The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-20
MISSISSIPPI BAPTISTS.
THE FIFTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION
is HELD AT JACKSON.
The Hon. j. @. Hall REFLECTED Presi
dent-The Wonderful Growth Of the
Church in the State-A Historical So
ciety Duly Organized.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
JACKSON, Miss, July 10.-The Missis-
sippi Baptist State convention meet in the fii-
teth annual session with the Baptist church
here today. There are about 200 delegates
in attendance, with nearly as many visit
ors. The Hon. J. g. Hall, Of Pamela coun-
ty, is president. The president called the
convention to order at o'clock q. M, and
half hour was spent in devotional exer-
cises. The convention was permanently
organized by the reelection OF the Hon.
j. q. Hall as president, the Rev. II. f.
Sproules recording secretary, j. T. Buck
corresponding secretary and w. T. Ratliff
treasurer After the organization was ci-
fectcd the Hon. David Shelton, of the Jack
son church, delivered q most interesting
address OF welcome TO the conven-
ton. 1t being the semi-centennial meet
ing of the body the speaker referred
to the first meeting fifty years ago, which
took place in little log house ten miles
south of Jackson. The churches repre-
sented then in the convention numbered
| only eleven, with thirty delegates; now
bership in the State was about 5000 or
| 1900; now lis about rs, 900. This includes
the white Baptists only. To this should
be added the blacks who have in the
| bounds OF the State III, 0l9 members.
But not only in numbers have the Bap-
fists OF this State made progress, but in
mental, moral and spiritual ways, and in
| financial ability they have steadily gone
| 81 nj mt
are power in the land. Mr.. Shelton's
address was responded TO by DIR. J. L.
Freeman by the request OF the president
in brief but eloquent speech. One OF the
| delegates, Elder Mr. Pittman, who was
present at the inst organization of the
| convention fifty years ago, made an inter
csting talk about the difference then and
now. He said that with one exception, the
Rev. Mr.. Currier, he is the only Baptist
preacher living who was then present
The convention was then declared ready
for business. The usual committees incl.
dent TO the completion Of organization
were appointed.
The committee on credentials reported
| lSS delegates in attendance.
The Rev. q. W. fairfield. OF Louisiana,
and the Rev. G. g. Biting, OF Philadel-
| phia, Bible and missionary secretary OF the
American Baptist Publishing society, were
among the distinguished visitors.
Recess was taken for dinner. after which
the latter gentleman, by invitation, made
an interesting address in behalf 81 the
American Baptist Publishing society. in
which he emphasized the fact that sixty
societies belongs TO the Baptist denomina.
| ton OF the whole United States, and not
confined TO any exclusive section. lie
said that since the late war the society has
distributed S2l0, S39.S3, more than half Of
which was distributed in the south, these
amounts being gratitudes.
An interesting meeting OF delegates COM
posing the convention was held for the
purpose OF organizing permanent Baptist
State Historical society. Able addresses
were delivered by DIR. Q. l.. W. Dobbs, OF
Columbus, on Baptist Churches" and
by DIR. J. w. Bozeman. OF Meridian, on
"The Mississippi Baptist Convention Of
1866" The Rev. l.. ). Trotter made an
interesting talk, and said: Every much
historical material has been lost by negli-
gence and otherwise. II is Of the highest
Importance to systematically gather and
preserve everything pertaining TO Baptist
history in the state. IL is for this purpose
that the society is organized" A consti-
tuition was adopted and Capt. J. 7. Buck,
OF Jackson, was elected president; DR.. G.
4. W. Dobbs, Of Columbus, secretary; L.
s. Foster, Of Meridian, corresponding sec
rotary; Prof. X. VI. Lcavcll. librarian and
treasurer.