The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-07
SOUTHERN BApTIsT CONVENTION
SEVENTH BIENNIAL SESSION.
FIRST pAY-FRlDAY MAYO, 1889.
MORNING SESSION
fmrrosrxp roR rHs NoHxoSp DAILY DISPATCH.


FIRST DAY-FRlDAY NAY g, 1859.
MORNING SESSION
The seventh biennial session Of the Southern
Bapsist Convention commenced 10 the First Bsp-
tist Church. Richmond, this morning ct 10 O'CLOCK.
Tong previous 10 this hour, vast congregation
had a.sembled. The seats reserved for the dslee
pa,es In the body OF the house were oil filled, and
tha nav. IN the side aisies and 10 the galleries
~.r. occup n, by ladies and % many ofthe other
..v A. ware able to force their way among them.
The ..les and the pulpit steps were also filled with
spectators.
The Convention was called to order by the Rev
u "A q Howell d D, and the services were opened
with the hymn commencing
"The morning light 10 breaking"
Or Howell then read the 14.h chapter of John,
and prayer was made by Rev Jones, Of Nor
folk.
It having been suggested that many delegates
were unable TO obtain Seats In sequence Of the
crowd-soms even unable to get into the house
q committee was appointed to clear the pews In
the body Of the church Of ell persons not delegated
to the Convention.
This being arranged, the proceedings Of the
Convention formally commenced.
Delegations from the several States were re-
quested TO hand In their Lists to the Secretaries
Rev Mr. Adams, Of Nd, moved that committee
Of one from each State be appointed to examine
creden tails.
Rev DR. Jeter favored the course Of procedure
heretofore the custom OF the body.
Mr. Adams withdrew his motion, and the Secre-
tary (Mr Crane. of Mics, read the names of deles
gates as they we're handed 10.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Convention next proceeded to the election
Of officers. Messrs A p Abel, of Va, Crane, Of
Md, vsnderver, OF Ala, Dufheld, OF Ky, Toon, OF 8
c, and Pope, of Ga, were appointed Tellers.
Pending the counting Of ballots, the time was
spent In singing and prayer.
The tellers made the following report: Whole
number of votes, 49, necessary for q choice, 2lS;
b Howell, 22S Jeter, 95, Richard Fuller, 81.
DIR Howell was thereupon declared elected Presi-
dent. DIR Howell addressed the Convention in
substance as follows:
From my heart thank you for this renew ed tes-
successive years you have been plea ed to honor
with this high position. and gratefully have re
know. but yet to the best Of my ABILITY II srror:
have been committed-and Ii il but natural that
there should have been in an administration of 30
errors OF the heart On this subject feel profoundly
grateful. and can truthfully say that have a con.
OF the last session determined that would decline
q reelection at the present citing. The Influences
that led to this determination were various. but it
enough occupied the chair. and tbs. it was time to
retire. to give place TO another. he position too,
and was DESTROYS to be relieved from it. respons..
bilities especially - knew there others more
capable of performing the duties effectively.
with certain great principles of church policy.
have seen disposition to convert this Convention
into an ecclesiastical oourt-to the subversion Of
| tho.e great principles which have existed ever
| sircs the foundation OF the church principles
which love. and will always adhere to and h ar
my retsiung the Office, may be made the occasion
ofthe Introduction Of new and disturbing clements
into your body. You are assembled here from
stder than mere disputes which belong to local
| churches. This ID in some measure missionary
body. RELYING upon your synpsthy ana support
Let Of their interest bs embarrassed by bringing
into your body questions which do not belong hsre
| this the place for the conf ct, would cheerfully
enter the list. aud maintain the cherished principles
ConVention must confne Itself to the Objects e.
scribed by the Constitution: The great principles
Of the OK spelthe Gospel of Christ-mu.t be preach.
| ed throug be ut the worid-st home and abroad
Glorious Il the work before us, and fearful the
| pon.bity. What can We do II our counsels are
| blessing resting on us-what good can effect
| without sngensss OF purpose, unity aud harmony
And now. brethren, /, conclusion, 1 respec fully,
hut firmly. resign the office of President Of this Con
| vention.
On motion OF Rev DIR Burrows, of Richmond the
| accepted by the Convention.
| Rev Basil Manly, D D, nrst Vice President, took
| the chair, by request of the retiring President.
motion to postpone the election Of President
until the afternoon session voted down
Also, motion to elect all the officers at one bal
lot.
A good deal Of debate ensued upon points of
order, when
A delegate moved that the Hers be instructed
to collect the votes for President, and report the
result at the opening of the afternoon session.
This motion was adopted.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.
On motion, the pastor and one deacon of each
Baptist Church in Richmond, were appointed a
| committee religious exercises. 1t 10 the duty
| OF this committee to designate the places and
| time of holding religious worship during the
meeting OF the Convention.