The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-14
THE CENTENNIAL CLOSED.
Closing Scenes of the Big Baptist Cele
bration.

The African Baptist centennial closed last
night Yesterdays exercises were of an in
teresting character In the morning Rev.
Henry Jackson of Augusta read paper on
''The Purity and Work of the Church" He
said that in order to have a pure church the
members should not be members of anything
else. The preacher created quite a sensa-
ton when he remarked that secret societies
antagOnize the church, and that those WHO
are connected with secret societies eau not
serve God. He denounced Masonry as
being the mother Of all secret societies and
hence the greatest enemy to the christian
church. Other societies suffered violence
at the preachers hand. Most of his hearers
were members of some secret organization
or another. The acceptance of the paper
may best be imagined
Rev. Dr. j. H Fitzpatrick (white) of
White Plains, Ca, delivered an interesting
discourse on christian Baptism" He re
viewed all tho arguments against baptism,
and in the opinion of his hearers fully
answered them. He urged that since pedo-
Baptlsts were put to such terrible straits to
maintain their position, it showed that
truth is on the Baptists' side The address
was well received.
In the afternoon DR.. Fitzpatrick delivered
an able sermon on mo Royal Road to
Church Prosperity" He started out by
saying that EVERY lover of Christ must
desire the prosperity Of his churches" Dis
cusSing the best way for the churches to
prosper, he urged simple obedience to the
word of God. The way to secure true pros
perity of the church of God, he said is to
present the truth of the Bible faithfully,
simply and earnestly, and pray. believingly
that God may bless it to whom it is preached.
This, he said is the scriptural plan. He
nrna1 thot o,,oroli,f-
ers could not atone for the neglect, sacrifice,
prayers and work Of the church He
urged a return to the old way, the
scriptural way as the best and safest way
OF promoting the prosperity of the church.
This was feast Of good things to the con-
gregation. After this resolutions thanking
the citizens Of Savannah, the railroads,
Ludden q Bates and Miller & Co. for favors
were passed.
Rev. w. j. White, chairman of the CEN
tennlal committee, made a very touching
speech thanking the brethren for 'considera,
tions shown him, and thanking God for the
great success that has crowned the labors
OF the Baptists of Georgia in the celebra-
ton.
The congregation then Joined in singing
"BleSt be the tie that binds our hearts in
christian love-" and took the parting hand,
and amid tears and much rejoicing, told
each other go0d-by, never to meet again on
similar occasion. The benediction was
pronounced by Rev. J. c. Bryan, president
of the Missionary Baptist convention of
Georgia. 1t is little remarkable that
Bryan commenced the century and Bryan
closed it.
These exercises closed the largest celebra-
ton ever known among the colored people
in this country. Alabama. Florida, Ten
nessee, South Carolina and Pennsylvania,
were represented in the celebration. The
delegates left last night, many of them, and
others will leave this morning.
Before adjourning, yesterday afternoon,
the centennial committee had its photo
graph taken. The old wooden chair, which
was furnished by Rev. Alexander Harris,
and the crayon bust of Rev. Andrew
Bryan, founder of the African Baptist
church of Georgia, were also photograp hed,
and as many OF the delegates as were able,
procured photographs. The tabernacle
building will be sold complete as it now
stands. The committee will receive bids on
it. Rev. Alexander Harris is business man
ager, and will wind the centennial's
affairs up as quickly as possible.