The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-05-30
WRITES OF SOUTHERN
BAPTIST CONVENTION
ACTOR LOWE TELLS OF THE
FH nSoTNcrPAL FEATURES OF
cpEAT RELIGIOUS BODY.

On Wednesday, the 18th, the great
co,,tberp Baptist Convention assem-
l,.d IN the Billy Sunday tabernacle in
T..,.sorv;lle with the Woman's Mis-
49,, Union auxiliary to the conven-
sioi''' - session at the Duval county
a a,T in the same square. lhese two
G GLa represented 3,285,OO0 Baptists
=, e;qbteen states, which compose the
Southern Baptist convention territory.
There were several outstanding feat-
,,res Of the convention.
=" On the opening day there was a lot
- brzz among the brethren assembled
=: orouDs around the hotels and the
ImnheSrnarle. One who knew the Ian
IaDI would soon learn from any one
efE4 t5ese that some of the big guns of
orotorv were trained against each 9th
~ and that a real fight was to be stag
Cd and possibly two or more. Those
I Lu famiiiar with Baptist habit of plain
toT, and better understanding along
10Th The spirit of Christ settling all
Notwithstanding feared the storm, if
,,ot division. But never in all the world
All tbe brotherhood conduct them
elves more beautifully in straighten
mo ont matters. All present agreed
hat this was one of the smoothest
sessions ever held.
Financially there is cause for great
rejoicing among all Baptists. The de-
nression over the country made it i'm
aoss;hle TO raise one-hfth of the IS
million quota, but more than ten mil
lon dollars in cold cash was turned
in during the convention year. This
was one of the great victories of the
YEAR The spirit of optimism and de-
termination to complete the great
work within the five year period and
the reports. that brotherhood at home
had A will to pay the last dollar, If pos
sible was greatly encouraging. Prob
ablv fhe best report of the whole con-
yention was that there is no debt on
any one Of the boards except the home
Mission board. This board reported
considerable debt, but not any more
than it had one year ago. 1t is hoped
on good basis that a. year hence this
organ of the convention will also re-
port no debt. That is the dream OF
the. brotherhood and the plan OF the
board.
The most thrilling report of the con-
vention was the report of over 100000
baptisnfs since the campaign began.
1t is thought that there were over 600,
900 conversions, but record is made OF
only those-who, passed through the wa
, ter. There. were 100000 baptisms in
1921, and the reports show equally as
many or more per month for the first
part of 1922
The most beautiful sight at, the con-
vention was the scene of the 48 new
missionaries in group on the speak
ers' platform. These 48 Cody men and
women are to carry the blessed gospel
story to the four corners of the earth.
The report was made that on foreign
lands there was one conversion to ev-
ery six church members-far more in
percentage than at home
Women are ful1-hedged members of
the convention now. They are put ON
boards and annual committees as are
men. The leading theologians among
the convention leaders differ greatly
as to the meaning of Paurs injunction
for women to keep silent in meeting.
Dr. J. W. Porter, of Kentucky, said:
We have started down grade; the
time will come when woman will be
president of the convention, and | ex-
pect to see that one is nominated" He
further said, Il hope the convention
will die or l will die. or Christ will
come before the women come into
control of the convention"
For Georgia Baptists the most i'm
portant part of the convention was the
offering of Mercer University to the
Southern Baptist Convention on con-
dltion that it shall become a southeast
ern university. A committee of one
from each state of the convention was
appointed to give further study to the
matter, and it is to report back one
year hence
The New Orleans hospital caused
more debate and liveliest discussion OF
any matter which came up. The Bap
tSts OF New Orleans presented de-
srable site to the convention on com
ditlon that the hospital be built, which
VIII cost 100000 The convention vot-
Cd to place a hospital in this great
Catholic center.
Ihe convention goes to Kansas City
Text year. S. F. LOWE.