The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-16
STATE BAPTIST CONVENTION,
ANNUAL GATHERING WE'LL At
TENDED BY CHURCH
WORKERS.
Rev. A. j. $. Thomas HOnOred--
Chosen President to Succeed Mr.
Smith--Other Officers Elected
Work of the Body.

Il.
Smith--Other Officers Elected
Work of the Body.
Union, Dec. S.-The SSth annual
session Of the Baptist State convention
of South Carolina was called to order
by Former President c. A. Smith at
1880 p. m., in the meeting house Of the
Baptist church, Union, and the first
prayer was offered by Rev. John A.
Brunson, ID. d., the appointee for the
Introductory sermon. The scripture
was read from the 18th chapter of
John by Rev. r. w. Lide. DR.. Brun-
son read four assages-Matthew 2S:
Is. Revelations 1921, John 1.12 and
Gen. 4:6-as his text.
He stated as his theme, "Christs
Crownright the Believers Birthright."
Christ's crownright is His right to give
all the fullness OF his blessings, the
Christians birthright is his right to
receive all the fullness of Christ These
are Christ's peculiar people given to
Him by the Father and are to know
the secrets Of God. The failings of
men are not to be charged to Jesus,
but to their failure to use their rights
to partake Of what Christ has pur-
chased for them. The freedom of the
Christian from sin is as far-reachng
as the bondage of sin had extended.
AS sin had dominated the whole man,
so his liberty through Christ goes
through the whole man.
In this connection the preacher de-
clared with great emphasis his belief
in the atonement reaching the sick
nesses of the body as well as the spirit
that the connection with Christ set
forth in the figure of the vine and the
branches means physical as we'll as
spiritual health. But to receive these
full blessings means proportionate re-
sponsibility. The Christian should feel
himself obligated TO cooperate with
Christ in closely observing all the laws
of health. One should know his won
derful body and keep it's being re-
deemed from all sickness. The world.
said the preacher. is in the darkness
OF materialistic agnosticism because 1t
has not seen the power Of Jesus Christ
as He is ready to make their power
known through His people. These are
they who have the birthright to re-
ceive in full blessings Of Christ's
crownright
Immediately following the sermon
the congreg CATION stood and sang
Come. Thou Fount of Every Bless
ing and Rev. ]. d. Pitts, d. D., lead
in prayer.
President Smith announced that the
roll was fairly well made up by Sec
retary Erwin and that nominations
were in order for president. Rev. C.
{. Brown, d. D., nominated DR.. A. J
$. Thomas, editor of The Baptist
Courier, which was seconded by DR..
j. A. Prestridge of Kentucky and Rev
A. McA. Pittman. DR.. Thomas was
NiioiiiiiiouSlN eltCteu anu was escorted
to the chair by Drs. Brown and Prest-
ridge.
The retiring president in a graceful
manner delivered the gavel into the
hands Of DR.. Thomas After a few
remarks DR.. Thomas said nominations
for two vice presidents were in order.
Rev. Mike McGee and Rev. r. w.
Lide were elected. The ballot being
cast by Rev. Henry Miller. Rev. G
p. Erwin. ID. d., and Rev. George p
White were reelected secretaries and
c. B. Bobo, treasurer, and w. w. Keys
auditor
Rev. M. w. Rankin made his report
as chairman Of the committee on or
der Of business.
Addresses Of welcome were made by
Rev. X. w. Cawthon and Mr. Wagnon,
the mayor Of the city. President
Thomas called on DR.. Il. NJ. Baily to
respond The convention adjourned
at 9:45. dismissed by Rev. w. T. De-
rieux.