The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-06-29
THE LONG FELT NEED
OF THE MINISTRY
HIS Come In Sight AT
Last.
Rev. j. P. Robinson, D. D.

The National Baptist Congress met
in Nashville Tenn, on the 18th and
continued in session until the 18th of
June. 1t was a grand success. | feel
safe in saying that a greater gathering
of Negro Baptists has never met be-
fore. One would have almost been
stupefied as well as pleased to have
seen the array of talent and religion
gathered therein Experts in teach
ing Sunday School; experts in B. Y.
P. L. work; experts in Galeda and Me-
tOka work, indeed refinement and
ability along all lines could be clearly
seen and appreciated.
The record shows that more than
thirty states were represented in this
Congress. The boys were looking
at long range when they laid the plans
to have such a gathering. Such a
gathering really and actually stimu-
lates Sunday school workers and
others who might attend; it sharpens
the intellect of men and women who
make a profession of the study of Sun
day school literature and gives out the
information to Others. Many of our
best men and women were in this
gathering and seemed to have been con-
secrated to the work of our Lord and
Master.
The Congress is fixed organization
that we feel cannot be done away with.
Nor can we do without such meetings.
1t is the only place where the Baptist
laymen can vie with the ministers and
teachers and at the same time do pro-
gressive and successful work for the
denomination and our Masters cause.
No one who attends these meetings can
help from being benefited.
At the same time that the Congress
was in session, the National Baptist
Executive Board was arranging for the
great National Baptist Convention that
convenes in Atlanta in September. You
will be surprised to learn that at this
meeting of the Executive Board, plot
of seven acres and building contain
ing siXty-five rooms was purchased
by the Board to be used as a Theologi-
cal Seminary. For a long time the
establishment of this institution has
been contemplated and now that tan
gible steps have been taken to estab-
lish the same, this will serve to stimu-
late interest in this work and educate
those ministers of the gospel who
seek to broaden their vision and in
formation. We have purchased the
grounds and buildings and if the Bap-
fists of this country rally to this effort
as they should it will not be long until
we will have ministry that educa-
tionally will have few equals and no
superiors. Hundreds of us walked over
the grounds and through the building.
The campus is high and rolling. The
Buildings are made of pressed brik;
the rooms are tastefully and beautiful
ly plastered and frescoed and the in
terror is nicely arranged and in splen-
did condition. The building and
ground and building for $4,000. We
are calling on the Baptist brotherhood
who believe in progress to arise in
their financial strength and rally to
this great effort for the race and de-
nomination.
Our misunderstanding and chat
fings are due to ignorance. An en-
lightenend ministry will give us an
enlightened church, the very thing
and the crying need of our denomina-
ton at this time, hour and day We
should therefore rally around those
men VIII are giving their lives in the
work of the denomination.
For a number of years we have been
meeting and offering resolutions for
the establishment and purchasing of
a Theological Seminary; we as a de-
nomination have long felt the need of
such an institution. We believe that
all Baptists should center upon this
Seminary because it is for the whole
people and especially for the denomina-
ton.
The hundreds of Baptist young min
listers in the far South will have a
place to go where they can prepare
for their lifes work in the ministry
| rejoice to think that those young
men who have been praying for the
day to come when they could study
for the ministry in their own Theolo-
gical Seminary will now have their
prayer answered.
The property is situated in East
Nashville. It's establishment and
maintenance will brighten the culture
and refinement Of every Baptist in
America. 1t will create within them
new hope for the future. hope that
the thousands of sleeping Baptists will
arise from their sleep and put on their
beautiful garments or Righteousness.