The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

aggressive, missionary association in the
State. In the associations that have shown
an adverse tendency are strong churches.
The reader must know that every church
is perfectly independent to do just as II
pleases. II can not be bound by an assoc
citation, nor by general convention. These
general bodies are simply for counsel, and
nave no authority whatever over the
churches. The great work accomplished
during the year. together with the facts
that ] have stated would indicate the
solidity and strength of Texas Baptists.
IL is worth while to state. also. that the
schools of the State stand together with
the general work. and all the general bod
les, the Baptist general convention, tho
Sunday School and Colportage conven-
ton, the Woman's convention the Bap-
fist Young Peoples Union CONVENTIONAL
these stand together for the general work,
and are in perfect accord. The strong CEN
tiers of the State--with some weakness at
about two of them-are in perfect align
ment with the general work. 1t would
be great mistake, but one thas people
may naturally make, to suppose that the
Baptist denomination is dangerously divi-
ded. The year just past has been one of,
decided progress in the direction of unfit
cation. Still another fact may be men
toned. There are six Baptist weekly news
papers. All of them but one heartily sup-
port the work. There are a dozen monthly
Baptist papers in the State, and they all,
with scarcely single exception. support
the work.
When asked how the impression got
abroad was there was much division, Dr.
Gainbrell told story. IA man down in
Florida had pond on his place. The
Yankees came down and built winter
hotel near by, and he found out that there
was market for frogs He went to the
hotel man and engaged TO sell him
thousand frogs He went home
and drained off his pond and caught a
few, and went back later and said. I will
have to annul that contract. | tklded on
the noise 1t is easy for people with
paper, and nothing else to do, to make a
great deal of noise. This kind of thing has
gone on for years. At Marshall, five or
six years ago, the same faction, with the
same leader made the Impression on
good many people that they had an over
whelming majority OF the Baptists with
him He went up, and the votes were
counted He had very small handful.
The same thing occurred at Houston three
years ago. The claim was made with all
confidence that the so-called 'reformers'
would be able to manage the convention
entirely to their liking. But, after the
convention was over, - was found that only
thirty-two out of the whole convention We're
pronounced enough 10 go on record against
the actions of the convention. In more
intensive and extensive way, the same
thing was done at San ntonio. With all
confidence 1t was announced that the dis
satisfied element would be able to con-
troll the convention. and change every
thing On test vote 1t was $50 to 104.
The same confident predictions were made
leading up to the convention at Waco last
year. and the convention was at least
1000 one way and somewhere between 700
and 400 the other way"
The doctor smiling said: when we get
down to the real messengers, and make
up the list according to the constitution,
history will repeat itself. A great many
good men will come TO the convention, and
It will happen to them as 1t happened to
men from all over the country at Pente-
cost. They will get converted.
The reporter said; We'll, doctor, you
are feeling very confident about the con-
vention!''
...Yes. certainly. The convention never
held session under more fortunate cir
cumstances. The large accomplishments OF
the year, the excellent rates given by the
railroads, the fine interest in the work
felt by the friends of the work, will bring
out a great company to stand by what
they have ALREADY done, and there VIII
come several hundred good men who have
been made dissatisfied They will see and
feel and be converted, and go home happy.
The Baptists do not want any little con- /
ventions, and Dallas will be able to take
care OF the great convention In man
ner altogether creditable to itself. ex- Z
pect nothing else hut that we will have
the greatest convention Of Baptists ever
held on the continent, and the things done
will go toward shaping the destiny OF
the great Baptist people of the State, and
through them, the whole commonwealth
for all time to come"
CONVENTION REGINS TO-DAY