The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-12
FRAUDS DEALT
AN UPPER CUT.
Rev. Or. Mitchell Talks Plainly to
CoIored Baptsts,
THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL SESSION,
OF the Baptist state Convention Con-
ycned In This City Yesterday-En-
couraging Reports of the Work
Election of Officers.

Tho city Is crowded with representa-
tive colored men from all parts OF the
state attending the thirty-hrst annual
session OF the Baptist state Convention,
which opened yesterday morning at the
second Baptist church. Second and Byrd
street. and will continue in session until
Sunday night
The convention represents the largest
negro organization in thls>country. there
being J. 200, 900 negro Baptists In the
United states and 10000 are within the
state OF Virginia. The convention was
organized thirty-one years ago for the
purpose OF taking up the educational
work In the State among the colored
people.
Tho convention was called 10 order at
Q O'Clock yesterday morning and the
Revs. j. b. Smith and NJ. ID. Williams
conducted the opening song and prayer
service which was followed by an ad-
dress Of welcome by NJ. f. Cert, one Of
the young men OF the Second Baptist
church.
THE PRESIDENTS UPPER CUT
This address was responded to by the
Rev. DR.. Terrell, OF the Virginia Semi
nary, Lynchburg. and another song was
sung by the convention and the Rev. DR..
Mitchell, president, delivered an annual
address in which he reviewed the work
of the past year and made some recon-
mendatiOns for the future government
OF the convention. He wanted the ne
groes Of me state 10 stay in touch with
the American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety. Of New York. saying that they had
done so much for the elevation Of the
race While he was in favor OF the
negro doing something for himself yet he
did not want them TO sacrifice the race
interest in trying 20 do that something,
nor did he want them 10 kill the goose
that laid the golden egg He urged that
the BaDtists stand together as a unit In
the educational and missionary work.
and rally 10 the support OF their instltu-
lions I'm this city, the Richmond Iheologi-
cal Seminary. the Hartshorn Memorial
College. the Virginia Seminary. Lynch-
burg. the Spiller Academy. Hampton ana
the other small schools I'm various parts
OF the state.
The president rolled up his sleeves so
90 speak and took an upper cut at some
Of the organizations which claimed 10 ~
doing work In Africa. lie said that
large sums were reported raised and sent
20 Africa through the public press. but
the missionaries who are laboring TN that
dark continent report that they never see
a cent OF the money. This thing Will
have 10 be stopped. my brethren" ne
said ANA we must stand by the con
vention which was organized few
months ago. and let MS pledge ~ con-
vention and as Baptists 20 support M
least one missionary in Africa Dr.
Mitchell was interrupted during the de-
livery Of his address with applause. and
when he had finished his report an out
burst Of applause followed.
ENCOURAGING REPORTS.
The Committee on Credentials reported
showing over 90 delegates present. and
the president announced a number or
committees and the convention took "a
recess.
The afternoon session was interesting
II opened with song and prayer service
lasting 90 minus. and each pastor was
fun OF the Holy Ghost and proceeded 10
business amidst shouts OF amen.
The Rev. DR.. Vass. as treasurer. made
his report showing that H,1AN had been
received and expended during the year.
and that the treasury was empty. This
was followed by the report OF the Rev
DR.. Kirby. corresponding secretary. and
fancial agent for the Union University.
which is 10 be established In this city,
for the education Of the negro youths.
His report was encouraging and showed
that the negroes OF the state are contri-
buting largely TO the new educational
scheme for their children.
OFFICERS CHOSEN.
The following officers were elected
Rev. H. H. Mitchell. ID. D.. Norfolk
president: Revs. W r. Graham. Rich
mond; T. watts, Petersburg; Isaac Lee.
Cherrton: l.. r.. Ball. Lancaster. vice
presidents. 4. Binga, ID. ID. Manchesier
recording secretary: Z. w. Merchant
Farmville. statistcian; J. w Kirby.
Richmond corresponding secretary; D.
". Vassar. Richmond. treasurer.
Last night 1900 people crowded In the
church TO hear the Rev. DR.. y. F. Fox.
of Salem. Va. who preached the annual
sermon.
The choir Of the church furnished spe-
cial music and the speaker delivered an
able discourse.