The leader., 1898-07-13
OUR GUEST-THE BAPTIST STATE
CONNENTION.

In its personnel, this body, which
meets in our city to-day, is one of the
most unique of religions assemblies.
OF course, we have preachers galore
country preachers, town preachers,
city preachers. There will also be
farmers, school teachers, lawyers, doc
tors, college presidents and professors,
merchants, bankers, and business men
and women not few.
The character of business transacted
by this body is as unique as its per
"sonnel," being purely educational and
missionary. 1t is not a legislative
body in any sense of the word, save as
it enacts rules for its own government.
1t has nothing whatever to do with the
sending of preachers to the churches,
for every church calls whom she
pleases, pays what she wills, and re-
tains his services so long only as the
divine blessings rests upon the union.
Many of these preachers have been
and more years, nor love for their
congregations diminished, or their ar
dor cooled in the least.
Possibly delegate" is not the best
word to describe the character of the
office with which these representatives
of the churches are clothed
gers" would be the most fitting term,
and in fact is the term now coming into
use.
Every church is entitled to one mes
senger, who is elected to meet SINH
lar representatives from the other
churches. to devise the best ways and
means by which the cause of Education,
Missions State, Home and Foreign
can be advanced and the worn out
preacher and the orphan best cared
| for.
The Convention elects its own Off
GERS from time to time, and they may
be preachers, or laymen, according to
their fitness for the place.
There are no big men, as such, in the
! Convention every man is brother,
whatever his calling in life may be.
There are to be a number of dis
tinguished visitors from other States
in attendance this time.
Rev. Dr. Wlllingham, of Richmond,
Va, and Corresponding Secretary of
the Southern Baptist Convention, will
represent the interest of The Foreign
Mission Board. He is one of the most
interesting speakers in the denomina-
ton, and all our people should hear
him
DR.. |. T. Tichenor, of Atlanta, Ga,
Corresponding Secretary of the Home
Mission Board, is the "old man elo-
quent" of Southern Baptists. You
want to hear him on Cuba and the
'South."
DR.. J. b. Cranfill, of Dallas. Texas,
Editor Baptist Standard" the largest
UNCONVENTIONAL newspaper i'll the
world, will also be present. He was
once a candidate for presidency
of the United States on the Prohibi-
ton ticket, and in the interest of that
worthy cause made speeches all over
the country.
| Besides these there will be a number
of others who will liven us with their
presence, and delight us with speeches
and build us up with their sermons.
This is the first time that Brook
haven has had the pleasure of enter
tanning this honorable body, and right
royalty is she entering upon the pleas
ant work.
In this connection, it gives Us
pleasure to note the magnificent dis
play of hospitality on the part OF
our friends who live outside of town
who have thrown open their doors
wide to receive all who will come.
The Baptist congregation here is
small, and never could have entertain
ed the Convention alone, but 10y t
glance at the list, in another column
of THE LEADER, of our guests, you
will see we are not standing alone: foI
jew and Catholic, Christian and Epis
copolian, Methodist and Presbyterian
people of all churches, and even of
no church, have thrown open their
doors, and stand ready to cry: "Wel
come, .Baptists !" a pleasanter sight
wo uld be difficult to find.