Mississippi, forcing from Alabama Baptists an acknowledgment of his
exalted piety, child-like faith, sound sense and superior pulpit
power. Brother Jones is now in Mississippi, still growing in grace and
popularity.
Jones, Rev. Silas, of Mt. Meigs, Montgomery county, son of Jupiter
and Caroline Jones, was born May 1, 1847. He was baptized into Elam
Church, May 1, 1866, by Rev. John Holmes, (white). Was ordained to
the work of the gospel ministry May 29, 1870, under the auspices of
the white Baptist Church, of Wetumpka, Ala., by Revs. A. Carleton, J.
Cole and Thomas Smith. The writer first met Brother Jones in Mobile
in 1875--has been with him in his pastorates at Wetumpka, at Sandy
Ridge, at Mt. Meigs and at Calhoun. He did not learn the alphabet until
after he was about 18 years of age, and hence his very manly struggles
for a knowledge of books have not been attended with the perfection
which comes of early training. But he is a man of natural ability and
rare tact, and what he knows is most thoroughly utilized. His home
Christianity includes a system of regular Bible study for children as
well as for hired help. He is an exemplary pastor. He is an industrious
Bible student and preaches the truth with telling effect. His urbanity
and other elements of personal magnetism bind his people about him with
strongest cords of confidence and affection. No one man has done more
for the education of his people than he, as the schools at Mt. Meigs
and Calhoun must show. Brother Jones is still young and strong and
promises a long life. He has good property. His family does him honor.
He is a strong man and coming days will give him the honors due him as
a man great in service for home and country.
Jones, Rev. Pope, of Russellville, was born near Tuscumbia, Ala., June
15, 1839. He was baptized some time between 1862 and 1866, and was
set apart to the work of the gospel ministry in 1869 by Revs. Joseph
Shackelford, D. D. (white), and W. E. Northcross. Brother Jones was
in many respects a very remarkable man--no man in the Muscle Shoals
Association, no man in Northern Alabama, had so much power over the
masses of the ministry and the great body of the laity as he. He was
an executive man and a natural magnet, and men gathered about him and
cheerfully submitted themselves to the sway of his opinions. He was
as affable as he was firm, as joyous as he was earnest. He peaceably
passed from this life in 1888.
Jones, Rev. Wm. B., of Demopolis, was born in 1847 in Marengo
county, Ala. Was baptized June 16, 1867, by Rev. John Scott. He has
accomplished some work in the churches.
Kennedy, Rev. F. R., of Columbiana, was born December 20, 1864, in
this State. He was baptized at Calera by the Rev. Henry Clay in 1881,
and in 1886 he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by
Revs. P. Fancher and John Tranholm. Mr. Kennedy at the age of 18 did
not know his letters, but perceiving at an early age the value of book
learning he resolved at the time named to attain to some knowledge on
this line. He has availed himself of such facilities and opportunities
as have fallen in his way, and in consequence he now reads and writes
fairly well. No doubt much of his advancement and general success are
due to the knowledge, aspiration and persistence of Mrs. Kennedy, whose
educational advantages have been superior to her husband’s. Brother
Kennedy has been pastor in his own town, in Birmingham, at Calera, and
now he preaches in Anniston.
Kennedy, Rev. Samuel, once pastor Union Church, Mobile, is one of those
unassuming, modest, friendly men whose heart pours forth in kindness
upon everybody. Like many others his chief misfortune is that he bears
the marks which declare his want of early school advantages. However,
he deserves praise for many good qualities and commendable labors.
King, Rev. Boling, of Leighton, Ala., was born in Orange county, Va.,
August, 1836. He was converted to faith in Christ under the ministry of
Rev. Henry Bynum, by whom, aided by Dr. Shackleford, he was baptized
into the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Leighton. In 1868, in same
church and by the same brethren, he was solemnly set apart to the work
of the gospel ministry. Though he never attended school he can read and
write, and is a natural leader. He is pastor of some of the largest
churches in the Muscle Shoals Association. He is an industrious,
honorable man and has accumulated about $1,700 worth of real estate. He
is one of the pioneers of the work in this section of Alabama. He is
still of youthful vigor and leads in the Sunday School the same as in
the church.
Koyton, Prof. Abner C., of Tuscaloosa, son of Henry and Susan Koyton,
was born in Marietta, Ga., but was reared in Summerfield, Ala. Mr.
Koyton graduated from the State Normal School, Marion, Ala., in
1880, and delivered the first annual address to the alumni of this
institution.
Under his principalship, and on his plans, so the writer is informed,
the city schools (colored) of Tuscaloosa began to operate under their
present graded system. He is now just inaugurating the Tuscaloosa
Baptist Academy. He is young, but studious and progressive. His youth
is dignified by his gravity and piety.
Lawson, Rev. A. J., of Camden, son of Mr. A. and Mrs. Julia Lawson,
is doing a good work at Camden. His chief educational advantages have
come of the Camden schools, and what he has accomplished in the way of
letters, is evidence of his vigilance and application with reference
to the opportunities which came to his hand. He was baptized by Rev.
David Small, of Clark county, in 1886, two years after which time he
was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry at Camden by order of
the Camden Church, which was then under the pastoral care of Rev. J. W.
White. His labors are well spoken of by his brethren.
Lawson, Rev. A., of Union Springs, the pastor of Mount Pleasant Church,
now about 45 years of age, is one of the leading men of the “Old Pine
Grove Association.” Like most of the men of his time, his education has
been hindered. However, he is a very clear-headed man and, having a
large following, has done much good in Bullock county.
Leavens, Rev. Charles, the man who led to the erection of the brick
structure in which the St. Louis Street Church now worships, was of
Virginia nativity, and was born about 1805. The writer is of the
opinion that no man in Alabama did so much in pioneer days to organize
the Negro Baptists in the State as Mr. Leavens. At the close of the
war he was not ordained, but was the most enterprising, pushing,
sanguine and influential man in his church. Naturally, therefore, the
work of guiding the flock fell upon his shoulders. As he could not get
ordination of his white brethren, he sought it in New Orleans. Finding
himself now possessed with the commission of a gospel minister, he
sought to touch and commission men for the other cities and towns of
the State. The Rev. Philip Gambrell was ordained about the same time.
Calling in this man’s services and assistance, Mr. Leavens ordained
Messrs. P. Murrell, of Tuscaloosa; J. Bleavens, of Selma; James
Caldwell, of Demopolis; the writer, and a great company of others, who
went out into the various sections of the State to organize the people
into churches. Of course, as might have been expected, he sometimes put
out the wrong man, but it was a time to do and dare. His excuse for
hasty action was: “This is a peculiar time whose peculiar circumstances
call for bold methods.” His chief questions to applicants were: “Can
you and do you read the Bible? Do you believe it, pray about it, and
practice its teachings? Are you a good, whole Baptist? Are you a
republican?”
Leach, Rev. James, of Birmingham, son of Alfred and Elizabeth Leach,
was born July 16, 1832, in Marengo county, Ala. In 1846 he was baptized
by the Rev. Mr. Fox, of Uniontown, and on November 26, 1867, in the
African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, he was set apart to the work of
the gospel ministry by Revs. P. Murrell, P. Bowler and James Caldwell.
In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary Martin. He was once pastor of the
African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, and one time presided over the
Bethlehem Association (organized in 1877) as moderator. Mr. Leach has
held various pastorates, is a hospitable man, and has a very pleasant
family.
The writer has often found--when weary and sick--a pleasing and
invigorating refuge within the quiet home of these good people.
Leftwich, John C., of Montgomery, once editor and now manager of the
_Baptist Leader_, is noted especially for energy and independence. He
is, at the time of this writing, temperance lecturer for the State of
Alabama under the “National Temperance Society.” Doubtless he inherits
his push and ambition from his father, who was at one time a member
of the Alabama legislature. He is quite a young man, and if wisdom
shall rule over his purposes and plans in years to come, he will write
himself upon the men and the occasions of future years.
Lewis, Rev. C., is pastor of Macedonia Church, Birmingham. He appears
ready for any good word and work.
Looney, Rev. J. T., of Fayetteville, Talladega county, was born
in Coosa county, Alabama, May 2, 1847. He was baptized into the
Fayetteville Church by Rev. Berry Ware in 1867, and in 1885 he was set
apart to the work of the ministry by Rev. H. Morris and others. At the
time of this writing Mr. Looney is pastor at Alpine. He is a quiet and
unassuming man, ever friendly to education and missions, and hospitable
toward his brethren.
Lofton, Rev. J. B., is pastor at Smithfield, near Birmingham.
Lovelady, Rev. C. L., of Hollywood, Jackson county, is noted among his
brethren for his interest in missions and education. He followed Rev.
Lewis Roach in the moderatorship of the Mud Creek Association. He helps
in the building of churches, and is a liberal supporter of schools.
Low, Rev. Green, of Livingston, is one of the most matter-of-fact sort
of men with whom the writer has ever had any business. No man can
beat him wearing his whole heart right on his face. He is uncovered,
outspoken and fearless, and yet all seems so natural, so honest and so
kind, until what would otherwise appear hard and ungenial, is really
enjoyable. Mr. Low is among the leaders of the Bethlehem Association.
[Illustration: Miss A. L. Bowman, Missionary, Birmingham, Ala.]
McAlpine, Rev. W. H., at present teacher of Ministers’ and Deacons’
Institute, under the appointment of the Southern Baptist Mission
Board, was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, June, 1847. At the
age of three years, he, his mother and a younger brother were brought
to this state by a “Negro speculator,” who sold them to a Rev. Robert
McAlpine, of Coosa county. At the age of 8 years and on the occasion
of the death of this Presbyterian minister, he became the property
(?) of Dr. McAlpine, with whom he remained till the close of the war.
In this family he was the nurse of the white children for about ten
years. As Mrs. Dr. McAlpine was very anxious and cautious as to the
quality of the first moulding influences touching the childhood of her
children, and as the schools around were hardly up to her ideal, she
had her children instructed at home. As the nurse’s position placed
him and kept him in constant association with the children, and as
he was possessed of a literary turn of mind, he soon began to imbibe
a knowledge of letters, advancing into reading, writing, grammar,
geography and arithmetic. From 1855 to 1874 he saw nothing of his
mother, and for sixteen years of this time did not know where she
was. Naturally this incident started a train of serious reflections
touching the facts and hopes of human life. About the year 1864 or
1865 he was converted to Christianity and some time after was baptized
into the Talladega Church (white) by his friend, Dr. Renfroe. At the
close of the war Mr. McAlpine first worked at the carpenters’ trade,
which he left for school teaching. In the winter of 1866 he entered the
Talladega College, supporting himself by laboring during the morning
and evening hours--before the opening and after the close of the
school. In 1873 he severed his connection with this institution, having
been aroused to undertake the establishment of a similar institution
for his own denomination. In 1871 he was ordained to the work of the
gospel ministry, and accepted a call to the pastorate of the Mt. Canaan
Baptist Church, Talladega, which he resigned in 1875 in order to give
his whole time to his school project.
To no man in Alabama has been committed trusts more varied and more
weighty. While connected with the Talladega College he occupied the
position of State canvasser under the appointment of Mr. Cravath. He
has been pastor at Talladega, Jacksonville, Marion and Anniston, and
president of Selma University. His special excellence is not of that
mental style which gives birth to fine psychological and metaphysical
discernments and distinctiveness: it is that sort of mental something
which strikes with broad side and ponderous weight. The breadth of his
rear head would seem to indicate that all his faculties are driven
forward by a force that starts from a broad base. The writer first met
Dr. McAlpine in Mobile, in November, 1874, the year following that in
which he brought forward, at the Tuscaloosa session of the Convention,
his school idea. My first impression of him was that he was a man of
special mission, and I immediately sympathized with him and with the
school project, throwing myself fully into line with his plans.
In referring to his childhood life, and while talking with reference
to the power of secret prayer, he once remarked to the writer: “Upon
one occasion, though without my knowledge, Dr. McAlpine had resolved
to punish me for a trivial matter on my part which had caused him some
displeasure. I had gone to feed the horses, and in the crib I was on
my knees at prayer. The doctor had followed me with his whip. I was
not aware of his presence or purpose, and hence as he did not speak I
got through with my prayer and fed my horse and returned to the house.
I learned afterward that my prayer had subdued him, and that he had
expressed himself as being ashamed of his purpose.”
Alluding once to some mistakes he had made, he observed: “We grow wiser
as we grow older.” He has been happily married twice. By his last wife
he has a large family of beautiful and promising children. The Rivers
family, into which he married, are a people of very sterling qualities,
and no doubt these happy associations have conduced to his success in
all regards.
The act of the University in conferring upon him the honorary title
of D. D. is evidence of the high esteem in which he is held by the
trustees and faculty of the school. He is now theological instructor in
the school and is supported by the Southern Board.
McAlpine, F. Percy, son of J. D. and Jane McAlpine, was born August 1,
1865, in Forkland, Ala. He entered the world amid that good heritage
which can come only of the exemplary life of parents. Though his early
life was spent on the farm, his youthful days were blessed with some
educational facilities, which his discerning, appreciative mind turned
to good advantage. After completing primary grades in his home schools,
he, against the wish of his mother and protest of brothers, entered
the State Normal School at Marion, Ala., with only $15 to begin the
course of study prescribed. The next year he entered Selma University,
studying during the school session and teaching in summer till 1888,
when his mother, his only support since the death of his father, fell
asleep. He says of this time of struggle:
“I owe a lasting debt of gratitude to President Purce, who never left
me without an encouragement which it was possible for him to bestow.”
In 1890 while in his junior college year, financial straits forced him
to give up study and go out to work. Applying for the principalship
of the Bessemer City School, he made an almost perfect mark in his
examination and obtained the position. While in this capacity, aided
by Mr. J. C. Barker, he edited a paper known as “_The Marvel Age_.” In
1893, he and Mr. Barker operated a bookstore.
The writer knows but few young men who equal Mr. McAlpine in modesty,
industry, courage, push and beauty of moral character. An honorable
future awaits him, and of friends he shall have many. Talented and
studious, he must still advance in scholarship. He became a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church in 1885, and lives according to his
profession. He expects to complete his university course in 1896.
McEwen, Rev. A. N., pastor of Franklin Street Church, Mobile,
lately editor of the _Baptist Leader_, is a native of the State of
Mississippi, where he was born April, 1849. When he was about 18 years
of age he went to Nashville, Tenn., in search of better things than
those to which slavery had introduced him. Here he entered the Roger
Williams University, remaining only a very short while. Here also he
found and wedded a wife. Being controlled by industry and economy he
soon saved enough from his small wages to purchase a horse and wagon.
This was the first of a series of financial successes by means of which
he soon rose above poverty and want into comfortable circumstances for
himself and family. While attending the services of Mt. Zion Church in
Nashville in 1870 he was led to faith in Christ which he professed by
receiving baptism.
Shortly after he began religious work, and in 1876 he was ordained
to take charge of the pastorate at Tullahoma, Tenn. Five or six
years after this he came to Alabama to take charge of the Dexter
Avenue Church. Mr. McEwen, since his entrance into Alabama, has been
intimately connected with all our state operations, educational and
missionary, and no man among us has been more successful as a church
financier. He has bestowed special care upon the education of his
children, all of whom he has reared for the most part without their
mother’s aid, as she died when they were young. The Dexter Avenue
Church building was constructed under his leadership.
McCall, Rev. E. A., at present pastor in Columbus, Ga., the son of Rev.
H. A. McCall, was born May 15, 1855, in Russell county, Alabama. In
1872 he was baptized into the Hawkinsville Baptist Church by the hands
of his father. In September, in the twentieth year of his age, he was
set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. A. Gachet, S.
Fantroy, J. Daniel, J. H. Davis and H. A. McCall. It will be seen that
he entered the sacred office at a very early age--at an age rather
soon in most cases--rather early for the good of the minister as well
as for the good of the people and the cause. But though in youth he
was possessed of very poor educational advantages, by talent, push,
courage, ambition, observation and application to books, he has made
surprising advances. He is strictly a self-made man. He speaks with
ease and performs well on the organ.
He has had a wide range of operation, having been pastor at different
times of eleven different churches, some of them equaling the best
pastorates in the country. Among them the church at Union Springs may
be mentioned. No man in Alabama is more companionable than he.
McCord, Rev. C., of Selma, was set apart to the work of the gospel
ministry by the St. Phillip Street Church while the writer was pastor
in 1884. He started the study of books late in life, but by associating
with men of advanced ideas and close application to books he is now
considerably ahead of the masses of the ministry. He is a sober,
judicious man, peaceable and ever ready for work.
Maddox, Rev. J. D., the son of Daniel and Tabitha Maddox, was born in
Barbour county, Ala., near Midway, in 1854. His father was sold away
from him when he was only three days old, and his mother when he was
three years old, and hence he came up without knowing anything either
of father or mother.
This friendless condition early impressed him with the desire to obtain
the friendship of God, which in his eleventh year, he sought and found.
He was baptized into the Rama Church by the Rev. Mr. VanHoose (white)
during the same year.
In his seventeenth year, a desire to read books came into his mind. By
good fortune, he came into possession of 25 cents which he invested in
a “blue back speller.” In order that his book and purpose might not
come to the notice of the white people he decided that he would tear
out and learn one leaf at the time. Thus he began to spell, aided by a
more fortunate fellow slave. The widow of a Baptist minister encouraged
him with the statement that if he could read she would give him a hymn
book and a Bible. On _one_ Sabbath he learned the Ten Commandments.
Doubtless he owes much of his success to his excellent wife, who is
no less enterprising than she is devout and faithful. He said to the
writer: “My wife _makes_ me study.”
In 1879 at the call of the Friendship Baptist Church of Barbour county,
he was set apart to the ministry by Revs. J. Shorter, A. Gachet and E.
Alexander. Brother Maddox is a good man, a faithful preacher, and a
successful builder--a leading man in the Eufaula Association, and is as
gentle as a woman, and simple hearted as a child.
[Illustration: Rev. M. Tyler, D. D., Lowndesboro, Ala.]
Maderson, Rev. William, of Greensboro, was born in Virginia in 1849,
and came to Alabama in 1866. In the fall of 1872 he was baptized into
the Second Baptist Church at Marion, Ala., and in the following year
began to enter upon the work of the ministry, speaking in public as he
had opportunity. While the Convention was in session in Marion in 1880,
the hands of ordination were laid upon his head by order of the Marion
Church, and by the same presbytery that ordained Dr. Pettiford. He
spent some time in study in the Selma University, under the presidency
of the late Rev. Harry Woodsmall. Mr. Maderson is a man of fine natural
gifts which, considering his early, meagre advantages, have been well
developed. He is remarkably capacitated for imbibing what is pure and
elevating in good men and good books. He is dearly beloved no less
for his stainless character than for his refinement and wisdom. After
serving various other important pastorates, he was called to the pulpit
of the Salem Church at Greensboro, where he now serves with success,
greatly increasing the membership and purchasing a neat parsonage.
For the past seven or eight years he has been the moderator of the
Uniontown Association--the largest Association in the State. Should he
continue as he has begun, coming years must increase his power with God
and man.
Merrell, Rev. Mason C., of Fort Deposit, son of M. C. and Harriet
Merrell, was born in Dallas county, Ala., June 26, 1849. As his parents
were poor, he was apprenticed to the Rev. H. Talbird, D. D., of said
county, who sent him to the schools of the neighborhood. By such
means he was early placed in conditions where he was able to lay the
foundation of a liberal English education. Much of Mr. Merrell’s time
for many years has been spent in teaching in the State schools. The
money thus earned has been a supplement to the meagre support given
him by the small churches of which he is the efficient pastor. He was
baptized into the fellowship of the Carlowville Church October, 1867,
by the hands of his benefactor. In 1879 he was set apart to the work
of the gospel ministry in the city of Montgomery, Revs. J. A. Foster,
W. J. Stevens, Wm. Jinkins and R. Aarons officiating as presbytery.
Brother Merrell is a sociable, genial companion, a careful speaker, an
earnest Christian, and a firm believer in missions and education. On
all the moral questions of the times he is as straight as a shingle.
He, by his various pastorates, is associated with the Alabama District
and the Union Associations, and in both bodies he is held in high
esteem by all the thoughtful and pious persons.
Indeed, he is respected by all who know him, white and black. Because
of his quietness and sunshine, as well as for his musical talent and
skill, he is in special demand at our annual and extra meetings.
Murrell, Rev. Prince.--Rev. Prince Murrell was born in Savannah, Ga.,
January 1, 1817. His mother, who descended of a Congo prince, was born
in Providence, R. I. His father was the son of an Englishman, of the
name of Murrell. Some of his youthful years were spent with his parents
in South Carolina. In the year 1838, his mother with seven children, he
being the youngest, moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala. At this time no member of
the family knew anything of the Christian life. In 1839 his mother was
baptized, which incident excited such serious impressions in her son as
resulted in his baptism in August, 1842. About this time he began to
speak and exhort as he had opportunity. At the close of the war he had
been a member of the Tuscaloosa Church (white) about ten years, and was
the only colored Baptist preacher in Tuscaloosa. This brother has had
a rather remarkable career. In the year 1855 he bought his freedom,
and in 1856 started to Liberia, Africa, going as far as Savannah,
Ga. His aspiration for liberty, his unaided toiling for the mastery
of letters and books, his tact and perseverance in organizing the
colored Baptists of his section into churches and associations, and his
success in accumulating property with many other things, mark him as no
ordinary man. His marriage to Miss Mary Drisdell in the year 1842, was
no doubt largely conducive to his energy and success, for she--even up
into old age--was a woman of strength and industry. The first colored
school ever taught in Tuscaloosa was taught by him, and taught at a
time when to teach a colored school was to put one’s life at the muzzle
of the shot gun. Touching this phase of work, he related to the writer
the following stories: “When we were just set at liberty I went to a
white Baptist who had in times of slavery shown himself friendly toward
black people, and said, ‘Mr. S----, we need a school teacher, can’t
we secure you?’ He replied, ‘Do you think I would disgrace myself by
teaching a negro school? Besides this, it would be only throwing into
the waste my time, my talent and my strength. I might as well drive
into a room a drove of sheep or a herd of swine, and put books before
them as to put books before kinky-headed nigger children.’
“On one occasion, two white men who had come into town to bring a
prisoner, walked into my school room with their ropes and chains in
hand, and teacher and school, feeling sure that the ropes and chains
were for their necks, were so dismayed as to excite the pity of the
dreaded visitors, and they sought to remove our fears and to encourage
us to continue on in our good way.”
Speaking of the organization of colored churches in the South, he
remarked to the writer: “I was in Savannah when the white people were
discussing the propriety of organizing colored churches.” He opened the
first Sunday School for colored people in the city of Tuscaloosa the
first Sunday in December, 1866. He claimed to owe most of his success
in the study of divine truth to the Rev. Chas. Manly. On July 1 he
organized the African Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa with 25 members. As
he did not begin reading till he was 22 years old he was not faultless
in his mastery of the English language, but was a good speaker,
self-possessed and ready in words. Mr. Murrell was one of the leading
fathers of the Alabama work. His children were a pride to him in his
old age.
In the last years of his life he spoke tenderly of his old mistress
who encouraged him to learn to read, and of his maiden mistress, who
in many ways saved him from oppression and aided him in securing his
liberty.
Since the above sketch was commenced Mr. Murrell and his good wife have
exchanged the cross for the crown.
Nichols, Rev. James, of Greenville, moderator and missionary of the
Union Association, was born in Virginia May 10, 1842, and was brought
to Alabama September, 1856, locating at Selma, where he joined the
church and was baptized by the Rev. Mr. McCraw, who was then pastor
both of the colored and of the white churches of that city. At this
time, as the dates will show, he was a young man. It was in this same
church and city that he began the work of the ministry during the days
of slavery.
His first marriage was to Miss Emma Allison, of Dallas county. The
fruit of this marriage was two sons and one daughter, neither of whom
is now living. His present wife has two living children. He has an
humble home of his own.
Mr. Nichols is a man of energy, industry and decision of character;
he has opinions and has the courage to express them. No man has any
trouble in times of controversy to locate him, and yet in his rulings
as presiding officer of the above named association, the writer has
seen evidences of prudence and commendable flexibility.
His early life was robbed of literary environments, and hence he is not
an extensive reader of books; but his knowledge of things is superior
to many whose advantages have been far better than his have been. He
says that he knew absolutely nothing of letters till since the close
of the war, when he had a little opportunity to attend night school at
Uniontown.
He was ordained in 1873 at Georgiana, Butler county, by Revs. Dan
Shepard, Nelson Briggs, Jesse Holens and others, and he has done a good
work in his section.
Northcross, Rev. W. E., of Tuscumbia, Colbert county, was born in
Colbert county, Ala., in 1840, and ordained to the gospel ministry in
1867 by Rev. Mr. Slater (white) and Rev. Henry Bynum.
Mr. Northcross is strictly a pioneer. He, Rev. Stephen Coleman and Rev.
Henry Bynum, aided by Dr. Joseph Shackleford (white) laid down the
foundation stones in Morgan, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale and Lawrence
counties.
He is a peculiar man. He is a man of very positive nature--with him it
is yea and amen.
To those who do not know him as well as to those who vacillate and
pretend, his sternness is repelling. But behind and below external
appearances there is a heart that is as tender as it is brave, and as
kind as it is firm. Except a little time spent in the Roger Williams
University, he has had no school advantages, but he reads and writes
fairly well.
The Tuscumbia, Barton and Sheffield churches were built up under his
labors. In the formation of the Muscle Shoals Association at Tuscumbia
in 1869, he was one of the leading spirits. He relates the following
incidents:
“Before the close of the war I was captured by the Federal troops and
carried to Decatur, where I joined their army. As I had a crippled foot
I was allowed to remain with the commissary department. While we were
camped at Athens, General Forest came upon us and defeated, captured
and killed until we were almost literally wiped out of existence. I
had been kind to some little white children by which I had won their
love and, of course, the love of their parents. Therefore, in the time
of danger, I rushed to this house, and the good people hid me and
changed my clothes. Hence when I was found, I was taken for one of the
gentleman’s slaves. When I was permitted by the man to try to return
to Tuscumbia and had gone some distance, I was caught by deserters
from the Southern army, who voted to shoot me. They bound me and kept
me over night, intending to do away with me the next day. It was in a
lonely desert on the Tennessee river. I could not sleep, and so all
night I prayed to God, and all night the wives of the men prayed for
“the poor nigger”--prayed to their cruel husbands. Their cries and
tears prevailed, and I was robbed and let go after I had vowed not
to reveal their whereabouts. I left loving God and believing in his
faithfulness to his people as I had never done before.”
For years Mr. Northcross has been the trusted treasurer of the Muscle
Shoals Association. He is the pastor of the largest church, and has the
best edifice, in northern Alabama.
Oden, Rev. M. C. B., of Sylacauga, was born in Charleston, S. C.,
December 24, 1839. He was baptized by Rev. J. J. D. Renfroe, D. D.,
in September, 1865, and in 1873 he was set apart to the work of the
gospel ministry, Rev. W. Wilks, and others, officiating as presbytery.
He, in speaking of the rise of the work in this section, says: “I came
from South Carolina in 1858, a Methodist. There were nineteen or twenty
other slaves on our place beside myself. I, and one other, professed
to be Christians. The master of the place permitted us to hold prayer
services, and allowed the slaves of his kin people to attend. The
Lord blessed these meetings and at the close of the war this humble
beginning was ready to unfold into the Harpersville Church. At the
close of the war, I began to teach night and Sunday Schools, and thus
introduced the study of letters, though in the Sunday School as well
as in the night school, we had nothing but the ‘blue back speller.’”
Brother Oden is an honorable, outspoken, industrious, prosperous man,
whose hospitality is known far and wide. His home has often been an
asylum of rest to the writer, as well as to other missionaries of
Alabama of all denominations.
[Illustration: Mrs. Rebecca Pitts, Member Board of Trustees Woman’s
State Convention, Uniontown, Ala.]
O’Bryant, Rev. L. F., of Eufaula, the son of Frederick and Rose
O’Bryant, was born on the Dent plantation in Barbour county, Ala., in
the year 1860. In 1879 he was converted to the faith of the gospel
under the preaching of Rev. Jerry Shorter, and was baptized into the
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. At the call of the above named church,
he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry in 1885 by Revs.
J. Q. A. Wilhite, A. Gachet, J. D. Maddox, E. May and J. A. Alston, of
Arkansas. Notwithstanding his educational advantages have been very
meagre, he has, by constant study and observation, advanced to a fair
knowledge of books. He is a loving husband, a successful pastor, a
strong preacher, a genial associate, and carries sunshine everywhere.
The writer was associated with him for some weeks in the institute work
at Eufaula, and was truly delighted with his urbanity and innocent
wit. He is a young man of hopeful prospects--if his present wise
course should continue to the end. His father before him is a Baptist
minister, whose life is held in high esteem, and hence the subject
of this sketch comes into his public career having his own excellent
personal graces savored by the good name of his revered ancestor.
Owens, Rev. A. J., of Moulton, is an ex-student of Selma University;
he is an agreeable companion, a kind father, an orderly thinker and a
forcible preacher. The writer has greatly enjoyed the hospitalities of
his home and the abundance of his good humor.
Owens, Rev. Albert Franklyn, editor of the _Baptist Leader_ and pastor
at Mobile, was born in Wilcox county, Ala., January 1, 1854. Early
in life he left Alabama for Louisiana, in which state he was led to
exercise faith in the Son of God and was baptized into Little Mt. Zion
Church by the Rev. G. Stemley, of Avoyelles Parish. In April, 1873,
he was licensed to enter upon the work of the gospel ministry. At the
call of the Third Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala., he was ordained to
the functions of the ministerial office by the Common Street Baptist
Church, New Orleans, La., May 28, 1877, by a council of which Rev.
Marsena Stone, D. D., of Ohio, was chairman, and Rev. A. M. Newman was
secretary. His longest and hitherto most prosperous pastorate has been
with the church who called for his ordination, and whom he led to the
purchase of their neat brick edifice on St. Anthony street.
Beginning with them in the spring of 1887, he left them for Uniontown,
September, 1890, in excellent quarters and free from debt. This he did
at such patient self-sacrifice as may be found in only a very few men
of his age.
In 1873 he entered Leland University, New Orleans, where he remained
four years pursuing the classical and theological courses under Drs.
Gregory and Stone.
While in Louisiana he was engaged in teaching school and was intimately
associated with the general Baptist work, being at one time editor of
their state organ, the _Baptist Messenger_. In 1884-85 he was editor
of the _Baptist Pioneer_, located at Selma, Ala., and has served as
general superintendent of missions for the State of Alabama. For many
years he has been on the Board of Trustees of Selma University, and in
recognition of his solid worth and general information he is now the
bearer of our denominational standard.
Mr. Owens is a typical, Christian gentleman. No other man among us
has a library so select, so varied and so valuable as he has, nor has
any man in Alabama a clearer evidence of literary talent and literary
relish. He is a many-sided man, and the beauty of his solid personal
qualities is greatly enhanced by his indigenous vivacity, unstinted
hospitality, and perennial benevolence. In the hovels of the poor and
in the times of the sources of disease, no man among us is more welcome
than he, neither is there one of his brethren whose duty renders more
heedless of danger or blind to personal privations and material losses.
Whether he builds houses of worship, preaches, lectures, teaches,
writes--whatever may be the engagement of the hour, that engagement
focuses the whole man. The following incidents will show something
of the style of his mind: On one occasion when severely tried in
administering discipline, and when he had allowed his feelings of
indignation to run too high, he was so distressed that for many nights
sleep almost entirely forsook him. The writer overheard him on this
occasion, saying, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done
this evil in thy sight.”
Upon another occasion in the midst of a session of the Convention, and
as one of the policemen of the town walked in and was seated, he arose
and remarked: “Brother president, I see in our assembly a policeman
of the city in which we are convened. I think this a fit time to
give notice to any who may feel inclined to be unruly that they must
observe good order or I’ll have them arrested.” This came in just at a
condition of the meeting when a bit of humor was just the thing most
needed.
The St. Anthony Street Church, Mobile, is a tangible memorial of his
energy, self-sacrifice and patient industry. Beside the pastorate of
the St. Anthony Street Church (the Third Baptist), he has served in the
pastorate of the Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, and in the pastorate of the
church at Uniontown.
His speeches are characterized by originality, clearness, force and
dignity. He is still a growing man--growing in worth of manhood and
in the confidence and love of the denomination; and should his health
and life continue, the historian who will write of a brighter day than
this--a day not far in the future--will point with pride to this man of
rare gifts, giving more space than is here accorded him. With special
pleasure the writer records the name of Albert F. Owens, D. D., high
upon the roll of his personal friends.
And this short notice of a worthy man can hardly close at a point of
greater beauty than in an humble tribute to his other self, Mrs. Mary
Mims Owens (once Mrs. Taylor), whom he wedded in 1882, and who is held
in high esteem as a leader in church and educational circles.
Pettiford, Rev. W. R., D. D., son of William and Matilda Pettiford,
was born in Granville county, N. C., January 20, 1847. He was, when a
boy, of an industrious turn of mind, working faithfully at whatever his
hands found to do. At one time he was with the tanner, and at another
time he was running his father’s farm.
At the age of 21 years he united with the Baptist Church of Rocksboro,
Person county, N. C., and was immersed by the Rev. Ezekiel Horton,
of Salisbury. While he was serving this church as clerk, he told his
mother, as a secret which he greatly desired she would not reveal, that
he felt called to the gospel ministry. As Brother Horton often put
up at their home he soon got possession of the secret. Dr. Pettiford
now says: “When I was called into an examining council and learned
that my secret was out, I was very much frightened; but the advice
given upon this day has ever been helpful to me.” The writer met the
subject of this sketch for the first time at the session of the State
Convention held in Talladega in November, 1876. He and the late Senator
A. H. Curtis were messengers from the church at Marion. At this time
the only traits that were especially noticeable were the frankness of
his countenance and the geniality of his manners. At the commencement
of Selma University in the winter of 1877-78, he joined Brother
Woodsmall, becoming a member of the pioneer faculty of the school.
It was here that he was seen as the studious, patient, industrious
man--loved no less by tender youth than he was trusted by riper years.
He was called to ordination by the Marion Church, Marion, Ala., and
dedicating hands were laid upon his head in Marion, Ala., in the midst
of the conventional session held there in November, 1880. After this
he severed his connection with the school as teacher and as financial
agent, to enter the pastorate in Union Springs. His open, earnest face,
tact, and urbanity of speech, made him one of the most successful
financial agents the University has ever sent upon the field. He
relates the following incident in connection with his field work for
the school: “I was about thirty miles southeast of Greenville, Ala. A
colored man by the name of Turner had just been mobbed in Clark county.
The colored people along the road were exceedingly frightened at the
threatening attitude of the whites, and hence refused to entertain any
stranger. I knew not where I was and it was now dark. My horse was
broken down. Family after family turned me off. At last one man agreed
to entertain my tired horse. Thankful for this little drop of kindness,
I stopped and fed my animal. Then I started off--I knew not whither.
After awhile I saw through the boughs of the pines a dim light, which
seemed far away. Turning towards this light I wended my way through
sage field and bush, until I stood beside an old log hut, a rickety
relic of an old time Negro quarter. With ease this tiny spark peeped
through the great opening in the dirty cabin full into my weary face.
Herein, with husband and wife and babies, and a lot of dirt, I was
allowed to rest my tired limbs and heavy heart till morning.
“Upon one occasion while Bro. D. T. Gulley and I were on mission work
together, we were delayed in Marengo county. Waters were up, Brother
Gulley was sick, and the people had no money to give for educational
purposes. I went to begging milk cows and succeeded in getting the
people to donate six.”
Mr. Pettiford married his present wife, Miss Della Boyd, of Selma,
Ala., November 22, 1880. She is an excellent woman and comes of a fine
family. As might have been expected the marriage has been a happy one
for both parties.
Dr. Pettiford is a clear thinker, a concise speaker, a firm friend, a
lover of his race, and a fine presiding officer. Every feature in his
bearing is indicative of the true gentleman and earnest Christian. He
is a firm friend of Selma University, and by this school he has been
honored with the degree of D. D. He is at this time (1892) president of
the “Alabama Penny Savings Bank” and of the Baptist State Convention
of Alabama. He is further noticed in connection with the chapter on
“State Convention” and “Selma University” as well as in other chapters.
Closing this sketch, it seems fitting that I should remark that though
he excels in many virtues, he is especially peculiar in these:
1. He is abundant in plans and measures, so that the variety of his
operations almost wholly exclude the monotony so often felt in church
work.
2. He is in a peculiar degree a patient man. In all conditions he seems
to possess his soul in patience.
Since the above was written, he has been elected financial secretary of
the State work.
He is now organizing the Alabama Publishing Company. He is full of
enterprise.
[Illustration: Rev. W. C. Bradford, Pastor First Baptist Church,
Tuscaloosa, Ala.]
Phillips, Rev. D., of Tuskegee, was a “Father in Israel.” Those who are
old enough to remember him as a slave, say that he sat in council with
the white ministers and was permitted to speak in their associational
gatherings. Nothing seemed to disturb his peace; no amount of heated
discussion ever caused him to break from his strong hiding place of
pious humility. He was a large man with strong will, but every “jot and
tittle” of his ponderous being was under submission to his consecrated
will, which ruled all like the helmsman steers the great ship. He was
about the age of Mr. John Dosier, eighty years. He refused to accept
freedom till all were free.
Peels, Rev. J. A., pastor of the First Colored Baptist Church in North
Birmingham, is a rising young man in the Mount Pilgrim Association. His
church, though a new enterprise, is a success, and all plans for gospel
aggression find in him a ready and substantial friend. His brethren
love him because he is peaceable and benevolent in his dealings with
them.
Pollard, Rev. Robert T., son of Rev. R. T., Sr., and Mrs. Mary F.
Pollard, was born in Gainesville, Ala., October 4, 1860. A few years
after the close of the late civil war, Rev. R. T. Pollard, Sr., moved
with his family to Enterprise, Miss. There the subject of this sketch
received his first impressions--impressions which were to serve as the
foundation of his future character. At the age of 12 his mother left
him for the better country. The boy, reflecting over his sad loss in
the death of his mother, turned unto the Lord, and was baptized into
the fellowship of the Mt. Pleasant Church, in which he immediately
became clerk and Sunday School teacher. Thus, starting right, we are
not surprised at the righteousness of the course he now pursues.
By studying at night under his father’s instruction, he, at the age of
12, could read and write. At 16 he was known as “the boy preacher.”
At the age of 20 he entered a school taught by Prof. Paul D. Jones
in Meridian, Miss., in which school he studied arithmetic, algebra,
English grammar and Latin. He remained here two years. In 1882 he
entered Selma University, under Prof. Woodsmall. Of this good man he
says: “His consecrated life did much toward fixing my character in the
spirit and doctrines of Christ.” From this institution he graduated
with the class of 1884 as valedictorian. In the same school and in the
same year he entered upon the college course and completed the freshman
and sophomore years. During this time he was assistant teacher in the
University. By all, and throughout all, he has been and is now accepted
as a student, a thinker, a rigid moralist and faithful Christian. In
March, 1885, he was ordained to the gospel ministry in Selma, Revs.
E. M. Brawley, D. D., W. H. McAlpine, H. N. Bouey, A. N. McEwen, C.
L. Price, and C. R. Rodgers, officiating as presbytery. After this
he entered upon and served acceptably different important pastorates
in Perry county. With credit to himself and with profit to the
denomination, he has, as teacher, as moderator, as recording clerk of
the State Convention, and as district Sunday School missionary, served
the Baptists of Alabama. At this time he is the successful pastor of
the Dexter Avenue Church, Montgomery. Thus this quiet, hard working
young man has risen up till there are but few that go before him. Mr.
Pollard is a philosopher, clothed with the spirit of a child. In him a
full heart balances a well stored head.
Pollard, Rev. I. M., of Loachapoka, is one of the few men of whom we
sometimes feel that they are Nature’s _favored_ children. So evenly
balanced are all his tempers and passions, hopes and fears, that we are
almost compelled to think that so much self-government must have come
largely as the gift of nature. The writer has reasons to know him as an
honest man--as a man who can handle the money of his neighbor without
fault to himself or loss to his friend. Mr. Pollard is held in high
esteem by all who know him--white and black. He was born about the year
1840. He possesses a fine personal appearance, a gentlemanly bearing,
and is a good preacher of the plain old gospel.
Posey, Prof. Thomas H., of Bessemer, the son of Wesley and Patience
Posey, was born September 15, 1854, at Bessemer, Ala. He was baptized
into the Canaan Baptist Church about the year 1872 by Rev. William
Ware. Brother Posey deserves honorable mention for his faithful
services as an educator. He graduated from the normal course in Selma
University in the spring of 1884, and has proven himself to be not
only a power in the affairs of secular education, but a very efficient,
faithful worker in the church and Bible school.
Prentice, Rev. D. L., of Selma, Ala., son of James and Caroline
Prentice, was born in Shelby county, Ala., December 25, 1852. The
home of his youthful days, like that of the writer, must have been in
a wild country infested by wolves; for he, in speaking of how he had
to go after wood and water into the thick swamps before the break of
day, says: “On one morning as I found myself surrounded by wolves, I
cried to God for help and was delivered. In my prayer for deliverance
I made a vow of consecration, which was the beginning of a new life.”
In 1875 he was baptized by Rev. Berry Ware. About the year 1865-66 he
began studying Webster’s speller, and sought information, he says, of
every person that he thought had any information to give. He learned to
read and write and began figuring under the instruction of a Mr. J. W.
Strong, a man, so it is said, who used to be mayor of Selma, Ala. The
writer first met the subject of this sketch while he was student in the
Talladega College, and since his graduation from the Selma University,
his course and success as pastor, teacher, missionary and lecturer, has
been watched with pleasing interest. He was ordained to the ministry
May, 1882, by Revs. Joe Smith and Henry Scott. He is a genuine friend
of religion and education and being young and strong he has a large
opening for future usefulness and fame.
Prince, Rev. J. T., of Gallion, Ala., son of John and Mary A. Prince,
was born March, 1853, in Marengo county, Ala. He was baptized into
the fellowship of the Bethlehem Church by Rev. D. R. Willis the third
Sunday in April, 1871. In 1884 in the St. Philip’s Church, Selma,
he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. E. M.
Brawley, H. N. Bouey, C. R. Rodgers, L. P. Foster and the writer.
He attended Selma University under the different presidents--H.
Woodsmall, W. H. McAlpine, and E. M. Brawley. He began his education
by studying under a white man, whom he paid $1.00 a week. Attended a
public school after he was 23 years of age. He taught in the State
school. Is now district missionary. He is an industrious man and owns
good property.
Pullum, Rev. H. P., of Anniston, son of Lawrence and Caroline Pullum,
was born in Pickensville, Ala., March 23, 1862; baptized at Carrolton
August, 1882, and entered immediately upon the work of the ministry,
but was not ordained until March, 1889. At the request of the First
Colored Baptist Church at Bessemer, which he had organized and built
up, Mr. Pullum received the hands of ordination from Revs. P. Murrell,
W. A. Shirley, S. Page, A. J. Austin, D. M. Sewell, and J. C. Crawford.
He has a large following wherever he goes.
Purce, Rev. C. L., ex-president of Selma University, is noticed in this
work only so far as other authors have not been able to see him in his
peculiar relations to the work in Alabama.
It was in 1886, I think, in the most trying period of our history,
that Dr. Purce was unexpectedly called (upon the resignation of
Dr. E. M. Brawley) to assume the presidential office in the Selma
University. The school was burdened with $7,000 of debt, its credit was
about gone, its debtors were impatient, its supporters divided, and
denominational strife was at white heat. The former president was not
only a peculiarly brilliant and cultured man, but had enjoyed special
advantages looking toward fitness for the presidential chair. Many
feared for Mr. Purce.
However, it was thought by some that caution and economy were the
special characteristics called for by existing conditions. We needed
a man who could shun the strife of factions, keep cool under severe
pressure, and cause the school’s expenses to drop below its income.
Some who had watched Mr. Purce, were willing to trust him with the
difficult duties of this trying hour, and the writer records with much
pleasure, that he kept clear of the quarrels, and meanwhile did much to
remove the debt by putting the school on plain and well regulated fare.
Dr. Purce has done the Baptists of Alabama very praiseworthy service,
not only as an educator, but as an example in the matter of school
management; and those who follow him will profit by heeding his caution
and economy. And, to his honor it may be said, we have had no president
who has been more generally loved by the school.
Pyles, Rev. Carter, of Oxford, Ala., born in Talladega county, Alabama,
December 15, 1845, of Christian parents. He was baptized in 1865 by
Rev. Mr. Jenkins, a white minister, who devoted much of his time to
evangelical work among the colored people. In 1876 he was officially
set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the Rev. Mr. Jenkins,
William Taylor and B. Snow. Mr. Pyles is among the leading men of the
Snow Creek Association. His pastorates at Jacksonville, Choccolocco and
other points prove him to be a leader of ability. He is now undertaking
a new work at Oxanna, Ala.
Rivers, Rev. E. C., of Talladega, Ala., was born January 5, 1847. He is
the eldest son of Mr. Edward and Mrs. H. J. Rivers, two very worthy old
citizens of Talladega. In his twenty-fourth year he was married to Miss
Jane Moore, of Talladega, by whom he has a large family of children.
He has a fair English education, having attended the Talladega College
for parts of five sessions. In 1867 he united with the Mt. Canaan
Baptist Church, Talladega, and was baptized by the late Rev. Phil.
Davis.
He was called to ordination by the Salem Baptist Church in 1884,
Revs. J. P. Barton and Moses Colly officiating in the rites. He is an
industrious, prudent man, and has accumulated property worth $3,000
or $4,000. At this time he is the moderator of the Rushing Springs
Association, over which he has presided with dignity for several years.
He is a model citizen and substantial man, sociable and aspiring.
Rivers, Rev. S. A., of Talladega, the son of Mr. Edward and Mrs. H.
J. Rivers, was born in Talladega, November 10, 1854. In a series of
meetings, held by the writer in Mt. Canaan Church, he was led to
exercise faith in the religion of Jesus Christ in 1876. In the same
year he was united with the church by baptism.
He immediately began laboring as a leader in Sunday School work,
in which he at once proved himself to be a very capable person. He
was soon appointed Sunday School Missionary for the Rushing Springs
Association, in which position he was remarkably successful. In 1877
he married Miss Elizabeth Walker, by whom he has three promising
daughters. He is a graduate from the theological department of the
Talladega College. He is an industrious business man, a Christian
gentleman, a clear thinker, a ready speaker, a social genius. No
man among us of his age has brighter prospects than he, none more
admired and loved. The manner in which he has succeeded, under trying
circumstances in the Mt. Canaan Church, is simply amazing. Toward God
he is faithful, toward man he is kind, gentle and full of service. He
was ordained in 1889 to take charge of the Mt. Canaan Church.
[Illustration: Rev. H. Woodsmall, of Franklin, Ind., First President
Selma University.]
Rivers, Rev. Alexander A., of Midway, Ala., the son of John and
Violet Rivers, was born near Glennville, Ala., in the year 1851.
In his twentieth year he was baptized into the Spring Hill Zion Church
by the Rev. A. Gachet, under whose preaching he had been led into
repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was not long before he felt that he was called of God to the work
of the ministry. At the call of the Enon Church he was set apart to
the sacred office by the Revs. A. Gachet, P. Johnson and F. Randall.
Brother Rivers is one of the strong preachers and successful pastors
of the Eufaula Association. He has had very limited educational
advantages, but he is a constant reader of books and a close observer,
and hence he has made considerable educational attainments. He is
quiet, unassuming, even and hospitable. The writer enjoyed a very
pleasant stay with Brother and Sister Rivers at their home in Midway.
He once held a very fine pastorate in Texas, which he had to give up
because of the poor health of Mrs. Rivers and return to his old home in
Alabama.
Roach, Rev. Perkins, of Stevenson, father of Mrs. M. A. Boothe and
of Rev. Thomas Jefferson Roach, was born in Tennessee. He, with Rev.
Thomas Roach (who was the first ordained colored minister in Jackson
county), and Rev. Robert Caver, organized the work in northeast
Alabama. He was noted for his magnanimity and joyfulness of heart.
It is said that his life was as one continuous song of gladness.
When a child he was a house boy, which position brought him into
continual contact with persons who knew books. He so far utilized this
advantage as to learn to read, but his knowledge of writing was delayed
till since the close of the war his daughter (now Mrs. Boothe) had
sufficiently advanced in her studies to instruct him. This story is
told of him: During the war his mistress, the widow of Rev. Charles
Roach, Sr., fearing the Federal soldiers, left home and fled across the
Tennessee river into Sand Mountain. The slave remained at home to care
for things about the place. With the view of preventing want to the
widow and those who were with her, he, regardless of the dangers of his
undertaking, and while the shades of night hid his operations, would
bear across the river and up the mountain such things as he thought
they might need.
He has been dead some eighteen years. His widow, Mrs. Charlotte Roach,
has done nobly in rearing and educating the children.
Roach, Rev. Lewis, of Fackler, deserves mention as a hard working,
poorly paid gospel preacher. Many years he led the Mud Creek
Association as moderator. He, Rev. James Larkin, Rev. Lewis Henshaw,
and others, are trying to build an academy at Hollywood, Ala. They
deserve success.
Roach, Rev. T. J., of Hollywood, is an industrious and honorable man.
He has served the Mud Creek Association as missionary, has been pastor
at Bridgeport, and now preaches at Paint Rock.
Robinson, Rev. Isham, of Eureka, Talladega county, was born in
Greenville, S. C., October 10, 1814. While he was the property (?) of
Mr. John Truss (in 1833) he took to wife Miss Aggie Truss, by whom
there has been born unto him a large family of sons and daughters, who
are now grown and are honorable members of society. Brother Robinson
was baptized by a Rev. Mr. Joseph Byers in 1840. He said to the writer:
“I was licensed in 1850, but could not preach except when I could
secure the presence of two slaveholders. I was licensed by the Mount
Joy Church, the first church organized in our section of the State.
I was ordained in 1865, by a council over which Rev. A. J. Waldrop
presided. I was so hindered in my ministry in slavery time that Brother
Henry Wood and I covenanted together to take our case to God and beg
for liberty. We agreed that we would go at sunrise at least once each
week and pray to God for freedom. It was eighteen years before the
victory came, and often appearances caused our faith to waver.” Mr.
Robinson is now quite old, but is still in fair health. His sons are
leaders in the Baptist church and helpers in every good cause.
Rodgers, Rev. C. R., missionary for the western district of Alabama
under the American Baptist Publication Society, was born at Hamburg,
Perry county, Ala., August 4, 1859.
In early life he had opportunity to attend the country school of his
neighborhood, beginning under the instruction of Rev. G. J. Brooks, now
of Selma.
Living on the farm, his early activities were in line with his calling.
He was a farmer boy, and hence he drew his bread and bed from the
handles of the plow and the hoe.
In November, 1878, he entered Selma University, graduating from the
normal course in 1884, with Messrs. R. T. Pollard, L. J. Green, R.
B. Hudson, D. T. Gulley,--Hines, Miss S. A. Stone and Miss Eliza
Washington (now Mrs. R. T. Pollard). The next year he began the college
course and completed with Messrs. Pollard and Hines the sophomore year.
Mr. Rodgers was converted in his fifteenth year, and was baptized by
Rev. R. Windham September, 1874.
On June 11, 1884, he was set apart to the full work of the gospel
ministry in the St. Philip Street Church, Selma, by Drs. E. M. Brawley,
C. L. Purce and C. O. Boothe, aided by Revs. H. N. Bouey and G. J.
Brooks. From the time of his ordination till December, 1890, he served
the pastorate of the First Colored Baptist Church, Tuskegee, but
since this last date he has been successfully operating in his present
position.
In January, 1889, he was wedded to Miss Lily B. Foreman, of Opelika.
Bro. R. is a man of excellent spirit, quiet, unassuming, and makes
changes in men more on the order of the sunshine than in the manner of
the storm spoken of in the fable of the contest between sun and wind.
Perhaps no man among us has so few enemies as he has.
From 1889 to 1892, he has presided over the Auburn Association. He is
an easy, pleasant speaker, and a choice man.
Ross, Rev. S. L.--It was March 9, 1861, when the subject of this sketch
was born of slave parents--Luckie and Emily Ross--near Rehoboth, Wilcox
county, Ala.
He had the advantage of a pious, Christian mother, and was hopefully
converted at the age of 12 years, and united with the Pine Grove
Baptist Church by baptism, Rev. Wallace Richardson, pastor, officiating.
He was taught his “A B C’s” by his mother and grandfather. As soon as
free schools opened he was placed in school, which were simply poor,
_for schools in those days were kept, not taught_.
In December, 1879, he was sent to Selma for the purpose of attending
school. He united with the St. Philip Street Baptist Church--Rev. W.
A. Burch, pastor. For a number of years he was clerk of the church and
superintendent of the Sunday School.
It was while he was superintendent of the Sunday School that Mr. Ross
felt called to the gospel ministry, in order to a better preparation
for which he entered (1883) the Alabama Baptist Normal and Theological
School (now Selma University), where he spent a number of years.
Having received a call to the pastorate of the Hamburg Baptist Church,
near Marion, Mr. Ross was accordingly ordained March 31, 1889.
Ordaining council: Revs. Charles L. Purce, president Selma University;
R. T. Pollard, Sunday School Missionary; William Madison, J. H. Hunter
and L. J. Green. Dr. C. O. Boothe and Rev. Charles L. Fisher were also
present and participated.
Rev. Ross was married to Miss Emily C. Boyd, of Selma, August 7,
1889. October 1, of the same year he resigned the Hamburg Church, the
Forkland School, which he had taught for a number of years, to accept
the principalship of the Eutaw public schools, Eutaw; Mt. Olive Baptist
Church, Boligee, and Liberty Baptist Church, Blocton.
Owing to her thorough training and long experience as instructress
in the city schools of Selma, Mrs. Ross has contributed much to the
success of her husband.
Against the wishes of friends, patrons and churches he resigned his
school of 350 pupils and the two churches named, to accept the position
as treasurer and instructor in the State Colored Normal School, Normal,
Ala.
July 1, 1893, he severed his connection with that school and became
pastor of the Steele Street Baptist Church, Huntsville.
October 1 of the same year he resigned the pastorate of the Steele
Street Church to take charge of the Sunday School Missionary work in
the State under the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia,
Pa., which position he now holds.
Savage, Rev. Daniel, of Mumford, pastor of several large churches,
deserves to be mentioned among the praiseworthy, busy men of the
Rushing Springs Association. He is held in high esteem for his
self-reliance, stainless reputation, agreeable manners, public spirit
and earnest Christian labors. He preaches for Shady Grove Church,
Jenifer, and Sycamore Church, Talladega. The writer has seen him during
the past fifteen years--in many meetings where there were hot words and
hotter feelings and yet with him there was the same quiet spirit, the
same smiling face. “He that ruleth his own spirit is better than he
that taketh a city.”
Sampson, Mr. James William, son of Rev. Green Sampson, of Wetumpka,
is a young man of high rank in the order of the Knights of Pythias,
but is no less a solid efficient member of the Shiloh Baptist Church,
of Birmingham. He deserves consideration as a man of discernment and
enterprise concerning racial questions and denominational interests.
Scott, Rev. John, late of Demopolis, led to the erection of the edifice
in which the First Colored Baptist Church of Demopolis now worships.
After the Rev. James Caldwell, Rev. Scott was the chief leader of the
people in his section. He died five or six years ago at about 50 years
of age, and his pastorate is now filled by the Rev. Mr. Wallace.
Scott, Rev. Anderson, is at this writing pastor of the Tabernacle
Church, in Birmingham, but began his ministry at Selma, where he
appears among the organizers of the work. He has undergone a good many
changes, but because of the presence of a very large amount of vitality
and will force he is still pushing on among his brethren. His life may
give this useful lesson, namely, “keep the face to the lion, never
give the back to the foe”--forgetting the things that lie behind us,
vigorously reach for the good that lies before us. Brother Scott is one
of the pioneers and his name lies in the foundations.
Scott, Rev. Henry, of Blocton, is of Maryland parentage. He is a man of
piety, of integrity and industry. He has labored as a missionary of
the Shelby Springs Association, and has rendered valuable services in
support of Selma University. He is an uncompromising foe of low morals.
Recently his health has been poor, and hence his work has been hindered.
When Selma University existed only in purpose he very substantially
aided the purpose toward materialization. He and Rev. D. L. Prentice
collected over a hundred dollars from one church and sent it up to the
writer in Talladega in 1876.
Shirley, Rev. W. A., was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 12, 1857. He
began the work of mastering letters in his native city at the age of
seven years, by attending the public schools provided for by the State.
Later he attended three sessions (of nine months) of the city school
in Columbus, Miss. For seven years he worked in a whiskey saloon,
where, he says, that while at work behind the bar, he was converted
to the faith of the Christian religion. Joined the church in 1878 in
Mississippi, under the pastorate of Rev. T. L. Jordan. Studied theology
in the Presbyterian school at Tuscaloosa. Was ordained in the African
Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa under the pastorate of the Rev. J. M.
Mason. His pastorates have been at Hull’s and Birmingham, Ala.
For ten years he served the Antioch, Bethlehem Association, as clerk.
He has built three church edifices.
Mr. Shirley is possessed of that easy, joyous, friendly turn in manners
and address, which make him agreeable to all classes of reasonable
people. He is studious and observing, which fact, coupled with his
native talent, offers him an ever broadening field of operation as
the years shall come and go “Watch and pray that ye enter not into
temptation.”
Simmons, Rev. J. S., at present pastor of the Gadsden Church, son of
James and Annie Simmons, was born in Alabama August 16, 1859. He was
baptized by the Rev. Henry Stevens into the Greensboro Church May
27, 1878. Mr. Simmons is a man of talent, and is a graduate of the
Lincoln University, once located at Marion. He was set apart to the
work of the gospel ministry by the Sixteenth Street Church, Birmingham,
in April, 1889, Revs. W. R. Pettiford, D. D., A. C. Jackson, and R.
Donald, officiating as presbytery. Since his ordination he has served
the Galilee Church at Anniston, and now serves the church at Gadsden,
where his labors have been especially successful. Everywhere he has
borne the reputation of an honorable and pious man. He has been
fortunate in finding and winning a helpmeet for him in his spiritual
and intellectual labors in the person of a very excellent lady.
Simpson, Rev. I. T., of Selma, Ala., was born in this State August 1,
1858. He was baptized into the Belleville Church December, 1876, and in
1883, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. D.
Shepherd and C. Travis. He attended the State University at Montgomery
and is now soon to close a course in Selma University. Brother Simpson
is a man of fine sense, is a good speaker, and with heed on his own
part, sympathy on the part of his people, and blessing from above, his
opportunities for increasing usefulness and honor are very encouraging.
Already he has attained a reputation as a pastor and builder as well as
orator.
P. S. Since the above was written, Brother Simpson has completed his
course at the University, and is now pastor at Opelika, where he is
already the peerless preacher and successful leader.
The writer has the good fortune to know something about the good order
of his home, and of the hospitality of his refined and agreeable
wife. He is peculiarly himself and not another--clear headed,
comprehensive, reasonable, self-reliant, genial, in his home as well as
in the public harness. Doubtless the historian who comes after, will
tell of the fruits which shall hang upon the ripened years of this
strong man. May God help him to remember that Sampson’s strength was
the source of his ruin. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
[Illustration: Rev. J. E. A. Wilson, Pastor Rising Star Baptist Church,
Pratt City, Ala.]
Smith, Rev. G. S., is pastor of the Red Mountain Church Bessemer.
Steinback, Rev. L. S., ex-pastor African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa,
was born in Marengo county, Ala., March 12, 1852. He was set free at 12
years of age.
He says: “One year, all the wages I received above my scanty meals and
rough clothes, was one dozen apples. Often I was glad to obtain a good
meal of parched corn. At 19 I worked in Uniontown for 50 cents a day.”
It was at this time that he learned his alphabet, studying at night
school. He says that as he went to his meals and to his work, his
spelling book was ever with him. He attended school after he had
married--using such time as he could spare after crops were “laid by.”
He was ordained to the ministry in October, 1883, Revs. John Scott,
F. Gilbert and A. Wright officiating as presbytery. By industry and
perseverance, he has been able to teach in the free public schools of
the State, has been missionary in his association, and is now pastor of
one of our largest churches. He lives, he says, on his own plantation,
for which he has paid three thousand dollars.
This is an example which is well calculated to encourage poor,
struggling young men to overcome difficulties and rise anyhow--rise in
spite of difficulties. Brother Steinback has served the pastorate of
the Tuscaloosa Church and also edits a newspaper, _The Christian Hope_.
Stevens, Rev. Henry, of Uniontown, son of Harry and Agnes Stevens,
was born near Port Royal, Va., May 5, 1820. At the age of 21 he was
baptized into Flat Run Church, Orange county, Va., by the Rev. B.
Hodge. He came to Alabama in 1843, at which time he began to speak
concerning the grace of God in the redemption of sinners. In 1845 he
began for the first time to read the sacred Scriptures, and in the same
year he married Miss Clarissa Clay, by whom ten children were born to
him.
Mr. Stevens was one of nature’s noblemen. He was an honest, outspoken
man, an orderly citizen, and a very forcible preacher of the plain old
gospel.
In 1868 he was fully set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by
his white brethren, Revs. T. M. Bailey and Drs. McIntosh and Curry.
His every word was believed by all who knew him, and his perfect
honesty no man doubted. For nine consecutive years he was moderator
of the Uniontown Association. He was one of the founders of the State
Convention, and also of the Selma University. In 1890 he exchanged the
cross for the crown, dying as he had lived, loved and respected by all.
He left his family in possession of good property, worth about $5,000,
and, above all, a name that has no blemish. Often our school sought
refuge from want in the purse of Elder Stevens. He was two years older
than his brother Washington, who died before him in Montgomery.
Stokes, Rev. A. J., pastor of Columbus Street Church, Montgomery, was
born in Orangeburg county, S. C., July 25, 1858. He was led to exercise
faith in Christ at the age of twelve and a half years. He entered the
work of the ministry in the Methodist church, but soon became convinced
of the correctness of Baptist views, and, joining the Baptist people,
he was baptized by Rev. Edward Green, of Branchwell, S. C., May,
1871. After studying two terms in Crafting University and two terms
in the State University, he entered Benedict College, from which he
graduated in 1884. In 1874 he was solemnly set apart to the work of
the gospel ministry by Revs. E. Green, Jacob Govan, Henry Harvey, and
Harry Reeves. Brother Stokes has been missionary, editor and school
commissioner, and is one of the most successful preachers and pastors
in all the land. During the two months in which he has been preaching
in Montgomery he has added, by baptism, about 500 members. The writer
tried to learn something of his methods, by visiting his meetings
and young people’s classes, and the following points seem worthy of
mention; his preaching is characterized: