The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-20


session last night Mt 7:30 o'clock in the
Calvary Baptist. Church with several hun
dred preachers, laymen and their wives
and daughter present.
The church was very much crowded
and at the request of the pastor, Rev
DR.. Broughton, the first floor was used
exclusively for the visitors, while the
gallery was occupied by people who re-
side in the city.
The meeting was called to order ny the
presiding officer, Rev. Thomas S. Duna
way. of fredericksburg who spoke briefly
to tbe visitors and welcomed them TO the
seventy fourth annual session of the as
sembly. ,
DIR. Runaway has been the pastor of the
Baptist Church OF fredericksburg for
over twenty years and he has also been
moderator Of this body for the last four
years. Besides being II very able preacher
h" is also distinguished for his parlia-
mentary rulings.
After the song service Dr. Dunaway
read II portion of the first chapter of Co
lossians, after which Rev. c. II. Rvland.
of Richmond, invoked Divine blessing.
The choir, which was led by Prof. II.
a. Wolfsohn, rendered another selection.
after which Rev. A. b. Dunaway read
the 10th. Psalm. A Divine blessing was
invoked by DR.. Tichcnor. corresponding
secretary of the board of home missions.
of Atlanta.
DR.. Dunaway took bis text for the in.
troductory sermon from Joshua, 1873.
How long are We slack to go to possess
the land which the Lord God of your
fathers hath given you?n Subject, "Pos-
sesslHg the Land Dr. Dunaway made
logical clear and forcible argument.
The speaker made comparisons between
the seven tribes, and the efforts of some
to reach the Land OF Promise, and the
work of the Baptists in the State of Vir.
ginia. The following Is brief synopsis
OF DR.. Dunnway's sermon:
Joshua asked the seven tribes in the
language of the text that they be not
slack to go to possess the lands. In the
INST place these seven tribes occupied a
position they might have held wears be
fore; that it was not because the distance
between Egypt and Canaan was so great,
but because of the development OF man.
kind. They were unbelievers and were
towards. They occupied II position they
ought not to have held. 1t was not the
position destined for them. 1t is IL pesi-
tion they ought to have reached but not
held. The other tribes had gone forward
with quick step and received the land
God promised them. The text seems to
imply rebuke, seems 20 want to know
what they are doing there, and why they
had been there so long. Why were they
slow? The other tribes had gone forward
without molestation and they could have
gone also. They were satisfied, ami too
we'll satisfied. with their progress after
they had reached the promised land, and
they were slack about leaving the posi-
ton they had reached. The Baptists of
Virginia have reached a position that
they might have reached years ago. Very
little new territory has been acquired.
We do not 90 forward We are like one
of the seven tribes We have reached n
certain place and are satisfid to hold it
why are we slack? am convinced that
our people could do more. 1t is not he
cause we do not possess the ability, be-
cause we have it. Look at our mission
wcrk and schools. ] want TIC call Your
attention to another fact; we are too well
satisfied with our past and present. We
have history of which 1 am proud and
| am afraid that we are not aggressive
enough. / want to call your attention
to prospects. They had subd ued their
enemies and everything was bright and
full OF hopes. Prospects are not like
mountains, endure for ages. We know
that the prospect could and nu ght to have
heeu bi iShter had we obeyed the will of
God. must call your attention to nerls
rhey hisobsved God and did not 20 for
ward when He commanded them and for
their disobedience they were told that
they could not reach the Promised Land,
hut would perish. we serve the same
God aad because of our unbelief and dis
obedience ought He not withdraw his
bencdictions ard love, We have lost
ground in Virginia in certain sections
We are not advancing as we ouoht, hut
Others niore aggressive are occupying the
ground that we ought to have occupied
Brethren OF Virginia. I'll tell YOU, f we
wait and do not 90 forward and possess
the land there will De II weakness, n