The Augusta Courier

Presbyterian
Minister
Says
Segregation Isn't Un-Christian;
Dr.
Horace L. Villee
Speaks
To Rotarians On The
Subject

Some Christian
Leaders Are In
Disagreement With
The Word Of God

Dr. Horace L. Villee, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Columbus,
Mississippi, has recently told the Rotary
Club of his town that he has "been as-
tonished at the way some Christian lead-
ers and ministers have presumed to dis-
agree with the plain teachings of God's
Word", in claiming that segregation is
un-Christian.

And, in summing up his argument in
support of his position, he said:

That which we see as we look back
down the road of history, and as we
look about us today, is something God
Himself has worked out; declaring it in
His Word and demonstrating its truth-
fulness in the history of the people of
this earth."

Communist-Inspired

His speech, entitled, "IS SEGREGA-
TION CHRISTIAN?" follows:

We are seeing in our day considerable
agitation for and effort toward the abol-
ishment of every sort of segregation-
particularly as it applies to people of
different races and various backgrounds.

Some of us feel that this modern day
movement is communist-inspired; others
disclaim any sympathy for communism,
but insist that racial segregation is un-
Christian discrimination; and still others
believe that racial segregation is thor-
ounghly consistent with Christianity

There are church leaders, many of
them Christian ministers, who are in-
sistent that racial segregation, as pre-
vails in our Southland, is very unChris-
tian; and with deep sincerity, they strive
zealously to arouse people against any
laws or customs which recognize and en-
force the principle of racial segregation
in church or in state.

The force of the various influences at
work today to try to abolish all segre-
gation laws and customs throughout the
United States is well evidenced by the
recent interpretation of the United States
Supreme Court, holding that all rulings
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on
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Some Christian Leaders Are In Disagreement With The Word Of God
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Disagreement With The
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of the past 100 years wherein previous Supreme Courts have approved the principle of "separate but equal" in dealing with facilities offered the white and colored races in this nation, were WRONG interpretations of our federal constitution.
Plain Teaching
As a Christian and a minister of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, I have been astonished at the way some Christian leaders and ministers have presumed to disagree with the plain teachings of God's Word, the Holy Bible; and even, in a sense, rebuke the Lord God for having made races different and placed them in separate areas of this earth. Some have even gone so far as to insist that no one can be a Christian and still hold to views approving racial segregation.
I agree that in the eyes of God, as taught in the Scriptures, all men are precious; and that, knowing all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and consequently are condemned by sin to separation from eternal fellowship with God, Jesus Christ our Lord left the glory that was His in Heaven, and came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost from God.
I agree that when Jesus Christ welcomes repentant sinners into the eternal home, called Heaven, they will be received on no other basis than that of having accepted Him as Saviour and Lord-there will be no distribution there due to race, color, education, wealth or poverty.
Racial Segregation
But we are not living in Heaven now -we are living in a world that is quite unlike Heaven-and we must live with our present limitations and capabilities, and strive to make the most of the opportunities our God gives us, and remain within the clearly outlined plans God reveals to us in His Word. Perfection will not be achieved as long as we are living in this present world, tho we should strive to live obediently to the will of God as He unfolds it to our comprehension.
Let us note that racial segregation is not confined to the southern states in this nation-it is found in all parts of the United States, whether supported by specific statutes or not. Nor is segregation applicable merely to the white and colored races. Racial segregation is also evidenced in other parts of the world today; it is not, by any means, a recent development—far from it!
Over a period of centuries, and among many generations of men, certain "tabus" have been adopted for the purpose of preserving relationships that are valuable or even essential; and, only when a BETTER way has been found to accomplish such ends, may one safely dare to abolish any tabu.
A study of primitive people in the Belgian Congo, Africa, reveals a number of such tabus-designed to protect the chastity of women and the integrity of the home, and the future of little children.
Laws of Hygiene
The laws of hygiene and health enumerated in the Book of Deuteronomy include the banning of certain foods and practices, so that diseases might be held to a minimum in those rather primitive days.
Segregation, as we know it in our Southland, is very evidently a result of an effort and a determination to avoid a mingling of the blood of two races that are quite different in many respects, even the mankind, as originally created probably had one basic blood.
For reasons known only to God, man was made capable of turning away from God's original design of a creature with whom He could enjoy sweet fellowship -and man has changed immeasurably since his first creation! One result, for sure, is that mankind developed such variations and differences that it was imperative that segregation matters be evolved for the protection of some against others.
Now, has God anything to say in regard to segregation? If not, then we may have some ground for claiming that it is contrary to God's will. If so, we ignore segregation at our peril! And we cannot be Christians in the truest sense of the word.
Original Creation
The Bible points out that in the original creation of man, God designed what should have been one happy, holy family. But Cain killed Abel, his brother: and, as a result of that breach of family peace and harmony, Cain was driven out of his home and away from his home relationships-God declaring that he should be segregated from them forever. Genesis 4:12 declares that Cain should be "a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth."
However, the record reveals, Genesis 6:1,2: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them. C that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."
So we see that, despite the curse upon Cain-which. like blessings to his brother, Seth, carried to his descendents-the time came when men of the godly line crossed over to take wives from the daughters of the ungodly line of Cain; and Genesis 6:5-7 tells us that wickedness increased to the point where God determined to blot out all save a few of the godly descendents: namely, Noah and his sons, and their wives-a total of eight souls.
After a destructive flood (confirmed to the confusion of skeptics, in the archaeological discoveries of scientific expeditions in the past thirty years), we read in Genesis 9:1 that "God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth."
27
Reluctant To Obey
Apparently, they were reluctant to obey this command: for we read in Genesis 11:1 "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." And Genesis 11:4 shows men saying: Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
God's reaction to this is seen in Genesis 11:6 "And the Lord said, Behold, the people is ONE, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do (speaking of the start of the erection of the tower of Babel and the development of a great city for centralized worship and government): and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."
Genesis 11:7-9 tells us that God scattered them abroad, confounded their language, and prevented their being one united family-each being FORCED to develop according to their capacity and environments.
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Some Christian Leaders Are In Disagreement With The Word Of God

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Though Noah's sons are mentioned in this order: Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the record of Scripture indicates that Shem was the oldest son, and Ham the youngest.

Genesis 10 and 11:1-9 provides a TABLE OF THE NATIONS, which begins in Genesis 10:2 with Japheth; then enumerates the descendants of Ham (v. 6), and finishes with those of Shem (v. 21).

Tower of Babel

This order, in all probability, indicates the importance of each race in the eyes of the Hebrews; who, as Semites, were naturally interested most in the descendants of their ancestor, Shem, with whom the list ends. This enables the compiler of history to continue the enumeration of Shem's descendants in Genesis 11:12 immediately after those verses dealing with the building of the Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Tongues. The number of the recorded descendants of each son of Noah, however, probably bears witness to the compiler's knowledge, rather than to their individual importance in his eyes.

Thus, the more remote and less known race of Japheth is credited with but 14 descendants, while Ham has no less than 29 and Shem 31. The earlier names are very likely those of nations; while, afterward, we have probably a listing of more tribes; and, in Genesis 11 the list develops into a genealogical list of individuals.

It is difficult to trace a clear system in the enumeration of the names in the table.

In the immediate descendants of Japheth (Gen. 10:2): Gomer, Magog, Tubal and Mesech, we have the principal nations of Asia Minor; but Madai stands for the Medes on the extreme East, and Javan (the Ionians) for the Greeks and possibly for the Romans, also, on the extreme West. Gomer's descendants apparently located themselves northward of this tract; while the sons of Javan extended themselves along the Mediterranean coastlands, westward: Tarshish standing, apparently, for Spain; Kittim being the Cyprians; and Rodanim, the Rhodians.

Descendants of Ham

Coming to the immediate descendants of Ham (Gen. 10:6), the writer begins with those on the South, and then goes northward, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Red Sea lands, and lastly, Canaan afterwards occupied by the Israelites.

The sons of Cush (Gen. 10:7), are apparently nationalities of the Arabian coast, where Egyptian influence was predominant. These, with the sons of Raamah, embrace the interior of Africa, as known to the Hebrews, and the Arabian tract as far as Canaan, its extreme northern boundary.

The greater part of this record deals with the sons of Shem, through whom the patriarchal blessing was to flow, and who, along with the sons of Japheth, were to be "served" by the sons of Canaan, or Ham.

Genesis 9:25 records God's curse pronounced by the patriarch, Noah:

"Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall be unto his brethren."

Of the sons of Japheth, Genesis 10:5 tells us: "By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations."
Clear Prediction

And in Genesis 10:27 we read: "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant."

Here is a clear prediction that Japheth and his descendants shall ultimately share the spiritual privileges of Shem and his sons! This has already been fulfilled: for Christianity is based upon the ancient religion of the Shemites (Judaism) and has expanded until it provides blessings for Japheth's descendants (Gentiles) in all parts of the earth.

In the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (one of the best, if not the best compilation of this sort) we are told:

"As Shem means DUSKY or the like, and Japheth FAIR, it has been supposed that Ham meant, as it is not improbable, BLACK."

This is supported by the evidence of Hebrew and Aramaic, in which the word

Page Three

Ham means "to be hot," and "to be black."

Of the nationalities regarded as descending from Ham, none can be described as really black-the darkest being Cush, or Ethiopia (Gen. 10:2), then Egypt, Libya, and Canaan.

In Psalm 105:23-27 we read: "Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham . . . They (Moses and Aaron) showed his (God's) signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham."

Psalm 106:21,22 tells us: "They forgot their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red Sea."

Angel of Death

And in Psalm 78:51 we read of the visit of the angel of death, the last great plague used to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites; "And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, and the chief of their strength in the tabernacles (dwelling places) of Ham."

Now, from all this, we may be sure that in Acts 17:22-31 the Apostle Paul was not attempting to teach that segregation is unChristian; but, rather, that he was showing that the Gospel belongs to EVERY RACE, and that it has power to bring them together in harmony IN CHRIST, Who is the ONLY WAY back to fellowship with God and into a real relationship as a family of God's children.

Segregation is URGED by the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 6:17, where God's people are warned to keep themselves separate from unbelievers—not to intermarry with them, nor to adopt their ungodly practices.

Long experience in Canaan had demonstrated that the only way God's people may keep their purity of faith and life is by SEGREGATION. Where the Hebrews failed to follow some such practice, their way of life became corrupt—and many of God's blessings were forfeited.

Dominant Race

Is it so strange, then, that the descendants of Japheth, SEGREGATED from the sons of Shem and Ham, by God's own design, should have developed a racial strain that has produced the world's leadership in practically every sphere of life?

Is it difficult to understand why a race declared by God to be one of those to be served by another race, and to share in the spiritual blessings of still another race, should have become the dominant race in the world: intellectually, technologically, and spiritually?

Acts 17:26-27 is often quoted (but IN PART ONLY) in support of the contention of some modern proponents of race integration, who tell us that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."

Actually, THAT PASSAGE CONTINUES: "and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him, tho He be not far from every one of us."

THAT WHICH WE SEE as we look back down the road of history, and as we look about us today, is something God Himself has worked out: declaring it in His Word and demonstrating its truthfulness in the history of the people of this earth.

WHO ARE WE to be critical of it . . . to think we can improve on it? What right have we to think we can improve on the designs drawn by Almighty God

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Some Christian Leaders Are In Disagreement With The Word Of God

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Himself? Would men today make the same mistake made at Babel?

Acts 17:27 explains why God did what Acts 17:26 tells us. THE PURPOSE of dividing, or segregating various people, is to bring them to a better understanding of their dependence upon God and to keep them from trying to build a civilization with God left out.

Within The Church

Men become brothers, as Christians, in a way impossible otherwise. It is not enough to merely think of "the brotherhood of man" as including all members of the human race. True brotherhood is achieved only as men are adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, redeemed by His blood shed on Calvary's cross to redeem sinful men.

If it ever becomes necessary, within the Church, to lay aside time-tested segregation policies that have been found ESSENTIAL to peaceful and harmonious relations among those of different races, then a Christian should not hesitate to throw his influence in that direction. ONLY, let it be very sure and quite clear that there is NO OTHER WAY BLESSED OF GOD.

If Christ and His Gospel may still be presented with winning grace and with saving power within the segregation patterns that have proved their value for many generations, then IT IS FOLLY to throw aside segregation-even to meet communism's ungodly challenge to the world of our day.

Wherever the unadulterated Christian message is proclaimed, ALL RACES of men find in Jesus Christ the satisfaction of the deepest yearnings of the soul. WITHOUT desiring to be considered different from what God has made them and with no wish to abolish racial distinctions to the detriment of peaceful and happy relationships.

Christians are able to work in harmony with and alongside of those of every race on earth who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Redeemer - for CHRIST IS THE ANSWER: the bond that ties all men's HEARTS together regardless of racial distinctions, to produce peace among men and peace with God.

Cracks & Otherwise

"Never give in! Never give in! Never, Never, Never - in nothing great or small, large or petty-never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."

-Winston S. Churchill

Speech at Harrow School, October 29, 1941.

"There is a natural disgust in the minds of nearly all white people at the idea of an indiscriminate amalgamation of the white and black races . . ."

-Abraham Lincoln

"If a white man wants to marry a Negro woman, let him if the Negro can stand it . . . I shall never marry a Negress. My understanding is that as God has made us separate, we can leave one another alone, and do one another much good thereby."

-Abraham Lincoln