Minutes of the eleventh annual session of the Florence Baptist Association (Ala.) 1898

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MINUTES

OF THE

Eleventh Annual Session

OF THE

Florence Baptist

A^ociafcion

• M •

HELD WITH

Florence Baptist Church

Florence, Alabama, August 5 and 6, 1898

With Statistical Tabic of the Tenth
Minutes of that Session not being printed

W. S. BROWN

Moderator

R. E. PAULK

Clerk

|3P REAFBB PRINT, SHEFFIELD.

MINUTES

— : of ihe:

Florence Baptist Association

^"^ •

FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 5, 1898

This Association convened with the Florence Baptist Church,
Friday, August 5, 1898.

The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Rev. W. S.
Brown.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted.

Upon motion the clerk was requested to print the statistics of the
last meeting with the minutes of the present session.

Letters were read, and delegates received, from the following
churches :

Union (irove — B. G. Gray, Mrs. M L.Gray, John English, Mrs.
John English, Samuel Muse, Mrs. Samuel Muse, Elza Muse and Cas-
sander Lilian.

Liberty— C. S. W. Paulk, A. P. Duleh, L. I). Rutledge, R. E.
Paulk and John L. Austin.

Florence — W. S. Brown, II. C. Gilbert, John T. Ashcraft, .Mrs.
B. C. Eastburn, Mrs W. S, Brown, D. L. Garrett, J. A. Huff, D. R.
Evans, Miss Maud Evans and Miss Nettie Hallman.

Bluff Creek- — J. W. Cannon as a delegate but no letter.

2 MINUTES THE OF ELEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION

Rev. W. S. Brown was re-elected Moderator, and R. E. Paulk
was elected clerk and treasurer.

After announcement by Bro. John T. Ashcrafr, Chairman of En-
tertainment Committee, the Association adjourned to meet again at 3
p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION

After the meeting was called to order, Bro. A. J. Ivie and Bro.
A. P. Smith, of Colbert Association, were introduced and given the
privilege of the floor. Bro. Ivie responded in a few words of encour-
agement concerning the Association.

The following report of the Committee on Temperance was read
and approved, after discussion by Brethren Gilbert, Jackson, Brown
and Ivie :

There is a growing interest in this question. Many of our rail-
road companies now refuse men who drink while either on or off
duty. In political life it is becoming more and more the custom of
good, conscientious voters to denounce the placing of men of known
intemperate habits into office. God speed the day when no man
who drinks intoxicating spirits will dare ask for the votes of his coun-
trymen. It is a strong point against a man who applies to a reputable
company for life insurance if he is addicted even to the moderate use
of intoxicants. Possibly the strongest proof of the growing interest
against intemperance is the fact, that, at the last session of Congress,
a motion was made, and a strong effort put forth, to abolish the "Con-
gressional Bar," which has ever been a blot and disgrace to our Na-
tion. All these are not mere expressions of sentiment, but practical
evidences of moral development. We will not speak of the suffering,
want, shame, disgrace and terrible disasters that have fallen upon us
in National, state and family relations because of this monster evil,
but will leave that for the general discussion. We pray God's bless-
ings to rest upon all workers in the great cause of temperance, and
may the day soon come when by National prohibition all intoxicat-
ing liquors shall be banished from our beloved land.

Respectfully, H. C. Gilbert,

John English,
A. P. Dulen,

OF THE FLORENCE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 3

A letter from Rev. W. J. N. Wylie was read by H. C. Gilbert and
all the members of the Association were informed of Bro. Wylie's
afflicted condition and financial aid asked for him.

The following summary statement was made from the letters:
(See Statistical Table.)

Rev. W. S. Brown was appointed to preach at 8 p. m.

At this service a collection, amounting to Two ($2.00) Dollars,
was taken for the relief of Rev. \V. J. N. Wylie.

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION

The Association was called to order at 10 a. m. by the Moderator.

Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. Samuel Muse.

Bro. C. A. Womble, of Colbert Association, was introduced.

The Committee on Obituaries reported the following deaths since
last August : J. M. Gray, Union Grove ; Dr. L. F. Duckett, Flor-
ence; Miss Lillian Rikard, Florence. Mrs. Bettie Ballentine, Liberty.
Discussion by Brethren Gilbert, Ivie, Brown and Womble.

The following reports of the several Committees on Missions were
read, and discussed by Brethren C. S. W. Paulk, Gilbert, Brown, Ash-
craft and Ivie :

We, your Committee on Associational Missions, beg to state that
we have had no missionar); and, therefore, we have no associational
money. Respectfully, C. S. W. Paulk,

W. S. Brown.

We, your Committee on State Missions, beg leave to make the
following report: The seventy-seven Associations in the state have
been divided into six districts, into each of which the State Board has
placed an evangelist. These brethren have traveled almost all over
the destitute territory in the state and have done a great work. How-
ever, there remains a great deal yet to be done before our churches
can be developed into real missionary bodies. We hope to see the
contributions to this department of our work so greatly increased that
we will, very soon, have no destitution in the state.

Respectfully submitted, B. G. Gray,

C. S. W. I'M IK.

L. D. Rr 1 ii- doe.

4 MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION

We, your committee on Home Missions, beg to submit the fol-
lowing report: The Home Mission Field comprises all the Southern
and Western States and Territories and Cuba. Many destitute places
exist where souls are perishing for want of The Bread of Life, and
where there are no neighboring churches able to reach them. In the
bounds of our own Association there are destitute places, but surely if
the churches of Lauderdale County will comprehend their duty these
hungry souls at our doors may be given That Word which is The
J>read of Life, and be organized into healthy, happy workers for those
whom Christ loves. The home field calls for broader views and a
nobler conception. It calls for love and contribution and sacrifice
for those whom we have not seen. The present war with Spain may
very much enlarge the scope of the work of the home field and ulti-
mately call for a new board. Already Hawaii has been added to our
western domain; Cuba is soon to be brought into closer relations;
Porto Rico must be cared for, and it seems that the Luzons and Lad-
rones are to become cur fellow countrymen. So long as it was not
sure that America would come into control of these great domains,
the Pope used all his powers to destroy American influence with these
people; but now that we practically have them, the Pope is assuring
them that their church privileges will not be disturbed. This is true;
but, the Pope and his church have been largely instrumental in keep-
ing these poor people in mental and moral darkness and physical suf-
fering for centuries. It is our duty to teach them the beauty of lib-
erty and the holiness of love, and secure their patriotic help in our
own growth toward the more perfect life. To accomplish this end
we must increase our contributions to the Home Mission Board, and
then, too, we must be patient and charitable toward their faults. We
must remember that the moral life cannot be forced. The history of
these people illustrates this proposition. The inquisitions, the tor-
tures, the suppression of the Bible and other literature by the Catholic
Church have kept these people Catholics, but it has not made them
noble. Baptists should carry them their conservative teachings, their
tender love, and the blessed life of Christ.

Respectfully submitted, John T. Ashcraft, ~

B. G. Gray.

We, your committee on Foreign Missions, beg to submit the fol-
lowing report: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations," is our
Master's command. This does not mean for us to wait for these

OF THE FLORENCE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 5

strangers to come to our doors, but for us to go to them. Following
out this injunction we have now missionaries in the field as follow.-:
Brazil, 10; Mexico, 15; Ja] an, 6 ; China, 39; Africa, 7; Italy, 3.
Amount expended by the Foreign Mission Bjard during the last year.
$125,000 — of which Alabama has credit of $6,000. There is a de-
mand for yet greater effort on our part. The call is a personal one.
Let us heed it and thus fulfill our duty as becometh loyal citizens of
Christ's kingdom. H. C. Gilbert,

Dr L. F. Duckett,
R. E. Paulk.

Upon motion a committee was appointed to consult with the
brethren from Colbert and report upon the advisability of a union of
the two Associations.

The Association then adjourned to meet again at 3 p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The following report of the Committee on Union of the Associ-
ations was read and adopted:

■'We, your Committee on the Consolidation or Co-operation of
the Florence and Colbert Association, beg to report as follows: "We
recommend that the two Associations unite under the name of the
Colbert Shoals Association.* We recognize the fact that in union
there is strength. We recommend the appointment of a visiting
committee to report this action to the Colbert Association, which, if
accepted, will be considered final. If rejected, this Association may-
continue as heretofore, Respectfully, H. C. Gilbert,

W. S. Brown,
C. S. W. Paulk.

The Moderator appointed the following as a visiting committee:
H. C. Gilbert, John T. Ashcratt and C. S. W. Paulk.

The following reports on Sunday-Schools, Woman's Work, and
the Baptist Young People's Union were read, and after brief discus-
sions, adopted:

»Notb — < ..!li. u Shoals was suggested instead of Colbert simply to avoid the erroni
n that the Association was confined to Colbert County.

6 MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION

The Sunday-School is the nursery of the church. In the nursery
of the home we exert ourselves to train most carefully both mind and
body of those who constitute its members. There are no particulars
of their proper education too small to receive our most careful atten-
tion, Should not those who constitute the members of the nursery of
the Church of God receive at least equally careful attention. We are
glad to note that the interest along this line, in this branch of the
great work of salvation, is on the increase. More and more it is be-
ing recognized that the members of the Sunday-School, in late years,
make up largely the membership of the church. Therefore, in order
to have a live, spiritual church, growing, and doing efficient work for
the Master in the future, we must educate and properly train the
members of the Sunday-School, from whom the church largely draws
her converts. "Train a child up in the way he should go and when
he is old he will not depart from it."

Respectfully submitted, John T. Ashcraft,

J. A. Huff,
B. M. Jackson.

The Baptist Young People's Union is a part of the great scheme
of church work and education. The object is to interest the young
people especially, who are in the church, in Christian labor. Know-
ing that in order to have efficient work done for the Master there must be
knowledge of that work in the laborers, the minds of those to whom
the success of the cause is dear, have been much exercised as to the
best methods to be used to gain that end. This society is the out-
come of thought along this line. The members of this society are to
be like the servants of a honsehold. They are to be well trained for
their work: that of aids to the pastor in his church labors, and, when
trained, the pastor may send them on errands of mercy and love
among his congregation, and even into the mission work of his home
field. There is always work for those who are competent to perform
it, and the pastor, who, in nearly all cases, has more than he can
properly attend to, finds relief and pleasure in the fact that he can
trust some of the church work to these young hands. The question
naturally arises: are we educating the members of our B. Y. P. TJ. in
this direction? Or, are we only in a half-hearted way conducting the
meetings indifferently, with only the thought that it is one of the or-
ganizations of the church to be endured and hurried through as quickly
as possible with as little cost to ourselves as may be, and as little

OF THE FLORENCE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

thought and effort on our part as will let us out without danger of
complaint against us for neglect of duty? Who is on the Lord's side?
Not nominally so, but vigorously, earnestly, pushingly so. Such as
these are needed for the work of the Lord in all its branches.
Your committee respectfully submit this report.

B. M. Jackson.

We, you committee on Woman's Work, beg to submit the fol-
lowing report: We learn from experience and observation that the
progress and advancement of church work is very materially increased
by the active co-operation of the women. Where there is an earnest
working organization of Christian sisters, under the instruction and
guidance of their pastor, good results invariably follow, not only in
extending financial aid to the church and the different boards of our
convention, but also in the spiritual uplifting and love one toward
another. In cases of financial depression, and the consequent dis-
couragement in the various departments of church work, we know of
no method or remedy better calculated to arouse drooping energies
and life of the church, than a wide awake, sympathetic, organized
band of sisters who are willing and ever ready to come to the assist-
ance of the church to help it out of its difficulties. Wonderful is the
progress made by the women, of the Baptist churches of our South-
land, in developing missionary spirit and interest, since the organiza-
tion of the Woman's Missionary Union ten years ago. It has given
an impetus that seems almost without parallel. Every church feels the
need of a Woman's Aid Society in the many lines of their work —
work for which God has given them special endowment. Now, sis-
ters, since our Heavenly Father, has given us talents with which to
work in the vineyard, He will hold us responsible for our indifference
and neglect. We are ashamed to acknowledge how little we are do-
ing for him in our Association, but we pray that God will speed the
day of increased interest and activity among the women of our Asso-
ciation and state. Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Eastburn,
Mrs. Brown,
Mrs. Grev,
Mrs. Hallman,
Miss Maud EVANS.

The report of Finance Committee showed that Liberty Church

<N MINUTES OF THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL SESSION

had sent $1.05 tor minutes and Union Crove $ .95. The Florence
Chinch, in addition to the home expenses of the Association, agreed
to pay whatever balance should be necessary in order to have the
minutes printed. Total amount in treasury, $12.29.

Rev. W. S. Brown was elected delegate to the Southern Baptist
Convention.

The future course of the Association, should it fail to unite with
the Colbert Association, was left hands of the Executive Committee.

• R. E. Paulk,

Secretary.

^^^^^^^^^xsxy^r-^o

STANDING COMMITTEES

Executive— W. S. Brown, H. C. Gilbert, B. G. Gray, John T. Ashcraft,
C. S. W. Paulk.

Temperance — John T. Ashcraft, J. W. Cannon, A. P. Dulin.

Obituaries— John L. Austin, Samuel Muse, H. C. Gilbert.

Associational Missions — C. S. W. Paulk, Joe Wesson, W. S. Brown.

State Missons — H. C. Gilbert, B. G. Gray, Cassander Urban.

Home Missions — W. S. Brown, B. E.Jackson, L. D. Rutledge.

Foreign Missions — L. D. Rutledge, R. E. Paulk, John English.

Woman's Work — Mrs. Nettie Halbnan, B. G. Eastman, Mrs. L. F.
Duckett.

Sunday School— John T. Ashcraft, D. L. Garrett, J. A. Huff.

B. Y. P. V.— B. M. Jackson, R. E, Paulk, Ray S. Fleming.

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ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. Call to order. •

2. Devotional Exercises.

3. Reading of Church Letters.
4-. Election of Officers.

5. Admission of New Churches.

6. Receiving Visitors and Correspondents.

7. Annual Sermon.

8. Appointment of the following Committees, (others if necessary): —
(a) Devotional ; (b) Finance.

9. Reading the Constitution.

10. Reports of Standing and Other Committee: — (a) Obituaries; (b)
Temperance; (c) Missions — Associational, State, Home, Foreign ; (d) Sun-
day-School; (e) Woman's Work; (f) Executive; (g) Finance.

11. Treasurer's Report.

12. Selection time and place of next meeting.

13. Election of Delegates to State and Southern Baptist Conventions.

14. Appointment of Corresponding Delegates.

15. Election of Preacher to Deliver Next Annual Sermon.

1 6. Resolutions of Courtesy and Miscellaneous Business.

17. Adjournment.