USA > Alabama > A history of the Central Association of Alabama : from its organization in 1845 to 1895 > Part 11
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Hastie was elected as delegate to the Convention, and Upshaw alternate. It was ordered that any members of the churches in good standing at home be author- ized to report themselves as correspondents to any body with which we correspond when present. This was to save the tediousness and time of making appointments at the session.
The Executive Committee was J. C. Maxwell, T. P'. Cranford, and A. D. Bent- ley. The work of Bro. Largason, hy resolution was endorsed, and he commended to the Executive Committee.
The formal circular letter was dispensed with, and substituted by a letter of greeting from the Moderator and Clerk.
Baptized 158 ; letter 96 ; restored, etc., 29; dissmissed 95 : excluded and erased 74 : dead 23 : total 2312. Contributions $451.24. No dead reported lor this or the following year, 1
1891.
The 57th, session was held with Mt. Ohve church, Sept. 30th, to Oct. 2nd, 1891. Sermon by liro. Upshaw from Joshua 1:7.
The new churches were Friendship, near Tallassee, Pleasant Hill, Tallassce, and Town Creek, in Elmore. New ministers, I .. W. 11. Walker, Wm. Harman, and J. M. Stroud. Of these ministers Bro. Harman is giving himself successfully to the work, in Elmore county. He was for years in Tallassee.
The former officers were again re-elected. Bro. Whatley was to preach to-night The corresponlenty were Hare of the Alahama Baptist, J. M. Walker of State Board, Roby of Bible and Colportage Board, Fargason, Missionary, Calporter, and Wilkes and Steeley of Coosa River.
The report on State Missions was by Upshaw ; Foreign Missions by Whatley : none on Home, and none on Bible and Colportage, but a resolution on it, recog- nizing the importance of the work of the Board at Opelika. The several subjects were forcibly presented in speeches from Waller, Hare, and Roby. All money un- directed was agreed to be paid over to Bible and Colportage Board. Fargason and Whatley continued the discussion in the afternoon. About $222 were pledged for the next year.
The report and subject of Sabbath schools was spoken to by Pennington, Wilkes and Whatley.
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That of Temperance, by C. S. Johnson, Upshaw, Hickman, Hare, Wilkes, Roby, and I'ruitt.
,The Finance Committee reported the reception of $407.79. $55.93 for Foreign Missions. No report being prepared on Education, it was brought up under a Teso- lution, to which Bro. Roby spoke ; and then took in pledges and cash for dormitories at Howard stys, and for Ministerial Education $87.31.
A good report on the State of Religion was made by Bro. Hickman, and' spoken to hy Brethren Wilkes and Pruett.
. A resolution offered hy Bro. C. S. Johnson substituted sth Sunday meetings, called Minister's and Deacon's incetings for the old District Meetings. Where these have since been attended they have proved very interesting. In fact no meetings are better calculated to benefit the neighborhoods where held, or the parties attend- ing them, than these, when properly used.
. A collection of $18.00 for Bro. Colley, and bne for Bro. Steeley. (amount not given) was taken.
'The report of the Central Committee, hy Bro. A. D. Bentley, that Bro, Farg.i- son's work had been continued with similar success, but not quite so good as for- merly. Addresses were made by Brethren Fargason, Upshaw, Hickman, and Ful- mer. It was then ordered that the work he discontinued for the next year.
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The Central Committee consisted of Pennington, A. D. Bentley, Geo. W. Davis. Hastie was elected delegate to Southern Baptist Convention, and Martin and C. S. Johnson alternatrs.
Baptized 131 : letter 93; restored etc. 33 : dismissed 104 : excluded etc. 57 ; died 17. Total 2765.
1892.
"The 48th session was held with Liberty church, Sept. 28 30, 1492. The sermon was preached by J. D. Hughes, John. 10.27. No new churches. The former oficers were re-elected. The correspondents were T. B. Farg ison from the Liberty ; G. S. Anderson representing the Home, and Bible and Colportage Hoards ; and Geo. E. Brewer the Board of Ministerial Education, and the Maham Baptist. The yth or- der of business in relation to appointing Correspondeot- was stricken out.
. Bro. Cumbie presented the report on Temperance, which was ably discussed hy various brethren The report was a good one, and showed that inuch good had been accomplished by the agit tion of the question, and the passage of prohibitory laws. The body adjourned at 11 A. M. to hen a sermon from Bro. Brewer.
In the afternoon Bible and Colportage work was discussed under a'resolution, there being no report on the subject. The reports on the different nussions as rep. resented by the State, Home, and Foreign Boards were afl discussed together with Bible and Colportage. The first was by Whatley : the second by Johnson, C. S. : the third hy Upshaw. The reports were good, and chcited good speeches from several brethren. The foreign report showed that while the Baptist, had spe it the pre ceed. iog year only one fourth as much money as the Methodists, Presbyterians, Cumber. lands, nnd Campbellites, yet their increase in the foreign held had been more than nll the others.
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On the third day the report on Sunday schools hy J. D. Hughes was spoken to in an efficient way by several brethren. That on the State of Religion was read by T. A. Kelly and spoken to by Whatley and Upshaw.
The report on Religious Literature, made some criticisms on the Alabaos Bap-
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tist, and discriminations against the American . Baptist Publication Society's litera- ture. It was moved by Brewer to amend by striking out. This brought up quite a discussion between Brewer and Anderson, at whose suggestion the matter had been introduced. After protracted debate the Report was tabled. During the discussion the body adjourned to hear Bro. Anderson preach at 11 A. M., after which a collection of $12.56 was taken for Bible and Colportage Board.
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. The report on Finance showed in cash and vouchers $468.37. Of this amount $113.24 was for Foreign Missions, the largest amount to this time, of which Alexander City gave more than half, and about one third of the whole for benevolence. The report on Education was made by L. T. Grogna, and was spoken to by several brethren. .
Geo. F. Brewer was elected delegate to the Southe.n Baptist Convention, and L. H. Hlastie alternate.
A halance of $50.00 due Itro. Fargason was paid, and a donation to J. 11. Colley also.
Several members died during this year, who had been prominent for years in the hody. Eminent among them were R. B. P'ruett, Ezariah I'mson. John S. Bentley, F. M. Maxwell, and sister Mary G. Posey, who never failed to make a good contri- bution to missions, though her church, as such, did little in this way.
Geo. F. Brewer having become pastor at Alexander City, was added to the min- istry. Fighteen Sunday Schools reported.
Baptized 191 : letter 125. restored etc, 22 ; dismissed 145 : excluded 89 ; died t9. 'Total 2700).
1893
The 49th, session was held with Eclectic church Sept. 27 to 29, 1893. Sermon by A. C. Swind il, from Matt. 5:16. Pleasant Ridge church joined. This church is in Flmore Co. J. H. Singleton and J. C. Thomas were added to the ministry. The Correspondents were J. G. Harris, C. H. Morgan, J. P. Johnson and M. E. Parker. The reports on the several missions, and Bible and Colportage under resolution, were read and discussed by brethren Harris, Brewer, Upshaw, and Morgan, and a collection of $14.61 taken for missions. During the discussion a recess was taken to hear a sermon from Bro. Morgan.
A committee of Jarinan, Bryant and H. B. Young was appointed to consider the sxpediency of resuining Bible and Colportage work by the body. This committee ceccommend the resumption, but it was not carrico into effect.
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The.report on State Missions was by J C. Maxwell, on Home by J. J. Garret, on Foreign by Brewer. These were good reporty showing what had heen done hy each during the year. The Foreign report called attention to the fact of this being the Cen- tennial year of modern Missions, and the earnest efforts put forth by Baptists to do something to make the year monumental of the growth and success for the one hun- dred years. That the English Baptists had reached and passed the mark at which they nimed ; $500,000, the Northern Baptists nad nearly reached theirs, $1,000,000 ; while the Southern Brethren had not reached half way theirs, $500,000; but Alabaina had nearly reached the amount asked of her, $15,000.
The report on Education by C. S. Johoson was a good one, nnd spoken tohy Bro Harris, Bro. E. W. Powell was chosen as beneficiary of the association, and $131.20 was promised for him.
A good report on Sunday Schools was made by Bro. O. C. Swindal, and good
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speeches were made upon it.' The same may be said of that on Temperance by A. C. Swindal. -
S. F. Thomas, T. F. Moon and D. F. Avant were made the Central Committee. The Orphans Home at the instance of Geo. E. Brewer was heartily eudorsed, and commended, and the churches asked to make regular contributions.
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-L. H. Hastie was elected delegate to Southern Baptist Convention and Brewer alternate. . -
Three good 5th, Sunday meetings had been held, which were much enjoyed and profitable. One at Alexander City, one at Eclectic, and one at Bethesda.
The report on Finance by S. F. Thomas showed that $591.98 had been contribut- ed. Alexander City again gave about one third the amount.
Baptized 252; letter 146; restored 27; dismissed 158 ; excluded 47 ; dead 32. Total 2490.
1894.
The fiftieth session was held with Lebanon church Oct. 2 to 5th, 1894. The at- . tendance was large. The sermon was preached by Bro. Wmn. Harmon fromn 2 Cor. 5:14. New ministers C. J. Bentley, and N. O. Dobbs. The same officers were re-el. ected . Correspondents, J. G. Harris, Steeley and Morgan.
The preaching was done by Elders Brewer, Hastie, and Morgan. Again the ser- mon by Bro. Brewer was asked for publication, but it was not furnished. Collection $18.40.
The report on Religious Literature by J. H. Colly was read and discussed by Harris, Brewer, and C. J. Bentley.
The report on State Missions by Brewer, on Home by Harmon, and on Foreign by Pennington, were read, and furnished clearly the facts in these different fields. They were well discussed, and more enthusiasm aroused in behalf of missions than ever before shown by the body. . All the pastois by a rising vote agreed to take monthly collections. The churches promised about $450 for the year, leaving out those making no promise.
Reports were made by S. F. Thomas on Bible and Colporuhige work ; on Sabbath schools by C. J. Bentley ; on Temperance by O. C. Swindal ; on state of Religion by T. A. Kelley; on education by I. H. Has ie. These reports were generally excep- tionally good, never having been better, as a whole, In the history of the association. That of O. C. Swindal on Temperance is worthy of preservation. The Finance Committee, through O. P. Bentley, showed $533.75 contributed, and of this $126.23 for Foreign Missions leading any former one for tlus object.
Henry Norrell, R. S. Penton, and R. M. Murchison Central Committee. A col- lection of about $34.00 was made for brethren Steeley and Colley, and the churches ware asked to send annuolly for him $50.oo. Powell was continued as the beneficiary for education. Among the dead of this year were two well known and useful sisters, Elizabeth Pennington Bentley, and Fannie Pennington.
Baptized 171 ; letter 121 ; restored etc., 33 ; dismissed 191 ; excluded 63 ; died 23. Total 2911. Thus ended the semi-C'entential, year, with several mirky of advance which inspire with good hope for the future-the largest gift for Foreign Missions, the promise of regular collections; and the marked presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the session. A more harmonious and inspiring session has never been held.
This closes the history of the Central Association for its first fifty years. These years were marked by wonderful changes. They commenced with a wild unsettled
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country from which the Indians had but recently removed. Rich forests covered the wirth. Vist stretches of pine would have furmaned immense quantities of lumi- ber of the finest grade. Wild game abounded. and the people could easily supply their tables by their guns with a bounteous supply of meats; while their cuttle, sheep, logs, and horses were fat from the posturage of grass, cane, and wild pease with which the hills and valleys were covered Photography, telegraphy, and hundreds of discoveries that have added so muen to the ple tsares of life hive all come into vog re during the time Nearly all the railrands and steam vessels that now carry people with such rapidlity have been constructed. Waip ris of wirfire beir bu. little re- semblance to those of that day, so much have they been improved. Then it was thought a privilege that a christi in might exercise without sin t . contribute to mission work. Now it is regarded a daty so imperative that it is a sin to neglect to and it. Then but little was known of those pirts of the world th it now are sources of richest revenue to the world in gold, silver, andI other minerals, in :tals, and precious stones, together with fruit, and other produe's that have made living luxurious. Portions of the world then savage have become christianized, nad sprung from birb irism to high christian civilization. The missionaries were then few, and but feeling their way. New there are thousands of them, and many strong flourishing churches exist in these then unexplored fields. Af w thousand dollars vere then contributed by christians for missions, now many millions are given. Then but few educated men filled our pulpis, now they are nunteroos. Then the Baptists owned but few institu- tions of learning of high grade, and these were feebly supported, now they possess mors in number, and some better endowed and equipped than any other denomina- tion in the United States. Then large numbers of slaves were owned, but these are now all free, and can walk up beside their former misters and kill their rotes at the ballot box.
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Bat amid all these changes this asso. iation has hid belonging to it So ordained pre achers, and 58 churches. There have been reported to it by the churches in her bounds y igg baptism . and 6282 additions by letter. There has been contributed to denominational work, besides home expenses $32.739 29. But what is this compared with what might have been done ? There is scarcely a member so poor but could have given more than the average which has been contributed, and some single churches could have given about as much as the whole body his given and been none the poorer.
That let us thank God for what has been wrought, and try to make the future it better expression of our love to Christ and humanity. Let the light that has downed so brightly upon the pathway of duty and God's providence so move us to consecr .- . tion to Ium that bath redeemed us by his bloo.1, as that the next fifty years that shine , upon the history of this association shall be as the noonday brightness to early dawn when its work is contrasted with the fifty past.
I'rom the association have sprung tive men, Bozeman, Shaffer. Thompson, Stou:, and Brewer who have impressed themselves not only upon their associations, but their States, and the Southern Baptist Convention also. Shaffer has been much honored by places of trust in the State Convention. McCord, Upshaw, and Cott Smith have also taken prominent positions in the State. Martin, Joh son, and C. J. Bentley are likely to be more wich ly known. Jas. 1 .. Jones was fast rising when death struck him down These all started here.
THE END.
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CORRECTIONS. Page 8, line 6, "permanent" should be "prominent." Page 9, line 47, "reviewed" should be "revived." Page 25, line 27, "in" should be "as." Page 29, line 5, "thorough" should be "throughout" Page 34, line 35, "Wilson" should be "Weston." " Page 35, line 41, "saceed" should be "sacred." Page 39, line 7, "one" should be "no."
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