The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-07
southern Baptist Conference.

AUGUSTA, Ga, May 6-The Southern Bap-
tist Convention assembled in the Baptist
Church. Two ladies were in the Arkansas
delegation and committee Of five were ap-
pointed to report on the question OF admit
ting the delegation. majority and a
minority report were presented. Tbs for
mer for admitting and the latter for exclud
ing the ladies.
The delegates number over 700. The
Southern Baptist Convention fret met in
Augusta, in Nay, 1915, aud the meeting to-
cay was held in the same place. When
Moderator Nell called tins convention to
order, the delegates Joined in singing the
Rock of Ages" The Moderator then read
the one hundred and thiTty.third Psalm. De.
B Manly, OF Kentucky, made the opening
PRAYER, and the roll was proceeded
with by the Secretaries. Rev.
Lansing Burrows. Of Georgia and Rev. O.
L. Gregory, of Louisiana. The majority
and minority reports concerning the admis-
sion of the lady delegates from Arkansas
were discussed at length. The debate was
very spirited. DIR. Manly, in behalf of the
majority of the committee to which the ques-
ton was referred, favored q strict construc-
ton OF the organic law and the admission of
the lady delegates. be said il he had been
in Arkansas be would have objected to the
seis elton OF lady delegates, but he thought
the convention bad no right TO object to
lnSiT
DR.. Jones, of Virginia, in support OF toe
minority report, opposed the admission of
ladies. He said IL the convention favors
the admission of women We will be flooded
with them next year" He favored standing
by the customs OF their fathers aud the Word
OF GOO. Fe hoped the lady delegates would
be rejected.
Rev. b N. Wharton, OF Alabama, said the
question was not whether the women wanted
the privilege of being delegates. but one OF
loyalty 10 the constitution. 'Shall iegslly
elected delegates" he asked, "be excluded
by an ex post fac'o lawP'
Judge John ID. Stewart and Rev. J. II. Kill
patrick opposed the admission of ladies.
Hon. J. p. Eagle. OF Arkansas, whose is one
of the delegates, forcibly advocated the ad-
mission of ladies, who, he said, not only
contributed more, but did more mission
work than the men.
DR.. Hawthorne opposed the admission of
ladies. He thought il was an error aud wrong
in principle.
Rev. NJ E Howard and Mr. Early favored
their admission.
vote was taken and the minority report
was substituted for that of the maj ority. The
Arkansas delef alton obtained consent to
withdraw the names of their lady dele.
gates, whereupon the report adverse to THEN
taking seats vas also Withdrawn.
Rev. p. Ii. Nell, who has been Moderator
since 1865, was re elected. The convention
will hold three sessions daily. The secular
and religious press is well represented,
Governor Mcdaniel and Senator Brown, OF
Georgia. DR.. J. l.. McOurry, OF Virginia, and
DR.. J. ?. Boyce, of Kentucky, are among the
prominent delegates.
The people OF Augusta. Irrespective OF de-
nomination, extend lcordial greeting to the
convention and its members. Everything
will be done to make their stay here pleasant.
Rev. Mr. James of Virginia. ]. G. Free
man, OF South Carolina; Rev. Mr.. Andrews,
OF Texas, and H. O. Wallace, of Arkansas,
were elected Vice Presidents
At the opening of the afternoon session,
Hon. ]. @. O. Black delivered an eloquent
address OF welcome, which was responded to
by Rev. W. Z. Hatcher, of Virginia.
The report of the Treasurer of the Board
Of Foreign Missions shows 81 IA balance on
band, and the report Of the Treasurer of the
Beard OF Home Missions shows balance on
hand of S1,6l3 The annual sermon was
delivered tonight by Rev. J. L. McCurry,
of Virginia,