Williams Rutherford, Jr. to The Southern Watchman

Subject

Religion

Description

This article 1857 article features Williams Rutherford's input into the controversy between an anonymous author, known as "An Ounce of Preventive," and Wilson Lumpkin over the use of the Baptist Church by people of color. Rutherford named Lewis, the pastor of the African Church in Athens, as the best minister to the teachings of the Holy Spirit in the town. He also testified to the faithfulness of the people of color in the Baptist congregation.

Creator

Williams Rutherford, Southern Watchman

Publisher

Southern Watchman

Language

English

Type

Newspaper

Coverage

1857

Text

For the Southern Watchman.
WASHINGTON CITY, D.C.
Dec. 1st, 1857.
MR. CHRISTY-Dear Sir:- ... paper of the 26th November, was ... in my hands on yesterday, and my attention was attracted by a communication over the signature of "An Ounce of Preventive." The author, it seems, has been "considerably exercised of late by the proceedings of the colored Baptists of Athens, at their house of worship ... and speaks as one who "knows ... he affirms." For one who knows ... well what he says, he has certainly ... more blunders than I ever saw ... short an article.
Connected, as I am, with the Baptist church at Athens, and knowing ... as I do of the "proceedings of the colored Baptists" of the church. I feel ... would be derelict to an important ... did I allow such false impressions pass uncorrected. I propose to ... the article in the order in which ... presents it to "our community."
First, he says, "I have frequently in passing that place, (the colored Baptist Church,) on account of certain peculiarities exhibited, halted for a short time to more particular note these things and interpret them; in this latter, however, I must confess to utter failure."
... would dictate, that one ... confessed to such "utter failure" to "interpret" a thing, would also have ... to speak so confidently as our author on this subject. It is difficult ... for any one to "halt" outside a house which worship is being conducted, ... correctly "interpret the proceeding ..." If, instead of halting he had entered the building-taken a seat and paid close attention to the preaching as "sons of Ham" do in that church, would have soon learned that "... did not teach that those who had ... to certain regulations cannot sin." But he would have heard Lewis ... with great fervor, that "without ... is impossible to please God-that ... but faith in Christ can save them-that obedience to the law of God-the only evidence of saving faith-being baptised or joining the church or going through a certain round ... would avail nothing unless the ... be first regenerated and cleansed by operation of the Holy Spirit and the ... of the atoning blood of a crucified Saviour.
There is no minister in Athens ... experience shows more clearly .. and teaching of the Holy Spirit, ... that of Lewis, the black pastor of the African Church of Athens. No ... however well "indoctrinated" ... earnestly and more constantly ... hearers to the "Lamb of God ... taketh away the sin of the world," ... who insists more earnestly upon truth, that all outward forms are ... less, unless flowing from a heart ... by faith in Christ. When I ... know whereof I affirm."
For the last eight years ( as well ... now remember) the Baptist Church of Athens, has permitted Lewis P... to preach to a black congregation. During the whole time, when in ... I have frequently attended his ... on Sabbath evenings; and since ... removal to the College grounds, I have attended almost every Sabbath evening - frequently reading a number of chapters of the Bible, giving them ... same time, a running commentary of what I would read, and otherwise ...structing them. I do not now ... of ever having heard Lewis preach ... any intelligent Baptist would ...nounced heterodox.
Secondly. Our author says "the various resitrctions and regulations thrown around them by our State Corporate Governments, are not ... at the place mentioned."
Besides having frequently ... of the white church present at ... meetings, they (the negoes) ... employ, by contract, a white ... whose duty it is to be present at ... meetings. For the last two or ... years, Mr. Shirly, a member of the Methodist Church, has been ... by them; and I have almost ... found him there or some one ... would get to go in his place, when ...ing to be absent. His testimony ... always been (so far as he has ...nicated with me) that the negroes ... remarkably orderly during service ... do not hesitate to say that the ...gation, as a whole, is one of the ... orderly during service that I ... I do not now remember to have observed whispering ... , during preaching, and I always sit with my face to the congregation, it is true, that occasionally an old woman would get happy, as she would say, and give expression to her joy during service, but in no case have I observed this to continue long. At the close of their ..eetings, it is a custom among them to sing a favorite Hallelujah song, and walk around shaking each other's hands. On many such occasions I have had my hand grasped under such circumstances ... to draw tears of joy from my own eyes. I have thought, however, that this custom was carried to excess, and Prof. Mell and myself have agreed to check it in some prudent way.
Thirdly. He asks "who has ever heard of light sufficient in the mind of a descendant of Ham, to instruct one upon any subject!" Many a poor negro can say with David, "Thou, by ... commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies. I have more understanding than all my teachers." For one, I am not ashamed to acknowledge that I have been "instructed" by the rich experience of many a "descendant of Ham;" and I have as little doubt ... that many a negro in Athens has been edified and profited by the preaching of Lewis. For, while he is ignorant and speaks the English language improperly, yet he is well understood and appreciated by his audience.
Fourthly. As to the insurrectionary movements at which our author hints, which will "proceed from this church," I have only to say, that my association with them has not been of a character ... induce such developments.
Fifth. He says "it is a fact worthy great consideration, that the best negroes in town attend at the Mission house, under the control of the Methodists-there, under the teaching of ... competent and most excellent white man, order is observed and an opportunity afforded to learn something." I fully concur with our author in the opinion that brother Harris is a "competent and most excellent man," and very much regrets that the Baptists of Athens are unable to support as good a "white man" to preach to the negroes belonging to their congregation.
But I am by no means ready to acknowledge that "all of the best negroes in Athens attend the Mission house." While I am free to confess that there are several members of the Black Baptist Church whose characters are equivocal, yet I know there are many whose ... and faithfulness are not surpassed by any negroes in Athens.
Sixth. One author says, "the most ordinary negro in town has the most overflowing congregation; in truth, the worse 'gumbo' the bigger crowd.- Whether this be so when worthy white ministers preach, come and see."
During the eight years ministry of Dr. Brantly, he was in the habit of preaching to the blacks at least once a month, on the day he preached in Athens. I frequently went with him, and almost without exception the house was crowded. Prof. Mell has preached to them on like occasions, and frequently the hose has been so crowded that it was difficult for any one coming in late to pass up the aisle or get a seat. The leading members of the church have importuned him and myself, over and again, to come "oftener."
They have frequently teased me to come to their night meetings, and not to fail to be present on Sabbath evening-always greeting my presence with an approving smile. They have asked and obtained President Church's services, and he has related to me with great interest, the pleasant seasons he has had in preaching to that church-particularly alluding to the hearty shaking of his hand. The fact is, the negroes of the Baptist Church in Athens, have been particularly anxious to obtain the services of a white man when there was the least prospect of success.
Lastly. Just before leaving Athens, ... the last business meeting of the Baptist Church, I brought up the subject, and the Church authorized me to certify to our confidence in Lewis' piety, with a request that the Inferior Court would issue the legal license. I left the document in the hands of a frind, with the request that he would attend to the matter for me.
WILLIAMS RUTHERFORD, Jr.

Original Format

Newspaper article

Collection

Newspaper Abstracts

Citation

Williams Rutherford, Southern Watchman, “Williams Rutherford, Jr. to The Southern Watchman,” African American Experience in Athens, accessed December 4, 2023, https://digihum.libs.uga.edu/items/show/30.

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