UF00083533_00009.pdf

UF00083533_00009.txt

UF00083533_00009_pdf.txt

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June 16, 1960

Mr. C. Farris Bryant
Ocala. Florida

Dear Farris:

I enjoyed our little visit down at the conference last week and wish
there could have been some way possible that we could have ridden back to
Leesburg together. as I would like to haVe enlarged On our conversation
relative to the Methodist Youth Camp here in Leesburg.

The Youth Committee made a report advising the Board that three
delegates from the Central Jurisdiction (Negroes) be admitted to the Of-
cer's Assembly. Alter some discussion. Reverend Walter Kelsi, the
new Chairman of the Board. moved that these delegates be admitted to
the Officer's Assembly and Reverend Gaylon Howe seconded the motion.
After further discussion. Earl Kipp (I believe he is Superintendent of
Education in Orange County) moved that the motion be tabled. and I second-
ed this motioa made by Kipp. The motion to table failed to carry. 0n the
main motion voting was as follows: Charlesworth. Howe. Eubanks. Kalaf.
and Foster voted yes. Rogers. Kindred, Boggs. Ross. Kipp. Hedherg.
and Bozeman voted no. There were several abstentians. The motion failed.

Miss Eulalie Gwinn of the Methodist Faundation at Miami University
has been one of the main instigators in trying to put such a meeting across.
On several occasions. I have helped to stop this movement. My contention
has been. and I so told Miss Gwinn and the group. that the Methodist Youth
Camp was built by the Methodist Conference to take care of youth; that under
no circumstances would I want some overt act. such as allowing representa-
tives from the Central Jurisdiction to meet and spend the night at the camp

Oahmwnlm '

To

Mr. C. Farris Bryant

Tani-"Ian 1%meme
mm

June 16. 1960

to cause dissension throughout our Conference. I have asked Miss Gwinn
and the others the question o "why can't our oHicers meet. it that is their
desire. with these delegates from the Central Jurisdiction in some city

where repercussions would be at a minimum?"

1 have continually fought for the betterment of the Negro Race in our
community. but 1 am concerned over our Youth Committee constantly
prodding the Board of Education to let down the bars. even for several
representatives from the Central Jurisdiction.

I understand that there is a course pertaining to Race Relations
taught each Summer at the Camp. This undoubtedly spearheads a demand
by the youth in return that they practice what has been preached.

Frankly. I do not know the answer. i do not see any problem if we
live up to the rules of our Florida Methodist Conference. or. in (act. the
rules set forth at the meeting in Denver of our whole Methodist group.

You haw lots to think about. but i thought that you might like to

have a little more background than the few remarks I passed on to you in
Lakeland. {Our Youth Camp has been a turning point in the lives of literally
hundreds of our tine boys and girls. and l for one do not want to see any
reections cast on the Camp or any dissension in our Conference by our
failure to hold the line. D

With kindest persortal regards.
Sincerely yours.

\

J. C. Rogers

JCRtmw




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Co...mo i tos "[m: I ikst NaTic.sat e-x OEE.E:E-.Eit at To Ln:stw., Fmmu No. 2 Ms C. Farris Bryan1 June t6, t960 to s.ause dissensloo througlont our Cr.nierent:c, I ha.ve asked Mm Gwan sind rhe others tiit, qtiestiora -"why 1:aiiri n.tr officer-s rr.eet, at that is their destre, with these delegates frorri :he Celitrat Jurisdiction in tiorns: city where repercusnores wo-ild be :tt a imnim:Em ?" I have continitally foaght for iiie Letterment of the Neero Race in our com.nonity, but 1 am coricerned over our Youth Com.n:ttee canatantly prodding the Board of Edue:atinn rn les down the hars, mn for sieverai representatives from :he Cent ral Jier-aidiction. I taderstand Enat thertis a course pertainma to itars Relatiers taught