Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-12
IT WAS A BUSY DAY.
nlly Additional Delegates Il The
Baptist Conlantion.
chs 1.-THE SYSTRI OF GIVING.
4 Is ADOPTED on Recommendation Of
Committee.
rHE WORK OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE
Concurrence In Report Which May
Avert Another FiGht-Basis of Rep
resentatioa UnchanGed-Bistoric
Address-ForeiEn Missions.
gHE 1.-THE sVsTEI OF GIVING.

With the Southern Baptist Convention.
The great body got TO work early, and
things went along at q rapid rate. The
attendance was much larger than on yes
serday. many additional delegates having
arrived last night and this morning. There
we're. perhaps. 900 or more delegates on
the floor to-day.
There were but two sessions OF the
convention to-day. and II IS likely there
will be no afternoon sitting. with the
possible exception of Monday. The
speeches thus far have mostly been short
AMI In fine spirit. Several speakers have
taken occasion. as DIR. Landrum promptly
1io on Thursday. TO condemn the rather
sighting remarks or insinuat!ons as 10
by two or three OF those who spoke in
the young peoples conference in opposi-
Ton to the organization OF the general
pouthern union.
Judge HARRISON raped the convention
TO order promptly at o'clock this MORN
Ing. The brief devotional exercises were
conducted by Rev. DR.. G. A. Lotion,
Of Nashville. Tenn.
CHURCH BUILDIN0 BOARD.
Rev. c. A. Nunnally. OF Memphis. Of
fered n preamble and resolution, which
were referred TO committee or one
member from each State. looking to the
creation OF n church building board SINH
lar In its organization and privileges 10
the Home and the Foreign Mission
boards The preamble sets forth that
4 ,af 81 n
fist churches within the bounds or the
convention which have no houses or
worship; that there are hundreds or
promising missionary stations without
shelter; that suitable houses are essen
tiai to the greatest efficiency ana per
rlanency Of the work; that many OF
these homeless organizations. In their ef-
forts to secure funds for building OFTEN
resort 10 devices and send forth appeals
that embarrass brethren who receive
them, and confuse the plans OK benevo-
ence which have been adopted by the
churches. etc. The resolution provides
hat "the work OF raising and distri-
putting funds, by gift or loan. be com
mitted TO this board. for the purpose or
aiding churches In their efforts to build
as In the judgment OF the board may
seem wise and expedient'
The patron Of the resolution was maze
chairman OF the committee 10 which the
paper was referred.
FAVOR THE TITHB SYSTEM
Nearly two hours time was was devoted
10 the earnest discussion Of the matter
of adopting the Scriptural systematic
plan OF paying to God at least one tenth
81 tn income. The subject came up IN
the presentation by Or. r. Nj. Ellis. or
the report Of the Committee on T1thing.
The report made very strong presenta-
ton OF the obligation Of Christian people
20 give literally 10 the support ana spread
OF the Gospel The Scriptural injunctions
TO give both by system and with lbe-
ralIty are emphasized, and In conclusion
the committee say:
IAN the OBLIGATIONS OF our churches
and Of our boards would thus be met, we
believe. with promptness and without EN-
barrassment. In the course OF rev
years every destitute place in the BOUNDS
OF the convention could be occupied, ana
n thousand of new missionaries could be
sent out TO reinforce our active labofers
on every field at home and abroad.
''Your committee believe that God VIII
bcsiow His most gracious blessings. both
temporal and spiritual. on those who
heartily and lovingly time their income
for His glory.
"Your committee recommend the adop-
ton Of the tithing system. and that our
several State conventions. district asso-
Citations. the pastors, churches, ana ms
sionary societies give earnest heed ana
active cooperation in their efforts TO
educate our people In paying systemati-
cally TO God not less than one tenth Oh
their income"
Supplemental to the report are given
letters from prominent Baptists all
South. heaTtllX en-
dorsng the tithing system. and de-
rlaring that in their judgment It's gene
raj adoption would result in great good
and relieve the church enterprises OF
further embarrassment.
AN EARNEST DISCUSSION
The discussion on this subject was full
OF earnest enthusiasm. DIR. Ellis yield
Cd his time to DIR. Il. Y. Mullens. OF Bal
timore who made stirring speech In
the line Of influencing the people to give
more systematically. He thought at least
one seventh OF our time ana one tenth
of our money should be given to the
Lord. A ty-horse-power engine OF
beneyolence cannot, he declared. draw
a thousand horsepower mission work. lie
wanted to see all the people give
by a fixed system. Dr. Lotion. OF Nash
vile, followed In n somewhat similar
line, empharizing the points made by
DR. Muhens In what was considered the
best speech yet made In tho convention.
DIR. Kerfoot, OF Louisville, advocated keep
ing an account with God. and said
the people rob tho Lord Of his tithes II
they do not follow a system. DR.. Purser
followed I'm the same line. and so did
Or. j. William Jones. who argued that
the ministry leads In giving. Editor ID.
q. Ray, OF the American Baptist Flag.
hoo hut nat ha IL he no
We should give the Lord ourselves and
al that we have. Rev. y. ii. Ford. OF
Missouri. the veteran Baptist, who failed
10 attend the first session OF the Southern
Baptist Convention because the stage
roach turned over. but has been at pretty
nearly every one since. opposed the plan
Entirely.
The report was adopted. and the re-
tgious press and the boards were urged
to give IL wide circulation, while all pas
tors were asked TO bring 1t before their
people.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND YOUNG PEG
PIE.
Rev. W. Il. Crumpton, OF Alabama. pre-
sented the conclusions OF the committee
10 which the report or the Sunday School
Board was referred. heartily endorsing
and commencing all branches OF the work
lf tnls BOARD.
This was adopted. and Rev. J. l.. White
Of Macon. Ca, presented the following
report on the young peoples work. which
was promptly concurred in. and may
avert another night on this subject;
we wish 10 reaffirm our faith In the USE
fuiness OF rlghtly-managed young peo-
pies societies. We are glad To know that
since our last convention interest in
work for young people has increased. as
Indicated by many societies having been
Organized In the churches. also. several
State conventions formed. and many In
stitutes for young people held.
The movement should be encouraged
and properly directed by our pastors
ana brethren OF large experience. TO our
pastors. in particular. We must look for
the assurance that our ardent hopes in
this great work shall be realized. In
these societies we hope 70 see our young
p..opis greatly aided In the development
Of Christian character and activity In
church work, trained In Bible doctrine.
denominationai history. and missions.
we recommend the following:
1. That our churches organize young
pe,ple's societies for the purposes ex-
pressed above. strictly under the control
Of the churches.
That our pastors and churches hold
these societies In closest sympathy with
the work OF the Southern Baptist Con-
veution.
,ettgA In.