Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-29
BAPT|STS To REPORT
STRIKING INCREASE.
AT ANNUAL MEETING
BY LOUIE ID. NEWTON,
editor The Christian IudeXl

nual sc ion. The growth is all the
more satisfactory because it has
been along lines of permanent
strength for the local churches.
In 1922 when the Georgia Baptist
convention was organized at Powell
ton church in Hancock county, there
were only two district associations
represented, the Georgia and the
Ocmulgee, and it is estimated that
there were not more than 1000 Bap-
lists in the state, both white and
colored. Today there are 100000
Baptists in Georgia, counting the
negro Baptists.
The state Baptist headquarters Of
fee in Atlanta is receiving reports
from ninety-odd associations and it
is found that from fifty-five associa-
tons 10000 baptisms are reported
for this year. When the other forty
associations make their report it is
believed that the number of bap-
tisms will not be less than 10000,
Last year the total number of bap-
tisms reported was only 10000.
Atlanta leads the rest of the state
in the number of baptisms reported.
The Atlanta association reports
1900 baptisms and total increase in
membership Of $500. There are a.
600 white Baptists in Atlanta.
The remarkable growth in num-
bers this year has been the result of
a definite effort on the part of the
denomination to win men and WON
en- to Christ. A number of confer
ences were held in the spring for
the purpose of prayer and discussion
and from the conference the preach
ers and 1aymen went out in a new
resolve to seek the lost. It has been
the greatest tonic the denomination
has ever known. 1t has quickened
every phase of the work Of the Bap-
lists in this state until it now ap-
pears that the convention in Sa-
vannah next week will register a
new high mark for every depart
ment Of the convention.
Educational Work
In connection with the campaign
for evangelism there developed re-
newed work along ali educational
lines Of church work. The Sunday
school department of the convention
will report a net increase of 10000
members in the white Baptist Sun
day schools of Georgia during the
largest incres "a ever reported. The
war and the influenza greatly re-
tarded Sunday school work through
out the world. 1t took two or three
years to get back to the point of
progress which had been made in
1917. This past year carries Geor-
gia Baptist Sunday school work into
undreamed-of advances. Secretary
George w. Andrews emphasizes the
fact that in addition to increased
teacher training work there has been
a definite interest, hitherto un-
known, on the part of parents in
the training of their children in the
Sunday schools. He attributes much
of the growth in numbers to the
evangelistic spirit which has swept
over the state. 1t was from the
Sunday schools that many Of the
converts came. Associate Secretary
James w. Merritt has been stress
ing the importance of organizing
conventions in each district associa-
ton and as a result he will report
more than seventy associations with
Sunday school conventions. Mr..
Merritt is holding teacher training
institutions in every section of the
state in addition to his other work
The first state Baptist Sunday school
convention was held this year in At
lanta and plans are now well under
in Macon. w. L. Robuck, of Cor
dele, is president of the convention.
The w. M. u. work of the state
will be reported at Savannah in the
same ratio of growth which charac,
h. all = o1,tx tc, he
Baptist women Of the state have
given 1851 900 this year and have in
creased their organizations. in every
section Of the state. The annual
state convention Of the w. M. u.
was held last week in Macon. There
were 321 new societies organized
during the var. There were 700
mission study classes conducted. The
increase in personal service on the
part of the members is one of the
outstanding features of the work of
the women. Miss Maud Powell is
state secretary and Miss Beatrice
Barnard is state leader for the young
women. Mrs. w. J. Neel, of Car
tersville, is president Of the w. M.
u. convention.
The B. Y. P. U. work Of the state
will show equal increase in num-
bers and in definite advance in the
work of that organization. Six re-
gional conventions have been held
during the year in addition to the
annual state convention. The re-
gional conventions are necessary in
order to take care of the great mum
bers who desire to participate in
this work. Secretary Frank H.
Leaven and his associate, H. L.
Bats, have prepared for the con
vention the best report ever made
of this organization. One of the
outstanding features of the organi,
zation for the past year has been
the number of volunteers for def
mite Christian work such as foreign
missionaries, preachers and teach
ers. The organization has also
been able to add largely to the mum
Der of unions. The development OF
the intermediate work of the B. Y
P. U. is another of the features OF
this past year. Just now the B. Y
P. u. people of the entire south
are waging a campaign for a half
million tithers.
Enlistment Gains
The enlistment department of the
convention has decreased the mum
Der of men giving all their time tc
the work, but the report will show
the greatest gains ever made in this
department. DR.. B. S. Railey is al
the head of the department, and as
ISOLATED with him are Rev. J. F
Eden, Jr., Rev. J. w. O'Hara, Rev
w. H. Barrett; Rev. w. H. Wages
and Gamer Bryan. Other men are
giving a portion of their time to the
work. In the development of better
church houses, better trained teach
ers for the Sunday school and B
Y. P.'U. and w. M. u, increase
in pastors salaries, grouping OF
fields and locating pastors in these
fields are among the outstanding
features of this department. They
form themselves into contributing
flank for the entire work of the de
IL, Of