The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1919-05-01

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DR., Griffen, ]. R. Edwards, ]. ". II
Wharton, +. j. Cox and not less worth!
and good pastor Bro. J; 9. Cox.
| We have, had series of meetings pe
\ sides. those 'beld by the PASTORS by mel e,
such as W. C.. Triley, l.. N. Maine, y
". IIartsfield, A. L. Johnson, the elo
auent and intellectual ". I. Tardy
who has recently passed beyond, H. II
Kimbrough and Others, when large
numbers we're added to the church
Our pulpit has been occupied by t M
greatest preachers of the South. 3. ii
Carroll being among the number. some
Of our most distinguished foreign mis-
slonaries have visited and preached fol
us, Several Of the Louisville Seminary
teachers have held preachers institutes
here, Drs. Sampsey, McGlothlin ah'
Robertson. DR.. Lee Scarborough DE-
ing among them.
Red River Association held its flrs'
meeting with this church IN lsF. II
having previously been a part OF Con
cord Association.
re Baptist State convention "as
permanently. organized here on the Is,
Saturday in December lS4S They mac
an informal meeting in the same place
the year before but kept no minutes
That body has been entertained by TINS
church several times since, the last
time being in 1893. but the daughter
has outgrown the mother and seeks
larger places.
Mt. lebanon University was found
ed IN this church in 1852. ...
In 1865 Rev. Hanson Lee began the
publication Of the Louisiana Baptist
through the influence of this church
He conducted it with such ability that
| it soon ranked among the ablest pa
pers of the South. DR.. +. Courtney
was one Of the ablest contributors.
The first Sabbath School convention
| in the State convened with this church
(just SO years ago last Thursday,
April oath, 1862 There has been a
Sunday School since the first year
after Its organization. 1t has been
perennial, you might say everlasting
for 1t has never been known to die.
J. Boardman Hartwell, D. D., one OF
the first missionaries to China went out
from this church. ]. L. Wise, mis-
sionary to Panama was ordained here
A Wonlar's Missionary Society was
organized here in 1873 with the pas
| tors wife, Mrs. H. J. Ardis, as presi'
dent, and q society has been maintain
ed almost continually since. We have
a good one at present.
We had a sunbeam band so long
ago that the first beams are sending
their children to receive light and in
struction as they did. We hear grown
men and women often speak Of what
they learned in the Sunbeams.
ABB .P. T., was organized here II
or Is years ago, hut it has not bee,
permanent, though we have a good one
at present and the young people take
much interest in it.
Our CHURCH membership has been
over 200, a goodly number being boys
and girls. who were attending school.
The things which we have spoken
are achievements of the past and per.
haps in numbers. in attendance, con.
tributions and services held, she reach.
ed her zenith 80 years ago. 1t would
.take too long to enllnnlerate the count
less good deeds done by this church,
that are not recorded in history, or
tell of the Influence she has welded OH
this community for over four score
years. We reverence her for what she
has DONE, but by unity and faith and
with the pastor we now have, she can
do more as the. years 80 by than she
has ever, done. for the foundation was
laid on solid rock: 1t may not be our
lot to oryahize State Conventions, Asso.
Citations or found universities, for We
| have already accomplished that, but 1t
is ours to keep the light burning as a
city set upon hill.
f"'Tis we'll adown that hill to glance
Seesshadows adwarfed in light,
And letstlle retrospect enhance
The joys that still are bright"
! Gods plans are far-reaching and as
this church ascends the years, may we
not look back on I bat has been done.
hut carry on the Work which He laid
down for our fOrefathers. i
We have not the gift of prophecy and
are not able to read the future, but
why should there not be some among