VXJL, XVIII N©. 33 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, SATURDAY. AUGUST. II. 1«m>|
VIRGiMA 5;TAtr 11
RICHMOND^"^^"Snnannaa
PRICE, P1VE CENTS
Editor Mitchell'sStatement.
A Review of the First BaptistChurch Trouble.
the :press and its mission..a yestkd righttikiCANNOTBE.'MADEA PUBLIC OB*BESQSE.TheJ Gospel Rxle..Rights of the Dtmomm 'Board .RothL God's and Man's Law DisrefgaTded..ThelesueOoined.fcrf Will Contend to the End.
Rickmono. Va.. Aug. 12. 1901.Te|thef,MenilKr^Jxrf the 1-irst laptas
Church:.Ft.rltw.nty-threv yaars, E iu.vc BBBaBai
consistent contribatsng nierhc:T oa? thtFirst'Baptist Chureh and during thattime, Ihave never attempted to BfNBBaor particiiiate in th«- affairs otataal Nxlv.
I would also remijad «ywu that duringthat time ! have nev^rbeen OBaWI oa to
appoar before it upun any charx ¦-
WherrUa' time ea*.tnef»->r the electionof pastor. 1 broke tln- long silfaice, ar.dprotoated against ibi* of the nu st oat-
rageous. bBbBbBBbbbBbbIstf'God's hoa.se-overseen in this or any ObBBbT comauuuity.Yon are fAmiliar no doubt wi<h thedisgraceful proccedhiga of Mondaynight, June 3. 1901, when I with >therswa* joercd.'hootcd and threatened withbodiry inJBiw on nocount. >f not beingfavorable 80 tlie candiriucy of Rw WT. Johnson.
1 HK OMABGK A** PRBOXNTEP.
fffFnough f.rr that! Snffice it to say thatinjnry was a.lded to insult-v. hen U8*>n atrumpod up jharge of having- lH-eii^uil-ty of a public offenae, I ww agahi de-nied the riglit of defeuee and in the n< <
of the anost ot:trag««ou»; partrsan mlingby Rev. Tom H. Briggs. K. a vose of66 to 64 waa declared eaccludatl froirt thechurch. Tha* by s votes wae thia out-rage iftegally perpetxau-d. -This-%>-asdone in a church with a mentt-ership of2600.The cfaargc waa that I publiahed iu
the columns of the Pi.abvet the BtiBBtoletter of Rev.nW. T. Johtnaon addreaaedto the chavrch and also the prsceefkngsof the chau-chymeeting of July 1, 19&.
TBuE UOHT TO PCB1.ISH.
I preenme yon know that as editor. efthe Pi.anft, it ia my rigbt and iinty topublish anytha.(g I BBO nt. being irespon-sible only -in tbe eourta of the coinnion-wi-alth for the.abase of Crie privilege.Thia rigbt is, engrafted Ln the "Consti¬
tution of tho United Statesand efce Billof Rights of Virginia.
It isabsurd to-aay that a right.a vest-. ed right in the veoognizeid law of thiacountry ia a crime in the neoogiiizad lawof the chureh.
It is a fact that there is n<»t one liue inthe constitution of the Ftret BaatistChurch which aays that the proceedingsof r. church shall not be publiahed intho. oolunms of a newspaper. Neaaaeria there any puuiahmeut provided for sodoinff.
TUB WORbB .SIIOULD KNOW.
On -he other hand, it is a well-knownprincaple that the.church in its meetingsshould do nothing whieh it ie ashamedfor the world to know.The ehurch is not a secret organiza¬tion. it concedes rtrhe right to pnbliahits proceedings in.a favorable light and
therubyacknowledges the right to publish tbe proceedings in an uufavorablelight.The statement that an official letter
addressed to 2500 people ia a private doc-ument is too ridiculou* to adniit of amoment's conaideration.An official letter cannot be a privateletter. I had a right to publish it.
THEED1TOK'* POBITIOX.
I atated in the Plaket at the timeand assert now that if there is anythingin the report of the proceedings whichis either incorrect or untrue, I standready to make such a correction.
I need hardly to state that the editor-ial department of the Plaket, for whichI am personally responsible ia on the 4thpage and my name appeara at the top ofthe page.
In these columns, up te thia writing,aothing has appeared concerning theHrst Baptist Church.The article of which complaint is
made appeared in the reportorial col-nmus and was a report of the proceed¬ings of the church meeting.If the church or any member interest-ed in the controveray desires to make astatement, the columns of the Planet areopen.
WaU CONTKND TO THK KXD.But, on the other hand, if any attemptis made to question my right to publish
or to puniah me for ao doing, I shall con-tinue tbe conteat to the end of the chao-ter. r
I claim tbe right gnaranteed nndertbe law, and deny the right of any in-
*.
.lividunl r orKJUiizHtionr',, ht^j- BBSiaiathnt rijrht.I Klmll publish anytthiuK 1 BSS ri*
which ia -oucluyl ln r*aes*afBt fcjiKuaprand ir a-a-Min-e ,.1 ir.lon. iin»*> ., t<> cmrrenders. 1 shall oxp<>*> n]J,aaa*fa*0pSx*and nnluv-ful riiuga, chqves or ,r jiil.ijmtlons. rafB8a*41sxa1 Bxf th* 0*Ba*a*a8BaSSB08SIeither 80 D ys«lf or tlu- jonnut' vhich Irc|in*saV!t
HAVB**K. SJAiSJ.
Whrni ii the right, I have jio fa>*r. Ihave Dnwer v«t trailed my baiao-r in th.*dust ^TtaBii naifmsBOa* ta* do*arn-ta*oddenonte»si i**s> ile erasi wheu i facd oosn-hn-ntioj*- i., >re ]N»M*«rfuLivid daiajeroustlmn fbxmsjbj * with BSxnifBaTfl am iiov 0OBVtoaadilBK. 'i Imvc troMtoil lU'Godaiul ITcBSaTJ raSaBBff > t dcceiav.vd or forsaken nie.
1 hu*fr>luv<*n in *axa»SSBafBS taBBSS uniesn <i«SlaSkSS of my rijjxvt to pulaiah and.hree ttnie** Have white juries cV.-ki .1 in
tf ivnr OS rsaj rifc'ht topublish.*Ak* : IKOKV«Sr:FSOrB.
It BSBaBnt 80 \h- tho W>my of fat<* ti at Ihavr. UfO but once BaaaBBI I BBBij .f col-¦<*- <1 ikso>1« ,a id that tim. have leenoondeniraed rf >r exonrjbKuiK **¦ privikjre.w lich is known and -x\*cogi*m*d t.» I*- arhxht hy Batioi n. who bbws the int* lli-»e tcc nttrt ita .lity to amdecNtaml h.-fuuduiucnanl v,.rinciph** uuderlviug».>urt<o- u of K<rvernnient.
I'avuiK the I overri-Ylon bTb. luws of¦*.... this naune riinj proteede* to B) rrid* the law* of Qod.
xaVli.AW VIOLaTSlD.S.» where lu tlie Bible which is th *
fatfa'aiu-heavd ,of all law and vs in facth«- j uide toauiextent eveat Ln the conrtfof th- land covn then* be foauidom* wordlinecr syllahie 8o cover th*- case or t*eotadt-iun a rssaxaffn****, who at editvr madtpuhli the proooedingg of ti*> church.It it plainly .wident that *his actionwwi ilii'jfal and <vai«i.
I rejt^rate tlven**Jiat I have -.violatedUO law-of tlu* aiaaTaQh. How tlhon COttlda denaajid be mavdetupon nie to aak par-don wh- n no 0B*Bnfa*M had bee* coaviniit-tcd? How then oon'd I be hr-gally ex-cluded<wrhen no ruk of the ehuroh hadbeen violated? I do not presume that itia necesaexy for nae to call att«a»ti«n tothe 18th , .hapter ttf Matthew, s*hiohset* foxtt the ptx^ier rule of oonluctiu dealinu with all oascs of disciplineInstead>of oompljriujp with the pravi-aii>ns, apaj^.*r contaiuiiiK forged urni-esvas presftnl *d to tbe. *t>-*acon Board Jtly7th, caliiaiir for a sneeting Moini«vnight, July 15th, aud an effort **#vasroade to e»clude me without eitecjihes-ring or«ven a notiot to appear.
THE GO#a*SL RULK BjafcHEOARDKD.Ko one hadlteen to see me, buton nuo-tion, a .writtesi.coniniunieition was seiat
to mo to appear at the ohurch-nieeringAugnst 5th to show cause*why I shotiWnot he excludadDid you ever hear of a cimrch sending
a wrifcteii comnMiiiication to a brother,citiiiK him to apptjar-1 Do you not kuowthat it was propea- for the member, waomade tke charge So go to the brotheragamst whom the charge was made.and th^neby compfy with the mandato-ry provisions of vthe 18th *Chapter oi*Jiatthewr
TflDE DUTY Or JTHE CHUBCH.
Certainly. a committee should havewaited upon him. But this was notdone. When I appeared befare thechunch, I was brow-beaten and insult-ed. Although called to show cause why1 should not he excluded. when I obeyedthe chnrch and appearod, I was deniedthe right to do what the ehurch had di-rected me to doand was excluded whileon the floor in my own defense.
I presnme yon know that no case ofdiscipline can come properly before theFirst Baptist Church until it has firatbeen brought before the Deacon Board.Should that body fail or refuse to con-
sider it, then it can bo brought beforethe church; but, not nntil this ia donecan a brother be brought before thechurch.
THK CHURCH, THE LAST RESOKT.
So true is this that "Hiscock'a NewDirectory for Baptist Chnrchea," therecognized Baptist authority, declaresthat should a brother be brought beforethe church first, before an effort hasbeen made to correct the offense com-plained of, the member, who brings thematter up should be himself punished.This then is a brief review of the casewhich has attracted attention through-out this country, and which is beingwatched with interest by all, regardlessof religion or denomination.
KEVKR HEARD OP 8UCH BEFORE.
I am frank to Con'esa that I hare nev-
. r bBfoaa>aBBBBBSBf such an atteanjitsdnsurpataaai of bbbbbi oai Ifae part of aiwi bodv of awaajaa, atriaBBig :Vs it doe* ata[ vttal hjuot pnnople of afao repubJic .and; Hitcrferiac.wtti tkearetcd powers <©fI the ooBaiaa
The <pn*st»or. bvf**>*,?> is. Caat ringsIaad repi».M-!iir;rives of- aooret urjeaitKei-'noas {aaaaa .!!« i»astor* tor obBbbbbb*]tbas dCBBBBBUigi-UH* l»c.aut fide meiubor*- ,fthe church of.tiietnruflr.s in thi*! juat-,ter'r< an rdaaf BBaaBB and bbBbbBBB tlw puKicpress. which. a* tlie bulwark of Jrtwmty.was onlained and seut fortli r<» »sa*we;
. t-uch nefamow-pTateaioeVIESTIOXS .WIUCH DtOI AM' UBbBBbBbB.i ui th*w, .rpou th/tr own bbBbBbbb,nluce unjmitciplvrt men in the chairWqnPBtinBastlli -BBaMaBBa and att«Muart fcVI punish atribuueofi thi colored pwvplet*ne whoBawatlbOTorla\. their (bbbbbbbb!worke<i nightiBad day m pleading shear'
<ause in fh- ti.rum of the nation?Can th»«y at«eniptJ.av> ripph- hww&u-nce and boast of- ta«-:r pmwcKs ia th.?a-.treeta of aiHM-jity?l*hUk«a>e.^neau«r> which decnaatdt.
au answer.A mewiiar.iuis(BBMBB alh-d to ^aas-kW
i us obm Shurnluy Bjajfbt, August lUt-h| K)l. and alieavquestaors will no d.ai»u.« niscusrwd there.
THEJl-.HCHE aatOBBBBt THK MAN.
As for Bmvk mat*r»n- Imt little. lt ifih. c cause., rather tba.i the nuiu which.v ill hc preaoirfrt to ync.'.'t is tlioae-memtors BjrfaO stav awav
TTOSB thecitur->h-iiie<'ain>:.s which bbBbBb!such disgrattotul-aceim- ipossible.I have iKithiug uim\ to say ta The!;TmJt uises.
The |H*opl".inud«> ana>>-hat I am. Dur¬ing my eurhleuai years «.f puhlic bbVIhave Ixvii oh,.r- BBB*BBbb1 listeniug -tn tii.coir,plaints<if raBO loaafa/ and doingall inmy power bBMBBBBBb for them the rijpWiWBj h have^aren so ku»g denie<l.Tae obaiBB) BbbbI 1 ha,v - in nnv wbvt««
Bsot >d upon+iiaiier faonjry jn-ople **¦ Thelabo ing cla»w«*; in awv walk of hfv isifatvu'tsurd to rvaguire. a-d^nial and v««t i««do.8i ny it.
stilil :bavk ry. kxt -.
ltf> friends Ihave ue :cr desertwd ui«whet} my aBBBBaBBI sough. to t-iuxMnpaj*BBJ rn in or rejuur* at irry defent.I bave tlie matter ar the lmnds<*~.aBOOBKtSod, kiiowrug thut lespite all ofthe ht< rmy sceaias thrts- ;h wliich I am
I«wKia^, I sliall -after BBBra fitful bOSSBsleerj..-«ell." and-tine Maker of all paidand pe-tect j^ifts will, iiaHis own tiiart.,wipt-ut! tears froim ourey.s.KespHK-traiily sdhn.itted.
JOH3C Mirc-iKLL JK
**» liat Are V e llert |*ati
The rapreseatatiBH ot^tu tt our whiteDemocxaalc daily joasrnala called on usand afkes . xpn^sing -aurpria | at the ac-tion of v.t'ie First iBaptiat Church re-
i .narked. rlditckell, why dsr 't you askI hem, what are we harre for
WAJm,)-A ma* BataBB horse andands, tcwqrk on shaves a-.cinall farmBjatv near c ty. Suitaade te- tnu-kingaald gratiug. Good chauice for industri©BsmananH rrtfo, Ajiaff toF this office.
P«h»bi Woreestejr, '"aass.
1o pay elnm h defot, Hev. W. B. Pear-son, pastor oflBethe! A. *at. t. Churchisph.nmn^|*-aiidrallya5if >his conjrre-gatioa. lt avill be iu tbe ohrsx-h, Sun¬day,^Sept. 1. rsBS* effort willbt made toerowai the «hurch audnvorimu at allthree-iservicen.
Special sermow will be nrtta.*hed at10 o'clock in thetsioming, .8 o'clock inthe aftemcon aur 7:80 at m#htThe i-iain object of the rally ietoraisefJundst to carry on. the church work and¦aeduceall debts. lt is expectei that«very inember will^ve a sum <a£j»oneyThere-is a debt qtf f1000 on the. church.property.The Festival which has been ia pro¬gress for several woeks will ouutinueuntil Sepfcmber i»t Some money isbeiag realiced each tright, but tbe pastor says an-effort hasto be made in ad-ditian. He hopes soma citizen wilLeomesorward and assist the church ia its
atraggle for maintenatie. IWcaxester's young men aae bogin-niugrto open sheir eyes since Sergt. JasBell of 99 West St. returned home from
across the deep blue. Iftr. Bell is a verybritfht young man and is working veryhard just now trying to form a nrilitiacompany. He held a nsseting at hishome Sttuday, A*g. 11th So talk mattersover, and there wore 29 ia attendanoeOne very promiuent young man thatwas there was Mr. Oeo. Griajin, former-ly a private in L Co.; 6th Retjiment.They made a good showing hut therewill have to he many more to form aCompany, brst we hope they .srill comeforward.
Offieers Eleeted.
Manchestkr, Va., Aug. 13, *0l.Following officers elected for inatalla-
tion:R. J. Jackson, C. C; Payton Carter, VC.;UmphreySeaborn. Prolate; EdwardBarbitt, M. of Ex.; Cyrns Jones, K. ofR. & S.; Robert Holmes, M. at A .
Fletcher Powell, I.G.; Elijah Murray'O. G.; Jss. T. Thompson, M. of Works!Geo. E. Scott, M. of Finance.The officers were installed by DeputyJ. T. Thompson of Manchester LodgeNo. 11, K. ofP., assisted by Sir S 8
Baksr, P. C. of Maceo Lodge-
VOIGE OP THEIHITBPKjn_
i*.«*JH> BIVIELL. JaV^XCniTlkEir
FTOM ( Hl
i B*t>wf. .ifriua* Baotixt (Tswotrii 'tJffta'lMl*at 21'iiMU-it inn ia Un riaw^.
Me^tfatr. Laste«l *««* Hour*.
[Richmsnd Dispafah, JSrnsr 8
,)V>h*i nfrrt hell. Jr., edrtor of the Plavrvr. «nd<wv of the *Vwt--knf>wii ooloredtnaieninto* State. aa* b-eti exclxded."Hrom the T-rst Africaw Baptist Vhmrch<vthiR city.
This arrtu m was taken lhast Mondiv'light, sft-ra very frt-rrnrv meeSing.which laortr d from alrartly afterX o'el >ckUBtil *kSJBBS next murxing. 'The Omrch
y alleged tltat K<lit«»r Mitchell fiermitted apublioatactn iu his pey>*.r oftse proceed-iu»rs of a * rnier nKtetanjr of ihe churohwhich, asa loyalnanaswr of the OnUBBoh,he shonld not have done. H* was aa*ed
. to apoloariae. He dW-luud So do ao audjl was cxvl-aticd. Thi*, i* ths cburchs Skfa^.briefly *ta*\«d.f Editor Mitchell <xiUB8iu!a taat he avid. the repr«*v>utative* crfhis pap r did ao» thing that was wruiia in weitinv aad. printhig a report of tha proe^-diiiKH of| the meetisjg referred ta. He iiolda. s*>; oordinar to astntemem made hv a niina-> tor and a Triend of his), Is.at night, that, the meetisir was not a -seorrt one. anrthat lt^cowM not have been, sijiee nwm
rs of other churches were present ata*I wera known to be present, and-were uotasked to retire. He contends ihat forthis roasosi the pn*ct*»yHa*a8 wer- placedin the hajatls of the psntdic and becamepublio au^sperty.He theoaiuiad a right, i,*i|*er*>niblrahui, to priut in hi* jftrffeT w .at had
occurred ia a practiralhr -open m *etiiiKBBS hold* that he haa done nothing
¦wrong ouai heuce has noapotirv to-make.The nK*etiUK of last Mondav night
was pactvroularly intcf*eanuig. Tne at-tnulaiu-e at the 08B8BS*BBfl wn* large, butaa the uu*hr wore on the -mwd Inaaon
. od untilv vften th. vote w**-? taken. IsSSrthan *M0 jMirsons wctv in the roomThe vote f< >r exclusion «tot»d sixtv-four
.to tifty six The facfs irrvenabov.Ohtaiued v?hh much care. The erSorta*;> see Editor Mitchell |in puimm faoled
A nnnuhe' of other perarav* were v.-nand their uarrative* were avl: pra<ti<*llva< given above.But several of those seend*»-hired that
a faotiouarttjrht was behiud the actaenSahen by th* church in withdrawiiiK atl*iowship from Editor Mitchell.JThe iiur*e*ii*g, the report ofwhich ga*e«*ffence to so many of the naembets 88*th.« church, .was that one at which RevW T. Johnson, of Lexington was 0SnaS|Ip tln- pastocrue of the church. One fac¬tion wauied this iniuister, so if is said3Jm other faction, of which, it is saidBdator Mitchell has helonged. wanteiitlie R«*v. WaOaJSr Bnx>k>, of Waahington. It is claimed by aome that the reIKrrtui the Plaxkt offended only thefaotwn favoriujr the Rev. Johnson, andas they were bi the niajority, they w.reable-to take the action of last Mondavnight *.*»«»7
It i» aaid that Mitchell will be unableto jovB any other Baptist church in thecity, ualess that, hurch ia williuK tod*>clare that he has been wrongly traaatodby the First Church.
JOHX 3UT1HBLL NOT 1HSMAYKO.
Friend. Wlll Ask for a Recoasldera-Hon.
{Evtsting Leader, Ang. 8, 1901. JJohn Mitehell, editor of the Pi.aket
« !2ifT«5*5? at tht> a^tiouof the FiratBaptist Church (colored) in excludinjrliun from u* membarship.The action was taken on the part oftne church at a meeting held last Mon¬day night, which ran until 2 o'clock inthe morning The cause of the actionwas the pnbhcation of a letter in thaPlanet, which certain members of thechurch allege was a secret matterWhen seen this afternoon Mitehellsaid that the action of the church wasentirely contrary to the rules of thechurch, and that, while he was exclud-ed at the meetinghe did notconsidertheaction legal. His friends have called ameeting for the 19th inatant, at whichtime the question of reconsideration willbe considered.
MITCHELL'S FRIENDS AT WORK.
Appeal to Board of Deacons to Rel n-atate Him.
(The News,.Aug. 8, "01.)John Mitehell, Jr., editor of thePI.AVKT, has been expelled from fel-Wship in the First African BaptistChurch of thia city. The grounds ofhis expnlsion is that he published inhis paper the proceedings of a meetingcalled ui connection with the e-tection of a pastor, which certain in-dividuals beleived should have beenjg?rg*i Th"n*aaJority by whichMitehell was expelled was very narrow,and the result was reached only after a
very stormy meeting and a deflance ofparliamentary procedure.Friends of the editor are circulating
rr*<lllajBBaa*BBaBBBBjdras the r*BU*d<tf£V -
¦"»lat, fora asaaaiiiaj to he h^ld an Au-**st l,-»th*t»-.tsUB--th. matter up iu due¦'fc'in. The «nanri*> ..f Mitehell. it n al"¦'"' . 'lt«*5gHB*e<l a, Prrard nfTkaaBwit*%a which irh,. iBMtUir should have been
[ a*;eiYd brforeaiie-ccKigregati,a1 w» callao to i«a« »i»ik it.- ?.H-ausc «»f btaand wasHBtv/oraba* *«> KtcheE.
.»OHX XTSnilKI/l/S FOSlTTrwN.4»* ConteadN That Re Did XoUibb* to< auae His Removal from Chirrrh.
(I*k?hj*a*1BBiTEin.**, Aug. 9, lftfia)E Sn? *£*** of John Mitehell, «*ditorf2 ?SS P,^NKT^ ll»v* <-alled a raaaBBBBJ ofw.- First Bapract Charch (llllhaTatJ conxrrgntion f«rthe ll-ta in.stant to art on
* t*- question atwanaaiBihii hia the actioni «d the chureh Wt Sotulav night -ba exj-edBdiug him from it> met iN-rship.Mitehell arnid yeefxday that he was»-a« way dJaaBasraai ;,t tbs m-t**ai-takentom Monday night, »for hie felt trhai baan»n BjOtbaaa* legnlly expelled from thol^ibi'rshipof thatchnn-l*i. HV<aro:,.inUtara. the reasons »rra>-n for such -axtion.aaajMiot raffi.iant.Bjid he mnrntmnstfas* what he did in the prernW wasix »i i hreHch of faithlM cause Off the tx-mhle w«* the BSSjVaS". °S a lett**r br ?«it*-hrT;.*-,,,.
K*v w. t. Johnson. iu re rerenoe r. thetau*. rate of the ehurdh. T lie faaiar >ra-tvm or a portion of them, coawidcredtbe i tter a matter rd Been <v. Mitehellaad i is friends consii*. red i t'a anrttw ofpaKh lmportan.v. a-*d st atv n* their"aBBBBBl tbat it was au offiei aj dnotiui. ntanri Mavaaaad to * oongrvKa tkm of 2..00peo-pi. MtabaQaaranj tv.isao4eae.ofiiews-ai the reavters «rf uis paper.and a*a IBBBffasharrt w <%* kw d»7tv nr rjrmt fieiiBsr* when it did not c^iifiict wiih ptr-soiial Ojliyatious.
Mrbrtiall said yv*t,a*lav Uiat theaetioaief th*- eaurvh on Memdnv night, whajafhcrv \%-re lcm than WM, BaaOfaB) of a <x«.gn>Ka«80« of 2.f*S) nreaeait would uxm'todisrot* the church.
The Jl'iruiuent Frerted -a.ihor |>ajCoirrt el Srwport w*** r* nus bj*.
The Tbrv \V. MiteheB inonuinent has¦ ern erecSed and veiled and *v >rvthiugis being put in shape |aj -the ii.th ofi ugust.mn-.-eiling day.The aaaatajBBaJOaj danaTaswaTJI atnBat whohave pn*miat«l sunis of nnuvvy to turn itit as early at possible so tha*" they niaybt able to m«*ot their obligwtaons proiuptry. All permis having books m . re-BBBajBssd to have them iu the hoadtuarter*. of the Aawwiation, 305 JS\ 2ud Stby Jtmij;. l!*hr i-'IOl.
Ia tho list j*iven iu the laat issue, ehelutn*.* of Kichm.Hid Lodge, Na 1, K. ofP. w*i« uuintoB*sii>UHily oniittedW« wish toSBBBTSIOVaadfB the follow
ing eavitributkntas:Riehnw uid Lodge. No. I. K. of P. $5,0.W. R. Pattemm. Sluefield, W. Va. 1.00Silver Leaf Court. 241, 1. O. C. X**w-
pow News, Va. - BjfjfjInvinciale Lxlge. (*ld Fellows. iJM}Some tinie previoaato uuvoilingday a
sjKjiker'a staud will he ereetod faeu-xthe. nioiiainent. A very lneat BQaaaSBIhas been erected at th«- entraiice to the. .emetary and the aupariiitemleut pla.***x at the diopiwal (lf those personsattend-utg the uuveiling, and other oonifortsraade a*? faraa i>ossihle by the ownrr*. rjfth»* cemetary.
THK DFM-OXS IX SKSSIOX.
The? Rold Hpeeial Meeting.TheChareh Meeting Ordered.Hro.
Hritrgs Wrsthy.
The Deacon Board of the First Bap-tiat Church held a special meetiug laatSunday morning after aervices for tbepurpofie of granting the committee cer¬tain privilegea in renovating the pulpitfurniture. Deacon A. W. Holmea, Man¬ager of the True Reformer Hotel preaid-ed.
Brother H. F. Jonathan preseuted apetition signed bv a long list of mem¬bers of the church asking for a church-meeting to be held Monday night Aujrlitth 1901 to consider the ease of JohnMitehell, Jr.Rev. Tom H Briggs, the sailor oon-taactor waa on hand to oppose the grantIng of the church, He declared thatthe Deacon Board would be held acconntable, if it acted and intimated thatthey would be dealt with by the church.
THE BULIN'O OP THE CHAIR.Chairman Holmes ruled that as RevBriggs was not a member of the DeaconBoard, he had no right to speak withoutits permission. He insultingly respond-ed that he was a member of the churchHe contmued to gpeak despite themild protests of the other membersThe Deacon Board voted unanimous-ly to grant the request.It isalwaya cnatomary to dothis whenthe petitiou is aigned by 15 or morebona-flde members of the churchBrother Henry G. Carter who did not
wear those big-leg white breechea andshad-belly coat laat Sunday morninjrwas very mdignant and openly declaredthat the present Deaoon Board would b«put out.Rev. Robert Watkins, who was guardat the penitentiary during the Readiua-ter rule was equally emphatic, but BroNelson Williams, Jr., who forged the
names te the application for the meet¬ing was not in evidence on last Sundavmorning. **
Deacon Harriaon Smith waa appoint-ed to give out the notice at every ser-vice of the church.
That LetterUnsigned..
The True Keformers And TheSecret Cireular.
A KERLY TO A DENIAL .INSISTS- THAT. THECHARGES MADE ARE TRUE.
Aa Appeal tr> the Gsnstitutioii..A Word Aboui Salaries.A La-» tjnto T-hemselves.
No repry ;-xa* nj« ye* weai reoiv.*dfrom t*a*f*ax*n*l Worthy Secretary W. P.Burn 11 SaTSB Cas Wr JL T. 'Hill iu au-swer totheirueries <of Editor JoimMitch-ell. Jr.. relar-ve 80 BBa.wa.J8wl .o^jcular.
V N< rTHKR SKi raxT Cl RCCI. -s K.On Auguat 8th, JJ»1. Eriit.n Mitchell
re<-eive<l anenvelo* e »ddi*es.«*ti to "Kdi-tor, Richmond 1 *i.AKrn. Ri hmond.Va." The post tnark Kh<r*r**ri thai ithad been maik*d in this city, .aud hadreached (he p^t-ofli ee at half \past twoo'clock tliat n**.rnin;r.
It <outaiued a SSfj r of tlie n>w fa-mous secret rirvuln.r. uo whi'ii waswritten these w**-rds. "We seud OOBjfffor yonr pentran."
A i-KTTi.R TO THK KlaTOK.It also ormtained a Wter tvpewntteii,well pnnct»ia«ed. beiuK tha* woxk <>f a
person thoroughh- trniried ia the type-writiug baoineas. lt is a model of sieat-n<*HM aud eorT»*et upellingIt reads a* folinv s:
THK DEMALH A-.NB OTHKK V*-'B**TK>N>"Richbonu. Va., August. MfC
Irflitor, Richmonti JV.ANET:Knowing yai have always laboral
(B) BBBB9 <»ur people.po»tod on such thingsaa affect their interest. bjbj beg you topl<ja*e ask the followiug question* rela-tivt to the secret uiruialar, the RbbbBBbbbT>has-ao often meutioned thnmgh it col-Iciium n-cently: U), Ii its coutenta arefalae. why were th*? Chiefs of the Divi-skui* »rdcred to stuiimou their meKaen-ger* iu «ecret intH'tings and instruct the.ninoi t<- i.-t it ba road iu their subordiiuueF'onntiBaisr
WANtrt? the kkm kmei. *j>o piblish
(2), Ifohe cireular is faloe, why doesthe Reformer uot publish it*- coutentaand advise its readers to ruad taa. GuideBook. iasued by the Roard <rf Directorsprior to the last Grand Sittistg. read sec-tion a. page 39. of the Constttwtion, andthen r*ad the rt*jx>rts of the Miauitee ofthe lllth aud Jutlt Annual S«««ions ofthe Grand FouttSuiiir
THK PKK#slJ>K\T*S S.M.AKY.
(.'ii, lf tlie Presideut's salary and dhesalary *>f other eertaizi officers were ia-<-reaaod liefore the last Grand Sittiug,why were they not reported to theGrand Fountain for confirmation lastSeptcmber:- Read the President's re¬port of the Mth Annual Sesslon and seeif he mentious it. (4), How many ofthe delegates to the last Grand Sittingknew of these important chauges?
THE SAKKTV Off THR ORDER.("»), How can an order be safe as lcugas certain offlcers can come together audhave their salaries raised when everthey feel like it aud not report such tothe Grand Body when in arrnual sessionfor confirmation?
Yours for the race,Subscribers."
Itmaybe that Messrs. Burrell andHill are too busy getting ready to in-stall the True Roforruer pastor of theFirst Baptist Church te prepare theiransweas.
THB FIRST TIME.This is the first time that any com-munication has been opened up betweenthe local secret circular committee andthe generai public.The failure of President Taylor torun them to earth" ia rather an omi-
thSthL1^' /iUCe !! must *» concededthat the headquarters are in this cityThe organization is an incorporatedinatitution and as snch is directly sub-ject to the order of the court.DoesMr. W. P. Burrell reoeive as
month.' Does Mr. R. T. Hill as Cashierreceive #150.00 per month?^«"»er
A COMPARISON OF WAOK8.What is their pay for ertra work? Ifthis is the amouut of their salaries whatdo the clerks, assistant clerks, ete re-ceivo? A comparison of wages wouldtend to enlighten the public from whomthe organization draws its snpport andwhose funds tead to swell the ootlers ofthe institution in question.If the officials have been misrepresent-ed, the columns of the Planet are opento them and through this channel. theycan make any statement which will en¬lighten the public.
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of 110 East Leigh St., has removed hisofflce tofiOO North 2nd St., opposite theTrue Reformers' Bank. His new offlceis much nicer than his old one, whichwill be more convenient for his patients
THEIR DOORS OFEH WIRE.
iA Reiiiarkable Letter.Speaks I'lainljTn the Kditor..The Action of the
First llapltst Church.A Cor-disl Invitation.
Kditor John Mitehell, Jr. ha* beenth- reoipi.mt of of invitations to join theK^pal and the A. M. E. Chun he8*The frOIowmg letter from a waH-kj*,wn white (',1th,.h.Pncst iaa niode 1llaaaar of iaa kind. and no< having obtain-«-«Iliscxmseut we with-hold his name.:l'HK SEVKREXD's I.ETTEB,
WtOUIaaWVOBl, Dk.. . .\uk. ;<, !901My Dear Mr. Mitehell..
aa-a - ,,In t( *1;,v * l^ltimore-St n. .read an accouiit of vour exuuhuonfrom tbe Bnptist Chuich ^P0"****
Now, will yon uermir Daa as an oldfriend af vours te give expression to £»h,*ghtt>jat raggests itaalf to nif' loaa of aoauaa *-.v.prea« no opiniou as tethe faota MBBjiuulad with aaa ease. 8in<£I bavoBaBaabar heard nor read anythingber/OBad th* few lines in the Six.IXTEKDaCD AS BfMsHMEXT.
The action on the part of tlu* .,«,.. -of the First Baptist Cl.un-l^Iti^uitendtHl aaa puaJshmenj: aud will r.'
fiect ou you BB the cvts ot soan, few pe£But, after all, wliar does it ameuut »aJ have often woudered how a m«n ofyour nitelhgence and euueariun could
churcli kSmmH W,th a "^^nSgTHe LORD 8 INTH-NOHON.
The Ix>rd iiitended his chnrunito be *r*orgauized society to whicli a£ .u^sTfflong m order tosave their bob£ TWhereaies would come; that di^atTx!uommatious would spring up/a^rtWeach for itself. to be the Churl^hcJchSf;was diviuely foretold and should £Z1no wouder to ou, who has SKtSSTHE ONLY TROUBLE.
The trouble with yom. it seem- r« ^"1 this; you want to be intXSXi0 mtwant to be popular and ^nt e tS ' J^Tjonty of people in you? JSm ?s Z£* "^Did yon ever read thos,. .-ords.
TEE LORDS WELCOMB,May pour case resemble the one rof th*.cTth^* Go"1*1* who ^as^ned 0n\of the synagogue, but lovingly receiverl?JrHUK^rd- The chn*h ot tha 22Lord bids you welcome into he, bcSunif^therwnse you have the right ;.&££.I trust vou will accept tliese exnrea-.
^"m °frieUdIySpi"t iu JSwfSre.2.^ Wi8heS f°r ^^ .tft*re,;i
Yours sincerely, *
<»K1>DERS0>-J0NE!S.
to Mr. Robert p. Granderson has beea an!nounced to take place Aug. 27th, at/ sii° Th0^.- .?' the Hotel ReformsrIhe bride is the young and attractivewrdow of the late Cornelius Jones and i*very popular. The groom is a valned.employeeof the True Reformers, beintthemanager of Branch Store, No £Manoheator, Va,-BS a an _
Miss White Is to Teach At Hsrtshora.College.
Mias Viola M. White, (oolored) a irrartoate of Oberliu College has beW euSSryla? aShWmttHartShorn **££&o(T°iLJ?irrougig' £. Professor ofO. T. I^nguage and Litorotnre^Stoa!"Permit meto endorss her withon*
true and broad culture, souud commor.jense, and oonsecratod Christiarf^S"glfsh writos^' the ***** « **>Miss V. M White is a student of rerwunusual abihty, intelligent, ^U-rlS?"jiiawlSS P^88ef3e8 ScellenftSai-Personally, she is dit-nified r»«tZ^attractive. I should expscihcrV2%332^.^*"^«^!n!
