The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-24
NEGRO BAPTISTS MEET
IMPORTANT COMMISSION IN SEs-
 SION IN MONTGOMERE
Preachers of the Race Present. from All Parts of Country to Plan
 Propaganda of Education.

One of the most important meetings | in the history of the Aegro Baptist Church of the United States. opened last night in the First Baptist Church | (colored), Columbus Street, and will be l in session today. Prominent negroes of the country are present The National, Baptist Convention.
 which is the largest negro organiza- ton in America, having a membership of nearly 100000 decided at the an- nual convention held in Austin, Tex. 1 last September, to put in the field some of the best trained ministers as mis- 1 sionaries to visit the rural towns and country and if possible change the con- dition of their people. The Southern Baptist Convention indorsed the move ment and pledged $l5,o0o to asisst in the work, A commission was appoint ed to arrange plans of cooperation be- tween the white BaptistsN and negro Baptists of the United States. The commission Is now in session in Mont gomery and the Southern Baptist Con. vention Is represented, also the Amer ican Baptist Home Mission Society.
 The first meeting was held last night. and was presided over by Rev. R. H. Boyd D. D., of Nashville. Tenn, who Is one of the most remarkable negroes in the country. He was born slave. anu IS COHSiQeEeu d STdQuHLS ITOm Swamp University" which is the ne- gro's practical college of experience from which they graduated 'befo' de wah." He came out of slavery unable to read or write. but with a determi- nation to push. He Is at the head Of the largest negro printing house Tn the world. employing i50 colored men and women as printers, .book-hinderJ. stenographers book-keepers and m other lines. Dr. Boyd has developed the plant which started out a few years ago without even bottle of ink. and in addition to having the latest improved presses and linotype machines, owns some good property m Nashville.
 In his introductory remarks last night Dr. Boyd spoke of the struggles of the negroes to do mission work which started twenty-five years ago. He told what had been accomplished by the rac,, yet he saw the need for more and better work in all parts ot the country. He thought that the young mon and women of his race should be reached
 One uf the best ways to reach ours people, and make them better," he ga d. "is to give them employment. Glve the large number of boys and girls of our race in this city something to do and you will find that they will be 8 credit to the city and an honor to the race. Educating the negro without giving him something to do will not solve the problem. Give aim religion. education and money, and back these up with character and industry and you will see Q new negro in this country"
 Impressive devotional services were .I Arr DAaFa m of Raleigh. N. C.; A. Hubbs of New Orleans. La, and J. w. Willard of Lake Charles, La.
 Rev. E. R. Carter, D. D., of Atlanta, Ga, preached the opening sermon. He discussed '"The Devil" He declared that the devil was intelligent, indus trious and aggressive, and was get ting many of the best men and women of the land He pointed out his de- structiye work among the negro race, taking the young men and women in the ball room, around the card table, to wine parties and other evil places. His warning if needed by the mem bers of his race would result in much good.
 At the close of the sermon Rev. A. J. Stokes of Montgomery delivered a short address in which he assured the members of the commission that the colored people were proud to have them present anal would join with them in the work of reaching the negroes. He said that the best white people of the South, backed up by the press, desired to see much good come out of the meeting.
 We welcome you." said Dr. Stokes. and we will entertain you free of charge
 The following were present and took part in the services: A. R. Griggs, D. D.. Texas; E. W. D. Isaacs. Tennessee, Secretary of National B. Y. P. U. Board; D. Young, A. Hubbs, J. W. Willard, Louisiana; E. w. Atkinson, Texas; s. N. Vass, D. D., North Carolina; E. R Carter, Georgia; D. T. Gulley, Ala bama; J. R. Bennett. D. D., Oklahoma; J. A. Booker, D. D., Arkansas, Fresi- dent of Arkansas Baptist College; John Coins, D. D., Missouri: William H. Steward, A. M., editor American Bap- tist. Kentucky; G W. Raiford, D. D.. South Carolina; c. H. Parrish, D, D President Eckstein Norton University. Kentucky; E. O. Perpeno, President Hearne Academy, Texas; E. c. Morris D. D., President of the National Baptist Convention, Helena, Ark; E. P. Tom D. D., Mississippi; W. B. Brown. Iili- nois.
 The convention will meet this morn ing at 10 o'clock and will be presided over by Rev. Joseph A. Booker, D. D, of Little Rock.
 A missionary mass meeting will hA held tonight. The following will ad- dress the meeting: Revs F. c. Morris C. H. Clarks. D. D., E. W. D. Isaacs J. R. Bennett and c. W. Raifor3.