Arizona republican., 1906-05-05
ARIZONA BAPHSIS
 ANNUAL CONVENTION
Sessions Began Yesterday and Will
 Continue Until Sunday Night.

The Arizona Baptist convention and association met in its fourteenth an nual session yesterday morning at the First Baptist church in this city. IL was called to order by Rev. Geo. Il. Brewer. in the absence of Chaplain Winfield Scott, D. D.. its president. After devotional services. led by Rev. Lee I. Thayer, the constitution and rules of order were read. This con vention is composed of the Baptist ministry of Arizona and delegates cleo ted by the various Baptist churches. Ii is purely advisory in it's work. nay ing no authority to bind the churches represented, which are each a separate and independent democracy. not bound by any rules of faith. or ritual, or bible, which each church onstrues for itself. The purpose of this convention is the discussion of plans for the furtherence of the cause of Christian ity and the spread of the Gospel Its work is carried on under tIrce heads ar in three departments. known as Territorial Missions. which covers the territory of Arizona Home Missions. which includes all work done in terri tory belonging to the United States: and Foreign Missions under which head is carried forward the work iu territory not owned by the United States. The convention has no power over the separate churches in the se- lection of pastors, nor in any other work of the churches. However. to tnis convention the churches ia Arizo- na make their annual reports of work and finances. for the information rf the, public and the encouragement of the members.
 Rev. Geo. H. Brewer. the corre- spending secretary made an address or welcome on behalf of the Phoenix church.
 The annual sermon was preached by Rev. T. F. McCourtney. of Douglas. after which the delegates were enroll ed and the reorganization perfected by the reelection of officers.
 The afternoon session was devoted to the reading and adoption of the re- ports of various committees and of the board of managers. The latter re- port shows the year closed March 31, 1906. to have been the most properous year in the history of the convention, both as to increase in members and financially. Several new churches were organized and quite a number Of houses of worship have been erected during the last year. The Baptists were the first to send missionaries in. to this territory, except the Roman Catholics. They are greatly encour- aged by the success that has attended their work
 During the afternoon. Rev. C. Ward. law of Stafford. offered resolution. which was unanimously adopted. in 'tructing the president of the conven- ton to wire Senator Beveridge as fol lows:
 'The Arizona Baptist convention to- day unanimously endorsed the anti gambling law for Arizona. It is the opinion of this convention that ak ministers of the Gospel in Arizona are in favor of the adoption of said law e Drs. Nelson B. Rairden of Omaha Neb.. A. w. Rider of Oakland. Cal. E. F. Chivers of New York and Cor ! nelius Woelfl<in are among the promi nent visitors.
 The convention will remain in ses sion today and tomorrow. with d pro. gram of great interest to all church workers. The public is invited cor | dia!ly. to attend all sessions.