The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-06
THE BAPTISTS
OF THE SOUTH.
Meeting Of the General Convention
in Norfolk,
IT is NOT A LEGISLATIVE BODY.
IL Exists as a Combination or Auton-
omous Churches for Purpose of Di-
recting Energies Of the Denom-
ination for Gospel Conquest.

The representatives OF one million FIVE
hundred thousand Southern Baptists are
meeting in Norfolk this week 10 hold the
annual session OF what Is known as the
Southern Baptist Convention. They are
coming in from every quarter OF the
South from Maryland 10 Texas, and the
meeting, which will run through several
days. promises to be one Of unusual In
terest.
Aside from the importance OF this
meeting. It Is safe to assume that the
delegation will be increased by the fact
that the meeting is 10 be held In Nlr-
ginia. All over the South the people
love the old Dominion many Of them II
not themselves born in the state can
boast OF Virginia parents or grandpar-
ents (Which amounts to the same thing),
others received their education here. ana
so the hosts OF this great Southern Bap-
tist denomination are always glad 10 nave
their annual reunions on the sacred soil.
Many OF the prominent educators ana
some Of the other leaders in the denoml-
nation arrived in Norfolk a day carrier
than the time for the meeting or the con-
ventiOn proper 70 attend other meetings
which are held in conjunction with II.
EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES.
Not only does the Southern Baptist
College Conference hold its annual meet
inc at this time but by special INVITATION
OF the convention the American Baptlsl
Educational Society came 90 norfolk 10
hold its meeting with the Southern zap
fists. These two educational CONFER
FHh
interesting sessions were held yesterday
afternoon and evening. Besides these
gatherings the trustees Of the seminary
have held several sessions. and while no
oficlal announcements have yet been
made II Is understood that matters or the
highest importance were discussed ana
disposed Of.
The Southern Baptist Convention was
organized IN Augusta, Ga, In lS49' fIlor
10 that time there was one genera or
ganization through which the BapuSts
of the entire United states carried on
their missionary and benevolent work
But the nation was approaching the IT
rcpressible conflict which culmlnaleu III
the civil war and the separation between
Northern and Southern Baptists was I'M
avoidabIe. This separation. however was
by no means 30 far reaching as lhaI
which occurred in most Of the other
great religious denominations about the
Same time. for It related exclusively 10
the missionary operations when hau
hitherto been conducted I'm common.
ERRONEOUS IMPRESSIONS.
Those who are not familiar with the
.,o,.cr,,,ept 81 RaDtist churches are apt
IN mistake entirely the scope and func-
lions Of the great meeting which Is about
10 be held I'm Norfolk. Every bapuat
church is a purely democratic BODY anu
Is sovereign and independent Ine iornl
of government Therefore, Is congr'sa-
tionai This Is the largest body or Ohrla-
tians I'm the world having tho conEr'S'
.sonal form Of government. the next
largest being that wing Of the Presby-
terrain Church call the Congregauonahs. IS.
An 81 the organizations formed by the
uuion Of different churches are simply
co-operative bodies formed for the pur-
nose OF concentrating and making moro
effective their efforts I'm missionary ana
Lt,dred enterprises. Each church Is en-
,frel,. AZ liberty 10 unite with these or
q,nizations or refrain from doing 50.
Tho convention, therefore, Is IN no sense
\ legislative or judicial body. has none
Of the functions Of an ecclesiastical
court but exists as the constitution ex-
prcseIy states "for the purpose or carry
ing into effect the benevolent intentions
of our constituents by organizing plan
of eliciung. combining. and directing the
energies of the whole denomination In one
sacred effort for the propagation OF 'he
gospel" ...... l.r,o.,,.,.,,
There was a time when II was quite
common 10 hear expressions OF regret
thar the attendance upon the meetings
was so small: but about twelve or niteen
wears ago there was a sudden ana sur
nrfslnr change in this respect, and since
then the number has constantly grown
a. that now the very magnitude OF the
convention Is one OF its most striking
centuries and the difficulty of entertain
ms, such a great host has become 50
Great that the convention can hold us
meetings only with the strongest CITY
churches. Another consequence OF lho
rapid increase in the delegation IS that
the convention can scarcely De calleu Il
gtelbe1ative body any longer hul -
rather a great mass meeting. the Work
OF the body being largely mapped out by
wisely appointed committees.
A Eas already been Indicated the
,reat work of the Convention is that of
Stimulating the missionary zeal. and car
rying on the missionary enterprises OF the
denomination. For this purpose II has Or
ganized three boards.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The most important Of these IS the For
eign Mission Board located in the city
OF Richmond, and entrusted with the
great work OF sending the gospel TO
heather lands. The president of this
board is Prof. Charles II. Winston. OF the
school OF Physics in Richmond College
who is widely known as a prominent ed
ucator He has been member Of the
board for a number Of years and has al
WAYS taken the deepest interest In its
welfare. The corresponding secretary the
Rev. Dr. r. J. Willingham. strong in
mind and body. distinguished for great
energy. indomitable courage. uniform
hopefulness. and undying devotion TO the
cause has thrown himself into this work
with all the strength and enthusiasm OF
his intense nature. and has stirred the
missionary zeal OF the denomination
throughout the length and breadth Of the
South. IL is an open secret that he will
report TO the Convention that the board
has paid all OF its obligations and has a
few thousand dollars in hand. On last
Saturday. the day on which the financial
year closed, the contributions poured in
from every quarter and aggregated for
the day moro than twenty thousand dol
lars.
HOME MISSIONS.
The Home Mission Board, which is To-
Gated in Atlanta, Ca, has charge Of the
work OF sending the gospel to the des-
titute portions OF the country within the
bounds OF tho Convention. especially 10
the degraded sections Of New orleans
and other great cities. and also conducts
missionary work I'm Cuba. Rev. /. 7.
TichenOr, who has for many years been
the correspondlng secretary of This board.