The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22
SOUTHERN BAPTISTS.
The Late Convention at Rich
mond, Va.
A Few Facts of Interest, Giving a History OF
the Convention-The Recent Meeting
Composed of an Able Body of Men.

The meeting Of the Southern Baptist con-
yention, composed of 500 delegates represent
ing constituency Of 1,1l5,276 in 1854
churches, embracing the whole terri
tory comprising the southern states
Is an event Of no ordinary importance or
the personnel of the late convention at Rich
mond ii may be said that it was made up OF
distinguished educators, ecclesiastical and
Law preachers in active pastoral work,
and diyines without a charge, and
laymen representing all classes OF business and
professions. 1t may be said to have been COM
posed Of representatives from the rank and file
of the great denomination. 1t was rarely ever
nv privilege TO see more distinguished and
able body of men. 1t was truly an inspiration
TO look into the hundreds of pure, clean, in
telcctual faces as they were turned TO the
presidents chair, watching with eagerness the
proceedings of the body.
HISTORY OF THE CONVENTION.
Forty-three years ago the Southern Baptist
convention was organized in the city OF Au-
gusta, Ga. and in 1915 an act of tho general
assembly was passed incorporating it, on the
application of WIN. u. johnson, of South Car
olina, Wilson Lumpkin, OF Georgia, h. i. G.
Howell, OF Virginia, and others. The object
OF the incorporation, principally, was stated TO
be for the purpose OF ellclting, combining and
directing the energies Of the Baptist denomina-
gospel"
Four of the corporators at least are dead.
They were all men eminent and distinguished
In the church. Wilson Lumpkin was the gov
ernor of our own state.
Without giving the figures from the many
annual reports, it will not be possible for the
reader who has no knowledge Of the facts to
form an opinion as to how far the
convention has succeeded in the work.
IL has, nevertheless gone on for nearly halfa
century, gathering strength with each passing
year, and from out of its ranks and from among
It's strongest allies may be mentioned, among
the dead, the names OF Fuller, Jeter, FurInan,
Dawson, Nell, Brantley, Crawford and many
Others scarcely less distinguished.
The work of the convention is still in the
hands Of brainy, courageous and consccrated
men from whose agency, under Providence, We
may hope for grander results in the future.
MAIN TOPICS.
The two great topics for consideration were
those of foreign and home missions. In fact,
all the questions were subsidiary, or closely
allied TO them. Tho report OF the foreign mis-
sion board showed an increase, both IN contri-
buttons and labors over that of the preceding
conventional year.
The home mission board, through its cores
ponding secretary, DIR. i. 4 Tichenor, made
Its report and showed that its principal work
has been down in Arkansas Florida, Louis
lana, Texas, Indian Territory and Cuba; that
the number of missionaries employed has been
2S7, churches and stations occupied, ], ia per-
sons baptized, 1851 total additions, 7,497;
Sunday schools organized, 431 churches con-
stituted, 305; houses Of worship built, 81.
The receipts and expenditures were as fol-
lows:
May /, 1888
BY cash received from Mnyl
1887 to May /, 1883 ....... 2iS023 II
Bills payable--borowed moneySli, 007 20
falu back............... 1907 ~