Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-06-04
LETTER FROM CHICAGO.
SPECIAL Correspondents of The Joarndi and Siaetman.
CHICAGO, May ~, 1867.

SPECIAL Correspondents Of The Jorndt ana Statesman"
CHICAGO, May ~, 1867.
MIR. EcKEL:-Chicago, as you very well
know, is famous for Boosting OF its superb
ority in all respects to all other places.
They boast that they do things on grander
scale and in shorter period OF time. than
any other city on the continent or in the
world, but so far as the Baptists OF this city
are concerned they have got more than they
bargained for this time. In fact it is gener-
ally conceded here Chicago is decidedly
taken down. The Baptist Central Commit
tee of the city in their card of invitation,
said "Come one, come all; let it be grand
Baptist gathering This broad and pressing
invitation published week after week in our
denomination papers, has been accepted 10
an extent they did not anticipate when they
gave it. The invitation was considerable oil
Chicago blow. The result OF their invita-
ton is that about four thousand delegates
are present. The Baptists of this city are
numerous, wealthy and noted for enterprise
and libeTality. They have done their best
to accommodate all, but there are at least
two thousand more delegates than ever as
sembled at any Baptist Convention, even
when North and South were united in the
old Tnennial Baptist Convention. The
daily papers here say it is the largest re,
liglous assemblage ever held in the United
States by any denomination. The Presby-
terian and Methodist brethren have come
nobly to the rescue Of their Baptist brethren,
and by their generous offers OF hospitality
are helping them out of the dilemma IN
which their rather boastful and selt-confdent
invitation has placed them, but, neverthe-
less, about five hundred delegates are being
accommodated in the different Baptist
churches where they are provided with lodg-
ing and food.
The delegates will long remember the
generous, large-hearted hospitality of their
christian brethren, not only OF their own
but of the Presbyterian and Methodist de-
nominations. The reports of the different
Baptist societies now holding their anniyer-
saries are encouraging beyond any previous
| year, both in the amount of money raised
for benevolent objects and the amount OF
| good accomplished. The receipts of the
several societies foot mp nearly one million
of dollars.
The Home Mission Society is now the
| great center of denominational interest and
has been since the close of the war. Among
other resolutions passed by this society is
one to raise by New Years next, $500,0O
additional to the church building fund, and
to increase it to one million as soon there
after as possible. There are the best reasons
for expecting the half million by Jan. 1st,
1868. This money will be loaned to feeble
churches in the West at seven per cent. the
principal to be refunded in five years. Tc
persons in the East this may appear botf
strange and wrong but il is the demand o.
the West, and had time might state the
many arguments by which it is supported
| When first proposed by the Board 1t me
with strong opposition, but when explained
it received an enthusiastic and unauimou
vote froiA all delegates both from the Eas
, and West. 1t is the only safe and successful
plan for any denomination to raise build
ing fund to meet the demands Of the grea
West, and the yet to be great Southwest
. Churches in the West have to pay from tel
a to thirty per cent. for money. They do no
ask it OF the denomination as gin. The,
will not in some instances receive it at al
= as such. They want it at low interes
!, and of interested parties, hence the plan.
e The meeting OF the Foreign Mission Sc
/. ciety commences to-mor " and at its clos
terminates this feast of fat things, froI
= which, if cohing events ever cast thel
l. shadows before, it is evident will be date
ID tho beginning of new era in the history
i, the great Baptist denomination in this coul
- try. The key note Of every prayer and SCI
Il mon and address is, first, devotion
ID Christ, in laboring with all OF every nam
Q, ior the coming Of the kingdom of our LoI
N Jesus, and also the maintenance and diff
sion OF those grand old doctrines Of toro
+ dinution in mems salvation; the certain eff
Id cacy of the Redeemer's death the indepe
ys dence of the churches; the perfect equali
=, of every member of the visible church
~ Christ, and the purity of the ordinances
ls his house.
tc An important event in connection with
Id question of National interest and shown
m how the feeling is running among Baptis
T. ON that question, transpired in connectit
us with the Home Mission Society. 1t is Il
b. placing of a colored brother on the Boar
or This is as it ought to be and is, we furth
believe, the first instance in which any ]
ligious body has taken such step. T
i, colored man must have his rights in ho
u Church and State. In the South color
'e- members of Baptist Churches were befe
ay emancipation excluded from all participate
ma in church business, but now the Home nj
sion Society will aid no Southern Chur
81 that does not recognize the perfect equali
OF of the black man Thank God the VOL
moves. Let Northern christians get rigl
as. do right, and keep right, and the right
~ suit will eventually and speedily be reach'
H. NJ