Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-18
BURROWS HONORED
BY BAPTIST CHURCH
Reelected President of Southern
Convention at Opening Scs-
sion at Asheville.
MANY REPORTS PRESENTED
Foreign Mission Board Opposes
Plan to Unite With Other
Denomination in Work.

HofE lLI1E.. y. L.. May l..--ReY.
Lansing Burrows. p. D., of Americus,
Ga, vas reelected president of the
Southern Baptist Convention at the
opening Of the sixty-f1rst annual ses-
sion or that body mere late to-day. The
opening session was taken up with
election Of officers and presentation of
reports OF the various boards con-
trolled by the conventions one being
the foreign mission board, which
recommended that the Southern Bap-
t'st Convention DECLINE to enter into
union with other denominations in
foreign mission work. The convention
port and the others presented.
The possibility that the Southern
Convention will hold meeting at the
same time and place with the Northern
Baptist Convention next year was
brought out by efforts Of members Of
the Southern Baptist churches in Kan
sas city to make that place the next
convention city. 1t was said efforts
are being made to get the Northern
Baptists, now in session at Mime
apolis. Mimi. to meet next year in the
Missouri city. New Orleans, Hot
Springs and several other Southern
cities also are seeking to entertain
the Southern Baptists in 1917.
DELEGATES AT OPENING
SESSION NUMBER 1875
Election of DIR. Burrows as presi-
dent for his ;hird consecutive term
brought out that 1915 delegates were
present at the opening session. DR..
Burrows got ~! votes for president.
against Cos cast for NJ. II. Wolfe. Of
Dallas, Tex. Il lay member Of the con-
vention. Othe- officers elected were:
Vicc-presidents-B. G. Hennig, of
Elizabeth City, y. C.: j. B. Nell, OF
Athens Ga; ]. r. Lawrence, of Co.
lumbus. Miss. and ]. c. StaIcup. Of
Oklahoma city. Okla. Mr.. Hcnning
was the only vice-president reelected
Secretaries-O. F. Gregory, Of Baltt-
more. and II. c. Moore, of Raleigh,
\. G. Both were re-clections.
Treasurer-George W. Norton. OF
Louisville, Ky.
Auditor-w. p. Harvey. OF Harrods-
burg. Ky
The report o! the Sunday school
board showed total receipts Of s4s2,-
12s. with a balance on hand of more
than $4,000
The foreign mission board, in its re-
port, summarized it's reasons for op-
posing union with other denominations
In foreign mission work as follows:
Arbitrary territorial divisions for
missionary operations proposed by fed
GRAFTON are opposed; proposed agree
ment for an interchange OF church
letters arc held 10 be contrary TO
recognized custom among Baptist
churches OF South. The board con-
control. o. control Jointly with other
Baptist bodies, the religious instruc-
tions given to boys and girls intrusted
TO ita care; policy abroad consistent
with denominational policy at home is
strongly favored.
The foreign mission hoard points out
that this question, which has caused
some sharp discussions in rhe conven-
tion for several sessions. is closely al
lied to the church union question.
Southern Baptists are on record by
repeated actions OF the convention in
recognition Of that spiritual union
which exists among all believers Of
Christ" says the report, "and in favor
of their organic union as soon as it
can be perfected on New Testament
lines. We reaiiirm these sentiments.
We would have all our people recog-
nizc the bonds of brotherhood which
unite Christians Of every name. culti-
vate a large spirit of fraternity and
strive together with others to secure
the closest possible impact of our
modern Christianity upon the social
order for the establishment of righte-
BUSINESS in the earth.
We would, however, admonish our
people at home and abroad 10 remain
true TO New Testament principles Of
faith and church pollty. and. by SO
tho denomination, enlist all OF our
forces for the holy cause of missions
and thus insure the integrity and sue
cess Of this work"
REGRETS IT'S DISSENT
IS MADE NECESSARY
TIE board expresses regret that it's
dissent is made necessary by gen.
eral program of onion and cooperation
which conflicts at the points mention
ed with policies of the denomination
This program. the report says, threat
ems to hinder. rather than help, Chris
tian unity"
Explaining its objections the board
says it cannot consent to have any
limitations placed on it In locating its
forces or to be put in n position which
would forbid its loyalty to "any COM
pany OF Christian converts who may
now or hereafter profess a like pre-
cious faith with u.s." With regard to
the interchange Of letters, the board
declares Baptist churches have we'll
known standard OF qualification for
church membership, and 1t shall seek
to foster this standard In every land
where 1t sends its missionaries. Tho
board says further that It will not
engage in any form of cooperation.
hospital, publication or educational,
which is not fully reported to tho con-
vention and which does not meet the
approval OF the convention.
The board reports the most SUCCESS
full year in the history OF the church's
foreign missions. Converts baptized
number 6.471 and seventy-seven new
churches were organized. Missionaries
number 315,1sS men and 1872 women. a
foreign membership Of 42.63O is or
ganized into $50 churches. nincty-fv
Of which arc self f-sustaining. Native
Christians contributed sI29.5G1 to sus-
tain the work last year. Tho mission
aries have 694 native helpers.
Sunday schools flourish, the 400