The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-25
BAPTIST CONVENTION
 MEETS IN NEW DECATUR
Hon. H. 5. D. Mallory of Selma Presiding -MiS- sion Work Among the Factory Hands Fully
 Discussed by the Delegates.

Decatur, June A-(Special.)-The State Convention of the Alabama Baptists met at o'clock this morning at the Central Baptist Church in New Decatur.
 The convention was opened by Dr. w. M. Blackwelder with devotional exer- cises of prayer and singing. M. L. Brad ley of Birmingham and Prof. P. H. Nell Of Auburn offered feeling prayers for the work of the convention. The conven- ton then joined in singing Nearer to the Cross.''
 Dr. Blackwelder then read the twenty first chapter of John and discoursed upon Christ's command to Peter to feed his sheep. He drew a beautiful moral for the benefit of the convention. pointing out that Christs words to Peter espe- cially fitted this Baptist body, whose chief work Is essentially of missionary nature and largely among the sheep and lambs of Christendom, the boys ana girls.
 Dr. J. N. Prestfdge. editor. of Baptist Argus of Louisville. Ky, offered prayer
 Devotional exercises being conciudeo the convention was formally opened and
 
 session, Hon. H. s. D. Mallory of Sel- ma, Ala. president, in the chair.
 pr. A. C. Davidson of Birmingham rem dered invocation for the blessing of the throne to descend upon the convention and conse crate it's work and its members to do their work with greater zeal and diligence.
 The work of enrolling messengers from churches was then proceeded with, ana being completed, the secretary announced there were present 105 accredited dele gates. Twenty-Five women were pres eat.
 Upon motion, after the chair announced that election of officers was in order, the secretary cast the ballot of the con- vention for President Mallory to succeed himself.
 The secretary then cast the ballot of the convention for first and second vice presidents, respectively, for R. E. Pet tus of Huntsville and J. B. Graham Of Talladega. The moderator cast the bal lot of the convention for the present sec- retary, W. A. Davis of Anniston. to sue ceed himself.
 The following visitors were announced: D-. J. N. Prestidge of Louisville, Ky, and Dr. R. J. Wiliingham, correspond ing secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of Richmond, Va.
 Dr. Prestidge in response, convulsed the convention with an anecdote of the boom days and how he bought bridal present out of the profits from Decatur dirt. Frank Willis Barnett editor of the Alabama Baptist, evinced great wit and originality in his remarks about the Ala bama Baptist, telling why he kept his picture in the paper every week. Dr. s. M. Provence of Montgomery. Prof sssor Dawson cf Scottsboro, Ala, C. NJ Morris of Cuba, Ala, c. c. Pugh or Lafayette, were introduced to the con- ventIon as visitors and responded. c. S. Rabb of Evergreen, c. w. Hare of Tuskegee J. M. Shelburn of East Lake, were appointed a press committee Judge W. H. Simpson of New Decatur then delivered the address of welcome. The address of welcome was responded to by John Ashcraft of Florence, in | modest but eloquent words.
 G. c. Miles. President of the Board of State Missions. read the report of the Board, which showed the board to have fallen little behind Tn it's receipts, but it is much encouraged by results otherwise, Rev. w. B. Crumpton, Corresponding Secretary of the State Board, read his report, showing that Alabama had risen to fifth place in the United States in mission work. It had received the past year S1 800 more than had been asked for. The report showed quite number of be- quests from private estates. The State Mission funds were overdrawn about S1 300 The saddest thing brought to the attention of the Board is the condition of the factory people of the State. The report further set out the financial con- djtion of the Board and it's work. which was shown to be healthy. Recapitulation showed that more than $16O00 had been collected in the course of the past mis- sion year.
 Dr. J. G. Lowrey of Warrior. read his paper on Ministerial Education" The importance of this phase of ministerial work could not be over estimated. If the Baptist denomination hopes to become leaders in Christian development. they must educate their ministers. He spoke of the splendid work done and the splen- did young men turned out by Howard College at East Lake. Ala. The report suggested that his Board be relieved of institute work. as they had not found the proper encouragement. They were sorry to report the board in debt. An appall- ing indifference to ministerial education had been evinccd among the churches. The debt on Howard College. however. had been lifted by the members of the Board borrowing the money at bank and