The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1922-09-16
BAPTIST LOSE GREAT
LEADER in DR.. MORRIS.
nv cHAs. sTEWART.

Little Rock. Ark. Sept 11.--In the
death of Rev. Elias Camp Morris, d.
D., of Helena. Arkansas, the race lost
one of its strongest advocates, and a
sane and safe leader. He was the re-
eognized leader of the Negro Baptists
of the world and was considered author
ity on matters pertaining to the race
or denomination.
Twenty-eight years ago he was
elected president of the National Bap-
fist Convention. one of the largest
religious organizations in the world.
and was elected each year since. and
thus rendering % consecutive years at
the head of that great convention, and
perhaps would have been in the con-
vention at the time of his death, had
the meeting not been postponed on
account ofSthe strike.
Under his leadership the National
Baptist Publishing Board was organ
lied, and a publishing house. estab-
lished, located in Nashville Tennes-
see This plant was brought into life
at the National Baptist convention
held In st. Louis. September. 1895. by
the election of a Secretary-Recently
II was necessary to make some
changes. and Dr. A. NJ. Townsend. is
now Secretary of the Sunday School
Publishing Board. and DR.. Morris. as
sisted in securing the new location,
and lived to see started the new plant
now under construction to cost $780,
900. 1t was his desire that this plant
be erected and owned. controlled and
directed by the National Baptist Con-
vention Although he has gone the
work will be pushed and completed
There have been many improvements
made in the operation of the National
Baptist Convention and the several
Boards he has insisted that the Sec
retaries give their entire time to the
work of the Boards of which they are
Secretaries.
The establishment of the National
Baptist Voice, was another accom-
plishment under his administration
The Voice Is the official organ of the
National Baptist Convention, and has
a wide circulation throughout the
country
The Home and Foreign Mission
Work would perhaps shine out as
the greatest missionary achievement
under his administration as presi-
dent of the National Baptist Con-
ventlon. For the past twenty years
the Home Mission work n the South
has been carried on joiii'y between
the Home Mission BOARD Of the Ma.
tional Baptist Convention and the
Home Mission Board o. the Southern
Baptist Convention. ID. Morris was
largely instrumental making the
joint arrangements with the white
Baptists of the South.
He was formost in making arrange.
merits with the Southern Baptist Con
ventionf or means to establish a Ma.
tional Baptist Theological Seminary
for Negro Preachers throughout thu
world. He Sc not live to see the
plan consumated, but work has al.
ready begun on this enterprise anC
will be carried to early completion.
DR.. Morris was recognized leader
In his state. and had the love and
confidence OF the people of Arkansas
He was brave, he was honest. he was
true. and never failed to speak out
for his people, and was uncompromis.
ing in his plea for their political, civil
and manhood rights. On all occasion.
he condemned the slim Crow law
and declared that 1t was a step back.
wards in civilization. He believed II
the future OF his people. He wor
his place in their hearts by the ser.
vice he rendered.
DIR, Morris was born in Murra,
County Georgia, May z. 1855 he was
trained in the public schools of Ala,
bama, and Roger Williams Univer.
sity, tat most of his training was
in the practical school OF experience
for he was indeed a practical man
The State University. Louisville. KY
DIR. w. J. Simons, President, conferred
on him the Degree OF Doctor Of Divln.
ity. In 1892, and in 1902. he received
+ the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
from the A. and M. College, Normal
Ala., w. Fl. Council. president.
In the year 1876, he vas ordained
TO the Baptist Ministry and the same
year was called to the pastorate o.
the Centennial Baptist church
death. having served 43 years without
break. and may 1t be said that thii
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