The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-23
BANQUET AT THE
MASONIC TEMPLE
Closing Function Of the Baptist Con-
gress Of America.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED.
Strong Address Upon tho Weak Points
in the Baptist Position DIR.
Hawthorne Gives His
Views.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED.

The closing function of the sixth annual
meeting of the Baptist Congress of Amer
lea was the elaborate banquet rendered
The. distinguished visitors by the Baptist
Social C1l.oa of Richmond and vicinity IN
the banquet hall of the Masonic Temple
aast night. Many OF the most distinguish
cd ministers ana members OF the Baptist
Church in America We're among the 2G)
guests. President Boatwright, OF Rich
,nond College. presided, and Dr. Albert
@. Lawson, Of Camden, \. j., made the
invocation.
After the delightful menu had been
served, Rev. Charles II. Dodd. Of Newark,
\. J., was Introduced as the first speaker:
HIS address was one carefully pre2aFea
upon denominational fraternity and the
general condition of the church
DR.. Whitsitt spoke upon Taking STOCK,
saying that he was never so pleased VIII
the world before
DR.. VIII tsitt reviewed briefly the progress
Of Professionalism during its four centuries
of life.
y always counted It a Joy to come to
Richmond" said the speaker, and THIS,
my last visit, has feen the most delight
eul"
On account Of the lateness of the hour.
other speakers were heard. and the
banquet was declared at an end.
MuRN1NG SESSlON-
The topic for consideration during Lhe
III the Baptist Position and the discus
sion was probably the llveliest OF the
meeting.
Rev. Z. 7. Toulinson, Fh. c., Of Eliza
beth, n. j., was the first OF the writer's,
and began the day well with the presenta-
ticn Of a carefrly-prepared paper He
began by saying that he would rather
no CIV n
necessarily confine himself to his. subject.
lie said that there are many people VINO
believe with the BaptzstS and are such
in principle. but not in name The po.nt
emphasized most by him as the weakest
among the Baptists is the fact that their
independence had caused their interde-
pendealce TO suffer. and that Inc great
need of the Church was thorough coop
Grafton. Another weak point, he said.
is .sectariansm and the Interpretation OF
.he Bible too much as a book oil rules
and not as book Of principles He
said, further. that too many Baptists
Joined men and not churches
DIR. WOODBURY.
DIR. B. Il. Woodburn,. Of Allegheny City,
Pa. followed DR. Tomlinson. He said that
the great weakness with the Baptists, is
falseress to ideals and the tendency to
masquerade in ecclesiastical old clothes.
He said that the Baptists are living in
,fesw age and ought 10 open their minds 10
r.w truths. The dead hand of tradition
availability. has been in all ages foe to
progress in the race and in individuals
This dead hand. he said. h!nders individual
development of character.
DR. Woodburn continued as follows: II
n mature man. after years of profession
expresses his faith and feelings with the
same terms he employed in his youth, II
is as absurd as if he attempted TO wear
the clothes his mother made him when
boy Because the false method of holding
ones faith is regarded as 1neritorious. a
religious teacher is often discouraged in
his work. Since after years Of residence
with the same people, he hear in prayers
and exhorta:ions the same worn counters
of expression: Since there are differences
of opinion on many modern questions. we
should exercise mutual forhearance and
recognize large latitude II otIT iIteTpTeita-
1icn of Baptist orthodoxy.
DR.. Kerr Boyce Upper, the first of the
appointed speakers, was called away to
Philadelphia. and DR.. Albert G.. Lawson,
of Camden, y. J.. the next speaker. fol-
lowed with an address Of great merit.
The discussion included short but ex-
ceedingiy interesting talks by the fol-
lowing: DR.. H W. Battle. of Petersburg;
DR. ". Z. Hatcher of this city; Dr. L.
A Crondail. - l...cago; DIR. S. Is. Meeser,
of Worcester, Mass; DR.. George c.
Hou, of Boston. Mass; and Dr. John Pol
lard. of this city
The session closed with prayer by DR.. c.
H. Ryland, of Richmond
BUSINESS MEETING.
Immediately at the close of the session
yesterday morning a meeting Of the Cen
eral Committee of the Congress was called