by Don Haymes
Toward the end of 1960 James E. (Jim) Hawkins addresses a letter to the editors of the Christian Chronicle from his mission post in Victoria, British Columbia. Born in 1932 in Phoenix AZ and an alumnus of Abilene Christian, Hawkins has just come to Victoria after almost six years in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
In this letter, however, Hawkins's mind is not on Canadian missions. First he applauds the CC editors and others who had opposed the election of John F. Kennedy, and clearly identifies himself with the almost universal anti-Catholicism of preachers and other leaders among Churches of Christ at the time. Even so, it is news of racial unrest in the States that has moved Hawkins to write, especially the confrontation then unfolding in New Orleans, where whites had demonstrated in opposition to an attempt to desegregate two public schools. Hawkins poses the question that this series is seeking to answer: "Where is the Church?"
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, the Chronicle staff, and all my brethren who so diligently and ably wrote and spoke, prior to the recent election, concerning the imminent dangers of electing a Catholic as President.
It was a joy to me to see that the Church in the States still realizes the great menace of Catholicism to our free way of life. I have often wished that those who contend that Catholicism isn't a menace to our freedoms, could only visit Quebec here in Canada, and see what happens when Catholicism is in the majority. It is a frightful demonstration.
But there is a problem which has been greatly disturbing me. It seems that one of the greatest moral and social problems we have ever had to combat is man's inhumanity to man. This has been portrayed vividly in many areas in recent years.
The States have been no exception. Those of us from the U.S. working in other countries have had on numerous occasion[sic] to bow our heads in shame over the atrocities perpetrated by our fellow-countrymen on the Negroes.
Here is a situation clearly and wholly incompatible with the scriptures. These prejudiced attitudes of men should be met and vigorously challenged. Louisiana, and particularly New Orleans is being torn asunder now. BUT WHERE IS THE CHURCH? Why isn't it waging a war now against this evil? Does it not seem a bit inconsistent that we would exert our influence mightily in an effort to keep Catholics out of office, because they do not respect (when in the majority) our cherished freedoms.
And yet when these very freedoms are being denied one race of people right at our door, we remain silent. Where is the church in New Orleans? Is it fighting the bigoted inequalities so evident there now?
I would like, first, to appeal to you of the Chronicle to begin now to lead the way in waging a war against this injustice against the Negro. Second, I appeal to my brethren in these strife-torn areas to begin now, if you haven't already, to wage an incisive battle against such prejudice. And I appeal to all my brethren that we uphold them in every way in waging such a campaign. And may we all pray that God will in these times especially endue us with the courage to "Shun not to proclaim the whole counsel of God."
James Hawkins's appeal for a "war" on racial prejudice will not find any volunteers in 1961, but the CC will "lead the way" to the first real public dialogue on racial issues among white Churches of Christ since DL's discussion with S. E. Harris in 1907.
Hawkins's anti-Catholicism will not be challenged in 1961; it is orthodoxy among preachers in the Churches of Christ after John F. Kennedy's election. Having actively opposed Kennedy, however, these preachers now find themselves awash in political "challenges." As they descend into the American political morass, leaders of the Churches of Christ will almost always seek to discourage and diminish human liberty rather than to encourage and enlarge it. Only a few will not bow the knee to Ba'al.
Letters in response to Jim Hawkins will follow.
May God have mercy.
dhaymes, his mark +