Sunday, October 27, 2019

J.M. Hamlin Reports on Transylvania Baptist Association Work at Its 3-Day Session, Oct. 25, 1919

From the front page of The Brevard News, Friday, Oct. 25, 1919

Transylvania Baptist Association

By J.M. Hamlin

The Transylvania Baptist Association met in the meeting house of Catheys Creek Church last Wednesday the 15th inst. In its 38th annual session of three days. The attendance on the first day was meager, attributable to the conflict of the last day of the county fair lapping over on the first day of the gathering. After this a good attendance was secured.

It is particularly proper to say at this point owing to the short notice given the church and community of Selica that they would be called upon to entertain an Associational gathering, the good women, doubtless assisted by the men showed themselves equal to the demands of swelling crowds. So did the public dinners indicate and the guests who invaded private homes thought each had made a hit in getting the best.

This writer, with other paupers, is consigned to the “Poor house” for present relief. The “relief” sought came in ample form around a long, groaning table which itself was much relieved.
After the introductory sermon, denominated by the speaker, rev. T.C. King, a mere talk, letters were read from nine churches, bare quorum.

A permanent organization was effected by placing Rev. C.E. Puett in the chair, C.B. Deaver, clerk, and G.T. Lyday, historian.

Reports upon the various enterprises of denominational work, each being under the surveillance of a committee for the last year began to be handed in for discussion. The first was the State paper, Biblical Recorder.

The Thomasville Orphanage

Dr. M.L. Kessler was present as its representative and delivered a most excellent address. While he urged loyal support of the orphanages he discountenanced the breaking up to homes while it was possible to maintain and educate under the care of a mother. Dr. Kessler was the only visitor representing a denominational subject. Other subjects were discussed without new departures form old customs, save missions and its relatives; upon them was placed new and renewed emphasis and made the special order for Friday afternoon.

However, one new feature was introduced and adopted: denominational enlistment work. This work is to be done co-ordinately by State, Home and Association boards.

The idea seems to be to employ a man of undoubted ability and piety for all his time to evangelize, indoctrinate and otherwise render himself helpful to the ministry and churches.

Miss Anna Logan of Buncombe, representing the woman’s work in the $75 million dollar drive, spoke in the afternoon and evening on the nomenclature of the campaign. Her instruction were almost volunious, entailing if rendered no little effect. If the enthusiasm of the speaker should fall upon the “teams” something will be accomplished.

There was nothing more enjoyable of all the exercises than the memorial service of Thursday evening. May speak of this next week.

The next session will be held with Oak Grove church, Quebec, 1920.

The hour for the consideration of the special order, the $75 million campaign having arrived, the Association not having formally defined its attitude toward the spirit and the matter contained in certain Bulletins over the signature of “Associational Director” appearing in recent issues of the Brevard News in which partisan politics couched in unbecoming language had been lugged into a religious movement and thinking that such failure now at the close of the session might be constructed possibly as tacit endorsement, this writer, that he himself might not be misconstrued in his own name and for his own behalf, arose and repudiated the spirit and matter therein contained and withdrew. So he stands today for weal or for woe.

The principles upon which this movement is based are worthy. A great world opportunity calls for personal sacrifice.


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