Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-12-16
THE STATE BAPTIST CON.
VENTI0N.
Citadel Square Baptist Church
Charleston, December a-s
1896.

Two hundred and fourteen years
have passed and gone since the first
Baptist church in the Southern
States was planted in the city OF
Charleston. This church still
stands, known as the "old First"
and with little change, and
was one of the principal cen
tres of interest during the recent
State Baptist Convention.
What of history have Baptists
made in all these years. What have
been the fruits of that one plant,
nurtured and loved for SO many
wears by our denomination. o.
der, as Baptists claim, than st.
Michael's itself, 1T is the mother
of churches" Within the circuit
of it's massive walls have echoed
the voices of such men as DR.. Rich
ard Furman, (whose prayer, during
the Revolutionary war, it is said
the British feared more than a
brigade of soldiers) and DR.. Basli
Manly Sr.. who was one of Edge
fields pioneer workers in the vine
ward Of the Lord. This ancient
landmark was visited by many a
bomb during the Confederate war,
and it's mighty walls did their
part in resisting the onslaughts OF
the enemy. 1t was in this church
that the first Baptists of the State
met in organized church fellow,
ship and poured out their tears and
PRAYERS for a strengthening of
their brethren. 1t was here that
the first Baptist Convention OF
tLis state was held, one hundred
and forty-f7e years ago, at a time
when there we're but three other
Bantist churches in South Caroll-
ma. Welsh Neck, Ashley River and
Enhaw. At this gathering there
were but thirteen delegates. How
proud should Baptists be of this
time-worn edifce; and yet for a a
neriod of several years this grand
old church was practically desert
ed until DR.. Cuthbert OF Aiken
made it his work to call IN the
scattered Baptists and again by
Divine aid, rejuvenate and
strengthen ii. But it is not of this
church that we shall write more
The last Baptist State Convention
of South Carolina assembled II
the Citadel Square church of Char
lesion the End CT December 1886
Of the thirteen who attended tn
iYst one, one hundred and forty
five wears ago none was left to Sc
the fruit of their labors. HOY
Baptists have grownl There are Il
Charleston to-day three we'll estab
lished Baptist churches and tn
Citadel Square mission, which wa
The Citadel Square church to-da'
alone has 565 members more Bap
lists than lived in the city belong
ing to all the churches of this de
nomination before the late war
1t is now with them a period O
steady growth, and widening in
huence. The Sunday school O
this church averages an attend
ance of about 250 members unde,
the direction of officers and teach
ers understanding their response
bility.
The people of the up-country die
not expect such a generous recep
tion rs the Charlestonians extend
ed to them, but they know now
thai il, the recent assembling ot
the Convention there was none Of
self displayed, just an open heart.
ed, liberal hospitality which could
not be surpassed. The addresses Of
welcome to the visitors were made
by DR.. David NJ. Ramsey, ;pastol
Of the Citadel Square church, and
Col. J. Adger Smythe Mayor OF
the city. Their earnest greetings
made all feel that Charleston was
just another home. There was
nothing to complain of but the
weather for the first few days, and
that the speakers said, was brought
along by the delegates who as Bap-
fists deemed it highly appropriate
to the occasion. DR.. Charles Man.
ly replied to the welcome in feel
ing language and made hosts and
hostes.as feel that their kindness
was not in vain in the Lord.
All the subjects of denomina-
tional interest were discussed du-
ring the sessions: that of the
Sunday school board Of the South
ern Baptist Convention, by DR.. ].
M. Frost of Nashville Tenn. The
Theological seminary at Louisville
Kentucky by DR.. Kerfort. A col
lection of over one thousand dol
lars was raised in subscriptions for
thai interest. Furman University
and the Greenville Female Col
lege were ably represented in the
persons of DR.. Charles Manly and
DR.. Riley. DR.. T. NJ. Bailey, G. S.
Gardner and o. L. Martin gave a
new impetus to State mission work
by their inspiring speeches. A
collection was taken at this time
to help erect house of worship at
Summerville. DR.. r, ]. Willing
ham who by some is considered
the most eloquent preacher in the
Southern BAPTIST Convention. and