Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-09-16
(Charles StewuriD ~

Little Rock, Ark.-1n the death Of
Rev. Elias Camp Morris, D. D., OF
Helena, Arkansas, the race lost one Of
its strongest advocates, and Il sane
and safe header. He was the recogn1z-
ed leader of the Negro BaptiSts of the
world and was considered authority
on matters pertaining to tire race on
denomination.
y Twenty.eight years ago he was
elected president Of the National Bap-
list Convention, one OF the largest re
ligious organizations in the world,
and was elected each year since, AM.
thus rendering % consecutive years
at the heud of that great convention,
and perhaps would have been in tho
convention at the time Of his death,
had the meeting not been postpone.
on account of tho strike.
Under his leadership the National
Baptist publishing Board was organic
ed, anu publishing house establish
ed, located in Nashville, Tennessee.
This plant was brought into life at
the National Baptist convention he'll
in st. Louis, September 1896, by the
election Of a Secretary-Recentiy 1t
was necessary to make some changes,
vi DR.. A. M. Townsend, is now Secre
Of the Sunday School Publishing
d, and DR.. Morris assisted In Sc
the new location, and lived to
lrted tho new plant now unde,
lctton to cost 100000. 1t was
sire that this plant be erected
...'. yned, controlled and directed by
a. ,.tonal Baptist Convention. AL
Il he has gone the work will be
~ al and completed.
'rhere have been many improve
ments made in the operation ,of the
National Baptist Convention and the
several Boards. he has insisted tina,
the Secretaries give their entire time
to the work Of the Boards of which
they are Secretaries.
The establishment OF the NATIONAL
Baptist Voice, was another accomplish
ment under his administration. The
Voice is the official organ Of the Nat
ional Baptist Convention, and has n
wide circulation throughout the ooun
try.
The Home and Foreign Mission
Work would perhaps shine out ;as the
greatest missionary achievement UNI
der his administration as president
Of the National Baptist Convention.
For the past thirty years, the nonve,
ton has owned a number Of mission
stations in Africa and South America
carrying out the foreign mission poll.
cy Of the Convention. For the pas.
twenty years the Home Mission Work
in the South has been carried OH joint
ly between the Home Mission Board
of the National Baptist Convention.
ia 90 Hn
Southern Baptist Convention. Dr.. MO
ris was largely instrumental in. maI&-
ing the joint arrangements with the
Baptists Of the South. He was fore
most In making arrangements with
the Southern Baptists Convention for
means to establish a National Baptis,
Theological Seminary for Negro
Preachers throughout the world. He
did not live to see the plan consum-
ated, but work has already begun on
this enterprise and will be carried to
early completion.
DR.. Morris was recognized leader
in his state, and had tho love and con
fidence 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 uncompromising in
his plea for their political, civil ana
manhood rights. On all occasions he
condemned the "Jim Crow law, AMI
declared that it was step backwards
in civilization. He believed in the
future OF his people. He won his place
in their hearts by the service he rend
cred.
DR.. Morris was born in Murray
County, Georgia. May 7, 1856 he wan
trained in the public schools Of Ala
bama and Roger Williams UniWersf-
ty, but most Of his training was IN
the practica} school Of experience for
he was indeed a practical man. The
State University, Louisville, KY Dr.
W. J. Simmons, President conferred
on him the Degree Of Doctor Of Divin
ity, in 1892, and in 1902, he received
the Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy,
from the A. and M. College, Normas.
Ala, w. II. Council, president. ;
In the year 1876 he was ordained
to the Baptist Ministry, and the same
year was called to the passionate Of the .
Centennial Baptist church, and wa. |
the pastor at the time Of his death, |!
having served 43 years without a
break, and may it be said that this
was the only church he pastored dur
ing his entire ministry. {
He was elected president OF the Ar }
kansas Baptist State Convention in
1888 and has been at the head Of tn.
Baptists of Arkansas ever since, fill
ing It with honor, distinction and bril-