The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-12-21
CLOSED MONDAY NIGHT.
THE BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
AT ELIZABETH CITY.
Speeches-Next Session to be Held
in Charlotte-Some Notes.

Speeches-Next Session to be Held
in Charlotte-Some Notes.
Rev. S. f. Conrad arrived home last
night from the State Baptist Con-
vention which closed its annual ses
sion at Elizabeth City December 11th.
Mr.. Conrad gives THE SENTINEL an
other interesting report of the Con-
yention, which reads as follows:
In my last communication | wrote
of the beginning of the conventions;
in this | shall speak of the work IN
general and some OF the impressions
IL left upon the minds and hearts of
those present. A Baptist convention
is different body from any other re-
ligiOuS assembly in its representative
purpose and order of business. The
body is composed of delegates select
ed Oy the churches and associations
Each association is entitled to two
representatives and every church is
entitled to one delegate for every ten
dollars contributed to any of the OBJ
jectS of the convention. The attend
ance is voluntary; no delegate is re-
Quired to attend unless so inclined.
All Of the delegates stand upon u
common level and equally recognized
by the moderator. Each convention
selects its own officers. The purpose
of the convention is educational and
benevolent.
The order in which it proceeds in
the transaction of its business is to
hear reports from its boards and Spe
ciol reports upon objects and ques-
tions in which it is directly interest
ed. While an annual report is requir-
ed Of its boards, special committees
are appointed to report upon all the
important objects of the convention.
These reports are open for general dis
cussion. No limitation is given to
speeches unless the brethren get dull
or prOsy, or the convention is pressed
for time.
Now in looking back over the work
of the convention a great deal by way
of details, spice, wit and humor can
not be reported. For wit, good humor
animated and spirited debate the
convention was perhaps never sur
passed by any former session. There
were many spicy Witticisms and
humorous utterances which will never
be forgotten.
There was much crossing Of sabres
upon different questions, but the spirit
of the Master seemed to control every
SPEAKER. The resolutions regarding
State Institutions and the denomina-
tiOnal colleges was sharply debated.
The convention however was decided
in its purpose to adjust the matter, SO
committee was appointed to confer
with other colleges and memorabilia
the legislature. The discussion
brought out much light upon the sub
ject unknown to the masses.
A resolution offered by DIR. Pritch-
ard relative to cOeducatiOn of the
sexes was discussed and finally
withdrawn; on this subject however
he made one of the best speeches of
the convention showing that it was
only question OF time as to itSadOp-
tiOn.
Dr. F. C. Mcconnell, of Atlanta,
Ga, made the speech of the couven-
tion on Home Missions. He is a
North Carolinian by birth and quite
youthful in appearance but sways his
audience with a mastery flow of elo-
quence. His speech and sermon on
sunday morning was the event OF
the convention. Old men said they
had never heard his sermon surpassed.
The resolutions offered by DR.. Fandi-
yenter for State organization for
Young Peoples Societies was discuss
ed in many short speeches and re-
ported, but a committee Of CORES
pondence was appointed to confer
with the churches.
A strong speech was made by DR.
Biting, OF Philadelphia, on the pub
location of the Bible and distribution
of Tracts. One marked feature Of
the convention was the absence OF
public collections. Only two were
u4ken during the convention.