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ATLANTA BAPTIST CONFERENCE.
Dr. Landrum presided. Opened with
prayer by Bro Carter.
Bro. Ward, Sixth. Good congrega
tions.
Bro. Dorsey preached at East Fair
mission.
Bro. Carter, Friendship. Preached
three times.
Bro. Marshall, Jackson Hill. Re
ceived four by letter.
Bro. Winchester, Third. Three by
letter. Fine congregations.
Bro. Collier, Decatur. Three received
by letter since last report.
Bro. Donaldson Preached at night
at Moore Memorial, Presbyterian.
Brethren Spalding, McDonald and
Hillyer reported usual services.
Bro. Spiers gave a fine report from
the Concord Association. Marked in
crease in gifts to missions.
Dr. McDonald reports the meeting of
Church Extension Society. Will meet
Friday night again at First church.
Dr. McGregor attended Georgia As
sociation and preached. Reported
growth in numbers, liberality ana zeal.
Bro. Strickland heard Bro. Levering
Friday night. Preached at Central
and attended Sunday school. Good
congregation.
Dr. Landrum. Crowded houses.
Seven baptized at night. Increase in
Sabbath school of 100 over same time
last year.
Bro. Stovall preached at East Atlanta
in the morning, at Hapeville at night.
The church at Hapeville has called Bro.
Van Nees.
Bro. Buchanan, of the Fifth, reported
that Dr. Parks, of Gammon Theologi
cal Seminary, preached in the morning.
Bro. Reid at night.
Bro. McKinney, from Stone Moun
tain, reported usual services in the
morning In afternoon Bro. Norcross
conducted funeral of Bro. J. D. Welle.
Rev. D. V. Stephens preached fare
well sermon at Bethel church, 11 a. m.
Saturday. At Peachtree Park Sunday
morning and night to goo-i congrega
tions. Called to the latter another
year.
Dr. Spalding read the exegesis that
was requested from him at the last
meeting. The paper was greatly en
joyed by the Conference, and discussed
by various brethren. Its publication
was requested for the Index Bro.
Marshall was requested to prepare for
the next meeting an exposition of Matt.
16:8.
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
Many brethren will rejoice
with Bro. J. F. Edens in the com
pletion and dedication of the new
house of worship at West Point,
and the intimation contained in
his letter that it is free of debt
makes the rejoicing all the more
deep.
Rev. P. F. Crawford has located
at Ellerslie, where correspond
ents will address him. He could
serve some churches in the region
round about. Bro. Crawford
did a fine work at Albany, and
now that he has recovered his
health, is ready to do the same
elsewhere.
The Baptist Watchman comes to
us in new form and dress, from
its new home at Tifton. It is a
neat little paper and we trust it
will accomplish great good in its
field in South Georgia. In full
sympathy as it now is with all
the denominational interests,
both State and general, it can do
much to foster these.
Beginning with this week, the
Index will present a new face to
its readers each week. Through
the wonder-working of human in
ventive genius, it has come to
pass that the type in which books
and papers are now printed, can
be made new for each issue. All
the type that appears in this issue,
with the exception of that used
in advertisements and some few
other things, will be melted up,
after the paper is printed, and
new type will be made for the
next issue.
Be sure to read the article of
brother B. D. Ragsdale and note
what he says about the Workers’
School to be held at Eastman, be
ginning December Ist, and run
ning two months. 1 This school
will afford a most excellent oppor
tunity for preachers and other
Christian workers to better equip
themselves for service. We hope
to see the accommodations pro
vided, fully tested by the large
number of workers attending.
The Moultrie and Mt. Zion
churches, Colquitt county, have
united their strength and will
have a pastor between them.
The Watchman has not learned
the exact arrangement. Rev.
Dr Tyler, of Albany, recently
from the Episcopal church, is the
pastor to be. He is scholarly,
energetic, earnest, consecrated,
and will doubtless make an ac
ceptable under-shepherd. — Bap
tist Watchman.
Awarded
Highest Honors—World’s Fair.
•DIV
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> CREAM
BAKING
POWDIR
MOST PERFECT MADE.
A pure Grape Cream of Tartar Powder. Free
from Ammonia, Alum or any other adulterant.
40 Years the Standard.
Our heartiest congratulations
are extended to Bro. J. J. Ben
nett, now pastor at Albany. The
occasion of these congratulations
is found in the following note
recently received: Rev. W. S.
McCarty, pastor at Monroe, Ga.,
performed the marriage ceremo
ny for Bro. J. J. Bennett, pastor
at Albany, Ga., and Miss Mary
E. Conyers, of Richland View,
near Stilesboro, on October 14th,
at 9:30 a. m.
Bro. J. E- Pounds, writing
from Mercer University, says:
“I had two gracious meetings
on my last trip to Sardis, Henry
county, which embraced Satur
day and Sunday. I baptized
three Methodists, all with fami
lies, two men and one lady. Have
received thirty into the church
since I became pastor, eighteen
by baptism and twelve by letter.
‘Old Sardis,’ as she it called,
is a noble church.”
Rev. R Van Deventer called
in to see us the other day on his
way from his former field, Bur
lington, N. C., to his new field
of labor at Hawkinsville. One
of the first questions he asked
was concerning the methods of
denominational work in the State,
that he might know how to enter
on his work in the right way.
We have known him and his
work for a number of years, and
on this knowledge we can heartily
congratulate the Hawkinsville
orethren on his coming to them.
Every denominational interest
in the State will find in him an
earnest and intelligent supporter.
On the 13th inst., brethren W.
J. Kennett and Elly Hull were
ordained as deacons of the Zion
church, Newton county. The
service was an enjoyable one.
The presbytery consisted of
brethren T. J. Swanson, W. N.
Carson, T. H. Greer, J A. Jack
son,-C. Stephenson and J. W.
Patterson. After the examina
tion of the candidates by Bro.
Carson, an address on “The
church and its officers,” by Bro.
Swanson and prayer by Bro.
Patterson, the hands of the pres
bytery were laid on the new
officers. The sermon was preach
ed by Rev. J. A. Jackson, from
Acts 6:1.
Bro. G. W. Smith ought to be a
happy man, when this, which we
find in the Watchman, can be said
of him: The people in the com
munity of Bethany church,
Washington county, where Bro.
G. W. Smith was born, reared,
converted, began preaching and
did the most of his ministerial
work, are anxious for him to
move back amongst them. They
will move him back, locate him
comfortably and pay him well for
his ministerial labors, if he will
but consent to return. Bro.
Smith is a sound Baptist, a de
voted Christian and an able
preacher, and those people know
it and want his services.
Bro. T. H. Stout, Thomaston,
sends us two items, as follows:
We have been called to give up
another valued sister of our
church. On Wednesday, Sep
tember 30th, Sister Emily Lewis
left us for her heavenly home.
She joined our church in August,
1838, and was baptized by Rev.
Jacob King, of blessed memory.
She was one of our oldest and
best members. The Thomaston
Baptist Sunday-school observed
the Missionary Day on Sunday,
October 11th. The exercises
were very interesting and a good
impression was made. We hope
the fruit will continue to be gath
ered for many days to come.
The other day a brother came
into our office and stating that he
wanted to pay the Index some
money, pulled out of his pocket
a crumpled two dollar bill. “Do
you see this bill? ” he asked. “I
have had it—this very bill —in
my pocket for twelve months to
pay to the Index, and just kept
putting it off.” A friend asked
why he had not spent it, and
paid over another. “No, sir;
that belonged to the Index.
But just to think of a man carry
ing another man’s money in his
pocket a whole year! Here it is.
and this with it,” and he added
another bill for advance pay
ment. We should be pleased to
have a good many of our sub
scribers, whose subscriptions are
past due, consider this case and
do likewise.
Rev. J. L. Kendrick, of Flem
ingsburg, Kentucky, was in the
city for several days this week,
visiting his sister, Mrs. G. W.
Gardner. Mr. Kendrick preached
two very interesting sermons on
Monday and Tuesday nights, and
our people were much pleased.—
Fort Valley Leader.
Bro. Kendrick is still preaching
in Fort Valley, and will continue
to do so during the present week.
The congregations are large and
the interest good. Pastor Gard
ner and his people are being
greatly helped by Bro. Kend
rick’s sermons. We learn that
Rev. T. W. O’Kelley, of Griffin,
is to spend a week soon in Fort
Valley aiding the pastor in a
meeting. The Sunday-school ob
served Children’s Day service
last Sunday night. The congre
gation was quite large and the
service very much enjoyed. It
was a success in every particular.
Fort Valley, Oct. 19.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY. OCTOBER 22.1896.
On Friday evening last, repre
sentatives from a number of the
Atlanta churches met at the Sec
ond church, according to previ
ous arrangement, for the purpose
of organizing a city missionary
society, or other association,
looking to the advancement of
Baptist interest in and about the
city. There were representa
tives present from the First,
Second, Sixth, Jackson Hill,
Capitol Avenue, East Atlanta,
Kirkwood, Central and West End
churches. Dr. McDonald was
called to the chair. There was
a full and very free discussion of
the subject that had drawn the
brethren together, indicating
that the interest of the brethren
had been really awakened. There
seemed to be but one opinion as
to the necessity for some such
organization. A committee con
sisting of brethren McDonald,
Landrum and Bell was appointed
to prepare a constitution and
present same to a meeting to be
held on Friday night next. This
meeting will be held at the First
church, and it is hoped that all
the city and suburban churches
wijl be represented.
To the Baptist Women of Georgia:
For several years I have been
trying to get the Baptist women
in Southwest Georgia to organize
missionary societies in their
churches. In many places they
have done so, and these happy,
busy bands are pressing forward,
rejoicing in the work and longing
to do yet more for the spread of
the Gospel. But a tile of letters
beside me tells of many others
who have faithfully tried and
have failed. Will you give me a
little space to say a few words to
these discouraged workers? They
write they have made sacrifices,
prayed, talked and worked, and
in many cases got the women en
listed sufficiently to organize, and
yet after a few meetings all in
terest is lost, and their efforts
come to naught. They read the
earnest appeals of our boards for
men and women, and long to
“come up to the help of the Lord
against the mighty;” but in so
many cases the pastors are op
posed to women’s missionary so
cieties, and so throw their inilu
ence against the attempts at
organization. Almost every town
and village has its “aid and mis
sionary society,” and they do
good work, but the class I wish
to reach now are country women,
those whose sphere is limited by
the narrow confines of home, or
at most a small community,
whose church privileges consist
in a precarious chance to attend
services once a month. Burdened
with the cares of a family, often
prevented by ill health, bad
weather and such other vicissi
tudes, many of them, though
really devout women, get to
God’s house not more than three
or four times in a year. Many of
them read the Index, and wish
they could attend the meetings
that delight others so much, but
they stand alone; no one in their
community seems to care very
much about missions, and collec
tions are rarely taken. How can
they awaken any interest in oth
ers or themselves grow in the
grace of giving ? To these I wish
to make a suggestion : We are
going to try it as far as possible
in the Summer Hill Association
this year.
Let every Baptist woman and
girl resolve that at each church
meeting they will carry up ten
cents for missions. Any one able
to work at all can do this, most
of us can do much more, but say
that much. Do not forget it, but
carry it every time! If you fail
to go, lay aside your offering, add
another to it for the next month,
and at the end of the quarter let
your pastor or church treasurer
send up the amount thus gath
ered for whatever mission you
desire. This is so little, so sim
ple, so easily done, that it hardly
seems worth while to write about
it. This is merely a little system,
yet if it were adopted by every
Baptist, our boards would not be
in debt, but would be able to send
out more men to preach the Gos
pel. Indeed, our board debts
would be wiped out by the end of
the first quarter ! No need to
worry because you cannot keep
up a society like the sisters in
some more favored locality; no
need to wait for anybody—just
do this, do it persistently, faith
fully. Talk to your neighbor and
induce her to try it. Let us pray
more for the power and presence
of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
The only truly happy Christians
are those who labor and give for
the spread of the Gospel. Perse
vere in this simple, Scriptural
plan, and soon your heart will be
glowing; others, seeing your zeal,
will catch the inspiration, and
you will be in very deed and truth
a missionary Baptist. Will you
do it for Christ’s sake ?
Mrs. D. B. Fitzgerald.
Omaha, Ga.
Sparta.—The Sparta Baptist
church will have services twice
a month next year, instead of
once, as formerly. Rev. B. H.
Ivey will continue as pastor.
Only a few years ago this church
had but eighteen members and
no pastor. Since Bro. Ivey be
came its pastor the membership
has increased to over three times
this number, a parsonage has
been built, and after January
Ist we are to have services twice
a month. Other advance move
ments are in contemplation.
Truly,
M. L. Duggan.
October 16.
Barnesville. —Dr. J.M. Brit
tain is doing a good work in
Middle Georgia, especially in
the territory of the Centennial
Association. Since he has been
pastor at Barnesville, he has or
ganized a ministers’ institute,
composed of the Baptist minis
ters of this section. It is held in
Barnesville on Wednesday after
the second Sunday in each month,
and is well attended. He is
preaching, visiting and working
among the various churches of
the section, and good results are
coming from it. The church at
Barnesville is in splendid condi
tion and the Lord’s cause is pros
perous. Surely the Lord directed
Dr. Brittain to this field. H.
Augusta Items.—On Sunday,
the 4th, Dr. Burrows preached his
thirteenth annual sermon to the
First church. These thirteen
years have been years of such
toil and fidelity as to endear our
pastor to the hearts of his people.
When the remark was made by
the writer to a brother, that he
hoped Dr. Burrows would be our
pastor for thirteen years to come,
the reply was, “May he be for
thirteen hundred, if he lives that
long.”
Another long and successful
pastorate in Augusta is that of
Rev. Thomas Walker at the Sec
ond church. This brother seems
to be the right man in the right
place. His membership consists
of something like seven or eight
hundred, and his co workers are
live and spiritual One of his
flock, Bro. E. G. Kalblleisch, de
serves special credit in that he
has permanent charge of the
young men’s prayer meeting,
which meets every Sunday after
noon. Although this brother is
young in Christ’s service, com
paratively, yet he is one of the
most zealous and consecrated of
the brethren.
Bro. W. J. Stockton was ap
pointed colporter of the Hephzi
bah Association last April, and
since that time has preached
eighty-eight sermons and sold
about §4OO worth of books.
By the time this appears in
print, the Association will be
holding its one hundred and sec
ond annual session at Davisboro.
We regret very much that duties
at home are such as to prevent
our being present. This is a
busy time of the year with the
city brethren, and if it would suit
our country churches justas well,
we would like our Association to
hold its annual gatherings earlier
in the season.
Bro. R B. Seals, who is a stu
dent of Hephzibah High School,
was in town last week. This
worthy brother, besides attend
ing to school duties, is serving
three churches as pastor—Me-
Bean, Hopeful, and Brushy
Creek. May the Lord bless him
richly in his work.
Bro E. Sumner Rogers, of the
First church, who has been
preaching in Colorado during the
summer, has returned to the
Seminary. This is Bro. Rogers’
last year, and we hope that he
will accomplish great things for
the Master.
We are glad that Bro. Cason
gave the news that we omitted
in our last. We shall be pleased
to have him furnish us with the
Baptist news at Woodlawn
church, or to write it to the
Index.
Wm. H. Sturman,
October 14, 1896.
CORDELE. —We were exceed
ingly glad to have with us at the
Houston Association last week
brethren Gibson, of the State Mis
sion Board; Smith, of the Or
phanage, and Edens, of the dear
old Index. These brethren all
put in excellent work for their
respective interests. We were
expecting Professor Pollock when
I left. I am not writing up the
association; others will do that,
but I want to touch on some few
points others may not. Dr.
Edens’ sermon on “Justification
by Faith” was excellent and time
ly; we enjoyed it. Dr. Gibson’s
talk on missions was masterly,
grand and inspiring. Bro. Smith
not only brought tears from the
eyes of the people, but also
brought the shekels from their
pockets. He is doing a noble
work. Rev. F. 11. Poston, who
preached the missionary sermon,
received much commendation for
his effort. They say that it was
one of the very best. Brother
Poston is a man of fine parts, a
good preacher and a most excel
lent man. By the way, he has,
just now, two vacant Sundays,
but will not have them very long,
for the Lord has a work for him
to do. If you are in need of a
good man, you had better write
him at once. Brother Wellons,
of Blakely, stopped over with us
and preached an excellent sermon
to the Cordele saints on Sunday
night. 7 rethren Dorsey and
Milliner were with us and preach
ed for us a few nights ago. We
are always glad to have visiting
brethren to stop. We are expect-
ing to protract our meeting from
the third Lord’s day, and are
praying for and expecting a good
meeting. We have had baptizing
for the two last Sundays. The
South Georgia Convention 1111*0(8
at Tifton in November. We shall
be pleased to see The Index rep
resentative. We want to locate
some good men along tin* Savan
nah and Western railroad to de
velop tin* work generally.
Yours truly,
J. O. SESSOMS.
Oct. 12.
Thank God and Take Courage.
Some things pertaining to the
recent progress of affairs have af
forded me such hearty joy that
I cannot forbear a word concern
ing them.
The first thing is that Mercer
University has begun the session
with 1(15 new students, and has
had altogether the best opening
in her history. I congratulate
the faculty on this large body of
young men committed to their
care. I congratulate (he young
men upon the advantages upon
which they enter in enjoying the
instruction and oversight of a
faculty unsurpassed in skill and
devotion in all the South. 1 have
no sort of fear but Hint the record
of work for this year at Mercer
will be worthy to stand beside
any and all of tin* faithful work
done there hitherto.
Another matter of gratification
is the very tine opening of the
S. mi.iary, ami of Georgia’s
worthy representation there. 1
have learned some things the
past year in going about over
Georgia, more than 1 knew be
fore, of our great need for trained
and consecrated teachers and
leaders in the things of God’s
truth. My heart's profoundest
sympathies go out to the aspiring
young men, and their wise and
devoted teachers, who are striv
ing to supply this need. The
Lord’s blessings abound unto
those who yearn to be better
preachers of his Word, and to
those who are their faithful
teachers and helpers.
One other point I mention is
the pleasure afforded me by the
rapidly growing interest in the
work I am humbly seeking to do
in Bible Institutes. Many I find
whose age and circumstances for
bid their leaving home for any
extended studies. Yet so intense
is their hunger for a larger and
better knowledge of the Word
that even a brief week or ten
days seems wonderfully to stimu
late and encourage them.
The most striking example of
how the interest is growing upon
the part of those who have had
limited opportunities is the plan
of the brethren at and about East
man for a two.months’ course of
study. Surely this means much.
It is no ordinary zeal or effort
that has conceived and is bring
ing about this course. The lib
erality that offers such a magnifi
cent building with ample equip
ment, without cost, seems but the'
answer to a pressing and deeply
felt need.
Many brethren from other parts
of the State might arrange to go
to Eastman for the course to be
gin December Ist. The expenses
will be very moderate. A finer
place, with more generally favor
able conditions for such a course,
could scarcely be found in Geor
gia. Let any who think at all of
going write at once to pastor J.
G. Brewton, Eastman, for full in
formation.
There are many things that
mean solemn responsibility and
toilsome duty, but looking them
in the face, and at the same time
remembering the tokens of God’s
favor and blessing, we may well
“thank God and take courage.”
B. D. RAGSDALE.
DEDICATION AT WEST POINT.
Sunday, October 11th, was one
of the happiest and most event
ful days in the history of the West
Point church. We had just com
pleted our new and beautiful
house of worship, and that day
was set apart for its dedication.
The day was perfect in its loveli
ness, and everything seemed to
contribute to the joy and success
of the occasion. Invitations had
been issued to churches and pas
tors adjacent, and there were
many visitors from LaGrange,
Opelika, Lafayette and the coun
try surrounding West Point. The
other denominations of the city
participated with us in the cele
bration of this joyous occasion.
The capacity of our commodious
house was taxed to accommodate
the congregation. Dr. G. A. Nun
nally,’pastor, of the church and
President of the Southern Female
College, of LaGrange, preached
a most magnificent sermon, using
for his text the question in Joshua
4:21: “What mean these stones?”
The large audience was held in
close attention by the strong and
masterly discourse. After the
sermon Dr. Nunnally raised the
neat sum of six hundred dollars
toward lifting the balance due on
our building. We are profound
ly grateful to him for his timely
aid and to all others who have
come to our help in this time of
need. We have now a house of
which we feel justly proud, a
thing of beauty and a marvel of
cheapness, a description of which
I would give if space permitted.
Our noble women have covered
the floor of the auditorium with
three hundred yards of beautiful
carpeting. We call upon all
Georgia Baptists to rejoice with
us in this progressive and success
ful step. We think our church is
in the way of prosperity and ad
vancement on all the lines •of
church work.
JOHN F. EDEN.
CuNCORD ASSOCIATION.
By request of the above named
body, I'll undertake to write up
the* work of this association, (‘spe
cially its last session, which was
held with the old mother church,
Concord, Cobb county, October
10-12111.
historical sketch.
In 188(1 the association was or- ,
ganized at old Concord church in
one mile of Concord factory. !
Rev. W. J. Speairs was elected
moderator, in which capacity he
has faithfully served his brethren
ever since. Os the ministers in
the organization of the little
body, brother Speairs is the only
one left, and tin* brethren delight
to do him honor. Deacon J. W.
Brown lias been for many years
the efficient clerk and treasurer. I
The association has now twenty ;
churches, eleven ordained minis
ters, five licentiates, with an ag
gregate of more than 1,500 mem
bers.
THE RECENT SESSION.
On Saturday, October 10th, the
association met with the Concord
church, from which they started ■
in their missionary and educa
tional work twenty years ago.
The appointee. Ehler W. A.
Ragsdale*, preached tin* opening
sermon to a large congregation
from John 16:33. The sermon
was pronounced by all to be a
most excellent effort.
The letters from the churches
were read in the afternoon. These
showed (hat many of the churches
enjoyed gracious revivals during
the* year, and all to be in .1 state
of prosperity and peace. Many
of the Sunday-schools are in tine
condition. Some of the churches
have contributed more for mis
sionary purposes than last year,
yet perhaps the aggregate will be ,
but little if any in excess of last
year. This, in part at least, is j
owing to the fact that one of our
strongest and most liberal I
churches has suffered tin* loss of
its house by fire, and is endeavor
ing to rebuild as soon as possible.
Notwithstanding her heavy bur
den, this church sent a good con
tribution up to tin* association.
Rev. W. J. Speairs was re-elect
ed moderator and J. W. Brown
clerk and treasurer.
One new church was received —
New Antioch, Fulton county.
This association has an order i
for the Sunday-school committee !
to report on Sunday morning and |
the mission committee in the as- j
ternoon, thus giving the discus
sions on these reports the advan
tage of larger audiences. At this ;
session, however, the report came ,
up on Monday, Sunday morning
having been given to the report
of the Sunday-school Convention.
The reports on Sunday-schools '
show very gratifying results dur- |
ing the year. Seventy-three of >
the baptized in the association
came from the Sunday-schools,
and they gave something over j
§99.00 of the money contributed.
The statistical report showed
that all the churches, except one,
had schools for a part or all the
yea r.
Rev. O. O. Williams preached
the missionary sermon on Sun
day.
At the same hour Rev. A. J.
Morgan preached at the- stand.
Both these brethren had large
congregations and preached with
great power. The association did
a commendable thing in spending
a while in a prayer and song ser
vice on Sunday morning. The
Holy Spirit seemed to be felt in
the congregations and with the
brethren in all their work. This
was characteristic of the meeting
from first to last.
On Sunday afternoon brother
W. C. Burnnett’s report on mis
sions was read. This report rec
ommended regular contributions
to missions and the sending of
them directly to tin* boards so as
to avoid unnecessary expenses in
borrowing money. Some very in- j
teresting figures and facts about
missions were given and instruc
tive talks were made.
Brother J. I. Oxford represent
ed The Christian Index and State
missions, as the association repre
sentative. Bro. Oxford preached
at the stand at 2 o’clock and took
up a collection for the rebuilding
of the house at'Douglasville. At
night brother Latimer, of At
lanta, preached, 1 was told, a very
fine sermon.
The various reports submitted
on Monday were discussed with
power and unanimity of spirit and
feeling. The report on the state
of religion so gratified the breth
ren that they indulged in an old
fashioned handshaking, started
by our beloved moderator.
The songs of praise and the
shouts of thanksgiving ascended
as the voice of one man. We all
praised God for the fellowship
and unity of the brethren of the
association. I heard many breth-
ren say they never witnessed just
such a scene as the one on Mon
day. Long will it be remem
bered. ,
The association selected the
former President and Executive
Committee of the Sunday-school
Convention. A resolution was
adopted asking each church to
send 1 cent per capita to the next
session of the association in order
to defray delegates’ expenses to
the Southern Baptist Convention.
Brother Speairs read t h<* statis
tics and gave a very interesting
account of the association from
its organization until the present
session, which the association re
quested to be condensed and put
in the minutes.
The association passed a reso
lution “that brother A. J. Coalson
be requested to write up this ses
sion of the association and send it
to The Christian Index for publi
cation.”
Tin* closing exercises were ten
der and the brethren separated
with grateful hearts, renewed
strength and a strong determina
tion to battle for their Master’s
cause.
Wish The Index could have
been there.
Long live the old Concord
church and tin* Concord Associa
tion to glorify their Lord and
King! A. J. C.
Bernard and the Endowment.
“I had not thought of you before, but as
soon as your name was mentioned. 1
felt that you were the man for the
place—called of God.” These were the
words of that grand old veteran, Dr. J.
H. Kilpatrick, to brother Bernard, in
the presence of the writer, at the Geor
gia Association held at Warrenton last
week
And. so far as I have been able to
learn, the brethren, without exception,
agree with brother Kilpatrick in the
belief that Gcd has called and equipped
brother Bernard for the endowment
work, and that he will succeed, as a
matter of course; because God is with
him.
This confidence in brother Bernard as
God's chosen agent to lead Mercer out’
of her present financial bondage will
be a large element in his success.
The old Georgia Association gave him
the right of way on Tuesday night, the
best hour of the session. We expected
much from this member of the "Old
Guard." and were not disappointed.
Indeed, he far surpassed the hopes of
even his most enthusiastic friends.
After a speech of an hour and a half,
during which the interest grew and
grew until white heat was reached, the
universal verdict was: “Thebest speech
for Mercer and higher education ever
heard. ”
What the brethren liked so much was
the breadth as well as the sharpness of
the auger with which he bore. Brother
Bernard can't run on a narrow gauge
track. His purpose is not only to raise
§IOO,OOO, but so to place Mercer in the
hearts of Georgia Baptists that she will
hereafter get a contribution of both
money and boys from all the churches
annually.
Bernard is laying the foundation
broad and deep, and if the pastors all
over the State will stand by him and be
patient, he will, under God, not only
raise the proposed amount, but will so
win the love of Georgia Baptists that
it will be far easier to raise an addition
al §IOO,OOO than it was to raise the first
one. ‘‘So mote it be.”
For one, the Lord enabling me, I’m
going to pray for Bernard every day
until he succeeds, and get my people to
pray for and help him. Who will join
me in this daily prayer?
Yours for Mercer until God calls us
up higher, J. L. GROSS.
Washington, Ga., Oct. 18, 1896.
P. S. By the way, that was a noble
response of brother J. H. Gambrell,
who in reply to a statement that per
haps he would lose interest in Mercer
since his brother. Dr. J. B. Gambrell,
had severed his connection therewith,
said: "No, I’ll stick to it closer and
work harder for it than ever before.
It’s the institution and not any man or
set of men that I love.” J. L. G:
General Meeting.—The following
program has been arranged for the gen
eral meeting, to convene at Scarboro
church on Friday before the fifth Sab
bath in November next.
Introductory sermon by R. G. Car
tin.
1. What are churches constituted for,
and are we carrying out the purpose of
our organization? Discussion by G. W.
Lee, W. R. Thompson, P. B. Grant, B.
F. Nunnally.
2. Our mission fields in China and
Japan. J.M. Cross. R. E. Lee, Berry
Jenkins, Jr., H. G. Edenfield.
3. Our mission fields in Cuba and
Mexico: H. J. Arnett, R. G. Cartin,
J. H. Ash.
4. In Africa. Italy and Brazil, P B;
Grant, H. G. Edenfield, B. F. Nunnally,
D. L. Sowell.
5. Sunday school mass meeting on
Sabbath at 10 o’clock conducted by J.
H, Ash,
6. Sermon on missions at 11 o'clock,
J, M. Cross. Committee.
Association Minutes.—l beg to
make open and grateful acknowledg
ment of the thoughtful kindness of
brethren S. J . Whatley. J. A. Clements
and W. W. Mabry for sending minutes
of the Floyd County, Columbus and
Summerhill Associations, respectively.
The minutes are gotten up in neat and
excellent form, and the clerks are en
titled to special places on a roll of
honor. Let other clerks hasten to imi
tate their examples of thoughtfulness
and promptness by sending me two
copies of their minutes as soon as pub
lished. B. D Ragsdale,
Secty. Ga. Bap. Con.
Conyers, Ga.
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