The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-19
In addition to number OF excel

In addition to number OF excel
lent speeches on Sunday schools and
foreign and domestic missions, the
third days session Of the Southern
Baptist Convention was marked by sew
eral important episodes. 4i.i
Hon T. H. Elicit. City Father.
strong In civic pride. and pronlin eIlt
delegate to the convention. saved the
honor OF Richmond last night, when.
moved by his vigorous and spirited pro-
test. the body voted to continue to hold
its sessions in the Auditorium Appar-
emily 1t had been arranged to have
the convention hetake itself to Gracs3
Street Baptist Church for the Monday
meetings, and last night was to hava
been the last meeting in the Audito-
rum. Complaints had come fast and
furious regarding the miserable acous-
ties of the building, and it was said
that hundreds of delegates had left
the city in disgust at not having been
able to hear the speakers.
Acting on these complaints. the COM
,naittee on order Of business decided
to change to Grace Street Church. but
it failed to secure the approval OF Mr.
Elicit. The resolution of removal had
been offered and was about to be car
ried, when Mr.. Elicit came boldly to
the front and entered his protest.
~ beg of you, in the name Of the
city of Richmond, not to put this
.aTront on u.s." he said. I'VE have.
after great trouble, prevailed upon
the city to eSpend $4,000 20 pre-
pare this hall for the Southern Bap-
list Convention. and 1t would be an
insult to the people of the city If
you were to cast the slur of re-
moval upon their hospitality"
President Stephens put the question,
and so equally divided We're the dell
eEates that cries arose for a division
A count was taken, and Mr.. Elicit won
out amid great applause from all parts
Of the house.
Russian Baron Speaks.
It was decided that the next place
| for holding the convention should he
| Hot Springs. Ark In 1908, q. great
victory and matter OF pride to the Ar
kansas delegation. During the after
noon session Baron Waldemar uxkull.
of Russia. the treasurer OF the Baptist
union In the Cars country. addressed
the convention. and told the story OF
/ the crying needs of his countrymen
for religious education
Baron Uxkull. n cousin of the Russ
sian ambassador. has given his per-
sonal fortune to the cause. and Is In
America asking aid from the Baptists,
| both North and South. He made
deep Impression when, in reply to the
question II he could not hold out-of-
door meetings, he said with a shudder:
l"It Is too cold in Russia"
| Just at the end OF the afternoon ses-
sion resolution offened by ex-Gover-
nor Northern, of Georgia. created
great storm OF discussion and pro-
voked no little display OF feeling,
Backed BY DR.. H. W. Battle, OF North
Carolina, Governor Northern asked the
convention to give It's official approval
to a Baptist settlement on the OUT
skirts of AshevllIe. described by one
of the brethren as "a religious land
sale,'' Delegate Trotter, OF Misslssippi,
vigorously protested, and with SO much
earnestness that the motion was de-
feated. and Governor Northern asked
| that his request be withdrawn
Discussion wayed hot. but after as
snrances had been given by those high
| In authority that the scheme was hon-
est and philanthropic. the motion was
again offered and finally passed, the
land advertisement" clause having
been stricken out,
| One of the most pleasing features OF
| the convention has heen the singing,
and not a little good -natured jealousy
has gone along with II. OH the plat.
form sits q choir. strong In voice and