The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-08
It's History-O g nniza I'll o n-Distin.
guished Men Present-Addresses and
Essays-The "Inevitablc" Negro, &c.
[FRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

RICHMOND, VA, July5.
The National Baptist Educational Convention
held its first meeting in the City of Brooklyn,
in April, 1870. 1t was then recommended that
similar meetings be held In the cause of edu'
cation in other parts of the United States. In
compliance with this suggestion conventions
of this kind have been held In Worcester
Mass. for the Eastern States, and In Chicago
for the West, and the body which now con-
renes In Richmond is for the South. The per-
manent organization Of the convention was
effected BY the ELECTION Nt 1res 1
dent, aud Rev. c. c. Betting, of Lynchourg,
va, as secretary. The body is composed OF
some of the most eminent educators IN the
country. .
Among the distinguished men here present,
NAV be mentioned Rev. Alexis CasWell, LII.
D., president Of Brown University Kew.
Barnas Sears, D. D., LII. D., who was at one
time secretary of the board OF education OF
Massachusetts, and also professor In the Theo-
logical Institute at Newton, and subsequently
the successor of DR.. Waylaud as president OF
The PEABODY fund; Rev. Drs. sfoeS6Tldss, 81
Boston: Pendleton. of Pennsylvania; Fish, OF
New Jersey: Reynolds, OF South Carolina; Hon.
P. P. Runion, Judge IN New Jersey, and many
others whom cannot mention.
The first address before the convention was
from Rev. DR.. Sears, on "The system OF edu-
cation required for the educational work OF
the Baptist denomination" &c. The doctor
arpued that intellectual distinction is partly
the Gift of nature and partly the result OF cul-
ture-but yet that man Is created Without
, knowledge, except the Consciousness OIL his
own existence. knowledge Is not hereditary.
each generation must learn for itsen; sen a. 1et re
society Is progressive, because OF the trans
mission OF knowledge from one generation TO
the other-and the necessity for this trans
mission of knowledge forms the great argu-
ment for education. Next inquire what are
the several parts to be included In COM
plete system of general education. They
/. Religious education in the family, the
church and the Saboath-school.
| 2. Elementary education In the public
3. Higher education In the ocademy, the
scientific school, the college and the profes'
sional school.
4. General education. acquired in business,
| In society, and by general reading.
Each OF these four topics was discussed 10 o
clear. torcible and Impressive manner. Tne
sneaker specially remarked that universal ed
ucation has become o necessity, ana tnaC tais
necessity can be met only by the puonc
schools. He also remarked that the time nao
come Tor the church and for literary men 70
DrduQ LQ6 luuuCl NLCko1uAS Va sAiS eSJ ">s~
| the infamy it deserves.
This address closed the services OF the nrst
day July 4th) of the convention,
The exercises Of the second day were par.
ticularly interesting. First, there was an ad-
dress BY Professor A. j. Huntingdon, OF Co.
lumbian College. on "Ine dutes OF paseo,ISs ,Soir III
congregations" He remarked that with re-
gard to the moral and religious training OF the
| Young, the pastor should seek to. place them
| In the school of Christie impart religious IN.
structon to them publicly and privately, and
| to develop their Christian graces. AS respects
their secular education, the pastor should dl'
rect the studies of those not enjoying academ-
| lie privileges should seek wide diffusion OF
knowledge through the best Institutions.
should aid In securing endowments for col.
| Iepes, and, above all, should teel himself and
should impress on others the need OF prayer
| for the success of the education OF the young.
Next followed an essay by Professor Jonn
| Hart, Of Staunton, Va, on the subject OF .Pre'
scrbed or Elective Studies in Higher Educa-
tion.n He pronounced very decidedly ia favor
| of n prescribed course, because young men
coming to college are seldom, ifever. prepared
| to elect those studies best for themselves,
though he would permit the elective system In
the university as distinguished from the
| college,
Professor Eaton, of Murfreesboro, Tenn,
next addressed the convention. He thought
| the agitation OF this question OF prescribed or
elective studies arose from a. desire to aVold
the study OF the classics. BE then proceeded
| to show the benefit of the classics In every de-
partment OF life, and to denounce the utlllta-
rlan spiris of the age.
Dr. Caswell differed somewhat from the
speaker who preceded him, and thought Ii our
colleges meet the wants Of the people they
must teach the sciences which affect our pros
perIty, and should not Insist so mucn upon
Latin and Greek.
The question of ''The education of the color
ed population,p was discussed by Professor
King, of Wayland University, Territory of Co:
lumbia. The professor urged the necessity OF
| schools of peculiar adaptation for the colored
people, and spoke OF the difficulty OF the WORK
| of educating them.
Rev. T. w. Sydnor, of Virginia, desired the
elevation of the African race in America-for
MS thew advance, so will the whites. UniVer-
sal suffrage makes necessary universal ednca-
Rev. DR.. Poindexter, of Virginia, thought
the obligation of the North to take hold OF the
work OF educating the colored people was as
"high as Heaven and as broad as the earta.n
Rev. Dr.. Moss, of Philadelphia, spoke OF Ilie Lhe
newly acquired power Of the negro IN thls
country, and remarked that If we do not eau u
cate him we must as country sink. Inls s
national duty and national opportunity.
Rev. Dr.. Jeter, of Virginia, said that tne soF