The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-11-08
EDI T O + l
Called To Chicago

Called To Chicago
The Rev. E. J. Fisher, pastor Of the Oil
vet Baptist church, Chicago, died July 81,
1915, after distinguished career as pas
tor since his call in 1902 DR. Fisher had
invited the National Baptist convention
to Chicago for its 1915 session tie died
before the convention assembled It was
4 stormy session which resulted IN split.
During that session of the Convention
.ounp, eloquent Texas minister from rt.
Worth delivered the missionary sermon
to convention deegates. Several OF the
officers of the Olivet church heard this
sermon with unusual interest. 1t was q
great sermon. 1t made the merry, dlVldeu
constituents Of the convention forget their
bitterness contention and strife. " hen the
sermon came to close, there followed an
outburst Of enthusiasm and high-spiritual
tide that swept into prayer and SUBMISSION
that vast congregation.
Several months afterwards he was in
yited to preach at the Olivet church ana
was called to the church in February, 1916.
Heavenward and Earthward Program
His pastorate of Olvet has been char
acterized by heavenWard and earthWard
program. He developed one Of the foremost
institutional churches in America. Dr. Will
liams often said .'Olivet helps to proclaim
a world wide, red-hot evangelical Cos
pei. 1t also works for the betterment OF
humanity as we'll 1t worships God and 1t
works to help the lot Of mankind here.
The present Olivet membership Of 5000
is the largest in America today.
After the race riots III Chicago in 1919
Governor LoWden recognized his ability as
a social leader and an authority on race
relations and appointed him a member OF
the Race Commission Of Illinois, in which
capacity he made valuable contributions
toward the solution of intricate problems
For four years he served as president OF
the General Baptist State Convention of
Illinois
Elected President Of the National
Baptist Convention
After the death Of the late E. G. Norris
president Of the National Baptist Conven-
tion DR.. Williams was elected president
to succeed him in 1922 During his lead
ership the Incorporated Convention com
pleted the Morris Memorial building at
Nashville, home of the Baptist Publishing
House, at q cost Of $3.50 900, instituted an
educational program for the training OF
Negro ministers in connection with the
Southern Baptists: developed the III ssion-
ary program; held together the largest
Negro organization in the world. Inc
Birmingham session Of the Convention last
September was the climax OF his career.
More than 10000 delegates and visitors
attended the session and $4,000 III cash
was raised.
Always In Demand
Aside from being the pastor Of the larg--
est protestant church in America, and
president of the National Baptist conven-
ton, Inc, Dr. Williams was always IN de-
mand. For several years he served as
lecturer of the Winona Lake Chautauqua.
The University of Chicago, with all her
emphasis upon critical scholarship, even
religion, invited him to its academic snades
to deliver words of wisdom to her faculty
and students on the subject How to Make
a Church Count in Community,
Social and Political Reformer
When he lived in Texas the liquor traf-
ic had no more bitter opponent than Or:
Williams. In order to wipe out TINS eVli
he organized 81 Temperance and Pronlbl-
ton organizations. He fought corruption
in social and political life, both IN Texas
and Illinois.
During the 46 years of his active pas
torate he organized Ia churches and took
part in organization of 26 associations,
women's missionary circles and conven-
tions; ordained LOG deacons; licensed II
ministers and ordained 81. He felt keenly
the need Of raising the Intellectual stand
ard of the ministry among Negroes For
this cause he gave aid in financial way
to &c ministers and missionary workers in
securing an education.
The religious world recognized his abil-
ity as leader and an organizer. Many of
the best churches in America were anxious
to have him as their leader During the
last ten years he delivered II different
calls coming from some of the best
churches in the denomination.
TIE R4~I r Txn,,hIc