National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

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National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Mainline Baptist
Polity	Congregationalist
Origin	1880 Montgomery, Alabama
Merge of	the Foreign Mission Baptist Convention (org. 1880), the American National Baptist Convention (org. 1886), and the National Baptist Education Convention (org. 1893)
Separations	the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention (separated 1897), the Church Of God In Christ (separated 1907), the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (separated 1915); the Progressive National Baptist Convention (separated 1961); the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship (separated 1992)
Congregations	31,000
Members	8.3 million
Official Website	www.nationalbaptist.com

The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (also called the 'Mother Church') is the largest African-American Christian Denomination in the United States and is the world's second largest Baptist Denomination. The Convention's membership is near 8,000,000 nationwide and is headquartered at the Baptist World Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mission

The mission of the Convention is to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and healing.

Purposes

a. To unite National Baptist churches, district associations, and state conventions in Christian evangelism so as to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and healing;

b. To promote home and foreign mission efforts;

c. To encourage and support Christian Education;

d. To publish and distribute Sunday School and other Christian literature, music, and other works of art and religious expression; and

e. To engage in any other endeavors deemed fitting and proper in order to advance the cause of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origins 1.2 Formal Formation 1.3 History of Administrations 1.4 Splits and Significant Outgrowths 2 Governance 2.1 Board of Directors 2.2 The Convention Officers 3 Field Organizational Structure 3.1 Regional Conventions 3.2 State Conventions 3.3 District Associations 3.4 Auxiliaries/Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention 4 Articles of Faith 5 Dual Alignment 6 Joint Convention 7 Presidents 8 Higher Education Institution Affiliates 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Origins

The root of cooperative efforts began in the Antebellum Period. In the south, independent Black Baptist Churches belonged to White Associations because formation of all Black churches into Associations or Conventions was prohibited. The first attempts at cooperative efforts began in the North with Ohio and Illinois leading the way. In 1834 Black Baptists in Ohio formed the Providence Baptist Association. In 1838, following the lead of the Baptists of Ohio, Illinois Black Baptists formed the Wood River Baptist Association.

As early as 1840, Black Baptists sought to develop a cooperative movement beyond state lines. Baptists in New York and the Middle Atlantic states formed the American Baptist Missionary Convention. The spirit of cooperation beyond state lines soon spread westward. In 1864 the Black Baptists of the West and South Organized the Northwestern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1866 these two conventions met with the American Baptist Convention and formed the Consolidated American Baptist Convention. One of the great successes of the new Consolidated American Baptist Convention was the support given to black Baptists in the South to form State Conventions.

After the emancipation, Black Baptists in the South with the support of the Consolidated Convention formed their own State Conventions. Among these were Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Despite the pioneer work of the Consolidated Convention, regionalism continued among Black Baptists. In 1873 the Black Baptists of the West formed the General Association of the Western States and Territories, and in 1874 the East organized the New England Baptist Missionary Convention. This continued regionalism and other factors caused the decline and eventual demise of the Consolidated American Baptist Convention.

[edit] Formal Formation

In 1880, about 150 Baptist pastors met in Montgomery, Alabama, and formed the Foreign Mission Convention. The formation of the Foreign Mission Convention was to some degree a result of the demise of the Consolidated American Baptist Convention. The Consolidated Convention's death created a vacuum in mission work, especially for African missions. In response to this void, Rev. William W. Colley, a missionary to Africa under the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention issued a call for black Baptists to meet in Montgomery, Alabama for the purpose of organizing a national convention to do extensive foreign missionary work.

At the initial 1880 meeting, Rev. W. H. Alpine of Alabama was elected President of the Foreign Mission Convention and is considered the first President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Subsequently, two other national conventions were formed. In 1886, Rev. William Simmons of Kentucky led the formation of the American National Baptist Convention. In 1893 Rev. W. Bishop Johnson of Washington, D.C. led the formation of the National Baptist Education Convention. The desire to have one convention remained alive and the movement reached its fruition on September 24, 1895 at the Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, when these three conventions came together to form the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America. The heart of the new convention was that the three former conventions serve as the three boards of the convention: Foreign Missions, Home Missions, and Education.

[edit] History of Administrations

Rev. E. C. Morris was elected president of the National Baptist Convention of the United States of America in 1895 and served for 27 years. His tenure was important for laying the foundation of the Convention. In addition to growth and organization, one of the greatest achievements during his presidency was the formation of the National Baptist Publishing House in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the motivating factors for the formation of the National Baptist Convention was the desire of Blacks to publish literature written by their own ministers. The American Baptist Publication Society refused to publish writings of black ministers in their publications in 1890 because of resistance from their White Southern clients. This event, more than any other, motivated Blacks to desire their own Convention and publication agency. One year after the formation of the Convention, the National Baptist Publication Board was established under the leadership of Richard Boyd in Nashville, Tennessee. It was given the right to supply National Baptist churches with general ministry and Sunday School supplies. In a short time the publishing house became the largest Black publishing enterprise in the world. The twenty-seven years of Morris' leadership represented the formative period for the Convention.

Upon the death of E.C. Morris, L. K. Williams became President of the Convention in 1924. Several notable accomplishments were made during his sixteen years. One of his major concerns was the expanding of the publishing board. Williams appointed L. G. Jordan as General Secretary of the Board and laid plans for a new building. The building was opened for inspection in 1925. On the recommendation of President Williams, it was named the Morris Building in honor of the noble service and legacy of E. C. Morris. A Laymen's Department was also established.

David V. Jemison succeeded Williams as President of the Convention in 1940. The two major accomplishments during the thirteen years of Jemison's Presidency were paying off the mortgage on the Morris Memorial Building and the purchase of the Bath House in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

In 1953, Joseph H. Jackson of Chicago became President and served until 1982. Jackson twenty-nine year tenure was the longest of any President. Among President Jackson's many contributions was the many new commissions and restructuring of the convention. He also purchased the National Baptist Freedom Farm and set up an unrestricted scholarship at Roosevelt University.

In 1983, T. J. Jemison became President of the Convention and served in that position for twelve years. His crowning achievement was the building of the Baptist World Center; a Headquarters for the Convention in Nashville, TN.

Henry Lyons of Florida was elected President in 1994. The Lyons tenure was characterized by much activity as He established a Unified Program, reduced the debt on the Baptist World Center, and dissolved the debt on the Sunday School Publishing Board. In addition, many commissions were added to the convention. Legal problems, however, forced Lyons to resign from the presidency.

S. C. Cureton, Vice President-At-Large, took over the leadership of the Convention in 1999 and served the remainder of the Henry Lyons tenure.

In 1999, William J. Shaw of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania became the Convention's president and served until 2009. His presidency was centered on the motto and theme 'V.I.S.A': Vision, Integrity, Structure and Accountability. Even though the Shaw administration had many hurdles to overcome, he worked hard to reestablish integrity and credibility in the Convention, and to make the Convention a leader for the work of Christ in the nation.

Julius R. Scruggs of Huntsville, Alabama was elected President in 2009 and serves in that capacity today.

[edit] Splits and Significant Outgrowths

In 1897, during the Morris Administration, a group of National Baptist pastors left the convention and formed the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention. The separation was centered on two issues: the location of the foreign mission board and greater cooperation with White Baptists.

Though not characterized as a split, it is worth noting that a licensed Baptist preacher from a Baptist Association in Arkansas named Charles Mason, would in 1907 form an organization called the Church Of God In Christ. It is now the largest Pentecostal Denomination and second largest African American Denomination in the United States.

The second split, also during Morris' Presidency, came in 1915 over ownership and operation of the Publishing Board. Of all of the agencies of the convention, the Publishing Board was the most successful, under the leadership of R. H. Boyd. Leaders and pastors of the Convention became suspicious of the actions of the Publishing Board when they did not receive the reports they thought the convention ought. A debate ensued concerning the ownership and those who supported Boyd and his view that the Board was independent of the Convention formed the National Baptist Convention of America. It became known as the Unincorporated Convention (now National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.). Because of the question of incorporation, leaders who remained in the original Convention led a movement to incorporate the Convention. The Constitution was amended in 1916 and the convention was later incorporated, naming itself the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

It was during the Jackson tenure that a third split occurred in the Convention. The two key issues were tenure and the lack of support of the civil rights movement. Gardner C. Taylor of New York challenged Jackson for the Presidency, but lost. After the election, a group led by L. Venchael Booth, formed a new Convention at the Zion Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio in 1961, calling itself the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

In 1992 a fellowship was formed within the convention by Paul S. Morton of New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization was named the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. This organization's focus was on spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, prophecy, exclamatory worship, etc. The leadership of this fellowship later separated completely from the Convention.

[edit] Governance

The nature of this convention is defined by its ideal of voluntary membership and participation at both the organization and individual member levels. As such, the Convention does not prescribe nor exercise administrative or doctrinal control over any of its membership; these matters are left for the attention of local organization and church authorities. The strength of the Convention lies in its ability to harness and coordinate and network the resources and efforts of its membership to accomplish goals greater than those that could be accomplished in isolation. For this reason, the Convention has enjoyed the devoted participation and support of many churches and individuals throughout its history.

[edit] Board of Directors

The national Convention (Parent Body) is governed by its Board of Directors. The President is elected by the member churches every 5 years during the Annual Session. Matters of importance to the Convention are taken up and acted upon by the Board of Directors or designated subgroups thereof. The Board of Directors is comprised of a) the Officers; b) the presidents from each of the states and territories represented by Constituent Members of the Convention; (c) two (2) representatives from each of the boards and auxiliaries of the Convention; and (d) twenty-nine (29) members-at-large.

[edit] The Convention Officers

• President • Vice President-at-Large • Five (5) Regional Vice Presidents • General Secretary • Four (4) Assistant Secretaries • Treasurer • Assistant Treasurer • Statistician • Editor of the National Baptist Voice • Historian • Parliamentarian

[edit] Field Organizational Structure

[edit] Regional Conventions

The Convention coordinates the work done in the field using a regional system. Each of the five (5) regions is headed by a Regional Vice President who serves on the Board of Directors. These regions are organized this way:

Northeast Region constituted by the following states and territories: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

Southeast Region constituted by the following states and territories: Florida,Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Southwest Region constituted by the following states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

Mid-West Region constituted by the following states and territories: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, W. Virginia, and Minnesota.

Western Region constituted by the following states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.

[edit] State Conventions

There are 62 State Baptist Conventions that have registered voluntarily with the Convention. The State Conventions are autonomous organizations, separately incorporated that voluntarily join the Convention. Each of the State Conventions is supported by the voluntary membership of churches, district associations, and individuals in the state that may or may not also hold membership in the national Convention. There may be multiple State Conventions in a single state, and the members of those Conventions are free to choose the national Convention with which they will affiliate (if any). The Presidents of the member State Conventions automatically hold a seat on the Board of Directors of the Convention. The State Conventions have similar missions to the Convention, and as such, hold their own educational and business meetings. In addition, the State Conventions may serve a role in organizing the District Associations in the state.

[edit] District Associations

There are 341 District Associations that have registered with the Convention. These Districts may or may not hold membership in a member State Convention. Like the State Conventions, they are autonomous organizations, supported by the voluntary membership of churches and individuals, usually from a defined geographic region. Each District is headed by a Moderator, and sponsors local educational conferences, community projects and other events on behalf of its members.

[edit] Auxiliaries/Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention

There are ten (10) recognized Auxiliaries/Subsidiary Bodies (Auxiliaries) that work in harmony with the Convention to contribute to the accomplishment of its mission, fulfillment of its needs, and attainment of its corporate purposes. These Auxiliaries may or may not be separately incorporated, and are governed by their own officers and in some cases, Boards of Directors. The Presidents/Executive Directors of the Auxiliaries are appointed by the President of the national Convention. The Auxiliaries, where feasible, have adopted the five (5) region organizational structure of the Convention, each headed by an Auxiliary Regional Vice President. The Auxiliaries of the Convention hold meetings & events, and conduct activities to support its mission.

[edit] Articles of Faith

The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. ascribes to these Articles of Faith which should be adopted by Baptist churches at the time of organization: I. The Scripture. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. II. The True God. We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. III. The Fall Of Man. We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse. IV. The Way Of Salvation. We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour. V. Justification. We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. VI. The Freeness Of Salvation. We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. VII. Regeneration. We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life. VIII. Repentance And Faith. We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. IX. God's Purpose Of Grace. We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence. X. Sanctification. We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. XI. Perseverance Of Saints. We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. XII. The Law And Gospel. We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church. XIII. A Gospel Church. We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. XIV. Baptism And The Lord's Supper. We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination. XV. The Christian Sabbath. We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. XVI. Civil Government. We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. XVII. Righteous And Wicked. We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death. XVIII. The World To Come. We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

[edit] Dual Alignment

Known to occur though infrequently, a State Convention, District Association or Member Church of NBCUSA may dually align with another organization. The autonomous make-up of the NBCUSA gives local congregations the latitude to govern itself and contribute to the causes of other religious bodies as it seems necessary and is led by the Spirit.

Some members dually align with The Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention which offers the NBCUSA member a convention-wide focus on foreign missions.

The Mother Church is a well-rounded Spirit-led body of believers with ministries to meet the needs of her members, a strong theological foundation, and rich biblical preaching history that has endured and strengthened for over 130 years. The autonomous nature of the church allows the local congregation to decide its focus, interpret scripture and define its theology on issues not specified in the foundational truths of the Baptist Articles of Faith as well as dually align with a convention with a mission specialized on a specific issue.

[edit] Joint Convention

The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. is a National Baptist Convention. This joint convention of National Baptists converge on an American city every four years and is comprised of the four National Baptist Conventions. The other three member conventions all originated from or trace origin to NBCUSA. Together the four Baptist Conventions represent over 17,000,000 African-American Baptists in America.

[edit] Presidents

This is a list of the Presidents of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

President	Dates
W. H. Alpine	1880-1882
J. Q. A. Wilhite	1882-1883
J. A. Foster	1883-1884
W. A. Brinkley	1884-1885
W. J. Simmons	1885-1890
E. W. Brawley	1890-1891
M. Vann	1891-1893
Elias Camp Morris	1895–1922
L. K. Williams	1924–1940
David V. Jemison	1940–1953
Joseph H. Jackson	1954–1982
T. J. Jemison	1983–1994
Henry Lyons	1994-1999
S.C. Cureton	1999
William J. Shaw	1999-2009
Julius R. Scruggs	2009-

Part of a series of articles on Baptists

Historical Background Protestantism · Puritanism · Anabaptism

Soteriology General · Strict · Reformed

Doctrinal distinctives Priesthood of all believers · Individual soul liberty · Ordinances · Separation of church and state · Sola scriptura · Congregationalism · Offices · Confessions

Pivotal figures John Smyth · Thomas Helwys · Roger Williams · John Bunyan · Shubal Stearns · Andrew Fuller · Charles Spurgeon · D. N. Jackson

Baptist Conventions and Unions This box: view • talk • edit

Baptist portal

[edit] Higher Education Institution Affiliates

Shaw University

Virginia Union University

American Baptist College

[edit] References

• The Story of the National Baptists, by O. D. Pelt
• Baptists Around the World, by Albert W. Wardin, Jr.
• Dictionary of Baptists in America, Bill J. Leonard, editor
• Salvatore, Nick, "Singing in a Strange Land: C. L. Franklin, the Black Church, and the Transformation of America", Little Brown, 2005, Hardcover ISBN 0-316-16037-7. (Contains lengthy discussion of politics of the National Baptist Convention including vignettes describing efforts by Martin Luther King, Jr. and others to depose Joseph H. Jackson in the 1950s.)

Membership numbers from World Council of Churches. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/north-america/united-states-of-america/national-baptist-convention-usa-inc.html

Great study on the history and contemporary challenges of the NBCUSA, Inc. http://www.sociology.northwestern.edu/faculty/morris/docmorrislee-baptist.pdf

[edit] External links

• National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. - official Web Site
• Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention - official Web Site

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v • d • e Black church denominations and leaders Denominations AME · AME Zion · COGIC · International Circle of Faith · National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. · PAW · National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. · PNBC · NMBCA · CME · AUMP · Apostolic Faith Mission · African Orthodox Church Leaders Richard Allen · Charles Harrison Mason · Charles E. Blake · Martin Luther King, Jr · Joseph Lowery · T. D. Jakes · O. T. Jones Sr. · Jeremiah Wright · George Alexander McGuire · Gilbert E. Patterson · J.O. Patterson, Sr. · Hiram Revels Categories Predominantly African American Christian denominations (Clergy)