The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-06
BEREAvEMENTS OF BAPTISTS.
MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR
DEAD LEADERS OF THE CHURCH.

Thirty-Two Ministers and Two
Prominent LayInen on the List.
Profs. :. II. sanford and j. +. Will
let of Mercer University the Lay
men Honored-A Meeting Under the
Auspices of the Young Peoples
Union-TaIIx by n Converted He
brev-SeparatiOn of Church and
state ReafHrmed.
Gainesville. Ga, April 1.-The Baptist
state convention held a memorial service
yesterday afternoon over the names Of
thirty-two ministers that during the year
have gone to join the assembly of the
Saints on High. Prominent among these
was DR.. w. L. Fitzpatrick Of Hephzibah,
who was a leader of the denomination for
many years Two laymen known all over
the state and beloved by hundreds who
were taught by them were added to the
list-Profs. S. p. Sanford and j. E. Willet.
These men were for nearly fifty years
professors of Mercer University and there
were many old students who bore loving
testimony of their character as men ana
teachers.
Last night an enthusiastic meeting, I'M
der the auspices of the Young Peoples
Union of the state, was held at the First
Baptist church This is new movement
among the Bapusts of the state and prom
ises to be a very helpful movement for the
young people of the churches.
This morning the sun shone brightly for
the first time. Some delegates have gone
home. but the house is still full and the
session has reached the climax OF inter
est
Rev. Ragosky. a converted Hebrew,
gave a pleasing account of the preach
ing of the gospel to the Jews. He was
for some years city missionary in Gin
ciunati and Louisville, and is a strong
man intellectually and consecrated
Christian.
A resolution, introduced by Rev. H. Il.
Bernard OF Athens, reaffirming the Bap-
list historical position of the separation
of church and state and the exclusion Of
sectarian theological instruction from
schools under state CONTROL after consd-
cradle discussion, was referred TO a CON-
mittee, who are to report back at the
next annual session of the convention.
The words of the resolution were not
satisfactory, in that they appeared to con-
denim certain things to which the conVen'
ton did not assent.
In the midst of the rush of business the
convention would frequently all stand
and heartily sing one of the grand old
hymns of the church.
Dr. d. w Gwinn of Atlanta made
strong report on literature, urging all the
churches to establish libraries of the best
selected books for the young people The
American Baptist Publication Society Of
Philadelphia is one of the strongest So
cieties in the country and publishes books
and literature of a fine order.
The Sunday school report, by DR.. j. M.
Britain of GAINESVILLE, was vigorous and
indicated development and growth in the
Sunday school work all over the state.
Much good natured discussion was pro-
voked over the place for the next meet
ing. Five places, Augusta. Hawkinsville,
Valdosta, West Point and Columbus, in
vited the next session The convention
decided to meet in Augusta on Thursday
before the first Sunday in April 1898.
The convention spoke in no uncertain
sound against the licensing of bar rooms.
Rev T. w. OKelly of Griffin was ap-
pointed TO preach the next convention ser
mon.
This session has been regarded by all as
perhaps the best in the history of the
church in the state. The entertainment
by this hospitable city has been magniti-
cent, and all the delegates go home this
evening in the finest spirits. Some 400
delegates left on the vesubule train for
Atlanta and other parts of the state.