Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
IN THE CHI URCHE IS

Much interest is felt by the members of
the Baptist churches IN this city in the ap-
preaching annual meeting of the northern
Baptist convention, which is to be held in
May at Springfield. Mass
Among the many anniversaries that will
take place during the sessions of the con-
vention will be that of the American Bap-
fist Historical Society, which is national In
character 1t was organized in 1856 by
John M. Peck, but as ar the end of eight
years it had collected but twenty-five vol
umes and sixty pamphlets, at it's an
niversary in Cleveland in 1864 it was
unanimously voted TO reorganize it. and
that the Historical Society should become
chartered body.
The wisdom of this change soon became
apparent, for some. degree of interest was
created and the society gradually became
a depository of Baptist literature Rare
and valuable books were gathered to the
number of about 1900, and of pamphlets
about 10000, besides many manuscripts pc
riodicalS, etc. This collection became of
such value that the friends and officers
urged that a suitable fireproof building
should be provided for its housing, but the
appeal was not responded to by the de-
nomination, and what had been constantly
dreaded finally happened and fire consumed
every vestige of this valuable treasure
Dismayed, but not discouraged, the
friends who believed that a Baptist His
torical Society was a necessity began the
work of restoring the loss and are now
aiming for a larger and more valuable col
lection. fair beginning has been made.
but the denomination, 1t is stated, has not
shown the interest which the work should
excite, and efforts will be made to get the
Baptist pastors throughout the country
generally to bring The matter to the at
tention of the churches.
1har of
from this vicinity are expecting to attend
the International Epworth League conyen-
ton at San Francisco, Cal, July IS to q
next In addition to the usual program of
exercises in which many bishops and other
prominent church leaders will take part.
arrangements have been made for steamer
rides to the Golden Gate and to the diff
ent naval stations and fortified islands
With carriages or cars excursions will be
made to Golden Gate Park, Sutro Heights.
the Cliff House, Chinatown and a score of
other places. Nearby San Francisco are
the seashore resorts of Del Monte and
Santa Cruz, also the Santa Clara valley
one of the most perfectly cultivated in the
world; Palo Alto University, forests of big
trees, the Lick observatory on Mount Ham
iiton and other points of interest. .
One of the important matters which fl IS
expected will receive attention from the
Baltimore conference during its session at
Roanoke, Va, next week and the week
following will relate to the missionary con-
ference which the entire church will hold
at New Orleans during the latter part of
April. Twenty delegates from the preach
ers and seven from among the laymen will
represent the Baltimore conference in the
meeting
The holding of a general missionary con-
Terence was suggested by the success of
the international gathering I'm this cause at
New York last spring. The bishops and
other leaders of the church having favored
the plan on April "a, body of ], 100 select
ed delegates. men and women, will as
semble at Tulane Hail. in New Orleans
With them will come missionaries of this
and other churches from China Brazil
Japan, Mexico, Corea and Cuba, as well as
from India and the islands of the sea-
Among those expected to be present are
three veteran missionaries of the orient
whose united terms of service measure
one hundred and thirty years
Six days will be given to papers, adj
dresses. discussions and devotional meet
ings in the interest of mission work at
home and abroad. Among the sneakers
will be Bishop j. M. Thoburn of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, forty years a mis-
Sionary in India and now missionary bishop
for India and Malaysia Mr. John Barrett,
formerly minister to Siam; DR.. Alexander
Sutherland of Canada, DR.. Young J. Attend
Of China, Mr.. John R. Mott of New York,
Miss Jane Adams of Chicago four btshs
ops and many of the leading preachers and
laymen Of the home church S
1t is intended that the conference shall
promote the work Of the church abroad by
late and accurate fnforma-
ton from the field and by generating en-
thusiasm. 1t win also contribute to the
great forward movement. as it is called, in
the home church, a movement toward
greater evangelical activity, which is now
attracting the attention of all churches in
the United States.
Friends here Of Rev. DR.. W. E. Hatcher,
the well-known pastor Of Grace Street