Almanac of the Southern Baptist Convention 1898

An SBC almanac from 1898 that reflects contemporary priorities and prejudices.

This intriguing almanac for the year 1898 was issued by the Southern Baptist Convention. Planetary and calendar data for each of the twelve months are accompanied by information about the Baptist denomination and reports from various organizational boards, including the Home, Foreign, and Sunday School, plus the Woman’s Missionary Union.

The contents reflect a paternalistic tone, with slave-owning Robert Ryland presented as ‘A Great Friend of the Negroes’ and talk of Catholic plots in Brazil. Interspersed throughout are several interesting advertisements and illustrations, including a double-hemisphere map, scenes of mission work, and various churches.

The almanac was edited by Lansing Burrows and published in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1897 by the Sunday School Board. Printed locally by the University Press. This example is accompanied by two mimeographed sheets from the early 20th century – possibly addenda – that provide information about missionary efforts in China and Africa, with the latter concluding, “Great difficulty is bad climate.”