Church Doors Opened Wide

Mitchell gives a public statement concerning his accusation; the audience “unanimously” decides that he “be restored full standing in the Baptist Church”.

Editor Mitchell is admitted to membership-- An interesting scene.-- Rev. Dr. Graham presided-- Obeyed the mandates of the Baptist Council.

The regular meeting of the Fifth St. Baptist Church was held last Monday night. Rev. W. F. Graham D.D., presided. Jas H. Chiles clerk. The official report from the Baptist Council held Tuesday, May 13, 1902 was read. It was received.
One motion, Editor Mitchell was heard from. At the conclusion of his statement, a motion was offered and unanimously carried that he be restored full standing in the Baptist Church.
It will be remembered that the Baptist Council which met in this city unanimously decided that the First Baptist Church had violated the individual membership right in excluding Editor Mitchell for the publication of the proceedings of an open church meeting.
The council recommended that the Fifth St. Baptist church receive the Editor. It also declared that he was entitled to membership in any regular Baptist church and that the First Baptist church had by its ruling violated the Baptist Polity and ignored the usages of the Baptist church.

“Church Doors Opened Wide,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed March 21, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1061.