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Many good and strong things were said in be
half of
MIS SIO N 8
During the Session of the
Southern Baptist Convention.
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Mero Baptist Convention.
38TH SESSION.
Nashville is emphatically the cen
tre of our Southern Baptist Conven
tion territory. A large number of our
most important cities are near enough
to be regarded as close neighbors,
fcouisville, Knoxville, Atlanta, Bir
mingham, Memphis, and St. Louis
are all within a radius of about 200
to 300 miles. Let a line be swung
around to touch in the neighborhood
of Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh,
Charleston and Ocala, and in an op
posite direction within very nearly
equal distances might be found New
Orleans, Fort Worth, Dallas, Little
Rock, and Kansas City.
Nashville has many features of
interest. It is especially noted for
its schools. On this account Dr.
McDonald would denominate it the
Edinburg of the South. Many facts
concerning its schools ought to be
of great interest, if the data were at
hand and the space allowed a proper
mention of them.
this city is a great
stronghold of Methodism. The mem
bership of the various white Metho
dist churches would perhaps aggre
gate not less than 8,000. Here is
located the great publishing house of
the M. E. Church South, whose
profits on Sunday-school literature
alone have run away up into the
tens of thousands of dollars per
year.
The number of white Baptists in
the city is not far from 2,500. But
with such pastors as Frost, Lofton
Gardner, Quisenberry, Van Ness
and others, our prospects here are
full of brightest hope. The location
of our Sunday-school Board here
will be of very great value for
strengthening our cause among this
people.
What a great and growing de.
light do the meetings of the Conven
tion prove to be to all those who
heartily sympathize and co-operate
with the Convention’s work. The
attendance steadily increases. The
gain of these meetings to one who
enters fully into tbeir spirit, cannot
be expressed. Strange and unfortun
ate it is, that more do not attend.
Pitiable is the judgment of a man
who would prefer to go to some
large show and look upon large
buildings, large exhibits of various
products and things of that , kind
rather than be brought in contact
with large mon, who have large
ideas, and sympathies, and plans,
and resources, all of which are con
secrated to the cause of the infinitely
great One. If there are those with
whom a large city, or a large build
ing, or a large horse, or a large col
lection of mammoth monstrosities
counts for more than a great man,
then it is consistent that they stay
away from the Convention and save
tbeir pocket change for another oc
casion.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST EDUCATIONAL
CONFERENCE.
Nashville, Tenn., May 11, 1893.
According to appointment the
Southern Baptist Educational Confer,
ence met in the First Baptist Church
at 10 a. m., in connection with the
American Baptist Education Society.
Those two bodies are distinct as to
purpose and form of organization,
but are thoroughly harmonious in
their general plans and aims. The
Conference is composed of presidents
and professors of colleges and acad
emies, together with trustees and
Mfe f fjridtan Shite*
1 a <l.l RmTßWsi '
other officers of same. A program
is usually prepared in advance of
each meeting, chosen speakers pre
sent papers on various subjects con
nected with the practical work of
education, and a general discussion
of these subjects is allowed. So the
meetings are for counsel, for instruc
tion, for fellowship, and give prom
ise of large contributions to the
interest, progress and harmony of
our denominational schools.
The purposes of the Southern
Conference are embraced in the
general aim of the Education Society
but the Education Society goes fur
ther. Its leading purpose and func
tion is to raise money in large sums,
and distribute the same over all the
States for the founding and fostering
of universities, colleges and acade
mies, according to the need and
promise of the different sections and
counties. Its meetings are held
alternately with the Northern Anni
versaries and the Southern Conven
tion.
The Conference was called to
order by Dr. W. R. Rothwell, of
William Jewell College, Missouri,
Dr. Thos. Hume, of the University
of North Carolina acting as secretary.
These brethren were re-elected to
their respective offices. The attend
ance was excellent. The enroll
ment of members showed representa
tives present from a large number of
States and schools.
Rev. C. S. Gardener, of Edgefield,
delivered an address of welcome. He
referred to Nashville only as an edu
cational centre, and surprised many
of us by some of his facts. We
didn’t know that Nashville has
seventeen colleges with about three
thousand students. Two of these
are distinctively Baptist. Boscobel
College is a very excellent school
for girls. Tho other Baptist school
is one founded by the Home Mission
Society of the North, for the colored
people.
President Rothwell in recponding
to tho address of welcome spoke of
the relation of the ’two Bodies to
gether assembled, and made refer
ence to the lamented Dr. Dudley, of
Georgetown College, so eminent as
an educator and in the counsels of
the Southern Baptist Convention, so
greatly esteemed and honored of all
the brethren. It had been expected
that Dr. Dudley would preside over
these meetings.
When the program was called
matters hung fire. Not one of the
speakers for the morning was present-
But the suspense was only tempora
ry. Dr. A. J. Emerson, President
of Howard Paine College, Texas,
gave a paper on “A Plan for Higher
Education in Texas.” The paper
was given a cordial hearing, though
not prepared for the Conference.
He had a big subject, Texas is so im
mense. Common facts stated about
Texas, stated in modest language,
sounds like “big brag.” Ono's mind
is completely staggered at the im
mense possibilities of this great State.
But it is a matter of joy and hope
that earnest minds and hearts are so
deeply concerned to utilize these
possibilities for the furtherance of
the cause of Christ.
The second address of the morn
ing was that of Dr. H. IL Harris, of
Richmond College, transferred from
the afternoon program. He spoke
on “College Examinations and De
grees.” His paper was unusually
bright, sensible, practical, and was
thoroughly enjoyed by every one
who heard it.
Two papers meant for the morn
jng were on hand for the afternoon
session. Prof. A. F. Williams, of
Bethel College, Kentucky, discussed
the “ Legal Relations of Baptist
Schools to the Denomination,” in a
very energetic paper. The paper of
Dr. Noah K. Davis, of the Universi
ty of Virginia, was read by the sec
retary of tho Conference in the ab
sence of the author. The paper was
stimulating, though many had left
and a very few heard it. Interroga
tion marks were seen depicted on
many faces. Had the time allowed,
an interesting discussion might have
followed. The subject of the paper
was “Secondary Education.”
THE EDUCATION SOCIETY
occupied most of tho afternoon and
all of the evening service. Dr.
Edw’ard Judson was president, and
Dr. H. M. Wharton was secretary.
Joshua Levering submitted his re
port as treasurer. Dr. F. T. Gates
ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY. MAY 18,1893.
made his report as corresponding
secretary, and it was such as only Dr.
Gates could make. It was strong at
every point, though some lines of
policy outlined were not wholly ac
ceptable to all. Apart from the
University of Chicago, the work of
the Society seems to have been di
rected more largely to the South.
He made the somewhat sui prising
statement, that ot the 67 white
Baptist colleges in the South, only
11 have any endowment, and only
7of these have over SIOO,OOO. The
Society gives mainly for endowment
gives only to schools willing to help
themselves. The Baptist Institutions
of the whole country now have
property aggregating about $32,000,-
000. Os this there has been added
about $12,000,000 during the four
years of the Society’s existence, and
mainly through its instrumentality.
Dr. H. L. Stetson, of Des Moines
College, lowa, read a paper on “Af
filiation with tho University of Chi
cago.” The strongest advocates of
‘‘Affiliation” pronounce it as yet only
an experiment. It may perhaps be
said that in the South it is regarded
as a very doubtful experiment. The
paper provoked no special enthusi
asm, and made few, if any, converts.
The school represented by the speak
er is the only one so_ far, that has
agreed to “affiliate.”
THE NIGHT SESSION
was a meeting of great interest and
power. It was the first service at
the largo tabernacle and a great
crowd attended. To give any ade
quate idea of the powerful speeches
made, or even to characterize them
properly would be no easy task.
Dr. Edward Judson of New York
in an address of rare beauty and
power portrayed Christ’s sympathy
for, and intimate relation with, every
class and condition; urged that
churches after the New Testament
model doing their work aright, have
within themselves the power to do
every needed work for the better
condition of man; insisted that the
church has to do not only with the
religious nature of man, but with the
physical, the social, the intellectual.
He then proceeded to set forth the
work needing to be done by Baptists
in the line of education, and the
promised gain from such work. The
address was indeed charming.
Dr. Harper, President of the great
Chicago University, was tho second
speaker. He seemed to feel himself
somewhat at a disadvantage before
a Southern Convention, knowing
that a good many among us have re
garded some of his views and lines
of policy as rather “advanced.” His
speech might be regarded as express
ing between the lines of self-defense,
and an earnest plea to his objectors
to consider fully and fairly before
judging. He discussed ‘-The Spirit
in which our Educational Work
Should be Done.” Specifying first,
Caution, and second, Open-minded
ness. He further characterized a
proper spirit as prompting to Inqui
ry and Research; as Broadminded;
and as Constructive, rather than De
structive. The speech was a strong
one, and all are agreed that Dr.
Harper is a man of exalted genius
and vast power.
Three speeches for one session
was a little heavy, protracting the
exercises beyond 10 o’clock. But
they were so good that not many
became weary. Dr. J. L. M. Curry
was the third speaker. A man of
intense and well-definded convio.
tions, of fearless courage, he speaks
to the point and with purpose. He
is ever ready to deal mighty blows
against what he conceives to be
false or evil and doesn’t at all mind
going somewhat out of his way to do
it. He makes no hobby of any one
system of education, of any one
class to be benefited but dares to
maintain the inalienable right of
every human being to receive the
largest intellectual development of
which he is capable. His wide ex
perience and varied culture give to
his views great weight.
Thus ended a very delightful
meeting of the Educational Society.
Our brethren greatly enjoyed the
reports of the Society’s work, the
discussions of the various subjects in
such an exalted way, and further
but not least, the opportunity of
coming into closer acquaintance and
sympathy with our brethren of other
sections. We are deeply grateful
for all the Society is doing for tho
South and elsewhere, and while
“solicitous” about some features of
its policy, we bid it God-speed iu
its most important field.
the convention.
Did anybody expect this would be
a large Convention ? Nashville is
the most central and accessible point
jn all the territory. The Centennial
effort has stirred up a greater inter
est in the work of the Convention
than ever before. An abundant
hospitality and a spacious house for
the meeting had been promised, and
gave encouragement to the many
who felt inclined to attend. Expec
tations are not disappointed. Large
numbers have come from all direc
tions, and if Nashville is not satisfied
she ought to be.
Tho organization of the Conten
tion was effected in the usual way,
the most thorough preparation hav
ing been made for it by our incom.
parable Secretaries. Os course Judge
Haralson was re-elected president
without a dissenting voice. Our
own Governor Northen was elected
first vice-president, and that, too, on
the strength of his eminent fitness
for the position. The other vice
presidents were Joshua Levering of
Maryland, Dr. Wm. H. Whitsitt of
the Seminary, and Dr, S. H. Ford of
St. Louis. The re-election of Dr.
Burrows and Dr. Gregory as Secre
taries was as much a matter ot course
as that of President Haralson.
A goodly number of visiting
brethren were recognized and kindly
greeting extended. Most felicitous
were the responses made by Bishop
Fitzgerald of the Methodist church
South, by Dr. Montgomery of Brook,
lyn who baptized Diaz, and by the
inimitable humorist, Itobert J. Bur
dette.
Who is better fitted for making an
address of welcome than Dr. J. M
Frost, pastor of the First church
Nashville ? His genial face and
manner speak a hearty welcome, and
no man can give to wo -Is „such ex.
pression "of cordial sjijcenty. ’But
if Frost is the best man to make a
welcome speech, Dr. Henry McDon
ald is equally well fitted for making
appropriate response. Few natures
are so appreciative and few tongues
can express appreciation in words so
well chosen and in spirit so delicate
and tender.
Before the body was even fully
organized, Joshua Levering of Balti
more, the wise business man, the
liberal and consecrated Christian
worker, came to the front with reso
lutions recommending the appoint
ment of a Committee of one from
each state to canvass carefully our
system of mission work, its methods,
plans, etc., and see if any improv
ments may be suggested. Ho in
sisted that it is well to look into
these matters occasionally whether
any changes are needed or not. His
resolutions were heartily adopted.
The morning of the first day was
occupied almost wholly with the
organization and the afternoon to tho
reading of the reports of the different
Boards of the Convention.
FOREIGN Mission REPORT.
The money actually expended
upon mission fields by the Foreign
Board, outside of all expenses,
amounts to $110,420.12. Os this
amount about 27 per cent was spent
in China, about 23 per cent in Mexi
co, about 21 percent in Brazil, about
18 per cent in Italy, about 6 per cent
in Africa, and a little less than 5 per
cent in Japan.
In China we have 36 missionaries
and 22 native helpers; 11 organized
churches with 938 members. Bap
tisms for the past year have num
bered 75. The churches in. China
have contributed $1722.89, or nearly
an average of $2 per member. In
Italy wo have 3 missionaries, with
27 native preachers and helpers-
There are 17 churches, with 347
members, and these have contributed
$559. 56. There have been 72 bap
tisms. In Brazil we have 18 mis
sionaries with 6 native workers.
There are 12 churches with 453
members, and these have contributed
$1344.17, or about $3 per member.
In Mexico wo have 22 missionaries,
with 10 native workers. There are
30 churches, with 1014 members,
and there have been contributed
$1526. 94 Baptisms are reported.
The report of the Board is quite
full aud contains a vast deal of val
uable information. It needs to be
studied as a whole as it will appear
in the minutes of the convention-
No passing reference to it in the
space here allowed would be at all
worthy its importance. We append
some words.from the “conclusion” of
that report.
“The Centennial, with its memories
and its success, should be a clarion
to stir the hearts of Southern Bap
tists to continued and consecrated
and Christly contributions. This
Convention should not adjourn with
out profound conviction and solemn
purpose to join and to enjoin its con
stituency to give, before the close of
this Centennial and quadro centen
nial year, as a thankoffering for civ
il, religious, an-d missionary freedom,
with themselves more fully, a half
million of dollars. “A half million
dollars,” what is that? A few men, a
city, a state, not unfrequently gives
more for a bouse, a business corpora
tion, a personal enterprise. “A half
million of dollars;” that is a bagatel
le to the riches of theßaptists South.
“A half million dollars;” how soon
might the Lord of all put much more
into the hands of his people, if the
longing and praying for his glory,
in the universality of the gospel,
were burning in their hearts!
The seed-sowing has been wide
spread and unsparing. Shall not the
analogy of nature be followed in the
abundance of the harvest? Never
before has there been so much effort.
Why should there not be a practical
sequel as never before? Is it not
also, according to the economy of
grace, that there should be special
seasons of spiritual demonstration?
Now the saints are not required to
witness for Christ at the stake. But
have they less to do in testimony of
their love and gratitude? The grate
ful sign of the times is universal
opening to the gospel, and abundant
Christian ability, in every respect, to
enter the opening. The Board say,
“In every respect.” Shall the res
pect of entire willingness, perfect
consecration, be expected? If this
is so, should there not be deepest
humiliation? If not so, should there
not bo emphatic demonstration of
this consecrated spirit, by prompt
entrance of the world-wide opening?
This obligation is urged by the
woful state of millions of perishing
fellow-mortals; by the persistent and
and piteous cries of our representa
tives on the field, overworked and
well-nigh crushed by deadly miseries
which they cannot relieve; and by
the most positive, and solemn, and
comprehensive, and essential com
mand that ever came from tho lips of
Him whom we call “our Lord and
our God.”
REPORT ON HOME MISSIONS
Dr. Tichenor presented an exceed
ingly well written report on Home
Missions. Every department of the
work is set before us with a thrilling
interest. No adequate or satisfacto
ry account can be given of it here.
It needs to be read and re-read, and
earnestly pondered over. In Cuba,
among the Germans, among the col
ored people, among the Indians, in
the mountain districts and the desti
tute parts of some of our cites, all
along the line most gratifying advan
ces have been made.
In speaking of work among the
Indians, lot the following sentiments
be noted.
The unsettled political condition
of the tribes in the Indian Territory
to which our work is confined, the
heavy influx of white people, the
rapid increase of the English lan
guage, that being tho language taught
in all their schools, renders our work
there more and more like missions
among our frontier population.
“The work of evangelization among
them has been remarkably successful.
There are within the Territory fif
teen associations, 189 ordained min
isters, 66 Sunday-schools with 3,600
teachers and pupils, 267 churches
and 12,961 baptized believers out of
a population of about 130,000. Os
this population about 60,000 are In
dians, and the remainder white peo
ple or negroes.
Tho world has listened with thrill
ing interest to the story of the pow
er and progress of Christianity in the
Sandwich Islands, where, in three
quarters of a century, a nation has
been brought from savagery into
Christian civilization.
We put the triumph of Christiani
ty among tho Indians by its side,
and do not hesitate to say that the
result of the forty years among them
equals, if it does not exceed |that
done in the seventy-five years among
the dwellers on the Islands of the
Pacific. Yet the one is the admira
tion of the world, while the other is
scarcely noted. One was done at
that distance which lends enchant
ment to the view. The other, alas;
was done mainly at our doors by our
Home Mission Board - ”
The section of the report in which
are set forth the “Difficulties” of the
work is a very fine piece of writing,
fine in that such momentous facts
are set before us in such bright and
burning light. We give but a single
paragraph which touches upon the
abscurity of most of the Boards la
bors.
“The condition under which Home
Mission work is done obscure its re
sults and greatly impair popular in
terest in it and sympathy for it.
Within the last ten years ‘the lone
star mission, among the Telugus af
ter long obscuration, suddenly blazed
forth with a splendor that has start
led the world. The gathering of
nearly fifty thousand converts into
churches of Christ has seemed a new
Pentecost that has descended with
heavenly power upon India’s dark
mountains. The history of this
wonderful work has not only filled
the souls of Christians of this genera
tion, in all lafcds, with gratitude and
thanksgiving, but it will go down
the coming ages to inspire millions
yet unborn to loving service and
deeds of noble daring for our Christ.
But what interest is inspired, what
heart is stirred, what sou prompted
to loftier consecration a d higher
ideals of privilege, and dt y by the
fact that in the neglected spots of
our great cities, in our growing
towns, from among the pioneers of
our civilization, from fort it and
prairie, from frontier cabin ad herds
man’s dugout, within the 1 st ten
years have been gathered Ity our
Home Mission Board mor» than
twenty-five hundred ‘ ui- ; and
Kevc4ty five tilers■ /7Ti>elL,elie
vers. The story of thc( one is the
dull recital of tame statistics, while
the other glows with the splendor
of a truth that is ‘stranger than fic
tion.’
But to the man who thinks on the
great problem of the world’s evan
gelization, it needs no argument to
prove that the seventy-five thousand
Anglo-Saxons gathered by the work
of the Home Mission Board are pos
sessed of tenfold greater power to
promote the Redeemer’s Kingdom
than the fifty thousand Telugus
whose conversion has amazed the
Christian world.”
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL REPORT
read by Dr. Frost mad 3 a surpris
ingly good showing. There is
growth on every hand. The sphere
of the work is widening. The busi
ness is rapidly increasing, showing a
gain of about 34 per cent over last
year. The sympathies and affection s
of the brethren are clinging more
closely about it. The possibilities
of usefulness spread out before it
till they are becoming boundless
and inconceivable. Great pleasure
is felt on every hand at having Dr.
T. P. Bell at the head of this de
partment of our work.
FRIDAY NIGHT —THE CONVENTION
SERMON.
What do you think? In this day
of progress and advancement and
new things, the preacher of the an
nual sermon before the great South
ern Baptist Convention actually took
for his tbeme the old, old subject of
“Experimental Religion,” an d
preached a genuine old fashioned
sermon. And will it too seem
strange to say that every soul of
that vast congregation appeared to
enjoy it most heartily? It was a
complete refutation of “advanced
criticism” and “new theology” and
modern skepticism,” for it didn’t
even so much as condescend to
name or notice a single one of them.
It was not a sermon to be reported,
but one to enter deep into the heart
and life. Into many hearts it did
go carrying a new and deeper joy,
and from many lives will come forth
the fruit of it in days yet far away-
The Lord be praised for Wm. E-
Hatcher and his most helpful mes
sage.
SATURDAY —MORNING SESSION.
The first business of tho session
was the hearing of the Centennial
report, presented by Dr. T. T. Eaton.
Brother Minister,
Working Layman,
Zealous Sister
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VOL. 70—NO. 20
Much interest centered in this re
port, and very proper was it that it
should be the first subject of impor.
tance to claim the body’s attention.
On every hand was being asked
the question. Have we raised the
$250,000 proposed? The report gave
no definite answer to the question.
Many safe pledges are in band for
the collection of which an extension
of time is recommended. The hope
was expressed that the amount raised
will reach two hundred thousand dol
lars.
The point especially emphasized
in the report was the value of the
Centennial effort as an educational
campaign. The amount of work
dono by and under direction of the
committee has been stupendous. Lit
erature has been scattered broad,
cast, and a thorough canvass has
penetrated to almost every remote
corner. It has been a time of abun
dant seed-sowing. The harvest wilj
surely continue to be gathered fo r
many days.
Following the report Dr. Eaton
made one of the best speeches per
haps of the whole year. It was
strong, clear, incisive. It paid wor
thy tribute to our fathers, holding
up as against the censure of them
for lack of missionary spirit and
effort their lofty zeal and courage in
fighting for religious liberty against
fearful odds. Missionary Societies
would have been impossible in the
days when Baptist preachers had to
go to jail and suffer punishment for
their doctrines. It greatly empha
sized and magnified principle and
duty as against mere impulse and
sentiment. “We cannot build solidly
on emotions dancing like thistle-down
on the wind.” Give from principle.
“The giving of the tithe for religious
and missionary objects should be
regarded as much a matter of course
and as little deserving praise as the
payment of a grocery bill.” Expe
diency as a principle in religious
wor'- is thoroughly unsound. “No
m u can tell what is expedient in
matters ot religion, i ,y man can .ch
what is right, and wur.tever is right
is possible.” “Carey was right in
putting first and foremost God and
his glory, and then suit the promo,
tion of that glory through minister,
ing to the wants of men.” A strong
demand was expressed for putting
the speech in tract form.
Dr. W. L. Pickard gained and
sustained the close attention of the
congregation in a very excellent
address on the Centennial report,
setting forth the value of the Cen
tennial effort as affording the best
possible means for bringing about
the activity and development of all
the of our churches. Dr.
Pickard’s speech showed marked
ability and growth and was the oc
casion of much gratification.
Dr. Ellis spoke brifley yet forcibly
to the report. He has perhaps been
the most prominent leader in the
Centennial effort. His hopes have
not been fully met, yet he is not
discouraged. He would now urge
larger efforts and broader plans. He
emphasized the need of spiritual
quickening and help. He believes
this Centennial effort with its results
among the Baptists of the world has
been the most wonderful event since
Pentecost.
Other speeches were made on the
report by W. C. McCall, of South
Carolina, and Dr. S. H. Ford. By
this time the zeal of a great many
brethren had been fired, and speech
es were just bubbling up all about.
But tho legitimate time for this re
port was out. The happy tact of
President Haralson and W. E.
Hatcher gave matters a happy turn,
stopping the discussion, and calling
out a song from 11. M. Wharton
What a song! Sweet as the Gospei
itself. It was the gospel itself
made doubly sweet and precious by
tho soft tender melody upon which
it was borne. All hearts were melt
ed, rested, prepared for the next
order which was tho presentation of
the claims of the Seminary by
DR. BROADUS.
The speech of Dr. Broadus was
brief. He pointed us to the large
and growing attendance of students
of the Seminary, and encouraged us
with him to look forward to yet a
much larger number. He spoke of
the enlargement of the seminary
property, making grateful mention
of some recent liberal gifts. But he
would have all the people remember
that the growing prosperity of the