The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-15
.COL0RED BAPT|STS
MEET IN PETERSBURG.
Mayor Peasants Welcomes the
Body to the City.
SENATOR TILLMAN WRITES
Not an Enemy of the Negro Race, and
Would Gladly See Any Agency That
Would Make Them Better-J.P P.
Moore Commits Suicide.
SENATOR TILLMAN WRITES
Especial DIspateh to The Times.l


PETERSBURG. VA. May 14.-Repre-
sentative co'ored men and women are in
Petersburg from all parts Of the State,
many of them from the District of CO.
lumbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, attending the annual ses-
sion Of the Virginia Baptist State Con-
vention, which opened this morning in
the Gineld Baptist Church, and which
will continue in session through sun
day.
The Rev. Dr.. r. II. Bowling, Of Nor
congratulated the large number of dele
gates upon being present at the open
ing.
At tho conclusion Of the devotional
exercises the president appointed COM
rnittees on finance, enrolment nominal
ton of officers, new organizations. au-
diting, place Of next meeting, temper
ance, sundry appointments Sunday
schools and obituaries.
Many addresses were made. Rev. M.
w. D. Norman D. D.. Of Ebenezer Bap-
list Church, Portsmouth, Va, said that
the time has come when the negro should
show to the world that he was capa-
bic Of doing something. Addresses were
also made by I;ev. w. L. Taylor. presi-
dent of the True Reformers, Richmond,
Va; J. Cartwright, of North Carolina,
ana george w. IICcp -. -, VI w e1SA'Ai'5
ton, D. c.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Address of welcome were the next
to claim the attention Of the president,
who introduced Rev. G. P. Howard D.
D., pastor of the Gilneld Baptist Church,
who made welcome to tl,c church and
city the delegates to the convention.
At tho conclusion of his address, Mayor
Peasants was introduced and delivered
he said, through a courteous invitation
of the pastor of this church to extend
to you a few words of welcome to the
city of Petersburg. It is always a pleas
ure to me to welcome to our city. regard
less OF class or cast, race or color, in
dividuals or bodies who come with good
intentions"
The Rev. ]. D. Harte, pastor OF the
Second Baptist Church, also delivered an
address of welcome, and the address were
responded to by Rev. w. Bishop John
son. D. D.. Of Washington. D. c.. editor
of the negro Baptist ma gazine.
Dr. r II. Bowling. president OF the
convention made his annual address to
the convention, read letters from the
President of the United States. members
of the Cabinet, members Of the House
of Representatives and Senate. and other
representative white men, approving of
the work of the negroes Of Virginia to
help themselves to educate their own
boys and girls.
SENATOR TILLMAN.
Senator B. R. Tillman, OF South Car
DINA, wrote:
.While I am considered by many an
enemy of the negro race, ! can II, say say, win a
all sincerity, T bear them no 1ll-W1ll, and
would gladly see any instrumentaity or
agency used which would make them
better men and women.
eff the negro would, strive after the
essential and practical things of life.
rather than political and social equality,
and would devote themselves to the Gull
tivation of the moral side of their ma
ture, so as to depend upon character and
good reputation. they would win their
uay and be much better off. I bid you
and yours Gods speed in your undert...A-
ing
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The following officers were elected:
r. H. Bowling Of Norfolk, president;
Revs. w. T. Hall, of Danville; B. Ter
rell. of Lynchburg; W. G. Gaines, OF
Suffolk: j. B. Smith, of Concord vice
presidents: B. F. Fox, of Salem. recoru-
ing secretary; D. A. Reid, D. D.. of
Clifton Forge, statistical secretary; w.
H. Moses, Of Stanton, corresponding
secretary; l.. w. Wales, Of Williams
burg. treasurer.
Adolphus Humbles, one Of the wealth
lest negroes in the State. and who adj
yanced $4,000 with which to erect the
Virginia Seminary and College. was in
troduced and delivered an address, In
which he told the members of his race
that they should get something, keep
something and do something. 1--WE are
no longer slaves under the American
Baptist Home Mission Society," he said.
'.but we are able to speak like men. The
negroes all over this country should be
In the same position. AS long as we are
beggars we need not expect to te re-
spected"
Rev. r. r. Jones, OF Roanoke, preached
the annual sermon this evening at s
o'clock Over 1900 negroes were present
to hear the sermon.
SUICIDE IN PRINCE GEORGE.
Mr. John P. Moore, Of Prince George
county, committed suicide about o'clock
this morning by shooting himself with a
pistol. The bail entered the right temple
and death was instantaneous. MIR.
Moore had been suffering from nervous
ness for several days. and it Is thought
that was the cause Of this act. He was
ffty-four years CT age, was prominent
farmer and well known throughout the
county. He lived about two miles from
the courthouse. His widow, formerly
Hiss Kate Hatchett. of Chesterfield coun-
~. survives him with 1--WE children.
A. P. Hill Camp will carry to Norfolk
Tomorrow about $50 uniformed men to