Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-03
THE YOUNG BAPTISTS
HOW THIS MOVEMENT HAS GROWN
IN VIRGINIA.
CONVENTION IN NORFOLK THIS WEEK
The Unions All Through the state
to he Represented-An Attractive
the Organization.

Like some great tidal wave breaking
over every obstacle and dashing It's
spray everywhere over the land, the
movement Of tie Baptist Young Peo-
pies Union reached Virginia a few
years back.
1, is always easy to use great force
to accomplish great things, and the wise
people and the strong people in the
churches easily find something for their
| hands to do. But II was a perplexins
question 10 know how 10 multiply the
little forces and make them count for
good. And in multiplying the numbers,
there would also be strength TO the in
diyldual. Girls and boys were linking
their young lives 20 Gods people and to
make them strong soldiers. stalwsrt
even in the face Of the battle. 1t was
| necessary 10 give them work to do.
Then tho long-felt want for some or
ganization. upon whose grounds the
young people. with common needs ana
common sympathies. might meet and
grow individually and strengthen each
other, found a living satisfaction in a
union Of the young people Of a single
church in a Central State.
Like a prairie-fire OF that section. it
spread. One church after another, and
one community after another took 1t up.
Soon the Central States were filed with
enthusiasm for the movement. even as
the bed Of the Mississippi is filed with
water, and overlooked. The spirit ira
yelled eastward, lceped the Cumberland
mountains, and brooded gently over the
Valley OF Virginia
THE VIRGINIA UNION FORMED.
At a sunrise meeting. on the 18th Of
November. lss3. at the First Baptist
church, Of Roanoke, the Baptist Young
Peoples Union Of Virginia was or
ganized. A campaign was Immediately
planned to take tbs State. Virginia was
divided into eight districts, and COM
mander in chief was appointed for each
district. Many OF the churches OF the
State already had unions. but they had
to be strengthened and others formed.
The first union Of Richmond was or
gained in the Second Baptist church,
/ Of which Rev Dr. w. w. Landrum was
pastor Leigh-Street church was soon 20
follow, and then every Baptist churcA IN
the city fell into line. one by one. Rich
mond came in the third district OF the
eight, and Rev. ". /. Wright, ID. D.. OF
LeighStreet church. was appointed 10
look after the cause here. Or. Wright
was easily recognized as the man for the
responsible place, his great energy ana
his enthusiasm for the movement making
him an ideal leader. II was not
long. as has been stated, until nearly
every church OF the faith In the city
HAD a fourishing union, holding sessions
Of great interest and help 10 individual
members regularly each week
About this time also, DR.. wright was
appointed chairman OF the Executive
Committee for the District Of the Green
a territory coextenslve with that en-
braced by the Southern Baptist Conven-
ton Early in the year, the leaYen OF
DR.. Wright's enthusiasm and magnetism
/ as n leader went throughout the South,
and unions were quickening into Ire al
over the district. But the work AT nome
in great pastorate, and MS
trying duties as a union officer began
to undermine his health, and AT the
close of the year he resigned the chair
manship No man. however. In this time
did more for the union in Rlchmohu anu
the South than DIT. Wright.
Another vigorous worker took his place
n. the helm. and the cause has ad-
vanced 1t is true that two Bapust
churches. have let their Unions so 10
pleces. but the history Of the crganiza-
ton in Richmond is progress II mas
proven for Richmond great training
school for young Christians But as
churches Of Richmond have linked IN
so have Baptist churches all over the
State
OBJECTS AND PLEDGE.
The averred objects OF the union are;
sJJnifcation of our Baptist young peo-
; cuirifralifV tlgfF
stimulation In Christian service, their
edIncation in Scripture knowledge, Their
instruction In Baptist history and doc
trine. and their enlistment in missionary
activity through existing denominauohAi
organizations" ,
The pledge is as follows: Relying
unon Divine help, hereby promise TO be
true to Christ in all things, ana al an
times TO seek the New Testament stand
ard OF Christian experience ana me- 10
att,nd every meeting Of the union, UNI
loss bindered by reasons approved by a
good conscience and 10 some part IN tR
services. aside from singing, II II is pos
! sible 10 do so with sincerity and truth.
The unions and individuals declare as
their common bond the New tesla-
ment. in the full affirmation OF whose
teachings we are one people with one
ms sion.' --r,,~
CONVENTION THIS WIEN
The Virginia unions hold their ntth
annual convention next Wednesday and
Thursday with the Freemason-Street
church Of Norfolk. There Will be three
sessions each day. and the hours will be
nIIed with interesting services. most
attractive programme having been ar
ranged. One feature which promises 10
be unusually helpful is the course OF
three lectures on the study and Use
of the Bible" conducted by Rev. Len
G. Broughton. OF Roanoke. DR.. Trough
ION will also speak on Traps for Souls.
Another attractive feature will be
choir al each service of 800 trained
voices. on Thursday evening, before ire
! close OF the convention, Rev. {. .
blackwell, Phi. D.. secretary OF the Bap-
fist Young Peoples Union Of the South,
will be introduced. DR.. Blackwell VIII
sneak on -Four Million Talents; what
Account VIII TIE Baptists of the South
Renderg' :
Richmond home people will also have
an opportSr1ty of hearing the Secretary
He will cc-ale from Norfolk TO Richmond
FRIDAY evening, and will spend several
davs here. Sunday morning he will preach
AT one of the Baptist churches, and sun
day night a rally Of the unions OF Rich
mond and Manchester will BE- held az
Grace. Street tabernacle. Or. Blackwell
win deliver the address before this gath
ering.
CITY UNION MEETING TO-DAY.
qba ouarterly meeting OF the Young