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Ehe Christian Index
L J P> VAN NESS. } EDITOBS
MERCER NOTES
We have been on many boards
of one kind and another, but we
can truthfully say that we have
never been on one the members
of which were more faithful than
are those of Mercer’s Board of
Trustees. Although they are
very busy men, and are scattered
all over the State, twenty-eight
out of a possible thirty one were
present, and the absent ones sent
in satisfactory reasons for ab
sence ; and those present were
faithful. Beginning the session
al 8:30 a. tn., they spent the
whole of three days at work, tak
ing only time for meals. Late
into the night a majority of them
were at work on committees.
And of the twenty-eight present,
only one left for home before the
Board had finished its work, and
he only a few hours before that
time. We believe the brethren
at large ought to know these
things, and to know furthermore
that these brethren not only thus
give time and labor to the work
assigned them, but pay their own
expenses of travel to the meet
ings.
It was gratifying to us, just
coming as we have into touch
wit h the Board of Trustees, to see
how carefully they examined into
the work of the various profes
sors in Mercer. A committee is
appointed for each school, and
that committee is expected to
look into the work done in the
school during the year and re
port the results of its investiga
tions to the Board. If there is
any occasion for criticism or cor
rection, these are made honestly
and faithfully. The standard of
teaching at Mercer is high, and
it is going to be kept so. With
an increase of income, which
must be had soon, allowing the
employment of one or two new
prjfessors, Mercer will stand in
the front rank of institutions in
the South in the extent, as she
now stands in the excellence, of
her work. All of the professors
were re elected to the chairs they
occupied last session.
We would call the attention of
the Baptist of the State to the
importance of their making more
than they do of the commence
ments at Mercer. We venture to
suggest that hereafter the offi
cers of the Alumni Association, in
conference with the Faculty, see
to it that attractive programs be
arranged, not limited to sermons
and addresses, but including so
cial features which shall attract
visitors from all quarters. And
when these programs have been
arranged, they must be freely
and widely advertised and every
possible method adopted to at
tract people by them. We do not
believe that it is too soon for
these things to be thought of
now for next year. Mercer, now
afar off, must be brought near to
the brethren, and as it cannot be
moved they must move to it. We
expect to call attention to this
matter again during the year.
“Mercer Universitas augenda
est,” Brother Bernard says, and
this is one of the ways in which
it can be done.
Some degrees were conferred,
and worthily so. The degree of
Doctor of Divinity was conferred
on Brethren A. B. Vaughan, of
Canton; J. A. Wynne, of Gaines
ville. and Malcolm MacGregor, of
Atlanta. We believe the breth
ren of the State will approve our
action well. The degree of Doc
tor of Philosophy was conferred
on the scholarly President of the
Southern Female College, whose
tine attainments and masterly
work in female education called
loudly for this honor at the
hands of his brethren. Upon
Rev. George Sale, President of
tne Atlanta Seminary, one of the
excellent schools of the Ameri
can Baptist Home Mission So
ciety, the Board conferred the
degree of Master of Arts. Bro.
Sale has won a high place in the
esteem of the brethren of Geor
gia, and this is a graceful ex
pression of it as well as a recog
nition of his scholarly abilities.
What of the effort to add to the
endowment? The question has
been asked us by a number of
brethren, and we suppose all
want to know. The raising of
the additional endowment needed
willl be vigorously pressed. The
Trustees appointed a committee,
consisting of Brethren J. L.
White, E. Y. Mallary and C. B.
Willingham, of Macon; Henry
McDonald and T. P. Bell, of At
lanta; Lansing Burrows, of Au
gusta, and T. W. O'Kelley, of
Griffin, to take charge of the
work, with instructions to em
ploy a firancial agent, and press
the work as earnestly as possible.
The committee met on Wednes
day night, and after electing
Brother Mallary chairman, con
sidered the question of the agency
and methods of work. They hope
soon to secure the services of a
first class man and to begin work
at once. But no one man can do
the work alone, and the members
of the Board have individually
pledged themselves to work for
the endowment. The meeting of
the Board on Wednesday was
characterized by deep earnest
ness, leading to this pledging
of personal effort. The agent,
when he starts, will find himself
backed by a body of earnest, en
thusiastic helpers. Mercer must
have additional endowment and
must have it at once. The Bap
tists of the State had as well re
alize this and begin to make their
arrangements. They are going
to be asked to furnish it. All
classes and conditions of them
are going to be solicited to help.
Let all make ready to repond.
Would it not be encourage
ment just at this time, if some
brother to whom the Lord has
given abundant means, should
come forward and, unasked, make
a liberal gift to Mercer? It would
inspire the workers and greatly
help on the work. Who is the
man or woman the Lord has call
ed to the possession of wealth for
such a time as this? May he or
she be found faithful.
On Monday of the Commence
ment, President Gambrell sent
to the Board a letter declining to
allow his name to come before the
body for re-election as President.
The letter was referred to a com
mittee, of which Dr. Lansing
Burrows was chairman, and later
the committee reported thereon.
By direction of the Board the
letter of Brother Gambrell and
the report of the committee were
given to the INDEX for publica
tion. The letter and the report
will be found on page five. Bro.
Gambrell will certainly bear with
him, in his retiring from the
presidency, the esteem and affec
tion of his brethren and their
prayers will be his that the Lord
will lead him into positions of
great usefulness, where his pecu
liar talents will find ample scope
for their exercise.
The Trustees have continued
Professor Pollock as Chairman
of the Faculty, a position which
he has very ably filled during the
year just closed. He has shown
himself a wise ar.d skillful mana
ger of the affairs of the institu
tion. The question has been
asked whether Professor Pollock
would not be overburdened by
the duties placed upon him in ad
dition to those of his professor
ship. We think there is no dan
ger of this as he has been doing
all this work for the year already
gone.
Many of our readers will be
interested to know about the
$20,000 offered to Mercer by the
American Baptist Education So
ciety, and the conditions on
which that offer rests. The facts
are about these: When Dr.
Nunnally was making his effort
some years ago to raise $50,000,
the Society agreed to give $lO,-
000 of the amount provided the
Baptists of the State raised $40,-
000. This was to be given
$2,500 whenever SIO,OOO was
secured in cash. Only about
half, or a little over, of the
SIO,OOO was secured in cash,
and so only about half the $lO,-
000 was paid. The time limit
fixed by the Society for the se
curing the $40,000 was passed
and the gift lapsed. When Dr.
Gambrell went before the Society
last month he was informed of
these facts, and at his request the
managers of the Society agreed
to extend the time for the collec
tion of the balance of the $40,000
until January 1, 1897, or counting
in this unpaid balance on the
former grant, they agreed to
give the University $20,000 when
the Baptists of the State have se
cured SBO,OOO.
By this arrangement, it will be
possible for the Trustees to use,
towards this SBO,OOO, all that can
be collected from the old notes
given to Dr. Nunnally, quite a
considerable part of which has
not yet been paid. The last in
stallments of these notes are
falling due now, and as they are
paid the amount will go to se
curing a part of the Society’s
gift; and they will also help to
make up the SBO,OOO we hope to
raise.
So it may be said that we have
already a start towards the rais
ing of the SIOO.OOO which is need
ed. The opportunity presented
by the offer of the Society is far
too good a one to be lost, and the
Baptist sos Georgia must-not lose
it. God has placed his opportu
nity before us, and it would be al
most criminal in us to let it pass
unimproved. Every dollar given
towards this SBO,OOO now will
count for sl.2o—a tine per cent,
on our investment, do we get.
Oh, for some large hearted man
or woman, to whom God has
given large means, to step for
ward now and awaken the en
thusiasm of the brethren by a
generous gift. This would be a
blessing indeed, but we must not
count on such gifts, but go to
work, all of us who love Mercer,
and build up this SBO,OOO as some
great house is built, a brick at a
time. Possibly some large stones
will be provided from time to
time; but we must not wait for
them. Earnest, steady, patient
effort will accomplish the end
desired. Now must the effort be
put forth. Where are the brick
layers?
Remember we will send the
Index until January Ist, for one
dollar. We hope you will induce
your friends to make a trial.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY, JUNE 11. 1896.
LET ALL COME
The time is n< ar at hand when
the young people will gather at
Griffin for their annual conven
tion. This organization is a fact,
and it is now our work to make
it useful and helpful toour young
people. The program as ar
ranged is a most helpful and
practical one. It will give sug
gestion and stimulous to all who
attend. The committee have
done their work well.
We are informed that there
seems some misapprehension as
to who is invited and will be en
tertained. The voting represen
tation is based on so many from
each union according to numbers.
The Griffin brethren, however,
and the Union as well, desire that
the attendance shall be general.
They will not stop to be too crit
ical as to credentials, and they
especially desire those churches
having no union to be represent
ed. It will be an excellent
chance to study the workings of
the unions and get ideas as to
starting.
We feel like going ahead of
both committee and community
and saying let everybody who
can, come to Griffin. A good
many are fond of making fun
over the presence of the older
brethren. They will find no such
spirit at Griffin. The older breth
ren will be cordially welcomed.
Pastors will be more than wel
come, and the young people will
be expected. Let us take pos
session of the town and have a
great spiritual occasion.
The controversy over Dr. Whit
sitt’s positions has now centered
about the claim that the English
Baptists did not immerse before
1641. We are glad to see the ar
gument turning on the facts in
the case, rather than on theoreti
cal assumptions. So far most of
the replies to Dr. Whitsitt have
been by those who have had little
or no historical reputation or
ability. The scrap book history
man has been in evidence. The
Western Recorder publishes a de
scription of the King George
Manuscripts and an article from
some English Baptist writer who
is now investigating these docu
ments. His tone is hardly that
of an unprejudiced student, and
the Recorder has at times more
the tone of a debater than a truth
seeker, which spirit gets into its
contributors at times also by a nat
ural law. We are glad to see this
investigation, however, and we are
sure the facts will be of service
to us. It is only fair to withhold
our judgment until Dr. Whitsitt
replies to the arguments advanc
ed. We think the editor of the
Recorder himself makes a better
argument than his English con
tributor. Dr. Whitsitt will have
to present some very positive ar
guments to maintain his posi
tions. We believe he has yet to
gain any special Baptist adher
ence, beyond those who are as
frivolous in defence as others are
extreme in attack. We have per
fect confidence in Dr. Whitsitt’s
honesty, and if the facts go
against him we are sure he will
willingly acknowledge his mis
conception. Let the argument
continue along the line of historic
facts.
We regret to be obliged to sug
gest to our readers that they re
ceive with much hesitation the
newspaper reports as to the pas
torateof the First Baptist church.
One of the Atlanta papers pub
lished a whole column giving a
positive statement that an hon
ored brother had been called.
They were informed that the
story had no truth in it, but that
did not seem to play any part in
their action. A noble brother
was by this false report placedin
a most annoying position and the
church’s action prejudiced. If a
paper had no higher ambition
than the good of the community
such action would be unfortunate.
A church of much prominence is
thereby hampered in its work of
securing a pastor. The First
church brethren are proceeding
slowly and cautiously, and will,
in due time, regularly call some
good man. Meantime be sure a
call has actually been given be
fore you believe any report you
hear.
Among the many deplorable
features of the Whitsitt discus
sion is the “billingsgate” use of
certain vague charges that Dr.
Whitsitt has taught that Baptist
wives ought always to go with
their husbands to Pedo baptist
churches, and tales as foolish.
Dr. Whitsitt certainly goes out
of his way if he teaches this, as
such matters come under Dr.
Dargan’s department. It is sim
ply absurd to be making silly ru
mors of intangibilities like this
the basis of charges. We pre
sume some individual case has
become known to some one and
with absolute ignorance of its
details a conclusion has been
jumped at. Let us keep at the
main issue and not be childish in
our accusations. The historical
question is now before us and
that only has any real bearing on
the situation.
The action of the Richmond
Baptist churches is to be com
mended. Feeling the need of
regular contributions through the
year for missions, they have
changed their dates for Foreign
Mission gifts. It is now the plan
to give early in the season. We
presume they still hold them
selves open to provide a supple
mentary collection if need be at
the end of the year. This is com
mon sense. Most churches can
take their annual offering for
these purposes in the spring or
early fall as well as in April or
thereabouts. We can correct the
tendency to delay gifts and so
accumulate interest-bearing debt,
by placing our church collection
earlier in the year. We must
watch, however, that we do not
arrange for Foreign Missions in
this manner and neglect Home.
It is ‘natural with the Richmond
churches to be greatly concerned
about the Foreign Board, but it
is the question of missions with
the rest of us. Let us move up
our dates and give to everything
during the first paU of its year.
FOR ONE DOLLAR!
We will send the Christian
Index to new subscribers from
now until January 1, 1897, for
one dollar, cash in advance. We
have not called on our readers to
help us before, but we now in
vite their assistance. You can
send the Index to your friends
for one dollar for seven months.
Will not pastors, deacons and
Sunday-school superintendents,
take this opportunity to get up a
list in their churches? Let every
fifth Sunday meeting take up the
same good work and appoint
some one to canvass for the In
dex. The Index has gained
greatly in circulation since the
change of ownership, but we de
sire it to go still further. We are
pledged to give Georgia Baptists
an unsurpassed paper. Help us
and we will do it. One dollar gets
the Index for seven months as a
trial.
It was a pleasure to spend a
short time in Rome at the Com
mencement exercises of the
Shorter College. A whole week
had been given up to various ex
ercises, all of which seem to have
been of unusual excellence and
interest. We heard many words
of commendation for the twoser
mons preached the previous Sun
day by Rev. T. W. O'Kelly, of
Griffin. Shorter College is cer
tainly unsurpassed for location.
We found the greatest pleasure,
however, in the genuine and un
mistakable home atmosphere.
The indefinable sense of home
likeness and refinement that can
be felt but not described was
them. Dr* Batilq seemed e gen
eral favor,te with girls, teachers,
trustees and community.
Seventeen young ladies receiv
ed diplomas. The customary
essay reading is dispensed with
at Shorter and in the place
comes the address and a memo
rial service for Mrs. and Mrs.
Shorter. This last was unusu
ally touching and a hush seemed
to come over the audience when
it began.
It was our pleasure to see some
little of Dr. Headden who has
now spent thirteen years in
Rome. He is greatly beloved
and preached to large congrega
tions. The Baptists were put
ting down a new carpet in their
church and showed evidences of
hospitality.
If Shorter College needed any
commendation we would willing
ly give it, but it has a noble his
tory to act as its commendation.
It is an endowed institution and
is managed by a Board of Bap
tist Trustees to whom the profits
go. This year they will be able
to spend a considerable sum of
money improving their buildings
and grounds.
We call attention to the two
letters we publish from St. Louis.
Rev. T. C. Carlton is well
known in Georgia and we are
sure his friends and those who
know him not personally, will
help his church in this emergen
cy. St. Louis Baptists are not in
the habit of allowing their enter
prises to be dependent on outside
help. Os late years they have
shown generosity and aggres
siveness. It can easily be appre
ciated, however, just now that
such a calamity exhausts the re
sources of a community. Thou
sands are being fed and hundreds
have to be helped in business.
Business men are compelled to
give unusual credits to tide over
those affected by the storm.
Even the most independent at
such times must look outside.
We hope all who can will forward
to Brother Carlton any sums
they can to rebuild. We know
something of his field and can
commend the church as a band of
noble workers.
We sincerely desire the breth
ren to express themselves on af
fairs through the Index. It is a
sign of decreasing interest when
the brethren are not voluntarily
speaking out on various live is
sues before us. The Index must
use its discrimination in publish
ing articles, but it desires to give
brethren opportunity to free
their mind in brief words of ap
proval or disapproval.
•yuixat
©ditore efrajj*
The Commonwealth: The South
ern Baptists, having always
fiiqued themselves on their pub
ic speaking, now note a sem
blance of decline in respect to it
and give themselves to a study
of the change. The Religious
Herald, in its notes on the late
Convention, says that “The eye
in fine frenzy rolling, the dra
matic pose and gesture, the
strained extravagance of turgid
rhetoric were conspicuously ab
sent;” all of which confesses that
these features were formerly
prominent and much enjoyed,
while it sobers down to say that
it was an occasion of thanksgiv
ing that the man “with the
greatest effort of his life” was
not present. But the majority
will not thank the Herald for
quieting the rising rhetoricians
in this way. They want them—
want them “bad. ’ You never
sit with a knot of Southern
preachers very long without
hearing a discussion as to who is
the greatest. If there is not a
tendency to exalt the man above
his message, we have not ob
served aright. To brag on men
inflates them, and sets all the
small fellows in a course of em
ulation if not of imitation. So
seriously does a writer in the
Herald regard the decline in
Southern eloquence that he pro
ceeds to diagnose the case, ad
vancing the opinion that the
Seminary at Louisville has ham
pered it by the influence of its
teachings, and places this calam
ity alongside of Dr. Whitsitt’s
terrible blow to the pride of the
straitest of our sect. If the
opening of the case shall result
in making men ashamed to pose
as orators in a religious meeting,
and in exalting the gospel mes
sage above the messenger, it
will gratify all right thinking
people.
77ie Baptist Courier: Now, we
have our opinion about this
whole business. We readily
grant that the Mission Journal
as it was did not “meet the wishes
and the needs of our pastors and
people. ” A casual glance through
the thing convinced us of that
fact. We are not surprised that
the circulation of the Journal ran
down. The people were not get
ting the worth of their money.
Almost any of our first class
weekly Baptist papers gave dur
ing any month as much good
mission literature, and almost as
much news from the foreign field
and missions of the Home Board.
We believe the Journal could have
been made far more interesting
than it was, and that its circula
tion could have been increased if
both Boards had pushed the mat
ter and had faithfully tried to
give us a Journal worthy the
name,and worthy the great cause
it represented. We believe yet,
in the face of the failure, that a
first, class mission journal could
have been made and circulated
among the people.
The Standard: It is time that
that beloved brother of dusky
skin who declared that the col
ored people were all Baptists
“ ’cause they didn’t know enough
to ’splain away the Bible,” was
allowed to sleep peacefully in his
unknown grave, untroubled by
any thought that his saying is
being repeated over and over and
over again to people who have
heard it a hundred times. The
remark has served its day and
generation—easily a generation.
Although it was not quoted at
Asbury Park but two or three
times, that is two or three times
too often. Baptists have always
claimed, as they claim now, that
what they believe is based upon
what the Bible teaches; not upon
a blind belief in uninterpreted
words. The Bible is the Baptist
creed, but a Bible studied, under -
stood and illumined by the divine
Spirit.
The Biblical Recorder: Our
brethren of the North fall far
short of their reputation for
shrewdness in one respect at
least: For they do suffer them
selves to be imposed upon by ne -
gro beggars from the South. We
have been informed that so many
negroes are in the habit of solic
iting funds for their educational
institutions, that Northern breth
ren have actually instructed their
pastors and friends not to give
their names to visiting solicitors
from the South. The plan of co
operation should save our de
nomination from any trouble
here. Any worthy solicitor of
funds for helping the negro race
can get the indorsement of our
Convention’s official representa
tives; and this should be made
necessary.
The Central Baptist: An organ
ization of Catholic laymen has
prepared an address to the va
rious candidates for presidency
asking them if they will discrim
inate against Romanists in ap
pointments to office. Nobody has
ever suspected that Romanists
failed of getting their share of
offices, and we know of no move
ment or party which is seeking
to do them injustice in this re
spect. The pay rolls at Wash
ington and in all our cities will
show that in proportion to num-
bers the Roman Catholics have
secured more official favors than
any other class.
Journal and Messenger: It is a
mistake, as it seems to us, to be
little the contributions of our
Baptist people, to tell them how
little they are doing, how small
their contributions are, how
mean and beggarly their gifts to
the cause of Christ. It is a mis
take to talk about the “aver
age” contributions, as compared
with the membership of the
churches, and to figure out how
few cents per member would
amount to a sum equal to that
raised for each or all of our mis
sionary enterprises. Among the
speeches which pleased us most
at the Anniversaries was that of
a brother from Massachusetts
who defended the Baptist broth
erhood against the imputations
cast upon it by those who made
great account of the “average”
contributions, showing how
small they are. They are small,
when thus parcelled out. But
the fault is not with the givers;
it is with the non-givers,
and these are they who are not
going to be reached by such de
rogatory remarks. The truth is
that rarely does one give any
thing without giving more than
the average for the denom
ination at large. What we
most need, probably, is such
a canvass of every church as
shall secure a contribution from
each and every member, unless
it be from those who actually re
ceive help from their brethren.
Eithergive, orreceive, should
be the motto for every Christian.
It is not true that the average
Baptist is either mean or penuri
ous; it is not true that the relig
ion of Jesus Christ dries up men
and women and makes them less
generous in their contributions to
the cause of Christ. It is not
true that Baptists are lessgener
ous in their contributions, ac
cording to ability, than are those
of other denominations. We
have just heard of a church of
another d> nomination, having
over four hundred members, of
whom only sixty-five were
known to be regular contributors
to the current expense fund. A
Baptist church near it had less
than three hundred members,
and of those more than twohun
dred were regular contributors
for its support.
The Evangel: Under the title,
“Feet Washing Baptists! Large
Crowds At end!'' a daily paper
makes announcement of services
at an anti mission church in
Bienville, La. These crowds at
tend these services out of curios
ity, expecting to see something
that will give them occasion to
talk for quite a time. It seems
a pity that a crowd can only be
drawn to a religious service by
exciting their curiosity in some
way. Many preachers recog
nize this as a fact, and arrange
for something novel on every oc
casion. But some seek only the
crowd, and after they get
the people fail to do or say any
thing to benefit them. Others
resort to expedients to draw the
crowd, and then, having got the
people, give them the gospel
strong and clean. These last are
to be commended. What do you
for the crow’ds, preacher ?
The Baptist Record: The IFest
ern JFateAtnan, the Roman Cath
olic organ of St. Louis, says:
“We wish the Turkish Sultan
success in the work of trampling
Protestant missions under foot,
and expelling the missionaries
from his bounds. These itiner
ant idiots should get their walk
ing papers without further par
ley or delay.” This is the kind
of religious liberty even Ameri
can Catholics believe in and
which they hope at some early
day to apply to the anti Catholics
of this country. But unless we
see and read amiss the signs of
the times they will find that civil
and religious liberty constitute
the rock upon which their pit
born old heresy will be wrecked
and go to the nethermost bottom
where it naturally belongs.
The Alabama Baptist: We do
not know whether or not Dr.
Whitsitt is correct in his conclu
sions, but he is certainly entitled
to his opinion. We have not pub
lished the written communica
tions and printed slips that have
been sent to us in reply to the
Doctor's utterances, because the
authors of some of them misun
derstood his position, and others
quoted as authority against him
some of the very facts which he
says he can prove are not facts.
Baptists believe in freedom of
thought and the right of opinion.
Let us not violate these in this
matter. The Doctor may be
right, or he may be wrong, but
at any rate there is no principle
involved for which Baptists have
suffered, and no doctrine for
which they have given their
lives.
Texas Baptist Standard: It may
be that the silver issue is a great
question, but 16 to 1 has never
caused a man to become intoxi
cated and go home and kill his
wife and baby. The Standard
believes that the work of outlaw
ing the American saloon is by
far the most important issue that
has ever yet confronted the
American people.
©eorgia
gaptUt yew a.
FIELD NOTES.
A week in Gainesville, Ga.
Gainesville is the queen city of North
east Georgia. Her growth is steady
and solid. No boom is on.
Gainesville is, and should be more
so, the Baptist headquarters for this
part of the State An active colporter
selling and distributing Baptist books
and literature, should have his head
quarters here.
It would be the very beet investment
that the First Baptiat church in Gaines
ville could make, to put a first class col
porter in the field at once. Baptists
and their families for fifty miles around
come there |to trade. Dr. Wynne, agi
tate the question now.
A vast amount of latent brain, heart,
and money power is lying compara
tively dormant in the First church at
Gainesville Oh! that it might be
awakened and utilized, Wake up,
brethren, wake up, and come to the
front in the Master's service.
Several Baptist preachers live in or
near Gainesville. Brother D. S. Mc-
Curry, an old and successful soldier of
the cross, has resigned the care of the
Second church and has moved a few
miles out in the country. Brother
J L R Barrett lives in the town. We
are not acquainted with his field of
labor.
Brother W. J. Wooten, of Norcross,
succeeded Bro. McCurry in the pastorate
ot the Second church. Brother Wooten
was for a long time a colporter in North
east Georgia and has done much good.
Brother J. W. Butts lives in Gaines
ville. He is a Morgan county boy, and
has accomplished much good in the
Master’s vineyard Bro. Butts serves
our churches at Buford, Lawrenceville,
Pendergrass, and if we are correct, Jef
ferson also. Bro Butts deserves much
credit for the advancement he has
made.
Brother R. H. Smith, the agent of our
Orphans ’ Home and Sunday School
Board, lives in Gainesville. There is
no man among the preachers of the
State who has grown more rapidly in
favor with the Lord and the brethren
than Brother Smith. He is doing a
great work, and is much beloved every
where.
Brother Joe A. Wynne, the recent
well beloved pastor at Marietta, Ga., is
pastor ot the First church in Gaines
ville. Brother Wynne has ripened
into a glorious preacher; he is mighty
in the Scriptures. We are pretty sure
the First cnurch has not as yet realized
what they have in Wynne. We would
advise the brethren to wake up before
it is too late. Now that Mercer Uni
versity has honored him with the de
gree of D. D , other churches will have
their eyes resting upon him covetously.
Pastor A C. Ward of the Sixth
church, Atlanta, has been quite sick
for about two weeks. He is able to sit
up at this writing. His church has
granted him a month’s vacation. The
First and Second churches would honor
themselves and the Lord by investing
more largely their great wealth in the
beautiful new meeting house their
weak little sister church is trying to
build. Help them, brethren.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE GEORGIA FE
MALE SEMINARY, GAINES
VILLE, GA.
Our little daughter being a pupil in
the Seminary, we found ourself in the
queen city on Sabbath morning, May
31. A large audience composed of the
elite of the city and pastors of the
s -hool filled the chapel Gloria from
12th Mass —Mozart—was exquisitely
rendered by the Seminary orchestra.
Invocation by James F. Edens. Read
ing Scriptures by H. W Williams, of
Elberton, Ga. Opening prayer, G. H.
Yarbrough, Gainesville. From Phi
lippians 3d chapter. 12, 13, and 14
verses Brother H. W. Williams, of El
berton, preached a glorious gospel ser
mon which was greatly enjoyed by the
vast throng of people who heard it. The
sei mon will appear in the Index.
Closing prayer by Pastor J. A Wynne.
Brother Wili ams preached again at
night. At 10 a. m . June 1, the Junior
exercises were had Some ten or
twelve of the young ladies read and re
cited beautifully. The exercises were
interspersed with sweet music, vocal
and instrumental. At 4p m. June 1,
was the class period. Salutatory, Miss
Vannie Almond, of Elberton, Ga.; class
historian, Miss Leila Zorn, of Thomas
ton,Ga.; class poet, Miss' Mamie
Weaver, of Lexington, Ga : class
prophet. Miss Marion Chambers, ;
valedictorian, Miss Verna Sellers.
Each of these young ladies acquitted
themselves admirably. The class
prophetess completely captured the au
dience, winning constant applause. At
Bp. m., June 1. the elocution and vocal
classes had their exercises. Five young
ladies held a vocal contest for a medal.
Each one was compelled to sing the same
song, an Italian song. Mia Pi .-cardia,
by Gomez. Four of them Misses Lizetta
McConnell, Gainesville, Ga., Lucy
Lowry, Dawson, Ga., Clyde Willis,
Hawkinsville. Ga.. and Georgia Gaston,
Gainesville, Ga All sang soexquisitely
that it was hard for the judges to
award the medal. Miss Lizetta Mc-
Connell received it. At 10 a m.,June
2, the annual literary address was de
livered by Judge Howard VanEpps, of
Atlanta, Ga. His theme was Lilies,
Natural and Human His text was
taken from Matthew 6:28,29; Consider
the lilies, etc, The address of the
speaker consisted of an analogy be
tween the lilies of the field and women
of lovely character. The speaker grew
eloquent from the beginning and swept
his audience as if by storm. The ad
dress was the purest, sweetest and
grandest we ever heard. We sat,
listened, wept for joy, and wished that
every woman in the South were there.
At 4 p. m., June 2, the annual musicale
occurred. Prof Charles Wallace, with
a number of the graduates in vocal and
instrumental music, gave a concert
which could scarcely be equalled by any
conservatory of music in the South.
At Bp. m., June 2, the oratorio cf
Esther—the beautiful queen was given
to the delight of a large audience.
Wednesday morning, June 3, the
graduating exercises took place. The
young ladies in every department ac
quitted themselves with credit to them
selves and their instructors. There
were thirty seven graduates.. Nineteen
in the literary course, six in instru
mental music, three in vocal music,
three in art, and six in elocution. Prof.
Pearce delivered the baccalaureate ad
drbss, and Prof. VanHoose delivered
the diplomas and medals. Miss Mamie
Weaver, the class poet, secured a
teacher’s place in the Seminary, which
means a year’s tuition free. Miss
Mami« is the accomplished daughter of
Brother M. S. Weaver, of Lexington,
Ga. Miss Pearl Butts received the
prize "medal in a contest for the best
essay in Metaphysics. Miss May Butts
received the medal for the highest
standing in Biblical literature. These
young ladies are the accomplished