The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-18
ORGANIZATION IS PERFECTED BaptiStS of America Are
 Now United. A GREAT CONsUMMATION Spontaneous Enthusiasm in
 Convention. E. NJ. Stephens of Missouri President of Organixation---Dr. Barnes's Re- marks on Subject of Infant
 Baptism.
A GREAT CONsUMMATION

St. Louis, May 17.--The organization of a permanent body to be known as the General Convention of Baptists cf North America was perfected today by the election of the following officers:
 President, E. w. Stephens, Coium- bia, Mo; First Vice. e-Presidens. E. M. Dresser of Ohio; Second e-Presidents Joshua Levering. Maryland; Third Vice. President. T. B. Trotte- of Nova Scotia; Secretary, ]. N Prestridge of Kentucky; Assistant Secretary, ". II GeistweI of Illinois; Treasurer, II Kirk Porter. Pennsylvania. Executive Committee, J. V. Marin. E. J. Muller P. P. Eagan. Kentucky: s. A. cran- dalI, Minnesota; H. H. Moornonse. New York: c. c. Whitney, Mass; q. D. Reese of Pennsylvania; w. D. Hatcher, Virginia; J. B. Gambrell, Texas: J. S. Dickerson, Illinois; J W. Conley, Nebraska: c. c. Morris, Ar kansas: c. H. Hill, California; " H. Mandman. Georgia; S. B. Meeser. Michigan.
 After the business incident to the organization of the general convention had been concluded Rev Call Barnes of Massachusetts. In an address on ''The Unity of the Baptist Mission.f made what is regarded by his fellow Raptists as a radical utterance on the question of infant baptism, which IS opposed by the Baptist teaching.
 we have insisted said Dr. Parnes, Ion individual instead of collective obedience to God, so have had 10 in- sist on baptism by personal action ln- stead of baptism by proxy. But 1t the mouth of the whole battery of the worlds scholarship and at the point of the bayonet of common sense. the forces of infant baptism have been turned until there Is nothing left for them but an act of infant dedlcation, and the sooner we turn. too, and pub- licly dedicate our children the sooner we shall have taken away the last prop of pedo-baptism."
 Committees Report.
 The first hour of today's session Of of the general convention of the Bap- lists, North and South, was given to devotional exercises. The report of the committee of nine appointed it conference in New York last January recommending a permanent orgauiza- tion, was then read by Chairman B. M. Thresher of Ohio. A general discuss sion followed Rev. Dr. Edward Jud- son of New York son of AdonirAm Jud- son. who was one of the first missions aries of the Baptist Church, was in- troduced after the discussion had pro- ceeded for some time and made a mos tion that the report of the committed be adopted. "It seems to me to be in T to of peace," said he. T find in It no deep-laid plan to undermine the faith. It seems to me a noble formulation of Baptist brotherhood. There comes to me the memory of my fathers great love of the South and I rejoice today that the bitterness between the North and South passed away with the war and we are now dwelling and nlingling together in unity and love. Today VIC are not producing Baptist brotherhood but we are simply giving 1t a definite form, and I therefore move the adoD- tion of this report."
 The motion was seconded by Rev. Dr. W. E. Hatcher of Virginia. T think there Is wisdom and strength and po- tency in the adoption of this plan of uniting the Baptists of the North and the South," he said. This action sends message to the outside and tells friends and critics alike that so far as the American Baptisist are concerned there is an infinite difference between separation and division. We are sepa- rated in our work, but this meeting and this action will declare to the world that we are not divided. There are now no causes that stand in the way of our union of heart and cordial fraternity. In closing. want to say that although I am a Democrat, I think the power of one man to unify this country towards effecting a unity of the world has been the supreme event in American history. I feel that we must be united together not only in the church but for the one great purpose that may lead to the salvation of tho nations. I, therefore, with great hearti- ness and all cordiality, second the mo- ton to adopt this committees resolu- tion."
 Convention Sang.
 Immediately upon the conclusion of Dr. Hatcher's speech the convention spontaneously burst into the singing of All Hail the Power of Jesus's Name."
 The report of the committee recom- mending permanent organization was then adopted, section by section. The name of the organization is designated as the General Convention of Baptists of North America. The geographical scope of the organization is to be North America and its islands. There are to be a President. three Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Churches local, State and territorial organiza- tions are to have representations. 1t Is not to interfere with the affairs of either of the existing organizations. The next meeting Is to be held in 1906, and after they are to be held trien- nially.
 pr. CushIng's Death.
 St. Louis, May 17.--Just as the Bap- tist convention wds about to adjourn today, Rev. Dr. Cushing. President of the Baptist University, Rangoon, In- dia, was stricken while occupying a seat on the rostrum and fell apparently dying to the floor.
 While waiting for the arrival of an ambulance a prayer was offered for pr. Cushing, the delegates standing with bowed heads while the supplica- tion was being voiced.
 Before the arrival of medical assist ance, however, Dr. Cushing died. He had been carried from the speakers stage to the vestibule of the third Bap- tist Church. where the convention Is be- Ing held, and cushions from the pews had hastily been procured to make a temporary resting place. pr. Gushing did not regfain consciousness.
 Indian Girl Sponsor.
 Muskogee, l. T.. May l7,-Mtss Har-