The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-19
State Convention Opens With
Immense Delegations
REPORT ON HOWARD COLLEGE
Thus Far ss1, 1000 Has Been Procured
for EndoWment-Dr. Blackwe lder's
Sermon Is the Feature
of the Day.
BY JELks II. cABANlss.

Talladega, July 1S.-(Speeial.)- 1.-The Ala
bama Baptist state convention met here
this morning at the First Baptist church
in it's eghty-hfth session with about $50
delegates and visitors present.
The convention opened with a prayer
service: Workers Together With Cod
led by the Rev. A. G. spinks. The de-
gates were asked TO quote texts from IT,
Bible bearing on the subject and many
responses were given after which the
leader made a short address.
The Rev. G. L. Conner, president of
the convention, then took the chair, and
a business session was begun. the en-
rollment of delegates being the first thing
taken up. After Its completion an cleo
ton of officers was held for the COM
ing session. The Rev. G. G. Miles and
Judge N. d. benson were nominated for
president, beautiful tributes as to their
characters and fitness for the office being
paid by various members of the con-
vention. At the earnest request of DR..
Miles his name was withdrawn and Judge
benson was elected by acclamation. The
OllltT OAAiStlS ttlbStH WCIc l. - AOOpeT,
first vice president; j. B. Ellis. second
vice president and w. A. Wood, secre-
tary (re-elected).
An informal reception to visitors fol-
lowed and new pastors were introduced
to the convention.
At 10 o'clock w. B. Castleberry well
coined the convention on behalf of the
people of Talladega. His address created
much laughter being full of wit. J. /. Ros-
ser of Selma was called on to respond
and made what was considered a very
able and graceful talk. He spoke in part
as follows: s.-..
'The English language Is rich in those
vehicles of thought which we call words
but amid all this copiousness, there is nc
word richer in Its content or sweeter in
its suggestion than the word welcome
Scatter the sunbeam with a prism, and
you will find all the glorious colors of
the rainbow-analyze welcome and you
will find every rich and sweet emotion
of the human soul.
'It remains for me to say a word to
him who represents the hospitality OF
this church and city. From every visit
ing heart l gather up smiles and thanks.
press them into one alabaster box of
sweetness and break 1t at your feet"
Mission Report Held.
A lengthy report was then read by Rev
". b. Crumpton for the state board of
missions, the report covering every phase
of the mission board work. An interesting
item, noted In this report, and one whicn
demonstrates the rapid growth of the
Baptist religion in this state. was the
fact that the mission board Aas during
the past year distributed s67. 1923. 6s as COM
pared with sl5,s19 for the year 1888 when
the convention was last held at this place.
At IL O'Clock the business session ad-
journed to listen to the convention sermon
as preached by Dr. w. NJ. Blackwelder OF
Greenvile. 1t is said that rarely, If ever,
has a more powerful sermon been heard
in this city, the immense audience, which
filled the church to the doors, sitting
spell-bound throughout. Dr. Blackwelder
spoke for some time, but never did he
lose the attention OF his audience. His
powerful but we'll controlled voice, rising
al times to a fiery pitch of Intensity, and
then sinking suddenly to the merest
whisper. filled the church, every word be-
ing audible throughout the audience.
$1,000 for Howard College.
This afternoons session was opened with
a brief prayer service led by f. j. ingram.
The treasurer of the Howard college en-
dowment fund then made a report stating
that there had already been subscribed a
total of ss1 900 This news was received
by the convention with great pleasure for
Howard college seems to be dear to every
Baptists heart and II is being made the
subject of a great deal of discussion all
over the state. Much praise is given by
the delegates 10 the committee which Is
raising this money and to DR.. Montague
especially.
The Rev. W. b. Crumpton, in making a
report for the trustees of the Healing
Springs institute, stated that great work
was being accomplished there. The school
is not vet self supporting one, nor has
1t a very large attendance, but those in
charge announced their determination to
make the work prosper If unfailing enort
on their part could compass that end.
The Rev. j. w. Stewart. reported as
secretary that the Orphans Home is doing
a great work The institution Is out of
debt and Is sheltering III waits.
Discuss state Missions.
The topic for discussion was state
Missions" DR.. Crumpton made a few
general remarks concerning their aim and
scope. giving much valuable advice to
the Younger workers in this field. Follow
ing him, talks were made on missions
In MY Section" by C. r. Culpepper of
Huntsville. c. w. O'Hara of Shelby coun-
V. d.. VI
Dickinson of Birmingham. DIR. Dickinson
made an earnest plea for the establish
ment of more missions in Birmingham.
stating that the growth Of the Baptists
in that district for the past few years had
been discouragingly slow, and citing to
the convention the fact that the only
two missions established in the last five
years in Birmingham have now grown to
be flourishlng churches. He created much
amusement by his references to his own
district, saying: 'fThe one spot where
the gospel is taught less in proportion to
the population than any place on earth
is right where | preach.
DIR. Frost, secretary of the Baptist Sun
day school, urged the Importance of his
department, the gist of his remarks being
contained in his closing paragraph: 'The
state mission Is the basis Of all our 9TH
er denominational work, and the Sunday
school Is the basal phase of the mission
work.
After the convention adjourned at $3.50
o'clock, short meeting of the Ala bama
Baptist Ministers Benefit society was