The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-01
TIE BAPII;STS OF
NOR TIL. CAROLINA {. !. +: \
The State Convention to Meet Next
Wednesday.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION
Nov Fifty-tlve Walt. Associations in the
state-Thc Churches Autonomous, but
Possess Wonderful Unanimiiy.
Educational Institutions.
HISTORY OF THE. ORGANIZATION
Especial Dispatch to Tho Timcs.)


tors conference on Tuesday, night. The
address of welcome will be delivered by
Mr.. Frank T. Baldwin. OF this city, and
the response by Mr.. Hurt, OF Wake For
est. There will be addresses on the same
night by mir. n. n. Simms, Of Raleigh,
and Dr. Thomas Hume, of Chapel Hill.
On Wednesday night the Introductory
sermon of the convention will be preached
by Rev DR.. w. C. Tyree, of Durham.
Then will follow the organization OF the
convention and addresses of welcome by
Mayor Q. B. Eaton. Of Winston, and
Bishop Rondthaler, of Salem
The Woman's Annual Missionary meet
ing, which meets the same time as me
Baptist Convention, will be held IN the
First Presbyterian Church, the opening
service taking place on Thursday morn
ing next at $3.50 o'clock Miss fanme
E. S. Heck, of Raleigh, will preside
CHURCH HISTORY.
Tho Baptist State Convention was or
eanized in 1880 in Greenville, N. c. There
was a necessity for its organization III
order that the missionary and educa-
tional enterprises of the denomination
might tie carried on more effectively. Al
the first session there were representa-
tiyes from churches and missionary So
cieties in sixteen counties IN the STATE
The amounts reported at that meetlns
for missions and education were lnslgnl-
flcant compared with the sums raised
for the same objects now. Many OF -tne
churches and associations in the State did
not cooperate with the convention IN the
earlier years of its history. Inc zBap-
lists at that time had few churches IN
the larger towns; they had no col1eSe'
no UNCONVENTIONAL organ, no correspond
ing secretary, and no we'll developed sSs-
tenn for promoting the spread of the gos-
pel among the destitute regions OF the
State.
The second session of the convention
was a, memorable meeting and the num-
Der of counties represented had grown
from 16 to 81. The spirit of progress was
in the air. Many Of these men had come
long distances on horseback or in sui
kies.,' for it was before the days OF rali-
roads in North Carolina Among the
number were some of the most wealthy
farmers. some lawyers who had reached
distinction in their profession, some mem
bers of the Legislature. and many preach
ers who were regarded as. the trusted
leaders of the people There We're many
graduates of the University among them.
who, were alive to the Importance OF
higher education. It is interesting even
now to trace the influence OF these men
upIa the denominational work, educa-
tional institutions. legislative senactments,
and individual character. The opposition
which was manifested in some Localities
at the formatlo Of the convention grad
ually disappeared and the churches
throughout this State simbibed the spirit
and adopted the methods of those who
stood for progress in education and re-
ligion.
THE MEMBERSHIP.
According to the statistics, there arr
now fifty-five white associations in North
Carolina ana these, contain 1,66S churches,
with a membership OF 10000. every sBap-
fist Church is a separate and independ-
ent body, acknowledging Christ as Its
only head and the Scriptures OF the Old
and New Testament as lis only rule OF
faith and practice. 1t elects it's own pas
tor, raises his salary by a voluntary sub
scription, administers its own discipline.
and regulates its own internal affairs.
The conventions and associations have
no. authority over the churches. They
may. advise and suggest, but they can
not 6Iegislate for them. These annual
gatherings are only great smaSS-meeunSS
for the discussion Of missions, educa-
tional questions and such other topics
as are thought to pertain to the spread
of the Kingdom of Christ in the Worlc.
1t is wonderful how, without any eccle-
regulation binding the churches
together, and without any human creeo
binding the individual members, there
should be such unanimity among Bap-
fist people on questions of Bible doctrine.
They have always stood for liberty of
liberty of speech, separation
of Church and State, the right OF prl-
yate Judgment in the Interpretation or
the Sc>pture the voluntary principle IN
all things right, a regenerated mempef-
ship and independence IN Church govern
ment These principles, in a republic like
ours, have had mach to Go with the
growth of the people. With malice %
wards none and charity Tor all, they
stand ready to do their part in CARRYING
the Cosmetic the ends of the earth
The denomina ton has one college in the
state 5fors the education of young men
with an endowment OF 100000, and with
o5S students at. present. The campus is
one of the prettiest spots in North Caro-
lima. and the buildings arc commodlous
and we'll arranged. The graduates OF this
institution are now filling POSITIONS OF
trust and sinfluence iii every part OF the
country. The Female University IN Ra-
leigh cost the denomination Sloo, 600 u Is
now Going a fine work. and mas on itS
roll $50 young ladies. Inc 5ECho"aA ALI. ~.
stitute. in Murfreesboro, also the pro
perry of the Baptists. and for many years
the institution has been a great pow.
for the education4of the young women
from North Carolina and N4rglnia.
EDUCATIONAL.
There are twenty five or thirty. acace.
mics in this state under the directlo'l y
Ra1stist trustees. An effort IS oelns
made to esta Slish these high scnoo o ~, ~
every association district. one OF me
great subjects to besconstdersd,, znS the
viii be the raising of money
~ I5elns forward all the: schools under the
direction and control. of the den to ton
7, ,s.s nropcsed to raise Sl0O oop iort his
:, ,,,,, =. within a few months.
TT 5Th he orp1a1a ge at Z Townsville is Very
= s ~ all the Baptists; more than 200
children now being cared for at this in-
81 here are 100 missionaries now a work
md Or the direction of the State Mission
Eos "a within the boundaries of3our Com.
,7,onwealth. This year $4,000 was raised
to defrays the expenses Of this mission
sEopk. s:.; 5
.Tht, convention next week promises to
"a one nf unusual interest The attend