The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-07
RELIGIOUS BODIES.
The Southern Baptist Convention Declines to
Admit Lady Delegates.

Admit Lady Delegates.
AUGUSTA, Ga, May 6-The Southern Baptist
convention assembled to-day in the Baptist
church. The delegates number over 700 The
Southern Baptist convention first met in Augusta
in May, 1845. and the meeting to-day was held in
the same place. When Moderator Nell called
the convention to order, the delegates joined in
singing the Rock of Ages The Moderator
then read the 133d Psalm. DR.. B. Manly, of
Kentucky, made the opening prayer, and the
roll was proceeded with by the secretaries Rev.
Lansing Burrows, Of Georgia, and Rev. 0. f.
Gregory, of Louisiana
Two ladies are in the Arkansas delegation, and
a committee of five were appointed to report on
the question of admitting the delegation. A
majority and minority reports were presented,
the former for admitting and the latter for ex-
GLIDING the ladies. the debate was very spirited.
Dr. Manly, in behalf Of the majority of the
committee to which the question was referred,
favored strict construction or thej organic law
and the admission of the lady delegates. He
said if he had been in Arkansas he would have
objected to the selection of lady delegates, but
he thought the convention had no right to object
to their admission.
DR.. JONES' Of Virginia, in support Of the min
GRITTY report, opposed admission of the ladies.
He said: IF the convention favors admission Of
women, we will be flooded with them next
year" He favored standing by the customs of
their fathers and the word of God. He hoped
that lady delegates would be rejected.
Rev. B. M. Wharton, of Alabama said the
question was not whether the women wanted the
privilege of being delegates, but one of loyalty
to the constitution. Shall legally elected dele
gates" he asked, "be excluded by an ex-post
facto law"
Judge John D. Stewart and Rev. J. III. Kill
patrick opposed the admission of ladies.
Hon. J. z. Eagle, of Arkansas, whose wife is
one of the delegates forcibly advocated the ad
mission of ladies, who he said, not only con-
tributed more, but did more mission work than
the men,
DR.. Hawthorne opposed admission of ladies'
He thought it was an error, and wrong in prin-
ciple,
Rev. M. e. Howard and Mr. Early favored
their admission.
A vote was TAKEN and the minority report
was substituted for that Of the majority. The
Arkansas delegation obtained consent to with
draw the names of their lady delegates, where
upon the report adverse to their taking seats
was also withdrawn
Rev DR.. P. FL. Nell, who has been moderator
since 1868, was reelected.
The convention will hold three sessions daily.
The secular and religious press is we'll repre-
sented Governor Mcdaniel and Senator
Brown, of Georgia; DIR. J. l.. McCurry. of Vir-
ginia, and DR.. j. 7. Boyd, of Kentucky, are
among the prominent delegates. The people of
Augusta, irrespective of denomination extend
| cordial greeting to the convention ard it's
members Rev Jones, of Virginia. j. G. Free
man, of South Carolina; Rev. Andrews, of Tex
as, and III. c. Wallace of Arkansas, were
elected vice-presidents.
| At the opening of the afternoon session Hon.
J. G. Black delivered An eloquent address of
welcome, which was responded to by Rev. w.
e. Hatcher. of Virginia.
The report of the treasurer of the board of
| foreign missions shows ST. LA balance on hand,
and the report of the treasurer of the board of
home missions shows balance on hand Of
$l6l3
The annual sermon was delivered tonight by
Rev. j. III. L. Curry, of Virginia.