General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2

THIRD MEETING OF THE I. R. L. ASSOCIATION

L. T. NICOLA

THIS meeting convened at 7 P. M., March 1, with Allen Moon, president, in the chair, and with A. F. Ballenger secretary. Prayer was offered by J. E. Jayne. All ministers and delegates present were invited to participate in the business of the meeting. GCB January 1, 1897, page 2.1

The chairman explained that the association did not exist simply for the purpose of advocating liberty for its members, but for all mankind. An incident in the career of Patrick Henry was cited to illustrate the point. He was a member of the Episcopal Church in Virginia. The Baptists were forbidden to practice the rite of baptism. In doing so they subjected themselves to arrest. On a certain occasion a trial was held, and Patrick Henry rode fifty miles to defend the Baptists, who were persecuted by his own church, and made one of the strongest pleas of his life for the rights of all men. This is disinterested interest in the welfare of others. GCB January 1, 1897, page 2.2

At the conclusion of the chairman’s opening remarks, the Treasurer’s report was called for, which was presented, and read as follows:— GCB January 1, 1897, page 2.3