The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-17
CONVENTION ELECTS OFFICERS AND HEARS ANN

\OA A----AA
paper men, representing tho press OF
The Whole United States.
Maps OH Wall.
On tho walls behind the platform
appeared an interesting array Of maps
and posters showing the work OF the
various auxiliary bodies, and calling
attention to special phases OF religious
work and Christian cndeaNor.
Not the lcnst interesting was II
rlncard entitled Amt 1t ShnnioY"
which by n short and long line de-
scribed the vast sums spent for do
nestle missions and the small sum en-
pended for foreign missions BY Chris
ton churches. adding the fact that
there nre no less than s34, 100000
heather to whom Christianity is un-
y known.
Another poster shows the work OF
tho Woman's Auxiliary by a series of
picturcs of large and small bells. and
the bell of 1907 is larger than All the
rest A map showing the prosiSss OF
foreign missions cannot fan to attract
attention. for 1t sets out that in lS9?
the sum subscribed amounted to $685.
1o2, while III 1907 the amount had risen
to S403.Sl1- ending with the words
"loraisc Cod for Victory
In great letters across the back of
the hall appears the statement that In
the United States there Is Gle oadained
minister for every $40 OF populations
These pictures are in themselves clo-
quent sermons. and each teaches les
son which must appeal to tlic thought-
full men and women in the convention
hall.
The Opening.
IT LACKED a full ten minutes of the
hour\set for the opening exercises. but
the enthusiasm of the delegates could
not longer be controlled. and the choir
Joined the vast audience in singing
Come. Thou Almighty King with q
vehemcnce which made, the raftcrs
ring, followed by the. favorite hymn
of an previous conventions, How Firm
a Foundation" all tho delegates stand
ing. i.
Dr.. x;rcgory. secretary of tho convcn-
ton for twcnty-siX wears, leaned over
and whispered That is the first
time, since the convention was organ
tied Vhst How Firm,a Foundation was
not t,1e opening hymn"
Prominent among, the great number
of prominent delegates seen near the
platform Were DIR. j. William Jones.
DR.. B. W. Riley, oftHouston, Texas; Dr..
J.. B. Turpin. of Charlottesville; DR..
j, N. Johnston, Missouri: DIR. George
w. True It, of Texas: Hon. Joshua Lev
ering. Off Baltimore. once presidential
candidate on the Prohibition ticket;
Hon. j. B. Wood, fA1r. L, d. Starke, Dr.
A. B. VIC Aodhn, of Waynesboro; DR..
Carter Hell N Jones. of Louisville, Ky:
Dr. w. L. Hatcher, DR.. Pitt and Dr.
Mcdaniel.
1t was shortly after Sis o'clock
when President stephens raped with
his gavel, saydngr Let all stand while
we are led iu prayer by Rev. S. NJ.
Province. of alabama" The vast au-
iience arose. uud DR.. Province, who
has two sons in the foreign mission
field. working lin China, tlsked the
divine blessing for the work of the,
and tupon mission work
the World.
Quick tlrganizat ton.
Following the opening prayer, I the
convention got ra pidly down to work,
and proved itself wonderful business
by d ispatching in a few
minutes business which threatened to
consume many HOURS.
DR.. Burrows, oneh Of the secretaries,
moved that roll-cal q be dispensed, with,
urging that it woulh consume valuable
time. and suggesting a plan 'of card
signatures. which would betterj answer
the purpose.
.There must be same plan like this"
exclaimed DR.. BURROWS in u mighty
voice. which reached all parts of the
hall, "or we will be u dise'rganized
mob, governed, however, by christian
principles
This sentence crea ted great nerri-
ment, and won DIR. Burrows his mo-
ton.
f,,l1 al ,,-iX \,
Hon. Henry r. Pollard in the chair.
the two secretaries We're rc-elccted,
and several vice-prcsidents We're
elected.
DR.. stephens, in short speech,
thanked the convention, for the honor
it had conferred pponi him for the
third time.
81 am glad that t1llsewonderful con-
yention-the greatest convention Of
our {history-is taking place in the
glorious old State OF Virginia. which
we all love so WE'LL rhe declared.
Mr.. George ~. Nol'uon. of Kentucky.
was elected treasurer. sand DR.. William
Patrick Harvey, Of Kentucky. was
elected auditor.
This ended the quickest organization
on record the whole business not hav-
~ !u6 ColiSuI nail
President Stephonsi invited those in
the audience who Were standing to
take seats in the space set apart for
the delegates, and while this move
was in progress the congregation nlug
marching to Zion" The address of
welcome by Mayor jMccarthy and the
response by DR.. J.s -. Gambril, OF
Texas, followed.
After the choir and audience had
sung Jesus Shall R;oign." Rev. DR.. A
]. Dickinson, of Birmingham, preached
an eloquent sermon, touching on the
personality OF Christyand the need o
activity in faith.
At the conclusion ofsthe sermon, be
fore the choir could rise. Delcgat.
Charles WILKINSON. of Georgia, strucl
UP Come, Thou Fount OF Every Bless
ing" and the audience joining IN
made one OF tho most impressive fea
lures of the nights exercises.
Chairman Thomas of the order o
business committee, made his report
setting out that from $3.50 to II o'c'oc,