Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-06-01
DR.. Samson in the Southern Baptist Con.
vention.

yention.
Editor Star DIR. Samson has Just returned
from the session OF the Southern Bapust Con-
vention, held at Russellville, Kentucky, and
has made the following statements to friends
who have shown TO him the report copiea from
the Chicago Times. IL was natu raj that a cas-
uai visitor to southern religious convention
should be prepared 20 expect political alIu-
SONS when so much time is spent in MANY
kindred gatherings upon matters that relate
directly to political questions. The first three
days OF the convention were devoted entirely
10 the devising OF means TO sustain their mis-
slons and educational enterprises in the pres
ent nnancial depression At the South. The
fact that his allosions alone, and that en- the
subject OF the theological Seminary, among so
many men, speaking on so many topics, are
quoted as having political bearings, is an in
dication how entirely the members devoted
themselves to their work. This fact. as well as
the topic discussed, ard also Dr. Samson's
known course as TO politics for nearly twenty
hye years et Washington, under nise execu-
1--WE administrations, is a sufficient intimation
that his ADDRESS was ccrelessly reporsed Men
representing different religious organizations
from New York andPhiladelphia spoke in the
and Christian spirit with which that b,dy of
southern men devoted themselves to their
work, and TO the jusSness of the aIlusions which
were made TO the history of the origin of the
Southern Baptist Convention, and the con-
dlaon of the South at the present time.
In speaking OF the importance of sustaining
the Theological Seminary in the South, DR.
samson alluded, at one point of his address to
the fact that the people of Southern States had
neid, aad would still hold, peculiar relation
10 their servants; that for nearly two hundred
years the same relation existed at the Nortn
but II had entirely ceased there because A new
class OF laborers had been supplied: whereas in
me South the colered people would remain and
the mcral and religious relations and obliga
tons ctmaster and servant m ust continue sub
tantisily the same, and that these moral and
Ieligieus obligations would be study special
~ devoiyed on them. In this connection the
fact was alluded to that in fSsi the Baptist de-
nominaton was divided by the improper in
PRODUCTION OF this subject into the Con ventiou,
then composed OF the united North and South
AT that time the South Were right in o5iecting q
70 that interference, for nine -senths of the Chris
tiansof the North, and two-thirds, at least, of
the 'raen Of Massachusetts held that vie
ameng whom was DIR, Samson's father who
Tor many years, was President of the Massa.
chusetts Baptist Convention. He mentioned
thatduring the war, in Baltmore at the MARY.
iaSdsUnion Association, aad at Petersbure. in
the Virginia Baptist Con vention, he had on
posed the Introduction OF resolutions on politi-
cal matters, and though seme of his friends
feared he would be arrested at both localities
he had remarked that he would thus get his
passage Tree 10 the cities where he wished 10
60, and where he was well known to the exist
ing autnorities. In the same connection he re-
marked that living as he did, at what might
be called the "Head Cenfre.'' he had vet
no country, in the sense Of men, devoted
TO political matters; for the permanent resi-.
deDts OF Washington had No voice in public
affairs.
In subsequent address on Home Missioa,
DR.. S. said that the way ID be useful as Chris.
tians, was to be devoted to the effort simply To
do good 10 all men; not assaiiing other denom-
inaticns Of Christians, and NOT talking or act
ing against the Government; and alluded To
the fact that when he had declined to preach
In house OF ofworship that was 20 be dedicated
in Washington, because the flag was placed
over 1t, and had given as his reasons that its
presence distracted the attention of the con.
gregasion, and was a challenge to the wor.
shippers as 10 their civil relations, where only
religious obligations should occupy the mind,
he was sustained as in the right by the military
authorite es. In Foreign Mission address DR.
s, in a.sentence, mentioned that IL might be a
Providence that Southern Christian men had
no voice In public, since all their energies
Were needed Ter their religious work. and they
could BE given to IL without distraction.
On the last day OF the session resolution re.
affirming the duty Of submission to civil gov.
eminent, because "the powers that be are or.
dained ofGod," coupled with one man tanning
that civil governments are not authorized TO
restrict religious liberty, were passed; on which
the discussion is reported TO have been entire-
ly devoted 70 the religions bearings of the sub.
lecf. The eatire session Of this convention of
Southern Christians was characterized by a
spirit OF fraternal affection and Christian con.
secration, such as will leave an abiding i'm
preston on tale minds Of all present, from the
North as well as from the South. sH
FIsANcIAL-The New York stock market
is unusually dali though steady. The Com