The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-06-06

Collection $ll.S0, making in all $500
The following Friday / left for ST
Paul and Minneapolis, MINI. Sunday
morning found myself worshipping in
Bethesda Baptist church, the Oldest
Baptist church in Minneapolis. Rev,
D. E. Beasley pastor, Getting through
their usual services, the pastor then in
troduced me that / might present the
claims of the Western Convention. The
congregation listened with patience and
showed by their giving that they heard
the Macedonian cry" and were will
ing to cooperate. Collection and sub
scription $500. Sunday evening l was
with that stalwart Baptist, Rev. v: 8.
Cooper, the pastor of Zion Baptist
church. This church seemed to have
had new birth. 1t was the largest
congregation I have had the privilege
of meeting in the Twin Cities. This
congregation seemed more like one of
our Southern congregations than a
Northern, from the fact they are not
ashamed to say amen. And do you
know they have learned how to shout at
Zion9 The church is alive, the auxil-
iaries are endeavoring to make Zion the
!" Hot Bed of Baptist activity. They
are looking forward to the coming of
the Iowa Baptist Association, which
will be the first gathering of Baptists
in Minnesota, I mean of our people.
I was given the evening hour.
spoke on the subject, Cooperation, and
it seemed to have been the thing. Rev.
Cooper has been hammering hard in this
city, endeavoring to get the BaPtists to
cooperate. The people of this city, es-
pecially the Baptists, are beginning to
realize the duty of the Baptists in so
far as church government. The Zion
Baptist church has realized this for it
has Joined the Iowa Baptist Associa-
ton and this body will meet with the
Zion Baptist church in August. 1t sim
ply, took a Cooper to strike the match
for this great movement among the
Baptists of Minnesota. This church
will for the first time unite with the
Western Baptist Convention in ST.
Louis in July.
The members and friends of the Zion
Baptist church are raising fund to
purchase an automobile for the pastor.
This shows the high esteem in which he
is held for his noble work for the
church and Master l saw one of his
Bro. R. B. Montgomery, ed
itor of the Minnesota Advocate, pay in
FIVE dollars on the car. Many others
are doing likewise.
Since Rev. Cooper has been in Mime
apolis with his sound doctrine, the Bap-
l.. NJ no of
tor firm in the doctrine of the church.
Collection and subscription $3.50.
Sunday afternoon l was with the
Memorial Baptist church of st. Paul.
Rev. T.sJ. Carr is pastoring this church.
This is the youngest church Of the
Twin Cities, yet it has good member
ship. This was an unusual time for a
meeting at this church, hence the at
tendance was very poor I presented
the work and those present seemed de-
lighted to hear the message. Had the
people turned out our financial effort
would have been as successful as the
other churches. Collection and subscrip-
tion 1925.
Wednesday evening l was with Pill
grim Baptist church, st. Paul, Rev. Ben
iamin H. Hodge of Madison, N. j., hav-
ing recently come to take charge. This
church was pastored by Rev. w. D. Car
ter, now of Seattle, Wash, and was
once field secretary of the Western Bap-
fist Convention. l am unable to say
much of this church other than from all
indications it has made no mistake in
calling Rev. Hodge, for l find from
with him he stands firmly
for the doctrine of the church and
Christian principles as taught in the
New Testament scriptures. From all
Pilgrim has a pastor who
believes that Christianity means sep
aration from the world and worldly
practices to be followers of the lowly
Nazarene. The Pilgrim church is one
Of the strongest churches OF the Twin
Cities, and if sentiment stands for any
thing this church will be represented in
both the Iowa Association and West
arn Convention.
I wish to say the collection was small
owing to the fact I had never visited
this church for the convention and they
lid not come prepared for the demands,
but agreed that the matter would be
taken up by the church and comply
With the requirements, which will be
accepted and appreciated. feel al
most certain that all the churches OF
he Twin Cities will unite with our as
ISOLATION and the convention.
I find too there are churches OF our
denomination in certain sections OF the
West do not know how to take mem
,ers in the Baptist church. When per-
sons join by baptism, letter or watch
are the pastor extends the right hand
# fellowship without the applicant
,eing voted for by the church. And o
,erson can become member of the
Baptist church properly unless voted III
-, +1,o ohurcb h.'.