The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-18
BAPTISTS PREPARE FOR
 ANNUAL CONVENTION
By J. w. O'HARA.

The Alabama State convention will as- semble in Andalusia next week. This will be the eighty-eighth annual session of this body. It bids fair to be the largest in the history of the denomination in the state, and will have many important fea- lures under consideration.
 The officers at present are N. D. Dem son of Lafayette, president; J. P. Shaf fer of Roanoke and J. B. Ellis of Selma, vice presidents; M. M. Wood of Furman, secreatry; R. F. Manly of Birmingham, treasurer; S. P. Fowlkes of Birmingham, auditor. During the year Rev. J. P. Shaffer has died. It Is quite probable that all the remainder of the official force will be reelected. The custom has been for the president to serve about four years and then yield the office to some one else. MT. Denson has served efficient ly three years, and if he will accept 1t no doubt the honor will be given to him another year.
 Several ministers of the denomination have passed away during the year, among which are Rev. J. P. Shaffer of Lineville, Rev, J. w. Sandlin of Atmore and Rev. A. E. Burns of Verbena. Fitting me norial services will be held for these and others who have answered the last roll call.
 The reports of colleges and schools will be unusually interesting as they have had very successful years. Howard college is now before the public in a number of mass meetings to secure attendance and interest throughout the state. The Judson college is making much needed Improvements and advancing with the demands of the years. The Baptist Col legiate institute at Newton is crowded for room and has the problem of larger building before it. The other school at Healing Springs has had good year.
 Splendid Report.
 Secretary ". B. Cr-umpton will make 8 splendid report for the state board of missions. The receipts for state missions this year will go little beyond that of last year for the month of June. There will be reported small indebtedness on the board, but taking everything into consideration 1t has been a great year. The financial panic has affected the re- ceipts to large degree but even with this to reckon with, the board has made slight advance over previous years.
 There will be placed before the board and the convention for adoption the new state collection calendar invented and patented by the secretary, Dr. w. B. Crumpton. It divides the state into g sections by counties, and the various ob- 1ects of the denomination are divided so as to fall approximately in the different months of the year. With the adoption and use of this calendar there will be coming into the state board office and into the other objects of the denomina- ton money from different sections of the state each month. This will in a large measure obviate the large interest ac- count that is necessary under the present plan. It is believed that this will be a great improvement, and much interest is being taken in it.
 There will be meetings of various bodies at the session of the convention. The state board will meet, the trustees of Howard college and Judson institute will likely have an informal meeting, the Min isters' Benefit society will meet, there will be conferences of associated vice presidents and such other gatherlngs as may be necessary.
 The convention sermon will be preached by the Rev. 0. L. Yates, New Decatur, or T. J. Porter, Roanoke.
 Terms Expire.
 The following terms of office expire with this year, These will have to be either reelected or reflled. State board of mis- sions, the following members: A. H. Burns, D. F. Green, w. B. Davidson, l.. o. Dawson, G. J. Sorrell, R. W. Wood and A. P. Smith; trustees Howard college, w M. Blackwelder, W. H. Terry, J. M Shelburne, w. A. Davis c. s. Rabb, F. c. Hatliff, A. D. Smith, D. H. Marbury and s. w. Welch, alumni; Judson coliese trustees, B. T. Eley and Joseph Norwood; trustees Orphans home, J. O. Busn, John Cunningham and John Williams The following chairmen were appointed last session to make report of following subjects at this session: Foreign mis- sions, A. J. Dickinson, Birmingham; home missions, J. IT. Foster, Anniston; Sunday schools, J. 8. Carroll, Troy; B. Y. P. U.. J. D. Gwaltney, Talladega; wom- ans work, A. G. Mosely, Enterprise; tenn perance, J. V. Dickinson, Tusca%oosa; me- mortals, M M. Wood. Thurman; press. J. w. OHara, Montgomery; transportation w. A. Davis, Anniston; centennial, c. A. Stakely, Montgomery; federation oI schools, J. L. Thompson, Ozark; co-opera- 1 ton, w. M. Blackwelder, Greenviiiej Bn- campment L. o. Dawson, Iuscaloosa aged and infirm ministers fund.- H. B Foster. Tuscaloosa; programme J. J. Hagood, Andalusia.
 Suggested Programme. rollowing Is the suggested programme; | TUESDAY.
 a m.. devotional exercises, G. w. Macon, Howard college
 e:3O a. m., enrolment of delegates and election of officers
 10 a. m., report of programme commit tee, J. s. Carroll.
 ]! 10.9O a. m., intpbduction of new pastors | 1o:3o a. m., welcome address. l 1O6O a. m., response.
 1 u a. m., introductory sermon, O. L.
 AFTERNOON.
 l e.K D. m.. devotional exercises, G. w | Macon. z
 n. m.. reading reports: (a) board O. directors, (b) Treasurer of convention. c. | state Board of Missions. (d) Howard col lege trustees. (e) treasurer Howard col