Minutes of the twelfth annual session of the Montgomery Baptist Association (Ala.) 1893

AUBAMA BAPUST Hi^CAL ^^ Q^c^-^JL

MINUTES

TWELFTH ANNUAL SESSION

MoDt^oiDefil Baptist fl^^ociatioo,

HELD WITH

Prattville Baptist Chureh, Autauga County, Ala.,

July 18, 19 and '^O, 1803.

OKKICERS.

T. L. JONES, Moderator Montgomery, Ala.

J. I. LAMAR, Clerk Troy, Ala.

J. H. DICKSON, Treasurer Pine Level, Ala.

Who also constitute the Executive Board of the .-^ssociatioii.

The next session \vill be held with Bethel Church, Ft. Deposit,
Tuesday, July 17, 1894.

» ^ NAMES AND POSTOFFICES OF MINISTERS. I

Gteo. B. Eager, D. D Montgomery, Ala. >»

Wi M. Harris " " " ^<

W. J. Elliott

J. Falkner " "

J. Hicks

G. W. Townsend " "

E. F.' Baber " "

C. W.. Hare Clanton,

B. A. Jackson Ramer, "

W. H Booth Prattville, *'

W. G. Sullivant Raif Branch, '■ (^

>) N. A Moore Center Point. "

?^S.J; Catts Ft. Deposit, ' "

j R. M. Burt

l F. M. Rollins Prattville,

. / « A . F. Goldsmith Calhoun, "

/ ^?' ASSOCIATIOM DISTRICTS.

First District — Wetunipka, Bethany, Prattville, Mt. Hebron, Deatsville,
V Shoal Creek, Coosada, Good Hope.

Second District — Pine Level, Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Zion, Lowndesboro.
Hayneville, Bethel.

Third District — First Montgomerj-, Adams Street, Ramer, Bethesda,
Philadelphia. Friendship, West Montgomery.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

1. Association called to order by Moderator.

2. Appoint Committee on Credentials.

3. Fix time of meeting and adjourning.

4. Introductory Sermon.

5. Elect Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer.

6. Receive correspondence and visitors.

7. Receive petitions from Churches desiring membership.

8. Appoint committee to report during session —

On Religious Exercises.
On Finance and Auditing.
On Nominations.

9. Read rules of order.

10. Hear reports from committees and treasurer.

11. Return correspondence.

12. Appomt committees to report at next meeting —

On Home Missions.

On Foreign Missions.

On Sunday Schools.

On Temperance.

On Denominational Education.

On State Board of Missions.

On Ministerial Education.

On Indigent Ministers.

On Woman's Work.

On Orphan's Home.
Hear miscellaneous business.
Call roll and erase absentees.
Arrange for printing minutes.
Correct minutes and adjourn.

^Pii^i^^s^j)

M I N u T e: s

The Montgomery Baptist Association assembled for its
twelfth session with the Prattville Baptist Church, Prattville,
Alabama, at 10:30 o'clock a. m. on Tuesday, July IS, 1893,
having been called to order by the Moderator, Elder B. A.
Jackson.

Devotional Exercises were conducted by Dr. W. C. Cleve-
land.

Appointed Committee on Credentials as follows: J. H.
Dickson, T. L. Jones, R. B. James.

On fixing hours of meeting and adjourning : J. G. Harris,
P. N. Cilley, J. R. McLendon.

The Introductory Sermon was then preached by Dr. Geo.
B. Eager. Text: Job 32:7 : ''There is a spirit in man .and
the inspiration of the xVlmighty giveth them understanding."
Theme : "'The Nature and Need of Divine Inspiration."

Committee to fix hours of meeting report : Adjourn at
12 m., meet at 3 p. m.; adjourn at 6 p. m., meet at 8 p. m.;
adjourn at pleasure, meet at 9 a. m., devotional exercises
half an hour.

Adjourned. Benediction by Elder W. B. Crumpton.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

Devotional exercises conducted by Dr. W. Wilkes.
Committee on Credentials made report as follows :

Adams Street, Montgomery — Letter, no delegates.

Bethany— \V. P. Dawson.

Bethesda— W. V. Bell.

Coosada — R. H. Hudson.

Deatsville— M. A. Pyron, T. M. Guy, J. I. Lamar.

Friendship — S. F. Lawrence

Hayneville— U. G. W. Powell.

Lowndesboro— P. N. Cillev, E. W. Robinson, J. T. Dickson, W. J.
Elliott.

First Montgomery — Dr. Geo. B. Eager, J. G. Harris, T. L. Jones, C. W.
Hare.

West Montgomery — G. W. Townsend.

Mt. Hebron — W. H. Kendrick, J. N. Norris, R. "B, James, J. Hogan.

Mt. Lebanon — Letter, no delegates.

Mt. Zion— J. G. Mills, G. W. Johnson.

Philadelphia — Not represented.

Pine Level— J. H. Dickson, A. H. Eubank, W. H. Jones.

Prattville— E. E. Gresham, G. W. Walls, J. H. Booth.

Ramer— B. A. Jackson, G. S. Fuller, J. R. McLendon.

Shoal Creek — Is'ot represented.

Wetumpka — C. C. Edwards.

Good Hope— O. N, Gunnells. F. M. Chapman, F. M. Rollins.

Bethel— W. L. Hairston, J. M. Black, H. R. Golson.

Elder B. A. Jackson asked to be relieved from serving
longer as Moderator.

Election of officers by ballot was proceeded with, resulting
in the choice of T. L. Jones, Moderator, J. I- Lamar, Clerk,
J. H. Dickson, Treasurer.

Received correspondence from :

Coosa River Association — Dr. W. Wilkes.

Unity — James Pool.

Nevvton— Elder P. L. Mosely.

State Mission Board — Elder W. B. Crumpton.

Howard College— Prof. B. F. Giles.

Juds in Female Institute — Elder C. W. Hare.

Alabama Baptist — ^J. G. Harris.

An invitation was extended to churches desiring member-
ship to present their petitions. Bethel Church, Ft. Deposit,
dismissed from Alabama Association, West Montgomery,
Montgomery, and Good Hope, Autauga county, newly con-
stituted, were received by their letters and delegates and the
hand of fellowship extended.

Appointed the following committees to report during ses-
sion :

On Finance and Auditing— W. V. Bell, R. H. Hudson, A. H. Eubank.
Nominations — P. N. Cillcy, J. G. Harris, W. P. Dawson.

The program prepared bv the committee appointed last
session was adopted with the privilege of making any change
the Association may direct.

Committee on Sunday'" schools made report through the
Chairman, VV. J. Elliott, and alter remarks by several
brethren, was adopted as follows:

REPORT ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Your Committee on Sabbath Schools desire to attract your attention to
the importance of thi-^ enterprise, hoping it may receive at >our hands the
consideration to which it is entitled. We doubt if in discussing the subjects
brought before you there will be one coming closer to the great living heart

of our Saviou'- than does the intelligent, faithful instruction of the children
in the word of divine revelation. We invite your attention to the following
points:

1. To the objects of its organization.

2. The most desirable methods to be practiced in its management.
'6. Itb possible influence on society.

4. The relationship that should exist between it and the Church of Christ.

What other plan of preaching the gospel is comparable to this.' Carefully
grouping the truths of the Bible, and faithfully teaching them from Sabbath
to Sabbath through a series of vears, intelligently applying its precepts and
admonitions to each in.-'.ividual heart and lite, what a vast store of Biblical
knowledge will be acquired, and what influences put in operation for
enligh ened citizenship with those in whose hands, at no distant day, is to
be placed the destiny of nations; and hence what untold good to the body
politic. Think you, had the children of France been as thoroughly indoc-
trinated in the truths of the Bible as they were in the platitudes of Unreason,
could the carnival of blood of the commune have been a possibilit)- ? Nay,
verily. From a political stand point, no free government in the hands of,
and managed by the people, can aftbrd to let the children grow up in igno-
rance of the truths of the Bible. But some sa\', "Let us teach our children
these truths at home." Will you do so .' God bless you, if you do. But do
you .'' Don't every Sabbath school teacher know how difficult it is to secure
assistance from even christian parents to help the precious little inquirers to
compreheni.; even the short lessons given to be prepared at home for each
Sabbath's recitation.' But grant faitht\ilness along this line on the part of
christian parents, and abolish the Sabbath schools. What then.' Think of
the many bright little minds that are without the aid and influence of chris-
tian parents or friends, and who would be left uninstructed in Bible truth
but for the opportimities of the Sabbath school. What missionary work
could come nearer to us than this ?

Who can say that from aught else can enlighted citizenship be more con-
fidently expected than from properly organized and intelligently managed
Sabbath schools. That in many of our schools the methods are defective
may be true, but in the name of the Master let us organize and do the best
we can. If our eflbrts are crippled from the inexperience of our superin-
tendents and teachers, no matter; let us work up to the very best there is in
us, and our word for it, or rather God's promise for it, there will be improve-
ment, progress and blessed results. We regard the subject matter taught
as of vastly more importance than the method of teaching it. Your com-
mittee lack time to more than glance at a few of the advantages to be
expected from earnest Sa'obath school work. To the churches, it is the
right arm of power. Bible knowledge is the great underlying principle and
preparation for the reception of the oflice and work of the Spirit of God in
regeneration. A knowledge of a Substitute, a Saviour, a Mediator and
Intercessor is essential to a work of grace in the heart. And who can say
how soon this work may be begun in the young and tender hearts, being
trained in our Sabbath schools .' We think we are correct when we assert
that a large majority of those coming into the churches have been taught
in the Sabbath schools. And we are willing to go further and sav, the
church that has no Sabbath school managed by its membership is com-
paratively a dead church, with few additions and a low state of spirituality.

Now, then, should the membership of the Sabbath school be confined to
the children alone.' Your committee desire to enter their protest against
any such suggestion. We urge that in its organization its provisions should
be comprehensive enough to embrace within its purview every one desiring
a knowledge of the word of God. Then we expect to find there all chris-
tians Let us press this point, that it is the duty of every member of the
church to attend, both on account of their own increase in knowledge of
the truth and consequent growth in grace, and also for the reasu,n that their

influence may encourage others to come and thus reap the benefits from
these exercises.

The higher officials of the churches inay well be expected to move out
promptly and cheerfully on this line of march, and constitute themselves a
committee of inspection, careful to see that proper instruction is given in
this great co-worker with the church.

Well, what should be taught in these schools ? We answer, all the
truths of the Bible. Not alone the great cardinal doctrines that all classes
approve and all denominations endorse, but the essential tenets and prac-
tices characterizing us as a denomination, fortifying this instruction with
the divine authority for such faith and practice. We fear that our teachers
have not been as pronounced, as to our denominational views, as the impor-
tance of those views demanded. We should speak out plainly the faith that
in us is, in the full exercise of christian charity.

We do not admit there are non-essentials in the gospel of Christ,, or its
requirements. Whatever our Master commands us to do, or believe, can
never be regarded as non-essential. If he has declared, '"He that believeth
and is baptised shall be saved," we are to teach that faith prepares the way
and baptism follows as an act of obedience, and b>:)th are essential to induc-
tion into his visible church; and only tiue believers, following his example
and obeying his injunctions to be buried with Christ in baptism are, or can
be, entitled to the great privilege of membership with him. These and other
characteristic articles of faith ought to be intelligently taught in our Sab-
bath schools.

But how can we expect such instruction at the hands of teachers who are
not christians, or from those who being christians are not in harmony with
our faith and practices.' To give your children in chai-ge to teachers of
other denominations, is to raise your children for the churches represented
by those teachers. When the time shall come that the pastors and other
officials of our chui^hes shall be on the alert as inspectors to see that the
tenets of our order are faithiuUy taught in our Sabbath schools, then shall
we see an end to the necessity of everlastingly explaining the nature of our
belief, and giving excuses for our practices. Some people, even ot our own
church, think it indicates a narrow spirit to teach children to be loyal to
the church or denomination in which they are being trained. This is all
wrong. Let them be taught, if you will, to love the christians of all denomi-
nations, but more especially our own. Instil into the minds of the children
a love for your denomination, and you will have no occasion to doubt their
zeal as earnest church workers in the future. His denommation is like his
nation or his home. It is his because he was born and reared there. It is
dear to him with the unquestioning sense that he belongs to it and it to him.

The faithful teacher will not only teach love to God, but also love for the
church where God is found and known.

We beg to call your attention to the statistics of the Sunday school work
in the association. We have in the association twenty-one churches. Of
these five have no Sabbath schools, while one has union school. The fifteen
schools have one hundred and fifty-two teachers. In the schools there are
one thousand three hundred and eighteen scholars. From these fifteen
Sabbath schools twenty-five have within the year united with the Baptist
church. Respectfully submitted,

W. J. Elliott, Ch'man.

Adjournei. Benediction by Elder W. B. Crumpton.

5
NIGHT SESSION.

Missionary Sermon by Elder G. W. Townsend. Text :
James 2:20 — "Wilt thou know, O, vain man, that faith
without works is dead V A collection for missions was taken
amounting to $8.15.

WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Devotional exercises conducted by Prof. B. F. Giles.
Rev. Bro. Abernathy, pastor of Prattville M. E. iJhurch,
being present, was invited to a seat.
Returned Correspondence:

To Coosa River Association — J. G. Harris, C. VV. Hare, W. J. Elliott.

Newton — J. G. Harris.

Coneculi — J. G. Harris.

Unity— O. N. Gunnells. F. M. Rollir.s.

By order of the association, any member attending another
association may represent this body as a messenger.

Report of the Committee on Education was read, by the
Chairman, J. G. Harris, and after being discussed, a substi-
tute was offered and adopted as follows :

REPORT ox EDUCATION.

Since tiie matter of education is takintf such vigorous hold on the minds
otour people, we would urge them to look well to the moral surroundings
of their children while they are securing their literary training. For our
sons Howard College stands with open doors, not only to give the best
literary training, but also to surround them with positive leligious influence.
For our daughters, the Judson Institute has no superior along the same line.
We commend most heartily these two colleges to the confidence and
patronage of our members.

Respectfully submitted,

J. G. Harris. Ch'man.

Report of the committee on Ministerial Education was
read by the Chairman, C. W. Hare, when Dr. W. C. Cleve-
land asked the association to raise the amount suggested by
the committee ($300.00) by the time specified by the com-
mittee, which was done by pledges for support of ministers
at Howard College, to be paid by October 1st and February
1st, next, as follows :

Adams street $ 25 00 Mt. Zion .| 5 00

Bethany 10 00 Philadelphia

Bethesda 10 00 Pine Level 10 00

Coosada 5 00 Prativille 10 00

Deatsville 5 00 Ramer . 10 00

Friendship 5 00 Wetumpka

Hayneville 5 00 West Montgomery

Lowndesboro 15 00 Ft. Deposit " '. 20 00

First Montgomery 150 00 Good Hope. ....

Mt. Hebron 5 00 G. W. Townsend (self) 10 00

Mt. Lebanon 5 00

REPORT ON MIXISTERIAL EDUCATION.

The condition of man\' of the churches of Alabama calls loudly for an
increase in our force of competent workmen. The members of the Board
of Ministerial Education see this need, hence their earnest appeals to the
churches to assist in the education of men who give evidence of their call to
the ministry. The prayer for more laborers is constantly going up from
earnest hearts, and the Lord is answering in the "here am I, send me" that
is sounding from many young men. This should constitute a loud call to
the churches to aid to better equipment these men of God. In the past our
churches have done well for this cause, but increased demands call for
increased contributions.

Resolved^ That we apportion among our churches the sum of $300 for
the next associational year, and urge them to raise half that sum by Octo-
ber 1st and the remainder by February 1st, 1S94.
^ C. W. Hare.

On motion, order of business was changed to allow report
on Woman's Work to take the place of children's hour this
afternoon session.

Adjourned. Benediction by Elder G. W. Townsend. .

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
Prayer by Elder W, B. Crumpton.

REPORT ON NOMINATIONS.

The committee recommend that the next meeting be held with Bethel
Church, Ft. Deposit, on Tuesday after the third Sunday in July, 1S94 ;
Elder W. J. Elliott to preach the Introductory Sermon, Elder B. A. Jack-
son to preach the Missionary Sermon.

Respectfully submitted,

P. N. Cil.LEY, Ch'man.

Report adopted.

Report on Woman's Work read by the Chairman, Dr.
Geo. B. Eager, and after an address by him was adopted,
and the Woman's Aid Society held a meeting in the Sunday
School room of the M. E. Ciiurch.

7

REPORT ON WOMAN'S WORK.

The day for defending woman's work is happily past. The Montgomery
Association, at its last session, declared itself in fullest sympathy with
woman's work as now organized and carried on among us, and resolved to
appoint a standing committee to report on said work at every session of
the body.

Your committee, therefore, would call attention to dertain facts which
speak for themselves, and form for us the index finger of God pointing us
to our duty and our opportunity.

The woman's movement among Southern Baptists is represented by the
Woman's Missionary Union of Baltimore, which has been from its incep-
tion in purpose and in fact auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention.
In Alabama it is represented by the Womam's Central Committee at Bir-
mingham, Mrs. T. A. Hamilton, President. It has ever kept in touch and
cooperation with the Home and Foreign Mission Boards, undertaking only
such work as has been suggested or approved by them. The barest recital
of the facts concerning the work achieved by them would have a logic aud
an eloquence more convincing than any argument. For instance, the total
amount reported as raised by our Baptist women of the South in 1887, the
year previous to the organization of the Woman's Missionary llnion, was
117,000. This year, the fifth since the Union's organization, they raised for
Home and Foreign Missions alone $(32,336. 75, or nearly '25 per cent, of the
aggregate amounts reported by our Home and Foreign Boards. The gain
of their contributions for the five years has been .$41,299.59; for the last year
over the previous year it was .$18 043 95. The grand total of amounts raised
by them since 1888 for Home and Foreign Missions is $228,651.50. Surely
for such results and such marked growth in the grace of giving, we should
devoutly thank God and take courage, especially since these splendid
results have in no way lessened but rather stimulated the regular contribu-
tions to our Boards. "Peter has not been robbed," as Dr. Eliis says, "to
enrich Paul." During the past year they have done, in addition to their regu-
lar work, an immense amount of extra work in connection with the Cen-
tennial of Missions. The correspondence of the Woman's Missionary
Union was four times as great as the year before; and the distribution of
literature arose from 236,751 leaflets, tracts, etc., in '92, to 530,255 in '93.
This greatly augmented volume of work involved, of course, much addi-
tional labor, but the increase of actual expense was only $234.33, the secret
being that it wis the labor of love. No salaries or commissions are paid to
the officers or helpers of the Union.

The Union has entered the current conventional year with enlarged plans,
recommended by the Home and Foreign Boards. These plans are full f)f
promise, for they embrace not only lines of work previously pursued with
signal success, but other important undertakings peculiarly suited to women.
At the suggestion of the Foreign Board, they have undertaken to raise the
entire sum required to support our women missionaries in foreign lands,
upwards of $36,000, and to introduce the observance of "Missionary Day"
in all our Sundaj' schools, prepare and distribute programs, etc., and do all
else that they can to make this new scheme an educational and financial
factor in our denominational life.

Woman's work in Alabama in this organized form is only four years old,
and yet it is hardly surpassed by that of any other Southern state in thor-
oughness of organization and actual results achieved. The Central Com
mittee of no other state can boast of superior officers, the gifted president,
Mrs. T. A. Hamilton, a daughter of the late devoted Secretary of the For-
eign Board, being confessedly one of the brightest and best of all our
workers. Under their effective leadership women's societies have been
multiplied, and the work has grown steadily and cheeringly. There are
now 251 societies in the state. Last year they raised $6,198.33; gave a

•

Christmas oftering for work in Japan of $533.00, of' which this association
gave !f 115.00; sent 20 boxes to frontier missionaries, valued at $900, eclipsing
all their sister states in this line of work, supported four Cuban girls in
Havana, besides giving cash contributions to the Havana school, con-
tributed liberally to the education of Pura Cova at the Judson. and to the
Orphanage at Evergreen, and through the Birmingham Association have
undertaken the support of a missionary in China.

This report covers, of course, only the ground occupied by the organized
work of the women's societies, and by no means embraces all the work
done by them as individuals. This, the last great day alone, will adequately
make known. For their own and their work's sake we would render them
honor, and we would recommend, first, that the churches heed the apostolic
information, "Help those women," and foster their societies; and, second,
that the women's societies cultivate sympathetic relations and sentiments of
unity with their respective churches.

Respectfully submitted,

Gf.o. B. Eager,

J. G. Harris.

LT. G. W. Powell.

Report of the Committee on Bible and Colportage was
read, and after an address by the Chairman, Elder W. J.
Elliott, it was adopted as follows :

REPORT ox BIBLE AND COLPORTAGE.

We thorcughly believe that the written Word is used of God in turning
people from sin unto righteousness, and thift all branches of Christian work
are benefitted by the distribution of the Scriptures and other religious liter-
ature. This is an age of books — a reading age. The opinions of the masses
are formed not so much froirr what thev hear as from what the^' read.

The young mind is going to be filled with thoughts of some kind; then
how important it is that every household should be well supplied with
wholesome literature. Drive out the darkness by the rays of light. Fill
the mind so full of good that no place will be left for evil. Satan is flood-
ing the country with bad books, and we must counteract this influence
Ihrough the work of the colporteur, who goes from house to house, and
•not only talks to the people, but leaves a good book or a tract behind him
that will often set in motion waves of influence, whose force will not be
known until we see ihem reaching the heavenly shores.

We beg to call your attention to the following facts concerning the work
of this department: This department has had thirteen colporteurs in the
field this 3'ear; among them some very fine workers. But the stringency of
money matters has greatly retarded the progress of the work throughout
the state. •

Colporteurs so far have purchased about $500 00 worth of Looks from
thi? department of the Board. The sales of this department up to the first
of July amounts to $3,070 00; this means for about two-thirds of the con-
ventionrl year. For the month of June the department received orders
from 250 schools. About sixty per cent, of these \\ere tor the convention
series, and the remainder tor the American Baptist Publication Society
series. The contributions to the department for the past eijjht months
amount to $278.(10; lhi> includes one hundred dollars donated by the Baptist
Sunday School Board at Nashville, Tenn. The department is far short in
contributions as compared with last year, and we can only account tor it
from the fact that the bulk of mission work has been given to Foreign,
Home and Centennial fund. What tht-y need more than anything else is
•

9

practical and financial help, as well as to be more centrally located. We
believe that the work of this department is as much needed and will bear as
much final fruit to our Baptist cause in Alaban a, as any work being done
in the state.

We recommend the Alaboma Baptist as worthy of our support. The
Missionary Qjiarterly, published by Bro. W. B. Crumpton, ought to go
into every Baptist home in the state. The Foreign Mission Journal and
Our Home Field are indispensable to all who would inform themselves on
Missions. As to Sabbath school literature, there are two publishing houses,
either of which is worthy of our patronage; we leave it to the choice of the
schools which they will take.

The Board at Opelika is very anxious for all the Sunday schools to send
their orders to them. Their prices are the same as the publishers, and in
ordering through this department each Sunday school gives its mite in sup-
port of colportage work and in aiding destitute communities to build up
Sunday schools.

W.J. Elliott, Ch'man.

Rev. Dr. Alexander, pastor of the Presbyterian Church,
was invited to a seat.

Children's hour was very appropriately used by Bro. T. L.
Jones, demonstrating Sunday school teaching by the use of
blackboard exercises.

Appointed the standing committees to report at the next
sesbion as follows :

On Home Missions — W. M. Harris, A. H. Eubank, R. H. Hudson
Foreign Missions — Dr. Geo. B. Eager, W. P. Dawson, J. P. Streetv.
Sunday Schools — J. G. Harris, M. A. Pyron. C. C. Edwards.
Temperance — G. W. Townsend, H R. Golson, W. V. Bell.
Denominational Education— W. J. Elliott. G W. Ellis, U. G. W. Powell.
State Board of Missions — B. A.Jackson J. R. McLendon. F. M. Rollins.
Ministerial Education— S. J. Catts, W. H. Booth, G. W. Ellis.
Indigent Ministers — C W. Hare, R. B. James. J. G. Mills.
Woman's Work— P. X. Cillev, S. F. Lawrence. H R. Golson.
Orphan's Home— Dr. Geo. B." Eager, W. J. Elliott, J. H. Booth.

Sunday school committee men :

First District— R H. Hudson.

Second District — H. R. Golson.

Third Di.strict— G. W. Ellis.

For the Association — J. H. Dickson.

Committee on program for next year — ^J. H. Dickson, G. W. Ellis, W.
B. Davidson.

Delegates to the State Convention — W. M. Harris, Dr. Geo. B. Eager,
B. A.Jackson. C. W. Hare, G. W. Ellis, G. W. Townsend, S.J. Catts,
W. J. Elliott. J. G. Ilarris. J H Dickson.

Delegates to Southern Baptist Convention — B. A. Jackson. Alternate,
W.J. Elliott.

The following was offered and adopted by the association :

Whereas, a Baptist Orphan's Home has been organized in the state and
recognized as a n^cessit--, therefore be it

.fff,.?o?t'eff, 1st, That the Montgomerv Association declare itself in fullsst
sympathy and active co-operation with this enterprise.

10

Second, that this association appoint a stai:ding committee to report on
the Orphan's Home at every session of this body. We recommend that
all moneys, clothing, etc., be sent to Rev. J. W. Stewart, Evergreen, Ala.

Dr. W. C. Cleveland was requested to prepare the report
for to-night on Foreign Missions, as the Chairman is absent,
and he and Elder P. L. Mosely address the body to-night.

The Clerk was instructed to place the churches that have
united with the Association this session, in the proper
districts.

Report of Committee on Finance and Auditing read and
adopted, as also the Treasurer's report.

On motion, ordered that the amount in hands of the Clerk
($7.75), contributed a few sessions ago to place tombstones
over the graves of Elders Lundy and Robinson, be appro-
priated to Indigent Ministers fund.

Ordered that the Clerk have 500 copies of the minutes
printed and distributed, and use the amount of funds sent
for that purpose.

Adjourned. Benediction by Dr. Geo. B. Eager.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

Devotional exercises by Elder F. L. Mosely.

Report on Foreign Missions read by Dr. W. C. Cleveland
as follows : "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel
to every creature," and then addressed the body, followed
by Dr. W. Wilkes. The report was then adopted.

Report ori Temperance was redd by the Chairman, J. H*
Dickson, who addressed the association. The report was
then adopted as follows :

REPORT ON TEMPERANCE.

We wish to present this whiskey traffic in a business manner. It is a
great corporation formed by men, with an idea for money. It can be com-
pared to a mammoth manufacturing concern, operating with humanity.
Behold! how it advertises for our boys, the only material it can use. In its
organization it presents the interest of the management through its agents,
who are so multiplied in ways and forms that they reach every calling ancJ
class of the human family.

Respectfully submitted,

y. H. Dickson, Chairman.

Adjourned. Benediction by Elder F. L, Moseley.

11

THURSDAY MORNING.

Devotional exercises conductea by Elder W. B. Crumpton.

Committee on State of the Churches was stricken from
the order of business.

Report on Indigent Ministers was read, and after being
discussed, was adopted as follows :

REPORT ox INDIGENT MINISTERS.

The Montgomery Association is fully committed to the aid of" aged and
infirm ministers, and the tamilies ut deceased ministers, wherever such aid
is needed; and we do now renew our pledge to give such material support
to all such worthy subjects that may come under this department of our
denominational work. After discussion, the report was adopted.

G, W. Ellis, Chairman,

Report on Home and State Missions read by Dr. Geo. B.
Eager, and addresses by himself and ElderTHf fl. Crumpton.
The report was adopted as follows ;

REPORT ON STATE AND HOME MISSIONS.

There is a sense in which State and Home Missions are one, and may
be carried on cooperatively; yet there is between them a distinction, with a
difference which we do well to observe.

OUR STATE BOARD.

Seventeen years ago the Board of State Missions was organized. The
old Domestic and Indian Mission Board was then located in our state, but
next to nothing was being done towards the development of the benevo-
lence of our people. Some of the larger associations were conducting mis-
sion work after a sort in their own bounds. Occasionally an agent chanced
to come along, and a collection was taken for our Home or Foreign work;,
but such a thing as systematic giving was hardly ever thought of in the
churches. Few associations ever had reports or discussions on Missions,
Sunday schools. Temperance or Education. Everything waited on the
annual meeting, when interest arose to a flood tide and converts were bap-
tized, sometimes in great numbers, but soon everything relapsed into the
old dull way. Anything like convert training was forgotten or neglected,
little was expected of the new members, especially in giving, and at least,
as a matter of fact, little was ever accomplished. As our State Secretary
has said in recitmg this history, great things may have been expected from
God, but great things were not attempted for God by the churches.

Now the State Mission Board came to the kingdom tor such a time as
this. From its very beginning, its aim and effort has been to stimulate and
develop our people in christian benevolence and missionary activity. Out
of it, as the mother, came the ministerial education and Bible and colportage
boards, and every other agency of our state and general conventions has
felt its fostering influence. And to-day. in its new home and under its new
name, a^* the State Board of Missions, it is the representative and helper
and head centre of all our missionary and benevolent enterprises, state and
general.

12

In ihe light of what remains to be done, its growth and achievements may
seen small, but viewing its work in the light of this contrast between the
THEN and the now, we may well thank God and take courage.

For some more detailed account of the work of the past year, we refer
you to our worthy secretary, who can give you facts and figures for which
there is not room in this report.

OUR HOME BOARD.

This forty-eighth year of the work of our Home Board has been in its
results, in spite of hard times and political excitements, one that calls for
signal praise to God. It has had in the field 368 missionaries, who preached
38,000 sermons, baptized 5,000 converts, received 9,000 additions to the
churches, organized 412 Sunday schools, constituted 155 churches, built 92
houses of worship, and disrributed 900,000 pages of tracts. It has paid off
a debt of nearly .$10,000, including the $'=J2,000 due on the Havana house,
and reported at Nashville for the first time in years a balance in the treasury.
Its total cash receipts were .$106,989.58, of which $29,87348 were expended
in church building. Its work among the negroes, represented by 60 mis-
sionaries, has met with cheering success.

Rev. W. H. McAlpine, the representative of both our Home and State
Boards in Alabama, is conceded to be one of the strongest and best leaders
of his race now known among us. He is a man of high character, good
education, fine organizing capacity and teaching power, and has devised a
sj'stem of instruction for pastors among his people that is working admir-
ably and attracting wide attention.

Of the importance of the work now pressing upon the board, we can do
no better than quote the words of President J. B. Gambrell, of Mercer Uni-
versity: "Multitudes of people speaking strange tongues will flow into this
Southland. At first the Northern man with American ideas will come,
but he will be followed by men from every nation under heaven. To pre-
pare for, meet and christianize these millions is the work of the Home
Board. Along the mountain fastnesses of the Virginias, Kentucky, Ten-
nessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, and
the great coming cities of the South, the battles are to be fought within a
generation which will decide the spiritual destiny of this country a thousand
years, as human affairs run. Nor is this the whole of it. Tlie great num-
bers and strength of the Baptists of the South, through our Home Board,
inust be turned on the millions of lost souls in the North who are over-
bearing our Northern brethren. This is a defensive measure, since these
people are to greatly aftect our common country. There never was a time
when we neeaed broader, deeper, more far-reaching plans for our Home
Board than now."

In conclusion, we invite attention to the urgent lessons of the Centennial,
as set before our people in the last annual report of the Boa'd.

"The Centennial year has taught lessons by which we well inay profit.
The Corresponding Secretaries of both Kentucky and Georgia estimate
that in these states two-thirds of our membership give nothmg to our mis-
sion work, and these two states are certainly above the average of our
people.

It may safely be said that within the bounds of this convention one mil-
lion of baptized believers know little and care nothing about our mission.
work. Among those who do contribute, there is in the main but a low ap-
preciation of the work done, and that to tie done, and consequently a great
majority of the offerings are far below the ability of those who give. It is
evident that the spirit of missions has taken but slight hold upon our people,
and there is but little dtsire for information upon this subject. This desire
has yet to be created in the minds of 7iiosf, and stimulated in the hearts of
all our pe.^ple. Tracts, leaflets, our mission papers, information given by
our weekly press, are all indispensable But these are insufficient. Noth-

f

13

ing but the Heaven-ordained means of propagating the truth will avail.
The living man, fired with holy zeal, must go to them and talk with them-
face to face about their duty to a living Saviour and a lost world. Some
wise and efficient plan must be adopted, some earnest and long continued
effort must be made to bring up our people to greater interest in the work
of missions. If not, we fail to accomplish the very end for which the
churches of Christ were brougnt into being. Our mission as Baptists will
be a failure, and our great denomination but a barren fig tree which the
Master's displeasure may wither forever.

We should, therefore, take some action that shall result in bringing our
people into active sympathy with the end for which the Master lived and
died, and w hich He has made obligatory upon us by His positive command
sealed b^- His blood.

Respectfully submitted,
, Geo. B. Eager, Chairman.

Apportionment was then made to raise $2,000.00 for mis-
sions next 3'ear among the churches, as follows :

APPORTIONMENT.

First Montgomerv $1.000 00 Mt. Lebanon $ 20 00

Adams Street 250 00 Mt. Zion 75 00

West Montgomery. 100 00 Good Hope. 10 00

Ramer 60 00 Wttumpka 200 OO

Bethesda 40 00 Bethany

Philadelphia 10 00 PrattviUe

Pine Level 00 00 Coosada

Mt. Hebron 25 00 Lowndesboro

Deatsville 50 00 Havneville

Shoal Creek 10 00 Ft." Deposit

Friendship 20 OO

Total ^ 2,295 00

The following resolution was offered and adopted :

Resolved^ That we heartily endorse and commend the plan of putting a
Colporteur into every association in the state as soon as practicable, and
we appeal to the different associations that are to meet during this year to
take favorable action in this enterprise, and secure such co-operation as
will give success.

TREASURERS REPORT.

Montgomery Association in account with J. H. Dickson, Treasurer.

DR.

To cash — Home Missions % 24 41

Foreign Missions 17 53

State Missions. ... 25 54

Ministerial Education 12 25

Minutes 34 71

Missions 29 .53

Total $143 97-$143 9T

50 00

100 00

25 00

60 00

30 00

100 00

14

By J. I. Lamar $ 34 71

G, W. Ellis 12 25

W. B. Crumpton. , 15 00

G. S. Anderson 20 00

W. B. Crumpton 62 01

Total $143 97— $143 97

Respectfully submitted,

J. H. Dickson, Treasurer.

The association, by appropriate resolution, endorsed unani-
mously the action of the Board of Trustees of Howard Col-
lege in the election of Rev. A. W. McGaha, D. D., fis presi-
dent of that institution, but the resolution was not handed
to the Clerk, or was mislaid, and does not appear in form.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the thanks of this association are hereby given to the
citizens of Prattville, who have so generously entertained the delegates and
visitors, and to the Pratt Gin Company for conveyances from and to the
railroad.

Read and corrected the minutes and erased the names of
absentees.

Adjourned to meet with Bethel Church, Ft. Deposit,
Tuesday after the third Sunday in July, 1894.
Benediction by Dr. W. C. Cleveland.

T. L. JONES, Moderator,

Montgomery, Ala.
J. I. LAMAR, Clerk,

Troy, Ala.

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THE ALABAMA BAPTIST.

THE PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

Denominational News. Secular News. Discussion of sub}ects

of interest to the Baptists of Alabama.

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