Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-05-28
The soJTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. =

correspondence OF the Alc--~Nt!1. oHASl'"'J
RUssELVIrLE, Ky, May %, 1S66.-Ihe
Southern Baptist Convention met here to day,
according disappointment It is composed Of
ministers ond laymen representing the largest
body of christians in the Southern State5, con-
tanning much Of The talent, influence and wealth
Of the South, and some Of the noblestard most
cultivated minds Of the country.
After an hour Of devotional exercises the
Convention organized by the enrolment of del,
cgates and the election Of the following officers
l2resident-Rev. P. II. MELE, D. D., Presl-
dent of Mercer University, Ga.
Vice Presidents Rev. j. B. Jcter, D. D. OF
Va; Rev r. B. G. Howell, D. D.. of Teno. !;
Rev A. p. Williams, of No, and S. l.. Helm,
of Ky.
Secretaries Geo. 3. Taylor, Of Va,
and Rev. A. 2. Eeaman, of KY.
After organization, timely, touching and
brief addresses were made on general religious
topics By Drs Jetcr, of Va; Fuller, Of Md;
Poindextcr, Of Va, and Howell! Of Tenn.
EVENING SESSION.
Certain communications were read among
them several invitations for the next session OF
the Convention. and series of resolutions from
the Baptist State Convention Of Texas.
Committees on Religious Exercises, Credcn-
tials and Amendments Of Rules were appointed.
The reports OF the Sunday School and Publ
cation Board the Bible Board; and Of the
Domestic Mission Board were read and re,
ferred to appropriate committees.
Rev. Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore, was appoint.
cd alternate in the absence Of the Principal,
Rev. Dr.. Brantley, and former alternate, Rev.
DR.. Tichenor, Of Ala. b.
We find in the Chicago Times the following
report of the proceedings of this body Oh the
23d instant:
Mr.. Poindextcr, from the committee to revise
the constitution, reported to strike out The
words Confederate or other Southern States. "
This occasioned spirited debate, in which Mr..
Crane, of Baltimore, and others took part, at
ter which the subject was rccommltted.
The afternoon session was devoted to the
consideration of the claims of the Southern
Theological Seminary, at Greenyllle: s. c.
Addresses were made by Professor Boyce, DR..
Samson, Dr. Fuller: DR.. Lechenor Mr.. Poin.
dexter, and others. In the course Of the re-
marks of Dr.. Samson, who is President OF Co
lumbar College, Washington city, he alluded to
certain suspicious attached to himself and 9TH
ers who were over the border. For himself, inc
could say that since 1874, at the disruption OF
the old triennial convention, he had known the
Southern States were right, and he knew, too,
the Southern people were right His Bible
told him their peculiar institution was right
He had suspicious attached to him before, and
came near imprisonment in Baltimore. lie
was near saying he had no country now, for he
resided in theDstrict, where there was scarcc y a
vcstige Of civil rights left If had said any
thing that might offend any. one at the head
centre from which he came, all he could say
was that it would only cause him to have free
passage home. DIR. Samson spoke with much
much feeling and warmth, and elected the
heartiest manifestations Of sympathy.
Dr. Fuller, Of Baltimore, arose and said that
he had been astonshed to hear of any suspicion
attached to him or his brethren. r.
On the oath inst, Mr.. Poindexter, OF Va,
reported, as a substitute for the End article OF
the constitution, the provision OF the original
instrument as passed at Augusta, in lS45.--
This provides for the membership of Baptists
from any portion of the United States: who
recognize the equality and independence Of the
churches. Adopted.
An interesting report was read by Mr.. Bit
ting, Of Virginia, upon the future Of foreign
missions. 1t was the determination Of the
board TO sustain their present missions, and
still further extend them during the year. Al
dresses on the subject we're delivered by the
Rev Dr. Fuller and A. Fuller Crane, Esq, of
Baltimore, Dr. Samson, of Washington, and
Rev. Nicssrs. Jeler, Taylor, Pondextor, Jones
and Broders, of Virginia.