The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-21
JUDGE benson
AGAIN ELECTED
President of the Alabama Bap-
fist Association
w. B. CRUMPT0N'S REPORT
Increase by Population for the Year Is
1868, Which is 267o More Than
That of Any Previous Year.
Interest in Convention.
w. B. CRUMPT0N'S REPORT

eighty eighth annual session of the Ala
bama Baptist convention was called to
order today by Judge N. D. benson. Prof.
G. w. Macon of East Lake is conducting
all the devotional exercises.
The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows.
Judge N. D. benson, Lafayette, re-
elected president; J. B. Ellis, Selma, and
C. A. O'Neal, Andalusia, vice presidents;
M. NJ. Wood, Eurman, reelected secre-
tary.
The Rev. @. I. Yates of New Decatur
preached the convention sermon from
Matthew, via, which made a splendid
impression There Is great enthusiasm
In the convention.
The afternoon session was devoted to
the reading of reports. w. b. Crumpton
read the report of the state board of
missions; c. A. Stakely the report of the
centennial committee; w. A. Davis that of
the Howard college endowment fund;
]. B. Ellis the report of the Judson trus-
tees; w. B. Crumpton that of Healing
Springs academy; A. W. Tate that of
Newton collegiate institute; M. @. Rey-
nolds that of the Orphans Home; ]. L.
Thompson on federation of schools; M.
M. Wood on statistical report.
All reports have been strong, we'll writ
the denomination. Tonight's session was
given over at first to temperance and
later to home missions 1t was a session
of great interest owing to the present
temperance agitation of the state. The
interest in the convention is strong and
fervent and there is a deep earnestness
that pervades its sessions.
Crumpton's Report.
The following is summary of the re-
port of the state board of missions, as
read by the secretary, the Rev. w. b.
Crumpton:
The report records the death of the
Rev. A. L. Burns. member of the board
who died during the year, as it did that
of the Rev. NJ B. Wharton and J. G.
Harris last year. These brethren are
much missed.
Mention is made of the change of loca-
ton to the Bell building, much more
comfortable place, at only little more
cost The accommodations are SO much
better that the move seems wise.
The year has been fraught with great
success The one-hundredth anniversary
has resulted In large increase by bap-
tism. The number is 12.963, which is 2670.
more than any year Of our history. Your
board believes this to be in large meas
ure due to the preaching of Baptist doc
trine and history.
Never in the history Of the denomina-
ton has there been so much church
building in progress. There is probably
$4,000 being expended now in church
building In the state. The people have
the mono yand are willing to give 1t for
Gods Gauge In addition to the money for
church building there has been raised
for all missions $50, 4ss Is, as follows: State
missions, $23,Css AS; home missions, $le.-
$40 foreign missions, $20,930.9S."
The report devotes much space to the
system of benef1cence. The secretary. DR..
Crumpton, has invented and had patented
a scheme to distribute the various offer
ings over the state at the same time This
is done By dividing the state into u parts
by counties, numbering each and giving to
each district different object from all
the others. 1t will serve to lessen the
large interest account that the boards
have to pay, make 1t easier for the state
representatives to cover the territory, and
at the same time prove great educator.
1t is being heartily commended by all
who examine It.
Attention is called to the growth in con-
tributions since the organization of the
board 3S years ago, and pastors are urged
to do more for the state board, the basis
of all. yet nothing less for the others
The Bible and colportage fund needs en-
largng. Were there fund of $4,000 with
which to operate. a colporteur could be
placed in every association. This would
go long ways toward meeting the many
tsms that find fertile soil among the
country people and the suburbanites in
the cities.
J. T. Mckee hac been employed as Sum-
day school secretary, and is doing a mar
yelous work. He is heartily commended.
Criticism Answered.
Some notice Is made of the oft-recurring
criticism that the moneys of the board
are given mostly to the cities. The board
seeks to equitably distribute the funds ac-
cording to needs. and the reason why the
country fields do not get more is because
they are too slow In making applications
to go before the annual meeting of the
board in the fall. Rarely ever is an APP
plication from the country turned down.
There is no favoritism by the board, but
earnest, honest business men trying to do
the best for the cause.
The money given to the old preachers
from the aged and infirm ministers fund
has been a great blessing to them. The
amount should be increased very ma
terialy.
During the year 10000 tracts have been
printed and scattered over the state
Literally bushels from the home and for
eign mission boards have been sent out
also. large fund for this purpose could
be wisely and efficiently used
The report commends the faithful serv-
ice of the women and the splendid
achievements they have made. The Ala
bama Baptist comes in for the most hearty
praise and commentator. Without 1t the
work would be almost a failure The
preachers are urged to help the paper
throughout the state.
One Evangelist.
The board has only one evangelist under
its employ at present, the Rev. w. J. Ray,
the Rev. w. D. Hubbard and the Rev.
J. v. Dickinson having resigned. The
work is successful and commendatory
The report for the secondary schools
will be very good. Eldridge had en-
rolled 145 students, Gaylesville lis, Bridge
port 107, Beeson Academy 70, Newton APO
and Healing Springs about 70. These
have all been favored during the year.
The work at Bridgeport Is so successful
that the board now recommends that the
$4,000 which 1t loaned the home board
be now given to that board to prosecute
it's work in Alabama.
There is attached to the report finan-
cial statement showing that the board has
handled this year $74,651.56
This splendid report was closed with
brief historical statement of the work
since the organization of the board in 1871
The year is closed with onl yabout H4OO
Indebtedness, which, In consideration of
the many disadvantages and disasters. is
cause for great rejoicing, for the MEM
bers of the board have been fearful that
there would be have a much larger debt
than that The convention this year will
plan for greater things.
lndorse Prohibition.
The convention after the reading of the
temperance report by George e. Brewer,