The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-12
CUBA AGAIN COMES
INTO DISCUSSION.
Closing Session of Convention Came
Near Bitterness.

| great number OF ladies was a marked
change on the main floor. which has
previously been occupied exclusively by
delegates. A service of song was the
opening and then followed a number of
brilliant and timely addresses upon the
| general subject of mission work The
blackboard over the platform had this
inscription. that seemed TO be a gen
eral text for all the speakers:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
10000 for Foreign Missions
$20O,0o0 for Home Missions.
Half a Million for Christ.
The great audience heard with close
| attention the words of DR. S. H
Greene of Washington, D. c., DR.. T. w.
O'Kelly of Little Rock, Ark, and DR.. 1.
". BOUCHER of Chattanooga, Tenn.
These men spoke as though inspired
and their words seemed TO touch deep
ly all within hearing.
The missionary service being con-
cluded report was made by the chair
man of the special committee on wom-
ans work. 1t was very interesting
| and gave proper credit to the splendid
work that is being done by the noble
women who are in the auxiliary to the
convention A great deal of stress was
laid upon the success of these women
in their work for the advancement of
the condition of the colored
women Of the South. The
Committee on Enrolment also report
ed and the reports were adopted.
Cuba In View Again.
When the call was made for unfnish-
ed business, DIR. J NJ. Prestridge rose
and asked permission to explain a mo-
ton that he was about to make 1t
was in regard to the Cuban matter
fp he Of
that the section of the report adopted
IN the morning session, which provid-
ed for the appointment of a committee
to look into and public facts concerning
conditions in Havana, was a reflection
upon the Home Board. That it was
virtually sending an investigating com
m1ttee TO examine into this work. done
by the board, and was a serious reflec-
ton upon its members The amend
ment offered was in place of section
marked"S" in the report, and was as
follows:
That the Home Board he requested
to publish as much of the matter per-
tanning to the recent history and pres
ent conditions in Cuba, as in their
judgment best serves the interests of
the kingdom"
Committee Defended.
DR.. Eaton, chairman of the special
committee that had framed and sent
in the original report, came up strong
ly in its defence. He deplored the
bringing of this matter up at the very
close Of the convention, when it was
we'll known that many members had
been obliged to leave The report he
said was carefully made up and con-
tanned no reflection whatsoever upon
the Home Board, but rather sought to
take off the board very unpleasant
task and show to the world that every
thing that had been done was perfectly
in accord with Christian principles and
without reproach, The suppressing of
any facts in connection with the Cuban
matter was in his opinion a very bad
policy and he wanted the truth all
told.
Following this there was almost a
general discussion of the matter. DR..
Prestridge, who was heard several
times, urged that the Home Board had
been very wise in not giving "aIl Of
the facts" That sometimes it was
not best 10 give the inside facts"
Something should be flushed up"
That the board was working out a very
difficult problem. The conditions on
the island were that eight preachers
were working there for the cause and
1nly one man was against them
And supposing this committee of three
was sent to investigate the action of
the Home Board who would compose
it?" Where would they find an Elijah
or Daniel to send on this great in
quiry into the acts OF great men?
DIR. Eaton also was heard again and
he insisted that il was not an investi-
eating committee and that its appoint
ment in no way reflected upon the
board. 1t was stated that the special
committee would itself have printed
the facts in the Cuban matter if there
had been time.
Rev. Gardener. of Kentucky, said
that he represented 5000 Bap-
lists in his association and he
was sure that they would not under
stand why this inquiry and publication
was not allowed.
DIR. Bell, a member of the Home
Board made a vigorous speech. in
which he said that the investigation
would be an insult to the board. If
the convention did not believe the
men on the Home Board competent
and honest it should ask them to
retire. He then asked why the Home
Mission Board should be arraigned and
other boards where trouble had been
claimed. left in peace? He alluded to
equally serious troubles in Mexico"
and no Investigations of the Foreign
Board, also to scandals in the Sunday
school Board and on notice taken of
il by the convention. He said that the
matter in Cuba had caused the board
great pain and worry and they had
wept, prayed and studied over it. 1t
was delicate, difficult and dangerous
affair, and in matters concerning the
moral character of individuals There
could not be too much caution. Three
men, not knowing anything about the
matter might step in and involve the
convention in legal trouble that would
endanger the splendid property held
by the body. The settlement of any
such suits would not be In America
where justice was assured. but in A
foreign country.
An Appeal 10 Grace.
At this juncture, while a dozen dele
gates were trying 10 get recognition
from the president, a minister on the
platform came forward, and with up
lifted hands. said Let us Pray" The
asscmblage rose and stood while the
minister appealed 10 the Throne OF
Grace 20 counsel and guide the lips and
thoughts Of the men then striving 10
settle grave and important question.
The tI0wd again Was seated and Rey.