The news & observer., 1897-02-10
The First Session of Their State
Convention.
AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
SPLENDID ADDRESSES AND A
FINE SERMON
a GOOD PROGRAM FOR TO-DAY
Rev. j. NJ. Booth Gives Some Reasons
Why He Thinks Raleigh the
Very Greatest Place on
Earth.


Youc Peoples Union was held last
night in the First Baptist church.
large number of delegates are a.
readv in the city, and these. together
with many Of the young Christian peu-
nile of the city, comfortably filled the
church The exercises were Of most
interesting and entertaining character
They began at T:30 with song ser
vice by a trained choir under the direc-
ton and leadership of Mr.. w. III. Over
ton, secretary of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. This lasted for half
an hour after which the regular pro-
gramme for the evening was carried out.
At the conclusion of the singing ser
vice. Rev. DIR. Carter, pastor of the
church, announced that, on account of
sickness, Rev. w. f. Watson, of Eden.
ton, who was appointed to preach the IN
tioductory sermon, could not be present,
and Rev Mr.. Blackwell, president of
the Baptist Young Peoples Union, would
take his place.
INTRODUCTORY SERMON.
The master is here and calleth for
thee,'' was the text chosen by the
preacher
He introduced his sermon by saying
that this gathering of young people-and
old ones, as well--from all parts of the
State, was not primarily for the pur-
pose of pastime, for social enjoyment,
or for the exchange of friendly greet
ings, but for work-the work of God.
All these pleasures. he said, would come
in incidentally but they are not the one
great object the ground purpose, that has
called this convention together. 1t is for
a greater pRrpose-for the prosecution OF
the great work that Christ instituted
en- earth and called upon men to COM
plete.
stThe master is here. He welcomes us
10 the task. He makes us strong aud
bids rs stand with uncoveted h9ae
and unsandaled feet to receive his bid
ding"
This bidding, DIR. Blackwell explain
ed, was always impaired by human IN
strumentality. Frail human hearts and
human lips are chosen to carry the great
message OF love an deternai salvation.
Oftimes It's the lips Of grief that bring
them. Some men will heed no other
voice The rattle of The clods upo the cofr
fin lids are the only tongues that can mike
themselves heard to many men. But
whatever voice, whatever lips he uses,
to obey or say: ''(4o thy way; at a more
convenient season I'll call for thee"
This organization, this society Of young
peoples believe, one voice, one instru-
mentality selected by God. 1t is his
method TO call special persons for special
work. God has delayed long time in
calling this organization. But it was not
needed It's special task was not ready
for it's willing hands. God has called this
organization for special work 1t is to
make men and women feel and know ear
" in life for what God has ordained
them, and knowing they do lido it as
men and women in the fear Of God. This
society is to call men and women to lar
ger purposes, higher ambitions and no.
bier thoughts"
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
At the conclusion of the introductory
sermon the address of welcome was de-
livere by Mr. j. d. Boushall
Mr.. Boushall expressed his pleasure at
the honor of being assigned the pleasant
duty OF welcoming the first independent
State convention of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union. He said the order had
been in existence for three years and
now the time had come for it to demon
strate that it was able to stand alone.
In warmest words Of hospitality and
goodwill he extended to the visitors, i'm
behalf of his church and the people of
the entire city, a cordial welcome 10 the
city. He told them it was the capital
of the State: centre of culture, thought
and influence; a city of schools and
churches He pointed with pride to the
fact that the Baptist churches predom-
mated i'm number and communicates and
referred most touchingly to the life and
death Of Mrs Sarah Williams, who did
more than any one else to found the
church in which the Society. was meet
ing and which is the parent of the other
Baptist churches of the city.
Mr. Boushall spoke at length Of the inn
portance of teaching the young. Missions,
he thought, ought to be the one great
purpose of this organization. How
this was to be done he would not under
take to say.
Mr.. BOOTIH'S RESPONSE.
TO this address fitting response was
made by Rev. r. N. Booth of Humber
ton 1t was the speech of the evening,
and that is saying much, for they were
all good. But Mr.. Booths speech was
a gem. He was perfectly ait home and
he made everybody else feel 50. Now
witty, now solemn, now joking, now talk
ing hard horse sense, he awoke the au-
dience, shook them up and dropped them
down again in the very best OF humor
with themselves and the world. The
only thing apparently that troubled them
after he got through was sort Of inde-
cision as to whether the speaker had
really been made for a preacher of a
humorist. He seemed to talk both sense
and fun with equal ease and effectiveness.
Anyway he is none the worse preacher
for his fun.
He began by saying it was in accord
ance with the eternal fitness of things
for this convention to meet in Raleigh.
At least it seemed so to him, who was just
from the huckeberry swamps OF Robson
sounty-the stamping ground Of Henry
Berry Lowry and his gang
Raleigh. he said, was city. AT least