The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-17
southern Baptist Convention.
tsenor,ea sor the Richmond pispa.ch.l

Nm. Williams, Of South Cafolina.
Ur, Williams is small, swarthy, closely.
sbsvrn man, whose appearance is nor spe-
n;o,ly nrepossessing when he Is at rest, but
whose eve glistens and fsce lights M with
the fires Of genius when antmatcd, Tie was
one OF the leading lawyers OF Alabama Rnens
he torsooR tho bar for the nulplt, auG nj
nnce took ahish stand in the ministry. He
"ns professor In the theological Depart,,
,,,c,,t Of Mercer University, Ga, when,
',,,n, The onenirg Of the Southern Baptist
Tbcnlnrical seminary, in 1859, he was elect
- Professor cr Church History and Pasto-
rel Theology in that institution. He mas
s,,sd this position with marked ability, and
with the greatest satisfaction to the de-
nomination. - Z.
His stvle OF preaching is simple and earn
.,st. logical rather thsn rhetorical ana espe.
>jeIlv noted for his clear analysis ana ability
II put a great deal into S'sdA space -
IFS text last night was Exodus XIV, To-
or,hracinc The circumstances of the passage
oF the children of Israel through the Red.
sea-. His introductory, in which he brought
ont yiyidly the circumstances Of the text,
WAS mesh and striking. God had liberated
rho Jsrseliies despite the interests of the
EryD,iaps. But instead Of permitting them
IA 90 =; once by the short route to the prom
;sr1 land. God had seen fit to lead them for
fo;,y wears through the wilderness, show
inc that in The Dtri>ae judgment newly
cnaucipated nation Of slaves are not fit
subjects TO enter at once into the full enjoy
mrnt of political rights and privileges.
II seemed q strange order given by Moses,
Int there do come times when the only.
thing that occurs to human wisdom is SIM
Div 10 stand Ska 80. S9<s -3.- = z G:z
But 90 for4card is the Divine command.
Il ought not TO shake the Christians faith
tina. he cannot see Gods purposes. Often
these are not seen for years, but they are
none the lesSwise and merciful. Those
Iroydcnces which seem most disastrous
will result in ultimate good. n
The Christian is often so situated that all
he can do is to stand still. BE is sometimes
so situated that he kn0ans not tchat to do.
Let him then watch, inquire Gods will,
and await the deliverance Of the Lord.
We must carefully distinguish between
what we bring on ourselves and what God
leads us up to. Where the pillar of cloud
leads-where the finger Of God points
there the Christian must 60 at any and
every cost.
he applied these points (the barest out
line Of which has been given aboye) to the
origin, history, and prospects Of the South
ern Baptist Convention. He wildly
sketched the causes which led to our sepa-
ration from the North showed that zoe are
the real successors Of the old Mission So
ciety which sustained Judson (Since we have
maintained intact the old constitution,
which our northern brethren have altered);
quoted from Wayland and other high north
ern authorities to show Inc wisdom of sep
arate organization, and ally and conclu-
sively argued that it is best for southern
Baptists to stand by their own organization
and do their own work. He presented I'M
answerable facts and figures to show that
the Baptists of the South accomplished far
more after than before their separation
rom the North, and that, in consideration
,f their altered circumstances, they have
done more since than before the war.
He earnestly and eloquently eXhorted the
Convention TO 90 .for1card in the discharge
o. their great mission without looking to
Or leaning on others. '@.<
The above skeleton gives very imper-
feet idea of this noble sermon, which seems
TO have given great satisfaction to the Con-
yentiOn. .. .....
SECOND DAYS SESSION.
FRIDAY, May u, 1871.
Tie Convention attended this morning
10 various matters Of detail, and received d
number Of new delegates.
4 letter was read from Iunq- ChGu"
Baptist Church, China, sending Christian
greetings, giving some sketch of their his
tory, and appointing Rev. j. B. Hartwell
10 represent them in this body.
Rev. j. B. Hartwell was introduced, and
sn affecting scene ensued as the delegates
lby permission Of the chair crowded around
10 shake the hand Of their loved missionary.
In response, Mr. Hartwell gratefully and
sceIinglY thanked the Convention for the
reception given him, and gave brief but
inf cl-atnh IF bis fhirfoa,,
years lahors in China. On leaving his field
for brief visit to his native land he had
placed q native convert of fine character
and ability in charge of the church al
"Tung ChGu.' The church, now number
ing tfty.SiX members, fully sustains this
pastor. and contributed besides during the
year So, 10 the mission and u considerable
sum tor other objects.
Mr. Hartwell stated other facts of inter-
est illustrating the efficiency of this church.
On motion Of Rev. DIR. 4. Ryland, OF
kentucky, the Convention requested Or.
Williams to furnish for publication in the
minutes the historical sketch contained in
MS sermon last night.
There was presented protest of the
Georgia Baptist Convention against the re-
moyal or abolition Of any Of the boards of
the Southern Baptist Convention. This
paper was referred 70 the Committee on
Boards, and the question is likely to excite
some interest, and probably some discus
sion, rs there is difference OF opinion as
Ia The policy to be pursued in working the
machinery" Of the Convention.
Key. Dr. Samson introduced resolutions
boxing 10 the appointment OF a committee
10 secure closer cooperation between our
State organizations and this Convention,
and also between the boards of the Con-
yention and &" general societies" designed
10 promote the same objects.
DR.. Samson explained that, while OPP
posed to breaking up our own organiZu-
lion, he thought that there might be some
advantageous cooperation with the general
societies. .,.<. OF, t'~'<9
Rev. DR.. Ford thought thatath::s Geo
operation" question had been sufficiently
discussed-that it had been definitely de-
cided last year--and that the cause OF sIra-
ternity" and good feeling towards our
brethren Of the North was retarded in
stead of being promoted by its discussion.
He therefore moved to lay the resolution
on the table.
The motion was almost tnanimo Dusty
adopted, and thus the question OF s'co-
operation" with northern societies has re-
ceived for the third land, it is to be hoped,
lasU time its quietus. -...
Kew. DR.. Teasdale read the report OF the
Sunday-scbool Board, fully setting forth
the operations, plans, and prospects Of this
board.
The hour and halt spent to-day in par
taking Of refreshments and social inter-
course was greatly enjoyed. 49,.
AFTERNOON SESSION. Esf4, t.s
An invitation was received from the Com
mittee Of Arrangements in Chicago, In