Evening star., 1916-11-21
REV. JOHN {. BRIGGS
DSCHURCH BODY
Elected Moderator of the AS
sociation of Baptists by
Unanimous Vote.
OTHER OFFICERS CHOSEN

Rev John E Briggs. pastor of the
Fifth Baptist Church, was this morn
ing unanimously elected moderator of
the Columbia Association of Baptist
Churches, holding it's thirty-ninth an
nual meeting at the First Church, 10Th
and o streets northwest. of which Rev.
w. W. McMaster is the minister. DR..
Briggs succeeds Dean William Allen
wilbur, for the last three years the
holder of that office, who announced
that he could not let his name be con-
sidered for reelection The new mod
orator was nominated by Mr.. cooper
and seconded by Mr.. Ramsey.
Rev. j. W. Many. pastor of East
Washington Heights Church, succeeded
himself as clerk by unanimous vote
Cratz E. Dunkum, former treasurer.
Announced his inability to serve fur-
ther in that capacity, and his place
vas taken by Charles l. Corby of Cal
vary Church, who also was unanl-
NOUS choice.
Rev. w. S. Dunlap. pastor of Kendall
Church, led the devotional service at
this mornings session. which was so
largely attended that the 800 seats
provided for luncheon in the sunday
school room were not sufficient 10 seat
all the delegates at Ole time.
Review of Years Work.
Rev Mr.. Many, the clerk. read the an
nual letters reviewing the work of the
year from the twenty-three churches
composing the association. and the re-
por: of the committee on the order, of
exercises. Rev W. w. McMaster chair
man. resulted in the tentative program
in use so far being adopted.
At . o'clock the association recon
vened. with devotional service in
charge of Moderator Briggs. followed
by the report of the executive board and
the report of retiring Treasurer Dun
KUN. THE Gift and the Gifts of the
Holy Spirit was the theme of Rev j.
J. Muir. pastor of Temple Church. lead
in the spiritual half hour" follow
ing which Rev f. W. Johnson, pastor
of Grace Church. submitted the report
of the committee on building and loan
fund Special committees will be an
nounced later in the afternoon to nom
mate a new executive board and to de-
eide on place and preachers of the next
meeting.
Rev John F. Vines of Roanoke. Va.
representing the work of the southern
Baptist convention. and Rev. j. H.
Franklin. representing the northern
convention. are the speakers announced
for tonight's session. Further meet
ings are scheduled tomorrow and
DOln udy anu cNeHIHS.
Theme of Annual Sermon.
The words of Christ compared with
those of St. Paul comprise one of the
most striking contrasts in all Scrip
ture," DIR. Cove G.. Johnson. pastor of
Emmanuel Baptist Church, said in part
last evening in the annual sermon to
the association. when he read John.
5.39. and Phil, 4.13.
1T is as great as between nothing
and all things. DR.. Johnson said: be
tween utter inability and complete abil-
ity. between powerlessness and power
fulness.
Contrast is heightened when we see
il is Jesus. who says. Il can do nothing.
and Paul. who declares, 7 can DO all
things The Christ says He can do
nothing. The saved sinner says He can
do all things. This is either the mock
modesty on one side and the wild au-
dacity on the other. or il is the very
mystery of Christ
Knowing full well 1t is the latter
and that we really have here in sharp
contrast the two foci of the ellipse of
the Christian life and service We 40
well to look with prayerfulness and
with reverent eagerness into the mean
ing and bearing of this. may 1 say
bifocal truth, dependence and reliance"
Others participating in last nights
meeting were Rev. B. D. Cav. pastor
Of West Washington Church; Rev. John
Compton Ball, pastor of Metropolitan
Church: Rev. Samuel II. Greene pa stor
of Calvary Church. the quartet of the
First Church and Mrs. Florence Noack,
soloist of the same congregation.