The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-05-22
Southern Baptist Convention.

Perhaps it may be we'll to state al
the outset that this body differs from
the great gatherings of every Other
Christian denomination, in that it i:
not clothed with any Legislative power
that power residing wholly in the 10
cal churches. The character of the
convention is only advisory, and the
only object properly coming before il
for its consideration is missions. This
for convenience is divided into home
missions and foreign missions
So great was the outpouring of the
Baptist host on this occasion, that il
was evident before the hour for the
meeting of the convention had arriy,
ed that no church in the city was
large enough to accommodate it
When the hour for organization ar.
rived, hundreds we're compelled tc
remain outside because Of the impos-
sibllity to secure even standing room
in the church.
The crowded condition of tie house
necessarily gave rise to some con-
fusion, which for a time delayed the
organization. This however was at
last effected, by the election of Judge
J. NJ. HARRISON, of Alabama, Presi-
dent, and Rev. L. Burrows, D. D., OF
Georgia, and Rev. O. F. Gregory, D.
D., of Maryland, Secretaries.
Immediately after the organization
the report of secretary of foreign
mission board was read. This report
was highly encouraging, showing that
a great advance had been made along
all the lines of our foreign mission
work.
1st. In increased contributions. The
amount expended this year being
about S15O,000, an increase over any
previous year of nearly 100000.
End In the enlargement of the
missionary force. Although many
have died on the foreign field during
the past year, still such has been the
growth that the number of mission
aries have increased fifty per cent,
during the last year. Thirty-fve
missionaries having been sent out
during the year.
3rd. In the increased number Of
converts, especially in Mexico, where
our me / eefFsshlip- new numbers about
900.
4th. In the extension of the work
While continuing work on the fields
already occupied, the board~has in
addition established a mission on the
Empire of Japan, and as beginning
of the work, appointed two mission
aries to that promising field for Chris
tian labor
In the discussion pending the adop.
tion Of this report many things OF
interest were brought forth, one l
would mention as it is subject we
are all likely soon to be interested in.
On the report of the committee on
papal fields, our missionary from
Mexico, Rev. H. P. Mccormick, called
attention to the deplorable condition
of Mexico as the result of the rule OF
Roman Catholicism, showing that its
influence was to lead any nation to
disregard both truth and virtue.
-TAaee-discnssion on the extension of
the work, resulted in the adoption -ef
a resolution, requesting the churches
represented, to try to raise at least
$I50,OO0 for the work during the
present year.
A mass meeting was held on the 1st
night of the convention for the bene-
fit of foreign missions, and about
$1,000 ,aised, principally for the house
to be built in Lacatecas, Mexico.
The report of the home mission
board was equally as encouraging in
the evidence of success attending its
labors which it exhibited. More
funds had been collected, a greater
number of missionaries employed,
more points occupied and a greater
number of converts, as the result OF
their labor
Home Missions applies to work
done in our Southern States, but in
addition to this, owing to peculiar cir
cumstances, the work in Cuba has al
so been assigned to this board. Per
haps there is no mission point that
excites a deeper interest, and awakens
livelier enthusiasm than the work IN
Cuba. It is indeed the wonder of
modern missions. Rev. Alberto j.
Diaz, after wonderful experience,
began work in Havana, about four
years ago. Then there was not a Bap-
tist in the city. He pressed on in the
face of many difficulties and persecu-
tons, and as the result of his labors
there are now 1881 members of the
church and 2245 Sunday scholars.
The past year resulted in the CONVEX
sion and baptism of 800. In addition
to this they now occupy the 1st Bap-
tist church of Havana, one OF the
largest and finest buildings in that
city, for which the sum of s65,0O0 is
to be paid, $4,000 of which has al
ready been paid, and $500 more
raised for that purpose in a mass
meeting at the convention.
There are many things that I would
like to say in connection with the
work in Cuba, but cannot do so at
present.
Altogether the convention was
highly enjoyable, as we'll as encour-
aging. 1t adjourned Tuesday, l4th
inst, to meet at Fort Worth, Texas,
on May 10th, 1890.
There are many other points OF IN