Pastors.—It appears that the following brethren served the church at different times in the capacity of pastor: Revs. D. Reynolds, S. Boils, D. Peeples, W. H. McAlpine, Phil. Davis, A. Lawler, and Jordan Chapman.
The origin of this church is full of suggestion. It shows that in spite of the brutalizing influences of the horrible institution of slavery, humanity and Christianity in the master often triumphed in deeds of love and mercy in behalf of the helpless slave. The memory of such men as Mr. Jenkins inscribed upon such times will be fragrant forever. The plantation to which the above named lot belonged has changed hands several times, but this lot is fixed on the records as the property of the African Church.
Honorable mention is made of Rev. Chesley Johnson and Joe Walker. The latter, it is said, was allowed to give Bible lessons on his master’s plantation. The manliness which characterizes Mr. Henry Barclay (Mr. Walker’s son) and other descendants, marks Mr. Walker’s rare talent.
SANDY RIDGE ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1887, is composed of the following churches:
- Burnesville Post Office—Lily Zion and Lily Grove.
- Selma—St. James, New Liberty, Cahaba, and Elyton.
- Vine Hill—Pleasant Grove and Mt. Pilgrim.
- Stateville—New Mt. Moriah, Autaugaville, New Hope, Pleasant Valley, and St. Paul.
- Jones’ Switch—New Providence.
- Augustine—Oak Grove.
Revs. A. Clay, J. and E. Mixom, M. Bishop, H. W. Peeples, and E. W. Deampart are mentioned among their leading men. Their church property is reported at $8,000.
SALEM ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1871, is a small body in southeast Alabama. I have been unable to obtain data from this body. I learn that they have churches at the following points: Brundidge, Clintonville, Enterprise, and Cox Mills.
SHELBY SPRINGS ASSOCIATION.
Was organized in 1869. Rev. Berry Ware, it seems, was one of its leading founders. They have a membership of about 3,000. They have some excellent men, among whom may be mentioned: Revs. B. M. Mallory, F. Youngblood, H. D. Leathers, of Childersburg; Rev. D. L. Prentice, Aldrich; Rev. J. P. Barton, Talladega; Rev. E. E. Perryman, Helena; Revs. G. R. Nash, F. R. Kenedy, B. F. Singleton, and P. Caddell, Columbiana; Rev. F. Cahill, Harpersville; Revs. J. L. Looney and P. Fancher, Fayetteville; Revs. W. C. Owens and J. H. Moseley, Calera.
The minutes of 1890 give the following post offices and churches:
- Childersburg—Enon.
- Kymulga—Mt. Olive.
- Aldrich—Hepzibah.
- Blocton—Liberty.
- Talladega—Peace Baptist.
- Wilsonville—Bethlehem, Scott Grove, Mt. Grove, and Dry Branch.
- Harpersville—Mt. Olive.
- Helena—Mt. Pleasant.
- Fayetteville—Shady Grove, Friendship.
- Columbiana—Zion, Friendship, and Macedonia.
- Mt. Pinson—Mt. Bradford.
- Siluria—Union Hill, Liberty No. 1.
- Shelby—Providence.
- Long View—Galilee.
- Calera—Moseley Chapel, New Mt. Moriah, Bethel.
Rev. D. L. Prentice, Aldrich, is doing a very effective work in the school room, and the people of his town bear the marks of his pedagogic labors. Their meetings, I mean associational meetings, are enjoyable and they give evidence of piety, promise and power.
This body liberally aided in the purchase of Selma University, and has ever been ready for any and every good work.
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA ASSOCIATION.
This Association operates in the extreme southeast portion of the State. I have not been able to secure a full statistical table from them.
They report thirty churches, with a membership of about 2,000. From a mutilated copy of their minutes for 1892 the following names are given as the ordained ministers of the body: J. Craddock, G. Christinar, J. Stith, Thomas Slaughter, M. Spencer, E. P. Langston, J. Cotton, E. Alford, T. Rollins, A. L. Koonce, J. C. Green, Wm. Carter, A. Powell, J. Foston, J. Sampson, James Humphrey, G. R. Hall, R. C. Liferedge, and A. Turner.
Part of the statistical table is torn away, but the following appears as the list of their post offices: Cowarts, Otho, Crosby, Balkum, Headland, Gordon, Shorterville, Halesburg, Zornville, Hardwicksburg, Brackins, Choctawhatchie, Columbia, Lawrenceville, Abbeville, Fort Gaines, Cottonwood, Dothan, Hilliardsville, Ashford. I give this list because to know the post offices of the churches is better than to know nothing at all. They are all right on temperance, and they say they will license no man to preach who cannot read the New Testament.
SNOW CREEK ASSOCIATION.
Is chiefly located in Calhoun and Etowah counties. At present their officers are as follows:
- Rev. H. W. Whatley, White Plains, moderator.
- Rev. William Munds, Anniston, assistant moderator.
- Prof. Lydden Green, Oxford, clerk.
This body was organized in 1869 by Rev. Burrell Snow (whose name it bears) and a few others, aided by the late Rev. Mr. Jinkins, a white Baptist minister, whose heart and hand seemed ever ready to help on every good work among the colored people.
Rev. H. J. Hoke, the efficient missionary of Arkansas, went out from this association. They have something above 2,000 members belonging to the following churches:
Ohatchee, Ohatchee; New Mount Gilead, Markston; New Prospect, Choccolocco; Oconee, New Hope, Oxford; Spring Hill, Bynum; Bates Springs, Cane Creek, Greensport; Mount Olive, Oxanna; Mount Zion, Coat’s Bend; Galilee, Friendship, Anniston; Bethany, Iron City; New Mount Silla, Peaceburg; Shiloh, Dukes; Zion Hill, White Plains; Antioch, Friendship, Gadsden; New Hope, First Colored, Jacksonville; New Hope, Rock Run; Pleasant Gap, Stock’s Mills; Pine Grove, Knotville; Bethel, Alexandria; Mount Sinai, Weaver’s Station; Patona, Piedmont; St. Jacob, Tecumseh, and beautiful Borden Springs.
The following are the pastors: Revs. H. Middleton, J. J. Johnson, B. Jackson, H. Green, Thomas Ivory, A. F. Alexander, T. L. Douglass, S. Walker, J. S. Simmons, Gadsden; H. W. Whatley, White Plains; William Munds, N. P. Pullum, Anniston; C. Pyles, Oxford; G. W. Brewton, Alexandria; James Denson, Talladega.
These brethren are all O. K. on the leading issues of the day. Brother Whatley is, in many regards, a very strong man, hospitable as a host, and genial as a companion, a good citizen and successful business man.
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
Confined chiefly to Crenshaw county; was organized in 1879. The writer has attended one of their sessions held east of Greenville, a few miles from Luverne.
LEADING MEN.
Revs. James Barrett, Bolling; E. Dunklin, J. H. Henderson, Greenville; M. C. Lowery, E. D. Wallace, Bolling; S. M. Ransom, Oak Streak; S. M. Lowery, Salsoda; Bro. Walter Williams, Glascow and Bro. Henry McLain, Oaky Streak.
POST OFFICES OF CHURCHES.
Luverne, Greenville, Glascow, Oaky Streak, Salsoda, Rutledge, Pontus, Shell, Bradleyton, Pigeon Creek. They hope to begin a high school, for which purpose they have raised about $300. It is to be hoped that they will secure their money against loss. Far too many times money has been raised for church and school purposes and put into the hands of men who lost it (?) or loaned it out. Such loose management of funds destroys the confidence of the people and injures the cause of Christ. I regret to say that they, at the session referred to, did not unanimously endorse the temperance movement of the day, though there was a strong sentiment in the right direction. They number about 2,000 members. I was impressed with the natural power of some of their leaders. In their number I saw some rising young men, who I think will attain to knowledge of books.
SPRING HILL ASSOCIATION.
Operating south of Montgomery, was organized in 1874 by Brethren W. W. Lane, Lewis Witherspoon, George Jones, D. Carter, O. Blue, and others.
CHURCHES IN 1891.
- Pine Level Post Office—Spring Hill.
- Woodley—White Cloud.
- Center Point—Mt. Pleasant and Macedonia.
- Helicon—Mt. Gilead and Ramer.
- LeGrand—Little Roxanna.
- Snowdown—Snowdown Valley.
- Meadville—Pilgrim, Hickory Chapel, Galilee.
- Pine Level—Warrior Hill, Bethlehem, and Elizabeth.
- Shellhorn—Israel.
- Montgomery—Columbus Street Church, Baptist Lily.
- Fitzpatrick—Philadelphia, Mount Moriah.
- Woodley—Jerusalem.
- Chambers—Calvary.
MINISTERS.
Revs. S. Adams, T. Ervin, A. Garner, R. Borden, M. Jackson, F. Nichols, William Rollins, William Day, O. Blue, J. Mitchell, W. Mullens, D. S. Adams, I. Davis, John Smith, and E. M. Burkett.
Dr. A. J. Stokes, of Montgomery, has for several years been their moderator. In the session of 1891 they rejected the temperance report; but this year (1893) they vote by a large majority in favor of it. A few, however, claim that they “have a right” to use alcohol if they desire to do so. They have a membership of 5,000 or 6,000. A Rev. Mr. Pollard has been in their employ as missionary, so the writer is informed.
STAR OF HOPE ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1877 and operating chiefly in Wilcox county, presents the following roll of churches:
Antioch, Magnolia, New Hope No. 2, New Hope No. 4, Ruk West, Emanuel Street, and Union Baptist, Camden Post Office; Cedar Grove and Starling, Furman; Little Rock, Tilden; Little Zion, St. Emanuel, St. Peter, Nellie; Mt. Gilead and Magnolia, Bell’s Landing; Morning Star and Shady Grove, Miller’s Ferry; New Hope No. 3 and St. Wisdom, Canton’s Bend; New Hill, Butler’s Springs; Oak Valley, Monterey; Pine Flat, Tinela; St. Francis, Caledonia; St. Peter, River Ridge. Antioch of Camden, Cedar Grove of Furman, and Little Rock of Tilden, are the oldest churches in this body, having been organized in 1868.
Their number is between 1,700 and 2,000. Their pastors are Revs. S. B. McCall, George Earl, M. Boykin, V. Pruit, K. Wolfe, F. Williams, W. H. Ray, Jr., L. D. Johnson, M. Lewis, L. Jefferson, S. Boyd, C. L. George, J. C. Blackburn, John Poe, N. Hill, George Earl, M. Ervin, W. G. King, J. A. Lawson. The venerable Henry Allen has been in this section as “a father in Israel.”
They are trying to support a high school at Camden. Rev. J. A. Lawson is especially active in educational matters, and all seem ready for any and every good work.
TOWN CREEK ASSOCIATION.
Is a new body, organized in 1889. The minutes of 1891 give the following:
Magnolia Church, Warrior Stand, Rev. E. Moore, pastor; Bethlehem Church, Cotton Valley, Rev. M. Ellington, pastor; Sweet Pilgrim Church, Union Springs, Rev. E. Thornton, pastor; St. Paul Church, Cotton Valley, Rev. C. Johnson, pastor; Town Creek Church, Union Springs, Rev. J. Germany, pastor; Antioch Church, Columbus, Ga., Rev. E. A. McCall, pastor; Mt. Nebo Church,——, Rev. J. Germany, pastor; Mt. Pisgah Church, Dick Creek, Rev. W. M. Walker, pastor; Perry Hill Church, Warrior Stand, Rev. J. S. Tatum, pastor; Mt. Calvary Church, Union Springs, Rev. H. Jones, pastor; Oak Grove Church, Cotton Valley, Rev. Mac. Wright, pastor.
They have a membership of about 1,500.
Rev. E. Thornton, of Union Springs, is moderator, and E. A. McCall, of Columbus, Ga., is clerk.
The writer has been unable to ascertain all desirable facts. Judging, however, from the character of the men whose names appear in the lead of their work, we may feel sure that they have organized the Association in order to advance educational and missionary interests.
UNION ASSOCIATION.
Was organized in 1874 of churches which seceded from the Alabama District Association.
They have the following churches and ministers: Greenville—First Colored, Pine Top, Salem, Old Elm, Pine Level; Pineapple—Arkadelphia, New Virgin; Monterey—Ridgeville, Spring Hill, Mt. Moriah, Rosemary; Bugville—Friendship; Dunham—Long Creek; Simkinsville—Pleasant Hill; Starlington—Pine Level; Allenton—Siloam and Mt. Zion; Minter—Hopewell; Pleasant Hill—Good Hope, Cedar Grove; Snow Hill—Shiloh; Georgiana—Friendship; Furman—Antioch; Manningham—Mt. Olive; Luverne—New Hope; Daisy—Union; Vidette—Star of Hope; New Providence—Mt. Ida; Farmerville—Cedar Grove; Oakfield—Oakfield; Forest Home—Rockwest; Sepulga—Spring Hill; Camden—St. Mary. Rev. J. Nichols, Greenville, is moderator; Rev. J. W. Smith is treasurer, and Mr. I. N. Carter, of Monterey, is clerk.
Their sessions are rather stormy, as may be said of other bodies.
LEADING MEN.
Revs. L. Adams, H. Thompson, I. Young, W. Morast, S. Albrighton, J. Beverly, Q. C. Craig, J. Scott, L. McKee, W. Anderson, J. Barrett, G. Pugh, J. Henderson, S. Skanes, R. Palmer, E. Perdue, M. McLowery, J. Ricks, J. Moss, E. Wallace, E. Stallworth, William Scott, E. Pickett, J. Blackman, R. C. Crane.
Prof. I. N. Carter is a strong man in this body, whose confidence and good will he seems still to hold. They have many naturally fine young men, but they need a school very much.
UNIONTOWN ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1872 by the late Revs. Henry Stephens, John Dosier and John Blevins, is reported to be next numerically to the Alabama District, containing a membership of about 11,500. They raise annually for general purposes from $200 to $400. Their “Statistical Table” gives the following list of churches and ministers:
POST OFFICES AND CHURCHES.
Selma—St. Philip Street, Tabernacle, Mount Zion, Little Rock, St. Paul, New Center, Mount Ararat, Beach Island, Everdale, Providence, Elbethel, Mount Zion; Newbern—Newbern, Holly Chapel, Oak Grove; Greensboro—St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, Mount Moriah, Willow Springs, Salem, Pleasant Grove, Mount Zion; Safford’s—New Hebron, Mount Lebanon, Concord; Boiling Springs—First Baptist, New Boiling Springs; Hamburg—Green Liberty; Brown’s—Trinity, Good Hope; Sawyersville—Bethlehem, Springfield, New Hope; Perryville—Pleasant Hill, Perryville; Uniontown—Mount Calvary, Woodlawn, St. James, Uniontown; Kimbrough—Jerusalem; Prairie Bluff—St. Mitchell; Catherine—Salem, Dixon Grove, Mount Olive; Marion—Second Baptist, Springfield, Willow Grove, Hopewell, Bethel, Eagle Grove; Lamison—Macedonia; Scott’s Station—Green Leaf, McKinley, Bethel Hill; Faunsdale—Faunsdale, Camden, Rehoboth; Summerfield—Macedonia, Orrville, Peace and Love; Alberta—Macedonia, Christian Light; Felix—Center, Bethany, Marion Junction, Pernell, Colerine, Shiloh; Pleasant Hill—Bethel, Whitsets, Pickens.
MINISTERS.
Selma—Revs. C. J. Hardy, I. T. Simpson, D. M. Coleman, L. J. Green, G. H. Hobdy, Q. C. Craig, C. J. Davis, J. B. Russell; Newbern—W. H. Reddick, G. Frost. W. H. Huckabee; Greensboro—Wm. Madison, P. Cottrell, P. Umphrey, S. Abrams; Marion—C. S. Dinkins, D. D., A. Billingley; Uniontown—Rev. A. F. Owens, H. Alexander, Wm. Boon; Faunsdale—F. A. E. Beck; Gallion—P. S. L. Hutchins, A. M.; Marion Junction—A. W. Ragland; Hamburg—Y. R. White; Prairie Bluff—W. H. Green; Boiling Springs—E. Slone; Kimbrough—A. Gladen; Camden—J. A. Lawson; Lamison—R. Estridge; Brown’s Station—W. L. Lawson; Pleasant Hill—J. R. Scott; Perryville—R. Z. Deyampert; Sawyersville—I. J. Jones; Orrville—G. M. Jones; Post Offices unknown—R. Christian, J. G. Flood, L. E. Hobson, A. Gladen, W. W. Richardson, R. T. Bowden, E. C. Borroughs, W. H. Hatcher, G. M. Jones, G. King, and others. This body has quite a number of pastors from Selma University.
Too much cannot be said in praise of these brethren for the manner in which they have stood by the Selma University under all its changes. And yet we would have been surprised if such a grand set of men as lead this body should have acted otherwise. Rev. J. Dosier, quite an old man, reads Greek fairly well. Rev. C. B. Davis is a young man of much ability and promise. Rev. F. A. E. Beck appreciates the value of education, is a natural magnet, and draws the people after him. Rev. A. W. Ragland is loved by all for his brotherly, quiet manners. But space fails me or I would speak of Revs. Y. R. White, R. Z. Deyampert, J. R. Scott, and others, who are pillars in this organization.
SALEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, GREENSBORO.
The white Baptists had for many years prior to the late war a prosperous church at this place, with a large membership of white people and colored people—the slaves of their masters. Just about the time of the war the larger portion of the white membership moved away, and from one cause and another, the close of the war found but a few white members remaining, but a large colored membership.
The white members, to whom the property belonged, sold the building and donated $2,000 of the proceeds to the colored members for them to build a church with. This church is the same church that the white people had organized more than fifty years ago.
Rev. H. Stephens was the first pastor of the colored congregation, after they moved their church site, and was pastor for twenty years.
Rev. L. J. Green was pastor for about four years, and Rev W. M. Madison, the present pastor, has been there five years, has built a nice parsonage and greatly increased the membership.
There were 300 members (colored) when the church moved to its present site. They have now a membership of 800.
This is the mother church of nearly every church in Hale county and they have a great many large and prosperous churches in the county. The church property is worth $2,500.
This is saying good things for the white Baptists of Greensboro. Deacon Dock Lane, one of the most honorable and consecrated among men, deserves mention as a pillar in this church. Among the leaders of this church appears the name of Mr. A. Wimbs.
Desiring to make honorable mention of this worthy young man, I requested of him something of his history, and he sends me the following:
“I was born in Greensboro, Ala., September 23, 1860. My mother was named Josephine; she was brought from Washington and sold to Mr. A. L. Stollenwerck, of this town. My father was named Addison Wimbs and resided in Washington; he was a slave on account of his mother being a slave, but his father was a free man, and had bought nearly all of his children and sent them to Canada. What education I have, I received at the town school here—Tullibody Academy—under the management of Prof. W. B. Patterson. I have served my church in the capacity of superintendent of the Sabbath School and clerk of the church; was secretary of the Sabbath School Convention of the Uniontown Association; am a member of the Executive Board of the Convention. I was at one time editor of a small paper here called the Voice.
“I have been for many years the bookkeeper and general clerk in the law office of Governor Seay. I was, I am quite confident, the first Negro in Alabama, if not in the entire South, to operate on the typewriter, and now I think, I am the first Negro to manage the Edison phonograph for busi-purposes.”
I know of no ex-slave and ex-slaveholder, between whom there is more confidence on one side and high regard on the other, than exist between Governor Seay and Addison Wimbs. This means for Brother Wimbs quietness of spirit and solid worth, as well as a conservative, genial soul in Governor Seay.
THE ST. PHILLIP STREET CHURCH, SELMA.
This church was organized about the year 1845. The church was composed of the white membership and the church which was composed of the colored membership, agreed to build together, with the understanding that the former should occupy the upper story and the latter should occupy the basement. This agreement was kept until some time after the close of the war, when the white brethren bought the claims of the colored church, paying $2,000 for possession of the basement. Their first colored pastor was the Rev. Samuel Phillips, a man who had received his liberty as a reward for his services in the Mexican war. Deacon A. Goldsby told the writer that Bro. Phillips was a very earnest, worthy man. Nothing is known of the time and place of his birth, and nothing special is said of his death.
The Rev. John Blevens, who was born in Madison county, Ala., was the next pastor, and served from 1866 to 1878. Under his administration the present property on St. Phillip street was obtained. The Rev. Mr. Blevens was followed by Rev. G. J. Brooks, who, after a short pastorate, resigned, and was followed by Rev. W. A. Burch, from Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Burch gathered a larger congregation than any other previous pastor, and did more than any other man in teaching the people to give for the support of the church. After two years, he was called to a pastorate in Boston, Mass., and was followed in the Selma pastorate by the writer, who remained with the church during 1882-87. Except the addition of about 350 members and the secession of the Tabernacle Church, nothing transpired that merits mention. The writer was followed by Rev. S. S. Sisson. At this writing, the Rev. C. J. Hardy, late of Florida, is their successful leader, under whose strong administration they have just completed a two-story brick structure on Sylvan Street. Their property is worth not less than $20,000—finest colored church edifice in Alabama.
It is worthy of mention and praise that the Selma University came to its birth under the fostering care of this church. In the old frame building on St. Phillip street the sainted Woodsmall began to turn upon the negro Baptists of Alabama the morning light, the early dawning, of our denominational school. And this church gave him quarters, fuel and lights without money and regardless of costs, so that in May, 1878, it was reported that the school had paid out nothing for these things. What a good deed is set down to their credit on high! But, in addition to this, they organized a missionary society, which gave regular contributions for support of teachers and other workers in the school.
Deacon A. Goldsby related the following to the writer: “Forty or fifty years ago we organized a prayer band to pray for our freedom. We met outside of the little town, under a large oak tree, on every Friday night. That we might know when a friend came beneath the tree, we agreed upon a password, which was ‘The hindering cause.’ Each uttered this softly as he came under the boughs of the tree, and was answered by any other who had come ahead of him. Then he seated himself in the bushes to await the hour for united supplications.”
If in years to come the University should desire a picture of itself as it made its advent from the world of hope to the world of fact, it may paint this: A frame structure, the roof of which is supported by a row of upright posts extending the whole length of the building, which is seventy-five or eighty feet in length. On the morning for opening, there enters this building a white man, whose face bears signs of suffering, but is all aglow with the rays of faith and love. He is the faculty. Also, there enters a short, fat, brown-skinned young man, with high, broad forehead. He has heard of the purpose to begin a school on this day at this place, and, hungering for learning, he has come up to enter. This teacher and this student usher in our beloved institution.
It was good for the denomination that our lot was cast among such a people, and that we had in Bro. Woodsmall a man who did not faint in “the day of small things.”
WILL’S CREEK ASSOCIATION.
Organized in 1873, and operating in “Will’s Valley” and St. Clair county, reports the following churches and ministers:
At Collinsville Post Office—Pleasant Grove Church; Lebanon—Lebanon; Fort Payne—Fort Payne; Valley Head—Bethlehem; Attalla—Mt. Zion, Pilgrim, Bethlehem; Keener—New Hope; Beaver Valley—Pleasant Hill; Ashville—Mt. Zion; Springville—Springville; Whitney—Evergreen; Guntersville—Bethlehem and Hooper Chapel; Trenton—Trenton; North Alabama—Clogville. Rev. G. Neeley, Ashville, is moderator; Mr. J. R. Dean, Ashville, is treasurer; and Prof. P. R. Sibert, Keener, is secretary. Their pastors are: Revs. N. Kerley, R. Berry, M. Edwards, of Fort Payne; G. W. Brewton, of Alexandria; H. Massey, J. Griffin, A. Jackson, and James M. Stevens. They have about 1,500 members.
Elder A. Kerley and his brother are the chief founders of this body. They greatly need an infusion of light from without. Rev. James Kerley, the pastor at Springville, is an ex-student of Talladega College. While they were in session in Ashville in 1892 the white people gave them the use of their church, and pastors, mayor of the city, and other leading people, turned out to encourage them and to financially strengthen their enterprises. While there, a white minister related to the writer the following story: “When the late Dr. Renfroe was a young man he was very poor, though, as later in his life, he was a powerful preacher. In the height of a glorious revival, the grass in his crop called him to his field. A colored brother who wanted the meeting to continue, requested his master to allow him to prolong the meeting. His master replied: ‘Jim, you can’t read, you can’t preach.’ The slave replied: ‘I can plow and kill grass—can do these for Brother Renfroe.’”
Gleaning from the associational chapter, we obtain:
1. The origin and field of each Association.
2. The names of the pioneers in each section in the State.
3. The location and something of the history of churches and communities.
4. Something of the lines of thought and action prevailing in the various gospel enterprises of the denomination.
It was not thought well to try to tell the same things many times over; hence, some things are given in connection with one Association and other things in connection with another—all aiming at the same end, namely: The giving of a true picture of the Colored Baptists of Alabama.