The Twin City star., 1916-09-23
BAPT|STS MEET
At KANSAS CITY
Missouri Town Gives Religious
Body Royal Welcome.
THOUSANDS IN ATTENDANCE

uuVVOnNOO ~ ~ UkUOHVOG
Unineorporated Wing Of National Or.
sanizstion Scores Big Success At
First Session Held on lts Own Re-
sources - president Jones sExplains
Cause Of 1915 Trouble and Defends
His Course. ~
Kansas City. Mo.-Profuse was the
welcome that was extended the thirty
sixth annual session Of the unincOr
porated national Baptist convention
held In this city from Sept. 6 to II. in
elusive. The scene Of the big meeting
was the Armory hall. at Fourteenth
and Michigan streets. which had been
secured for. the occasion. The local
committee. beaded by three distin
guished Baptist ministers and made
up from members Of the laity from
every section Of Kansas and Missouri.
had made splendid arrangements.
The committee on homes. the recep
ton and the general committee deport-
ed themselves admirably. and when
President E. P. Jones. D. D., of vicks
burg. Miss. called the meeting to order
he paid a tribute to the citizens of
this city that was royal indeed.
Among the 6rst things to be an
nounced by President Jones was "a
constructive program from beginning
to end" Three well known divines.
one from Alabama. one from Missis.
sippi and one from Louisiana. led the
devotions on the first day, their theme
being THE Work Of the Holy Spirit"
while the entire convention threw it
self as q whole into the work, because
Of the excellent music under the direc-
ton Of chorister who had been train
ing the chorus Of $50 voices for two
weeks.
President e. p. Jones' Annual Address.
Ringing true to the principles Of the
unincorporated wing Of the Baptist
convention, President e. P. Jones, d.
B., Of Vicksburg. Miss. delivered bis
first annual address in the presence of
thousands OF delegates and visitors,
who listened to the president with al
most breathless attention.
President Jones said In part: up
from the hills and prairies of my ma
tive state twelve months ago went.
as l have often done before, to the
great national Baptist convention
which convened on Sept. 8, 1915, in
Chicago. q city whose marvellous
growth staggers the most optimistic.
I had the honor there Of being ap-
pointed by the president presiding to
one Of the most honored positions in
the gift Of the convention. I refer to
the tellership, handed me without so
hcitation of the then united conven.
tion.
"You will distinctly recall that
went about the discharge Of those du.
ties not unmindful Of the great re.
sponsibilities that rested upon my
shoulders. did not seek nor covet
the distinction. / presumed that in a
great convention composed Of breth-
ren gathered from the four corners of
the earth that there could be but one
intent and purpose, and that was to
see that even handed justice was meted
out to all, irrespective Of their convic-
lions or position upon the great ques-
ton which hung like pail and threat
ened to rend asunder friendly relations
that had existed for years.
unfairnsss Resorted to at Chicago.
"As we proceeded to pursue the du-
ties assigned to US 1t soon dawned not
only upon me. but upon every fair
minded individual present. that steps
unfair. unjust and void Of every SEM
blance Of Christian motive were to be
put In execution to stifle and thwart
the will Of the majority. Volumes
have been written In defense Of the
actions Of the majority on that mem
orable day. Energy which II proper
ly directed would work miracles has
been spent to controvert the truth and
make plausible the attitude Of the |
hopeless and forlorn. but all the schol. |
arly attainments Of ancient Greece and
the modern eloquence of the Ciceros
cannot alter or change the fact. which |
stands ont like signpost to guide the |
that 504 votes were cast to |
80 not to sustain the chair.
'No man In these United States.
be he black or white. rich or
boot. saint or sinner. can defy such an
expressed authority Of the people and
expect to retain the respect and obe.
Hence Of the Baptist ministry. Ours
8 church Of liberty ana doctrine. Al
hough our triumphs have been many.
llthough we have grown In fifty years
IND stand out as a marvel in our &C.
there Is not gathered
aere today, Z hope. a single individual
Il the ministry or the laity who would
consent to make a sacrifice of the prin- |
.ipass Tor which ouf fathers disd in the