Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-03-30
THE VIRGINIA BAPTIST
STATE CONVENTION
232 South Main St., Danville. Va.


March 2, 1918.
Brethren and Co-Workers of the Vir--
ginia Baptist State Convention,
Greetings:
Amid the worlds greatest conflict
tho Lord has brought us through one
OF the worst winters Of the present gen
Grafton. And it is amazing that such
Il winter. with other disadvantages,
has inflicted upon us even as little
suffering as it has. But this is but
another manifcstat on of our dear
Heavenly Fathers ability to love care
for and support his own even amid ad
verse conditions.
So as Il sign OF special gratitude
to our Father for having spared us
through the winter let all the mem
bers Of the churches of our convcn
ton with broad hearts and open purs
es, make Il grand and generous thank
Offering unto Him, as Israel often did
in years gone by. And remember that
one can sustain no loss by his gener-
osity toward Him from whom comes
Ito us) every good and perfect gift"
and who says. freely ye have receiv
cd, freely give"
Therefore, beloved we plead with
you, as all individual as pastor aud
as Il church, to give for education and
missions. through the convention, as
freely this year as You did, at the
Jubilee meeting last year. And there
is go much to encourage us to do this.
In the first place, we realize that this
money is we'll spent for the education
al upl:ft OF our people at home. and
for sending the message of salvation
to heather abroad.
Then our work at the Virginia Thee
logical Seminary and Colleg. was new
or Ill finer shape than it is now. Dr..
H.. G. Woods a prince among College
Presidents with his able ami adequate
faculty, is bringing much to pass i'll
tie development of our young people
for the stcrner duties and realities of
life.
And DR.. Bernard Iyrrcl!. that
prince among theolOgians. homilists
and pulpit powers Is trui.' rtruring
the boys {, preash.
The new dining hall and kitchen,
costing about six thousand dollars,
is superb structure and is nearing
completion. This is II valuable asset
and adjunct to the institution that
should inspire everyone interested in
our work to do his full part in raising
at least seven thousand dollars, ~
Newport News. A banner will be
awarded the church that sends actual
ly the largest amount Of money to
tho convention and the Pastor of that
church will get a gold medal. And a
banner will be given the church that
sends the largest amount per member
and the Pastor Of that church will get
a gold medal.
Then there will be n laymen's med
al This will "a piv {hn La in,
Guiding any officer in the church, who
gives the largest personal donation to
the convention. Thus an opportunity
for all to win distinction in this lnud
able cause.
Please fill the blanks Of your con
vention letter as accurately as posi-
bic. And BIO sure to state the present
membership Of your church.
DR.. G. e. Jones pastor Of Zion
Baptist church In which we meet and
his people with the other pastors and
people of Newport News, are making
large preparations for our arrival.
Delegates will be cared for at tho
rate OF one dollar per day, for board
and lodging. And the prospect is very
brilliant for great meeting from
every viewpoint.
May you and your Zion be ever bless
cd with peace and prosperity is my
prayer. And may you be we'll repre-
Scn;ed III the convention, May S-12,
ialS. with christian means and chris
tian manhood. Remember your con
vention II your prayers.
Being very grateful for your gcncr
osity in the past ana for wOur liber--
ality in the future l am,
Yours for the work,
A. A. CALVIN,
President Virginia Baptist State Con
yention.