Dear Loretta--
This communication arises from the Missouri judiciary's involvement with two African Americans, Heather Ellis of Kennett, Dunklin County,Missouri, http://www.semissourian.com/story/1588987.html and Charles (Cookie) Thornton of Kirkwood, St, Louis County, Missouri, http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2008/02/charles_cookie_thornton_meacha.php and nameless others.
1 Corinthians 7 says in part:
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Several years ago, I used this text to preach a sermon entitled "Stay in Your Lane."
I write to you, because few among us understand the interface between the law of God and the law of man, and the importance of our interface, as lawyers-juris doctors, between both.
Several things are converging, which afford an opportunity for us to leave a loving, if not lasting, legacy on the practice of law, civil and criminal, in Missouri and beyond.
I will be in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. The day after, I would propose a meeting somewhere: home, library, church, school, office to explore these opportunities with kindred spirits. A similar meeting will also be held in KC next month.
Do you have any suggestions?
Presently, I envision establishing a statewide organization of "righteous" lawyers/juris doctors--i.e. those who practice the "interface," above-referenced, in order to more perfectly inseminate law and equity: civil and criminal procedure, and trial and appellate practice, with that primordial divine "interface," which we frequently honor in form though not in substance.
Otherwise stated, the practice of law and the administration of justice might be improved by intercession of the righteous who fear God more than man. Then, those "holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof" may be identified, and "from these also turn away." 2 Tim.3:5. Dispararity and hypocrisy are their stock in trade. "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." Matt. 15:8.
I state "juris doctors," because we need help on every level and persons without law licenses can also be "righteous" and of value to all. Self-segregation is not an option at this time. The righteous are within and without the fold of licensees.
A mutual acquaintance in St. Louis of great spirit and resourcefulness is also being sent this communication to expedite realization of the aforesaid ends. Others, whose opinions I value, have also been bcc'd, and implicitly invited to share.
Much Love,
Rev. Dr. Larry Delano Coleman
Extemporaneous musings, occasionally poetic, about life in its richly varied dimensions, especially as relates to history, theology, law, literature, science, by one who is an attorney, ordained minister, historian, writer, and African American.
