Richmond planet., 1906-05-12

Norfolk, Va, May 10Th, 'O6.
The Virginia Baptist State Con-
ventiOn shows not a "ruffie on the
water" so far as surface indications
are concerned and yet there are bit
ter animosities and intense feeling
on both sides OF the controversy
now pending between President G.
w. Hayes. A. NJ. and the Rev. W. +.
Graham, d. ID. for IL is under the
leadership of these prominent Bap-
lists that the forces are lined up
for the struggle which is liable to.
break out at any time
II is difficult to forecast tde result
for there are many here who are en-
deavoring to bring forth the olive
branch OF peace and heal past dis
sensions and difficulties. The fol
lowing report gives no sign OF the
conflict beneath the surface.
GO Preach My Gospel Saith the
Lord was the hymn that opened the
thirty annual session of the
Virginia Baptist State Convention
yesterday morning I'm the First Bap-
tist Church. Butte street, which
brought TO the city many represen-
tative colored men and women from
all parts of the State. and some from
the District Of Columbia, Maryland.
The convention is composed of
many OF the leading colored men of
the country and is working for the
moral. intellectual and spiritual de
velopment OF the Negro race and
men who believe in the Negro help
ing himself These men boast of the
Virginia Theological Seminary and
College located at Lynchburg. which
is supported entirely by themselves,
and il has as president Professor G..
w. Hayes. who is one of the most
noted Negro educators in America.
Rev. Or. r.. II. Bowling, pastor of
the church and president OF the con-
venuon, called the assembly to or
der at $50 O'Clock. and assured the
delegates that he was pleased to see
so many present, and referred 10 the
work of the convention. saying that
II the condition of the Negro was TO
be lifted up at all il would have TO
be through his own efforts, and It
further gratifed him to see so many
men and women trying to help them
selves. The song and prayer ser
vice was conducted by the Rev. Tnos.
Hill, Rev. w. w. Gaines and Rev. w
r. AshbuTn.
Mayor James C. Riddick delivered
the address of welcome, in which he
assured the delegates that ne was
pleased to welcome them to the city,
and rendered them the freedom of
the city.
ct was born and raised" said May
or Riddick, when slavery was pas
sing out, June /, 1861. My father
was large slave holder. and ! glory
in the fact that after the emancina-
tion not one of the slaves left him,
but worked on for him. was
panied a few days ago to learn that
one of the boys with whom I was
raised had met with a severe acci-
dent.
"In the South the white and color
ed races have been thrown together
as In no other part of the world, and
there is a peculiar interest, love and
friendship existing between US. If
/ am permitted to go to Heaven when
] leave this world and find no black
faces there to greet me, then / shall
think Heaven incomplete. We are
glad to nave you here. You have
a great work to do. There is moth
ing accomplished without work
Thought is work and hard work at
that. It is easier to perform man
ual labor than IL is TO do brain work
"As workers you should look a
head and plan for your people; you
are TO lead them to right and to
higher things. In this country you
are an integral part. Let me say
with all honesty and sincerity that
the future OF your people depends
upon you as leaders. We are glad
20 welcome to the city every atom
OF good. 1t is seldom that am
called before a body of ministers,
and there is nothing on earth that
esteem more. and have more implicit
confidence in than the prayers OF the
righteous. Where a man Is true to
MS God. his country and himself.
ne need not fear anything on earth. :"
In closing, Mayor Riddick paid a
nigh compliment to the members of
the First Baptist Church, and to the
pastor, the Rev. DIR. Bowling, for
erecting such a magnificent eiifice
which he termed as "a monument to