Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-10-23
STATE CONVENTION At WATER.
LOO 70 ADOPT RADICAL
CHANGES IN LAWS
REVISION or CONSTITUTION
DOCUMENT IS SCHEDULED
Higher Salaries For Minister'S, More
Colleges and UNCONVENTIONAL Hos.
pitfalls, Rsdlstrioe;ns Of Skats and Sc.
lection Of supsrintsndsnte Among
Important Recommendation

Waterloo, Oct. 2s.-The climax Of
what is generally considered to be the
most radical church convention Of any
denomination ever held in Iowa, will
be reached today when the committee
OF the Baptist state conclave, now in
session in Waterloo, reports on the
revision Of the constitution. This COM
mittee is composed of Rev. j. w.
Bailey and Rev. r. r. Sadler, of Pella,
and Rev. ]. W. Graves, Of Des Moines.
They were appointed at the last an
nual convention of the body and have
been at work during the past year on
the problem of revising the constitu-
ton.
The report will be openly discussed
before the convention. An entire ses-
sion has been set aside for the consid-
Grafton Of the matter There probabl
will be some opposition to the report,
but it was thought by the officials this
morning that the report will be adopted
with very little change AS soon aa
the report is adopted committee Will
be appointed to draft new constitu-
ton and this latter document will be
submitted for approval at the cOn>en-
ton year hence.
Almost 4 Revolution,
Never before in church annals in
Iowa has so great an amount Of church
legislation called forth the attention
of the delegates as at the present con-
clave Of the Iowa Baptists. The entire
church system will be completely revo-
lutionized before the end Of the con.
vention, and the church will take on
new birth. Reform after reform has
been suggested and discussed. A large
part of these Will be embodied IN the
report of the committee.
The address Of President Vaughan
the greatest number of sug-
gestions. and it has brought about con-
siderable discussion among the dele
gates. Altho the committee on "Ad-
vance" will report upon his message,
the special committee will take up the
majority of suggestions brought out.
Among the various reforms suggest
ed are: First, higher salaries for min
listers: second, more colleges. hospitals
and sanatoriums in the state under the
supervision of the Baptists; third. re-
of the state and the APP
pointment of special man on salary
for each district to look after the rural
churches: fourth, appointment of
special committee to look after the
work of the association and the con-
vention, because Of the too heavy re-
quirements on one man; fifth, enlarge
ment of the evangelistic field: sixtn
demand for more efficient pastors, and
strfcter requirements for entrance to
the ministry: seventh. appointment of
wealthy men to position in the official
circles Of the church; eighth, sterner
demand for Baptists to marry Baptists
and not go outside the state In their
ventures.
Corrupt Politics Attacked.
In addition to introducing reforms
the convention has also found time to
attack, in no uncertain terms. the cor
rupt politics of the nation. the COM
of other churches. the
organization of political machines in
other denominations. and various other
reputed evils Of the age. The Catholic
church has also come in for its share
of criticism by the convention.
Perhaps not all Of the reforms sug-
gested will be taken up at the present
convention. but the start has been
made, and the fight for them will con-
tinue until they are all adopted. No
in future years can possibly
equal the Baptist conciave in points
of radicalism. 1t is the awakening ii
the church. both spiritually and men
tally. Appeal after appeal has rung
out from the pulpit from the speakers
present for an awakening. and their
efforts bid fair to hear much fruit.
Rural Church Work.
The work being done by Baptists In
Iowa country churches, the needs OF
the country church. methods and
means Of accomplishing plans laid
out by the country church commission
and practical illustrations Of the WORK
ing out of certain theories along the
line of social work in rural commun-
tiles, comprised the central theme OF
discussion at this mornings session or
the Iowa Baptist state convention.
The usual devotional hour preceded
the general program and was led by
Rev. L. w. Inman. Following this,
President Vaughan called upon Rich
mond A. Smith, Of Cedar Falls, chair
man of the Iowa Baptist country
church commission. to give his an
nual report. According to statistics
much has been done under the direc>
ton of this able leader and ministers
have seen accomplished many OF the
theoretical plans suggested in former
conventions.
Aim to Meet Social Needs.
The aim Of the country church COM
has been not only to build up
the churches in rural communities, to
secure pastors for the small weak
church, and to increase spiritual in
terest, but the work has been broad
ened so as to meet social needs Of
the parishioners as well. To make
the country church social center has
been one Of the chief aims and the
result has been eminently successful.
In his address on THE Call OF the
Country Church. Rev. Arthur Woods