The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-04
THE BApT|STS MEET
Convention Opens at Ashe-
Vile May the 9Th.
Perhaps the Largest Representative EyargeI.
Ical Gathering That ASSEMBLIES lis
Purposes Explained.

Purposes Explained.
lhis body, which meets in Asheville
May the 9Th, is, perhaps, the largest con-
Ventlon Of its kind that meets on the
earth; that is, there is no other evan
sehcaI gathering representing so large
membership.
mere are In round numbers FIVE mill
non Baptists in the world and three
million OF these-more than half-are in
the bounds OF the Southern Baptist Con-
Ventlon. This is not the convention of
The Southern Baptist Church" a name
frequently given to us by the press, es-
peclaily the secular press. There is no
such thing, and according to our politv
there can be no such thing as THE
southern Baptist Church" Every local
Baptist church is a little republic in
itself, governing its cwn affairs amena-
Die to no higher earthly power. This be-
ing the case, the Southern Baptist Con-
Ventlon is not an ecclesiastical court.
NO time is taken up with heresy trials
The action of the local church Is final:
from 1t there is no appeal. Neither Is
the convention a legislative body. They
cannot hand down any opinions, or enact
any laws that would be in the least de-
gree binding upon any local church. This
being true, the term delegate" does not
convey a correct idea of the functions OF
those composing the Southern Baptist
Convention, as no power is delegated to
them by the churches of which they are
members. The word messenger would
express more exactly the way in which
the local churches are related to the
convention, by those sent TO represent
them. Some may be curious to know
what is the object of this annual gather
ing, and why such a body with no judi
catory nor legislative powers, exists. 1t
is simply a great missionary meeting,
whose object is to promote the interests
of home and foreign missions. The first
clause OF the constitution gives a clear
idea of the great mission OF the conven-
ton: I'VE, the delegates from mission
airy societies, churches, and other re-
ligious bodies OF the Baptist denomina-
ton in various parts Of the United
States, met in convention in the city OF
Augusta, Ga, for the purpose of carrying
into effect the benevolent intentions OF
our constituents by organizing a plan of
eliciting, combining and directing the
energies of the whole denomination in
one sacred effort to the propagation of
the gospel, agree to the following rules, 4"
etc:
Article 3 OF the constitution distinctly
states that the rights OF the churches are
not to be infringed upon. This is the
language 1T shall be the design OF the
convention to promote foreign and do
nestle missions, and other important
objects connected with the Redeemers
Kingdom and to combine for this pur-
pose such portions of the Baptist denomi
nation in the United States as may de-
sire a general organization for Christian
benevolence which shall fully respect
the independence and equal rights OF the
churches" The convention is merely an
advisory body. 1t can pass resolutions
and make suggestions, but the churches
can reject these suggestions. if, in their
wisdom they see fit so to do. What has
been said about the Southern Baptist |
Convention in its relation to the church
rs holds good in regard to State conven- |
tions and district associations.
: Each State within the bounds Of the |
Southern Baptist Convention is entitled |
to one delegate from every district as |
ISOLATION, and one delegate for every |
$3.50 raised for the objects OF the con-
vention. This gives North Carolina |
ffty-seven associational delegates, and |
sixtyfve delegates on the money basis |
1t will be borne in mind, however, that |
for the money raised and expended in |
our own State We get no representation
in the Southern Baptist Convention.
In our denomination there are no |
ranks in the ministry, and In our con-
vention ministers and layrnen stand on |
AN equal footing. For a number of years |
the presiding officers of the convention |
have been laymen. The prospects are |
that the attendance at Asheville next |
week will be the largest in the history |
OF the convention. Asheville is very
attractive place, and the railroads. |
hotels and boarding houses offer special |
rates. Many win seize this opportunity |
10 visit our beautiful Land of the Sky"