Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-16
B. Y. P. U. CONVENTION |
EVERYTHING POINTS TO A MOST
SUCCESSFUL MEETING.
The VIRGINIA DELEGATION.
1t II Greeted With n Hearty Well
come On Entering the Convention
HnII-A Trip to Chickamauga and
Lookout Mountain.

CHATTANOOGA. TENN. July 15.-The
seventh international convention of the
Baptist Young Peoples Union of Ameri-
ca began this afternoon, with about 1900
delegates, and some of the most promil
nent Baptist leaders in the country pres
ent. The weather is cool and pleasant,
and everything points to one OF the most
successful meetings ever held by the
union.
Among the most prominent leaders
present are President John r. Chapman,
Chicago Presidents, the Rev.
Messrs. C. l.. Seasholes, Dallas, Tex; H.
l.. Fowke Oshawo, Ont; and r. c. Quig-
ley Lincoln, Neb.; Secretary L. K. Chi
vers, Chicago; Treasurer Frank Moody,
Milwaukee, Wis; Rev. Il. w. Hunt, To-
ledo, O., chairman of the Board of Man
ayers; Recording Secretary III. w. Reed,
La Crosse, Wis; Rev. Carter Helm Jones,
Louisville, KY; ex-Secretary Frank l..
Wilkins, Chicago, and Walter III. Merritt,
business manager of the Baptist Union.
The Baptist papers of the country are
well represented, and special arrange
ments have been made for the comfort
and convenience of their representatives.
The handsomely and elaborately deco
rated city auditorium was completely
filed at 10 o'clock, the hour of opening,
this morning Each State delegation oc-
cupied quarters reserved for it, and there
was no crowding or confusion. On the
or officers
speakers, and in the choir gallery above
| them was an excellent trained choir or
| 800 voices
The convention was opened with
short song service, led by DR.. l.. l.. Hen
| son, of Fort Wayne, Ind, formerly sec
retary of the Board of Managers. The
| immense audience Joined with the choir
| i'm the singing, and a great wave of in
| spring harmony hoated through the
| building. At the close of the song SER
| vice DR. Henson read the 18th Psalm ana
delivered a fervent invocation, after
| which President Chapman rose to de-
| liver the opening address.
AS President Chapman walked to the
front of the platform he was greeted by
a great volume Of applause When the
applause finally subsided, he spoke as
| follows:
1T is my privilege once more to look
upon this happy gathering of the Baptst
Young Peoples Union of America.
"I am glad of the numbers gathered
here. because 1t predicts a good and pro-
ntable time together. / believe In the
enthusiasm Of numbers: as iron sharpen
eth iron. so a man sharpeneth the coun-
tenance of his friend And such host
| of friends ought to make our faces very
bright.
II am glad because 1t seems to be be-
| coming fashionable to be religious. These
hosts of young men are living down the
old sneer. bold sneer, that religion Is Tor
women and children. They are teaching
| the world that there is nothing more
manly than sincere and earnest love
for Christ; they are challenging the in
| fdel to call the Christian man efIeml-
nate.
| ut is true that you cannot be more
pure. or more unselfish, or more COD
| fearing or get more good of any kind
| in your heart. than by beng IKE tne
average woman. but the Baptist Peoples
Union IS proving that this does not make
a man less strong or courageous, less able
| tn cone with difficulties, or less willing
| TO lift burdens
"The work Of this organization is bur-
] NH.
den-lifting in all its departments. The
members are lifting the burdens in their
local society. The associational work OF
| generalization is being carried forward
with earnestness. The States are iaborlns
| IN extend the cause i'm their own borders,
| and the national society has done work
| during it's six years history that would
be miraculous if it were not the work OF
a Divine leader.
THE ORGANIZATIONS WORK.
"Tbis organization is to teach the
voung Christians of this generation that
| IN he saved is not all there is of saliva
| tion. that there are possibilities OF SER
vice within him that culture may de-
velop. and that it is his privilege. not
onIv TO climb up himself into the King
dom of Heaven, but that he may be
permitted that sweetest joy known on
| earth. the joy of leading souls to christ
II teaches him to love. not simply manli-
| ness. but men; TO see in every human
being. however low in the scale or
merit. a possible jewel of eternity. IL Is
for the promotion Of this Work that
we have met to-day
"I am grateful for the fellowship 1 see
! I'm YOUR faces. We come from widely
separated homes, bearing with US hearts
strains of music The golden East has
listened to the Atlantics measured pull
sations; the blue Of the West Is worn
over hearts that caught their rhythm
from the mountain streams; the mock
ing-bird awakened some in southern
homes but the common tune of God
save the Queen, and America Will unite
us in song, heart TO heart
At the conclusion of President Chap-
mans address, DIR. f.. Il. Hunt moved
that the provisional programme be
adopted as the convention programme.
The motion was unanimously adopted.
Addresses of welcome were then de-
livered. as follows:
On behalf of the churches OF Chatta-
nooga. by Dr. r. b. Garrett, pastor Of
the First Baptist church
on behalf of the Baptist Young Peo-
ple's societies of the city and state, by
Rev. NJ. ID. Jeffries. of Knoxville, Tenn.
on behalf of the citizens OF Chatta-
nooga. by Mayor George w. Ochs.
DIR. J. w. Conley. of st. Paul, Mimi.
eloauently responded to these well
coming addresses.
DIR. III. w. Reed. recording secretary
then announced the standing commit
tees and the leaders on important
topics OF each State represented I'm the
convention.
'The Christ Conception-Person, not
proxy" was the subject of an excellent
address delivered by Rev. Dr. Carter
Helm Jones. the distinguished Louisville
divine Mr.. Jones was at his best. and
held the close attention Of his hearers
throughout.
Rev. DIR. D. D. McI.aurin, Of Detroit