The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-23
From The Daily Item, Feb. Is.

FROM The Daily Item, Feb. Is.
The final session of the twentieth
annual session of the Baptist Young
Feople's Union was held in Grace Bap-
tist Church last night with an aud
ience in attendance which taxed the
capacity of the building. The fea-
ture OF the session was the address by
Dr. David M. Ramsey, president of
Greenville Women's College at Green
Vile on 'The Young, People and the
Nation" in which the speaker stressed
the necessity of proper training in
order that good citizens might be
made for the State.
The meeting has been a successful
one. The attendance has been as
large as at any Of the previous con-
ventions, although it was not as large
as had been expected this year. How
ever. the plans formulated at this ses-
sion are expected to result In a much
larger attendance next year. Secre-
tary Watts sounded this forecast, when
ne stated that hundred new unions
would be organized during the year.
only forty were organized during the
past year, two less than during the
year previous. but with the plans
completed at this convention well un-
der way, It was confidently expected
that the century mark would he pass
ed in 1915. -" so
The banner for the best average
made during the year was given to
the union Of the First Baptist Church
OF Columbia. This union had an av-
erage Of SO and Conway came second
with an average of 81 SO. The re-
port on making the award was made
by the Chairman OF the committee. It
was also announced that hereafter
the southern standard of excellence
would BE used In determining the win
ner Of the banner All unions having
an average Of over 80 would be placed
In class A and the final average
would be made from the quarterly re-
ports of the secretary Of each union.
The resolution of thanks to the citi-
Gems Of Sumter, the local unions. and
all committees for their efforts in
making the convention a success we're
unanimously adopted .2fr ss'
The night session opened with the
usual DEVOTIONAL exercises. after which
the reports of the resolutions and
banner awarding committees were re-
ceived, the banner being presented to
the First Baptist church of Columbia
union.
DR.. Ramsey's address was one of
the strongest of the session and was
filled with much matter for thought.
Good advice was offered to the young
people present on becoming better
citizens, of their country.
General Secretary Watts made a
few closing remarks Of encourage
ment to the unions represented at
the convention and urging them to
harder work during the coming year,
promising the best meeting at Spar
tanburg next year in the conventions
history. President Burts express
ed bis gratitude at the interest shown
durjpn Tho o0cyao<tox, QUA +ho a,a
which had been rendered him by COM
mittees and delegates. and after a
short prayer, the convention had end
cd.
At the afternoon session "B. Y. p.
u. Methods were taken up and stud
led under the direction of Frank H.
Lcayell. A pleasing feature of the
meeting was the demonstration doc
trinal meeting by the First Baptist
church union of Darlington. This was
we'll prepared and delightfully."- rend-
cred. Mr.. Leavell in his review urg-
ed the resort to praise and encourage
ment rather than criticism or censure
in securing the best results from union
members.
Mr.. Leavell, who is field secretary
throughout the south for the Baptist
Young Peoples Union, was called on
frequently during the convention and
he was always ready and willing to
offer good advice or assistance. Dur
ing the session he more than ever be-
fore endeared himself to those who
already knew him and he made
friends of oil uho hoa ri him apd ba