El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-02-21
DR. SAITH ENDS HIS
EIGHTH YEAR
IN CITY
Talks to His Congregation
and Relates the Work
Done in Ell PasO.

DR.. r. B. Homan spoke in the First
Baptist church Sunday morning in the
interest of the laymen's movement. he
selected as his subject: Foreign Mis-
sions From a Business Mans Stand
point. His address was greatly en-
joyed.
At night the pastor DR.. Robert Bruce
Smith, preached his first sermon at the
beginning of the ninth year of his pres
ent pastorate in FL Paso. His subject
was: The Relationship Between Pastor
and Church" He selected his text from
PauPs words in first Thessalonians: I'VE
are my glory and joy"
DR.. Smith declared that the relation
ship between pastor and church is OF
divine origin. He believes in the divine
cali to preach the gospel; that If a man
can step out of the ministry just as
easily as he can remain in II, then he
ought by all means TO sep out Of 1t.
Both the church and Inc pastor must
obey the same spirit The union thus
formed is a most sacred one and not to
be disturbed except by the same spirit
any more than the relation between hus-
band and wife. What God hath Joined
together let no man PCT asunder." God
places his workers after his own wise
plan. 1t sometimes happens that men I'M
dertake what belongs only 10 God. Then
disaster follows TO both church and pas
tor.
DR.. Smith also stated that ne believed
that every properly organized church
must be formed by the spirit. This spirit
is not the author of dissensions and
schisms and untimely divisions, he said.
DR.. Smith emphasized the RESPONSE
bility of the relationship between pastor
and church. No one can overestfmate this
tremendous responsibility which belongs
TO both CHURCH and pastor. Who is suf-
ficfaDf mr. fhaSa Some church
members seem to feel that their response
bility consists mainly in telling the pas
tor of his responsibility and in criti-
cisms and fault finding, in hindering
rather than in brOthe1y cooperation in
a common responsibility. They are both
responsible for seeking the salvation OF
the lost through New Testament meth
ods he said.
Following the sermon. DR.. Smith gave
a brief review of his eight years with
the First Baptist church or FL PaSo-
When he came here there were about 200
names on the church roll. though there
were only about $50 resident members,
who. met in the smaE church at the
junction of San Antonio street and Ma
Coffin avenue About 500 names have
been added to the church during the last
sight years, or about 100 per year. But
the church has iettered out about 400,
leaving the present membership some
thing less than $50. Three new Baptist
churches in the city have taken about 40
members each from the First church
Calvary, Highland Park and East FL
PaSo Baptist churcheS-Which have Or
ganized within the last three years or a
little longer. For the last two named
young churches the First church pur-
chased the lots, erected the buildings
and transferred the title TO the same;
they assuming the last $1,000 OF debt be-
tween them, which had not been paid on
the erection of the buildings.
The First church also sold its old
church property and purchased its new
location on which there has been erected
q splendid church building. one of the
best in the southwest. This church has
also aided very literally in the Mexican
Baptist work OF the city as also in the
colored Baptist work. both OF which have
very excellent buildings.
It is now confidently expected that the
'odlest mission chapel work of the\ First
Baptist church will soon be developed
into a good strong church. Steps nave
already been taken looking to that end
This is known as the Emmanuel chapel
on Montana street, which was the first
Baptist work organized on the north
side of the city, the first, indeed, of any
Christian denomination. and it has been
developed for six years in harmony by
the First church and with the First
church, and 1t is believed that it will
be organized into an Independent church
in the same spirit.
The First church has been from its
first history in harmony with the south
ern Baptist convention towards which it
has contributed thousands Of dollars.
There will be a meeting of unusual in
terest in the First Baptist church next
Wednesday night, taking the place Of
the regular prayer meeting. The Mems
league of the church has provided for a
strong program in line with the lay
mems missionary movement. W. K. Pres
ton, F. 1. McKamy, E. w. Earl Dr. Irv-
ing Mcneil, Judge WaltnalI and others
are expected to give brief addresses
followed by a general conference The
women Of the church are to furnish re-
freshments.
The Aid society will gave a Washing
ton birthday social in the lecture rooms
of the church on TUESDAY from , to
p. m. A cordial invitation IS extended to
every one. Refreshments will be served
by the society.
The Workers Of Emmanuel chapel have
a meeting on Monday night at the home
and r. and rs. L. s. FranKenoerger 1913
Nevada street.
There will be services IN Tnouar,al