The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-05-24
CtOTURE RULE ENDS
DEBATE BY BApTISTS
Believed Some Matters Left in Unde-
sirable Shape: Extension Of Home
and Foreign Mission Work and Ad-
mission of Women into Church De.
IberatiOns Among Things Done.

liberations Among Things Done.
Hot Springs, May 20.-The sixty
third session of the Southern Baptist
convention came to an unexpectedly
early close today, leaving some mat
tiers in a condition which many Of the
delegates consider undesirable. Chief
among them was the action condemn
ing 'some Baptist and secular univei-
sites" as "reeking with German kul-
tur." Debate on the resolution which
passed in the late morning was cut off
by cloture rule, which in theopoinion
of DR.. D. B. Gray, corresponding sec
rotary of the home missions board; j.
]. Hurt of Wilmington, N. c., and
other Baptist leaders, prevented the
delegates from realizing that the phri-
seology of the resolution was such as
to stigmatize virtually every BaptisL
educational institution in the nation.
1t was freely urged by DR.. Gray, Dr..
Hugh G. Moore, secretary of the con-
vention, and DIR. Hurt, that the res
olution was aimed at Chicago Univer-
sity, even though it has no connection
with the Baptist churches. 1t was said
that some of the professors of the in
stitution had been obnoxious to GER
tain Baptists.
Adjournment Of the convention was
taken after prolonged session which
began during the morning, and from
which many of the delegates had abb
sented themselves during the noon
hour.
When the motion to adjourn was
put there was very small number
of delegates in attendance, and none
opposed the motion.
Just before adjournment the con-
vention instructed its president, Dr.,
j. B. Gambrell, to send a message of
fellowship to President Wilson and
pledge the support of the eonventiot
to him in his duties as chief executive
of the nation during the war, to wha1
ever extent OF men or money might "
necessary.
Another bit of controversial discus
sion that was blocked by the cloturt
rule, and which went over until the
next convention, was the withdrawn
of chaplains from army camps. 1t was
held by some that the mere appoint
ment of a Baptist chaplain was against
the doctrine of the Baptist churches,
in that it included the combination OF
church and state. The cloture, howev-
err, shut out the divisional discussions
that gave promise of growing heated,
and a motion to put the matter ovel
until the next convention prevailed
In the opinion of the conventnn
leaders three things stand out as ths ;
most important that the convention at
They are in the order of
given:
Home mission work. That includes
the denomination work among the SOL
diers, about which SO much has been
said, and under which heading is plac-
ed the sympathetic patriotism which
seemed to pervade the sessions of the
throughout. The conven-
ton voted to treble its home mission
if necessary, for army
work.
Franchisement of women in councils
of the churches. Baptist leaders be-
lieve that the admission of women into
the deliberations Of the denomination
is big with potential good and develops
ment of the churches. The enfranchise
ment was not accomplished without
struggle on the part ct
the advocates of womens rights, and
its opponents are not convinced that
the departure in church administration
will prove advantageous.
Foreign missions. The work of for
eign missions was extended and pro-
visions made for the denomination to
enter Germany and Russia in the wake
Of the conquering armies of the allies.
Under these three general classih-
cations is put every otner mater con-
such as the selection of FL
Paso, Tex, as the site for the tuber-
culosis sanitarium of the denomina-
ton. The inhibition placed upon
preachers to prevent their performing
ceremonies for either one of
a couple who has been divorced, unless
the divorce shall have been granted on
scriptural grounds. The expression of
with the existing rule
Of the war department which prevents
strictly denominational work in army
camps, the decision to aid negroes in
the establishment of theological sem
mary and mediation in the difficulties
that have divided the negroes Of the
To most of the delegates the out
standing feature of the convention was
the spirit of patriotism that entered
in almost every discussion that was
had in the convention.