Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-27
NORTHERN TO
Be ELECTED
AGAIN
PRESIDENCY OF CONVENTION
WILL NOT GO TO ANY 9TH
Err PERSON, 1T is
SAID.

Developments in connection with the
presidency of the Georgia Baptist conven-
ton. which meets at Rome today. have
caused a sensation at the eleventh hour,
and it is learned that the friends Of
ex-Gov w. ]. Northen will insist upon
his reelection to that position.
This has been brought about II is stat
ed, by his friends making a discovery as
to his reasons for declining the use of his
name in connection with the presidency of
the Georgia Baptist convention and the
Southern Baptist convention, which meets
in Asheville in April The story as told
is as follows:
A member of the convention. contrary
to the custom that has hitherto prevailed
among Georgia Baptists, wrote letters.
marked personal, to various Baptists
throughout the state, urging prominent
gentleman in opposition to Governor Nor
then on the ground that he had served
long enough. One of these letters it is
said, fell into the hands of Ex-Governor
Northen, and becoming sensitive on the
point of being opposed by one Of his
brethren announced that he had declined
to allow the use of his name for the pres
idency of either body at its coming meet
ings.
This method of seeking to advance the
interests of particular person long in
advance of the convention, who in this
instance II is stated was not aware OF
MS name DelIlB uSCus mas pIONcQ very us
tasteful to Baptists in all sections of the
state where it is known. Those who seem
to know say that the person who wrote
the letters represents nobody but himself,
and that his metnod of seeking to fore
cast the action Of the convention was, to
use seminary phrase, work Of super
erogation.
It is now thought that the name of ex-
Governor Northen will be the only one
which is presented to the convention and
that there win be such an uprising in his
favor that he will be induced to remain at
the head of the convention.
Among the prominent Baptists who left
yesterday to attend the convention
were Ex-Governor w. ]. Northen, who re-
turned night before from Florida; DR.. sly.
Jameson, corresponding secretary and
treasurer of the board of mission of the
Georgia Baptist convention; DR.. F. G. Nc
Connell, corresponding secretary of the
home mission board of the Southern Bap-
fist convention; DR.. w. w. Landrum, of
the First church,; DIR. John E. White, of
the Second church; Rev. ]. ]. Bennett,
of Jackson Hill church,; DR.. ]. c. Solo
mon, of Woodward avenue church; DR.. A.
c. Ward of Temple church; Rev. Julien
S. Rodgers, assistant pastor of the Tab
ernacle church: Rev. w. H. Bell, of North
Atlanta church; DR.. T. P. Bell and Rev.
B. w. ]. Graham, eaitors of the Christian
Index; Rev. ]. B. Taylor. superintendent
of the Baptist Orphans Home at Hape-
Vile; Rev. j. r. Gum, of the Central
church, Dr. William J. Holtzclaw, OF
Jones avenue church and Rev. J. !. Ok
ford, Of Ponders avenue church.
In addition to the pastors the various
churches are represented by lay delegates
Among the representatives from the
churches are John M. Green, II. H. Caba-
Mss E. f. Blodgett, B. F. Abbott, J. j.
Maddox George NJ. Brown, DR.. ]. r. Hop
kins, d. o. Dougherty, Judge George Hill
yer, A. D. Adair. NJ. L.. Britain, F. ].
Paxon, w. j. Coolidge, John Harwell,
Judge John T. Pendleton, H. c. Bagley,
c. A. Davis and others.
A large number of delegates from Mid
die and South Georgia also boarded the
specials. Among the visiting delegates
in Atlanta was w. d. Upshaw, nm
ancial agent of Monroe emale college at
Forsyth Mr.. Upshaw will be remember
ed as having raised large amounts OF,
money for Mercer university. He is now
undertaking to raise $4,000 to erect a
building for the Forsyth college. He will
be a prominent figure in the convention.
The convention which win be called to
order at 10 o'clock this morning by
Ex-Governor Northen will be preceued at
O'Clock by a meeting of the board Of
trustees of Mercer university. 1t is I'M
derstood that the trustees will receive in
formation as to further contributions to
the university. which will increase the
annual income of the institution about
81, 800.
Besides the election of a president for
the convention interest centers in the cleo
ton of a successor of DR.. s. Y. jameson,
corresponding secretary and treasurer of
the board of missions of the convention,
who has resigned to accept call to the
pastorate of the First Baptist church at
Griffin. The convention will elect a new
board which will select the secretary at
its annual meeting in April. Among those
who have been mentioned for the place
are Rev B. d. Ragsdale, professor in
Mercer university. at Macon; Dr. j. A.
Wynne, of Gainesville, and DR.. ]. D. Jor-
dan. of Savannah. p t.-t
One of the interesting subjects for dis
cussion at the convention will be the re-
port OF the committee on education. 1t is
unders tood that the committee will pre-
sent a new plan for the federation of all
Baptist institutions of learning in the
state. both male and female, under a sys-
tenn to be known as the Mercer system.
headed by Mercer university at Macon.
This will take both college and approved
secondary schools. The committee favor
ing this plan is composed Of DR.. G. A.
Nunnally, of Lagrange; DR.. r. B. Head
den, of Rome and Drs. w. w. Landrum
and T. p. Bell, of Atlanta.
The plan proposed is similar to the ones
in operation in the states of Texas and
Virginia, which are considered to be the
strongest Baptist -,ates in the south.
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