The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-17

I'm May 1898, the resolutions passed in
Wilmington last year were re-aihrmed;
and they were widely published ia The
papers. religious and secular This action
OF the Board was not unanimous. though
10 was sustained by quite "a large maJo-
rity. The opposition, however stih kept
up the agitation, and ~ is almost certain
that this continued disturbance SIS the
cause of President Whitsitts determine
ton TO resign.
His resignation came as a great shock
10 not a few Of his supporters, VINO were
not prepared for 81. and 10 Is 10y no means
certain that they viii accept the StuatiOn
calmly, and without q contest. The con-
vention. ana the Board OF Trustees of
the Seminary. hold their meetings at the
same time and place. Next May the con-
ventlon meets in Louisville which is the
storm center" of the opposition. Here
is the Western Recorder. which IS edited
by r. T. Eaton, formerly pastor I'm Pc
tersburg. Va That paper has been the
head and front of the opposition. 10 IS
known as Exceeding mad against" here
sizes. and pursues them even unto strange
cities, and it has persistently and Insist
emily held that President Whltstts
views are heretlcal
LIVELY TIMES AHEAD.
II President whistles Supporters should
take the ground that the whole conten-
ton Of the opposition is really a case Of
much ado about nothing and should,
upon this ground, insist that the Trustees
ought TO decline TO accept his resignation.
there is a fine prospect of lively times
at Louisville next May. it is believed
that every member OF the Baptist Min
ister's Conference OF this city Is with Dr.
Whitsitt. Probably not one OF them pre-
tends to be an expert on the historical
question involved; but they believe that
he is. and that It is unwise and un-Chris-
tian 10 continue this agaitatiOn against
him, whether he be right or wrong in
his answer TO that Question In Baptist
History" The poll has not been taken;
but It is we'll understood that the Bap-
list ministers OF Richmond as a body
have no sympathy with the opposition,
and greatly deprecate the style and spir-
IT in which the controversy has been con-
Quoted by Or. Whitsitts opponents
Some OF the leading men among them
look upon the agitation as unwarranted,
bitter and senseless persecution OF an
honest, able and candid seeker for light:
and they would be greatly delighted 10
see the Trustees face the situation boldly
and squarely refuse 10 sanction Presi-
dent Whitsitt's retirement
WHAT DIR. WHITSITT WROTE.
Following are the portions OF DR. Whit
Sits history of the Bapusts IN Johnson's
Encyclopedia 10 which Or. Eaton and
his followers object:
The name Baptist" as applied to this
body OF Christian people first appears
in literature in the year 1854 i'm n volume
composed by Rev William Brtten. or
Northamptonshire. entitled "Tho Mod
crate Baptist" Prior to that date they
were without name. and commonly
designated thmoslves as "those who are
unjustly called 'Anabaptists." But for
some years already they had quilted
the defensive 10 assums an aggressive
position by styling themselves 1.-The hap
tized churches" BY degrees this title
was contracted 10 baptist churches"
The new name gave offence; It was
charged that they arrogate TO them
selves the title OF Baptists. as II none
were baptized but themselves" The con-
tractod form Baptist finally came into
general use. though the original form.
baptized people" was frequently en-
ployed along with ~ down 10 the middle
Of the eivhtcer'h century. Much specu-
iation has been bestowed to determine