The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-23
CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES

Opening OF the Baptist Bible Convention.
SARATOGA, May 22.-The national Baptist
anniversaries began today. The Bible con-
SeEtion assembled and elected j. L. Howard
Of Connecticut moderator. DIR. Stritfith stated
that tho object Of the convention was 70 ascer-
tain the determination OF the Baptists OF the
United States as to how their Bible and mis-
sionaTy work shall be done. The question for
debate was, DO Baptists need a distinctive
Bible society,"" DIR. Searles spoke Affirmative
ly. Rev. DR.. Samuel Moss spoke negatively,
saying, "We do not need distinctive Bible
society because il is unnecessary. The Amer
lean Bible Society of New York is doing
more to hold our land, except what is done by
the pulpit, than any other agency. Our Mis-
slonary Union can do any and everything
abroad. our Publication Society can be all
we ask Of II at home. A separate Bible socie-
~ would be source olweakness. Let us not
have a schism."
The afternoon meeting was OF extraordinary
interest The committee on enrolment re-
ported that - states were represented by over
800 delegates The house was packed TO Its ut
most capacity and the session lasted three
three hours. DIR, A. q, Osborn Of Msssschu-
setis spoke upon economy in Bible work He
showed that the publication society had ex-
pended g6 per cent. OF its receipts In Bible dis
tfibutinn, but thought tho American and for
oign Bible society, which many want TO close
up, had an expense Of SO per cent. for office
work and but IA for Bible work. 1t had made
Bible grants of but per cent. OF its income.
DIR Thomas Armitage Of New York pre-
sented resolutions pledging the convention
70 anity Of action aud 70 distribute Bibles of
the received revised and Bible Union versions.
DR.. g. w Sampson protested vehemenily
against distributing the mis-translated and
misleading Canterbury version. DIR. j.
Thomas of Brooklyn advocated Rihle society
Of Baptists. Dr. A, III. Hovey, president of
Newton Theological Seminary, squarely de-
MED tho pathological statements OF DIR. Samp-
son. DR., iWayland of Philadelphia said the
American Bible Society was not Catholic ana
the Baptisis could not work with IL. DIR. G. b.
Crane of Boston thought Baptists need not de-
tefmine the accuracy OF the Canterbury revs-
ion but that they should agree upon basis Of
work that shall bind the denomination tc-
gether The Baptists have never held meet
ing SO full Of interest as this one. Dr. Philip
Schaeii, Presbyterian, was present during
the debate,
The evening meeting was crowded aud in
terest was sustained. Resolutions outlining
the Baptist policy in Bible work for the next
quarter Of a century, which were discussed in
afternoon, were unanimously passed. Rev.
Howard Osgood, of tho Rochester Theological
Seminary, said that after the treatment re-
ceivod from the American Bible Society nc
self.respecting Baptist could sustain any re-
latlon with Il. The final plan by which the
work viii be done viii be decided tomorrow
Presbyterian Convention.
Tho report of the board Of missions Of the
Presby yterian convention today recommends
that 100000 be raised for the board the cur.
rent year.