were repeated instances
of gunshots into market property and resi-
dence buildings, destruction Of road signs and
two bombings of the roadside market, one in
July of 1856, the other Monday night of the
present week
Following thorough discussion of these
incidents and other related factors, the minis
tiers unanimously adopted a resolution de
crying violence and lawlessness. The resolu-
ton adopted read as follows:
RESOLUTION
I'VE deplore and condem the use of VIC
lence because of their personal beliefs which
90 not endanger the rights of others. AS Chris
tians and citizens we hold the right to disa-
gree with others concerning their beliefs with
out forcing their agreement on yielding ours
I'VE further condem lawlessness in any
form and call upon every citizen and the for
ces of law to do all things necessary to protect
the rights, properties, and lives Of others in
our community state, and nation
In these difficult days in which many
nations and people look to these United States
for moral well as political leadership, it
behooves each citizen - and especially each
Christian = to assert positive efforts to streng-
then the cause of civic righteousness" at n
The president of the Ministerial Assoca-
ton IS Rev Edward Carrcuth, pastor of the
Lee Street Methodist Church Americas The
action of these men might bring them Under
fire. Letters from you will help to reassure
them of moral support We know from exper-
fence how much letters mean in time of crisis
The Ministerial Association also sent a
letter to Governor Marvin Griffin but no
copy of the text was available.
We want to share with you our own feelings al
chs time. We cannot say that we are exactly easy
but not afraid. We are not at all down.
hearted or discouraged ana there is not the slight
est thought Of giving up or moving away We
know that the things God has given us to uphold
and preserve are eternal and must abide We are
constantly praying for those who oppose us, anc
we are asking God to free us completely from
every semblance of hate OF il-will Laughter is
frequent among US, and there is deep, abiding
joy, even though there are at times, evidence O.
fatigue and strain. We have ample food, clothing
and shelter, In manifold ways, God continues K
multiply His grace toward US. We shall seek to be-
true and faithful witnesses to His way, and t
His Love as we see it IN the face Of Jesus The
Christ