The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1915-08-28
BAPTIST HOST TO
MEET IN CHICAGO
Annual Session Of tho Nation
al Body Begins Sept 8.
Or. J0RDAN'S PEACE PLEA.


sues Open Letter In Which He Offers
Remedy For the Present Disoord
Among the Lsaders-Explains Laws
Governing the Convention. .:
Philadelphia. The thirty-nfth annual
meeting Of the national Baptist con-
vention viii be held In Chicago begin
ming on Wednesday, Sept. 8. With the
view Of harmonizing the leaders Of the
various departments Of the work, the
Rev. DR.. L. G. Jordan, corresponding
secretary Of the foreign mission board
Of the convention, with headquarters
at 624 South Eighteenth street, this
city, has issued the following open let
ter to the members Of the organization.
DIR. Jordan says:
In the exciting controversy about
the Commission form Of government"
and "chartering Of the national conven-
ton" now going on our brethren have
said some hard things about each other,
and that in print too. Liar, breaking
In JAIL" "deceivers'' and such like we
have called one another, but no one
has suggested that we pray. Like vul-
ture tugging at the vitals Of it's prey,
oh, how we have torn each other!
Shall 1t be said that 1T is in keeping
with their racial traits2" There are
two sets Of brethren, holding opposing
opinions as to the best method Of rum
ming the affairs Of the national Baptist
convention-both meaning well Know
ing we are all here to stay until death
doth us part" why not think first before
harshly judging one another? Read
and consider these seven facts; do
what is best for the cause: e.. ..
Fact las for the commission, there is
none. It is the executive board Of the
national Baptist convention with all the
rights, powers and privileges OF an execu-
tive board Its creation and power were
given by the national Baptist convention
at Nashville and Philadelphia.
Fact 2.-This executive board h compos-
ed of the vice presidents Of the various
states. most of whom are presidents Of
their state conventions and are usually
the best men of the states; ths ofiicers Of
the national convention, chairman and
secretary Of the various boards Of the
national Baptist convention. These men
have no personal ends to gain: In fact,
they are our brethren and only hope to
have transmitted to our denomination for
religious purposes, property ana good will,
by the national Baptist convention. for
carrying out the purposes for which It
was organized.
Fact 3.-There are only two Of our
boards known as national Baptist
boards" Others. including our women.
are the board or auxiliary Of the national
Baptist convention. Those known as ma
tional Baptist boards are the creatures
of the national Baptist convention also.
The officers and members of the two na-
tional Baptist boards never intended dis
loyalty, but 1t just happened 30. When
1t happened, like conhding children, We
did not correct 1t.
Fact 4.-By q careful reading Of the
charter 1t will be seen: aN.
A. The charter says in plain words what
our present constitution implies.
B. At present the national convention
provides for the election Of every mem.
ber Of the boards, through the state dele
cations, at it's annual sessions.
c. The boards so elected when organic
ed (and this was intended to be done at
the annual session Of the convention)
elect their officers. This has been DONE
followed by all but one board.
d. All property owned by the boards 10
the property Of their creators-the na-
tionai Baptist convention-and under our
constitution the convention can order its
disposal In the interest Of any debts owed
on any work SO controlled by said board.
Fact 5.-The charter does not provide
Washington as headquarters, as has been
stated by q number of writer's, but the
convention ''shall meet anywhere the
body may decide by vote or bylaws. Just
as 1t has been doing for thirty four years."
b. The charter In not $50 drastic that Il
does not provide, after all. that the ma
tional convention shall have constitution
and bylaws; telling how its officers are to
be elected and how q place and time of
meeting shall be selected. r-
Fact 6.-The seven interpretations are
not perpetual; they die when we meet and
adopt our constitution and bylaws. With
us. the directors will be known as the ex-
board Of the national Baptist convention
We can let the selection of the board re-
main as II is; hence when a man fails Of
election by his state delegation, as q vice
president Of the national Baptist conven-
ton, whoever succeeds him, by the vote
OF his state. becomes a member OF the
executive committee, so with officers of
the convention and boards; failure Of cleo
ton will I'LL their places with those who
succeed them. Is not this fair? Then
why should our readers lose their heads
over thoughtless articles from the pens
of what seems prayerless menf "In your
patience possess ye your souls'' are the
words Of Jesus.
Fact 1.-THE convention can decide In
It's new constitution that no president shall
succeed himself at all, or not more than
twice. or they can agree that he may
succeed himself four times and new man
b elected. The national Baptist conven-
nen q Chicago On lnaee that the sx-