The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-03
Virginia EapfiSts.

FIFTY-SEvENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BAP-
TIsT GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA
ITS OBJECTS ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
PETERSBURG, June 2.-The Virginia Bap-
list General Association assembled with the
First Baptist church here tonight in lis
tifty-seyenth annual session.
This body was organized in the Second
Baptist church, Richmond, fifty-seven years
AGO, and has steadily pursued It's course as
a missionary organization.
Revs. Edward Baptist and James Fife,
who first devised the organization, j. b..
Taylor, II. b. Semple, Andrew Broaddus,
John Kerr, Il. Il. c. Howell. Addison Hall.
w. f. Broaddus, A. N. POindeXter, and
scores OF others, who were its great lights
or useful workers, have passed to their re-
ward. OF the two first missionaries OF the
Association, Rev. Daniel Witt died but a
few years ago, and Rev. DR.. j. b. Jeter was
the great leader OF the body at Charlottes-
vile a year ago, and is sadly missed
from this present session in Petersburg.
But as the leaders fall young men step to
the front, and the work goes on. To the
old men it is especially gratifying to see the
number Of wel-educated, able, earnest,
consecrated men who have been entering
the Virginia Baptist ministry within the
past few years, and the young men are
thanking God that they are permitted TO
walk in the footsteps and catch inspiration
from the example OF the grand old veterans
of the cross who have gone before.
These meetings are always source OF
rare social intercourse and real religious
endowment. The oyerwOrked city pastor,
the faithful laborer from the rural districts,
the seli-denying missionary who has been
toiling in the mountains or on the seashore,
the Jealous layman who snatches little
time from pressing business engage
ments-all are here TO give each other the
warm grasp and cordial greeting, to take
sweet counsel together, to enter with each
other into the social worship OF the occs-
sion, and 10 devise plans for the advance
ment of the common cause OF their common
Master.
This is not an ecclC siastic body in the
sense that it does any legislation for the
churches. 1t is merely an advisory, mis-
sionary body, which is composed Of dele
gates sent on the basis OF the contributions
Of the churches, and meet not TO consider
questions OF doctrine or discipline, but to
devise means OF promoting among the
churches the spirit OF missions, education,
Sunday schools, etc, and OF adopting the
best plans for promoting these grand OBJ
iects.
The Association has an Education Board
located in Richmond, Sunday-School and
Bible Board located in Stanton, state
Mission Board located in Richmond, For
eign Mission Board located in Norfolk,
and a Home Mission Board located In
Lynchburg. These two latter Boards CO.
operate with the corresponding Boards OF
the Southern Baptist Convention; the others
do their work independently. These Boards
will all report to the Association, and their
reports will form the basis OF the discussion
and action OF the Association. Besides
these, other germane matters Will be intro
duced and discussed.
Representing so large constituency,
composed OF delegates combining so much
ability, culture, and zeal, and meeting 10
consider matters OF such Importance, tDe
sessions OF the General Association cannot
but be of deep interest.
The Association was called to order 10y
the First Vice President, DR.. w. III. Kirk,
who conducted the devotional exercises
after which the Association proceeded to
the election Of officers.
Professor n. II. Davies OF the Unlyer-
sity, Professor Cooke OF HolliDs Institute,
Attorney Ge neral Field, and Rev. DIR. Dun
for president, and, after several ballots,
General Field was elected by vote OF %
TO 81. So,
General Field, on taking the chair, dellv-
cred an appropriate and feeling address, IN
which he alluded TO the origin OF the Asso-
citation, and the fact that none OF its found
crs now live. but that while the worSmen
fall the work goes on.
Rev. l.. j. Haley and II. Theodore Ely
son were elected secretaries; Dr. George u.
Steel. treasurer; and j. Il. Winston, audi
tor.
The Association spent some time IN re-
ceiying nominations aud balloiing for wee
During the counting OF the
ballots there were devotional EXERCISES
during which Rev. DR.. Hatcher led In spe..
cIal prayer for James Madison Broadus, OF
who was reported very III.
Rev. DIR. II. 4. Eaton made an appropri..
ate, eloquent. and very effective address OF
welcome. lie paid a feeling and touching