Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-12
BAPTIST UNION
Great Christian Gathering Opens
in London Yester-
day.
AMERlCATO BE REPRESENTED
Communicants to the Number OF
100000 In the Denom-
ination.

uOh' July 1E.-EAeler nall was
the scene yesterday of another world
gathering of Christians, when the con-
gress of Baptists was opened by Judge
Willis. president of the Baptist Union
of Great Britain and Ireland. Those
present included 500 American dele
gates and nearly 1000 visiting Ameri-
cans. The congress will continue in
session until July 1S.
Represents 100000 COMMITMENTS.
London, July PA great confer
ence of Baptists from every quarter
of the world, representing nearly g.
100000 communicates, was formally
opened in the Metropolitan tabernacle
yesterday. America is represented by
several hundred delegates and large
delegations are also on hand from the
West Indies, China, New Zealand.
South Africa, Australia, France, Italy,
Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden
Russia and other parts of the world.
Ii is the first time that the worlds
Baptists have assembled as a united
body. More than a century ago such
a project was mooted, but the great
be dropped A little over a decade
ago the idea was revived. but it was
not until last year that definite plans
were laid for the conference. The re-
sponse from Baptists in all parts of
the world has been such as TO surprise
even the most sanguine promoters of
the movement.
The conference is to make no at
tempt at legislation, at drafting or re-
viSing creeds, or even at passing any
votes. Its chief object is the unifica-
ton of the Baptists of the world. the
denomination of Baptists now being
composed of some Is sub-denomina-
tions of the sect. with as many differ
ent methods of service. The gather
ing will discuss the promotion of ev-
cry factor tending toward individual
ism, the separation of the church and
state, and the democracy of church
government.
"Stundists," this being the name of
the Baptists' faith in Russia, is also
certain to claim much attention. Re
ligious liberty for this growing de-
nomination will be sought under the
present government of the cZar.
DR.. Maclaren of Manchester presid
ed over the formal opening of the con-
ference today. Addresses of welcome
were delivered by Sir Hugh Gilzean-
Reid and other eminent Baptists from
the different countries. Rev. Latham
A. Crandall. of Minneapolis, responded
for the delegation from the United
States. and similar service was per
formed by the Hon. John DRYDEN on
behalf of the Dominion of Canada.
Prominent Americans Present.
Prominent among the scores of del
egates from the United States and
Canada are E. Y. Millins, president of
the Southern Baptist Theological SEM
mary; Rev. Augustus H. Strong, d. D.,
president of Rochester Theological
seminary; Rev. p. S. Henson, d. D.,
pastor of fremont temple, Boston;
Rev. Henry L. Morehouse, ID. D., of
New York, secretary of the American
Baptist Home Missionary society;
Rev. A j. Rowland, d. D., of Philadel-
phia, secretary of the American Bap-
tist Publication society; Rev. r. J.
Willngham of Richmond. Va, secre-
tary of the American Foreign Mission
Board: Rev. j. J. Mcneil. of Winni
peg. Man; Rev. A. A. Cameron, of OF
twa. Ont; Rev. w. J. Mckay, editor
of the Canadian Baptist Rev. J. G.
Brown, secretary of the Foreign Mis-
sion Board OF Ontario and Quebec and
Rev. w. F. Stackhouse. superintendent
of Baptist missions in Manitoba and
the northwest