I would love to know about the discussion that must have taken place in some quarters after this was published.

This quote is a keeper. I am clipping it and putting in my Evernote.

David Lipscomb answers – which, remembering the middle Tennessee environs, and that Lipscomb died in 1916! – may surprise some. Allow me to quote extensively:

I have never found any sanction or authority in the Scriptures for different churches in the same community for different races of people. In the days of Jesus and the apostles the antipathy and antagonism existing between the Jews and the Gentiles were as great as that now existing between the white race and the negro race. I find no intimation or suggestion of separate congregations for the two antagonistic races. On the other hand, it is distinctly stated that his mission was to make of the two races one body in Jesus. I believe that is the only correct course to follow in any and all other ages. The race antagonisms would sometimes cause difficulties in the churches. Every difficulty rightly settled helps a church: every one avoided or wrongly treated injures it. The negro should have learned modesty and deference in the church, and the whites should have learned forbearance and helpfulness toward the negro, and they ought to live together in one church. Whatever we do to the least disciple of Christ, we do to him. If we refuse to recognize as a brother or sister the most despised of his disciples, we refuse to own him. I doubt if one who refuses to fellowship and encourage and help one who is his disciple because he or she is of another race can be saved. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40) As we treat the lowliest and humblest of his children, we treat him. If we refuse to fellowship Christ or to treat him as a brother or a sister, can we hope to be saved?