Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-06-03
The Audraiu Bible Institute.

resentatives of the Baptist churches
and Sunday schools in Audrain
County, WIS held on the 2sth and 18th
at the Beaver Dam church, eight
miles southwest of Mexico. With a
desire to zee our names in the col
umns of the MEXICO LEDGER, this
who enjoys the honor of being
the Secretary of the Institute, was d.
to make a report of the meet
ing. So, dear reader, you are hereby
notified to read, consider and inwardly
digest the following facts and fancies.
1. "The purposes and advantages OF
the Institute'' was discussed by Rev.
F. M. Shoush and your humble SER
want, and these points came to light
more or less: (a) The Institute fosters
the spirit of fellowship. (b) 1t dissem-
mates much needed information.
(c) 1t affords great stimulation. CD 1t
promotes spirituality. (e) 1t en-
braces the pleasures of sociability.
2. "The state of the churches in the
Audrain County Association" was
ably discussed by Elder J.. j. Griffin,
]. E. Jesse and Brother Shoush.
Brother Jesse, who was clerk of the
commended that the
churches are in a sort of somnambu-
listic condition, but the right kind of
a church with the right kind of a pas
tor never sleeps. Brother Griffin said
that our greatest trouble is that we do
not stu6ly the word of God as we
ought. We don't know who we are
or what we are. We are afraid of
our doctrines. II we have the truth,
we should not shun to disclose it.
Brother Shoush thought that the
state of our aus in Audrain Asso-
citation in encouraging. Our churches
are united and fairly prosperous. We
are on the up grade. l believe that
the Audrain Association did better
work last year than in any other year
Of it's history.
2. Elder E. 8. Gibbs led the discus
sion on "The Pleasures of Christian
Service" His address was mellow
and sweet. He was followed by NJ. L.
Bibb, ]. ]. Griffin and Thomas Crumb,
who had a good paper on the theme.
1t was sweet to contemplate the
pleasures of such service in which we
join. (a) The conscientiousness of
doing the will of God. (b)The secret
uplifting of our souls. (c) The salts
faction of helping others.
"The Sunday School as a Mission
airy Agency was vigorously discussed
by a number of brethren. DR.. ]. B.
Hawkins insisted, in a strong speech,
that the "Sunday school affords the
best field for missionary work in the
world; that it embraces the best
method and is blessed with the best
results" Brother Pittman also spoke
e%loquently upon the subject, and this
scribe found it almost impossible to
refrain from making a few feeble re-
marks upon a subject like this. But
one of the most pleasant and profit
able features in this discussion was
due to the wit and pathos of Elder
Harvey Hatcher-the same Hatcher
that went up and down amongst us
years ago. When Brother Pittman
introduced him to the Institute, we
that had known him in the years gone
by were glad to look into his face
again and to hear his voice among us
as of old.
5. Rev. N. R. Pittman opened the
discussion of "The Element OF
Strength to Our Denomination" and
forceful and earnest we're his words.
HIS puiuts wore, {a) Justification by
faith. (b) A ~regenerated church
membership. (c) Spiritual church
government. Cd A cooperative
spirit. Conformity M. L. Bibb pre-
sented the "Element of Weakness in
Our Denomination" insisting that
while We are strong theologically, we
are weak practically. (a) We are
lacking in doctrinal conviction. (b)
We are lacking as to personality.
lc) We are afflicted with organic
llaxity~
6. Brother J. G. Crawford, of Long
Branch church, led Off pretty lively in
the discussion of sThe PASTORS Rela-
ton to His Denomination" and was
followed by Brother Hiram Threlkeld,
of Beaver Dam. These brethren are
laymen and laid it on to the preach
ers. Each one of us received his por-
ton in due season, and that, too, with
meek1less; for the "most part" we
felt that we needed 1t.
The institute closed with an excel
lent speech by Rev. Harvey Hatcher,
a characteristic speech, full of wit and
wisdom, point and pathos. And thus
closed one of the best meetings of the
Audrsin Bible Institute.
M. L. BIBB, Sec'y.