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ESTABLISHED 1821.
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FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
Plant City, Fla., January 9.1894.
Two or three dozen brethren met at
the Baptist church at 9:30 and spent
some time in prayer-meeting, conducted
by brother P. W. Corr, of Cedar Keys.
Prayers by brethren W. B. Walters, G.
T. Leitner and P. W. Corr.
Short talks by N. A. Bailey, W. 11.
Strickland, J. T. Seelyee and L. C.
Music.
BAPTIST MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE.
10 o clock N. A. Bailey took the
chaii. The organization of the Con
ference resulted in N. A. Bailey as pres
ident; C. H. Nash, vice-presiden; secre
tary, P. W. Corr; treasurer, J. H. Cros
by.
Calling of the roll showed present,
thirty ministers.
Committee to prepare business for
next meeting, A. I). Cohen, P. C. Drew,
R. H. Whitehead.
Program taken up—Benefits of Expos
itory Preaching. (Dr. 8. M. Provence,
the appointee being absent, brother J.
T. Seelyee was appointed to open this
subject this p. in.
Spiritual Experiences of the Church
was discussed by the appointee, J. 11.
Crosby and others.
As a basis for his paper, brother Cros
by took the words of Ezekiel and dis
cused the subject, giving instruction and
exciting interest. The paper was a
strong insistance for the preaching of
the whole gospel, including all its doc
trines. The writer evidently has but
little patience with that pulpit that
“stands in with the world” by omitting
or touching gingerly those doctrines that
the carnal mind opposes, or that the
public generally regard old-fashioned or
obsolete. He feels that the time has
come when congregations have itching
ears and do not want to listen to New
'Testament truth. The paper will' read
well if printed.
According to previous appointment.
Rev. N. A. Bailey preached a sermon for
criticism.
Text—2 John, tenth and eleventh ver
ses. “If there come any unto you and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God
speed, for he that biddeth him God
speed is partaker of his evil deeds.’’
First, he read the comments of Dr,
Albert Barnes, an eminent Presbyterian
expositor on the text, stating that these
comments were in conformity with all
the others found in his library.
He, the speaker endorsed the above
comments.
In looking for a definition of the word
church, he quoted a definition of Bishop
Doggett, of the M. E. Church South.
Then he quoted from Dr. N. L. Rice, a
Presbyterian, giving another definition
of the word church. Dr. Rice goes to
the New Testament, and it < nly, for in
formation as to the constituent doctrines
and subjects of the Christian church.
The speakei declared unhesitatingly:
The church of the New Testament was
a Baptist church, such chuich exists
now and has existed in all ages since
the days of the New Testament.
How do we receive teachers; who are
not fully apostolic, i. e., who do not in
all things accept and preach all the
Cardinal Doctrines of the New Testa
ment? How do we bid them God-speed?
Answer, by inviting them into our pul
pits and encouraging them to preach
and so teach their doctrines.
The preacher read from Dr. Barnes,
in which he asked, not as a boon, but
demanded as a right that Baptists ac
cept Pedo-baptist ordination and bap
tism and accept as having fully obeyed
the divine command to be baptized,
thoße who have been sprinkled in
infancy or thus baptized in mature
years. In fact, Dr. Barnes and Dr Rice
demand for Pedo-baptists all the rights,
itnmunities and privileges for members
of their churches at the door of Baptist
churches that belong to communicants
of Baptist churches. They declare Bap
tists as illogical and inconsistent when
we Baptists invite them into our pulpits
and preaching them to our people and
then refuse them the privileges of the
Lord’s Supper.
The speaker thinks that Baptists bid
Pedo-baptists God-speed when they sit
in said Pedo-baptist pulpits and thus af
filiate with them.
He thinks by so doing we shut our
mouths and are unable to contend earn
estly for the faith once for all delivered
unto the saints.
Accepting alien immersions as valid,
recognizes the ordination of the admin
istrator, and so accepts the New Testa
ment validity of these Pedo-baptist
churches, and this bids the man of <le
fefective church-ordination and of un
scriptural baptism God-speed, all of
which are forbidden by the text.
The speaker took what is known
among us as the Ohl Landmark Position
and defended it well. He opposes the
acceptance and recognition of Pedo
baptist ordinations.
| A brother rose and asked questions,
to which the speaker, with perfect self
possession, listened to and answered
satisfactorily. Bailey is not only a Mas
ter of Assemblies, but a master of al
most any situation that may be presented
to hitn.J
The speaker does not recognize Pedo
baptist ministers as New Testament
preachers of the gospel.
The result of the above affiliations
make Baptists “partakers of the evil
deeds” of these Christians who are in
error; and we encourage them to goon
in their propagation of error. He de
preciates the practice among many Bap-
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX.
tists of ca.. st churches
“Evangelical chun..« id thus mak
ing appear that the differences existing
between Baptists and others, are of lit
tle importance and to be kept in the
background. By such practice, which
is but too common, we are doing injus
tice to our children and educating them
in the wrong direction.
Such is an imperfect report of an in
teresting sermon, delivered with much
vigor of thought and expression.
Adjourned for dinner.
At 2 p. m. reassembled. Prayer by
brother Henderson. The criticism of
the sermon was entered upon. A. D.
Cohen thinks if the premises of the
sermon be accepted, then the conclu
sions irresistably follow—this is stern,
relentless logic. Yet in his mind he
finds it hard to practice these things in
his associations with Christians round
about him. He can’t find it in his heart
to forbid his Pedobaptist preachers to
speak for Jesus.
L. C. Musick accepts the logic and
proposes to follow out all its consequen
ces, and so accepts the logic and conclu
sions of landmarkism. He practices
what he believes.
J. T. Seelyee, formerly of New York,
was called out, and spoke of the Status
among Baptists in the North.
Ten years ago there was among North
ern Baptists a strong tendency toward
loose communion, but a strong i eaction
has set in and there is no encourage
ment toward open communion.
Pulpit affiliation is almost unusual
among the Northern Baptists, but has
had no evil tendencies, so far as he has
observed and he has been in the Baptist
ministry for fifty-seven years.
T. J. Sparkman thinks the sermon
was from first to last a perversion of the
text. He read the context to show that
it could have no reference to Pedobap
tists.
R. H. Whitehead also thinks the text
was misapplied, and so the sermon did
not legitimately grow out of the text,
which is the very first rule in homilet
ics, i. e., the sermon must be evolved
from the text.
Brother Turner, a converted Roman
ist priest, wants all Baptist principles
and doctrines faithfully preached and
taught, but let such be done in love that
the truth be expounded ami no offense
given any one.
Brother Strickland submitted some
facts; Baptists are conceeded to be
sounder in doctrines and in practice in
the South than in the North, and we
have grown much more rapidly in the
South than in the North. Fact second,
in England there is much looseness
among Baptists, open communion, the
calling of Pedobaptist pastors to Bap
tist churches etc., besides liberalism in
what is known as the doctrines of grace,
and in England these Baptists who yield
to the demands of affiliation and com
munion and other loose tendencies grow
very slowly. Fact third, the strict
communion Baptists, or separate Bap
tist as they are called, are increasing
faster than the other wing.
C. H. Nash regards landmakism as in
small minority among the Baptists of
the South. He does not think that the
slower growth of Baptist principles in
the North is due to the non-practice of
landmarkism, but to the influx of for
eigners, the coming in of infidelity and
general irreligion, while in the South
these things have never abounded and
the preacher finds a greater readiness to
accept the gospel.
He accepts pulpit affiliation, and so
rejects the premises and conclusions of
the sermon,
In this, and subsequent speeches pas
tor Nash well sustained his position
against landmarkism. The anti-land
marks seem to be in majority in the
body.
It. T. Bryan, of China, agreed with
most of the sermon, but does believe in
pulpit affiliation, and practices it in
China and the -United States. He de
clares that Dr. Broadus and all the pro
fessors of the Seminary are pulpit ailili
ationists and as he thinks 95 per cent,
of Southern Baptists are too.
I'. W. Corr thinks that the logic of
events is against landmarkism, that fif
teen years ago there was a general dis
cussion of this subject, the case has
been given to the jury ; the growing, de
veloping, progressing churches all over
our land, are those who practice pulpit
affiliation and alien immersions.
Against this some stoutly protested.
G. T. Leitner is willing to take every
applicant who has been baptized upon
a profession of faith, he has somewhat
changed his mind and is willing to ac
cept alien immersion.
1). B. Farmer thinks that if alien im
mersion is accepted, then we thereby ac
cept the authority of that Pedo-baptist
church that administered this alien
baptism.
lie thinks that Baptists have nothing
to gain and much to lose in co-operating
in union protracted meetings.
lie deprecates liberalism and “goody
goodism” as practiced by some Baptists.
He thinks “evangelical” as is generally
used is misleading, for strictly speaking,
we do not regard Pedo-baptists as true
gospel churches.
Brother Day thinks 'tis inconsistent
to affiliate with outside preachers in the
pulpit and then refuse to affiliate with
them at the Lord's Table.
Reuben Walden endorsed the sermon
entirely.
The entire afternoon was devoted to
this matter. The discussions were
bright, crisp, interesting, but conducted
in the most loving spirit of toleration
the one for the other.
Meeting adjourned.
At 7. p. m. 8. M. Hughes, of Orlando,
preached. Text, 1 Peter 1 chap, verses
3-4-5, It was a sweet tender sermon.
After the sermon Dr. John A. Broadus
was called for and gave us one of his
sweet, unreportable speeches on the
benefits of expository pieaching. 'Twas
most gratifying to hear him again.
Brother Seelyee and Dr. McGregor
also spoke to the subject in helpful way.
Dr. McGregor, pastor at Jacksonville, is
a strong man both in and out of the
pulpit.
Wednesday, 9 a. m.—Took up for dis
cussion, The Spiritual Exigency of the
church.
C. 11. Nash spoke of the need of high
er standing in the divine life—pastors
and churches must get upon a healthier
plane: holy living; separation from the
world.
Brother Turner deplores the lack of
spirituality among the pastors; they
need to be baptized of the Holy Spirit.
"Commercial bargaining" with pastor
and church is greatly to be deplored.
Churches ought to be guided by the
Spirit in making the call—pastors should
be guided by the Spirit in accepting the
call.
Dr. F. C. McConnell asks that Dr.
Broadus tell us what means and atti
tude upon our part the Holy Spirit will
be pleased to honor.
Dr. Broadus asked brother McConnell
to explain what he desired said.
ATLANTA, GA., THURSDAY. JANUARY 18, 1894.
Brother Walters referred to the con
version of Cornelius and his household.
He thinks we need the Holy Spirit.
Dr Broadus regards the question as of
vital importance, but ’tis commonplace
and so we shun such, but the preacher’s
duty is to freshen up the commonplace
subjects. We talk too little upon the
subject of the personality, the office, the
work of the Holy Spirit. Pastors should
urge upon their members regular read
| ing of the bible, regular attention to
private and family prayer and all such
commonplace but commonly neglected
i matters. As to the preachers, we ex
pect them to give themselves to the min
istry of the Word and to prayer. He
made touching reference to James Gar
nett, pastor of Crooked Run church,Va.,
to whom he listened when a boy
A. P. Pugh counsels a closer walk
with God, upon the part of the pastors.
We must not become secularized in
spirit, if we expect to have iniluence
with the world. First, a man must have
power with God, then he may have pow T
er with his church.
P. W. Corr condemned very vigorously
the practice, abominable as it is, of
sampling preachers and getting preach
ing for a good long time by paying rail
road fare. This “taking meals on the
European plan” is not known in New
Testament practice, nor does the Holy
Spirit endorse it at all.
F. C. McConnell agrees with Dr.
Broadus, that if the preacher uses the
bible and prayer then the Holy Spirit
will use him, but how far can we feel
that we are under the supreme guidance
of the Holy Spirit? May we not swing
too far on this side and go into Infallibil
ity ? May we not feel that we are un
der Divine guidance and be mistaken?
Can we ever know that we really pray ?
He spoke with his usual vigor and per
spicuity.
Program for 1895 submitted by A. D.
Cohen, to-wit:
I. Exegesis of John 14:2, last clause,
Malcom McGregor; L. D. Geiger, alter
nate.
11. Sermon for Criticism—Wm. Henry
Strickland; alterhate, G. T. Leitner.
HI. What Constitutes Christian Bap
tism—D. B. Farmer; alternate, R. 11.
Whitehead.
IV. Do we give sufficient prominence
in preaching to the peisonality of the
Holy Spirit?—S. M. Hughes; alternate,
I. M. Henderson.
Adjourned to 1895.
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION.
The clock points to 10:30 a. m., the
gavel falls, the president, Dr. W. N
Chaudoin, announces the 39th meeting
of the Convention in session.
After singing “Come thou fount of
every blessing,” then “How firm a foun
dation,” etc., and prayer by Dr. F. C.
McConnell, Scripture read, viz.: John
17 chapter, by the preacher.
Rev. C. S. Farris, Professor of Greek
in Stetson University and Editor of Flor
ida Baptist Witness, preached the Con
vention sermon, from John 17:3—“And
this is the eternal life, that they might
know thee, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
I give an imperfect synopsis:
Every one has an objective point in
life—sumtnum bonum. Most people
have agreed that happiness is the su
preme objective poin*. The speaker
thinks the highest objective point in
iife is service to Chritft. ft is to be at
tained by assimilation.
His illustration of the orange tree
was beautiful. First, the tree assimil
ates the sun-light, chemicals, fertilizers,
grows, produces wood-fibre, flowers,
fruit. A child eats the fruit and grows
and develops physically and mentally.
All knowledge is a process of assimil
ation. The child becomes a man, full
grown in body and intellect. But in the
assimilation of knowledge to o" "selves,
cannot be the Supreme Good. ’*
Standing on Mars Hill A. D. 52, with
Paul the apostle, I see a most illustrious
evidence of this truth, Poets, philoso
phers. orators, statesmen past, proved
that all these had failed, and so through
these, Paul preached “The Unknown
God.”
Standing in the recent Congress of
Religions in Chicago, 1 noted much, but
failed to note that this polyglot had
produced anything high enough above
themselves to teach them that man’s
highest aim is to live for others and
their elevation to purity.
The speaker paid a noble tribute to
Dr. Benjaman Griffith, whose history
is the history of a great society, that
sent its blessed streams over all our
broad land.
By an intellectuo-spiritual factor do
we attain to that state of love for others
that explains the moving force in the
life of Dr. Griffith. It is the platform
of faith, that will be the acme of knowl
edge. We shall see Christ, we shall
know him and we—blessed he God—
shall be like him.
I draw this conclusion: As parents
and guardians, on this high platform
we owe it to our children to educate
them not only where physical and intel
lectual culture is furnished, but where
that higher, that heavenly culture,
knowledge of Christ and likeness to
Christ may lie attained. Educate them
for helpfulness to their fellow men here
and preparation for eternal life in God.
The effort was worthy the occasion and
the man. It was spoken extempore, with
out note, but it possessed finished diction
and rhetoric. T’would grace any Homi
letic Review.
Prayer by Dr. Broadus. Congrega
tion sang “Nearer my God to Thee.”
Adjourned for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
J. .Porter, from Committee on Cre
dentials reported delegates present,
after singing “There is a fountain filled
with blood," and prayer by A. C. Car
son.
Os these delegates, many represented
individual churches and mission socie
ties.
Dr. J. F. Forbes, in a most graceful
and appropriate address, nominated the
present incumbent, Dr. W. N. Chaudoin,
as president: carried with much enthu
siasm by rising vote.
R. IL Whitehead was re-elected vice
president by acclamation; N. A. Bailey
and E. IL Reimolds, Sr.,as secretary and
assistant secretary.
Dr. Chaudoin accepted the honor for
tlie ninth time conferred, with a becom
ing little speech.
Brethren Whitehead and the secreta-
I ties returned thanks for re-election.
Thus a good deal of time is saved by
steering clear of the ballot.
The Mayor of Plant City, O. S. Wright,
was introduced by the president, and
offered an appropriate address of wel
come.
P. C. Drew, pastor of the church gave
an address also.
Pastor M. C. McGregor, of Jackson
ville, was named by the president, and
came forward and replied to pastor Drew
in a witty and appropriate speech.
We have visiting us Dr.'s Jno. A.
Broadus, C. C. Bitting, T. P. Bell, J. G.
Gibson, F. C. McConnell. R. T. Bryan,
J. J. Norwood, M, J. Webb, G. J. John
son, J. J. Beck, J. T. Seelzec, J. B. Gam
brell, all of whom are welcomed to seats
in their official capacity, or as “high pri
vates.”
As the brethren above named were
called out by the president in his felicit
ous way, the responses were ready, re
freshing, sparkling with corruscations of
quiet, innocent wit and humor.
For an hour or two the Convention
was entertained and highly edified by
these speeches.
The following were offered by J. C.
Porter and adopted by a rising vote of
men, women, visitors, outsiders
and all, and transmitted to Gover
nor Mitchell by telegraph:
“Whereas,! efforts are Jieing made to
have a brutal prize-fight in the vicinity
of Jacksonville, to the humiliation and
disgrace of our fair State, and
Whereas, public sentiment should not
be silent when the honor of the govern
ment and the morals of the people are
in peril, and— >
Whereas, Governor Mitchell is firmly
opposing the fight, and promises to use,
if necessary, heroic measures to prevent
It; Therefore, resolved,
1. That we heartily endorse the action
of our noble Governor in this matter,
and—
2. That a copy of these resolutions be
forwarded to the (Governor and to the
daily press for publication.
Agreed to meet at 9:35 a. m. and 2 p.
m. Adjourn at 12 m. and 4p. m.
To-night Rev. F. C. McConnell preach
es in the Baptist chutch.
Report of Baptist Miniters Relief As
sociation was read as follows: This is
the fourth report, grown from 147 mem
bers to 198 members, two members have
died during the year,brethren Moore and
Wentworth, both of whose families are
in great need and so are much assisted
by the small amounts contributed to
them.
Pastor Drew and a suitable committee
were named on religious exercises.
Adjourned to 7p. no. Prayer by W.
11. Osborne, of Tampk.
NIGHT SESSION.
After usual opening exercises, Dr. Mc-
Connell announced as his text, Ezekiel
47 chapter 1-13. He thinks this a vision
of the progress of the gospel.
Life is the gift of Christ to the world.
Christ is notan after thought, way down
this side the fall. All life, animal and
vegetable, is the gift of Christ. Does
not Paul teach in Romans Bth chapter,
that all nature, inanimateas well as in
telligent, has suffered a schism by the
fall of man-hasbeen wrenched out of its
great perpendicular, in sympathy with
man’s sin?
“The whole creation groaneth and
travailleth together in pain until now,”
etc.” 1 want the Bible made a text
book for my child when he enters school.
Jesus of Nazareth, in his lofty nature
and character, should be held up full
orbed to the nascent minds of our boys.
Do we not in our educational work,
develop the intellectual too fast, and
leave our spiritual powers as they were
instructed in |the necessary? May not
this be a reason for the too-oft skeptical
tende.n-cies of our c fllcge-undergrad
uates?
The time is near win itie’men who
write t’.»..jisel es gi< w t
so|by the sword,but by their goodness of
soul, their Christ likeness. They will
be great only as they are good.
Digressing, if doctrines are the '‘dry
bones of the skeleton,” so be it, there
must be back-bone, hard, strong, rock
ribbed props, or there can be no sym
metrical useful man. Would you have
no skeleton? Then you are jelly-fish—
and so in theology. The belief in
immortality is universal, the lowest
savage, the refined philosopher aspire to
it. It is God-given.
By divine power, there is somehow
given to the Christian, a new being, a
new life, anovershadowing of the Divine,
by which wo have a new existence, a
fresh throb making us brothers of the
human Christ. Most touchingly did the
preacher refer to Governor Northen,
of Georgia, and his love for children.
Eternal life, the highest gift of God,
making him superior to the angels, is
offered to us by the bleeding, pierced
hand of the Peasant of Galillee. Do
you so receive it?
How can you put greater slight upon
Jesus Christ than to refuse this inesti
mable, everlasting boon? And you can’t
compensate God for this gift. You in
sult God by thinking of paying him
back. Free Grace, thanks be unto God.
Othegiftof God! How can I express
my thrill of joy when it camo to me a
poor sinner, almost in despair, lying on
the ground growing and feeling too
sinful to be saved.
And eternal life in heaven to be freed I
from sin, to go anil look upon Jesus and 1
see him as he is.
But the new life that enables me to j
deny lust, hate the devil, to deny my j
carnal man, love self-abnegation, cross- I
bearing for Christ, this is to me the
highest evidence that I am a Christian, I
that I have had Calvary’s streams to [
flow over and cleanse my soul, that the I
eternal life has place in my soul.
Tiie effort was powerful, i. e, I
moving hearts and unlocking fountains I
of tears and calling out aniens again |
and again.
It is rather humiliating to lie able to I
present no better report, but as another ]
lias said, may we not be excused if we i
fail to report a cyclone?
Prayer by brother Gambrell,of Mercer :
University.
Dr. Chaudoin, Corresponding Sccrc- ,
tary and Treasurer of the State Board, !
read his report.
We report decrease in opposition, in
crease in interest, in giving, in sympa
thy, in both missions ami education. I
More fields occupied and more men cm- '
ployed than ever before. People more |
ready to accept our statemcets, more '
gladly receive us. These and other in
dications cause us to thank God ami
take courage.
Churches allied 84, stations occupied
52, sermons preached 3,070, other ad
dresses (105. Received by baptism 417.
received liy letter 307, received by res
toration 48. Sunday-schools aided 00,
Sunday-schools organized 33, pupils con
verted 87. Churches organized 10, mis
sion societies organized 17, meeting
houses begun 12, meeting houses fin
ished 8. Bibles distributed 270, re
ligious books given 151, pages of tracts
given 2,091. Families without Bibles
37. Prayers and visits to families 5,957.
Miles traveled 40,140. Subscribers se
cured to Baptist Witness 133. 32churches
in 15 associations have received $1,749.-
93. Many other churches need help and
the work grows. Three young preachers
are being aided at the Louisville Semi
nary, one at Mercer University,
twelve at Stetson University.
Suitable mention is made of the de
cease of Mrs. Telford.
Our young ministerial students are in
demand. There is a demand for our
wares before they are offered in
market—they are gentlemen.
The women’s mission work increases.
Amount raised by the women and chil
dren, 3,450.25.
Through the kindness of the American
Baptist Publication Society, we have
been able to furnish .37 families with
bibles, and the Atlanta Branch House
has given us many tracts.
Our Foreign mission work is enlarged.
De Land church sustains a missionary
in a foreign field and the convention
sustains brother Ginsburg in Brazil.
Deficit on the Board owing to hard
times amounts to SI7OO and a little over.
We got too much excited a year ago and
pledged too much and we must suffer
for it.
All our centennial assessment is
raised and S3OO over to add to Foreign
missions.
John B. Stetson University for its age,
is without a parallel in this country for a
State Denominational Institution—so
the trustees tell us and we believe it.
Our plan of work is economical, I
every expense in every direction of con
ducting the machinery will tail not be
yond SI,BOO.
Stetson University has 200 pupils and
is doing untold good.
This is a running synopsis, caught as
“Uncle Shad” read, before an eager,
appreciative audience.
Prayer by Dr. J. S. Wharton, of Fer
nandina.
Thursday a. m.— Sang, “Rock of Ages”
—prayer by E. J. Hull. Call renewed
for visitors. Rev. Z. L. Burson, of Bris
tol, Va., accepted. Letter from B. W.
Becks was read, regretting his physical
inability to meet with this Convention.
Brother A. J. Haiman was requested
to lead the Convention in prayer for
brother Robinson, an aged, absent
saint, and for brother Becks.
The president reported for Woman’s
Mission Societies. Mrs. Telford ap
pointed seven years ago, went to her re
ward last year. Her seven years of
service was full of earnestness and rec
ognized worth. Os her it may be truly
said, “she hath done what she could.”
Dying, she left her gold watch to be
sold and proceeds to be given to the
support of the Cuban Girls’ School.
The Christmas offering piomises to
bring us an increase of funds. We, by
this society, support three girls in the
Havana School. The work of the wo
men is on a firm foundation and is
looking and tending upward.
Correspondents,2s3; Literature distrib
uted : Home Field 275, Baptist Basket 60,
Woman’s Helper 30. Mite boxes, 1,895;
No. Mission bands, 31; new organized, 3.
Money given—Foreign Missions, $434.34;
Home Missions, $247.99; State Missions,
$351.80; Ministerial Education, $44.36;
Havana hospital, $20.00; Christmas of
fering, $49.21; Communion sets 3, valued
at $35.00; Boxes to " .ontier missiona
ries 17, valued at *393.98—t0ta1, $4,131.-
31.
The women have 71 circles and 34
mission bands which, as been said,
has raised over four t! msand dollars.
G. J. Johnson spoke tenderly of the
life of Mrs, Telford and her noble hus
band.
A. C. Speller spoke earnestly in the
interest of the Woman’s Society. He
hopes the church and the society may
come closer together, rather than to
piUl ""mryier 11. r» •? < r pi-.' (
ofN.be Woman's Wuirk as a committee at
work in the church, rather than an in
dependent society.
There is a great work for the sisters
to do that the men can't reach. Let us
encourage them, and collaterally help
them. So many departments of mis
sion work; the sisters have felt this
want and responded. God speed them.
Dr. Broadus recognized the fact that
the sympathies of the Christian women
may be so well excited and drawn out
in this mission work. Some of the most
beautiful characters, the tenderest and
most loving that he had ever seen, was
among those who never became queens
of homes, but poured out their love on
other homes. “ Old maids,” if you
please—overflowing in love for the chil
dren of their brothers and sisters and
neighbors.
We must combine judiciously in all
things—avoid as much harm as possible,
and concentrate for good. Baptists are
the freest people in the world; we have
all the disadvantages of great freedom,
let us get all the advantages, too. Let
us be patient with those who are slow
to give their approval, work kindly, and
perhaps the opposers will come round
after a while.
Again, our sisters may do much I
toward educating the children on mis- I
sions. This is a great feature of church
work. Do, sisters, teach the children I
about missions. Make China and Bra
zil and Africa real; brethren so often in
their speeches deal in heroics and hys
terics, and to many of your hearers,
China is as unreal as the moon Draw
illustrations from the mission field and
success. They are educative and stimu
lating.
“Beginning at Jerusalem” does not I
enjoin Home Missions as coming prior i
to Foreign Missions. The apostles did j
not live in Jerusalem. The greatest
thing for you anil me. while we still live
in this world, is to carry the gospel to !
every creature.
A gold watch left by sister Telford I
was exhibited by the president and sold. '
The proceeds to go to the Cuban Girls’ '
School, the watch to be fowarded to Dr.
Telford, to keep so long as he lives.
$37.54 was realized.
Brother Day, born in ilndiana, whose
father was a missionary, suggested that
a telegram be now sent to brother Tel
ford, who now, old and feeble, lingers
in the Nugent Preacher’s Homo in Phil
adelphia. It was done.
Dr. C. C. Bitting, of Philadelphia,
preached at 11 o'clock. Text, Ezekiel
21:26-27. it was a great sermon, pictur
ing the workings of Providence in the
great literary, political, ecclesiastical
changes going on and that have tran- |
spired during modern times It was I
very informing and enriching to the soul
of the hearer, stimulating and inspiring.
Would that all your readers might have
heard it. Prayer by D .T. I’. Bell.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Prayer by J. F. Edens, of Georgia.
| T. S. Chalker, T. W. Tliompson and
H. T. Man were appointed committee on
. nominations.
A. P, Pugh, of Pensacola, read the re*
I port on foreign missions. The interests
of tliis enterprise have been much en
larged by the centennial movement.
Southern Baptist gave $23,000, the Eng
lish Baptists gave $550,<i00, Northern
Baptists $1,000,000.
The report gives statistics, both en
couraging and discouraging to us. In
1891 Florida Baptists gave SIBOO. In
1892 $2,080, but we must not rest con
tent till wo raise $5,000 annually. We
have not given altogether as much in the
year just passed as we promised to
give. We must not let our work at
home, so great and absorbing, divert us
for one moment from the foreign de
mands. The report to be made now
will show about $1,300.
The per capita for white Baptists
last year is 62 1-2 cents. The lowest
per capita for any’ association was 17 cts.
and the highest is Indian River $3.51 —
these show a wide divergence. White,
the per capita of De Land church, to
missions is $5.291-3. What Georgia
church can beat that?
R. T. Bryan, of Shanghai China, spoke.
He must be heard to be appreciated.
Dr. Broadus commended the speaker as
one of the most instructive and inter
esting speakers from China that he,
Broadus, had listened to. He certainly
seems to be raised up to succeed the
great lamented Yates.
NIGHT SESSION.
Prayer by Dr. Gibson, of Georgia.
Brother J. B. McKinney, from the Board
of Trustees of Stetson University, read
the anuual report The paper as al
j ways before, reports increased growth
; and prosperity. The atmosphere is that
of sincere piety, there being many con
versions among the students. The corps
of teachers has been enlarged, and the
president testifies to the devotion of
teachers to their work. We have in at
tendance 202 pupils, fourteen States of
the Union are represented and thirteen
counties of Florida. Eleven of the
young men have the ministry in view.
In May last ten young people graduated.
Last October saw the largest opening
and the fullest boarding houses we had
ever had
Suitable mention is made of the mu
nificence of C. T. Sampson, who has
given to the Institution $70,000. All
praise is also awarded to John B. Stet
son, the noble founder and generous
fosterer of the University, who contin
ues to give loving attention and money
to the school. The total equipment and
endowment of the University’ covers
$277,700.
Brother E. W. Coakley read the re
port on Education. Education is only
safe when it is in the hands of Chris
tians. We hope to see the day when no
qualifications of art and science shall se
cure to teachers, places in our schools
who are wanting in piety.
Suitable reference is mads to our Sem
inary’ at Louisville. The public is ex
horted to see that only Christians are
put in charge of our common schools.
Brother McKinny paid a glowing
tribute to the president, John F. Forbes.
He declares, of the school, that it is a
place more for the training of the soul
than of the mind. Brother Coakley
said for the Seminary at Louisville, that
he rejoices that the prejudices against
the Seminary have almost passed away.
He favors High schools being established
in various parts of the State as feed
ers to our Stetson University. And he
wants the money put into teachers,
rather than houses. President Forbes
speaks most affectionately of the
fathers who have walked these forests
and preached the gospel in the days
past; in no way can we show too much
appreciation to their lives and memories.
He feels like standing always uncovered
in their presence. Then he told the au
dience a great deal about Mr. Sampson
who had given so liberally to our school.
His estate of $500,000 he gave to
benevolence S3O,C " to his ’ela-
i j
The twelve young ministers in attend
ence are working their way, keeping the
libraries, picking oranges on Saturdays,
taking care of the gymnasium etc. He
commends these men and asks that the
people help them in their support. But
don’t discourage them from completing
their education. I advise them to gradu
ate with us and then go to the Seminary.
Dr. J. B. Gambrell, of Mercer Uni
versity, spoke but ah me,
who can report’Dr. Gambrell? And
echo answers, “Who?”
Dr. Broadus wishes it understood
distinctly that he is most deeply inter
ested in general education and college
education.
He visited Stetson University and can
fully understand how men of large
means are willing to give to such a
school, they see that good people around
it are helping it, and they see that gen
uine good work is being done there.
Into such schools as these do successful
financial men rejoice to invest their
earnings. As to the Seminary, we are
not a preacher factory, we believe in the
old-fashioned Divine call to the minis
try. Young men need the help of
others, their friends, as to suitable qual
ifications to the ministry. Our Baptist
people always did believe in higher edu
cation for some of their preachers and
they encouraged them to strive for it.
Thank God that we have not required
these attainments of all. Our rapidly
developing country would have been in
a sad state, had none been allowed to
preach, save those who were highly
educated. Let us all do always the
very best we can. Men called of God,
with some good common sense, if as
fully equipped as circumstances justify,
will do great good in their day and gen
eration.
Our professors encourage young men
to exercise their own freedom and to
think for themselves. We force them to
do this. But don’t rush into print
every new notion you may get. Gov,
Brown saved our whole Seminary at on.
time when it was about to go to piecese
by coming forward and giving us $50,-
000, and others at home and abroad have
nobly helped us and 1 am glad to an
nounce to you that the Institution is
safe, not that we don't need more money,
we do need more, but the cause is safe
from failure.
At the close of a most interesting ad
dress $202 were raised for the Students
Fund of the Seminary He set out to
raise SIBO.
Professor Farrias offered suitable reso
lutions relating to tlie deatli of brother
T Sampson, adopted by rising vote.
Prayer by C. li. Nash.
FRIDAY .MORNING.
Prayer by brother Holly.
A committee was named to recom
mend a new State Board.
Committee on Dceoased Ministers re
ported seven, as having fallen at their
posts during the year, as follows: El
ders Wentworth, Recd, Moore, Jolly,
Waldron, Simmons, and Perry, these
were suitably remembered by preamble
and resolutions. Brother Corr, tlie
j maker of tlie report addressed the body
concerning theold and feeble living min
isters among us, who are in indigent clr-
I cumstanees. Ho thinks provision should
be made for them, J. 0. Porter thinks
some provision should be made for our
worn-out indigent ministers, where they
may rest, recuperate and bo sustained.
He suggests Sea-sido Chautauqua, on tho
Gulf Coast, as a suitable place for a
preachers Home. G. T Leitner spoke
of Elder Wentworth, under whose min
istry the speaker was converted, and by
whom he was baptized.
Seventeen preachers were brought into
tlie kingdom under hi* ministry, and for
VOL. 71-NO. 3.
years brother Wentworth did yeoman
work in Madison, Taylor and Jefferson
counties, sometimes receiving less than
SSOO a year as salary.
Brother Walters spoke further to the
same subject. Brother Pugh spoke of
providing for the future of these dear
brethren.
Pending the above, the special order
to-wit. Sunday-schools were taken up.
8. M. Hughes read:
The report treats of the training of the
future soldiers of Christ. It makes
most favorable reference to our Southern
Baptist Sunday-school Board, located
at Nashville, with Dr. T. P. Bell as Se
cretary.
Brother Hughes’ spoke briefly co
church members who do not work in the
Sunday-schools. A Christian not at
work, is an anomaly. Work in the Sun
day-school is bringing the world to
Christ.
Dr. T. P. Bell, Secretary of this Sun
day-school Board, spoke. He has so of
ten spokeu on Foreign Missions, he may
stray off to that theme now, in fact, he
thinks he is still engaged in mission
work and laying foundations for future
operations in missions. He traces the
growth that is not yet three years old.
Going back he gave the history of the
old Sunday-school Board, the dissolution
thereof, the debt and Kind Words.
Then lie traced matters on down to the
organization of the present board, trac
ing this change of sentiment, till at Bir
mingham it was established by a practi
cally unanimous vote. It belongs to
Southern Baptists because you createddt
and further you control it, can chide,
direct, lead it. and all its successes and
assets are yours.
It was not born in strife, nor to harm
or antagonize any good thing already in
existence. I repudiate and disclaim such
thought. It is sectional only in the
sense that our Foreign Mission Board is
sectional, in the sense that we were creat
ed to do work among us, but notsection
al in any narrow, sectarian sense.
We print our literature in a Methodist
concern, just as a business matter, buy
ing our words where we can get them
lowest, yea, and who would not do this?
use economy. The American Baptist
Publication Society, of Philadelphia,
until a few years ago, farmed out its
printing and binding, because ’twas
cheaper to hire it done than to do it it
self.
The organization of this board has
opened up in which our own
Southern Baptist talent may communi
cate with their brethren and join with
others in their education.
Thus we are both intilizing and de
veloping our own home talent. Shall we
not consider this? Our publications are
putting clear and compact the
teachings of missions, so we are
getting in touch with missions and the
children. The story of missions, Home
and Foreign goes to our children through
Kind Words weekly. All money that the
Board makes above expenses is given to
the mission work. A year ago, we gave
about $3,500 to the extension of Sunday
school work. We have started in six
separate states of the South distinct
Sunday-school work. The whole speech
was an able and masterly presentation of
his work.
Tlie treasurer <- r ” *t"i'' ” >ard r-ad
his repo-* g. - , t her
amou..,A .m . .ng up to $2,33» more At
11 o’clock Dr. J. G. Gibson, of Georgia,
preached.
He read John 17 chapter, and taking a
part of the 16th verse, “They are not in
tlie world,” and connecting them with
words in the 11th verse, “Thess are in
the world,” as his text.
The Dr. is so widely and favorably
known to the readers of the Index as a
colossal preacher, I will not attempt to
report him. H i was quite hoars •, but
delivered a masterly sermon.
Prayer by L. D. Geiger.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
Opened with prayer byF. J. Paxon, o f
Atlanta.
Committee on Provisions for Indigent
Ministers recommends that the State
Board take charge of this work and re
quests that each church in Florida be
requested to take one collection during
the year for this object.
The report on Periodicals was made by
R. W. Lawton. It makes mention of the
Florida Baptist Witness,recommends the
Literature of the Sunday-school Board
at ashville.
The American Publication Society,
with its books and tracts, also the Home
Field, Foreign Mission Journal, Baptist
Basket. The chairman spoke specially
in the interest of the Witness.
Brother McGregor said denomination
al Journalism is not only a luxury but
also a necessity among us, we can in no
other way disseminate our missionary
news home or foreign so well as by our
state paper—people who do not read
their church paper, read but little else.
He proceeded to pay a high tribute to
our Florida Baptist Witness.
The editor and others spoke in the
same line, after which a beautiful Teach
er’s Oxford Bible was presented to W.
M. McDonald for having raised more
funds ($69,15) for the Witness. Next,
Plant City raised SSO for the same fund.
C. A. Carson made the speech of presen
tation, which was appropriately replied
to by the receiver. He closed by lifting
a collection to send the Witness to those
unable to pay for it, amounting to $86,05.
NIOIIT SESSION.
Prayer by 11. C. Speller. A. P. Pugh
read report on Home Missions, The re
port reviews the territory of its opera
tions, i. e., all the Southern States and
Territories, and Cuba, Within this land
dwell the major numbers of all the Bap
tists of the world.
The Board lias much work to do in
supplying the foreign imigration with
the gospel. It has about 400 missiona
ries in the field and will expend alijut
SIOO,OOO, and yet we can quadruple the
work if the churches will enlarge con
tributions to that extent.
There is no more vitally important
enterprise before Southern Baptists
than Home Missions.
After the election of W. N. Chaudoin
again as corresponding secretary
treasurer, and A. 1). Cohen auditor, the
discussion of the report was entered
upon.
I’, H, Pugh spoke for the J 3,000 Bap
tists and the 10,(XX) children of West
Florida. The destitution is great—one
church in every 202 square miles. Pen
sacola has 10,(MX) people; Catholics have
3,000 members, Baptists quite weak.
The first Baptist church has on hand
the enterprise of building a fine meeting
house.
Dr. (1. J. Johnson, missionary pastor,
spoke for St. Augustine, where the Bap
tists have a feeble organization, but no
meeting-house. Methodists, Presbyteri
ans, Episcopalians have good, elegant
houses of worship—Baptists have none.
11. M. Flagler, the millionaire, offers us
a lot worth $25,000, provided we build a
Continued on Bth page.