The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-18
BAPTIST ASSOCIATION ENDS
ITS 59TH ANNUAL MEETING.

The closing session OF the 6sth annual
meeting OF the Providence Baptist asso-
citation was held in the Pearl Street Bap-
tist church. last evening. commencing at
1890 o'clock. At this hour the large audiLo-
rum was nearly filled with members or
the association. the clergy OF the various
Baptist churches In the association ana
interested friends. The evening service
opened with the hymn. Majestic Sweet
ness Sits Enthroned;" devotional services
consisting OF Scripture reading and pray
er. were conducted by Rev. A. r. Chase.
The anthem Onward Christian Sol
diers" was then finely rendered by the
choir OF the church. AZ this point dn the
program Of tho evening, Rev. II. A Rob-
inson advanced TO the platform and pre-
sided over the remainder of the session.
announcing that tho meeting was open
ana that the first business would be re-
ports OF committees. The first report pre-
sented was that of committee on obitu-
aries by Edwin Bromley and r. 4. Robin
son and read by Mr.. Fred L. Smith, the
clerk of the association.
IL
man L. Wood referred at some length and
In most feeling way OF the deceass or
young membar OF his church at wood
lawn. Arthur Siocum.
Rev. Frank Rector, of the First churcn,
OF Pawtucket. then spoke Of an aged
member OF his church. Rev. Ezra CroweiL
hev. DR.; Cameron. pastor OF the Fourth
baptist church. of this city. then spoke
nr he
ceased member of his churoh--Mr. PANE
Hev. Dr. Henson spoke OF two consti-
tuont members of the Cranston Street
bapust church. who had passed away
Curing the year.
Rev. j. A. Hainer. pastor of the Pear
street Bapost church. then offered a brief
prayer In memory OF the faithful ones
who had passed away during the year.
The report on The etate of Religion IN
the churches OF the association was then
presented by the ohaisman, Rev. L. l.
Henson The same was. In part. as fol-
lows,
OF the. IS churches. 2I have been
church show an increase IN membeyss,in
OF 40 ana II churches show a decrease or
400. Ihis leaves net increase In mem
bership OF 40. The net gain for the past
year was i8o. while that for the year be-
fore last was only 22 OF the 81 churches
which have sent letters. Is report lac
baptfsms. while six report none. Last
year is churches reported 9oS baptisrns.
This year shows a falling off for the
year OF throe churches and IS baptisms.
II we should divide tha whole number of
oaptisms for the year, 1t8 equally among
the 20 churches. the average for each
church would be less than six. and II we
should divide the entire net increase In
membership of the year (40) equally
among the 20 churches. the average for
each church would be less than two
The total membership as reported one
year ago was S694. OF that 676 were re-
ported as nonresident members. This
leaves presumably AIS resident members
II we consider the total resident mem
bership we find that our lac bapttsms
represent n growth of only about 3h
per cent and our net gain cs 40 members
shows total growth OF little less than
I per cent.
We recognize. of course, that these
figures do not represent all the good that
our churches have accomplished during
the past year. but we are panied TO ad-
init that they do represent our growth In
We raise the question, there
fore. lis this such growth as We ought
TO report, and as we have a right TO ex-
pectT Your committee believes that in |
humiliation and prayer we ought to In
quire Of God for the trouble and ask His |
year. We recommend more heart
waiting on God. more personal |
work and on the part OF the people self |
laborers and more evangeiistic |
OF tho word on the part OF the |
pastors" !
A discussion on the above report fol- |
owed It's close. which was participated in |
by several OF the olergymen.
The address Of the evening was then |
given by Rev. o. J. White OF Taunton.
Mass. his subject being How the |
Church Can Help the Pastor" After a
brief introduction to his general theme |
he speaker enlarged upon some of the |
ways In which the people can help the
,astor. These were touched upon by the |
speaker. I'm brief. as follows:
Recognize your pastor as your leader
n the church. In recognizing the leader
hip Of the pastor consult him on all the |,
Iffairs and questions OF the church. get |
lis assent and approval OF every COM
nittee and OF every society connected
With the church and In this way many OF |
he difficulties and Observation-Disclosures OF
he church will be avoided.
"If there is n misunderstandingb between
and pastor be man enough. be
woman enough. Christlike enough TO go
O him and talk n over.
Express your appreciation for what
our pastor is doing for you. for the
nOrtn anu the community. All |
ers are made OF the same flesh and
lood that you are and what helps you
clips him: our hearts. our feelings are
he same.
How many hands are weak because
Z the lack of few words OF apprecia-
Ion7 The trouble with us all is that we
re too stingy with our smiles and too
wish with our criticism.
"Tn helping your pastor In these ways
on are helping yourselves. for with
hat measure ye mete IL shall he meas
red 10 you again. The man who blesses
Tiers God VIII see to II that that man
blessed. To get we must give; TO
ather we must scatter abroad. This r.
ne principle that works between pastor
nd people
Give your pastor your constant appre-
alton: give him OF your smiles and
rayers and benedictions and you will
'ceive In return good measure, pressed !
own and running over"
At the close OF the address the hymn
Nearer. My God. to Thee" wac sung, n !
l..NNl al. |