USA > Alabama > A history of the Central Association of Alabama : from its organization in 1845 to 1895 > Part 5
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" It occurs to your committee as a question of the greatest importance, and deep- est interest, what provision ought to be made for such as are called of God, and ap- proved by the churches, to whom these high advantages are not available.
"After the most anxious examination of the whole question involved, your com- mittee, with diffidence, would present the following plan as being, in their judgment a good and practical one, viz : That the Board of the Central Institute he author- ized and requested to make arrangements with the president for giving a course of Biblical instruction in the elementary principles of theology.
"That the Board of the Institute advise the Executive Board of the Association of the arrangements so made, so that the latter may make provisions to meet the in curred expense.
" That the churches he requested to make provisions for the boarding and other necessary expenses of such students as may be recommended by the churches of which they are members, to the Executive Board of the Association, and they un- dergo by them a satisfactory examination as to their Christian experience, call to, and qualification for the gospel ministery, and who are unable to meet such charge them. selves.
" And your committee further recommend to the association the appointment of an Executive Board for the body, consisting of five memphers."
J. R. Steeley from committee on State of Religion reported that while some churches had been revived and were enjoying a good spiritual condition, others were cold and inactive. That the general religious tone was not as favorable as formerly. It asked those who had torn down their altars to re-erect them ; to erect them where nonc had existed ; and urged a general increase of the spirit of prayer.
To show the feeling entertained in these days toward the slaves, and the relation- ship felt to exist between them and the owners, the following resolution, offered by J. M. Russell, and adopted will be an index :
" Whereas, The nature of the relation that exists between Christian masters and their servants partakes much of the nature of that dependent relation which exists be- tween parents and children in reference to their moral and religious training, as set forth by the scriptures of truth, it is, therefore, undoubtedly the duty of all Christian
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masters, as well as all others, to provide the best means of moral and religious in- struction that can be done agreeably with the laws of the State.
" And whereas, This association has heretofore given advice upon this import- ant matter, which we think is capable of being profitably amended, and which is, by the nature of the case, demanded by the churches, therefore be it
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" Resolved, That we recommend our churches, to so enlarge their houses of wor- ship as to accommodate all their servants, and that they take them with them on their regular meeting days, as they do their children, and see that they behave themselves while there, and in going to and from church. If it be impracticable to so enlarge their houses of worship as to accomodate them at the same time with the white con- gregation, then we advise that the churches make arrangements with their pastors that will enable them to preach at least one day out of the month to them, and that their owners leave them not to their choice, but see that each servant is decently pre- pared in time to go to meeting, and then go with them, or send his overseer, and re- quire a similar observance of good order and subordination as he does of his children. And that the colored members of our churches be taught gospel discipline, by hold- ing regular conferences with them. And we furthermore recommend our churches, that when they have negroes who wish to preach, let then undergo as rigid an exam- : ination as Paul recommends to Timothy."
The resolution was adopted, and upon motion ol A. B. Gary the clerk was in- structed to send a copy to the Southwestern Baptist, with a request that It be pub- lished as an educator to others.
Platt Stout offered a resolution which was adopted as follows :
" Resolved, That the powers and duties of the Executive Committee of this As- sociation be, to take charge of and superintend all missionary and colporter opera- tions of the association, and such other business as shall be referred to it, to be car. ried out in vacation ; and fully report to the body at the succeeding session ; and that they have power to fill any vacancy that may occur in their own body."
The Executive Committee appointed was, A. T. Holmes, A. B. Callaway, W. M. Lindsey, 1. W. Suttle, and T. L. Hudgins.
By motion of Bro. Stout, the books and assets of the Depository Board was turned over to this Executive Committee, and they given the discretion to employ a colporter evangelist, or turn the funds over to the Alabama Baptist Bible and Col- porter Society.
Delegates were appointed to the State Convention, Liberty, Coosa River, Tus- kegee, Unity, Arbacoochie, Carey and Alabama Associations.
The following standing committeey, to report at next session were appointed, viz : On Missions of Southern Baptist Convention, Willlamy, Stout, and Smoot.
On State of Religion, Pylant, Steeley, and Guy Smith,
On Education, Holmes, J. W. Bozeman, and Barnes. Sabbath Schools, Kendrick, R. Edwards, and Little.
Temperance, A. T. Maxwell, Skipper, and Jag. Walker.
Baptized 130 ; letter 136 ; restored 3 ; dismissed 213 ; excluded 41 ; died 8 ; total 1969. The financial exhibit for the year does not sppear in minutes. Sabbath col- lection $53.35.
More space has been given for a full report of the work of this session so . bet- ter idea of the character of the reports ; of the mien composing the body ; and the · spirit that animated it, at this time might he formed. The personnel, mental calliber, as well as the broad views, for the period, which marked this body for about ten years,
placed it along with the best of the State. But great advancement has been made since then as to the conception of duty owed by the denomination to the Master and the world. Had the same men enjoyed the present lights and advantages, with the stim- ulated movements that have arisen since 1880, the career of the Central in those days would have flashed out with a pleasing light indeed.
CHAPTER IV.
. (SEVERE STRUGGLE WITH DEHr, AND A FINANCIAL CRISIS.) !
1857.
The thirteenth session was held with Union church from Ost. 3 to 6th, 1857. "The sermon was preached by A. T. Holnies, Letters read hy F. M. Low and J. A. Bozeman, Bankston and Brewer were re-elected moderator and clerk. It might here be noted that W. C. Barnes was treasurer, and had been Irom the first appointment, and remained so until his removal to Georgia Ile was a very fine man ; of good property, integrity, and piety. He was highly esteemed hy his brethren as indicated by the placey of trust into which he was put. He had been this year, among five others, a candidate for the lower llouse of the Legislature, but Brewer, who was also a candidate, distanced him and was elected. The race way not specifically against Barnes. Coosa was then entitled to three representatives, and a senator.
Bethany, a newly constituted church, was received. This church was about six miles from Sylacauga. It was a right good church for awhile. But a disturb ince got into it just after the war, growing out of political feeling , between sympathizers with the Confederates and Federaly which finally rent the church asunder. Macedonia church is what has grown out of the better element, while the other wing was only short lived.
The new ministers were l'imothy J. Russell, anti W. B. W. Weston. Russell was a brother of Jas. M. Russell, but qu'te different. He was large and cropulent. Well educated, a good writer, hut not a forcihle speaker. He was a fine presiding officer. and was often called to preside in meetings of which he was a member, He was genial of disposition, considerate of the feelings of others, and drew men close to him. He presided over the association from his first election until death vacated the place. Like Elder Bankston, his remains he in the old cemetery of Mt. Zion church, of which he chied a member. These two men presided over the body for twenty years. The association had some work done on the grave of Bankston. Russell's family were able to have marked his grave, but I do not know that it has been done.
W. R. W. Wilson, was an educated cultured min, sweet spirited and useful, but only lived a short while in the body.
The correspondents present were J. J. Bullington, Jas. Barrow, Samt. Ifenderson, D. G. Daniel, and F. M. Law.
A preamble setting forth the violation of the constitution upon which the Ameri- can 'T'ract Society was founded, inhibiting itself from publishing any thing offensive to the religious sentiments of its supporters ; the inhibition was broken by the publi- cation of sentiments offensive to the views of Southern Christian slaveholders. The preamble fully set forth the principles of the Society, its noble work, and expressed regret at this departure from its conservative course, and was followed by the follow. ng resolution offered by Elder Platt Stout, viz :.
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. " Resolved, That as much as we regret the existence of the necessity, yet until the American Tract Society shall retrace her latal false steps taken In the direction ot Interfering in any wise with the question of African slavery as it exists in the Southern States, and fairly and fully returns to original ground, we, as an association, will have no business or other patronizing connection with her, her officers, agents, or colporters : but when she shall so return, she will be entitled to and receive our confidence and co-operation as heretofore ; and we recommend and advise the churches, whose messengers we are, for the same consideration to take the same ' course."
It was referred to a committee consisting of Stout, Williams, Nickols, A. T. Holmes, and T. J. Russell. The committee subsequently recommend the adoption of the resolution, and it was adopted.
On motion of J. D. Williams a special committee on colportage to act in concert with F. M. Law, agent of Alabama Baptist Bible Book Depository, was appointed, consisting of A. T. Maxwell, J. R. Steeley, and A. B. Callaway. The matter before them, however, was so thoroughly brought before the body in the report of the Ex- ecutive Committee, that this committee was discharged from consideration of the subject assigned it.
The preaching Saturday night and Sunday was done by Elders T. J. Russell, J. J. Bullington, J M. Russell ; missionary sermon, D. G. Daniel, and F. M. Law, The collection after missionary sermon was $50.00.
'T'he report on the State of Religion, submitted by J. A. Pylant presented rather a gloomy view, and spoke of declension in numbers and piety, and an increase of. worldly spirit after lashion, dress, and political preterment. It attributed much of the decline to the more rapid means of communicat on developed in the past few years. But what was it then as comp.ned with now? The facilities were then in their in- fancy as compared with now. Reid this extract from the report : "The facilities for communication have so rapidly increased within the past few years, that places greatly distant from each other have been brought within a few hours travel ; thus has the West been closely allied with the East, while the East acknowledges Europe for its next door neighbor. From this proximity to the great mart of fashion, where stylo and etiquette are more studied than righteousness -where decoration of the body tills the mind, while the soul gues unprovided for-where the Age of Reason finds its ablest advocates, and the simplicity of the Religion of Christ is contemned, we, from association, have in like m.inner become contaminated. Behold the rescm- blance of our seaboard cities to those of atneistical France ; then how closely our Jess pretending towns and villages walk in the footsteps of the cities, and how nearly the country apes after the latter. Thus has been begotten a spirit of extravagance, a desire for appearance in society, to gratify which, demands the wearied exertion of heads of families from daylight's dawn till the sable curtain ol night closes around. There occurs no time for reflection upon the Saceed Text, or the goodness of God, neither for the moral instruction and training of the young and tender plants com- mutted to our care." 1
An excellent report on Temperance was subinitted by A. T. Maxwell, chariman. The Executive Committee reported that no colportage work had been done. It recommended turning over the assets of the Book Depository of the association to F. M. Law, agent of the Alabama Bible and Book Dopository, asking the Depository in its appointments to remember the needs of the association. It recommended colport-
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age work to be done on the field. The body then raised, for this purpose, In cash and pledges $330.00.
A very fine report on Ministerial Education was made by J. W. Bozeman. He commenced by announcing the Gospel Ministry the highest and holiest function man is called upon to fill. Its aim is the purity, prosperity, and happiness of man as a mortal being ; his redemption and eternit silvation as an iminortal being. The func. tion being so high, qualifications were needed to meet the demind. These were two -1. The qualifications of the heart-this God must Give; 2. The qualification of the mind-this man must largely attain by his own efforts. Those who were able to secure proper mental training through their own me ins, would evidently do so -those who could nct ought to be assisted by the churches, for God had appointed thein to maintain to their best ability the most effectu il proclamation of His truth. We need an educated ministry to hold the attention of a cultured audienc .; we need it to properly instruct the uncultured ; we need it to meet educated infidelity and skepti- cism : we need it for the happiest presentation and illustration of Divine truth.
J. D). Williams from committee on Missions of Southern Baptist Convention, re- ported both Boards in debt, and crippled for want of ineins. The Domestic Mission Board had received $49,420.54. of which $19.953.95 was for Indian Missions. The Foreign Board was $4,838. 27 in debt. Had received only $36,462.62 when it ought to have had $100,000. There were then 605,000 Biptisty in the South. The committee thought Alabama ought to raise $10,000 for the Boards. Asked the churches of the association to try and send up fully their part of that amount.
Bro. Henderson was granted the opportunity to present the claims of the South- western Haptist, and take subscriptions.
$17.90 was raised to help old Bro. Barrow.
Upon motion of Bro. Steeley correspondence was opened with the East Alabama Convention. A motion to become a member, offered by W. C. Barnes, by sending $10.00, and ten delegates was voted down.
The report of the Trustees showed that circumstances had combined to prevent W. B. W. Weston, agent for the Institution, from securing much aid on the debt. They also reported that a good building had been erected by the citizens and Ma- sonic Fraternity, the upper story for a lodge room, the lower for a female school. The school room had been given to the Trustees for the association. 'T'hey had a good female school in operation under the superintendency of F. Smith Walkley. The In- stitute had had an attendance of 76 first term : 75 second term.
The report on Sabbath Schools was made by Asa Little. There were not many schools among the churches.
The usual standing committees were appointed.
The Board of Trustees for the Central Institute were Joseph Bankston, W. M. Lindsey, W. C. Barnes, A. B. Callaway, J. W. Jeter, A. T. Maxwell, P. Mckinney, R. Smoot, J. D. I.etcher, D. W. Bozeman, J. A. Pylant, Owen Swindal, William Chan- . cellor.
The Executive Committee were J. D. Williams, P. Stout, A. J. Terrell, R. Smoot, and A. T. Holmes.
Additions by baptism 73 ; letter 142 ; restored 11 ; dismissed 222; excluded 40 ; died 18 ; total 1774. Contributions $582.95.
1858.
This session was held with Mt.Zion church, Coosa county, meeting on Oct. 2,1858,
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and lasting until the 5th. The sermon was preached by P. Stout, from Ps. 145:11. J. Bankston and Geo. E. Brewer were re-elected moderator and clerk. Visitors present were F. M. Law. J. L. M. Curry, J. A. Collins, J. J. Bullington, A. C. Baker, W. W. Mason, and Sail. Henderson. The only business of the evening was the appoint- ment of the usual committees, receiving the above correspondents, and hearing the announcements for preaching at night and on Sunday. For night there was Steeley, Akins, Law, and T. J. Russell.
'Three newly constituted churches joined, viz : Sardis and Mt. Moriah in Coosa, and Refuge in Tallapoosa. Liberty church from the Liberty Association, joined by letter.
. Sardis is at Traveler's Rest, eight miles west of Rockford. It never developed . mucha strengthi, nor was it progressive. Mt. Moriah was some twelve miles north- " west of Rockford near Weogufka creek. Neither did it ever accomplish much for the cause. Refuge was also always a weak church, but better than either of the two preceding. It is about ten or twelve miles north of T'allassee, Liberty is about nine miles southwest fromn Dadeville. It was a small church, but had some earnest mem- bers who gave some tone to its work.
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For Sunday it was Joel Nickols, J. A. Collins, and J. J. Bullington. The collec- tion was $41.05.
A committee of one front each district was the first business of Monday morning, whose duty it was to report ou colportage, and provide for the continuance of the work. The committee consisted of Williams, Edwards, Barnes, and Steeley. It was also arranged to have preaching at different hours of the day, as the house where the body met was too small to accomodate the people. Russell and Akins at 11 A. M .; Bullington and Joseph Norton in afternoon ; and Saml. Henderson and Steeley at night.
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A communication was read from Secretary Tichenor of the Baptist Book Empo- . rium, at Montgomery, tendering a donation to the association of $50.00 worth of books. It was referred to the committee on colportage. In their report they recom- mended the reception with thankfulness, and that the Executive Committee take them in charge for final disposition.
The trustees reported that at the close of the last session of 1857, owing to his health, Bro. Holmes had resigned the presidency of the Institute, That as yet they had failed to fill his place, as only one well qualified was wanted, of the highest order. 'The financial condition was bad, as there rested upon the Institute a debt of $3,883,09 and available means to meet it only $30.05. The money was due, and the trus- tees were personally bound for it.
The Female Academy under Prof. Walkley was doing well. Pending a motion to refer to s special committee, an earnest discussion of the subject was had. Those who took part were Williams, Gregory, Henderson, Curry, and Nickols. Henderson and Curry made most excellent speeches, especially Curry. Brethren Gregory, and Nickols, became irritated at some things that had been said, or reported to have been said by some of those connected with the school, and in the discussion they were rather sharp in their utterances, and from then on they with quite a number of others never felt to give the school a hearty support. The trustees had worked with earn- estness for the success of the school, had given time and money to it, and now it looked as though the brethren were about to let the whole weight of the debt fall on them. Some feeling originated here that was never entirely overcome. The school cause languished from now, until it finally collapsed. The discussion continued into
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the afternoon session, when Mason. Collins Adkins and Skipper took part. . The re- port was finally referred to one from each district consisting of Marbury, Barnes, Williams, Caffee, and the moderator added. The report ot this committee when made was this : .
" First, That it is best, in our view, to postpone for one year the question of sale ot the Institution, to give its friends an opportunity to pay it out of debt ; and would recommend,
""Secondly, That the association, forthwith suspend its business, to allow all pres- ent the opportunity to give their obligations for such sunis toward this object as they are willing to pay in two installinents : one half payable first of January next, the other half the first of January, 1860.
- " Thirdly, We recommend volunteers to be called for, from the different districts of the Association to bring the subject before their churches, and the friends of educa- tion in their bounds, and receive the obhgations for sums offered for relief of the In- stitution ; and report to the Board at the meeting of the East Alabama Convention in May next, to be held in the chapel of the Institute. We recommend the publication, in your minutes, of the report of the Board referred to us " The report was adopted, and a subscription of $581.00 was taken. Quite a number of brethren volunteered as agents to try to raise the amount.
The committee on Temperance, through Pylant reported the temperance cause rather retrograding than advancing. R. Smoot reported that the Sabbath school cause was advancing, but not able to give full reports.
The report made by P'. Stout on the missions of the Southern Baptist Convention was a very fine paper. He referred to the rapid annihilation of distance by ocean Steamers, railways, and telegraphs. and the successful laying of the Atlantic cable, and anticipated that the time would come when In a few hours news would be heard from the distant cities of the Fast. He reported to the recent more liberal treaty with China, to the revelation of Africa's hidden glories as Livingston and Bowen wrie revealing them. The report showed that to Africa and China as fields we were confining our labors, but hoped the revolutions going on in Europe and elsewhere, would soon tind us situated to enter.
A proposition from Tuskegee association through S. Henderson, to combine with her in colportage work was considered upon motion of Brewer in committee of the whole. The committee agreed to take the funils of the association, and books, place them in the hands of the Executive Committee of the association, and empower it to act in conjunction with the Tuskeger, if it could be satisfactorily done.
The report was adopted by the association, and the Executive Committee ap. pointed, consisted of Williams, Stout, Terrell, Smoot, and landsey.
A periodical printed by J. D. Williams, called the " Southern Dial and African Monitor," devoted to the defence of our system of slavery from the Bible, was heart- ily commended, and patronage to it urged. .
Bro. Drury Harrington and Weston being in feble health and somewhat circum- scribed in means, about $40.00 was raised to help them.
The Constitution, Articles of Faith, and Decorum were directed to be printed with the minutes.
The Board of Trustees were Bankston, Lindsey, Barnes, Jeter, A. Maxwell, P. Mckinney, Smoot, Letcher, D. W. Bozeman, fylant, O. Swindle, Callaway.
Prof. Paschal Carter, of Georgetown College, Ky., was made principal of the In- stitute.
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. Baptisms 207 ; letter 188 ; voucher and restoration 28 ; dismissed 214 ; exeluded 33; dled 17 ; tot.il 2035. $341.70 were the contributions.
: 1859.
The fifteenth session was held with Weogufka church Oct. Ist to 4th, 1859. The sermon was by Williams from I Cor. 15:58. The new churches were Lebanon, Ridge Grove, and Mt. Calvary, all newly constituted. Of these, Lebanon 11 miles north of Wetumpka is the only one that made history by her work. Shehas been at one time very strong, but always in good working order, and is situated in a beautiful country. She has had some gracious meetings ; and two of the most pleasant sessions of the asso- ciation have been held with her.
J. D, Williams way elected moderator, and Geo. E. Brewer re-elected clerk. The visitors and correspondents were Dr. Basil Manly, Sr., General Missionary for Ala- bama, J. J. Bullington, Daniel Wallace, Russell Holman of Domestic Mission Board, and Brother Lide treasurer of Howard College. Brethren Stout and Steeley, ap- . . pointees to preach missionary sermons, begged to be excused, and asked the com- mittee to appoint D)r. Manly to preach it. It was so done. The sermon was a treat in- deed, and long remembered by those who heard it. Elder Holman preached at 2 P. M.
Rocky Mount from Talladega, and Providence from the Carey came back by letter.
The new ministers were Isiah Holmes and Refus Figh. Holines was an unedu- cated man, but of fervent spirit. His strongest fort was his power of song and ex- hortation. He departed troin us for a while just after the war, in the trouble that grew up at Bethany out of bitter political feeling following the war. But he afterwards returned, and is sull living. Rufus Figh was a sweet spirited mian, characterized more for gentleness, and sweetness of spirit than for mental strength. He had a fair education, and all the advantages of travel. He took a trip through the Fast when such trips were rare. , He lectured upon his travels much in the State and in Georgia.
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