To J. Pius Barbour
13 March 1956
[Montgomery, Ala.]
Commenting that the bus boycott's demands "have worked me overtime,"
King confirms a guest appearance at Dexter for Barbour, editor of the
National Baptist Voice. Barbour had drawn attention to his long-standing
ties to King in a March article for the Voice: "King, Jr., practically
lived in my home and preached at my Church very often while a student
at Crozer." Barbour recounted intense discussions with King over social
issues: "I have heard Mike argue dearly all night about Gandhi and his
methods against my thesis of coercion." Despite his own skepticism about
nonviolence, Barbour applauded King's commitment. "I was thrilled when
I read your remarks: 'We must not fall so low as to allow our enemies
to make us hate.' I have heard you say that many a time. I thought you
were just carrying on an intellectual argument. BUT YOU REALLY MEANT
IT."
Barbour was initially reluctant to accept King's earlier invitations
to preach at Dexter, remarking in a December 1954 letter to King that
"Montgomery always reminds me of my failure," a reference to Barbour's
troubled years as a young preacher in the city. Barbour responded to
a 19 July 1955 invitation by musing: "I wonder if I am your man. I am
distinctly a 'preacher's preacher' and a college lecture man. I can
preach 'Mob-sermons' but I cant lecture to mobs." In his 15 April sermon
at Dexter--"Can You Change A Social Order Without Violence?"--Barbour
contended that "the New Testament has no social strategy and the doctrine
of non-resistance is strictly a personal ethic and has nothing to do
with social strategy." After the sermon, several listeners argued with
Barbour, prompting him to write that, in all his decades of preaching,
no church had surpassed Dexter "in intellectual alertness and keen insight."
Dr. J. Pious Barbour
1614 West Second Street
Chester, Pennsylvania
Dear Dr. Barbour:
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and the Montgomery Community are looking
forward to your coming to us with great anticipation. As you know, the
Spring Lectures Series begins April 15. We will expect you to preach that
Sunday morning and the three lectures will be Sunday evening, Monday evening
and Tuesday evening.
Please forward to me immediately a biographical sketch and at least two
mats. I would also appreciate it if you would send your subjects and the
suggestion of a general theme. All of this is very vital for publicity
purposes. I intended writing for this information long before now, but
the pressing demands of the bus situation have worked me overtime. Consequently,
I have gotten behind in my correspondence. However, I would highly appreciate
it if you would get this information to me within the next week.
I hope things are going well with you. Give my best regards to the family.
Coretta and the baby are fine.
With every good wish, I am
Sincerely yours,
M. L. King, Jr.
MLK:lmt
TLc. DABCC.
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