The Quality of Mercy: Southern Baptists and Social Christianity, 1890-1920

Contrary to popular perception, turn-of-the-century Southern Baptists had an identifiable social ethic that compelled them to minister to society's dispossessed. Although Southern Baptists never deviated from their primary goal of saving souls, they believed biblical stewardship had broader implications than wealth management. Baptists eagerly engaged in social ministries for which they found scriptural mandates, especially orphanages. The key to enlisting support for such expanded social m...