The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-03-19

The well-defined aim of the confer
ence may not appeal to the majority
of people; but the policy and purpose
cannot and will not be changed. The
trustees desire the sympathy and in
terest of their many friends in solving
the problem of the very best use of
these funds under the present limita-
lions.
The following history of the Bible
conference movement in Crescent City
was prepared and read at the annual
meeting this season and by vote of
the trustees it was spread on the
books of the Association and request
made that the same be published in
The Palatka News.
Early History of the Bible Conference
in Crescent City.
Through the generosity of Mr.. Ed
win Gilbert of Georgetown, Conn.,,
who had spent twenty-five winters
in Crescent City, Fla, Rev. Lewis S.
Chafer of Mortified, Mass, was in
vited to conduct an evangelistic meet
ing in the Presbyterian church of
Crescent City March LIS, 1908, This
series of meetings proved very unu-
sual blessing and request was made
that the Bible teachings Of the after
noon meetings might be made an an
nual event in the form of Bible Con-
ference. In response to this sugges-
ton Mr.. Gilbert offered to give the
sum of $4,000. At the same time an
offer was made Of a part interest in
large tract of land by Mr.. Howe of
Brooklyn, N. Y, which kind offer was
not accepted as some did not wish to
connect the new plans with any real
estate projects whatever.
Mr.. Gilbert proposed to build an
Auditorium in addition to his cash Of
fer above mentioned. The beautiful
half block on which the Auditorium
now stands was the gift of Mr.. Coe.
D. Smith, winter guest in Crescent
City from Long Island, N. Y.
An organization was formed of the
citizens of Crescent City with a con-
stitution and bylaws drawn by Rev.
DIR. ]. X. Wight and Rev. Lewis S.
Chafer. In this first organization Mr.
CHATTER was made president. The
constitution called for an executive
board to be elected by the whole mem
bership. But one annual meeting was
held under this organization as it was
found that as Mr.. Gilbert was giving
the whole support it was only due him
that he should suggest the direction
of the matters of business.
The new Auditorium, combining
rooms for the public schools on the
second floor, was designed and drafted
by Mr.. CHATTER and built in December
Of 1903 and January and February of
1904. The first conference being held
in the new building March 1927 1904
The total cost of the building was es-
timated by Mr.. Gilbert to be $4,000
and was his gift to the town of Cres-
cent City. The first three confer
ences, 1904, 1905, 1906, were personal
Ily directed by Mr.. Gilbert and all ex-
penses borne by him. The expenses
of the conference of 1906 exceeded
$1,000. During this conference Mr.
Gilbert died at his home in Crescent
City and memorial services were hello
lin the Auditorium at which time adj
dresses were made by Dr. James M
Gray of Chicago, Mr.. George c. Steb-
bins of Brooklyn, DR.. D. M. Reeves
and Rev. Lewis S. CHATTER.
The following is a partial list OF
those active in the formation of the
conference: Mr.. and Mrs. Edwin Gil
bert, Mr. and Mrs. George c. Steb-
bins, Rev. D. M. Reeves, D. d., Rev
and Mrs. L. S. CHATTER, Rev. Joseph
Wight, Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. C. Norton
Mr.. and Mrs. W. j. Norton, Mr.. anc
Mrs. C. L. Chamberlin, Mr.. and Mrs
IF. S. Cone, Miss Inez Cone, Mr.
and Mrs. ]. H. Harp, Mr.. and Mrs. l.
Eaton, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Andersen
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Cash, Pau
C. Smith, R. C. Ivory, L. H. Hutchin-
son, Mr.. Coe D. Smith and Hon. j. K
Howe.
In 1906, by Mr.. Gilbert's request. a
board of five trustees was formed
men personally selected by Mr. Gil
bert, who should receive his gift and
administer the conference in event OF
his death according to his plan and
purpose. The following were chosen
and consented to serve: Mr.. George c.
Stebbins of Brooklyn, N. Y, Mr.. W.
R. Moody of East Mortified, Mass,
Rev. Lewis S. CHATTER of Mortified,
Mass, Mr.. VIM. c. Norton of Cres-
cent City, and Mr.. George E. Walker
of Huntington, Fla.
Immediately on the death of Mr..
Gilbert these parties were incorporat-
ed under the laws of the state of
Florida and under the title "The
Southfield Bible Conference Associa-
ton" The name "Southfield" having
been chosen by Mr.. Gilbert with a
view to having this conference con-
form as far as possible to the Bible
study conferences of Mortified, Mass.
Under the terms of the charter,
which may be noted, Rev. Lewis S.
Chafer was appointed president which
office he held until the annual meet
ing of 1912 and was then succeeded
by Rev. C. l. Scofeld, D. D., of New
York. Rev. L. S. CHATTER was also ap-
pointed Secretary, which Office he still
holds at this writing July End, 1914.
Mr.. George C. Stebbins Treasurer,
which office lie still holds, Mr.. VIM. c.
Norton, Asst. Sec, which office he still
holds. Mr.. w. R. Moody and Mr..
George Walker having both resigned
their places have been succeede. in
the trusteeship by Rev. c. l. Scofeld,
D. D., and Mr.. George W. Reilly, vice