The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-04


without n king we're alike thorough-go-
ine i'm advocating American liberty. Bap-
lists everywhere regarded themselve
and were regarded by others as naturally
and necessarily pronounced and persist
ent and unrclcuting revouuonists 20 ush-
cr I'm the ideal republic supported by the
fwo columns Of free Church and free
State
The speaker described the part perform
ed hy Bapus's in the army and navy Of
.he Revolution IN the Continental Con-
sress. in civil life In the literature Of Oh
period and Dy the patriotic pulpits OF
H3pds, ministry. In closing he sold:
THOROUGHLY AMERICAN
Tho Revolutions successful close OPEN
od wide door OF opportunity to- Bap-
is,s The period or greatest actual ana
relative advance among them was The
East quarter OF the eighteenth century
D. result largely due 20 the granting o.
religious liberty On am Che States and the
harmony between the democratic spirit
VI The people and the independent and
popular government OF tne Baptist
Churches. Though subsequent growth
has been less remarkable fl has far out
stripped The ratio Of Increase in the popu-
'atiOn Of the republic and Bapusts to-
day. Allowing three adhorents Tor every
ommunicant arc ins.rucIng the con
sciences and shaping the moral and relig-
GUS life Of more than twelve millions OF
american freemon. Eaptists while stir
q minority among our fellow citizens. yet,
ecause IN creed and polty the most thor
)ughly American Of an The American de-
l0minations. are under the most solemn
bligatiOns 10 foster and promote the
highest type 81 patriotism and civic viz
De and TO demand Tor aI Protestant and
'apist absolute and unqualified freedom
.ivl and religious now henceforth and
brewer in the greatest republic OF the
ages
OBJECf OF THE SOCIETY.
1T the conclusion OF Dr. Landrum's
very interesting lecture Dr TAYLOR stat
Cd that there was another literary treat
yet TO come in the address OF Rev. Dr.
Lcmusl Moss. of Philadelphia. president
Of thc American Baptist Historical So
'ieiy but stated that before Dr Moss
began, Rev. Or. J. William Jones would
speak ol thc membership of the Historical
Society.
DR. Jones stated that ths object If the
.1ciety WAS Co collect and preserve ma
erial for the history of the Virginia Bap-
lists. TIE spoke of the cost of member
ill- anu lNt ONIN'Ir OF moneys received
.herefrom. Ho urged ali to become mem
hers and stated that slips would Doe hand
ed out among the congregation for those
who desired TO enroll their ncmes ON the
societys lists
or Taylor thcreup0n directed tho OFF,
Gers of the church 90 distribute the
blanks. while the choir rendered another
inspiring anthem.
DIR. MOSS ADDRESS.
Rev. d.. Moss then addressed the con-
gr gatiCu.
He said that he did not intend to tres
pass upon good ~arfre nrd ~" ko "a long
speech. but would allow the society litera-
ur, Vet io be distributed 10 DO his talk
Ius for him.
TIE audience had come TO hear Dr..
Laudrum. and having heard Or. Lam
irum the speaker SAID that he would
Ohligc IFS hearers by cutting 10 short.
Dr Moss spoke of The recent great loss
by fire that The society had suffered.
when its arch Yes in philadelphia had
been destroyed on Feht uary lSyt. a
library of forty years collection had been
burned up. with rare curios. II was "a
ecr0us loss but Dr. Moss leieved that
20 would be the means Of extending and
dccneuiug The interest in The work.
NV Country IT'S Of Thee was the
anthem hv the choir that marked the
close of thc interesting session.