Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-12
VIRGINIA BAPTISTS.
MEETING OF THEIR GENERAL AS
ISOLATION AT LYNCHBURG.
SEYENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL SESSION.
The Opening Devotional Exercises
and standardization of Officers
Address Of welcome and the Re-
ponse-Nany Delegates Present.

LYNCHBURG. VA, November L.
Especial. 1.-THE Bapusts have gathered
here in great force, and have completely
captured Lynchburg, while the graceful
and abundant hospitality Of the Hill city
has captured the General Association Of
Virginia, which met In the First Baptist
church tonight in its seventy-hfth annual
session. The spacious auditorium was
hacked to its utmost capacity, large
number Of persons standing. Many per-
sons went away unable to find even stand
ing-room
After an anthem by the choir, Rev. DR..
r. ]. Willingham, Of Richmond, led In
fervent and appropriate prayer OF invo-
cation. Rev. w. w. Hamilton, Of Blue
field read the Scriptures, and Rev. J.
Manning Dunaway, of Marion, led in fer
vent prayer for Gods blessing on the as
| sociation, the churches, and the cause OF
the Master everywhere. These prellml-
| nary exercises were interspersed WIN
music of very high order led by the
| choir.
INTRODUCTORY SERMON.
The Introductory sermon was then
preached by Rev. NJ. Il. Broaddus, OF
mans. Sth chapter and S1st verse: IF
| God Be for US, Who Can Be Against
| lisp" After a brief but clear exegesis or
| the epstle, and Of the immediate connec-
| ton of the text, he proceeded to discuss
| the certain failure of our efforts without
| Gods, and their success with Coos bless
| ing. He enumerated as some or the causes
| of failure: !. The rage after numbers
which has become so strong that pastors
|
hers than for a converted membership. 2.
| The attaching Of too much importance TO
| education. or rather the putting Of edu-
| cation in the place OF regeneration, ana
| diploma in the place of a divine call 10
the ministry-an elocutionist instead OF an
| humble preacher of the Gospel. Mr..
| Broaddus drew from Gods Word illustra-
lions of his theme, and earnestly insisted
| that If his Baptist brethren have not God
with them. failure will be the result; but
that If they go forth trusting In the
Lord and guided and blessed by Him.
| victory and success are certain.
| At the close of the sermon the vast
| congregation rose and sang with will,
"Come, Thou Fount OF Every Blessing.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Rev. DIR. A. E. owen. president, called
| the meeting TO order and the following
| officers were elected: President, DR.. y. ~
| owen. Vice-P Presidents. Henry Smeltz, OF
I Hampton; DR.. w, r. l.. Smith, OF Rich
| mond: Judge A. p. Cole, of Marion, ana
Or c. f. James, of Danvile; Secretaries
| Hugh c. Smith. of Martinsville, and II
| Theodore Ellyson, of Richmond, and urea
surer. h. A. Jacobs. OF Richmond and
Auditor. ]. y. Montgomery, Of Richmond
Rev. Dr. f. c. Mcconnell, pastor OF the
First Baptist church, made the address
of welcome. in which he spoke OF the pro
eress in the Baptist interests IN Lynch'
! burg, and rejoiced i'm what had been &C
| complished. but he especially reJoiced IT
tho general progress OF the denomination
There might be too many Baptists
and they might be going In very stray
Cling manner. he said, but they We're go
INC and they would get there He bad'
the Baptist hosts welcome TO the MONIES
and hearts of the people Of Lynchburg
Pew. II. A. Bagby. of Richmond. was cal
ad ON 10 respond for the association, anC
made an admirable speech-witty, apropos
and eloquent.
THE report OF the Committee on Order
~ Rusiness was presented by Mt. william
F,,vson. chairman. and adopted.
There are probably 800 delegates present
already and they are coming IN by ever,
lin The association decided to have
I'VE historical sermon by Rev. George W
peale preached tomorrow at II o'clock.
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