The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-20
l.. L. Gwaltney Gives Con- ventiOn Warm Welcome
 to Greenville
IMPORTANT REPORTS
 BEING SUBMITTED
Historic Gavel Is Presented to Con- vention-Newton Collegiate In- stitute Asks for New Building
By F. W. STANLEY

| Greenvile July 19.-(Speciali-After a short devotional session by Dr. W. NJ.
 Blackwelder of West End, Birmingham,
 and a song service the first regular ses-
 sion of the Alabama Baptist state con
 vention was called to order here today | by R. E. Pettus, president of the con
 vention. A committee consisting of w.. w. Campbell, P. l.. Mosley and Jesse
 Balls was appointed by the chair as an
 enrolment committee. They went through
 the church and took a complete census
 of the delegates and visitors present.
 The chair then called for the election
 of officers. The Rev. Richard Hall nom
 mated the present presiding officer, MT Pettus. II. S. D. Mallory then moved
 that the secretary cast the entire vote
 of the convention for MT. Pettus. This
 motion was carried. The present vice presidents. H. & D. Mallory If Selma ana the Rev. W. w. Campbell of Tus- kegee, were reelected by exclamation, as was also the present secretary, MT. W.
 NJ. Wood. The other officers were re- ferred to a nominating committee. which will report later.
 At this juncture the Rev W. w. Camp bell of Tuskegee presented gavel to
 the chair in behalf of the church at Huntsville. He told the history of the gavel in a very pleasing way, declaring that the handle was made from the wood of the Chitham bush. the same kind or wood that the Ark of the Covenant and the rod of Moses were made from, and which grows only in the land of Pales- tine and near Huntsville. The n1allet was made from the tap root of a walnut tree that grew within 20 feet of the First Baptist church ever built on Alabama soil. Beneath this tree the foretathers of the church used to hitch their horses and oxen and here also they held their picnics and services.
 The tree was destroyed nearly a hun dred years ago. but the root was dug up
 recently and this gavel made from part of it. MT. Campbell also announced that walking stick was now in course of be- ing made which would be presented 10
 Dr. W. C. Crumpton, not for him to lean
 upon, but in token of the appreciation
 that the Baptists of Alabama held for his noble services to the church.
 After a five minutes intermission was here given for the reception of the visi- tors, the chair announced the introduc- tion of new pastors and all of the pas tors who had come into the state since the last annual session of the convention were called and when they came before the rostrum they were extended the right hand of fellowship by President Pettus.
 They are as follows: J. W. Long, A H. Moreman, H. c. Hudson, J. w. Phillips, D. D.. T. o. Reese. k. H. Jennings and A. J. Johnson.
 The Rev l.. l.. Gwaltney, pastor of the church here, made the welcome address to the delegates on behalf of Greenville. Mir.
 Gwaltney said that in his study was a | welcome address that embodied all that had ever been said to welcome a con
 vention to any place, that 1t was filled with fowery phrases and lengthy. but that all of those present had heard innumerable ones along these same lines | before and as he could say nothing more | than had been before said. he would sim ply tell the convention that the hearts and homes of Greenville were open to | them and let the days that will follow | prove Shis to ths1ya.
 F. W. Barnett, editor of the Ala bama Baptist, of Birmingham, the | presidents appointee to respond to the welcome address in behalf of the con- vention, rose and said that he had no desire to permit anyone to se. ahead of him so that he would go Mir. Swaltney one better and say, Thank you" These two addresses occupied only about two minutes and were the shortest addresses ever made to the convention.
 The president then called for the reading of reports. limited to five min utes each. The first report was made by Dr. w. B. Crumpton for the state board of missions. The second report was by the Rev. A. T. Wright for the educational commission. MT. J. B. Ellis of Selma, president Howard col | lege board of trustees, made the re- | port for Howard. stating that the col- 1AoA ft, a1IA ion t1A port being very gratifying as a whole. The report of the Judson college trus- | tees was made by President Robert G. l Patrick of Jndson in the absence of Ernest Lemar. president Of the board | of trustees. Dr. w. B. Crumpton, In the absence of report from the Healing Springs Industrial academy, offered resolutions that the report be placed in the minutes, that the edu- cational commission look into the con- dition of this school and advise with the trustees as to the future and that any important changes be referred to the board of directors of the conven- ton. This was carried.
 B. P. Poyner, president of the board of trustees of Newton Collegiate institute presented a report of that institution asking for new building, as the present one was inadequate. The reports on min- isterial education and aged ministers board were then given to the convention as were the reports from the Orphans Home and the statistical secretary.
 Afternoon Session
 notwithstanding the indictment weather of today the Baptist churchs capacity of 800 has been taxed. A rain has been falling all day, making it unpleasant to travel greatly, but the attendance has not suffered Great enthusiasm is being
 manifested and all indications point to a more than successful convention.
 The Wednesday afternoon session was called to order promptly at 2:30 and after the opening prayer and short song serv- ice the president appointed committee on time, place and preacher for the next