The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1908-09-18

Inc greatest or all, the largest of
any its predecessors, is the pro-
nounced verdict of all, that witnessed
the opening exercises of the twenty
eighth annual session of the National
Baptist Convention, which convened
in this city to-day at half past ten
o'clock. The convention was called to
order by Rev. E. G. Morris, D. D.,
President, who has filled the position
for thirteen consecutive years, having
Est year Washington been reelected
4 animouslSs The delegation is un-
/ lually large. Since last Thursday
e advance guard has begun to arrive.
fact somATeached the city as early
| MOI fdast week, as Rev. Mr..
III cr, tn ional Musical director,
wa LAS charge of the song services
and special chorus of one hundred
voices, iss -been here since that time.
w The Con vention met in Chautauuua
Hall, the largest Of its kind in this
part of Kentucky Thousands of dele
gates from all parts of the United
States coming in S. s.iendid cars and on
lecial trains, make this the largest
M Id best session. the Convention
ever witnessed-the one at Washing
ton last year not an exception.
The devotional exercises, following
the call of the President, were con-
Quoted by Rev. j. H. Wynn of Texas,
and Rev. G. w. Wyatt, of Ohio. "The
Leadership of the Spirit" was their
theme. Then came the long list of
welcome addresses. The first was on
behalf Of the Paptists of Lexington,
by Rev. e. W. Hawthorne, d. D., who
is also chairman of the National En-
tertainrnfnt Committee; the next was
on behalf of the State by Gov Angus
tus e. Wilson; on behalf of the Col
ored Baptists of the State by Rev.
John H. Frank, D. D.; on behalf of
the white Baptists of the city, Rev.
~. W. Porter, d. D., pastor of the
IAirst Baptist Church; on behalf of
(Che citizens Of the city Mayor John
III. Skain; on behalf of the colored
citizens of Lexington, DR.. w. H. Bal
lard; on behalf of the educational in
stitutions and Negro school teachers,
Prof. G. p Russell; on behalf of the
sister denominations of the city, Rev.
8C. G. Townsend; on behalf of the To-
cal executive comittee, Rev. j. w.
Hawkins, D. D.; on behalf of the
Lexington Ministers Meeting, Rev.
r. T. Frye, A. NJ, B. D. Response to
the welcome addresses by Rev. d.
III. Harris, d. D., of Chicago, H..
This took the entire morning 1t
No. ~ OSo1nn1x hnfOrn tho TOu
intion adjourned.
p dDuring the opening exercises trains
bm every direction brought more
II ,tegates. 1t is almost impossible
uSestimate the arrivals to-day. They
come not only on the trains, but on
three trolley lines connecting this
city with Louisville.
Long before the devotion of the
afternoon session, which was led by
Rev. P, A. Callahan, of Florida, and
Rev. r. Kemp, of South Carolina
whose themes were Loyalty to
Christ" the hall was crowded because
at this session the Presidents annual
address was to be delivered. This is
one Of the most important occasions
of the meeting, as it is known that he
presides over the largest body of
christian workers in the race.
1t was 2:40 p. m before DR.. e. c.
Morris arose to make his address.
Prominent visitors from all the de-
Nominations crowded the platform
and each listened in breathless silence
as he began. DR.. Morris said, in part,
as follows:
'Fev w Comrades: rising to