Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-02-16
PRESIDENT A. 4. CALVIN
CALLS BAPT|STS
For WORK
Nirginia baptist state Convention to
Meet IL May, M Newport News.

DANNlLIE. VA. February / IT,
Dear Brethren and CO-WorkCrS Of tho
Virginia Baptist state Convention.
Greeting: II is indeed my pleasant
priyilc"c to break my LONG silence.
in the press. on tho "rCat work Of
our Convention. While the weather
WAS 80 trying and tho Temperatures
swung about zero. | felt { 10 he not
only useless, but. perhaps harmful
to press the just and urgent claims
OF our lHudahlc cause Thus my
stiffness during the Winter. But
now that tho weather is hri@htcninc
up, with. evidently the worst behind
us, let us all take Il dccp breath and
cXClaim with Il loud voice. con TO
Newport News, Va On to Newport
News"
Brcthron, the old year has been
swept into eternity and this New
Year has come upon the scene. hay
ing brought with il now opportuni-
ties and responsibilities; then let us
read with care the signs Of the times
which bid us to arise and quit our
selves like mon.
1t IS generally conceded that the
Nirg, mia Baptist Convention is much
above the average body of its kind
among Baptists and now it is un TO
splendid orGani2at on to further
prove this impression to be true,
thus making good this distinguished
claim. And believe We can and will
do this. AS to my part, by tho Di-
vine help, | will do my best, as |
have always willingly done And
brethren, will Won do the same?
Thank YOU, knew YOU would.
Oh. how We enjoy the peace that
has so beautifully prevailed in our
ranks for several years. Some out
S de of our ranks have prophcsiod
the coming OF strife and confusion
among us. But. thank God, il has
not yet appeared and must say that
! am not expecting it to come For
our brethren realize that earnest
hearts that have the spirit OF broth
crly love ana Il high sense Of honor,
do not easily allow themselves to be
cut asundcr.
And if we arc to judge the present
by the past, we must conclude that
the brethren Of our Convention have
earnest hearts and that they have
also both the spirit Of brothcrly love
and very high sense Of moral and
Christian honor. Then with the
present outlook, there is no reason
to look for anything among us this
pleasure. And how we thank God
for this. And how We pray our
. Father to help us mako it absolutely
true.
Or. II. III. White, our able Cores
ponding Secretary has sent forth his
annual letter which appeals to every
man and woman Of our ranks to be-
stir himself and herself for the great
meeting in Zion Baptist Church, New
port News, Va, Dr.. G. E. Jones'
pastor, May SIP, 1918. Then let
every Baptist Church, pastor, deacon
and layman, take the message to
heart AMI act in keeping with its
requests according to ability and OPP
portunity.
The Great Jubilee last July has
taught that Colorcd Baptiss can
bring to pass great things for God
and the denomination. And now in
Newport News. may the same story
be told in sermon and song. in pray
or and praise, in speech and in the
way that our Church offerings may
be laid upon the table.
We expect the minutes Of the Con-
vcntion, which are in the hands Of
the Hon. John Mitchell, Jr, will be
out soon. And, brethren, do not lose
patience and do not let the gcncros-
llS Ol your NnulcllcS depend upon the
early reception Of the minutes. The
minutes are expected to be out soon.
II ! receive no objections to the
use Of two banners and gold medals
Just as we did at the Jubilee Meeting
| shall proceed to get them ready.
What two Churches and Pastors will
win these coveted prizes? Which
two?
| hereby ask that many Of our
brethren will begin, at once, to write
about the Newport News meeting.
Lets put the campaign on and make
1T hot. Yes, make it hot
Write to the Planet in Richmond
write to the Christian Review in
Philadelphia and write to the Journ.-
al and Guide in Norfolk Brethren do
not wait for a few of the conventions
officials and President Woods to do
all of the writing for the work and
then complain when either its quaint
ty or quality does not suit you. You
write some yourself, please. All right,
thank you. thought you would write
at least, after being asked to do so.
et us read letters from Virginia
from the mountains to the sea. And
Het us have letters from all of our
much appreciated territories out side
Of Virginia. Notwithstanding the war
a the cost of living, we have 50 much
to encourage us. The work Of our
school in Lynchburg is in fine shape