San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-03
The BlDIS| Hosts
Are Now In Annual Convention In
This City.
Ministers Started The Ball Rolling
With Their Meeting In First
Baptist Church Today.

Baptist Ministers association, is now
in session in this city. 1t opened in
the First Baptist church this morning
with a well attended meeting of the
pastors, about 200 in number being in
number being in attendance. The
church is decorated nicely with palms
and other evergreens about the ros-
trum.
The convention proper opened at 10
o'clock with a song service, led by
Prof. Cowen, with Prof H. w. Lincoln,
of Dallas, at the organ. The first song
was "A debtor to Mercy, Alone" fol-
lowed by the well known Baptist hymn
Scatter the Seeds of Truth
At the conclusion of the second hymn
the delegates had filled the church
pretty well, a large number of ladies
being present. Rev. T. w. White, of
Cuero, state secretary of the conven-
ton, mounted the rostrum and stated
that as Rev. A. B. Miller, state presi-
dent, was absent, it was in order for
temporary presiding officer to be ell
CNbVd' oCNtIdl HdIeS were put IN
nomination and a vote was taken
which resulted in the election of Rev.
]. NJ. Robinson.
AS Rev. Robinson was not present
delegation was sent to his hotel for
him, meanwhile Rev. r. r. White. of
Lockhart, was introduced to conduct a
short devotional service. He asked for
song and called upon Rev. Bunting
of Weatherford, to offer a prayer. At
theconclusion ofthe prayer Rev. White
read a portion from the 10 chapter of
st. John, beginning with "If We love
me keep my commandments"
He made short talk, when another
song was called for which was sung.
1t was Let us bear each others bur-
dens." At the close of the song Rev.
Robinson entered the church, mounted
the stage and called the meeting to or
der. As the first business he called for
the permanent election of officers.
Kew. Carroll put Rev. Robinson in nom
ination for the permanent presidency
and Rev. Grant for the secretaryship.
The move was seconded and unanim-
ously carried.
communication was then read from
Rev. j. d Moody, of this city stating
that he was sick and requesting that
he be excused from the program until
tomorrow, when he thought he could
be present.
A committee consisting of Revs. T.
j. VAIN, w. c. Lattimere James Ben
nett, s. j. Anderson, and ]. w. Stay
ton was then appointed to revise the
program and report from time to time.
They adjourned to the basement for a
short while and about IL o'clock ad-
vised that the remainder of the morn
ing be devoted to song and devotional
exercises, which was unanimously adj
opted.
The question of the meeting hours of
the convention came up and it was de-
| cided to open the meeting at 9 a. m,
to continue till II, from 2 p. m. until
and from 1880 p. m. until 9.
At HIS Rev. Robinson, the president,
called Rev. j. L. Mays, of Baird, to the
rostrom to conduct the devotional ex-
ercises. He read twenty-one stanzas
from the seventeenth chapter of st.
John and then called on Rev. G. w.
Truett, of Dallas to lead in prayer.
He was followed by a song by the con-
gregation, prayer by Rev. Pedgees, of
Tyler: song by congregation; prayer by
Rev. Mcconnell and a song by Profs.
Cowen and Lincoln, the congregation
joining in the chorus.
Rev. Robinson then called on all pas
tors present to make short talks to the
conference. Said he, 1--WE need some
sweet little talks like those songs we
have just been singing. 1t is a pas
tors, meeting and we should talk to
each other about anything we have on
our hearts. Let us hear from every
one"
Rev. Matthews arose. and made a
short talk. Rev. Pedgees asked the con-
gregatiOn to pray for a friend of his in
this city whom he was desirious of see
ing converted and Rev. Matthews was
called on to pray.
The song, I'VE Praise thee, oh, God"
after which Rev. Cole lead in prayer.
The song and prayer service was then
continued until II o'clock, the various
members of the congregation being
called upon for prayers. alternating
with songs.
At II o'clock Rev. Robinson announc-
ed that the meeting was adjourned I'M
til this afternoon at 2:3O o'clock. The
program committee had not reported
any program for this afternoon.