* * * * *
This effort to give substantial and favorable testimony in the interest
of the men and work of the Colored Baptists of Alabama grows out of
certain aims and purposes, such as:
1. The desire to produce a picture of the negro associated with the
gospel under the regime of slavery. Such a picture will serve to turn
our eyes upon the social, moral and religious forces of the dark times
and their fruits in the negro’s life.
2. The desire to make comparisons--to compare the colored man of 1865
with the colored man of 1895. Such a comparison will help the black man
himself to see whether or not he is a _growing_ man or a _waning_ man.
It will also serve to show the same thing to the friend and to the foe.
“Appeals to Pharaoh and to Cæsar” are not so wise as appeals to facts,
which prove the negro to be man just as other races are man.
The book is not all history, nor is it all biography; it is something
of both and it is more. It gives certain information which can
neither rank as history nor as biography: it is the record of special
operations in the denomination in different sections of the State with
a view to showing the mental _status_ now prevailing. I have been
engaged with the book for the past seven years, during which time I
have searched and gleaned as best I could; I have not tried to obtain
everything, nor have I had space to talk of every person who deserved
honorable mention. To do this would require too large a book. I could
not do more than get enough together to “round out” my testimony. Where
I have spoken of anything that touches our white brethren or the white
people, it has been in tenderest love for them, though my language has
been plain and seemingly bold. I think I can risk the statement that I
have no “race prejudice:” all men are in a sense my brethren and I am
brother to all men--akin to Christ, akin to me.
If a brother among us deserving mention should not appear, remember
that many failed to report to me as I desired them to do, and that I
felt I could not do more than give what would make a full showing of
our State. Those names that came after the work was done had to be put
into a supplement.
It will be seen, therefore, that the purpose which gives birth to
this little book is not a desire to present a “vain show” of names,
appealing to pride for the sake of gain; but, that it is an humble aim
to accomplish some good. It is an attempt to answer the questions:
“From whence have we come? What have we done? What have we attained
to? What are the possibilities before us?” The book is intended to
be a simple statement of facts; which facts, it is believed, will be
a sufficient apology for their appearance in book form. The reader
may expect faults in arrangement and errors in composition, but it is
to be hoped that the sweetness and beauty of the flower will not be
rejected because of the thorns upon the stem which bears them. I have
not tried to tell everything. If I speak of individuals, it is with
a view to giving some of their best things, best deeds, etc. “Straws
show which way the wind is blowing,” it is said; hence only enough
of each biographical sketch is given to show the status and trend of
the person spoken of. We are too young, as a people, to make lengthy
biography. Coming times will give us this form of literature. It will
be remembered that this short period suffices to give only a nucleal
point in the matter of writings. I have churned the milk with an eye
to obtaining the butter--the richest and best we have. My selection
of material may not be the very best, but something is better than
nothing, and I have done the best I could under the circumstances.
With these prefatory remarks, I present you the rose with its thorns,
trusting that God will give sweetness and beauty to the former and
allow the latter to do no harm. I cheerfully record my debt of
gratitude to my faithful wife, Mattie Alice, who has been in this
labor, as in all others, my abiding, sure support.
[Illustration]
HISTORY
OF THE
COLORED BAPTISTS OF ALABAMA.
_I. INTRODUCTION._