Evening star., 1909-04-16
CALLED TO BAPTIST PULPIT
FIFTH CHURCH pASToRATE OF
FERED DIR. BRIGGS.
Atlanta Minister Now in the City
Attending Committee Meeting.
Expected to Accept.

Rev. John E. Briggs, pastor of the
Capitol Avenue Baptist Church of Allan
ia, Ga, has been called to the pastorate
Of the Fifth Baptist Church. made va
cant some weeks ago by the resignation
of Rev. DR.. Weston Bruner. who is now
pastor of the First Baptist Church of
San Antonio. Tex. This action was taken
at a congregational meeting held at the
church last night at the conclusion of
the regular weekly prayer meeting serv-
ice. The special committee appointed
some time ago to select successor to
DIR. Bruner reported through the chair
man, ]. J. Darlington. 1t was stated
that Rev. Mr.. Briggs is we'll qualified
to succeed DR.. Bruner in the pastorate,
and the congregation Immediately de-
cided to extend the call.
G.. Clinton James, the church clerk. was
instructed to communicate at once with
the pastor, who is now in this city, hav-
ing been In attendance on the meetings
OF the special committees Of the Northern
and Southern Baptist denominations.
held in Calvary Church this week. He
will doubtless notify Rev. Mr.. Briggs
that he has been called to the pastorate
either this afternoon or tomorrow morn
ing.
Expected He Will Accept.
When the pastor was seen last night he
said that he desired to wait until he had
received Official word Of the call before
he had anything to say upon the subject.
4 number of the Fifth Baptist Church
committee had a short consultation with
him last night, and at the conclusion OF
the meeting stated that they are inclined
to believe that he will accept the local
pulpit.
Rev Mr. Briggs has been pastor of
the Capitol Avenue Church of Atlanta for
the past five years. He Is scholarly
man and deep student. When ne took
up the work at the church 1t had
church roll has been added to at the rate
of over 100 new members yearly. until
at the present time the membership Is
over 1000. and the congregation Is one
of the most fiourishing in the Georgia
capital city.
The pastor was educated in the public
schools Of Georgia and later entered Mer-
Ger College of that state. After conclud-
ing his collegiate course In that insti-
tuition he entered the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary at Louisville. Upon
his graduation he was called to the pas
torate of the Greensboro (Ga) Baptist
Church, where he had highly success
ful pastorate extending over period of
three years.
-. Added Many New Members.
During his work In this church there
was a large increase in membership of
the congregation, as well as a distinct
awakening of interest in the work Of the
organization among the members. While
Rev. Mr.. Briggs was at this church the
pulpit Of the Capitol Avenue Church OF
Atlanta became vacant, and after num-
ber of clergymen had been considered
for the pastorate it was decided to call
the pastor of the Greensboro church.
Rev Mr.. Briggs considered the call
for short time, and then came to At
lanta to take up the work there. His
efforts were SO highly successful that
when the committee of the Fifth Baptist
Church looked over the field it decided
that he was the best fitted man to take
up the task laid down by DIR. Bruner.
Word received from Georgia by various
members Of the Fifth Church confirms
the reports that Rev. Mr.. Briggs is con-
sidered in that state as one Of the lead
ing clergymen of the Baptist denomi-
nation.