The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-08
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS.
THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION.
The Personnel or the Body-lts Powers
Some Reminiscences-A Notable Scene Re-

The Personnel or the Body-lts Powers
Some Reminiscences-AN Notable Scene Re
called.
| This body, which convened in the Sew.
enth Baptist church, Baltimore, on yester
day, Is one OF the largest religious meet
ings In the country. The territory whicl
IL covers extends from Maryland to Texas
and from Virginia to Missouri, and ba'
within It's limits two millions OF Baptists
Of whom. however, about half are c0loret
and do not cooperate with this Conven
tion.
1t Is not an ecclesiastical body In thu
sense that It does any legislation for the
churches, but is rather missionary so
ciety which has under its charge the mis-
sionary operations OF the denomination.
The Home Mission Board, located at At
lanta, Ga has charge OF the home work
and makes annual reports to the body OF it'
operations in destitute parts OF the South
and Southwest, among the Chinese OF Cali.
fornia, the negroes, and the Indians OF the
| West.
The Foreign Mission Board at Rich.
mond reports on its work In China, Africa
Italy, Brazil, and Mexico.
The Southern Baptist Theological Semi.
nary, located at Louisville, also claims
much OF the time and interest Of the Con.
vention.
The States are entitled to a number OF
delegates in proportion to their contribu-
tions to these several objects, and the dele
cation is usually very large one, as it is
an annual gathering OF the denomination,
which is very highly appreciated.
| Last year the Convention met at Waco,
| Texas, and there were about three thou
sand delegates and visitors present.
This year the attendance will hardly be
so large, but rs every route into the city
is pouring in its quota it is evident that
the Convention will be composed OF repre-
sentatives OF every State-Texas will have
| fifty 70 seventy-five-and that Virginia and
other contiguous States will have more
than the usual quota.
The Convention is composed Of some OF
the ablest preachers and most distinguished
laymen in the South, and embraces native
ability, scholarship, pulpit power, platform
effectiveness, business capacity, and devo-
ted zeal, which combine to make it meet
ing OF great interest and marked influence
| and power.
The president OF the Convention for
macy years has been Rev. DR.. L. ii. Nell,
chancellor OF the University of Georgia,
whose mingled courtesy and firmness,
thorough knowledge OF parliamentary
law [his book on Parliamentary Prac-
| tice" has long been recognized as standard
authority, and prompt dispatch OF busi-
ness have won for him the enthusiastic adj
miration OF all who have ever seen him
preside, and it is not likely that any one
else will be called to the position so long as
this "prince OF presiding officers" is will
ing to serve.
The meeting in Baltimore this wear re-
calls the scene here in 1867, when for the
| first time after the war northern men were
invited to seats as "visiting brethren" on
the floor OF the Southern Baptist Conyen-
tion. In the midst of an able and very
| fraternal speech from Rev. DR.. Welch, OF
New York, when he was trying to make a
very loving speech, he inadvertently said :
Why, Brother President, such is my inn
petuous nature l have no doubt that II |
had lived at the South | should have been
one Of the very leaders OF the rebellion"
Quick as a flash the gavel OF President
Nell descended, and he said in courte-
Gus but firm tone "The Chair rules that
word out OF order on this floor"
Excuse me, Brother President" said
tue venerable DR.. Welcb. very much con-
fused, 81 meant no offence but pray tell
me. sir, what must call it ?"
THE Chair does not presume to dictate
to the brother" was the reply, "but rules
the word rebellion out OF order on this
floor, and shall so hold unless you appeal
TO the house from his decision. Do you
appeal, sir? l hope you WILL"
But the venerable brother very promptly
responded, "NO, Brother Moderator, do
not appeal"
There will be number OF northern
brethren at this meeting, but not jar in
reference to "fraternal relations" as it has
long since been settled that northern Bap-
fists shall do their work and southern Bap-
fists their own-each in their own way
and that there shall be kindly and fraternal
intercourse between them.
First DAVIS Proceedings-Organiza
ports of Home and Foreign Mission
Boards-visiting Brethren.
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch.l
BALTIMORE, MD., May THE Conven-
tion assembled at 10 O'Clock this morn
inc in the Seventh Baptist church,
Rev. DR.. Nell, OF Georgia, in the chair.
After reading OF the Scriptures by the
president, singing and prayer, led 10y Rev.
DIR. Thomas, OF New York, the roll OF
delegates was called, and over 600 dele
gates. besides many visitors, were found to
be present.
The Convention then organized by elect
ing the following officers: President,
Rev. DIR. Z. ii. Nell; Secretaries, Rev. DR..
Lansing Burrows, of Georgia. and Rev.
O. f. Gregory, of North Carolina; Vice
Presidents, Senator Joseph f. Brown, OF
Georgia; Rev. DR.. T. II. Prtchard, OF
North Carolina; Rev. DR.. W. c. Crane, Of
Texas, and Rev. DR.. F. III. Kerfoot, OF
MARYLAND. At 1890 the Convention adj
journed until 2 O'Clock, and the delegates
were served with dinner.
Afternoon Session.
In the afternoon Rev. DR.. Il. ID. Ander-
son. pastor OF the Seventh Baptist church,
made an eloquent address Of welcome to
the Convention, and at the request OF the
President. Rev. DIR. Mcdonald, OF Atlanta,
made a response. which was feeling and
appropriate.
HOME MISSIONS.
The report OF the Home Mission Board
was read by the secretary, Rev. DR.. j. II.
Lichenor.
The receipts OF the Board for the year
have been 66,414.14. The IA mission
aries have labored in Alabama, Missouri,
Florida. Texas, Louisiana, California,