Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-12
THE GOSPEL IN CUBA.
Paptists Take steps to Have IL Given
Free Course.


Rev. Drs. William L. Hatcher, OF this
| city, and Henry Mcdonald. of Atlanta,
| formerly of Richmond, returned last
| night from Washington, whittier they
had gone as members Of a committee ap-
| pointed by the Southern Baptist Con-
vention, at its recent meeting in Nor
| folk, to interview President Mckinley in
regard to a wider scheme of religious
| liberation for the Island of Cuba. when
the object of the United States shall
have been attained.
The convention, il will be remembered,
adopted a resolution offered by eX-Gov-
ernor Northen, of Georgia, appointing a
committee to wait upon President Nc
Kiney and urge him TO see that when
the new government is established in
Cuba the fullest religious freedom shall
be vouchsafed to all the people. This re-
solution grew not only out Of the
od-time love Of religious freedom, which
the Baptists have ever cherished, and
for which many have suffered and died,
but also out OF the fact that the Baptists
are quite numerous in Cuba. Their liber-
ties have always been restricted. and
soon after the beginning Of the last war
made by the Spaniards upon the Cubans.
the Baptist ministers, on account of
well-founded suspicion of their sympathy
with the insurgents, were forced TO leave
the island. Ii was under these circum-
stances that the convention decided TO
send delegation to Washington TO wait
upon the President.
RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENT.
DR. Hatcher was made chairman of the
committee. ana i'm the unavoidable alb
sence Of Governor Northern. the Doc
tor associated with himself Hon. T.. w.
Stephens of Columbia, Mo-; DR.. Sawyer.
Of ST. Louis; DR.. Henry Mcdonald, and
DR.. Tichenor. both OF Atlanta. Ca. The
committee having already been informed
by the President that he would receive
them at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon,
they met at the Ebbitt House and pro-
ceeded 10 the presidential mansion To
their agreeable surprise they found the
East Room thrOnged with hundreds of
members OF the Southern Baptist Con-
ventiOn. who had gone from Norfolk 10
Washington under the leadership of Rev
E. B. Hatcher, who had arranged for a
presidential reception for the benefit OF
the visitors. Or. Hatcher and his party
sent their cards to the President who
requested DR.. Hatcher 10 20 into the
Cabinet chamber and explain i'm detail
the object of his mission. He also in
vited Dr. Hatcher and his committee 10
take their place at the head OF the
column. so that they could be received
first when the President entered the
East Room. There the memorial from
the Southern Baptist Convention was
formally presented b. Or. Hatcher. hut
az ne had already explained the paper i'm |
detail TO the President. the formal pre- |
was very brief.
MET MISSIONARY DIAZ THERE.
a striking and indeed thrilling Incl
dent connected with the visit Of this |
committee must not be omitted. Rev. |
Alberto Diaz has for years been the |
leading factor in the Baptist missionary
work in the Island of Cuba. 1t will be
remembered that he was imprisoned by |
the Spanish authorities at Habana, and
was in danger Of being put to death,
having been saved by the simultaneous
ana impetuous intercession OF the Bap-
lists Of every section of the United States.
Since that time Mr.. Daz has been eXiled.
ind Cuba has no more patriotic and loyal |
son than he. Although an humble and |
Eloquent minister Of the Gospel, he has
been ready az any time 10 take up arms |
or the freedom of his country. Just |
before DR.. Hatcher and his committee
uttered the presidential mansion yester-
lay they met Mr. DiaZ.
His face was radiant and his lips quiv-
red with emotion as he informed them
hat he had just received an appointment
is volunteer aid on the staff of General |
Niles, who is 10 lead our armies in the
nvasion of Cuba. He was invited 10
DIN the committee. and Dr. Hatcher in
reduced him to the President, VINO gave
lim hearty grasp Of the hand, and |
invited him To call on him.
MISSIONARIES WITH TROOPS.
DR.. Hatcher mentioned another note
worthy fact connected with his visit. Dr. |
'ichenor secretary of the Baptist Home
lission Board. went 10 Washington yes
erday in company with the committee
With the special view Of securing permis-
ion for the Baptist missionaries 10 enter
'uba I'm company with the invading army |
o his ineXpressible joy. he received from
he proper authorities permission to
end i'm a contingent Of his missionary
orce as soon as the opportunity is open |
o him.
Dr. Hatcher said that he and his COM
littee received the most delightful atten-
ion at the hands of the White House
fcials The Presidents courtesy and
indness of spirit. he said gave all the
entlemen infinite satisfaction.