The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1922-06-22
BAPTIST PROGRESS
ASSHOWN IN THE
67TH CONVENTION
Jacksonville Gives Royal Welcome
To Big Convention of South
ern Baptist Delegates
(By DR.. |. A. White)

met IN the splendid city of Jackson
vile Fla. The whole city appeared
interested in the coming of our Bap-
tlst hosts. The bushes houses, shops
and hotels were gay with bunting
and streamers, and banners, and
window signs smiled at every turn.
WELCOME BAPTISTS". It was a
welcome as warm as her sunny air.
and as sweet and winsome as her
tropical flowers.
Gracious provision was made for
our care and comfort. Autos bowl
ed along the streets bearing the in
yltatlon, front and rear, 'Baptists,
Hop In" The report became current
that these words were seen down on
the river side, and even on the sea-
"Baptists, Hop I'M.
The great "Billy Sunday" Taber-
nacle had been secured for the con-
IVentlon proper, and the spacious
Armory for the use of the Woman's
missionary Union. The Tabernacle.
1oW-rooted and rather fiat, and under
tropic sun was hot, and the seats
quite uncomfortable. But with hero
ism, and cheerfulness the delegates
and visitors held on till our work was
done.
1t may be remarked in passing that
the convention, composed of messen-
gers from Baptist churches, and dis
trict associations, and State Conven-
lions of the South has no authority
nor legislative power over the church.
es whatsoever. The Convention es.
tablishes rules for its own govern,
ment, but otherwise is voluntarily
cooperative. It's aim as a body is
to elicit, combine, and direct our de-
nominational energies so as to secure
the greatest efficiency, with reason
able economy. 1t is the great "Clear
ing-house" for our benevolent, edu
cational, and missionary activities.
The registration of delegates this
year was somewhere near $500, with
1000 visitors. 1t is estimated thai
some 400 or more delegates failed tt
register. And the man in charge OF
the information Bureau said that
$4,000 questions were asked anC
answered there. 1t would appear
that Baptists are an inauisitive PEG
pie. And so they are. Let us hop,
that they will always maintain tina
as characteristic-qu ant
challenging what they hear, and ask
ing that they may know, and be a
mong the first in ways that are right
and that assure power and progress.
DR.. E. Y. Mullins, President of ou1
Southern Baptist Theological Sem
mary, a man well known on both side
OF the Atlantic for his ability as ;
preacher, and Theological writer, wa
chosen president of the Convention
He Presides with grace and dignity
In brief speech of welcome, DR.
W. A. Dobson introduced the Mayo,
of Jacksonville, John w. Martin,
Baptist, and he was followed by Gov
Cary E. Hardee, also a Baptist. b
the way, it may not be amiss to say
that President Harding is a Baptist
and Sec. of State Hughes is a Baptist
and the great Leader in the Empir,
of Great Britain, Lloyd-Gorge, is
Baptist.
. Under God, Baptists are coming
to be a great people, and are begin
ming to do things worthy of their mum
bers and ability. Despite the grea
financial depression, Southern Bap
lists raised during the year just past
the princely sum of over $1,000 ,OOC
in cash for their work. They hav'
given over $35, 100000 since the cam
paign began two and half year
ago. And they have in that tim,
baptized more than 100000 convert
into the fellowship of our Southern
churches. Baptists have at presen
more schools and educational insti
= buttons, and more invested in then
han any other denomination in Amer
| ica. And they likewise have NOR
hospitals than others, and are caring
for the sick and unfortunate as neve
before in their history Southern
Baptists are abreast of all in Sunda,
School work, and have more teach
ers with Sunday School Diploma
: than all other denominations put to
gether.
These things being true, it woul,
appear that Baptists are second t
none in matters benevolent, in move
2 ments educational; and in the worl
| of evangelism they are in the van
guard of the mighty host of Christ
I followers, who strive for his univers
al reign.
Baptists have stood for the sover
eighty of God; the Lord-ship of Jesu
Il. Christ, the suffciency of his atone
= ment, and the authority and inspira
Y ton of the Bible; His gospel is 70
all, and saves each and all who &C
cept and believe it. Baptists hav
: never prosecuted, but believe in tn
4 freedom of conscience before God
4 that every individual must settle 70
himself the teachings of the gospe
and his obedience thereto. They be
lieve that no organization, nor OF
dinance, nor individual has right
z or prior claim when the soul stand
All, e 1ifx