The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-21
IN ITS SECOND CENTURY.
BRYAN BAPTIST CHURCH CELE-
BRATEs ITS 1o1sT BIRTHDAY.

Two Thousand People Attend the
Anniversary Celebration of the Old
est Colored Church in the Country
| -Colored Clergymen from All Over
the State Take Part in the Exercises
The Church's Aged Pastor.
! There were nearly two thousand people in
attendance at the celebration of the one
hundred and first anniversary of the First
Bryan Baptist church yesterday and last
night. The entire service was under the
guidance Of Rev. Ulysses L. Houston, pastor,
assisted by Rev. George Griffin. 1t was a
highly interesting and instructing service
and the day will be one of long remem
brance to the members Of the Oldest colored
church in the country.
A large number Of visiting ministers
and members were present, among them
Rev. E. r. Carter. pastor of the Friendship
Baptist church in Atlanta; Rev. Roberts of
Liberia. and Rev. R. Miffin of Darien. Rev.
Carter preached the anniversary sermon,
and Revs Roberts, Miffin, Griffin, Ellis and
Rivers preached and made short addresseS.
Tae Sunday school service was feature of
the day, over 275 scholars taking part.
The services opened at 80 O'Clock in the
morning, and Notwithstanding the rain the
church was packed. The following is the
order of the service:
Organ prelude.
Invocatory prayer by Rev. Griffin.
Thanksgiving anthem, choir.
Hymn, by the congreg ation.
Address by Deacon G. b. Lewis.
Deacon Lewis made an interesting ad-
dress to the Throne of Grace for past mer-
cies. He recounted the Shortcomings of the
church and rejoiced and gave thanks for her
present prosperity. Following this address
came a sermon by Rev. G. w. Griffin. His
text was Psalm Xxx, 8, 9: Thou hast
brought vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast
out the heather, and planted it; thou pre-
paredst room before it and did cause it to
take deep root, and it flied the land" His
sermon was listened to with great interest
by the congregation. He followed up his
sermon by the reading of scripture lessons
Deacon H. r. Rain closed the morning
service with prayer and invocation.
The afternoon service began at $3.50
o'clock with the singing of appropriate
songs by the Sunday school. There were
235 scholars and each one took part. The
exercise was under the direction of Super
intendent William Rivers and was we'll
gotten up. The Sunday school furnishes
the music for the afternoon service. Rev.
A Ellis of the Second Baptist church
preached the afternoon sermon. He spoke
lDI COuSlueTdbl6 ullllo 6HuoTbdlDluglYs ne
was followed by Rev. Roberts, who is di-
rect from Liberia. He reached Savannah
about a week ago and tells some
rare experiences Solomon c.. johnson de-
livered an address on Gan early training in
the Sabbath school" which was very inter
esting. Rev. E. R. Carter also gave a short
talk to the Sunday school in closing the
service. He told the scholars that they
formed large body, and could be strong if
Ha Cd
growing careless, and directed them to that
great goal. He also urged the parents to
be mindful of their children and strengthen
the Sunday school.
The evening service opened at 7:30 o'clock
with a Thanksgiving anthem by the choir.
Rev. Carter read a Scripture lesson and the
invocatory prayer was rendered by Rev. R.
Miffin of Darien. After several appropriate
selections by the choir, Rev. Carter read
Psalm XIV, l: lord, who shall abide
in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy
holy hill?" as a text for the annual sermon.
His theme was, give God the glory, not I'M
to US, but unto him who gives all things.
The preacher said that the people should
render thanks for being brought down to
this 1Olst birthday. 1t would be
a source of much gratitude to
know that through the many trials and
tribulations through which that old church
had come, she had withstood them all. She
had been bombarded, but she had built
battlements. She had been oppressed, but
she had survived, and out of the midst of it
all had risen as lasting monument to him
that doeth all things well
''For all this we have God to thank He
alone did it, and to him alone should our
thanks and prayers 60"
Rev. Griffin then invoked the divine
blessings upon the aged pastor Rev. Hous-
ton and the benedlction was pronounced by
Rev. f. r. Carter.
Owing to his feeble health Rev. Houston
was unable to take any part in the service,
but he occupied seat in the pulpit He is
about 70 years Of age, and for sometime has
been declining in health. He is the fifth pas
tor of the church, and under his administra-
ton it has prospered. He is man of in
telligence, and has much force of character
He represented Chatham county in the
legislature in 1866