The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-15
THE sOUrRERN BAFTIs rs.
Savannah to Be Represented In the
Birmingham Convention.

ShVannan TO be represented IN Lne
Birmingham Convention.
Savannah Baptists are interested in the
annual meeting of the Southern Baptist
! Convention, which convenes at Birming-
ham, Ala, May S. Rev. DR.. J. z. L.
| Holmes and Rev. Z. 2. Jones Of the First
and Second Baptist churches, respectively,
will attend, and will doubtless be accom-
! panied by number Of the leading Baptists
of the city.
The annual meetings Of the Southern
Baptist Convention is of great inter
| est to large number Of peO-
/ pie. This convention is the largest
! organized religious body in the
| United States, and doubtless in the world.
| The convention at Waco, Tex, last year
| was attended by s, 800 delegates and visitors
| from all parts Of the south. The convention
embraces the whole Of the southern states
and the Indian Territory, and its constitu-
ents number over 5000, 600 Baptists, a
larger number Of Baptists than are con-
tanned in all the rest Of the world besides
the strength OF this church lying
chiefly IN the southern states
of America. The denomination is numer-
Gus and quite wealthy in the northern
states. however, and also in England.
The attendance upon the convention
usually numbers between 200 and 1000
delegates beside visitors. The Baptists Of
birmingham are making extensive prepara>
tions for the entertainment of the delegates,
with the expectation Of an attendance Of
about 400. Their generosity may
be straining itself unnecessarily in
anticipation, but the central location
Of Birmingham, and the desire to visit a
city which has acquired such a reputation
in such a short space of time, may draw a
larger crowd than has ever attended any
previous convention. The citizens of Bir-
mlngham will not attempt the entertain
ment OF visitors other than delegates.
Probably no deiberative body contains a
larger number Of able-mindsd men and
men of distinguished ability, both from
church and state. Senators, governors
aud congressman are numbered among
its delegates, and it contains numbers
Of divines Of national reputation. The
body exercises no control over the churches
included in its bounds. the government Of
the Baptist church being congregational,
and the decision Of each church being
supreme in regard to its own affairs. its
influence, however, is great and its decision
upon any subject would be of great weight
The time Of the convention is chiefly oc-
cupied in the discussion OF its mission work
hearing the reports of the committees as to
the progress OF the work in the different
fields, receiving and allotting the contribu-
tons sent up by the churches for mission
work and discussing the subject in all its
bearings. The convention supports over 100
missionaries in foreign fields, besides native
helpers, its chief work being in China. 1t
supports go home missionaries, laboring
in the southern states, the Indian Territory
and Cuba. In addition to this there is the
state mission work which is under the con-
troll Of the state conventions.
This work is conducted independently of
the Northern Baptist Convention aud other
Baptist organizations, but, in harmony, the
different bodies workingi in separate fields.
Considerable attention is paid to educa-
tional work.
TIE meetings Of the convention are
always very interesting, and are the scenes
OF the gathering Of the workers from every
portion of the field.
The Savannah Baptist churches will send
up generous contribution to the conYen-
ton