Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-09-23
Bluefield Baptist Hold Ap-
propriate Services in
Honor of Their Twentieth
Anniversary. A
INTERESTING
PAPERS READ
Wide Range of .Vitally In
teresting Topics
Discussed.

The twentieth anniversary of the
First Baptist church was held yes
terday at their house of worship on
the corner OF Mercer and Duhring
streets. A most interesting and en-
Joyable program OF exercises was
rendered, consisting OF old-time
songs, papers, and addresses by va
rious members OF tne church.
The afternoon was devoted to
womens wcrk, Sunday schools, and
young peoples work The first paper
read was by Mrs c. G. Betell. in
which was outlined tho influence OF
|, women IN Christian work. especially
Ia soul winning. The main point
made was the power OF Christian
matters,
Mrs. NJ. b. Easley read a strong
paper. bristllng vita facts and fig-
ures, showing what women have
done In the past and how beautifully
they have met their obligations as
Christians In spreading the Gospel
In home and foreign lands.
Mr.. G. G.. Beetle. the superintend-
ont or the Sunday school, read a
strong paper on the Sunday school as
an evangelizing power, followed by
MIR. w. 9. Easley on the obligation
OF the teacher TO his class. There
were able and instructive and strong
ly emphasized fact not stated spe-
cially in either paper, namely, that
laymen when they try can do some
first-class preaching.
Rev. j. II. Franklin closed the dis
cussion with an earnest and prac-
tical address.
a general discussion on young peo-
Pies work was given by Pastor S. II.
Thompson.
one OF the features Of this after
moons session was a strong, earnest
and spiritual address by Rev w. A.
Pearson, who was formerly pastor OF
the church. He IS greatly beloved il
Biuefield and is always heard with
pleasure by his old parishoners and
all our people.
The addresses OF the evening were
along the lines Of church work.
Mr.. T. j. Phelps presented in
strong. vigorous paper the demands
on a church at present. According to
this paper, these demands were never
SO great as at present. Mr.. Phelps
pointed out the great needs that had
come under his own observation as a
travelling salesman. His paper was
further discussed by f.. s. Easley
and Rev. w a. Pearson. Mr. d. NJ.
Easley read a historical sketch of the
church since It's organization twenty
years ago. At the beginning there
were only fourteen; today there are
three huadrd and Rfty, besides tho
Calvary church. which has been Or
ganized out OF the membership Of
the First church Then they wor-
SHIPPED in a vacant store room ON
Princeton avenue. now they have
magnificent church house. Mr.. w. G.
Easley added a few earnest words
to this paper. Five OF the original
members still in Blueheld are Mr..
and Mrs. J. G. Elliott Mr.. and Mrs.
a. Loher and Mr.. w. G. Easley.
Mr. John y Pearson read an ex-
cellent paper on the future outloox.
in which was shown the work TO be
doae and how 50 can be accomplish
ed Mr. y. +. French followed in an
exceedingly strong speech emphasiz-
ihg the personal element il church
work. The last paper was read bv
Mr.. John w. Simpson. Christian
Stewardship was the theme ard I'm a
well prepared and thoughtful dis
cussion he pointed ont tho steward
ship and responsibility Of the indi-