The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-08
MISSIONARY CONVENTION
A Large Gathering at the First
T. Christian Church.
KIND WORDS OF WELCOME
Spoken in Behalf of Birmingham to the Dele
gates-Annual Address of President Up
degraf-Many Topics Discussed.

Christian church of Alabama, was open
ed yesterday morning, with devotional
services conducted by Rev. o. P. Spiegel
in the absence of j. L. Reeves who had
not arrived.
An address of welcome was delivered
by G. r. Harsh, on behalf of Birming-
ham, and the Birmingham churches,
which was punctuated with the true
spirit of hospitality.
L. A. Dale, of Phoenix City, delivered
the response ON behalf of the delegates,
and expressed the appreciation of the
Individual mention of the conve ntion for
the welcome extended.
The address of President D. d. Upde-
graft, of Selma, was then delivered and
was listened to with marked attention.
He reviewed the work of the church for
the past twelve months, and said that
he considered 1T the most important
gathering of the faith ever assembled
in the state. In speaking of the popu-
lation and church statistics of the
state he said:
There are 1900, 900 people in our state,
and only about 5000 of thfs vast num-
her have accepted our plea of united
people upon Gods word and Gods word
alone. So being mindful of the great
work to be accomplished in Alabama, let
us go ito work more vigorously for the
Master with our money and cur ener-
giles, looking ito our Heavenly Father to
bless our labors. feel sure that He will
give us a grand and glorious victory"
DR.. B. F. Manire, of Mississippi, fol-
lowed in an address upon "Why Have
Conventions?
He gave an able exposition OF the
work. done by conventions. The good re-
suDfng from an exchange of ideas, the
rekindling of interest in the work and
many other we'll taken positions to sup
port his affirmative views.
A number of reports from the field
were next made which indicated that
much good work was being done. AL
most every church in the state reported
progress and increased membership.
DR.. NJ. F. Harmon, of Tennessee, and
C. c. Smith, of Ohio, also made encourage
ing remarks upon this subject.
=, The following committees were then
announced by President Upde graft:
Programme-E. v. Spioer, B. F. Ma
nire, NJ F. Harmon and T. A. Scholar.
Enrollment-S. p Seigeh w. e. Zim-
Jamie Cane and ]. e. Spiegel.
- Nominations-J. A. Branch, T. S. Bag
ley Prof. w. H Windes, Thomas Walk
er, and S. D. Medley.
Resolutions-J. A. Lord. ]. ]. Irvine.
Mrs. M. Mcdowell and S. S.. Lander
man.
Obituaries-O. P. Spiegel, Thomas
Walker. Miss Mamie Osborne, Mrs. Sal
lie Harsh and Prof. w. H. Windes.
Auditing-L. A. Dale. ]. w. Hardesty,
and Mrs. w. S. Butter.
Time and Place-T. S. Bagley, Miss
Ilottie Rivers, L. A. Dale, r. III. Kerr,
Miss Juliet Duncan and S. P. Spiegel.
At IL o'clock a recess was taken until
2:15 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon S; ssion was opened with
devotional exercises followed by a song
service.
AT 2:3O O'Clock Rev. s.. p Spiegl+ dafv-
erred an address upon "A Much Neglected
Commandment" and was followed by
Rev. C. C. Smith, of Ohio, upon Should
We Help the Negro? If So, How?" which
was perhaps the ablest address eff the
day.
address by Rev. A. ]. Branch on my
Experiences in East Alabama" but the
time was filled by Rev. A. L. Mclean
and Rev. J. A. Land, of Cincinnati in
ten minute talks.
NIGHT SESSION.
AT the appointed hour the church was
we'll filled.
Song service ait 7:15 O'Clock was fol-
lowed by a solo by Miss Montgomery.
Rev. e. V. Spicer, of Selma, then de-
livered a strong address choosing as his
subject. "Our Plea"
His theme was the faith of tbs Chris
tian church. which he said stood alone
upon the bible without 'isms or
schisms."
He used q black board TO clearly illus
trate the evolution from a worldly and
narrow existence to the Kingdom of
Christ.
An excellently rendered solo by Miss
Montgomery followed.
THE GO AND THE SEND"
Rev. J. ]. Irwin, of Florida, was on the
programme to deliver an address upon
'eThe Go and the Send" but had mott ar
rived and the number was supplied by
Rev. A. Mclean, corresponding secretary
of foreign missions, who gave a highly
interesting talk upon his experiences dur
ing "trip around the world.
He spoke of the wonderful progress OF
Japan, and attributed it to the entrance
of Christ's gospel into the empire. I'm
coneraddstinction, he called attention to
the slow progress of China, and the saw
agry Of Turkey, where the gospel had
not been spread in the same proportion.
With all the wond'ets of these many
countries, he said that Ameadca stood
far above them all.
Song service, in which the congrega-
ton joined, was followed by adjourn
ment until $3.50 o'clock this morning,
when the following programme will be
carried out;
9:30-Social meeting.
9:45-Devotional.
10.O0-"Good Literature" M Fl. Hair
mon, Nashville.
1O:sO-State evangelists report, O. P.
Spiegel.
4 .0O--ssIJome Mission y T. A Lord. Cin-