The Washington herald., 1907-05-17
URGE BAPTIST union
New Organization Favored
at Special Meeting.
Is TO BE DECIDED TODAY
General Body to Represent Constitu-
encies of Three Societies Now in
Session Here-RepreseRtativ Mem
bers from All Parts of the Country
Plan for Efficiency of the Church.

The question Of a general organization
of Northern Baptists as represented In
the constituencies OF the three societies
in session here this week was left TO q
committee Of fifteen at a special meet.
ing last evening at the Calvary Baptist
Church. after several animated and in
teresting discussions. The committee viii
report at a second meeting this morning
when it is expected "a decision will bC
reached. The three organizations con.
cerned are the American Baptist Mis-.
slonary Union, the American Baptist
Home Mission Society, and the American
Baptist Publication Society.
The delegates had a difficult task IN de
Gliding whether the question Of the pro.
posed general organization should be left
to a committee or continued under dis
cussion. Several wanted the matter put
in the hands of committee for a years
consideration, to be reported next spring
The right TO organize. and whether the
delegates 10 the special meeting was al
liberty TO form a body as d voice Of the
Baptists of the country. was also ques-
toned.
The question Of the new organization
has been discussed by the church mem
bers and UNCONVENTIONAL papers in all
parts of the country for several months
Calvary Church was crowded. upstairs
and down. Representatives OF different
churches and districts from an over the
country were present, armed with theiI
credentials emitting them 20 a vote.
The meeting was called 10 order By Dr.
H. l. Morchouse. Of New York. who
announced the purpose Of the special
assemblage Dr. Francis II. Rowley Of
the First Baptist Church, Boston. was
elected temporary chairman. The speaker
selected 10 open the discussion was DR.
". c. Biting, Of the Second Baptist
Church, St Louis, who offered resolu-
tons and spoke on the need and value
Of a general organization Of Northern
Baptists.
The resolution. which was adopted. is
as follows:
Resolved. That We. representatives Of Baptist
churches. IN convention assembled do hereby dccllv
our belief IN the independence p the local church
In the advisory and representative nature q ta.
local and state associations and our loyalty 20 th
work OF our missionary and educational societies
and.
Resolved. That we do also Affirm our conviction
that IN view Of the growth Of our country and
denomination. there is further need 0f n genera
BODY tlr- shall serve the common interests ~ o1i
entire brotherhood az the individual church. ts,
district and state associations minister % the In
terests Of their ssgeral constituencies; and
Resolved That re do now proceed 70 orgau.zr
ourselJR into glCI a body.
W. s. Shalienberger former Assistant
Postmaster General. also favored a genera,
organization, 20 which the present ma
tional societies may be related without
interference with their legal rights. Dr.
A. J. Rowland d. D.. Ii. D.. OF Phua-
delphia. was among the speakers favoring
q general organization.
The special meeting 20 hear The com
mittce report will begin at $3.50 O'Clock
this morning.
Discuss Many Questions,
Deciding TO ask the Bspusts OF the
country 90 give one-tenth of their In
come toward the advancement Of the
work Of the church. the passage Of q
resolution urging President Roosevelt
to make inquiries into the Congo ques-
ton ard the consideration Of the CO.
operation Of the Baptists and the Free
Baptists in foreign missionary work
were the features Of the days session
of the society.
All Of the delegates who attended
the morning meeting were provided
with tickets 90 the White House recep-
tion in the afternoon. When the hour
Of arrived the church was througed
Forming a line four blocks long the
members proceeded toward the Execu-
live Mansion. Despite the rain, several
thousand people attended the reception
by President Roosevelt.