The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-03-21
BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLES UNION
Coming Convention Fraught With
Importance to the South.

In discussing the July convention of
the Baptist Young Peoples Union of
America, Mr.. r. II. Edmonds, editor
of the Nanny acturers' Record, who is a
member of the local Executive Com
| mlttee, says:
| The full meaning of the great conven-
ton of the Baptist Young Peoples
| Union, to be held in Baltimore next July,
is probably not appreciated as yet by
many people. Looked at outside entirely
OF the influence which it is calculated to
| have upon this great denomination,
which has an active membership of about
$500 900 in the United States, there is
q still broader import in this convention
| Ill relation to the country at large. The
members of the Baptist Young Peoples
| Union OF America are mainly the active
| younger members of this denomination,
although there is no restriction as to
age, and many OF the most prominent
older men in the denomination are active
workers in the organization. The plan
| OF the mon and its aim are to inspire
| greater zeal and enthusiasm in religious
work in the rising generation of Baptists
throughout the country. The impOr-
tant feature of the convention in BaIti-
more as relates to the country at large,
|
in bringing about better acquaintance
ship on the part of the people of all sec
tions, and the breaking down of sectional
| lines that have to some extent separated
the various denominations as we'll as the
various sections of the country. The
gathering in Baltimore will be composed
of the active leaders in the denomination
from every part of the country, North,
South, East and Vest as well as from
Canada.
There is already an assurance of at
least 10000 delegates being in attend
ance which will be the largest Baptist
gathering ever held in the world. Let
ters received by the Baltimore commit
tee show that of the thousands who will
come from the far North and Northwest
and Canada, there are very many who
are entirely ignorant of the Southern
section OF our country, of its attractions
and advantages, and who. when they
come to this meeting, will, for the first
time in their lives cross Mason and
, DiXon's line. The effect of such a con-
vention Us this, uniting this great de-
nomination in spirit OF the closest
, fraternity, will be one OF the potent
forces that are now helping to unite our
entire country in the broad spirit of
Americansm. The Christian churches of
: the land have been too long separated
on sectional lines and it is gratifying to
. note the movement that is being inaugu-
rated by the Baptists in this work 1t
is not proposed that this convention
> shall in any way whatever conflict with
the work OF established organizations in
, the Baptist denomination, but that il
shall supplement for the country at large
the regular church work of the denom
: nation doingit through existing agencies
and bring together in a spirit OF frater
, nifty and friendship the rising generation
J OF Baptlsts, the men and women upol
whom the future of the denomination
, must rest.
1t is great opportunity for the Soutl
: and it is to be hoped that several thous
V and delegates from that section will b.
, here to meet their Northern and Western
brethren. Looked at only from the ma
terial point of view, this convention cal
y be made OF untold value to the Soutl
and to Baltimore, because it will give t.
many thousands OF Northern and IVES
$ tern people an interest in and acquaint
8 anceship with the South and its people
). which they do not now have 1t is fortu
nate that Baltimore. the only common
meeting ground of all sections-North
g South, East and West-should hav
l. been chosen for such a convention a
this, which is fraught with so mucl
O interest to the country at large.