Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-06
.BAPTISTS DECIDE
TO EXCLUDE PRESS Z
FROM conferences
Desiring Free and Untrammel-
ed Expression, CenSorhip
Committee of Three Is Ap-
pointed at Meeting Monday

any future meetings of the Baptist
ministers, in order that the weekly con-
ference may have free and untram-
meled" expression, were adopted by the
conference Monday. and a committee or
three was appointed to select what oc-
currences at these meetings shall be
published
Resolutions were also passed explain
ing the Position of the conference in
regard TO DR.. John Clifford, of England
president Of the Worlds Baptist alli-
ance.
The exclusion of reporters was de-
cided upon because of the publication
er DR.. Clifford should be invited TO
Atlanta.
I DR.. Charles W. Daniel. who intro
duced the resolution, explained that
this publication was as accurate as any
account any one OF the ministers pres
ent could have furnished; but that II
was unfortunate such a matter should
have been published, and that he wish
ed to prevent anything of the sort
from again getting into the papers.
Following are the. resolutions in re-
gard to DR.. Clifford. They were in
itroduced by DIR. John E. White.
Thee RESOLUTIONS.
whereas, the unfortunate discussion
in this conference last Monday in re-
lation TO which the conference took no
action one way or the other, has been
widely published and generally con-
istrued as an expression of this confer
ence unfriendly to DR.. John Clifford,
OF England, who is now a guest on
the Baptist people OF this country, and
has placed this conference in a false
light before the public, we therefore
desire 10 have the following statement
given broad publicity through the pa
pers in correction
First: That the Atlanta Baptist
Ministers conference did not take any
faction at all and was given no opportu-
nifty 10 take action on the suggestion
that the Baptists Of Atlanta invite DR..
Clifford to Atlanta, and therefore as
conference we earnestly disclaim hav-
I ing assumed any unfriendly attitude
loward Dr. clifford by just implication
or otherwise.
second: That this conference de-
sires 10 express most positively its adj
miration for DR., John Clifford as a
great and world-renowned Baptist, a
tvenerable leader who mas given his long
life for our cause and who has done
more than any living man to advance
Baptist principles in Europe, and who
has by most eminent ana self-sacrificing
devotion endeared himself to Baptists
Throughout the world.
Third: That this conference de-
sires to put itself positively on record
as a Baptist conference and therefore
cannot assume TO nuL rcstraint on .the
iconscience OF any man who has rever-
entity come TO Gods word for himself
seeking light and truth. nor can we turn
our hands except in tnose methods Of
christian persuasion and brotherly ap-
neal toward any brother in his reverent
Interpretation Of Gods word without
violating our own freedom and that
Iprincfple OF Christian liberty which has
{ been dear to Baptists throughout their
whole history II is our principle and
our policy to leave with the local
church the administration OF Baptist
discipline. and to this principle we avow
our attachment.
| -Fourth: That there is DO controver-
sy between any members of this con-
ference on the subject of the so-called
higher criticism and that no such is
/ sue can be made among us where IT
has no existence in facts.
Fifth: That as a conference inter-
ested in the spread of Baptist influences
/ in the world. we heartily commend the
Baptist World Alliance which is soon
to assemble in the city or Philadelphia,
as a great and important providential
world into better acquaintance and
closer fellowship for tne advancement
OF the kingdom OF God"
WANT TO BE FREE
In introducing his resolution, Or. DAN
lei said:
"A large part OF the profit of these
meetings is taken away by their spon-
taneity being restrained. Our EXPIRES
siOns should be free and untrammeled."
luton, added:
I'VE wish these meetings TO be per-
lsonal and intimate We wish to say
things here that should be expressed in
different form when presented to the
public"
DR.. Daniel, speaking again, said:
II have no criticism to make Of the
newspaper report OF last Mondays pro-
Iceedings al this meeting 1t was as fair
as any one OF US could have given. But
/ II this conference is to be merely an
opportunity for US TO play to the gall
leries, it is time for US TO adjourn sine
/ die. We should be the judges of what
part OF our proceedings should be pub
lished.'
DR.. John F. Purser Joined in the dis
cussion.
"A deacon told me the other day" he
said. that the deacons' association was
4 thinking OF EGAlAAH a AANNAAAS ~ dSh
this conference TO adjourn sine die. Sew
eral laymen have told me that these
meetings we are having are positively
hurtful II we do exclude reporters,
however. there win be a leakage. Some
body who wants to have something SEN
sational published will go to the news
papers with it."
This is the fifth or sixth time that
the matter of our holding executive ses-
sions has come up," said DR. A. c. Ward.
mo reporter was to blame last week.
Our discussion was simply unfortunate.
/ We shouldn't discuss such things"
Il don't believe in having closed ses-
sions and in censoring' news" said Rev.
/ J. w Ham. Il believe in having re-
porters on the ground"
what DR.. PurAer said about criticism
OF our meetings is perfectly true" said
DR.. John r White. Nearly all laymen
think as the men he referred to do"
NEED A CENSORSHIP.
/ DR.. c. y. Donaldson. who followed DR..
White. said.
What we should do is put censor
ship on our own lips This is not a star
chamber meeting. II we are not willing
10 discuss questions here in such way
that they may be printed in the press,
In tAnk we should adjourn. The dis
eussIon last week was excellent and the