N.C. Baptists Likely to Raise $10 Million, Dec. 1, 1919

From the Hickory Daily Record, Monday Evening, December 1, 1919

Baptists in the City and State More Than Raise Their Quotas in Great Campaign

Raleigh, Dec. 1—Unless the 30,000 workers in North Carolina Baptist churches fail to follow up the tremendous success of Sunday, the first day of the eight-day Baptist dash in the Baptist 70 Million Campaign, it is very evident that the Old North State will raise $10 million for the campaign fund, instead of the $6 million asked of the state.

Sunday was the greatest day ever known in Baptist history in the entire South. Marked by the most intense interest, the most vivid sacrificial giving, the deepest spirituality, the Baptists have advanced their gifts from 10 to 50 percent and in a few instances 100 percent over and above the amount asked for. Reports coming into headquarters from every section of the state show universally an increase over the expectancy.

The Buncombe association, including the city of Asheville, asked for $200,000 reports that amount from half of the churches.

The Wilmington association with many churches still to report is safely beyond the amount asked. Mecklenburg and Cabarrus were asked to raise $250,000 and have $292,000 with every church meeting its allotment. The First Baptist Church in Raleigh asked for $110,000 has pledges for $83,718. Johnson memorial and Pullen memorial have both gone beyond their allotment. In none of these churches has the canvass been completed. The first association and for that matter the only association to report from every church, in Gaston county in which 26 churches asked for $100,000 have already raised over $275,000.

Hickory Baptist churches Sunday more than met the expectations of their members and the state when they responded to the $75 million campaign in a manner that left no doubt of its success. In Hickory the First church was apportioned $12,000, but it raised $23,000. The first day a gift of $5,000 by Mr. ? D. Elliott, chairman of the local drive, setting the pace. Rev. W.D. Elliott, chairman of the local drive, setting the pace. Rev. W.R. Bradshaw said today that the church would raise $24,000 in all.

Mr. Bradshaw gave heartfelt praise to the workers and members, all of whom gave handsomely to the occasion. In doubling its quota, the Hickory church has made its friends proud.

Other churches in the city and suburbs also did great work. The West Hickory Baptist, of which Rev. L.P. Smith is pastor, was asked for $5,000 and gave $7,000. Highland and Brookford, of which Rev. S.A. Rhyne is pastor, were asked for $4,000 and they gave $5,000. Penelope was asked for $900, and it gave $1,500.

Mr. Bradshaw, who is chairman of the South Fork Association, today had heard from 19 of the 34 churches. They have raised $64,000 of the $90,000 allotted to them and when the others are heard from the amount will reach $75,000, Mr. Bradshaw said.