The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-13
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
EXERCISES CLOSE

End of Observance of Ninety-fourth
Anniversary - Anthracite City's
Entertainment of Delegates the
Most Royal in the History of the
Association-A Resume of the
Events of the Convention-Pray-
ers offered for President McKin-
ley-Election of officers and Reso-
lutions Passed-Meet Next Year
at Factoryville.
Amid a thickly-c -clouded sky ana
showers at various intervals through
out the day. the concluding exercises
Of the nincty-fpurth anniversary of the
| Abingdon Baptist association were
! held yesterday in the Bcrean BapuSt
| church This has been a most inter-
csting and profitable gathering. large
! ~ attended, with manifest evidence of
divine presence. With the inspiration
! received from the eloquent and stirring
addresses. the delegates Will return To
| their respective churches fun of Chris
| tian enthusiasm and with greater de-
termination To serve Christ more faith
! FUZZY i'm the establishment of his king
dom in the world.
Delegates Praise City's Hospitality.
| Never have the delegates of the as
! soCiation been more royalty enter
tanned at any of its annual gather
ingS than by the hnspitable people OF
this beautiful Anthracite city. Mr.. w.
| \. Roberts, the OrGaniSt of the Bcr'an
church, has rendered most faithful ana
efficient service at the piano.
Among the expressions made in the
various addresses during the sessions
of the association. none has been more
sensational in character and received
moro comment favorable or otherwise,
than Rev. Albert II. Smith, pastor of
tha North Main Avenue. scranton,
gave uttorance to in his address last
Tuesday evening, when, in the course
of his vehement dcnunciation Of the
use Of sacred art in the presentation
Of Gospel truths by the stcroopticon,
he characterized the presentation Of
the celebrated Passion Play as the
most horrd blasphemy ever invented
by the devils"
The great love and high esteem in
which President Mckinley is held by
all was shown by the many prayers
offered throughout the entire ConVen
ton for Gods restoration of him to
his health, regardless of political af-
iiliationS.
Scattered through the auditorium
were a few delegates when the morn
inc session of the day opened at Q
o'clock with devotional exercises, con-
Quoted 10y Rev. J. G. Patey. of Pike
| ,,.l. a I;a,tt ,i,,o
of being pastor of thn only Baptist
church in that county. Those present
participated readily in prayers and
songs i'm which divine blessings were
earnestly sought and praises heartily
, rendered unto God. In the absence of
Moderator Luther Keller, owing to a
buincss engagement. Rev. W. J. Ford
presided over the convention at the
beginning. In coming to the platform
and explaining his presence there and
the non-drrival of the moderator he
remarked, zone of the most hopeful
signs Of christianity is that We have
,onsccratcd laymen who not only find
. tim" to make money, but also to serve
the kingdom of God"
[ Feature of Morning Session.
The first feature of the morning ses.
sion was the reading Of an historical
sketch of the Jormyn church. prepared
and read by Rev. NJ. Il. Thompson
pastor of the church. This church
was organized December o. 1859, witt
six members, and it now reports s,
members. and was recognized as
regular Baptist church Aug. is. 1854
! Gcv w. T.. Grow was the orCaniZe
of the church and was its pastor dur
ing the first eight years of its ca
roer. During the reading of thi
, sketch, Moderator Keller came to th'
!, platform and presided through the re
: rlalning exercises of the day with hi
= = usual grace and dignity,
Rev. w. J. Ford. chairman of tn
- state missionary committee. made
report and spoke in the interests o
this society. He stated there had heel
a decrease of offerings among tn
= churches for this work during the pas
= year, Following this, were addrcssc
by Rev. NJ. r. Thompson, Jermyn
= Rev. II. l. Gibson, IOllstervillc, an,
: Rev. Thomas Baker, Scott Valley
: missionary pastors. \ general discus
sion of the matter followed this. Re
y ports Of various committees were lis
II tened to at this time. Rev c, A
u Spaldmg reported for the henovolen
: committee; Rev. Thomas De GruchN
II =. D., for the committee on systemati
L,neficcnce, ana Rev r. r. Thomp
son reported on temperance.
Election of Trustees and Officers.
The following trustees for the assO
y citation were elected: Rev. G. 4
Spalding, Rev, II. +. Y. Pierce, u. u
and Or r. O. RCllOp r. q Morpa