Newspaper Page Text
Brother Wood Leaves His Text
Brother Wood leans his text and
puts me on the stand. So witness
must tell the truth, the whole truth
and nothing hut the truth. Let me
say first of all, that all who know
me know two things: First, that 1
am always opposed to newspaper
controversy, and, second, that 1
am fraternal in my feeling,s where
people will let me be, and I might
add a third —that I will stand by
my chuich at whatever cost-
You have no doubt noticed that
Brothc r Wood says he has had op
position here for seventeen years.
That is none of my fault, for 1 have
only been here six months and a
half- But this statement is rather
a significant one to me —a minister
of the gospel to live in a place for
seventeen years and have opposi
tion among the Christian people.
There must he something wrong,
either with him or his method. 1
am inclined to think that it is I.is
method that is wrong, for 1 think
his intentions are good. He says
he has not had a meeting that has
not been interfered with. 1 have
held many meeting in many towns
in Georgia, from the top of the
Blue Ridge to middle Georgia and
from east to west and I had no op
position worth mentioning. De
nominations have not always taken
hold of my meetings, hut that was
their business, and if there was
good in the meeting and they failed
to attend it was their loss, for I did
not expect to get any of their mem
bers or any members from their
families. But they always do man
ifest some interest in the meetings
I hold, and none go away feeling
insulted. I think this is where the
trouble has been with Brother
Wood. From what 1 have heard
since coming to Winder, the real
trouble began last year, when the
gospel train ran through Winder,
or started at Winder, and all re-
ligiotis denominations got on and
took their seats. They had not gone
far before they were put oft', not
withstanding they had paid their
fare, as they thought, hut without
a word from them, they were put
oIT. And many of them had been
invited to that special smi e, and
they went away, many of them say
ing they would not go there any
more. 1 say this: A man can t ex
pect cooperation of other denomina
tions if he stands up and claims he
has discovered all the truth there is
and that there is nothing left for
the other fellow. This is a time
when people demand the right to
interpret the Scriptures according
to the light they have, and when
any man begins to criticise the re
ligion of our fathers he may expect
us to balk.
Brother Wood says he is glad his
article published in The (i corgi a
Christian Messengei was published
in The Winder News. Why did he
tell the editor of that paper that he
was going to answer his own article
and that before any one had said
anything about it? Why did he
write an article for the paper in an
swer to his own contribution bin
which he decided not to publish if no
one said anything about his first
article. Why did lie tell the editor
and others that piece was not writ
ten for that paper and but a few of
his church papers came to this
town? I leavc.the people to decide.
Brother Wood says lie has the
kindest feelings toward the masses
of the members of the Methodist
church, and that his article only
had reference to those who in any
way hindered his meeting. This
would appear to a man who can
read English quite a different state
ment from that implied in his first.
No one ever said there was no oppo
sition to his meeting,for there i.~ not
a man in Winder who does not
know that tlu was some opposi- 1
tion,especially of the negative kind, 1
yet I do not believe there was a man
or woman in the churches of this
town who did not want the meeting!
succeed but they did question the ;
to methods and did not want their
own people interfered with.
Brother Wood says the reason
he charged sectarian opposition is
due to the fact that lie asked Broth
er Berry and 1 to close our churches
and attend his dedication service.
Now Brother Wood knows that 1
told him when he asked me to close,
was not in favor of closing for
anything, and that lie would have
as many people as he could get in
hisjhouse.that if the other churches
closed they could not accomodate
the people, but that I would bring
the matter to the attention of my
board and if they said close I would
do so. This I did, and they asked
me to say to him that they thanked
him for this invitation, but declined ,
to accept This vote not to close j
was unanimous. Now this was not [
organized opposition for who would ,
say that any church has to close its
doors and stop business in order to j
prove it is not opposed to some other
churches? This same principle
holds true with reference to the
fraternal spirit being broken by a
conference between Brother Perry
and I. Now what are the facts in
this ease? In the early part of the
year I entertained my official board
one evening and before they left I
told them that I wanted to take up
the matter as to the time of holding
our meeting and we agreed on . the
time, provided the time did not in
terfere with Brother Wood’s meet
ing. They asked me to see him and
find out when he expected to hold
his meeting and his answer was to
determine whether we would hold
ours on the time agreed upon. When
this matter was settle*!,l brought up
the matter of closing the Sunday
night services and the Wednesday
evening prayer meeting during re
vival meetings. After we had dis
cussed the matter a little with no
one favoring closing, I put the ques
tion and they unanimously voted
to keep tlie church open at the stat
ed hours for service. 1 am told
that it was not satisfactory last year
wlii'U this rule was followed- I
found my people unwilling to close
when 1 came here. Later l men
tioned the matter to Brother Berry,
but his actions in the matter had
nothing to do with mine. It was
already settled so far as our church
was concerned. My position has
always been that to close your church
disorganizes your own forces, and
every church stands for distinctive
doctrines and besides it is never
satisfactory with all the people and
as many can go as desired when
there is no meeting at their own
church. Is there any sectarian op
position in that sort of position, if
so, 1 feel to see it.'
tiie night we kept late goers.
The night we kept late hours, at
which time my official hoard advised
me to preach a doctrinal sermon,
has not yet rolled around. The
only night we stayed later than
usual, I asked the men of the con
gregation to remain after the ser
vice that 1 might call their attention
to an important matter. What was
it? I had been visiting that after
noon and saw things that almost
brokemy heart. 1 talked that night
on “The Church as a Saving Force,'
to lead up to the matter. Now this
is what we stayed so late for: To
see if we could not fall on some
plan by which two or three men in
Winder could he saved from a had
habit. I succeeded in getting all
the men present to promise to do
personal work and try to save these
men, and have reasons to think that
meeting did good. We had one
regular meeting of the board of
stewards during your meeting, and
we always stay lat** at that meeting,
but if you or your meeting was men
tioned, 1 do not remember it.
TIIK I)O*TIUNAI, SERMON.
I did not know that it was a vio
lation of any fraternal relationship
for any minister to preach a doc
trinal sermon at any time in his
own pulpit to his own people. No,
not if there were protracted services
at every church in town. But why
at this particular time? It was not
because there was any sectarian op
position organized, but because in
visiting the people I found some of
my members who said they knew
nothing about the doctrines of the
Methodist church, and there in that
Methodist family, I resolved to
preach a sermon on “Methodism
and What It Stands For.” And at
prayer meeting that night 1 an
nounced my subject. The next day,
I think it was, someone said they
wanted to get out circulars and scat
ter over the town, for our people
needed to hear it.
This I did. And, really, I did
not know that it was any crime to
do that, for they had been announc
ing their meetings, and they got out
circulars that same day after 1 did.
They had the pictures of three men
and one woman in the windows of
the stores, and about the only thing
I felt ashamed of was that m.v
method of advertising seemed so
tame, but that was releived when
they followed after me and got out
the little innocent looking dodger.
Now, gentlemen and ladies, what
hurt the meeting just at Ibis stage
of tlx game? If everybody will
keep right quiet I will toll you all
this secret, which I think all want
to know. Brother Wood’s church
was not satisfied with the circulars,
but they sent to Atlanta and got a
1 stenographer and slipped him into
the Methodist church to lake niv
sermon, and not until after it was
over did I know he was there for
that purpose. When I got home
someone come to my house and
said: “Did you know that Brother
Wood’s church people had a sten
ographer at your church today to
take your sermon? " My reply was
that I did not know it, and that I
did not think they would do such a
thing. “Well,” my friend said,
“they say it is true.” And sure
enough it was. Now my private
opinion publicly expressed is, that
is getting too “fraternal,” for so
far as T know, it has never happen
ed before in church history, not
withstanding the Hies through
which we have come. Well, sir,
that thing was on the lips of every
one the next morning, and it was
that straw that broke the camel’s
hack,for of all the people who men
tioned it to me,not one but thought
it an unchristian act. What would
you call it anyhow? What is it they
call a fellow who disguises himself
and goes into a meeting —“organ-
ized opposition?” Well, what was
the motive? Was it to get informa
tion? Let’s sei>. You can get all
the llest Iwioks on baptism for a
song. You can get “McTyer's His
tory of Methodism" for $1 AO
What did they pay for this one ser
mon? lam told it cost them more
than SIA.OO. Now I don't know,
but 1 am inclined to think the mo
tive was the one expressed by one
of Brother Wood's members, who
on Monday had not found out what
was in the sermon, hut who said:
We got a stenographer to take the
sermon yesterday, and we are going
to have it published, and we will
make Hunnicutt look like fifteen
cents.”
Now, I both feel and look very
much the same, hut sure as you
live, Brother Wood, this hurt yourj
meeting more than all the other op
position put together. At least that
is the opinion of the witness you put
on the stand, and he must tell the
truth.
WHV THAT SERMON ON BAPTISM TO
FOLLOW THK OTHER.
Why should I not preach a ser
mon on this subject at any time in
mix own church to my own people?
Must 1 preach on tame subjects just
because they have a protracted meet
ing at Brother Wood's church? I
do not know what Brother Wood
preached on the three Sundays of
my meeting, neither<l*> 1 care. He
could have preached on Campbell
ism one Sunday and baptism on
both the others, if he had so de
sired, and I should not have opened
my mouth. For it was none of my
huniness Does that seem like I
was evading the question? For fear
that it does, I will give another rea
son ! What was tne most promi
nent thing in sight in Brother
Wood’s church during the entire
meeting?
It xvas those placards hearing pas
sages which he thought best proved
his mode of baptism. The unin
formed sometemes see those things
and ask for an explanation, and a
man has not got time to sit down
and give his views, so I announced
that I would preach on the subject
of baptism from a Methodist stand
point. Not thinking that I was.
stepping beyond my rights, for it
had not been suggested that it was
not wise to preach on baptism dur
ing his meeting, or until Brother
Yiolett left town. In fact, I was of
the opinion that baptism was rather
an important subject during this se
ries of meetings.
PERSONAL WOliK KOil THE MEETING •
1 will say that if 1 kept any one
from going to your meeting, 1 do
not know it, though I did not get
out and work for the meeting, and
really I think this is asking too
much.
However, I did go to Brother
Wood's meeting as often as lie did
to mine. He called one time dur
ing the fifteen days my meeting ran
and 1 returned his call. My family
attended as much as they desired,
and I did not object, neither did I
try to influence any of my mem
bers from attending and some of
my people who did attend have
told me that for every one of
Brother Wood’s members who at
tended my meeting, there were at
least five of my members who attend
ed his. I feel sure it was about that
proportion the night that 1 was
there. Now if Brother Wood an
nounced for my meeting, and ad
vised his people to attend, he gave
them advice which he did not fol
low himself, and my meeting was
the first in town. Yet I do not
care, and have not charged them
with sectarian opposition organized
to hurt my meeting. I just sup
posed they did not want to come,
and this is a free country.
MY VISIT TO ONE OK BiiOTHKR PERRY'S
MEMBERS.
Yes, 1 called on one of them,
hut not one who I thought was
thinkingof joining Brother Wood’s
church. I had heard this man talk
before and knew that he had no
idea of changing liis church rela
tions, but I had heard that Brother
Berry had heard it and had called
to see him, so I told this brother to
; let’s have a little fun at Brother
Berry’s expense, and asked him to
call Brother Berry up over the
I phone and tell him that he was* a
little troubled about church matters
land that he would like to see him.
All this was in fun, the brother so
understood it then, and so stated
to the man who went to him last
week to investigate the matter. I
suppose to get this important in
formation for Biother Wood. But
why put it in the paper after he
said it was all a joke? This brother
gave me the privilege to use his
name in this paper, but-1 withhold
it. You can get it either from me
or Brother Wood. This same
brother gave me the authority also
to state that the afternoon of the
morning that I was there to have a
little fun, one of Brother W ood s
members came in to his place of
business and took him hack to the
rear of his store and asked him how
he liked their new preacher(mcaning
the evangelist.) The brother said,
“very well as far as 1 have heard
him.” Then the visitor said,
“wouldn’t you like to join our
church.’ - To which Brother Per
ry’s member replied, “No 1 have
not been in the Baptist church
quite a year yet, and guess I will
stay there,” or words to that effect.
If I had thought this man was
thinking of joining, i certainly
would not have said anything to
him. For it was ik.no of my busi
ness, if the whole Baptist church
had decided to join.
THE UNKIND REMARKS.
In this matter witness has forgot
ten, hut feels sure that the most
unkind thing that I said during the
meeting, if it was unkind, was to
criticise the methods used. I think
I did say .that the methods used
caused people to form a low esti
mate of the church. This is what
I mean. I heard some young men
say that it was dangerous to go
down there unless you expected to
join. Another said in my presence
he wanted his church certificate,
but guessed he had better wait
until the meeting was over, for if
they found out that he had it they
would take it from him. Another
man came to me and asked how
much 1 would give him to join my
church? ( This was said because
some had been offered some sort of
reward, or remuneration if they
would join. Then turning away,
he said: * Well I am going to wait
and see if the price won't go up.”
Now, I know all this was in a
spirit of fun, but should we act so
as to cheapen this sort of thing.
Now a few things in conclusion.
1 desire to say first that l tried to
keep from going into this matter,
by simply staling that there was no
“organized opposition” in the
inethodist church, hoping that
Brother Wood would let the matter
drop and save me this unpleasant
task; but he comes on and leaves
his text and puts me on the stand
and says you must testify against
yourself, o r the ease is lost. Now
T am through, and the public can
read what 1 have said and think of
it as they may. I leave them to
judge in this matter.
1 think it very unfortunate that
this charge was made. Do not see
what good Brother Wood expected
to come from making such a charge
about a people among whom he
lives.
It can’t be undone now. All we
can do is forget each others mis
takes- I will treat everybody the
liest I kuow; wish everybody well.
Am trving to do my work the best
I can. Have all I can do to attend
to my own business. Have no un
kind feelings toward any one. Can
pray for my enemies if I have any.
In fact, am trying to keep sweet.
Am always for the under dog,
whether it is mine or not. Can join
hands with any organization and
work for the uplift of the world, if
they will let me interpret the scrip
tuns according to the light I have.
Don't cart' so much what a man
believes, if he will live by the (iolden
Ride- Don't care much for profes
sion, if man will do right. Have great
respect for any church that tries to
save souls. Think the Methodist
the greatest church in the world or
I would get out of it. So long as I
think this will try to defend it.
Am glad I am alive and in a good
h umor.
Now, Mr. Editor, with a hovf
and a smile, I say goodly, wishing
everybody a merry Christmas.
W. T. Hcnnutti f