The Denver star., 1915-08-28
BAPTIST HOST TO
MEET IN CHICAGO
Annual Session Of tho Nation
d Body Begins Sept 8.
DR.. JoROAN's PEACE PLEA

Secretary Of Fe-sisn Mission Beard Is-
sues Open Letter In Which He oMsrs
Remedy For the Present Diseord
Among the Lsadsrs-Exp'ains Lave
Gevsrnins the Convention.
Philadelphia.-The thirty fifth annual
meeting Of the national Baptist con-
vention will 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. DIR. 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.
DR.. 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
ture tugging at the vitals Of its prey.
oh. how we have torn each other!
Shall it be said that at Is in keeping
with their racial traits:" There are
two sets Of brethren. holding opposing
opinions as to the best method of run
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:
Fact 1.-As for the commission. thers Is
none 1t 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 compoe-
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: the oficers Of
tho 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 purpooes. property and good will.
accumulated by these boards a. planned
BY the national Baptist convention. for
carrying out the purposes for which II
was organised
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 a. ma
tional Baptist board are the creatures
Of the national Baptist convention also
The officers and members of the two na-
ticnal Baptist boards never intended dis
II happened. like connding children. We
did not correct It
Fact by careful reading Of the
charter IT will be seen:
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
Der Of the boards. through tho state deae-
cations. at Its annual sessions.
c. The boards so elected when organic
ed land 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.
ID. All property owned by the boards is
the property OF their creators-the ma
tional Baptist convention-and under QUE
constitution the convention can order its
disposal I'm the interest OF any debts owed
Fact 5-The charter does not provide
Warrington as headquarters. as has been
stated by number of writer's, but the
convention shall meet anywhere the
body may decide by vote or bylaws. Just
as II has been doing for thirty four years.
b. The charter Is not $50 drastic" that it
does not provide. after all. that the ma
tional convention shall have a constitution
and bylaws: telling how its officers are to
be elected and how place and time of
meeting shall be selected
Fact 6-The seven incorporations are
not perpetual; they die when we meet and
adopt our constitution and bylaws. With
us. the directors will be known ao the ex-
board of the national Baptist convention
We can let the selection of the board re-
main as It is;. hence when a man fails of
election by his state delegation, as a vice
president of the national Baptist conven-
ton. whoever succeeds him. by the vote
Of his state. becomes a member of the
executive committee, with offlcers OF
the convention and boards; failure of cleo
tion will nh 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 men? I'm your
patience possess ye your souls are the
words of Jesus.
Its 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 a new mao
Do elected The national Baptist conven-
ton at Chicago can enact that the ex-
ecutive committee shall consist Of twenty
one members. seven of whom shall be
elected every year, thus allowing fourteen
to hold over from year to year. The ma.
uonai Baptist convention can say by its
new constitution. No money given BY the
people FOR one purpose shall be diverted to
another. And. indeed. to do otherwise
will be dishonest.
Now. brethren. let us cease biting and
devouring each other. Let us prayer
fnlly TASK wisdom OF Gol who giveth
to all liberally and upbraideth not" anil
go to Chicago. not with carnal weap