The Petal paper. [volume] (Petal, Miss.) 1953-19??, 1959-08-13

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AS general with scripture quoting articles;
therefore them I'm do
ing quoting naturally Not only from text books but from ex
the Devil quote scripture
article entitled SHALL STAND IN THE GAP? which
peared Mississippi Methodist Advocate time ago. was
written by John A. Stuphin who
sides Jackson Miss To me- the article makes SOUND dovo
land SOUGHT FOR MAN AMONG THEM, THAT SHOULD
MAKE UP THE HEDGE, AND STAND IN THE HEDGE, AND STAND
IN THE GAP BEFORE nae FOR THE LAND THAT SHOULD DESTROY
IT." EZEKIEL 1890
Hundreds Of Mssisspps finest citizens being challenged
each day to Get down off the fence This challenge coming
from at least two sources The NAACP calling for persons OF all
races to Join forces with them their fight TO advance the col
oed people of the world The Citizens Councils inviting the
white citizens to Join their ranks to preserve the Lead which
the white people Of the state have maintained Both groups are
chaIenunq the rest of US to "Get down off the fence.
What is this "fence?" If there is one it is being made
stronger by the two groups referred to above While spend
thousands of dollars trying to open pa gap the iron curtains
and the bamboo curtains around the world we nd coored
curtains hanging land Or in the language OF some
people these are not curtains but actually fences.
Why should Join the National Association for the Advance
ment of Cooed People? already belong to an international as
ISOLATION for the advancement OF ALL people None other than the
Fellowship of the Followers of Jesus Christ.
Why should Join the Citizen Council? already belong to a
much more inclusive group of citizens None other than the United
States Of America which includes the commonwealth Of Msss
spp This citizenship open TO both native born white and COL
oed citizens as we'll as natuazed citizens OF many lands
These two groups and the fence not the only choices
open TO U.s. The fence is not completely erected as yet in our
fair STATE There many gaps in which are standing fine cItI
zens Of all races clans and reeds These gaps remain the chan
nes of communication which are essential for the preservation OF
our state and nation
Standing in the gap not the sitting on the fence
The person on the fence often spectator waiting see which
side winning before eapng The person standing in the is
in the middle Of the struggle He down the field binding
the wounded caring for the needy lifting the fallen visiting
the prisoners consong the beeaved and serving as the peace
maker He is trying to bring about common understanding to
open the way for mutual advancement"
am happy to number among my choicest friends members
Of the Citizens Councils Whether not they think really
friendly also speaking terms with members Of the NAA
CP How Christian stand in such position This the inner
meaning of the Gross of Christ The always stands in the
gaps even between enemies and freely gives Of itself for the
welfare Of ALL At the moment Of cruccon one can hear the
prayer Father forgive them for they know not what they do
do not know proven fact that God made distinction
in the color Of the skin and the social status Of the grandsons Of
Noa but these things do know The Christian Way OF Lite is not
the way Of ignorance upersttuton hatred prejudice and false
Witnessing It's methods not stirring up strife between neigh
bos and using economic pesses and counter pressure for self
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