Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-18

Plans Formulated for the Future
progress of Committees Work

Plans Formulated for the Future
Progress of COmmittce's work.
Although the regular annual meeting
had adjourned, the Central Committee
Auxiliary Of the Baptist General Asso-
citation, with its visiting vice-presidents,
held an informal meeting for conference
in the Calvary church at IL o'clock. Cues
lions were proposed and discussed, and
plans formulated for the future. Miss
Elizabeth Pollard, the newly appointed
State secretary. was in her place with
an abundance Of missionary literaturel
. for distribution.
After some talk about the history Of
the Central Committee, Mrs. W. T..
Hatcher was requested TO prepare the
following paper which will hereafter be
enlarged and kept for reference in the
archives OF the body:
Although there have existed since the
early part of the century societies that
contributed to the support Of missiona-
ries, modern missionary interest among
Baptist women really began in a meet
Ing of ladies held in Baltimore in 1858,
at the time OF the meeting there OF the
Southern Baptist Convention, which was
called together and addressed by the
aged Mrs. Graves, mother of the mis-
sionary, r. H. Graves. Of China Mrs.
DR.. j. b. Jeter, wife Of the pastor
Of Grace-Street church, a most accom-
plished and influential woman, was pre-
sent at the meeting.
She organized a society composed Of
representatives, Of the different churches
OF the city on her return home calling
It the "Mite-Box Society" which society
is still In existence as the Missionary
Circle of Richmond" Mrs. Graves sug-
gested that the new movement be called
"WOman's Work for Woman" and that
much OF the money be appropriated 10
the employment of Bible women for
heather lands. Mrs. Jeter wrote mis-
sionary leaflets and scattered them all
through the South using the press freely
in her endeavors. Societies sprang up.
At the meeting of the convention I'm
1858, the new interest having been noted.
the convention requested Or. II. a. Tup-
per. secretary Of the Foreign Mission
Board, 10 appoint committee OF three
ladies in every State 10 look after the
organization of societies, and by dis
tributing literature to foster the spirit
or missions. DR. Upper appointed the
first one in Virginia, and selected az
president the one who had shown such
interest in the extension OF the work.
Mrs. j. 3. Jeter. Afterwards the Home
Mission Board united with the Foreign
Board in appointing the committees.
The work OF organizing societies In
Virginia grew apace, and such a wave
OF missionary interest swept over the
land that the brethren became alarmed.
lest the churches would dlsentegrate.
They said the autonomy OF the churches
was threatened, and the sisters must be
stopped. The General Association APP
pointed committee composed Of four
OF the most talented men to prepare a
treatise on the subject. warning the la
dies OF their danger, urging them not 10
organize. II was sent throughout the
land. and caused many OF the societies
10 disband. rather than incur the dis
favor OF the brethren.
The Foreign Mission Roarh OF the
Southern Baptist Convention was not
In sympathy with this feeling OF fear
that the ladies would send out their own
missionaries. and they requested the
committees 10 continue to organize So
ceties for them. which theg did. the
committee had to work in the face OF
great difficulties. Mrs. Or. Jeter hed died.
and Mrs. w. L. Hatcher was appointed