Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-12
THE coLoRED BApTIsTs OF VA.
Their Annual Convention In session
Ucrc-The Years work.

Tho thirty-nrst annual session OF inc
State convention of colored Baptists
opened yesterday morning at the secoho
church. Byrd street near Second anu
will continue In session until sunday
The convention Is the largest negro Or
ganization in the State. and Is composed
Of some of the leading colored preachers
and members Of the Baptist churches Oh
Virginia. 1t represents the euucatiola'
work among the negroes, so iar as ue-
nominational schools go, having charge
and supporting the Virginia Semlhdry'
Lynchburg; the Spiller Academy lamp
ton, and assists in the work OF ths
Harthorn Memorial College. Tor coloreu
girls. Richmond, and the Richmond Iheo-
logical Seminary.
DIR. II. ri. Mitchell, OF Norfolk' caiieu
the convention TO order at 10 O'clock ana
appointed Revs. ]. b. Smith and III. ID.
Williams to conduct the devotional eXer-
cises. which they did. These were tol-
lowed by the welcome address delivered
by NJ. f.. Cert. who, representing the
colored Baptists and citizens or RICH
mond, assured the pastors that they were
welcome to the city. the church' anu
homes. The address was responded TO py
the Rev. Terrell, of the Virginia Semi
nary Lynchburg, Va, who assured the
people Of Richmond that the welcome
was accepted by the delegates IN the
manner as given, and they were proud 10
meet I'm this historic city. He concluded
by making some reference 10 the euuCd-
tional work as conducted i'm the city.
The Rev. DIR. Graham, OF the Flfth
Baptist church, presided while PresidenL
Mitchell reviewed the work OF the past
year I'm his annual address. and made
some practical recommendations ana sus-
gestions for the consideration OF MS
brethren. He urged that more mission
work be done i'm the future, both home
and foreign, and made a charge against
some Of the organizations raising money
for missions, saying that the poor mis-
sionaries in Africa did not receive
cent Of money i'm Africa, although the or
ganization reported great work accom-
plished through the public press.
DR.. Mitchell also referred to the as
sstance rendered them by the white peo-
pie of the State and by the Home Mission
Society. which he said was blessing To
them. He said the negroes Of this coun-
try had much TO thank God for, and as
they were on the eve of bidding farewell
TO the nineteenth century, he recon-
mended that special services be held at
the next annual session of the cOnVen-
ton.
The Committee on Credentials report
ed. showing over 200 delegates present
and after appointing several committees
a recess was had for dinner.
I'm the afternoon the following officers
were elected: DR.. III. II. Mitchell, Nor
folk. PRESIDENT; w. +. Graham. Rich
m2nd T.. Watts. Petersburg; Isaac Lee,
Cherriton; l.. r. Ball. Lancaster, vice.
presidents; 4. Binga, Jr., Manchester
recording secretary; f.. w. Merchant
Farmville, statistical secretary; }. w.
Kirby. Richmond, corresponding secre-
tary; ID. y. Vassar, Richmond, treasurer.
Some time was spent in hearing reports
and electng missionary, church extern
sion. educational, Bible and Publication
and State boards, and then a recess was
had.
Last night Rev. DR. b. F.. Fox. Of Ss-
lem. delivered the annua. sermon, which
was listened to by l5oo people.