The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-05-13

Especial to The Richmond vlaEinian)
Washington, n C. May 12.--South-
ern Baptists bes!eged the nations
capital today. They came from all the
states eff the South by hundreds and
thousands for the seventy-fifth annual
session Of their convention. All records
were broken in the matter OF attend
ance. 1t had been anticipated that
1000 or more might gather for this
great victory meeting, but the mum
Der must have gene far beyond t0.pU9.
II was said that more than 1000 Sed
registered up to last night and every
train from the South today brouRh:
many more. There were large num-
bar e special convention trains, alt
long anrs and taxed to the utmost Of
taeir capacity.
This great gathering of earnest
Christian men and women from all the
states from here 10 Texas and to Okla
homa made an impression even on
Washington, used as Il is 10 big
crowds The Capitol. the hotels. the
station and the streets were all alive
with bright-fac messengers, both
men and women designated by badges
and state streamers. The sessl*xs are
held in Liberty Hut. a part OF the
Universal taherpacle in which Billy
sunday held his meetings in this city
n few years ago. The hut ia not near
SO large as II was when the baseball
evangelist preached there TO overflow
ing congregations. The attendance is
50 large that hardly more than half
OF those who sought admission for
the opening exercises this morning
could get in The dense crowds outside
reminded one OF the scenes around the
auditorium during Mr., Sundays meet
iugs in Richmond. Overflow services
were arranged for nearby churches
where notable men made addresses.
SPIRIT OF VICTORY.
This is truly a victory session OF fhe
convention. The spirit OF triumph
permeates the assembled host and re-
ports aud speeches alike reflect the
enthusiasm and gratitude resultant
from the success OF the seventyfve
million dollar campaign.
There were three sessions today as
there will be daily throughout the
meeting which will probably continue
through next Monday Welcome ad-
dresses and organization were the fea-
lures this morning. reports from the
various boards and other agencies ~
the convention consumed the afternoon
and the annual sermons; two of them
were preached tonight Rev. DIR. John
f. White, Of Anderson. S. c. who has
visited Richmond several times, deliv-
cred the convention sermon paper III
tnP nut ana ItF- j. IL HOODS, or Ala
bama preached at the First Baptist
church Both had capacity audiences.
GAMRRELL PRESIDENT AGAIN.
Rev. Or. J. r. Gambreil the distiu-
guished Texan, received the unusual
II not unprecedented honor. of being
elected president of the convention for
the fourth year. Three years has
usually been the limit Or. Gamhrell
makes a fine presiding officer and Is
rS he -
handled the great gathering wonder
fully when we consider the unusual
size OF the body and the noise natural
in such building. DR.. w. w. Ian
drum. so long the loved pastor OF the
Second church. Richmond, had
strong following for the presidency
The other officers elected unani-
mously were; Vice presidents. Daniel
Harris. of Missouri DIR. John Fl. White.
of South Carolina: Or. w. w Landrur-.
Of Kentucky. and J. n. Anderson. OF
Tennessee: Secretaries Hight G.. Moore,
of Nashville, Tenn. and Joseph Henry
Burnett, OF Macon, Ga, reelected;
treasurer. George W. Norton. of Louis
Vile; auditor. William Patrick Harvey,
of Kentucky
REPORT SHOWS GREAT GROWTH.
During the morning session re-
port was head by DR.. Hight G. Moore.
one of the secretaries. showing the
growth of the denomination in the
South during the twenty five wears
since the convention was held in Wash
jngton.
The number of local churches rep
resented by the convention has grown
from, 9o7 10 25.3o3. q gain of more
than $50 per cent; membership from
l 1901 to 2.96IS4S, gain of more
than 100 per cent. In financial conf
trihutions. the gain has been more
startling, the amount for home mis-
sions having grown from 5000 in
1895 TO s1.559.000 this year, an increase
of 1850 per cent. and foreign missions
from s125.O0o to s2.335. GOO a gain VI
more than 1000 per cent
WELCOMED By MARSHALL.
Vice President Marshall was the
principal speaker of the opening ses-
sion He welcomed the delegates on
behalf of the government. Commits
sioner Louis Browniow and Rev. Or.
j. J. Muir, yof Temple Baptist church.
greeted the delegates on behalf OF tho
District of Columbia and the Wash
ngton Baptists.
vice-President Marshall. in his aA-
s5s