Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-05-23


don:
Tho Committee TO whom it has been refer
u 70 reporta preamble and resolutions, can
~ Int express their profound sense of the
n."snopsibiIity resting upon your body at the
'.fpent eventfn crisis, as the integrity Of the
P.ion-the interests of truth-the sacred en-
nI" ",i of converting the heather are all in
~'aIrved. in your deliberations. That such
''Onvpntion was imperiously demanded, must
S " annarent to all. The Boston Board have
:" ,hpir answer to the Alabama resolutions,
."ost clearly and unnecessarily exceeded their
Dnwer, and violated their trust. 1t is queS-
lion admitting of no debate, that the TrienniaI
Convpntion was formed on the principle of
Uorfect equality of members from the south
ppoG north. And what is all-important, the
very qualifications of Missionaries are prescri-
he'd by the riginal constitution of that Con-
vention: The fifth article providing that,
"such persons as are in full communion, with
some regular church of our denomination, and
who furnish satisfactory evidence of genuine
riety, good talents, and fervent zeal for the
Redeemer's cause, are to be employed as Mis-
sionares."
Besides this, too, the declaration of the
Board, that if "any one should offer himself
as a Missionary, having slaves. and should
insist on retaining them, as his property, we
could not appoint him. is an innovation and
adeparture from the course hitherto pursued
by the Trennial Convention, such persons
having been appointed.
And, lastly, this infraction of the resolution
passed the last Spring at Philadelphia. and
the General Board, at their late meeting at
81
sion.
Amid such circumstances, your Committee
esteem it absolutely necessary that the friends
Of the constitution Of the Triennial Conyen-
tcn, and the lovers of the Bible, shall at once
take their stand, and assert the great catholic
principles of that constitution and of the Word
Of God.
Your committee, therefore, submit the fol-
lowing resolution as embodying all that they
are now prepared to suggest to your body.
Resolved, That for peace and harmony, and
in order to accomplish the greatest amount of
good, and for the maintenance of those Scrip
tura principles on which the general Mission
airy Convention Of the Baptist Denomination
of the United States was originally formed, it
is proper that this Conventional once proceed
to organize Society for the propagation OF
the Gospel.
COnsiitution Of The Southern Baptist C0nUention
ART. l. This body shall be lied the South.
ern Baptist Convention.
Q. 1t shall be the design Of this Convention
to promote Foreign and Domestic Missions
and other important objects connected with
the Redeemer's Kingdom, and to combine foI
this purpose, such portions Of the B pits
n II
desire general organization for Christian be.
nevolence, that shall fully respect the indie
pend, nee and equal rights of the Churches.
3. A Triennial Convention shall consist o
members who contribute funds or are delega
ted by religious bodies contributing funds; anC
the system Of representation and terms 0
membership, shall be as fellows, VIZ Ar
annual contribution Of one hundred dollars 70
three years next preceding the meeting, or thu
contribution Of three hundred dollars at any
time within the said three years, stall entitlt
the contributor to one representative; an annu
al contribution of two hundred dollars as afore
said, shall entite the contributor to two rep
resentatives; and so, for each additional hmm
dred dollars, an additional representative shl
be allowed. Provided, however, that WheI
application sh1li be made for The first time b
individuals TO be admitted INTO the COnven
ton, one delegate shall be allowed for eac
one hundred dollars. And provided, aisc
that in case of great collateral societies, cor
posed of representatives receiving contrbu
tons from different parts Of the country, tn
ratio shall be one delegate for every thOusan
dollars annually contributed for three years
as aforesaid; but the number Of representative
shall never exceed five.
4. The officers of this Convention shall b
Presidents four Vice Presidents, a TreasI
rer, and two Secretaries, who shall be electP
at each triennial meeting, and hold their off
ces until new election; and the officers {
the Convention shall be, by virtue of their O
fees, members of the several boards.
5. The Convention shall elect, at each tr
ennial meeting, as many Boards of Manager
as in it's Judgment, will be necessary for ca
rying out the benevolent objects it may dete
mine to promote, all which Boards shall col
tinue in office, until new election. Fac
Board shall consist of President, Vice Pre-
ldent, Secretaries, Treasurer, Auditor ar
fifteen other members, seven of whom, incl,
ding one or more of the officers, shall form
quorum for the transaction of business. l
each Board shall be committed, during tt
recess of the Convention, the entire manag
ment of all the affairs relating to the obiec
with whose interests it shall be charged; a
which management shall be in strict acco
dance with the constitutional provisions
dopted by the Convention, and such 9th
Instructions, as may be given from time
time. Each Board shall have power to NAL
sdch compensation to its Secretaries and Ire
surer, as it may think right; fill the vacanci
occurring in its own body, enact its own by
laws; have an annual meeting at any place
may appoint; and other meetings at such tim
and places as it may think best; keep I
cord of it's proceedings, and present repc
meeting.
6. The Treasurer of each Board shall fait
fully account for all monies received by hin