The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-19

pose OF discovering. procuring and pre-
serving whatever may relate TO tho hiss
tory OF Christianity aud Of the aptlst
denomination In particular.
The headquarters OF the society are at
Richmond College. where thcy have a
room OF their own, and where the society
holds occasional meetings The society
has accumulated great deal OF informa-
ton pertaining to the early history Of
tory OF the Baptist Church and to the
hong and earnest contest for religious
liberty In this country, the real seat
OF which conflict was in Virginia While
tho meeting was not as largely attended
an could have been wished. IT made up
In enthusiasm and earnestness what it
lacked III numbers.
The meeting was called to order by
REV DR.. j. NJ. Pitcher, Vice president.
Or. c. II Hyland. who has been the sec
rotary since the Incorporation Of the so
ccty, read the charter that in 1876 wa 8 !.
granted the society by the Legislature OF
Virginia. *
It's History.
& 1t seems that the society has been IN
state OF partial paralysis for some
years past. and the meeting this after
noon was for. the purpose OF reinstNInG
life and energy into 1t. Nevertheless the
members-tuelve charter members. thirty
three life members and quite number
OF annual membeTs-haye kept the or
ganiza ton alive and made tho rooms at
Richmond attractive.
Secretary Ryland made n verbal state
ment Of the condition OF me society,s
property and data, from which statement
1t appears that much valuable historical
data has been accumulated and Is being
carefully preserved The society has also
a fund amounting to something over
SsCo.
lar meeting OF the society was held IN
1901. but the proceedings this afternoon
Indicate that future meetings will be
more frequent and not SO far apart
& Dr. s. G. Mitchell, In a most earnest
address, urged the Importance OF better
organization and more earnest work and
tho permanent and more effective Or
ganlzation. The Doctor emphasized the
Importance OF Baptist historical society
with a compact organization and among
other good things, said Virginia ought to
be the home OF historical societies, for
here, more than anywhere else, they have
sure enough history behind them, that
Is to say. have matern! to work upon.
On motion a committee was appointed 10
nominate Officers for the ensuing year.
Rev. DR.. ". Fl, Whtsltt read a most
interesting history Of the Oldest Baptist
Church IN Virginia, II was originally
named the Church OF Jesus Christ OF
lsle OF Wight Comfy" but was and Is
to this day commonly caller "Old Bur- 4
leigh Church., The church was orgHn-
ICED In 1859. DR.. Wh!tstt, IN a. most pleas
ant way told the story of the early his {
tory Of the Baptists, originally known az
"General Baptists."
The Nominating Committee reported,
recommending tho following for Off
GERS Of tho society. who were elected;
President. Dir, w II, Whtsltt; Y!ce-pres-
idents Dill j. M. Pitcher and Or, James
B. Taylor; secretary, Dr.. G, II. Ryland;
treasurer. IT. Theodore Ellyson. Execu-
tive Committee: lDr, ], William Jones,
DR., 8, c. Mitchell, DR., James Nelson, Pro-
lessor w. A. Harris and r.. T. Traylor. y
Decided newt interest was manifested
IN the society and n number OF new mems
bei's were enrolled. Arrangements were
perfected for future meetings, and 1t Is
expected that the annual meeting to be
held in Charlottesville q. year hence, will
be the largest and most Interesting ever
held BY that. time 1t Us expected that
every Baptist Church In Virginia wll be-
represented on the membership roll OF the
society r. 8. w.
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