The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-12-06
BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION.
This influential Body Assemblies in
Columbia Tonight.

Columbia, Dec. 1.-Ibe Baptlss
State Convention, whicn was organ
Ized in this. city on the 4th of Decem-
her. 1921. will hold it S4th annual
meeting N this city beginning tonight
and continuing through Monday
night. This IS the largest parliament
fary BODY in the state and is thor
onrhly democratic in its conduct IS
: we'll as in its representation.
While it is customary IL other de-
nominations for the annual legisla
tive or reviewing bodies to be presided
over by bishops or other clergymen or
Deacbers, the Bapsists are not so
constrained by church government or
s By custom and laymen frequently
have been elected presidents of the
State Convention Tie lamented
Col. Jas: A. Hoyt was president for
eight years, beginning with the sssion
of 1885, and Judge Joshua q. Hud-
son is another lay member who has
had. this distinguished honor. The
presiding officer at this time is Mr..
Chas. s. Smith of Timmonsville. a
Iayman who has had this honor for
two years
The first president was Rev. Rich
ard Furman, Sr., and it is related
that at the meeting at which the State
association was formed there were
present but nine delegates represent
ing the seven associations. There
are now nearer 400 delegates, and it is
believed that this meeting will be
more largely attended than any other
in the history of the convention.
oeor oS 0C n
s1on stated last night that ali lnstitu-
tions supported py the State oragniza-
ton. will report better financial state
ments this year than ever, and that It
IS proposed to put into the field State
secretary for Sunday school WORK.
The sessions will be called to order
at the First Baptist church tonight at
S Ssosciock by the president, Mr.. q. A.
Smith OF Timrlonsyille. The opening
sermon will be preached by DR.. j. NJ.
Poteat. LII. D., pesident of Furman
university. After this the business
SESSIONS Will be commenced. Addresses
OF welcome will De deliverd by Mayor
II. 81. Gibbes and Mr.. ". A. Clark,
president of the Chamber Of Com
merce.
There are four boards in connection
with the convention. State missions.
DR.. M. Bailey of Greenville. sec
retary aged ministers relief, Rev. G.
8 6. Brown, D. D., of Sumter; Connie
Maxwell orphanage, Rev. A. Z. Janli-
son of Greenwood. superintendent;
ministerial education, Rev. W. j.
Laneston of Greenville, president of
the board. These will all have graf
flying reports to make.
The session of the convention Will
not begin until tonight and will be
continued tomorrow and again Mon
day, With memorial meetings Sunday.
The meeting of the ministers, confer
ence this morning is apart from the
regular work Of TIE convention. To
all of these exercises the public is IN
Yited
So The Gambler of Commerce is prepar-
for trolley ride over the Is
miles of railway IN the city for the
VISITORS tomorrow afternoon, be
ginning at o'clock. The cars will
be modified at the transfer station and
the ride will take the visitors through
the manufacturing district and the
residentcce section and then out to
the new Columbia College.
Tie members of this committee
are G. B. Simmons, chairman; Mayor
Z &. a. Gibbes, J. NJ. Green. Capt.
". E. Gonzales. JAS. A. Hoyt, Jr:,
DR. J. NJ Qnattlebaum, W. 9.
Swaffeld. ". F. Stieglitz. ". 81.
Lyles, Jr. r. a. Lancaster.