The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-15
BAP list
HAD GOOD YEAR
Membership Grows Even When
Congregation Lives Far Away
From Church.
COMMENDED BY THE PASTOR
DR.. Mcdaniel Grati6cd by Record
Which Shows Great Interest
In Work.

Contrary to the usual history OF
down town churches which decrease in
membership and find It harded and
harder to support their activities re-
ports submitted TO the annual meeting
of the Congregation Of tho First Bap-
tlst Church yesterday showed an actual
increase In the membership, now l,24I.
and gratifying condition in the vari-
GUS departments.
The meeting was held In the main
church auditorium yesterday afternoon
at $3.50 o'clock. and was well attended,
Notwithstanding the inclemency OF the
weather. Reports OF the officers and
committees of tho church and of the
various church societies were read and
approved. A report from Rev George
Green, missionary supported by this
church ut Ogbomoso, West Africa,
showed forty-one baptisms at his
station during the year Just closed. The
CHURCH clerk reported the present mem
bership of tho First Baptist as l.244
The superintendent of the Sunday
school made an excellent report of the
work of the year, showing an enrol
ment of sci. not counting the Home
Departments. with an average attend.
ance of 1876 every Sunday for the en-
tire ycar. with additions to the mem
bership of the church from the Sunday
school OF siSty-three during 1911.
All DID Good Work.
The Dorcas Society reported an on
penditure in relief work for the poor
of S23S.90 The Austin Bible Glass re-
ported similar expenditures amounting
to S4l207. The Mems League showed
an expenditure OF sll950 for the Main
street Mission Sunday school, Boys
Brigade and other activities of tho
league. The Woman's Guild showed a
Tod 70 , ha 81
The Committee on Retreat for the Sick
reported on the work done in that
hospital during the past year. The
Baptist Young Peoples Union also pre-
scntcd report of good attendance and
progress. The women OF the State Mis-
sion circle with a membership OF ninety
reported se2sSc raised during the
year
The report of the church treasurer
showed the financial condition for the
past year to have been better than
during 1910. The expenses were less.
and the collections more than in the
previous year, grand total of $685..
1860 having passed through the hands
of the treasurer.
Mnny Live Far Away.
The flower committee expended SAL
in flowers for the pulpit, the flowers
being distributed TO the sick of the con.
Sregation each Sunday night after the
services. The church missionary foI
Richmond told OF her visits to the
poor OF the city and her excellent work
was highly commended by several
speakers.
Rev. George w. Mcdaniel. D. D.,
pastor, in letter to his congrega ton
commended the officers OF the church
and all workers who had SO well per-
formed the duties assigned to them
He reported ll6 additions to the church
last year. In his letter the pastor
touched upon the fact that a large
number OF the members live a great
distance from the church. DR.. Mcdaniel
living seven miles. while the Superin-
tcndent OF the sunday School and TIE
Assfsta Superintendent each live more
than four miles, and commented on Tho
fact that Notwithstanding these condi-
tons the work OF the church is forging
ahead each year, being one of the few
down town churches which had not
experienced falling of in membership