The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-15
THE VIRGINIA BAPlISTS.
Dieting al Alexandria Of the Serenity
first Annual Convention.
aGNY IMPORTANT REPORTS SUBMITTED
work Of State Mission Observation-Disclosures
and Its Lsbor,-Econo,ay kccomm dsd,
Other Importsut Subjects Discussed.

The Baptist General Association Of Nir-
ginia, which inaugurated its seventy-frst
annual convention In this city yester-
aay, az stated in The Times. is now well
under way. with an attendance Of several
hundred ministers, many of whom are
accompanied by ladies.
The sessions are held in the First Bap-
list church. on Washington street near
Prree, the centre OF the town, and the
delegates are being looked after by some
81 ne best people OF the town and have
GsDresseu themselves very much pleased
VAN their situation IN general
Inc association met at 80, Dr. Dun
away presiding Alter Singing the Old
hymn come. Thou tOunt OF Every Bles-
sing. Professor Harms, OF Richmond COL
Iese. led In prayer.
the president then read communica-
ton from Messrs ". J.. Hayer and Chas.
l.. COrDitt, representing the Virginia stu
dents at the Southern Baptist Theoiogi-
cal Seminary. at Louisville. 1t read:
We give thanks 10 God always, for
you all, make mention OF you in our
prayers; remembering without ccasing
your work OF faith. labor of love, and
patience OF hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ. in the sight OF God and our Faith
er. Chess, /, z, 81"
a response to this communication was
voted and by the president Of the asso-
citation.
Rev. J. q. Montgomery read the thir-
teenth annual report of the Commute
OH Cooperation, which was discussed by
A. l.. owen, u. W. Winfrey Professor
Harris. Dr. Hatcher c. II. Ryland, +. q.
Elsom. George II. Truett r. j. Wiling
ham and T. y: Shepherd. 1t was adopted.
MIR. W. NJ. EllysOn, corresponding secre-
tary. read the report on State Missions.
After discussion of its features IL was
adopted. This discussion elected cOnsid-
cradle that was interesting TO every
one
coMdirTfE on EDUCATION
DR.. Dunaway then announced the Com
mittee on Education: DR.. w. w. Ian
drum. Edmond Harrison, {. f, James.
l.. Il. Broughton and +. Il. Thomas.
on Obituaries: James -. Taylor. w. f.
Wright, f. II. Jones, r. r. Carr and
on New boards: c. ii. Ryland. 6. l..
Cooke. II. A. Bagby. +. Il. shepherd -
Il. Turpin. John Il, Montgomery and f.
on Time. Place and Preaching; Hon.
j. Taylor Ellyson. NJ l.. Wood, John
Hart. f. r.. Eeaie. a. l.. Phillips, John
w. Knchelve and r. a. Hail;
ed, after prayer by Rev. DT. Dickinson,
The association includes some twenty
five district associations, about 80 churchr
es. 40 preachers, and membership ol
about 10000.
: ATT MISSION WORK.
mort saws: In these twelve months we
have aJpointed seventy-eiGht mission
Irjes-,ight more than last year; Ana
We. this increase of our forces did not
bepin 10 meet the demand that was
made upon us nor enable the board TO
do much aggressive work IN the VAST
Ueiis of restitution which St1ll exist IN
nnr STATE We app eciate the fact that
n is cvoeadiugly difficult for the mem
be;shlp Of our churches, who give niue
bought 10 this subject, to fully realize
how much Of our territory Is yet IN
cared for bN us as a denomination, ana
nov many thousands OF our fellow-ciu-
gcre are without "A good hope III tbrlSt
Jesus. only those who carefully STUDY
the field and Keep themselves suVlsed
II its condition can form any adequale
.DDCeption Of the real religious deStltu-
ton that prevails within our common,
wealth. Not until our pastors shall
thoroughly post themselves ann re
uIIrutlv acquaint their people with the
me spiritual condition of virginia VIII
there be free-will offerings enough TO
g able your hoard TO establish strong
BAPTIST churches I'm every county IN me
state and put under the care of an az
eresyve ministry the many weak
churches that are now pastorlese. me
mount nj present annually received ioi
state missions only enables us somewhat
.ffectiyely to fupply the needs In those
sections of the State where We as a de-
domination have already secured loot-
l,id. But If we are to reach out sun
rev churches i'm growing towns ana
large cl.ues and rural districts, where
frequent opportunities are offered us anu
urgent appeals are made for help, me
churches of the General Association
must largely increase their donations 10
state missions.
iNLAEGiNd THE WORK.
Your board for three successive years
sought by enlarging the work ana show
ing to the churches the great possibih-
ties which lie before us. TO inspire the
churches to an increased liherdntY. ga,
we have been bold to 80 beyond our
income and 50 by manifesting our falth
in the work TO call forth correspondents
faith in Nirginia's evangeMzation up" at
the part Of our brethren. We nave hot
been sustained, however, by that PIaCu-
cal cooperation which enables your
hoard longer TO pursue this pohcy. 20
that there IS no other course loI us 70
adopt than that OF reducing our loICes
and largely Curtailtng our appropriations
But where To deny help and from Whoh
10 withdraw the bread of life, IS cues
ton most painful for your board 10
answer. crisis has come, Ana your
board in the discharge OF the duty as
signed them, must meet the Issue as
God may give them wisdom ana graz
The tabulated abstract OF the heluS
and labors of your SeVenty-elght mis-
sionaries annexed TO this report SHOWS
that during the past year they oCcupleu
223 stations, preached l.1b sermons, bdr-
ltZi
which 2 363 other persons protested falth
IL. Christ made lA,2Y1 visits Tor rehSlou
conversation and prayer oisdiIEeu o.
new Sunday schools ana new churches'
were engaged In the erection OF p church
houses, and completed the erection OF ~.
FINANCE l. MArTEEs.
The receipts for the year ending Octo-
Der 81. 1894 were Sl0'Itl5' wmch, Wild
the balance on hand November |, 1873
made our available resources *u.N4l9
The treasurer paid out ON account OF the
hoard the past fiscal year $ll ,l6l.i6, leav-
ing balance Of Sl2T-
The items OF disbursements were as
follows:
ON account of printing, postage .o,..
sc. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. .''''",S - 10
Corr spC LCinG Secretary's travel
ling eNptT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, bi ~
Our pro rata share Of General as
ISOLATION exp. / Ses................ 20 10
Salaries Of mis5ionaries............ LOSE 10
TIC e,r wee a tS5 IS
less than last Year. The amount paid
out this year exceeded our income
Si0l4A.
The above facts and figures unmis-
takAhlv show the favor Of Cod upon our
missions and how wide open Is the door
for state eVangeliZation. The more re-
luctantly, therefore. do we again cal
attention of the General Association to
the conclusion that your board has
teached, that a reduction Of their forces
"a a necessity. IL we are not 10 be bur
dened with n debt The disastrous conse-
ouences OF a mission board mourning
heavy financial liability Is too serious for
vour hoard to risk We feel that we
must and ought TO confine our expendi-
lures within the amount or our income
And vet, can the Bapusts OF Virginia
afford TO weaken the right arm Oh tn al1
strength. Can they retire from an ag-
ssI,,e work when the fields are white