Evening star., 1898-05-09
THE soUTHERNy BAPTIsTs
Dr. whitman's Sermon the Subject of Uni
versal Oommendation,
Proceedings Of sfrfo'< Convention
DR.. Dfax, n Member, to Join Roose-
velt's Rough Riders.
Special Correspondence OF Tho Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of Tho Evening Star,
NORFOLK, Va, May 8, 1898.
The greatest event thus far of the South
ern Baptist convention, now in session in
this city, was the annual sermon preached
Friday evening by President B. L. Whit
man of Columbian University Washington
It was delivered in the auditorium of the
immense Academy Of Music, which was
crowded to its utmost capacity, and was
the only occasion where such an audience
can assemble, as 1t can not be again Sc
cured during the present session of this
great church body.
A delegate who has attended many
previous sessions of the convention said
1t was the consensus of opinion that DR.
Whitman's address was "one of the most
profound as well as the most eloquent and
finished ever delivered before this hodv II
was brilliant address, delivered on q
great occasion, before a distinguished au-
dience, and although the speaker occu-
pied an hour and fifteen minutes in its
oehVery ne was listened to with the great
est interest from the beginning to the
cIoSe.'
AS foreshadowed in The Star of Satur
day, the Whltsitt matter was brought to
tne attention OF the convention yesterday,
ana for d time there was considerable ex-
citement over it, The debate was par
tcipated in by Rev. DIR. B. H. Carroll of
Texas, who offered resolution to divorce
SLe Soutnern Bapnst Seminary from the
Southern Baptist convention and allow the
Institution to stand on its own merits ;,
Inc question was finally disposed of bv
referring the whole subject to a commit
zee OF one from each state represented in
the convention, with Instructions to renort
at the next annual meeting
A resolution offered by Rev DR.. Holt Of
tennessee was adopted, requesting that the
nome board of missions ask permission of
fn al
send as many missionaries to the solGiars
OF the Cuban invading army as the home
DC ard deems wise. Previous to the adoption
or the resolution speeches were made by Mr.
j. l.. M. Curry of Washington, D. c.. former
minister to Spain, who said that Cuba was
rot only to receive liberty of government,
but religious liberty; DR.. Justin D. Fulton
of Massachusetts and Others
The report of the committee on the report
of the Sunday school board was highly
ccmplim entary. The board was praised for
the excellent financial showing made by it,
and for its work in extending the circula-
tion of the Bible, and was directed to use
Its discretion as to the publication OF any
book 1t might have in view. The committee
also recommended the periodicals published
by the board to every church within the
bounds OF the convention.
The report was discussed by number of
|. speakers, but the address which attracted
the most attention was that of Rev. DR.. J.
E. White of North Carolina. Among other
things stated by him 4wa5 the fact that only
a few miles southeast ofbNorfolk was built
the first Baptist church between Philadel-
phia and Charleston. Constituting, DR.. White
referred to Mr.. Rockefellers gift of $4,000
to Wake Forest College,-N. c..
A telegram was read from the general
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Christian salutationsNo the convention, and
Rev. DR.. Burrows, one of the secretaries,
was requested to send a suitable reply.
The report of the foreign mission board
on papal and pagan fields led to addresses
by Rev. N. r. Pittrnan:of Missouri, Rev.
c. c. Meador of Washington, D. c.; Rev
l. N. Johannon of Peoria; Rev. C. X. Green,
missionary to China!bRev. w. I. Crumley,
missionary to Africa, and Rev. Mr. Entz-
minger, missionary to Brazil.
Today the pulpts of most of the church.
es of Norfolk and vicinity were occupied
by visiting delegates. 1t is expected that
the convention will finally adjourn tomor-
rev evening or Tuesday morning
1t is said here that one of the delegates
to the convention, Rev. DR.. Diaz of the
city of Mexico, will unite with Lieutenant
Colonel Roosevelt's regiment in Washing
ton, soon after the convention adjOurns,
and proceed with it to Cuba. Dr. DiaZ was
for long time resident of Cuba and was
eXiled by Weyler some years ago ac-
count of his outspoken views on the Span
ish tyrannies in that unhappy island.
Speaking of the feelings of Mexicans on
the subject of the war between the United
States and Spain, DIR. Diaz said:
The aristocratic ard wealthy MeXicans
sympathfze with Spain and the other class
es are in sympathy with the United States.
There is a strong Spanish colony in the
City of Mexico and, of course, speaking
the same language, naturally makes bond
of friendship. to say nothing of the ties of
blood between the high-claSs Mexicans and
the Spaniards. The newspapers down there
print the news favorable to the United
States on the inside pages. and hide it as
much as possible. but they display the news
favorable to the Spanish side.
I'VE were expecting a naval engagement
when / left the City of Mexico, but all we
could learn pointed to Spanish success.
However, when We got across the border
in Texas and saw the flags flying, knew
the news was favorable to the United
States"
Dr. D1az is physician, well as mis-
sionary, and as he knows Cuba thoroughly
1t is believed by his friends that he would
be Invaluable as member of Roosevelt's
Rough Riders. He is said to be a fine ath-
iete and to be able to mount a horse at
full run as readily as cowboy. He
brought a machete with him to Norfolk
and is said to have told some of his friends
that ne intends to take it to Cuba.
Speaking of Cuba, Dr. DaZ said: @sHa-
vana would be easily enough captured If
land force co-operates with the fleet It is
only twenty-four leagues from Matanzas
to HaVana-seventy-tw miles. We ride it
on horseback in one night. There is good
pubic road, and then there is the railroad,
100 An army could quickly march upon
havana, II landed at Matanzas. An invad-
ing army would want to attack Moro and
Cabanas, and both those forts could be
captured Their guns command Havana
and the city would capitulate very quickly
once those forts were taken"
Dr Diaz expressed the opinion that the
war will not last long He was delighted
over Admiral Dewey's victory at Manila
He has not received any news from Co.
mez army since the blockade was estab-