The state capital., 1891-09-19
WELCOME ADDRESS.
Delivered at Banquet in Honor of Dele
gates and Visitors attending
W. X. Ii. Association, by


1t has long before this been my pleasant duty
10 welcome on behalf of our churches and
citizens, distinguished individuals and bodies to
our city, our homes and our hospitality, but
never before have l experienced the pleasure
the pride it gives me- to welcome on behalf OF
Zion and Union Baptist churches the ". k. B.
Association TO our flower city and our homes.
When | arose this morning thinking of the
events to occur this evening it seemed to me as
if all nature rejoiced with me in my happy
anticipations ana that kindred feeling among
natures creatures caused them to loudly acclaim
their joys. When | say L take pleasure in
welcoming you to our city, | do SO, conscious
that i'll that pleasure there is nothing TO cause
sorrow to any person, animal, or fowl 1t is
generally said that the appearance of preacher
is cause of deep concern and anxiety to certain
animals of the feathered variety but in this
| am sure | can note an exception For the
triumphant notes of the chanticeer, rang out in
no uncertain sounds the joys of the feathered
fowls at the coming of this day and gave no
evidence of desire to warn the hen and her
brood of the coming of host of lovers of
yellow limbed chicken And no wonder, the
array of talented energetic, christian gentlemen
here assembled daaWs from nature itself a
responsive feeling OF JOY, love and thanksgiving
Delegates and visitors i'll behalf of Zion and
Union churches | extend to you christian
salutatiOn. Vi = Ic.oSnIHG III this asselnblage
sturn advocates OF the religion of Lord Jesus
Christ: your mission is greater than that which
Ceasar, Carsius, Anthony or the great Alexander
advocated you are commissioned by the
omniscient to present the truth to fallen
humanity. The clergyman has the grandest
calling of any man. The pulpit is an important
factor in educating the races. Whenever the
influence of the pull pit has been lacking, educa-
ton has been defective. Looking back over the
pages of history to Asia the birth place of man
and notice also the brilliant eras of Roman and
Grecian civilization: Rome produced her
caesars, Cicero, Virgal, Horace and Cato and
other learned men. Greece hire Socrates
Demostheners, Plato and other statesmen but ali
were lacking for true unquestionable christian
heart and we find the people worshiping idols
instead of the true Creator. Darkness over
shadowed the world but when true christian men
came forth advocating what you now advocate
the cloud which had hid in darkness the law of
God passed away and christianity and civilization
reigned supreme. While | chiefly represent Zion
and nion churches at this banquet | am charged
uy the citizens OF this beloved city to extend to
you Il hearty welcome to all the attractions our
city possesses. Our parks churches, monuments
and beautiful state building. The citizens of the
home of the beloved and immortal Lincoln who
now sleeps the dreamless sleep of DEATH but
whose memory and deeds will ever live in the
hearts of every true American, recognize i'll this
association a body OF stalWart, fearless champ
ions of the principles of the Baptist cause One
God, one faith and one baptism. They recog-
niZe that the assemblage of so many representa-
tives of the Living God can but exert wide
influence and much benefit will accrue there
from to the body prolific. In looking over the
Nast comcourSe OF intellectual advocates of this
grand denomination, | herald first the parliam-
entHrian and moderator Rev. j. W. CrIshshon Of
Peoria, and then That piOus scholarly energetic
christian gentleman Rev. r. DeBaptist. d. D.. of
this association, Looking farther l behold Rev
Muse with his silvery beard the past Judar of this
body and an ambitious and Jealous advocate of
Christ he is not liking unto the Judar of the
apOstslic age mis- financial report shows plainly
the correct distribution of the fund not only Of
this body but also as treasurer OF the Sunday
school convention. He has left the Sucker State
and gone TO MISERY, next observed the stylish
ambitious and educated Chavis, Sth and Elm
streets of Quincy's choice: following Rev JAS
Thomas the noted jubilee singer whose melodies
charm the fair sex of nature and makes him a
universal fayorite of Quincy Union; passing on
Rev. Dewitt patriotic as David of old fighting
against sin from the city of the assylums and the
Athens.of the west his wit make Rev. Dewitt
Jacksonvllle's selection; passing on come Turner
Of Champaign, Davis the pride of Elgin. From
the city on the lake j. +. Thomas Olivet
iatellectual giant; jameson Shiloh's joy; Rev.
Dortch the Duke of Herman; the highly educat-
ed and energetic }. K. jackson, of Providece
the eminent and learned Goosby, of Bethesda:
Oh We find Rev VIM. Harrison just from the city
of the Pen1tentiary: the ambitious Madison from
Monmouth; 7. C.. Fleming coming forth like
Moses of old sin condeming. j. w Teal the
christian gentleman of Bunker Hill: j. W. Taylor
Belleville's pride: E. HI. Beverly AurOra's choice
and Jealous worker for Christ j. III. Barton from
our sister city Bloomington and active spoke in
the band f. W. Alexander Antioch Brooklyn
wonder; Rev. A. Ward, Decatur's spokesman
and christian worker and from God he will
receive his reward; Rex. J. II. Moore, Pittsfeld S
representative though the membership is small,
Rev. Moore is never the less striving for more !:
X. l.. Stewart, MacomD: Rev G. NJ Moore
Decatur; Rev. Fleming Gray, Z. E. Roey
Nerden 5 joy: then comes b. I'll. West Zion's best
and energetic advocate for Christ Among our
visitors we hail the learned c. H. Mcdaniel
editor of the National Baptist Standard by his
ambitious and energetic efforts he has steadily
mounted the lader of fame and is recognized now
among the foremost Afro american Journalist of
this country. r. II. Cole pastor 1st b. c. St
Louis: the dignified Cohran. also from the
smokey city on the Mississippi; then we hail W.
H. Byrd evangelist, ST. Louis, and Z. NJ Lewis
see seated near that noble God fearing self
sacrificing man Rev. L. l., johnson whose motto
Africa for Christ has awakened the civilized
christian world to the benighted condition of the
heathens in our native land May God speed
you noble hero and raise up others to aid you in
your work. Last but not least the worthy
Hillman of Springfield Union who by no means
is stillman, but stands one of the foremost
and financial genius of this association band.
Again extending a hearty welcome to YOU ali
with a fervent God speed you. introduce you
TO the other features arranged for your evenings
| pleasure.