The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-05-29
"The Baptist Train"
Communicated

The idea of having a special train rum
ming on special schedule, to carry the
delegates to the Southern Baptist Con-
| vention, was something quite new. This
idea was originated and carried out by
| the secretary, DR.. l.. Burroughs, of the
| Convention. About 800 delegates and
visitors from Maryland, Virginia, the
| Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama rolled
| into Fort Worth Thursday afternoon,
| after q journey of four days from Balti-
more. The long journey was made pleas
ant by reason of cOngenial company and
Pullman cars. Our route lay through
North Carolina in sight of Kings Noun
tain; through South Carolina in full view
| of the hills, through Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana, in view of the
Gulf and within reach Of the cool breezes
from her bosom; through the beautiful
sugar country of Louisiana and over the
prairie lands of Texas. What magnifi-
cent sightl What enchantment to the
! eye, that for the first time rests on those
| wonderful miles of waving green! What
feelings take possession of him as his
! vision sweeps over the boundless ocean of
| land covered with such a mantle of green
embroidered with flowers of Gods own
creation We feel thep oct must have
been a child of Nature who wrote:
Oh the transporting rapturous scene
That rises to my fight,
Sweet fields arrayed in living green
And rivers of delights.
For miles our journey lay through the
flooded lands, miles of farms covered
with water, towns under water and q
Baptist church surrounded with water.
Vegetation is only a little in advance of
our own State.
The Convention represents 1900, 900
Baptists There were between 800 and
900 delegates present. The representa-
ton is on a monetary basis, one delegate
for every $3.50 contributed to the funds
of Home and Foreign Mission Board, and
one representative from each Association
in the States The convention is a Mis-
sionary body, in no sense Legislative
Here you will hear men pleading for Col
leges, Seminaries, Churches, destitute fields,
heather lands aud everything that will
advance the Lords work and carry the
Gospel to men.
The work as reported by the secretaries
not only shows an advance in our work
bu t reveals the fact that our Southland
is growing richer each year. "A thous-
and millions of dollars will not measure
the increase of wealth within our bounds
the present year"
Fort Worth is a city of $4,000 people,
What has made this little town of ten
years ago the city OF to-day? Only q
few miles east is the prosperous city of
Dallas, not far South is the city OF Waco,
and all around Fort Worth are towns
springing up.
Public spirit, electric railways, electric
lights, artesian wells, natatoriams and
- Ill ho -
men Fort worth has. That wonderful
is supported at the expense of the city but
with good results. One could hardly i'm
imagine that such things as corn, grain,
grass and straw could be so artistically
arranged. The entire building is decor
ated with the products of Texas, Corn
! being in festoons, corn put on in square
diamonds, columns of wheat and other
grain, figures of unicorn and other ami
mails made of grain covering the entire
exterior of this great building without
repeating the design. The building ia
such beautiful harmony that you think
before getting near that the painter has
taxed his brain and displayed his ability
in combining color and design and you
are disappointed and surprised when you
realize that it is only corn and shuck and
grass and shells.
The interior Is even more wonderful II
possible In the centre is a beautiful
fountain with an arch of green over it.
From the ceiling of the four wings, long
moss hangs in grace; in every nook you
see and hear the birds of Texas singing
and you imagine yourself in dreamland.
Think of carpets made OF seed, curtains
made of popcorn and straw, furniture of
white embroidered with grain. Here are
rugs Of leopard and goat skins, easy
chairs with backs of polished horns
This is hunters home. This is an en-
terprise of Fort Worth.
Brag! used to think could hear at
home right smart brag, but ye tornsmen,
you must go to Texas to learn how to
talk up your city.
About education: In Fort Worth you
hear our college talked up. You are in
F, PRODUCED to the Professor of the graded
school, they make much of their educa-
tional advantages.
No town can hope for great future
that neglects this interest. Some of our
young cities are beginning to recognize
this and are bestirring themselves; Others
are yet Indifferent and we hope before
long Henderson will see her privilege and
! duty and not dissatisfied till she can offer
her sons and daughters an opportunity
| to get collegiate education at home.
| Mr.. Editor, you asked for few notes !:
excuse the advantage have taken.
RV. d.