The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-29
THE BAPTIST MEMORIAL
MEETING.
FIFTTETH ANNUAL EESSION OF
THE BAPTIST GENERAL
ASSOCIATION OF
VIRGINIA.
IMMENSE CROWD IN ATTENDANCE
OPENING PRocEE DINGs.
ADDRESSES By REV. DRS. CURRY.
BITING, WILLIAMS.
AND OTHERS.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

&c. &C.. &c.
This lon"-an,iripated gathering of the
Bapl>t> of Virginia convened in the Second
Baptst church in this city last evening at
O'Clock.
FIfTr-uNE YEARS AGO.
aS the venerable Rev. james Fife. Of Char
lottcsville (who still survives and is present
at the mccting), Rev. Thornton Stringtellow,
and Rev. r. G.. Baptist [who recently die d
in the state Of Aabama) were returning
from meeting of the "Gcncral Committee"
in Charlottesville, they conceived the idea OF
the General Association. Accordingly few
delegates assembled with the Second Bap-
ti~t church in this city on the Ith of June,
1923. and
ORGANIZED THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.
Rev. Daniel Witt (who last year d" fell on
Sleep and Rev. DR.. J. h. .ieter, of this
city. who on Yesterday returned from his
mission TO Rome. were present ~ Youths
from Bedford county. and We're appointed
IN the first missionaries sent ont 10y the As
sociaiion. Since then the body has grown
until it now represents constituency OF
1858 churches. 5SS ordained ministers. and
over 10000 members, or one in nine of our
population.
AT the last meeting of The Association held
in Staunton it was resolved to celebrate this
SEMI-CENrESNIAh MEETING
by suitable services and to raise aS a thank.
Offering to the Lord the sum of $500 900, to
he given 10 the endowment of Richmond
College. And IL one hundred years ago the
Baptist flthcrS were engaged in that fierce
struggle which eliminated in the establish
m"nt Of soul liberty in Virginia it was re,
solved to make ii also IL Memorial year and
Ia erect on the college campus an appro.
pirate shaft that shall tell the story of the
struggles and trilmphS of the fathers.
BY every line of travel delegates and vi>i.
tors have poured into the city. until last
evening
OVER SEVENTEEN HUNDRED DELEGATES
from the Virginia churches alone had re-
ported. Add to this the riS,tOrS from this
and other STATES. who crowd every hotel and
boardin.-houSc and enjoy the hospitality OF
our pcuI'lr, and it will he seen that there is
present the largest religious gathering ever
assembled in Virginia.
The Second Baptist church was crowded
la>t night to its utmost capacity, and hun
drcd> went away unable TO gain admittancr.
The lower floor was packed with delegates
and the galleries with visitors.
After in anthem of thanksgiving ;idmila.
bly, rendered by the choir. Rev. DR.. John A.
Bruadu~. of South Carolina, led in Il touch.
inCly appropriate Thanksgiving for the past,
and humble petition Tor continued blessing
in the future.
DR.. Curry. in
CALLING TIE BODY TO ORDER,
rendered his cordial congratulations that on
this iiitieth anniversary we have the largest
delegation we have ever had have present
Il large number of brethren from other
states. and may in no unmeaning sense raise
our Ebenezcr to say, Hitherto hath the
Lord helped u.s. But he called attention to
cyhortcd that we GO .fo1pdrd )" that not
in spirit OF sef-gratulation or OF self.
audatlor. but of humble gratitude and
trust, we enter upon this meeting with fu
purpose of renewed conservation to the
Masters service, and of making this session
indeed an era in the history Of our denomi
nation. the State, and our common Chris
tianty.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
We noticed on the platform William
Hague, d. d., h. Il. IIiscox, D. D., DR.. j
R. SHINES. DR.. 4. ID. Gillette, William a
Gcllotly, Esq, DR.. :. s. Cutting. T.. II
Richardson, Nj. d., Horace Waters, Esq, o
New York; DR.. II. l.. WayEud. DR.. j. NJ
Pendeton, Fl. Gates Jones, Rev. }. w. Gus
It's, Rev David Spencer Hon. Joseph Miller
George Colighan. Robert Colighan, Thomas
Motron. William II. Lewis, j. Addison
Campbell, Rev. W. b. Tolan, OF Hcnnsyl
ranIa.
ORGANIZATION.
Rev. J. Il. Garlick moved that the Asso
cilton proceed to organization bv the elec
ton of officers: which was agreed TO.
Rev. c. Tyree moved the appointment ol
n committee 10 report the names OF suitable
persons for permanent officers OF the Asso'
citation.
Rev. J. b. Taylor, Jr., suggested, by way
of amendment, that Rev. j. l.. johnson be
aupointcd TO cast the ballot of the As>oca
ton for Rev. Or. Curry for president.
Rev. Dr.. Burrows heartily acknowledged
the merits of Dr. Curry, anu considered him
cmnently fitted for the office; but if noml-
nations were in order he would take plea
sure. under the peculiar and interesting cir
cums,anceS of this meeting, in naming toI
president another beloved brother, who toI
inv wears had been connected with this AS
sociation. He alluded TO the venerable ana
distinguished brother (Dr. Jeter) who was
present rs lad ut the organization OF the
Association fifty y ears ago and had ever since
been connected with 1t, and who, after
an absence of ten months in foreign lands,
WAS with us again Tonight, and would take
part in the proceedings tomorrow. 1t
would be Il graceful tribute to DR.. Jeter to
elect him president of the Association.
The amendment of Mr.. Taylor was agreed
to. and the resolution as amended was
adopted.
MIR. johnson then cast the unanimous
vote OF the Association for DIR. Curry, who
being declared elected ('rot'essor G. l.,
Cooke, vice president, iii the chair). ad
vau,cd. and in il few remarks acknowledged
hi, appreciation of the honor. tie incident
olIv referred in touching manner
tn DR.. ,Jcter, and regretted that the
fatigue of the voyage prevented MS taxing
an active part in the proceedings tliis eve
ming. -.,. :
Iie,e Rev. DIR. John A. Broadus suggested
that the Association by rising express the
cordialty Of their welcome TO Dr. Jeter.
The suggestion was SO faforaniy ~
ceiycd that not only the members oil tue AS
sociation, but the large crowd of spectators
in the galleries and aiSles, arose rs one llan
In testimony Of their affection ana esteem
for Dr. .Ictcr aud OF their sIatihcatlon III
view OF his sale return from bis distant mis-
Cion