The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-13
CONVENTION
AT SALEM.
The coIored Baptistg Of Virginia
. Are in Session.
THE MOST IMPORTANT CoNvEN--
TON IN THE HISTORY OF THEIR
CHURCH THE EFFECTS, oE
THEIR ORGANIZATION ARE APP
PARENT OFFICERS ELECTED AT
THE SESSION YESTERDAY, WITH
REV. Il. H. MITCHELL, OF NOR.
FoLKssAs PRESIDING OFFICER.
r. AS PRESIDING OFFICER.

Salem.i May 49, Especial. 1.-The most
important session ever held by the negro
Baptlsts 6f Virginia opened this morning
in the First Baptist Church, of which
Rev. u. T. Fox, ID. d., is pastor, and will
continussin session until Sunday night.
lt is the thirtieth annual session of the
Virginia Baptist State convention, repre-
senting $4,000 negro Baptists, who
united thirty years ago for the elevation
OF the negro race and extending of the
gospel. Institutions were planted and
missionaries employed, and the result of
their work haU been felt In the commu-
nifty. These men have done all in their
power to point the race to higher and bet.
ter things and to as far as possible en-.
courage them to educate their children.
The Hartshorn Memorial College, for
the education of girls, was established, in
Richmond, Va, for the purpose of teach
ing pure WON anhood, and to build up the
women Of the race. This school has been
successful in its work and has turned out
women who are spending their life in try
ing to shape the lives of the hoys aud
girls of the race preparing them for good
citizenship. Then there was establisbed
the Richmond Theological Seminary, for
the training of preachers Most of the
eminent divines Of the Baptist Church in
the State who are making their marks in
the world are graduates from that school,
and men ale filling the pulpits in all
parts of the country graduates from TINT
institution. And if it continues in the
future rs in the past there is NO doubt
but that the condition of the negro race
Will be changed in n few years.
The Baptist Seminary is the direct in
stltutlon of the convention.and is doing
much to prepare the young men and wo-
fn 81
world. ttfis
The convention was called to order Mt 0
O'Clock this morning by the president
Rev. II. n. Mitchell, D. D.. of Norfolk.
Va, who has served as president for seven
years Fast and was reelected to-day for
another year. Revs. John Jones and r.
Z. Quarles conducted devotional services.
The Rev. b f. Fox, d. D., represent
ing the Baptists and citizens of Salem. de-
livered an address of welcome. He smoke
OF the convention as the greatest OF gani-
cation in America among the negro race.
and saying that all the members had
united for the purpose Of building up the
race, that was once held in bondage. He
extended them n cordial welcome to the
homes and church of his people. He
cited with pleasure to the work of the
convention in 30 years. He made some
reference to the bitter feeling existing in
certain sections of the country between
the two races, and was glad to say that it
did not exist in Virginia
Rev. Henry Williams responded to the
address of welcome. He was followed by
President Mitchell, d. D., who delivered
his annual address. The pastors reported
the result of their past years work and
paid their contributions to the general
fund OF the convention.
DR.. w. Bishop Johnson, OF Washing
ton, ID. O., managing editor of the Ma
tlonal baptist Magazine, which is the
finest literary production OF the negro
race in this country, was present to rep
resent the publication. Chas. Stewart.
of Chicago, was also introduced to the
convention and made short address.
In the afternoon the officers for the en-.
suing year were elected rs follows: II. IT.
Mitchell, ID. d., Norfolk, president; w.
f. Graham, Richmond, S. A. Garland,
Lynchbug, Isaac Lee, Chcriton, L. II.
Ball, Lancaster, vice. presidents: DR. A.
Binga, Manchester recording secretary;
w. +. Merchant, Farmville. statistical
secretary; j. w. Kirby, Richmond, CORE.
spondinG secretary; u. \. Vassar, Rich
mond. treasurer.
The matter OF electing trustees for tie
Virginia Seminary ut Lynchburg, Va.
caused some discussion. This question
allowed the orators i'm opportunity to
give vent to their feeling They did
speak, too. Brother Fox opened the de.
bate, the silver. tonguel DIR. Bolden. of
Norfolk spoke, and the Rev. Mr.. Griggs.
tried his tongue. DIR. Graham spoke and
the Rev. DIR. Armstead, explained the
whole matter. 1t took the convention
about one hour to settle the matter. and
resulted in the trustees being elected.
The Rev. r. Spiller, ID. d.. of Eamp-
ton, preached the annual sermon to night
to large number of people.
The convention is to consider the pro.
priety of establishing the Union Univer.
sity Mt Richmond, Va 1t is the aim of
the Home Mission Society of New York
todoaway with Wayland Seminary, Wash
ington. ID. c., and to estblish IL univer-
sty at Richmond. The colored brothers
have been called on to help, and are fall
ing in line. Some of them believe that
all energy should be turned to the work
at lynchburg, but after some long windy
debates 1t has been decided to assist both.
Prof. George Hays is ut the head of the
Seminary at Lynch burg. and reports the
school In nourishing condition DR.
McNlca-, superintendent of education of
the Home Mission Society, is also present.
lie reports that all the schools under
the socitev for the education of the ne
groes are doing good work and are largely
attended
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