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OFFIOIAIj ORGAN OITY OP WAYOROSIVOL XV ^—WAYCROSS, GEORGIA, SATURDAY1ILUAI PAVERAM HU CUm mt CfcrUUam Upatn Work-2 I fron[From The Atlanta tbnatitution.] Waycross, Gt.f Apnl 15, 1897.—Theeighth annual Congress or Contention of the Christian Laymen Workers' Association will convene at the classroom or chapel of the amociation, on Thomas street in this city, Fridav May 7th, and will continue in session until Sunday night following.This organization has a history that is of intense interest. It is about twelve years old, and its membership has grown from a mere handful to hundreds and perhaps thousands. These people are, as a rule, plain and unpretentious, but faithful and true followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene.'toms and are indeed «a peculiarpeo-Their by-laws forbid members from arguing scripture, and they are not allowed to occupy pnlpits or platforms, but must stand on the floor when talkingin meeting. They must also kneel insecret prayer at least one minute before taking their seat in any house of worship. All must talk, pray or sing when called on by the leader, and must hare family prayer in their homes. No one is allowed to talk longer than fire miu* •utes at n time in working, “unles4 he is unusually burdened for souls.” The leader appoints at each service of theconvention those who are to talk, andGoing back a dozen years we find a small class of earnest men and women banded together for mutual help and sympathy, their object being as stated in the 44Layman Evangelist,” a little vest pocket booklet of sixty pages, containing the charter, by-baws, etc., of the association, “To unite such people as are anxious to know for what purpose they were made.”they arc requested to get in a row on a long bench, each one speaking as his or her time comes. Three or more laymen may form a class.From the very small beginning several years ago, this institution has grown very rapidly and spread througnout thisTHE BEGINNING OF IT.The first class, organized in 1885, was known as Parker's class, the movement being established and founded by Mr. William Parker, a capitalist and large real estate owner in Waycross. He was one of a dozen or more class leaders appointed by the pastor of the Methodist church in 1885. For a while this little band of Chrisiiu soldiers was known as “the graveyard class,” owing to its dosesection. The membership has jumped well into the hundreds, if not into the thousands, and classes have been formed in- several of the Southern States. The Headlight was published by the president for several years as the official organ of the association, but failing in health he was forced to suspend the publication. He has been very feeble forproximity to the burying ground of the town. * •A number of similar classes wereformed by Mr Parker and his co-workers in the territory adjacent to Waycross, being designated as Fixer's classes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. etc. In 1891 a convention was held in Waycross, composed of delegates from the ten or more classes then in existence, at which time the idea of forming a permanent association was spruug and fully discussed, the result being the formation of the Christian laymen’s Association, Application was made to the superior court and a charter was granted, duly incorporating the body, with general headquarters in Waycross.Mr. William Parker, the /ounder and principal promoter of the scheme, was elected president of the association at the first meeting, and has been re-elected each succeeding year. B. H. Thomas and J. B. Strickland are vice presidents, J. G. Clough treasurer and John W. Adams secretary.CLERGYMEN INELIGIBLE.several months.%THE AUTHOR’S PECULIARITIES.Mr. Parker is a unique character.' He has a way of doing everything in a man* ner peculiar to himself. He is a.man of very lew words, but talks directly to the point when hd does speak.It may be of interest to narrate some of his peculiar expressions used in his religians meetingst On one occasion hethe Coffee Coonty Gazette, which be managed for several years.Mr. Parker has accumulated considerable property; but • says positively that the bulk of his fortune was not made out of his newspaper ventures. He likes it, and but for ill hehlth would probably be actively in newspaper business today, t The class building, is a substantial structure, and weekly meetings are held there by old class No. 1: ? k ■ THE COMING CONVENTION.$The convention soon to meet here willin all probability be largely Attended iy both;inen and women, and all delegates will 1be entertained while here by'members of the association. There has betn some opposition to the class work by those who feared it would cause a split in the church. But'the people who are most prominent in the movement den? any intention or expectation of coming out of the church, but claim loyalty to tbe'r different churches or organizations. It is work for laymen, among laymen.SleGOLI——referred to himself as an old horse pulling a cart, and when he got on a full head of steam he said there was danger of his running away and tearing up the cart. Once in prayer he was heard to say: “Oh, Lord, come down here quick and help us, we are in a tight 1” In speaking of one of his meetings ho remarked: “Yes, we had a good time; took off big bilin 1” After some church dispute Jiad been settled he said: ^Every thing will move all' right now^since we’ve got the spider out of the dump-lin!” He is intensely spiritual and tries to live close to the Lord every day. His unusual illustrations are awful powerful weapons, clinching the gospel nails in a sure place.Mr. Parker was born in Appling coun ty, Georgia, and is fifty-four years of age. He was raised on a farm and at-tended school only three months prior to attaining his majority. After reaching manhood he attended school nine mouths in Palmyra, N. Y.Tie fiovernor it Tampa.t * v iTampa, Fla., April 19.—Governor W Y. Atkinson and Principal Keeper of the Penitentiary, J. 8. Turner, of Georgia, arrived here this morning. They ar. here to begin an examination of the con* vfet system of this State.They had a long talk with Sheriffi • .Spencer this morning and were driven aronnd *the city by prominent citizens, visiting the huge cigar factories and other points of interest. •They will leaye here to-night for the phosphate convict camps at Dunellon and will personally investigate their eth-ods of its management.They intend visiting other camps also and will leave home about Thursday*Personal—The gentleman who annoyed the congregation last Sunday by continually coughing will find instant relief by using One Minute Oough Cure, aspeedy and harmless remedy for throatShorterOn any SI You Waycross Priclt; same qua!Shoe only to si money wiAny id p io p25*5paid 6.olt; The store.and lang troubles. A. B. McW Co., nod^E. B. Gopdricb, Druggists., • ————*—yrri, ■ \vouDg maid aefrimt of Cande, a , rtown’near Angres, Tu'France, in trying to get rid of a fish bone which had stuck in her throat, swallowed a teaspoon and inspite of ail the efforts of the doctor who was called, the spoon remains in her bddy.WEVLER IS FURIOUS.- I—AHa Refused tHE 18 AN OLD EDITOR.Only laymen and women are eligible to membership, and all wiio join must be members of some evangelical church.« in good standing. Ministers are not accepted as members, but they have a loving and cordial invitation to take part in the work, and many of them avail themselves of the privilege, *These people take up no collections at any of their meetings, and none of them are allowed under the by-laws, to accept any remuneration for their services, beyond actual traveling expenses. Theyareare “glad Salvation’s free,” and striving to make it so as far as possible. They are trying to spread the Gospel in the daric and neglected corners, where people are poor and needy, and have very limited privileges, and tBey belicye in doing the work “without money and»without price.1BOMB UNUSUAL CUSTOMS.They have many unusual and uhiqueMr. Parker started the first paper ever published in Coffee county. It was called The Pioneer, and was printed on a press invented by himself! It was made of a pine log, and was constructed somewhat similar to the roller used on the famous old Washington hand press. The log or cylinder was covered with sufficient packing to prevent mashing the type and yet make an impression. After inking the type with a rude little hand-made roller the sheet of white paper was placed on the tvpe, the log was rolled over and the printed sheets removed/ To be sure speed was not quite as great as that made by the ponderous perfecting machinery in The Constitution office, but it “got there just thesame.Mr. Parker says with care a very clear print could be obtained. The little paper told of the local happeningsof the county and was appreciatedthe people. Later on he boughtbyaHavana, April 18.—General Weyler is furious over the refusal of General Gomez to receive his commission and talk over terms of peace. The gentlemen who were appointed on the commission were Marcos Garcia, Alcalde of Sancti Spiritus; Sportuus of Trinidad and Fernandez, of Cienfuegos. They are liked and|respected by both Spaniards and Cnbans, and are trusted men. They were appointed by General Weyler to go to General Gomez’ camp and talk Jover terms of peace, and if Gomez would sur* render and stop the war, Spain would grant the most perfect autonomy to Cuba, under the safest guarantee that could be had. The commission sent word to General Gomez that it wa3 com* ing, but he refused to allow the commission near his camp. The gentlemen begged and pleaded for a.hearing, but the fox/ old general sent word hack that his only exchange would be liberty and Independence.When the commission reported toWashington hand press and establishedGeneral Weyler what General Gomez had said, and that he refused to allow commission to come near his camp, Weyler became disgusted aud stormed up and down tfce coast for several day*. His staff was afraid to say anything to him. Weyler will try to get an order from the New York Junta directedtoGeneral Gomez to confer with him.Washing! Court today rfrit of certi* Elvertoo R. refused .to tlt; who are allc sugar stocks fore that blt; who deliven Senate, und* censure ault;] right to invlt; conduct of £ witnesses to tence of the trict of Coli and (100 fii preme court fcr a writ o beas corpusIt should knowledge Salve will s est standing vorite for b sores of all Co., and E.GoiernoJackson v nor Atkins* here on his pa. His mcial one, hi vestigation
Newspaper Details
Waycross Weekly Herald
Waycross, Georgia, US
Sat, Apr 24, 1897
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Deann K.
USA 08 Jul 2023
Other Publications Near Waycross, Georgia
Waycross Headlight
Waycross Evening Herald
Waycross Weekly Edition of the Waycross Evening Herald
Waycross Weekly Journal
Waycross Herald
