Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-27
STATE BAPTIST CONVENTION.
Its Session In Athens-Rep0Tt of the
PrOeeedings-The Legislature to be
memOrfaIIzed IN the Liquor Ques-
tiOn-The Orphans Home and
other Subjects of Interest.

The State Baptist Convention, in its SEES
sion In Athens on Saturday last, had an I'M
usually interesting meeting, the following
report of which, we get from the special
correspondence of the Macon Telegraph and
Messenger:
The convention met at 9 o'clock, and
the house was crowded, as all were DESTROYS
of hearing the close of the debate on memo
rializlng the Legislature in regard to the
liquor traffic.
Rev. n. A. Bailey spoke for making the
petition to the Legislature, and Rev. D.. B.
Hamilton spoke against it, making a fine
effort, and giving the gist of the whole
matter.
The question was then put to vote amid
much excitement and interested expecta-
ton, the result being sfxty-three for and
forty-two against presenting the memorial
to the Legislature.
Several brethren Immediately entered a
protest and obtained the privilege OF in
serting It in the minutes. The following
is the protest:
Liberty Of conscience, freedom OF
speech and religious liberty are cardinal
principles, which Baptists have maintained
In all ages. When this convention, without
authority on the subject, agrees to petition
the Legislature on the sale of liquors, it de-
parts from the principles and practice of
Baptists in all the past; therefore, the sub
scribers, now members respectfully ask that
this, their dissent to the action of this con-
vention just taken, be placed upon the min
utes."
CD. E. BUTLER,
"B. l.. Ross,
"W. G.. HOWARD,
"JAs. E. CHILEs.n
1t must not be supposed that these or any
other member of the convention favored
a. - - ea4r{t.r41z IFOr1ArCs Fhau Trara1u
protested against the convention appearing
or presuming to influence or control legisla-
ton. Their idea was that 1t is inconsistent
with Baptist usage and Baptist principles
for a religious body to interfere In any way
with law making; they do not believe
in the church debating to or advis-
ing the State, nor in the State debating
to or advising the church. Hence they
opposed this action Of the convention. On
the other hand, those who favored the &C
ton plead that they had afull and fair right
to ask the law to protect them and their
families and ne1ghbors from the terrible
evils and results that spring from the I'M
limited sale of spirituous liquors. They re-
gard the matter as an exercise Of the con-
stitutionsl right Of p%etitioning the law
making power, and backing up their petit
ton with the moral influence of the conVen-
ton.
THE REPORT ON
was a very able and interesting document.
1t first spoke grandly in general terms about
the benefits of education. Then 1t proceed
ed to compliment the State University, so
ably presided over by DR.. ?. H. Nell, as
"worthy of the earnest support and liberal
patronage of our citizens, and which we can
truthfully say is our own institution" Then
it spoke of Mercer University without a
superior ON the continent or elsewhere,
In the education and evolution of the
minds of the young" 1t spoke
of the accomplished Rev. A. j. Bat
tie, D. D.-the possessor Of very supe-
rior qualities of mind and heart"-and then
it commended the faculty highly. 1t took
strong ground in favor OF reopening the
theological department, although 1t spoke
in highly complimentary terms of the South
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, at 0
isville, KY. Female education was then
highly commended, and the various colleges
for females In the State, under Baptist aus
pices, were highly commended. 1t spoke
of the public school system as being de-
fectiVe, and said; professor Orr, the
worthy and devoted head Of the bureau,
however wisely he may and does administer
1t, cannot radically cure the defects" and
it limited that this system ought to be re-
modelled by the Legislature, and rendered
available for the purposes originally con-
templated. The report then alluded In COM
plimentary terms to the different Baptist
papers Of Georgia as potent Instruments for
education. The report was long but able,
and covered the whole ground. Its author
was Rev. r. II. Harris, of Thomasville.
The convention was then addressed by
DR.. S. Landrum, DR.. A. E. Dickinson, of
Virginia, and DR.. A. j. Battle and Rev. D.
Z. Butler on the subject of education, and
principally concerning Mercer University,
after a few eloquent remarks from the
anthor nf tho rpnOrt Mr. Qrric IL an
exceedingly fine looking gentleman, OF very
intellectual appearance, and certainly made
a strong impression on the body by his able
report and general scholarly bearing.
ORPHANS HOME.
A resolution was adopted authorizing
Hon. j. III. James, of Atlanta, to sell the
Orphans Home as soon as possible. The
funds derived from this source will go to
Mercer University, and will probably amount
to $1,000 or $4,000.
MISSION MEETING.
A large mission meeting in the interest of
the State Mission Board, was held Friday
night. DR.. Vim. H. Mcintosh delivered a
fine address, and DIR. DeYotie presented the
claims of State missions.
H HISTORICAL SOCIETY
held is meeting on Saturday night, and
listened to the Presidents report, and also,
to a splendid address, which was read by
DR.. Landrum. This gentleman was elected
President, and Rev. w. L. Fitzpatrick was
re- elected Secretary. Professors Willet and
Sanford were made trustees Of the Histcri-
cal Society. 1t was agreed to aid in the
execution of a History of the Georgia BAp-
fists, now in progress, and a committee was
appointed to assist in the work in any way
possible.
THE REPORT
exhibited the following amounts sent up:
For missions, $768 80; State missions,
1892 ID; home missions, 1926 20; minis
ters' saving fund, $33 30; Sunday school
cause, $98 76; Mercer University. IS; South
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, $47;
Indian missions, $50 20; J.. B. Hartwell, SIS;
Miss Stone, $37 so. Recapitulation-For-
eign missions, 1916 60; home missions,
1894 40; State missions, $3.50 10: total,
81, 978 SO. 1t will be perceived that the
exact figures exceed my supposition, and
that the total amount contributed to the