The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-03
BAPTISTS DISCUSS
 NUMBER OF TOPICS
Birmingham Baptist Associa- ton Adjourned Last Evening
VERY LARGE ATTENDANCE
Next Years Meeting Will Be Held In North Birmingham-Personal Notes and Gossip-Splen-
 did Reports.

Yesterdays session cf the Birmingham Baptist association at Pratt City proved to be the most interesting of the con- vention as well as the most largely att tended of any during the entire history of the association. The handsome First church was filled to overfiowing with people listening to the able discussions of the condition and progress of the Baptists of Jefferson county.
 The morning session was called to or der by the moderator, Judge J. F. Stiles and the report of the committee on re- ligious literature was read by the chair man, J. L. McFinny. and was adopted. The chairman of the committee on de- nominational institutes being absent, the question was called up and discussed at length. The keynote of the discussion was, that the Baptists must come to the succor of Howard college and the Jud- son institute Those taking part in the talk were: Dr. A. J. Dickerson, Dr. M. M Wood, Prof. F. P. Hogan, Prof. A. J. Moon, pr. J. G. Lowery, Prof F. M. Roof, and Dr. J. N. Thomas.
 The report of the committee on the B. Y. P. U. was read by Pat Felton. and adopted. The association then took re- cess for dinner.
 Afternoon Session.
 The scripture reading was conducted by I the Rev. L. T. Reeves of the East Br- I mingham church, after which the moder- l ator took the chair and called up the re- | nar+ of ,ba co,op,it+aa ou churches and Sunday schools, which was read by the chairman, J. w. Hargrove. The report was a very able one, showing the splendid condition of the churches of the associa- 1 tion. Forty-eght active churches were reported an increase of four over last years report; a total membership of 6S2S an increase of S22 over last year; 45 Shn- 1 day schools, an increase of over last l year. with a total membership of 5l16, an l increase of 66S over last year. The report l showed furthermore that only 30 per cent of the church membership attended the 1 Sunday school that 80 per cent of the young Sunday school pupils became l church members.
 The report was ably discussed by J. w. Hargrove of East Lake, w. R. Sawyer of Ensley, the Rev. J. w. Hendricks of Pratt City, the Rev. J. w. O'Hara of Wy lam. the Rev. L. J. Bradley of Avondale, J. w. Minor of Ensley, Judge J. P. Stiles and S. P Fowlkes of Birmingham. The report was adopted,
 Report on Nominations.
 The committees on nominations through Its chairman, the Rev. J. M. Shelburne, submitted the following report:
 1. Place of meeting next year. the North Birmingham Baptist church.
 2. That article of the constitution be l so changed that the association shall meet on the second Tuesday in September g. That the introductory sermon be preached by Dr. H. w. Province with Dr. A. J. Dickerson of the First church of Birmingham as alternate.
 f. That the executive committee shall be composed of J. B. Gipson, J. P. Stiles, R. J. Waldrof. J. w.. Minor, Dr. A. C. Davidson, J. B. Helm. M. T. Summer, Df A. J. Dickerson and Rev. J. A. Hendrick
 5. That S. P. Fowlles. R. A. Manly be elected auditors of the association.
 G. That A. D. Smith, Dr. A. P Monta- gue, Will Eubank Pat Felton. J.. D. Wood. J. F. Knight be elected as dele gates to the state convention.
 I. That the Rev F. M. Wood be elected as delegate to the Southern Baptist cop- yention with Dr. J. L. Thompson as alter nate.
 The report was adopted.
 The association then adjourned. Dr. j. C. Thomas of Roanoke Va, preached the closing sermon last night
 Association Notes.
 Judge Stiles makes an excellent presid- ing officer He despatched business with ease and dignity. and met all the knotty parliamentary questions with the grace of a bishop.
 Ex-President F. M Roof of Howard college although he has retired from &C., | tive educational work, has not lost his | educational enthusiasm, as shown by bis eloquent speech in behalf of Howard col- lege.
 The Rev J. w. Stewart of Evergreen. was present and addressed the associa- tion in behalf of the Baptist o,phanage of which he is the superintendent. Prof. B. F. Jiles of Tuscaloosa, the large ana Benldi pTtSiutHI VI tue Ana bama Central Female college, was pre- sent and addressed the association in be- half of his institution.
 The association missed the gentle pas tor of the First church of IIessemer. Dr. J. L. Thompson who Is detslined at home on account of the serious illness of his wife.
 The Baptists church has a democratic government. Baptist preachers are good parliamentarians and the laymen are good debaters.
 Prof. A. J. Moon of Howard college. the modest and scholarly professor of Latin and Greek. made his maiden speech yesterday in behalf of the col lege, which was a good one.
 The splendid report of the different committees is good omen of the pros- porous times that the people of the Bir- mingham district are enjoying.
 There are 80 associations and 1s47 Bap- lists churches In Alabama.
 Pratt City has proved its ability to accommodate a convention. The people are hospitable and handle the large