The age-herald., 1902-05-09
The Convention is the Largest Body of Bap ptists in World, Embracing 19,558 Churches in the Southern States.
Number of High Schools in the South Has Increased from 343 in 1900to 1858 in 1901. Good Financial Condition.

Asheville, N. C., May s.-The forty-sev- enth session Cffty-seventh year) of the | Southern Baptist convention began here today. The attedance is large The first session was called to order by the Hon. W. J. Northen of Atlanta, president of the last convention. This convention is the largest body of organized Baptists in the world. It embraces 1s,55S churches in the states east of the Mississippi river end south of the Ohio, also in Maryland the District of Columbia, Missouri Ar kansas, Indian Territory Oklahoma Ter ritory, Texas Mexico and Cuba The convention is not legislative but an ad- visory body
 Under the denominational teachings of the church the convention does not make laws for its constituency The delegates meet for cooperation in missionary and educational work The meeting of sev- eral societies and bodies auxiliary to the general convention were held during the day. The main questions for considera- tion by the convention will be education and home and foreign missions. Both the home and foreign mission boards have greatly increased their work during the past year and will report free of debt, It is said that the home board, of which pr. Mcconnell of Atlanta is secretary. will report balance on hand of something like S50O0 The report of the foreign board, the Headquarters of which are in Nash vile, will be made by Dr. R. J. Willing ham.
 MT Northen having declined re- irIA 1 speculation among the delegates, when the convention was called to order as to | who would be the next presiding officer. | Many were of the opinion that MT. Northen would yet be induced to serve | another term.
 Evening Session.
 The union was addressed by Dr. J. F. l Green, president of William Jewell Col | lege of Missouri, at the evening session. | The American Baptist Educational So- l ciety met this evening and elected the following officers:
 President-A. Gaylord slocum, IL. D.. Michigan.
 oe-Presidents-John F. Forbes, Ph. D., Florida; John Harris, IL. D.. Penn sylvania.
 Recording Secretary-The Rev. R. B. Crosse, Massachusetts.
 Corresponding Secretary-H. L. More house. D. D.. No. il. Fifth avenue, New York.
 Treasurer-F. V. Carey. Esq. Mont clair. N. J.
 Auditor-G W. Murray, Esq, New York of executive board 1902
 Members of Executive Board 1s02-5- Eugene Lowering, Baltimore. Md; the Rev. E. T. Tominson. Elizabeth. N. J.; the Rev. Fred T. Gates, New York: Joshua lowering. Baltimore. Md; c. W. Murray, New York City; Col. J. A Hoyt. Greenville. 8. C.: E. W. Stephens, Co., lumbia, Mo-; J. W. Bailey. Raleigh, N. C.; J. B. Gambrerl D. D., Waco, Tex.
 In the absence of the secretary of the board, Dr. Norman Fox of New Jersey was selected as recording secretary pro tenn.
 The executive board submitted it's re- port, showing grants had been author ized to ten institutions during the year.
 Increase In High Schools.
 The number of high schools in the south has increased from S4S in 1900 to 1858 In 1901. The report of Treasurer E. V. Cary. showing that receipts of tho fiscal year of $77075.TS was read by Dr. Moore house and adopted with the report. Pres ident Moatright declared there were great educational revivals going on. State and private aid," he said. were building up state institutions. Loss of denomina- oonal patronage may make tho weak hearted think denominatsonal institutions must be given up, but denominationai schools are bulwarks of the nation. When the state institutions foster a sustained | Christian citizenship, secular schools may | be needed, but not now. The demand Is | for schools which shall support Christian- ity, not church tenets. Dr. J. P. Green addressed the society on ''the bearing of tho modern education revival in denominaticnal colleges" Dr. E. M. Poteat of Philadelphia J. N. Prest- ridge of Louisville and others also deliv- cred addresses.
 The trustees of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville were in session today the Hon. Joshua Lowering of Ball. timore presiding. Reports of the various committees were read and the institution was shown to be in a most hourishing condition. The Woman's Missionary Union will hold a two-days session com mencing tomorrow. It is estimated that 5000 delegates will be in attendance dur ing the convention.