Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-07

however. there was a sudden and sur
prisiDg change in this respect, and since
that time the very magnitude of the body
has been one of its most striking char
acteristics. Each year has shown an
increase, so that now the delegation runs
up 20 nearly a thousand, and the diff
Guilty of entertaining so large a company
has become so great that the convention
can TO longer hold its meetings in the
smaller towns. but must so TO the strong
er churches in the cities. One of the
Disadvantages of this growth is that 1t
can hardly be called defiberative body
any longer. but is rather a great mass
meeting, the work of the body being
largely done by wisely-appointed com
mlttees.
There Is every reason to expect a large
attendance this week, not only because
Of the great interest which is felt in
some Of the matters which are to be con-
sidered. but also on account of the loca-
ton of Louisville. and especially the fact
that the Theological Seminary is located
there. and that many of the pastors Of
the South will take this opportunity OF
revisiting their Alma Mater.
WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
The great work OF this convention is
that of stimulating the missionary zeal
and carrying on the missionary enter-
prises of the denomination. For this
purpose II has organized three boards.
which have toerably distinct fields Of
work.
The most important OF these is the
Foreign Mission Board, which is entrust-
ed with the work of sending the Gospel
20 heather lands This board has for
many years been located In the city Of
MI, nd har IT,. mo -
bers some OF the most prominent lay
men as we'll as ministers of the city.
The president of the board is Dr. Charles
II. Winston, Professor OF Physics in
Richmond College lie has been men,
Der of the board for many years, and
has been its president since the resigna-
tiun of the late Professor III. III. Harris
IN 1895 DIR. II. j. Willngham, who came
10 Richmond about five years ago 10
enter upon the duties of secretary OF the
hoard. has shown himself admirably
suited TO this work, and has thrown him
self into II with such enthusiasm that
ne will be able 20 make an exceedingly
gratifying report. lie is happy because
his board Is entirely out OF deot, and has
a respectable balance in the treasury.
Virginia leads all the other States in her
contributions TO this board by about 5000.
HOME MISSIONS.
The missionary work OF the Bapusts
In the destitute portions OF our own coun-
try. and especially in the neglected sec
jtions OF our larger southern cities. as
well as among the negroes and Indians,
Is under the direction of the Home Mis-
sion Board which formerly had it's head
quarters at Macon. Ga, but which has
for the last few years been located at
~. Of
Is DE-. j. T. Tlchenor. now veteran in
missionary work. and one OF the most
conspicuous figures In the Southern Bap-
fist brotherhood. An interesting fact in
connection with the work of this hoard
Is that a few years ago. when the way
was opened for beginning missionary Ope-
rations in Cuba. and when the Foreign
Mission Board was not able TO enlarge
its work, the Home Mission Board went
beyond it's prescribed boundaries and es-
tablished fiourishing mission In Ha-
bana. In the light OF recent political
events, this step of the Home Mission
Board seems about TO be justified In an
unexpected way. This board Is also out
OF debt.
Next in Importance 20 the Home Ms
sion Board. and closely allied 10 Il in the
character OF It's work. is the Sunday
School Board. located at Nashville. Tenn.
and directed with WONDERFUL tact ana
business enterprise by the secretary. DR..
j. NJ. Frost. who will be remembered by
many Richmond people as a former pastor
OF Ieigh-Street church. This IL the young
est OF the boards Of the convention--in
fact. II has not yet completed the first
decade OF It's existence-and Is the only
one which does not appeal directly TO the
denomination for support. DR.. Frost
has managed the publication department
with such success that the board is not
only self-supporting. but has been able.