Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-17
mo move FOR union
0F BAPTIST CHURCHES
Southern Convention Officials DC
clare Effort Abandoned Two
Years Ago.
LAITYo FIGHTS FOR wo,E!
For First Time in Dcnoninatiou's
History Female Members Arc Par
tfcipating in Work of Their Church
I'm Its Greatest Body.
tBy Associated Press J

tBY SSsoclRIeG l'reSSJ
~ HOT SPRINGS. ARK. May 10
ssPresident j. b. Gambel, OF the South
Germ Baptist Convention. to-day denied
sereports, that a delegation OF the South
ssern Baptist Association would confer
with the Northern Baptist Convention
Son the question OF unity between the
! two Baptist bodies.
vs. DR.. 1. J. Nanness. secretary OF the
Sunday school board, and othe. leaders
ssin the convention. wcre equally as
emphatic in declaring reports that
7 Southern Baptists were contemplating
ia possible union with the Northern
Baptist Church were without founda-
Lion. Mr.. Nann-ss stated that the ques-
Ehon OF fusion had been definitely and
permanently settled by the Southern
q Raptists two years ago.
After brief debate at the morn
kinG session, discussion OF the resolu-
/ tion relating 10 army environments
eiwent over until Saturday. and the
convention heard the report OF the
:sWoman's visionary Union and the
SIaymen's movement committee An
announcement also WAS made that the
Il Baptist Bible Institute has been fully
iforganfEed and equipped at New Or
sleans-
h A committee headed by Clifford
Walker. Attorney General OF Georgia,
reported to the convention on the legal
status OF tho churches. about which
B some question had been raised. He
said that incorporation by the conven-
& ton in 1S&5 was legal but stated that
his committee was not ready to re-
port on the legal relation OF the re-
specttYe administrative boards OF the
! churches
& WOMEN RAISE MORE
s THAN FIVE MILLIONS
II The report of the Woman's Mission
Vary Union disclosed that that organ
fzatfon had raised more than $1,000
600 during the last tslirty years for
homo and foreign missions and that
= societies
I, The report OF the laymen's work
aroused lively interest particularly
that portion which dealt with the or
ganization OF committees throughout
the States composed OF "minutemcn."
who are pledged TO contribute 4 speci-
ned amount 10 the churches upon any
emergency demand
The remainder of the days session
was given over 10 discussion of the
report Of the home missions board.
sFULL IAiTry RIGHTS
ARE ACCORDED WOMEN
d For The nrst tia in tne history OF
+ the church. women members OF the
d denomination are participating in the
b deliberations q the Southern Baptist
\ Convention. Action % the convention
6 yesterday in giving the women all
n church tights that are accorded men,
q was considered 10 be J. forth with" &C
y ton, and some states Immediately &C
Y credited their women representatives
4 'According TO the official records O.:
q the convention. Mrs. y. H Bedoe. Of
Dallas. Tex was the first woman TO
v receive hex credentials and appoint
& Inent.
More than 100 delegates arc attend
4. Ing the convention. which opened yes
Tt ,erday, and an almost equal number OF
i, women are attending the sessions Of
n the Woman's Missionary Union.
ID Informal conferences were held this
morning, at which the degree OF in
sistence. the wording OF proposed
81 resolution decryinE the rule against
81 UNCONVENTIONAL work in military camps
II should contain, was discussed. Reso-
81 lutions In connection with the work
a OF the church aDonEatAe soldiers were
q expected 10 be p:ese atcd' during the
q day.
Other important matters before the
3 convention to-day included a discus
q sion of the home mission boards work
N during the last year. together with
q the initial report OF the commission
81 on ministerial pensions. The commit
L tee was appointed TO investigate the
81 advisab ility OF establishing permanent
u pensions for widows and orphans o!
d minister's and TO secure Ennuities 10
Il aged and dependent ministers.