Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
Baptist Convention.
Rev. Dr. Weston Bruner Tells What H Witnessed Chat
tanooga, Tenn, Assemblage

Rev. DR.. Weston Bruner. pastor of the
Fifth Baptist Church. attended the South
ern Baptist Convention in Chattanooga,
Tenn, which in session from May s
TO ii. and has just returned to the city.
In conversation with a Star reporter he
gave an interesting account of the delibera-
tons of the body. They are said to have
been by far the most interesting ever held.
He said:
Two days before the opening session of
the Southern Baptist convention the most
democratic body on earth. the hosts began
pouring into the historic city OF Chatta-
noosa, which Is situated on the Tennessee
river and lying between Lookout noun
tain and Missionary RIDGE Every indica-
ton pointed 10 great convention. 1t had
been notable year for our Baptist Zion.
both at home and abroad and it was con-
fdently expected that the meeting in this
historic city would surpass in enthusiasm
and spiritual fervor any former session
E.eFyth'ng was most propitious. The city
Win open hands and hearts and homes was
ready to display it's generous hosnitsIitv
Hafd by were Missionary ridge and Chick
amauga battlefields, eternally sanctifed bv
u, me sleeping dust of the brave men of the
plue ana gray. Over all Mt Lookout kent
silent vigil ever. Lookout mountain pre-
sents one or the most magnificent views
In all the world. President Roosevelt when
he visited 1t in 1902 declared: 1t is
wonderful thing to be able to get such a
view of these battlehelds This place is
bound to become one of the great resorts
OF this country. With such scenes and
memories to inspire US, and with such a
glorious mission intrusted to us-the mis-
sion of worldwide evangelization 1t is no
wonder that this was a notable gathering
The Baptists of North America number
about five millions. They have invested in
n n inst ttt,tsD
emies, colleges and universities-over fifty
millions of dollars. and in churches and
chapels more than one hundred and six mill
non dollars; they contributed last year
Tor all purposes more than seventeen mil
lions of dollars, three millions of which
were expended In missionary and benevo-
lent enterprises. They have missionaries
and large missionary interests in every
country in all the world The organiza-
ton OF the general convention of Bap-
lists of North America in St Louis May,
1903. and the meeting in London, July fol-
lowing. of the Baptist world congress- which
resulted in the formation of the Baptist
world alliance to meet every five years,
mark an epoch in Baptist history
The southern Baptist convention is the
largest body of Baptists in the United
states. representing about two millions of
church members. The attendance on this
convention was the largest in its history
more than 5000 being present. Fifteen
hundred of them were delegates from the
gates to the various societies auxiliary to
the convention and $500 were visitors,
most OF whom came from the southern
states.
*
Baron Waldemar Tx Kul1 of Russia
treasurer of our Russian Baptists and one
of the vice presidents of the Baptist World
Alliance, was perhaps most noted guest
He has a commanding appearance. some
what resembling the car. except his face is
stronger. He was accompanied by the bar
oness When President Stephens presented
him to the convention they arose en-
masse over ). 000in number and gave the dis
unguished Russian the Chautauqua salute
The baron Is a Baptist preacher and speaks
English quite fuently- He gave a most
thrilling account of the terrible struggles in
Russia for civic and religious liberty, and
pleaded with his American auditors to help
by their prayers and sympathy to carry
forward the work until final and full vic
tory is achieved
The Christians not members of the
Greek orthodox church, said the baron,