The Savannah morning news., 1904-06-25
BAPTISTS BACK
FROM CONVENTION.
DIR. Van Deventer Says b. Y. p. U.
Gathering Was a Success.

Ut van LeVenNeF SayS Ne Il IL Gs
Gathering Was a Success.
Nearly all of the Savannah delegates
to the Baptist Young Peoples Union
Convention at Washington, Ca, re-
turned to their homes yesterday. Sew
eral, however, remained in Washington
with friends and will return Monday.
The programme for the convention
was carried through without a hitch. The
addresses and conferences were among
the features. The barbecue which was
rendered the delegates proved one of the
most enjoyable features, and the event
was one which will be long remem-
bered.
The convention was called to order by
Rev. Robert Van Deventer, president
of the state organization. In his ad-
dress he briefly reviewed the work that
had been done during the last year by
the union and outlined plans of work
which would probably be followed this
year.
His report and that of the other Off
GERS, showed that the organization in
Georgia is in a flourishing condition. In
speaking of the convention last night
Rev. Mr.. Van Deventer said:
The convention was a success in
every sense of the word and all who
attended came away much benefited.
There were 406 delegates in attendance,
representing every union in the state.
The principal conferences were on
missions, both home and foreign, and
on Bible study and plans of work. The
exchange of ideas cannot but result in
good. The Junior conference was also
pleasing number. In these confer
ences the objects were thoroughly dis
cussed and plans made for extending
the work in all lines this year.
THE banner for excellent work in the
Junior department of Bible study and
the work of the union as mapped out
in it's courses, was awarded to the
Junior B. Y. p. u. of the South Side
Baptist Church. This is the second sue
cessive year that the South Side
Church has won this. banner in a con-
test including every Baptist Church in
Georgia. The banner in the Senior
department was captured this year by
the Rome church"
The officers elected for the next year
are: e
Rev. Robert Van Deventer of Savan-
nah, president; John E. Howell of
Moultrie, first vice president; Rev. j.
s. McLemore of Statesboro, second vice
president; E. M. Willingham of Allan
ia, third vice president; ]. ]. Whitfield
of Hawkinsville, fourth vice president
L. G. Todd of Rome, secretary and
j. H. Montcrfef of Greensboro, treas
urer.
The members of the Executive Com
mittee are r. C. Norman of Washing
ton, chairman; T. B. Bell of Atlanta
w. w. Gaines of Atlanta, M. L. Brit
tain of Atlanta, ex-Gov. w. ]. Northen
| of Atlanta, Joseph w. Little of Allan
ia, Rev. Henry Miller of Triton and G.
w. Macon of Macon.
Despite the fact that no separate
state convention was held last year, on
account of the national convention in
| Atlanta, the Baptist Young Peoples
| Union work in Georgia has made a
material advance along all lines OF
| Christian endeavor. New unions have
| the Christian Culture Courses have
been more widely organized than al
| any time since the organization of the
state association at Macon in 1894 A
| partial statistical report shows that in
| 1908 there were 50 unions, with a mem
bership of 2,499 seniors and 1901 juniors
| This year it is certain that a carefully
prepared statistical report will show
an increase of more than so per cent
| over that of 1903.
Two important recommendations oil
| the executive board were adopted
unanimously by the convention. These
were, first, the division of Georgia into
| six separate districts for the more sys-
| tematic work of the Baptist Young
| Peoples Union field secretary, who was
named, and the second was that each
of the vice presidents, the president
! secretary and treasurer shall be elect
| ed from different districts.