The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-11
CHRISTIAN LAYMRN WORKERS.
Waycross the Birthplace of a New
Religious Orga nizatiou.


Religious Orga nization.
WAYCRoss, GA, Feb. 1O.-Waycross Is
the birthplace Of a new organization known
81 the Christian Laymen Workers Associa-
ton. The association has grown from one
class in this city to great many classes in
the adjoining counties and even down in
Florida. The history and modus operandi
of this association are very interesting, and
the following is an embodiment Of the same:
William Parker, James M. Freeman and
others started a class meeting which was
held weekly at the homes Of the different
members OF the class. The class was at
tended by a large number Of people, and it
was not long before the leader OF the class
found that the class was too large to find
room in any of their homes.
Then Mr.. Parker organized the class and
went to work to secure a building for them
to worship in. The members OF the class
built handsome church and they hold
their meetings every Sunday and Friday.
The class recently made application for
charter and it was granted, giving them
power to organize classes everywhere, the
headquarters being in Waycross. The
growth Of the association is without par
allel i'll the history of any organization in
this country. Within a few months the
membership of the association has Incl eased
Dc
Members in good standing in all Christian
churches may become members of the 80
ciety. The applicant for membership is res
quired to put in his application two weeks
before the society will admit or refuse him.
The admission of an applicant
is done by ballot. The first
for membership has been made, the mem.
bers of the society cast their ballots for or
against, as the case may be, and The ballot
ing is repeated the following Sunday, when
the applicant is informed as to whether he
has been received or rejected. The MEM
bers must conform TO the bylaws of the as
ISOLATION. A member Is required to kueel
in prayer before taking his seat in any
place Of worship. No preachers are re-
ceived as members by the society. If a
member Of the association enters the min
istry he is Immediately notified that he is no
longer a member of the society. The mem
bers of the society are required to look after
the sick and supply the needs OF the needy
among their members. They are noted for
their charity toward their fellow members.
The members are required to pray in public,
read the Bible and hold family prayer
in their homes. AT the meetings
of the classes every member is expected to
be present The members are required TO
relate their experience in the Christian life
st every meeting, and they must leave their
seats and stand IN the chancel when they
talk. The worship at the meetings consists
of short prayers, singing, Bible reading and
short talks by each member present. Wis
tiers are invited to talk Of their religious
experiences. The meetings are closed by
prayer, all the members kneelinR around
the chsncel. and as they arise the leader OF
the meeting announces that they are dis
missed. The officers of the association are
president, vice president treasurer and
secretary. The branch classes everywhere
send delegates to the annual conference,
which is held at the association building in
this city. The association has an evangelist
who is organizing classes everywhere. The
object of the society is to promote the cause
OF Christ through the work of laymeD.
They teach the doctrines of holiness and
sancttIication. The association yields re-
bile influence over the people wherever
they hold their meetings.