The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-05-31
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
An IntcrestinE Sketch OF the Great Mcet
Ing.


MR. EDITOR: Everybody has relatives
in Texas. Poor in relations, indeed,
must no be who can find in that great
State no brother, sister, aunt or cousin
to visit. OF course everybody wants to
see those special relatives and-Texas.
What better opportunity for so doing
than the meeting Of the Southern Bap-
tist Convention ? and even if one had no
relations to visit, did not Waco invite all
to come?
The opportunity was not lost, and to
those who were at depots at Waco on
Tuesday and Wednesday, the Sth and
9th Of May, it seemed as if everybody
was coming indeed, and mad brought their
aunts and cousins with them. Our reg
ular passenger train alone deposited
seven hundred delegates and visitors.
Extra trains on some roads help to swell
the multitude until on Thursday the pas.
tor of the Church announced the pres
ence of $500 people. Of these 500 were
delegates, the remaining $500 being Wis
itors, of whom 700 were ladies. Waco's
big invitation had been largely accepted,
even by many who were not members of
any Baptist Church, end ssme ~!io woTs
no: mem bers of any Church Mt all. Bal
timore, in inviting the Convention next
year, wisely profited by Waco's expert
ence, al / invited delegates only.
But Waco proved herself equal to the
occasion, and grandly did she entertain
the vast crowd. In spite of the large
number to be cared for, every one
claimed that ne or she had been assigned
to the very best place in the city. This
is partly explained by the fact that in
the matter of providing entertainment
for the Convention, all Waco took part.
Even como avowed infidelu Going faith
full service on committees of arrange
ments. 1t was good occasion, in the
estimation Of the people, long talked Of,
much advertised, and seemingly much
enjoyed. The advertisements in the
papers for weeks before the meeting had
reference to it. One enterprising grocer
even advertising choice wine as "Dele-
gates Choice"
The Convention proper was almost
crushed out by the crowds in attendance.
1t may be Remembered as the Conven-
tion that was almost amothered. Not
only were the seats in the large and
handsome church all closely packed, but
the aisles and rear of the room were filled
with people stading. Standing.room was
hard to get. The drawing off of large
numbers 10 other churches, by announce.
ments of preaching by prominent minis
ters, served 70 relieve the pressure only
for little while, other crowds taking
the places of those who had gone. Flo.
quence that had been stored up for
months to be poured forth into the lis.
tening ears Of admiring delegates, was
almost entirely wasted. Few could hear
It, and these were 30 pressed upon and
crowded by those who wanted to hear it,
that they could but ill.appreciate it.
Never was speech. making at such dis. |
count. Yet speeches were made-many
and some of them long. Perhaps they
had to be, lest the makers should 60
home feeling as certain South Caro-
Una preacher did who was heard to re.
mark, "It was all pleasant, save one
thing. I brought six sermons along, and
have not had an opportunity to preach |
& single one. That hurts" If speeches |
are absolutely necessary for the mental |!
health of the speech. makers, l suppose
they must be endured. But long ones
are a WEAKNESS to the flesh but real.
ly good speech-fresh, bright original,
is a treat to listen to
and such treat was enjoyed by those
who heard the address Of Rev. Mr.. Felix,
Of Covington, KY, on the German inau-
ehce. in our life-social and religious.
Z