The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-10
Opening Session in Try
on Street Church
A STRIKING SERMON
A Glance at Some of the Reports That
Will be Submitted TO This Great
BodysShowing the Progress
Made During the
Year.
Especial to News and observer)

Charlotte, n. c., Dec. 9.-There was
large assemblage at Tryon Street church
tonight at the .poening of the Baptist
Convention here. There are between six
and seven hundred delegates and visitors
here and the homes of Charlotte are
bright with their presence and the warm
welcome with which our hospitable people
greet them. The regular business ses-
sions begin in the morning.
The convention was opened by Dr. r.
H. Marsh, OF Oxford, the president. The
opening sermon was preached by Rev. G.
W. Duke, of Elizabeth City. He Is a
young man who is already making him.
self felt as a power. He chose as his
text
HEBREWS 1:1-3
''God, who at sundry times and in
divers manners, spake in time past unto
the fathers by the prophets, hath in
these last days spoken unto us by his
Son, whom he hath appointed heir of
all things, by whom also he made the
worlds who being the brightness of his
glory, and the express image OF his per-
son, and uphclding all things by the word
of his power, when he had by himself
purged our sins, sat down on the right
Of the Majesty on high"
And from this text he preached a ser
mon that touched the heart with its
tender beauty, thrilled the blood with
sudden sweeps Of splendor and at mo-
ments brought to the eyelids the warm
sweetness of rejoicing tears.
In conclusion he told this beautiful
story:
Or. Macarthur, OF New York, says he
was called one day to visit a dying old
Scotchman. When he entered the room
the man seemed to be sleeping. The
wife went to the bed ard called him.
but he did not answer her She called
again, saying, Husband. the minister is
come. No response. Do you not know
your own wife, John, the minister is
ccme, But he was sllet. The daughter
said Mother, let me arouse him. Going
to hi bedside, she put her mouth to hi
ear and shouted, Father, the minister i
come. Still he opened not his eyes Th
minister said, Let me try him. II
leaned over the body and shouted: ID
you know Jesus? He opened his eye
and replied, Yes, / know him well; he
my own Saviour. He took the old ma
by the hand, knet and prayed. When
arose from his knees the soul had taken
its flight No church, no creed is needed
at an hour like that.
''Some of you have parents, some have
children in heaven. But in that glad day
when you ascend, you will go past them
all. You will dash your crown at his
feet and shout with all your might: To
Him be the glory forever and ever. Bring
forth the royal diadem and crown him
Lord of ALL For what is heaven without
Christi"
Tomorrow morning Rev. Livingstone
johnson, secretary, will present the re-
port of the Board of Missions. This will
be the best report ever presented to
the convention, both in work done ana
money raised. During the past year 101
missionaries have been employed and
$26, 300 have been expended in State mis-
sions; for foreign mission SIT 500 have
been raised; for home missions $500;
for the orphanage $4,000; for education
something over $4,000, making altogether
about $50, 900.
The Womans Missionary Society,
which stimulates among women interest
in missions, will show a marvellous growth
of It's work. Miss Fannie E. S. Heck, of
Raleigh, is president.
The trustees of the Baptist Female
University at Raleigh will report a most
prosperous year for that institution. They
will show that the debt has been re-
duced from $4,000 TO $14,50O and that
DR.. Vann's proposition has secured 81 ,7G0
improvements and needs of the institu-
ton will be noted.