Viewing page 1 of 4
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
THE NATION'S PRAYER CALL [[image: black & white photograph of a white statue of Jesus sitting on a rock looking to the sky]] PRAYER-FELLOWSHIP-SERVICE "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and Pray..." 2 CHRON. 7:14 [[line]] Vol. 2 Cincinatti, Ohio July-August No. 4 [[line]] Will Baptists Vote Against Integration? [[4 columns]] [[column 1]] As the Convention session approaches us it becomes more and more apparent that the fight to preserve Tenure in the constitution is not a mere clash involving personalities. No longer is it the opinion of "thinkers" that we shall meet in Louisville to accept or reject a certain personality. But, the real issue is, are we going to join the evil forces, we so greatly oppose in their fight against Integration? In the face of all the charges and counter-charges there arises one question - Can Negro Baptists afford "to bow at a time like this?" It has become crystal clear that our fight is a moral fight rather than a political one. The cry for "the old way," is reaching loud proportions and nothing is being left undone to make it heard. We hear arguments of the negative effects of Tenure and its possible harm to the convention down to the local Church. These are but the dying groans of an old order about to be buried. The outstanding brilliancy of its leadership cannot save it. Indefinite Tenure of office has outlived its day even among Baptists who are thought to be unwieldy, unmanageable and unprogressive. There are those who think that Baptists are so unthoughtful and gullible that "change" is impossible. These opinions do not even have to be argued, or debated because Baptists general are for Tenure. Since much has been written and talks have been carried on for months, it will not be necessary to preach a sermon on this issue now. Let me offer three [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] simple reasons why Tenure will prevail in the National Baptist Convention, Incorporated, despite arguments to the contrary. They are as follows: 1. We cannot admit now that we are different. 2. We cannot admit now that we are limited in leadership. 3. We cannot admit now that we are not ready for integration. There are many other reasons, but these three are the most basic ones. Too many Baptists have fought for a "new day" to be defeated now that it is in sight. To do so would betray all the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and all of the other militant Baptist leaders have fought for and accomplished. There is no turning back of the hands of the clock now! The pendulum has swung forward and it is taking us all along with it. We are marching in a new day and we simply meet in Louisville to affirm it. Therefore, it will be better not to fight, maim and kill, but rather to give thanks and offer praise to almighty God who has led us into the Sunlight of this hour. Let us go to Louisville determined that we shall be "brothers in Christ." There is no earthly reason why we cannot conduct our business with charity, dignity and order. Let us close ranks and end the disunity, enmity and disharmony that have characterized our convention too long. If the forces for the Constitution win, then all of us will win. And, what is more important the cause of Christ will win. Baptists will not vote against Integration because our basic belief is Unity! [[/column 2]] [[column 3]] GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE BAPTIST WORD ALLIANCE Arnold T. Ohrn was born at Raymond, Wisconsin, January 22, 1889, at which place his father was pastor at that time. In 1899 his father took the entire family back to Norway, where Dr. Ohrn lived until he came to Washington, D. C., in the fall of 1948 as the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. He received all of his education in Norway, earning his M. A. and M.Th. degrees from the University of Oslo. For about thirty years, he taught in Baptist Theological Seminary at Oslo. During the war years, he became the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, July 1, 1948. For may years he was President of the Baptist Union of Norway, the President of the Norwegian Sunday School Union, President of the Free Church Council of Norway and Secretary of Foreign Missions for Norwegian Baptists. He was elected as [[line]] PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Won't you help us make this publication a Prayer Call from the entire Nation? We need your help. We need your Testimonials, Suggestions, Criticisms and your Financial Aid. Everyone, everywhere is urged to take part in this great effort. One whole year's subscription is only one dollar. However, if you do not have a dollar, send us one dime so we might have your correct mailing address. Please let us hear from you. The Nation's Prayer Call Zion Baptist Church 432 W. 9th Street Cincinnati 3, Ohio [[/column 3]] [[column 4]] [[image: black and white photograph of Dr. Arnold T. Ohrn]] [[caption]] Dr. Arnold T. Ohrn [[/caption]] [[article about Dr. Arnold T. Ohrn cont.]] a member of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance at Berlin in 1934. In 1939, he preached the Congress sermon at the meeting in Atlanta. He has attended seven of the Baptist World Congresses. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1939, and in 1947 the Acadia University of Nova Scotia, Canada, conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law. He also received the LL.D. in 1950 from Berkeley Baptist Divinity School, and D.D. in the same year from Mississippi College. Dr. Ohrn has traveled extensively in Europe and America. In August 1955 he was one of the four Baptist ministers from the U.S.A. to visit Baptist churches of the U.S.S.R. He is the author of "The Gospel and the Sermon on the Mount," which has been published in Norwegian, Swedish and English. [[/column 4]] [[end page]]
