The Cyclopedia of the Colored Baptists of Alabama: Their Leaders and Their Work

FIRST SESSION.

THE Colored Baptist Convention of Alabama was constituted December 17, 1868, in the Columbus Street Baptist Church, in the city of Montgomery.

The officers elected were: Rev. Nathan Ashby, president; Rev. J. W. Stevens, of Montgomery, vice-president, and Bro. H. Thompson, secretary.

The following appear in the roll of this session: Revs. N. Ashby, J. W. Stevens, Jacob Belser, J. Epperson, and Bro. H. Thompson, of Montgomery county; Revs. E. Wright and S. Adams, of Greenville; Rev. W. Farris, of Monroeville; Rev. S. Weaver, of Dallas county; Revs. P. Gill and Samuel Morse, of Notasulga; James Finly, of Fayette; Revs. I. Glenn and A. Blackburn, of Auburn; Rev. M. D. Alexander and M. Tyler, of Lowndesboro; Rev. B. Nelson, of Lee county; Rev. Mr. Wood, of Macon county; Rev. H. Coleman, of Union Springs; Rev. W. H. McAlpin, of Talladega; Revs. John Dosier and Henry Stevens, of Uniontown; P. Underwood, Thomas Smith, Ned Atkinson, and Rev. D. M. Phillips, of Tuskegee.

About twenty-seven churches were represented. About $150 was collected, and Rev. Washington Stevens was made Missionary.

SECOND SESSION.

This session was held in Montgomery in 1869, and the officers of the previous year being re-elected to their several positions. Revs. Wm. McCoo, of Bullock county; P. Murrell, of Tuskaloosa; John P. Lucas, pastor of Mt. Meigs; Henry Clark, of Opelika; B. Burke, of Mobile; Frank Quarles, of Georgia, and H. E. Talliaferro (white), agent for the American Baptist Home Missionary Society; Lewis Brown, of Sumter county; A. Cunningham, of Conecuh county, and James Caldwell, of Marengo county, appear in the roll of this session. Fifty or sixty churches were represented; several hundred dollars were raised; the missionary was short in his collections; Home Mission Society was endorsed.

THIRD SESSION.

This session was also held in Montgomery on October 5, 1870. As Rev. N. Ashby was sick, Rev. W. Stevens, the Missionary, was elected president, and Rev. M. Tyler vice-president. Rev. Charles Leavens, of Mobile, and Senator A. H. Curtis were enrolled. The ordained ministers present were: N. Ashby, James A. Foster, W. Stevens, F. Brooks, T. Glenn, Chas. Leavens, S. Adams, H. Stokes, C. Blunt, Wm. McCoo, J. Caldwell, S. Weaver, J. Cole, J. W. McLeod, M. Tyler, B. Burke, P. Murrell, J. Dosier, D. M. Phillips, J. Wood, Ned Watkins, B. Bibb, H. Stevens, R. Mason.

FOURTH SESSION.

Held in Selma November 1-4, 1871. Brother W. H. McAlpine was prominent. The officers elected were: Rev. P. Murrell, president; Rev. Stewart Adams, vice-president; Rev. W. Stevens, recording secretary; and H. Thompson, clerk.

Revs. D. Alexander, B. Bibb, J. Caldwell and J. Belser have passed away.

About $300 sent in by the churches: twenty-eight churches report Sunday Schools; three Associations appear by their messengers.

FIFTH SESSION.

Held in Selma, November, 1872. Officers of previous year re-elected. A committee is appointed to confer with the white Convention in session in Eufaula. Two more Associations are enrolled. $300 or $400 collected.

SIXTH SESSION.

Held in Tuscaloosa, November, 1873. The officers elected were: Rev. J. A. Foster, Montgomery, president; Rev. M. Tyler, Lowndesboro, vice-president; Rev. P. Murrell, treasurer; and Bro. H. J. Europe, of Mobile, clerk. Three other Associations reported. Rev. A. Butler, Mobile, joined at this session. Rev. W. H. McAlpine introduced the following, which was adopted:

“Resolved, That we plant in the State of Alabama a theological school to educate our young men.”

This threw life and aim into the Convention and the signs of activity immediately appeared. Four other Associations entered. Lively discussions ensued. The white Baptist Convention assembled in the same city at the same time advised against the educational scheme. The question whether God needed help in preparing his ministry—the question which fifty years before had agitated the white Convention of Alabama—was now stirring the souls of black men. Sunday Schools were allowed representation in the body.

SEVENTH SESSION.

Held in Mobile, in the St. Louis Street Church, November, 1874. Officers of previous year were re-elected. Brother McAlpine’s school resolution was endorsed and ordered on the minutes. On motion of Brother McAlpine the following persons were appointed a committee to manage the school project: Revs. A. Butler, W. H. McAlpine, H. J. Europe, H. Thompson and the writer. Brother McAlpine was authorized and requested to spend six months as missionary and agent of the Convention. Much praying.

EIGHTH SESSION.

Held in Mobile, November, 1875. The officers elected were as follows: Rev. J. A. Foster, president; Rev. M. Tyler, vice-president; Rev. J. W. Stevens, corresponding secretary; Rev. Thomas Smith, treasurer, and Rev. C. O. Boothe, clerk. Ten Associations were enrolled this year. Brother McAlpine reported $90 in favor of the Convention as the result of six months’ work. The body was never so much aroused as during this session. Some trouble arose over contentions among the churches in Mobile. Rev. W. H. McAlpine was appointed missionary and agent of the Convention for the ensuing conventional year. Rev. C. O. Boothe was appointed, with Brother McAlpine, to aid in searching for a suitable location for the proposed school, and was authorized to call the attention of our Northern brethren to our needs and operations regarding educational facilities in Alabama. Never did any set of men appear to be more earnest and enthusiastic. Every eye was on McAlpine as the leader.

NINTH SESSION.

Held with the Mount Canaan Church, Talladega, November 15-20, 1876. Officers: Rev. M. Tyler, president; Rev. B. J. Burke, vice-president; Rev. I. Smith, treasurer; Rev. G. C. Casby, Montgomery, corresponding secretary, and Rev. C. O. Boothe, at this time pastor in Talladega, was continued as clerk.

This session of the body may be denominated “The Eventful Session.” Here the sainted Woodsmall was met for the first time, and bore the Convention the following:

This bore the signature of Dr. Wyeth, editor of the Journal and Messenger, and the Secretary of the Indiana Convention. This was good tidings, and the information that Brother Woodsmall had come to hold Ministers’ Institutes among us was still better tidings. Thenceforward we were to drink from a very high type of manhood.

Revs. W. J. White, F. Quarles, and Bryan, of Georgia, came with propositions from the Georgia Convention that Alabama should give up her school project and join Georgia in building a school at Atlanta.

A letter received from Dr. S. S. Cutting, corresponding secretary of the Home Mission Society, to the clerk, informed the Convention that his board had no help for our school enterprise in Alabama, and favored our union with Georgia.

A communication from the white Baptist Convention containing the following, was read before the body:

“Resolved, That we deem this a suitable occasion to express to our colored brethren an abiding interest in their welfare, both temporal and spiritual.

“John Haralson, President.”

Brother McAlpine turned over $1,000, which he had raised for the proposed school, and again took the field.

The clerk, as committee on location of the proposed school, reported that if the school should be located at Marion, Ala., our students could obtain scientific and literary training in the State school at that point, in which case, the Convention would only be obliged to furnish theological instruction. The Convention did not decide as to the course it would be best to pursue. Brothers Pettiford and Barton joined the work in this session, and the former took a prominent position at once.

TENTH SESSION.

Held in Eufaula, November, 1877. The officers of the last convention were re-elected. The school project was turned into the hands of the Board of Trustees elected at the session of 1875. The report of the Board of Trustees recommended that the school be located at Montgomery. When a motion by Hon. A. H. Curtis to substitute Marion had been lost, Rev. E. K. Love, of Georgia, moved to substitute Selma, which was carried by a majority of three. The Board was authorized and instructed to begin operations. Revs. W. H. McAlpine and W. J. Stevens were put out as missionaries. Before leaving Eufaula, the Board appointed a committee to act on their behalf with regard to the management of the school. At a meeting of the Board held in Selma, December 20, the committee reported: “Your committee has been unable to find a suitable house for rent in which to commence school for less than $27 per month. There are one or more buildings here that may be purchased at quite a reasonable figure. W. H. McAlpine, J. Blevins, H. Stevens, committee.”

At this meeting there were present the following trustees, besides those above mentioned: M. Tyler, C. Blunt, J. W. Stevens, J. Dosier and A. H. Curtis. Revs. W. H. McAlpine and J. Blevins, with Bro. A. H. Curtis, were empowered to act as Executive Committee of the Board. After some discussion as to whether to rent or purchase, it was voted to rent, and not to pay over $15 per month. The Committee was so instructed, and was further instructed not to assume over $50 per month for teaching force. The Committee elected Mr. H. Woodsmall, of Indiana, and he at once opened the school in the St. Phillip Street Baptist Church.

On May 30, 1878, the Board held another meeting in Selma. Present: Revs. M. Tyler, J. Blevins, G. C. Casby, Thomas Smith, J. Dosier, H. Stevens, W. H. McAlpine and C. O. Boothe. At this meeting the Committee were authorized to purchase the “Old Fair Grounds” for $3,000. The Baptist Pioneer was started, with W. H. McAlpine, editor; J. Dosier and C. O. Boothe as assistants. The Committee, to the great satisfaction of the Board, reported that the St. Phillips Street Church had donated to the school the use of their audience room, the oil for lights, and fuel, and also that the services of Bro. W. R. Pettiford had been secured at a cost of $20 per month, allowing him time to take lessons in theology.

The following financial report was submitted:

ELEVENTH SESSION.

Held in Marion, November, 1878. The officers of the previous year were re-elected, with the exception of Rev. C. O. Boothe, who had been appointed Sunday school missionary for the State, under the American Baptist Publishing Society. Bro. N. R. Nickerson was elected clerk.

The Trustees reported that the Old Fair Grounds had been secured, and that the school was in operation. One thousand dollars had been paid on the grounds; $545 had come from the North. Three teachers were supported without charge to the State—Misses Emma Jordan and Emma Heustis, and Mr. M. W. Alston.

Thus the school began. About $2,000 reported.

TWELFTH SESSION.

Held in Opelika, November 12-15, 1879. In this session Rev. A. F. Owens joined, and Revs. A. Butler and B. Burke forsook the Convention. Rev. D. M. Phillips, of Tuskegee, had left the cross for the crown.

The second $1,000 had been paid on our campus, and $700 worth of improvements had been added to the buildings. A missionary society organized by President Woodsmall and operating in the St. Philip Street Church, is reported as giving partial support to Profs. Alston and Pettiford, and to students D. T. Gulley and J. C. Curry.

THIRTEENTH SESSION.

Held in Marion, November 17-20, 1880. The officers elected were: M. Tyler, president; J. A. Foster, vice-president; N. R. Nickerson, clerk; G. C. Casby, corresponding secretary, and C. White, treasurer. Except a small balance due Brother Woodsmall the school was now free from debt, besides owning thirty-six acres of land and temporary buildings.

Rev. S. Adams had gone to the other world.

Aided by the Selma Missionary Society, Bros. M. W. Alston, L. Ellington, D. T. Gulley, D. L. Prentice, C. Travis, C. R. Rodgers, L. J. Green and J. C. Curry had done effective missionary work.

Brother Woodsmall reported that the Baptist Pioneer is free of debt and has $321.03 in cash. He had received $2,399—$899 had come from Alabama in tuition and donations, and $1,500 from the North.

The American Baptist Home Mission Society at this time adopted the school and engaged to give it $2,000 during its session of 1880-81. About $400 were spent on improvements of school grounds. Rev. Wm. A. Burch, late of Philadelphia, now pastor of the First Baptist Church in Selma, and Rev. W. W. Cully, a returned African Missionary, were members of this Convention. Brother McAlpine had raised from all sources $1,976.85. Before the next session Brother McAlpine, at Brother Woodsmall’s request, became president of the school.

FOURTEENTH SESSION.

Held in Mobile, November, 1881. The officers of the previous year were re-elected. Revs. A. Cunningham, Belleville, J. Blevins, Selma, and J. Cole, Montgomery, are no longer on earth.

The Home Mission Society gave $3,000 to the present school session. Dr. M. Stone, of Ohio, taught in the school without cost to the board of trustees.

Before the next session Rev. H. N. Bouey, from South Carolina, became State Sunday School Missionary.

FIFTEENTH SESSION.

Held in Tuscaloosa, November, 1882. Former officers re-elected, except that Rev. J. Dosier was made vice-president.

This year, the same as last, Brother McAlpine was retained president of the school.

Total receipts from Alabama, including tuition fees, were $2,588. Donation from Home Mission Society $3,350. The last session made Brother Pettiford financial agent, and the present session was greatly encouraged in view of his excellent success.

SIXTEENTH SESSION.

Held in Selma, November, 1883, in the First Colored Baptist Church, of which the writer was pastor. Rev. E. M. Brawley, late of South Carolina, was made president of our school, Rev. W. H. McAlpine having resigned in his favor.

Alabama paid $2,511 towards our educational work. Bro. Woodsmall was not present. Rev. A. N. McEwen, late of Tennessee, now pastor of Dexter Avenue Church, Montgomery, was present this session. Rev. H. N. Bouey was made financial agent.

SEVENTEENTH SESSION.

Held in Mobile, November, 1884. Officers of 1882 and 1883 were re-elected; $3,224 reported as coming from the State.

Before the next session “The Minister’s Union” was organized in Talladega, with Rev. C. O. Boothe as secretary, and W. H. McAlpine, president.

EIGHTEENTH SESSION.

Held in the Sixteenth Street Church, Birmingham, November, 1885. Officers of previous session re-elected. On the 10th of November, one day prior to the sitting of the Convention, the Ministers’ Union met and appointed a committee on the character of the author of this pamphlet, and which reported the following:

“We, your committee appointed on Bro. C. O. Boothe, beg leave to submit the following: On account of the complications of his marriage relations, his oppositions to the State work, and on account of his want of loyalty to truth, we recommend that we withdraw from him the hand of fellowship as a minister. C. S. Dinkins, J. Q. A. Wilhite, J. Dosier, committee.”

The brother, who was excluded (?) by the adoption of this report, asked and was allowed to put in the minutes of the Convention the following: “To all who may read the resolution passed by the Alabama Baptist Ministers’ Union bearing upon me, I affirm my innocence of each and all the charges therein presented, and appeal to the King of Kings, whose just judgment I patiently await.

“C. O. Boothe.”

Dark times follow upon the work and upon many individuals. The total receipts for this year, as reported by Bro. Bouey, were $2,200. Rev. J. P. Barton was made State missionary, and Rev. J. Q. A. Wilhite was made financial agent of the school.

The school was getting into debt, and serious losses threatened. The founders of the work were not sufficiently willing to confer with each other.

NINETEENTH SESSION.

Held in Opelika, November, 1886. The same officers were re-elected, except Rev. J. A. Foster replaced Rev. John Dosier as vice-president. Rev. C. L. Purce was made president of the school, Dr. Brawley having resigned. The school was $6,000 or $7,000 in debt. A resolution looking toward moving the University from Selma was adopted. Marion was proposed instead of Selma, and the larger cash donation was to fix the location. The contest was heated, and here and there rather ugly. The Baptist Leader favored Marion. Finances were rather short. Revs. G. W. Berry, from South Carolina, and E. J. Fisher, of Georgia, were present at this session.

TWENTIETH SESSION.

Held in Montgomery, in the Columbus Street Church, July, 1887. The Ministers’ Union rescinded their vote passed in Birmingham in 1885, bearing upon the character of Rev. C. O. Boothe. Rev. W. R. Pettiford, of Birmingham, was elected president, and Rev. R. T. Pollard, clerk. Rev. William J. Simmons, of Louisville, district secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and Bro. Woodsmall, were present. Mrs. M. A. Boothe, president of the State W. C. T. U., addressed the Convention. Mrs. C. Thompson, agent in Alabama for the Women’s Home Missionary Society of Chicago, also spoke. Stormy time, and no small amount of bitter feeling. The financial vote sustained Selma, and the University remained at the home of her childhood.

Debts were threatening our property. Mr. Purce endeavored to prevent any increase of debts.

TWENTY-FIRST SESSION.

Held in Tuscaloosa, July, 1888. Officers of previous year were re-elected. About $4,000 was raised this year. Dr. W. J. Simmons, district secretary of the Home Mission Society, was present with plans for missionary co-operation with our State, which were endorsed. Some of the school grounds had been sold to meet debts, six acres having gone to meet the $7,000.

Rev. W. R. Forbes, of Virginia, pastor at Eufaula, was present. The board recommended Rev. W. H. McAlpine as State Missionary under the joint plan with the Home Mission Society.

TWENTY-SECOND SESSION.

Held in Selma, July, 1889. Officers of previous session were re-elected. Rev. C. S. Dinkins, having severed his connection with the faculty of the University, was successfully operating an academy at Marion in connection with his pastorate. This project the Convention, on motion of Rev. A. N. McEwen, endorsed. Rev. C. O. Boothe was appointed General Missionary of Alabama on the joint plan with the Home Mission Society. This year our women, under the leadership of Miss S. A. Stone, gloriously rallied to the support of the University. About $5,700 was raised in the State. Rev. Washington Stevens, Montgomery, and Deacon D. Lane, Greensboro, had passed away. Time of session was again changed to November. Brethren R. T. Pollard and D. T. Gulley made Sunday Missionaries under the Publication Society on the joint plan. During this year, in May, a jubilee meeting was held in Selma and over $2,000 was raised. In this jubilee meeting we met Rev. H. Stevens the last time on earth.

TWENTY-THIRD SESSION.

Held in Sixth Avenue Church, Birmingham, November, 1890. The officers of the previous session and all the missionaries were re-elected. The Home Mission Society gave about $6,000 to Alabama, including $2,600 given for University buildings. The financial agent, President Purce, and the missionaries all made very encouraging financial reports—thousands of dollars having been collected ($5,400). Dr. W. J. Simmons and Rev. Henry Stevens crossed the dark river this year. Drs. Clanton and Brawley were present. This was a good session—debts fast disappearing under the industrious and wise financiering of President Purce and Agent Wilhite. The missionaries were continued.

The Baptist Leader (once The Baptist Pioneer), which for several years had been successfully run by Editor McEwen, was continued under its old management.

This year, in July, a Baptist Congress was held in Montgomery in the Dexter Avenue Church. It was entertaining and instructive. Also in August a State Sunday School Convention was organized in Union Springs, with Rev. S. Jones as president, and is still doing a grand work, Brother Wells being still presiding officer.

TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION.

Held in Peace Baptist Church, Talladega, November, 1891. The same officers were re-elected, and also the same missionaries, except that Rev. C. R. Rodgers was chosen to fill the place made vacant by Bro. Pollard’s resignation. A grand session—never before in our history had our business seemed to be so much in the hands and hearts of wise, cultivated men and women. The Rev. Mr. Parks and Hon. James White, of Chattanooga, were with us. The mayor of Talladega, pastors of white churches, and everybody else, gave us a word of encouragement and expressed themselves as pleased and profited by our presence. Prof. Peterson, a recent member of the faculty of Selma University, was introduced to Alabama Baptists. One hundred and fifty churches and forty associations, besides Sunday school conventions and Sunday schools, were represented by two hundred messengers. The year’s income from all sources was reported by financial agents as footing up to $12,440. Statistical secretary reported as follows: “Seven hundred and eighteen churches and fifty-eight associations. Twenty-eight of the associations give an aggregate membership of 83,000. Thirty associations have failed to report their numbers.”

Dr. C. S. Dinkins had been operating an academy at Marion, for the use of which he had paid $1,000. Our school property increased in value from $3,000 to $30,000. The president of our Convention, W. R. Pettiford, was at this time president of a successful banking enterprise. Last, and perhaps least, one of our number had made an humble contribution to the literature of the denomination in the form of a little book entitled “Plain Theology for Plain People.” Thus had we grown in twenty-four years.

Before the next session Dr. McAlpine was made teacher of institutes, under the Southern Board.

TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION.

Held in Franklyn Street Church, Mobile, November, 1892. Dr. Dinkins was elected president, and Rev. J. P. Barton, vice-president. With these exceptions, the old officers, as well as missionaries, were continued. Editor W. H. Stewart, of Kentucky; Dr. Clanton, of Louisiana; the Rev. Mr. Luke, field secretary of the Foreign Mission Convention; Revs. T. L. Jordan and C. L. Fisher, of Mississippi, were present. For the most part, this was a good session. However, there were signs of a rising stormcloud, which, it was feared, foretold approaching evil; and perhaps a clogging of our educational and missionary operations would then soon come. A good money showing was made, and new financial plans were adopted. Dr. Pettiford was appointed financial agent and secretary. It was decided to attempt to establish two academies—one in Mobile and the other somewhere in Northern Alabama. Before the next session of the Convention, Rev. C. O. Boothe resigned his position as general missionary of the State and pastor at Meridian, Miss. Dr. Purce severed his connection with the University, and Dr. C. S. Dinkins was elected president in his stead. A division of the denomination was threatened in consequence of the presidential changes.

Again our debts were beginning to be a menace.

TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION.

Held in Eufaula, November, 1893. Rev. J. P. Barton, of Talladega, was elected president, and Rev. R. T. Pollard, secretary. Hon. Ad. Wimbs, of Greensboro, was a member of this Convention. Drs. Morehouse and McVicar, of New York, were with us; also Dr. Crumpton, who represented the Southern Baptists. Many changes were made upon the Board of Trustees. A committee was appointed to plan a change in our school charter. The session was stormy and far from pleasant. Dr. Pettiford made a good financial report. Rev. S. L. Ross was Sunday school missionary. Dr. Dinkins made a good beginning as president of Selma University. Rev. Lewis Brown was elected treasurer.

TWENTY-SEVENTH SESSION.

Held in Mt. Zion Church, Anniston, Ala., November, 1894. Rev. J. P. Barton was again elected president, and Rev. R. T. Pollard continued as secretary. Times peculiar and money scarce. President Dinkins had prevented any increase of the debt of the university, and continued to grow in favor with all sections. The session, however, was not so orderly as it might have been, if there had been less personal feeling and ambition, and more real humility and consecration.

COMPARISONS.

True, our white brethren were hindered by the wild forests, which were pathless and bridgeless, fieldless and cribless, and by the savage beasts and friendless red men, as well as by the slowness of travel, but after all, we may be permitted to compare our progress with our white brethrens’ struggles on educational and missionary lines; and I think the foe will feel more hopeful of us, while the friend will see reason for encouragement and pleasure. The white Convention organized in Salem Church, near Greensboro, in October, 1823, but they did not begin a school till 1834—eleven years. We organized in 1868 and started a school in 1878—ten years. Their school continued only about five years, when their property was sold to pay their school debts. Our school still continues at this writing—1895. In 1839, they passed a resolution to encourage young men to study for the ministry under capable pastors, and the money of the Convention was ordered to be paid out in support of operations on this line.

They now owe on Howard College, so I am informed, some $30,000 or $40,000 in the form of a bonded debt, the interest on which they find it hard to pay. Indeed, I very much regret to hear that they are thinking of making an assignment in the interest of their creditors. On careful examination of the records of the Convention, we come upon the following important facts and lessons:

1. The blindness of the leadership as to the work to be done.

In the jubilee meeting, Rev. H. Stevens, said: “When I resolved in 1868 to meet the call of the Montgomery Church for a Convention of delegates, I didn’t see what we could do. I went only out of some sort of curiosity to meet other brethren and to look on. I got a little light before I reached Montgomery, as I listened to some things Brother McAlpine had to say along the way. And I was not much better off when the Convention closed. I did not know what they were talking about one-half the time.” But few saw one inch ahead. The horizon increased only as we advanced. We grew up with the growth of the work.

2. The power of faith to give form and fixedness to ponderous enterprises.

We vacillated till Brother Woodsmall appeared, so far at least as our school project was concerned. As the queen bee draws together her wandering swarm and fixes them in settled habitation and orderly toil, so did this saintly man do for the colored Baptists of Alabama. And his spirit is still among us.

3. Progress is born of progress.

Because we gained one step, we gained another step. Because we made it to the top of one mountain, we could therefore make it to the top of another.