History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 20

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

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tails of these regulations as were not to be applied by legal proceedings, were adminis- tered by the comptroller of public accounts. Up to 1837 the outstanding feature of the banking system was the Alabama State Bank and its branches. During the existence of this institution, provision was made in law for the organization and conduct of private banks; but there seems actually to have been little competition with the State bank. The code of 1852 continued in effect all acts or joint resolutions incorporating companies for banking purposes. The provisions of this kind in effect at the time the code was adopt- ed regulated the capital stock of banks, which might not be less than $100,000 nor more than $500,000; required reports to be made to the comptroller of public accounts at least as often as once a year on the condition of a bank and the business transacted since its last report; required the currency or notes issued for circulation by a bank to be counter- signed by the comptroller; provided for put- ting the affairs of a bank which failed to redeem a stipulated percentage of its out- standing notes in charge of a commission for liquidation; and regulated various other de- tails of banking business. Between 1840 and 1861, there were several "free banking insti- tutions" organized in the State. Some of the larger and best-known were those at Mobile, Montgomery, Selma, and Huntsville. Their reports, some of them indicating a consid- erable volume of business transacted, were published in the regular annual reports of the comptroller. The outbreak of the War had a fatal effect upon banking interests, as upon practically all other industrial, eco- nomic, and financial institutions of the State; and few if any of these free banks seem to have been operated until its close. The period of 10 years immediately following the close of the War was characterized by wildcat schemes of many kinds, and no permanent financial institutions seem to have originated during that decade.

In 1875, provisions were included in the new constitution which were intended to form a foundation for a general State banking system. No legislation in accordance with the constitutional provisions was enacted, however, until 1903. The delay is explained by the fact that the United States Govern- ment, during the time referred to, exacted a tax of 10 per cent upon the issues (circula- tion) of State banks. This was done for the purpose of stimulating the development of the national banking system at the expense of all other banking systems. It had pre- cisely the result intended. While it was in effect, the profits of a bank organized under State laws were too small to be attractive to capitalists. The passage of a banking law, based upon the provisions of the constitu- tion, was recommended by Gov. William C. Oates in his message of December 5, 1894, in which he expressed the belief that the Fed- eral tax law would soon be repealed. The legislature, however, contented itself with addressing a memorial to Congress asking the immediate repeal of the tax. Nothing further

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

was done until October 10, 1903, when the law which in many of its provisions forms the basis of the present banking system was enacted.

The law of 1903 provided for bank exam- iners, but established no State department for the administration of its provisions. In bis message of January 16, 1911, Gov. Emmet O'Neal recommended the establishment of a banking department, in charge of an officer clothed with ample authority and backed by adequate penalties for failure to comply with the law or with the regulations established by the department. The establishment of such a department was made the more neces- sary, in the governor's opinion, by the fact that during the past few years, several fail- ures "of a most inexcusable and disgraceful description," had been caused by "the shame- less violation of the commonest rules of sound banking." These failures, he thought, would be prevented by a banking depart- ment clothed with appropriate authority and charged with responsibility. In pursuance of this suggestion, the legislature passed an act on March 2, 1911, by which a State depart- ment with ample power and authority was established, and in which an effectual system of regulations for the conduct of banking in this State was included.

The act of February 8, 1915, authorized the conversion of state banks into national banks, under stipulated regulations. The Federal Reserve Bank act, December 23, 1913, was the occasion for the passage of the act of September 25, 1915, by the Alabama Legislature, authorizing state banks, savings banks, and trust companies organized under the laws of Alabama to subscribe for stock and become members of the Federal Reserve Bank.

See Banking Department; Federal Reserve Bank; National Banks; State Bank.

REFERENCES .- Constitution, 1875, secs. 14-20; Constitution, 1901, secs. 247-255; Codes, 1852, secs. 10, 937-941; 1886, secs. 1193-1198; 1896, secs. 1085-1098; 1907, secs. 3518-3527; Acts, 1903, pp. 483-487; 1909, pp. 262-263; 1911, pp. 50-89; 1915, pp. 77, 88-103, 883; Supt. of Banks, An- nual reports, 1911-1915.

BAPTIST COLLEGE INSTITUTE (Located at Danville, Morgan' County). See North Alabama Baptist Collegiate Institute.

BAPTIST COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. A denominational educational institution for young men, young women, boys and girls, located at Newton, Dale County. It was founded by the Baptist Church at Newton in 1898, at which time the site was chosen, a building erected and trustees appointed. The church and property were taken over in 1908 by the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

While under the auspices of that denomina- tion, "the school is in no way sectarian, and the children of all denominations may enter upon exactly the same basis." The grounds include 12 acres, and the school building is modern and substantial. The work is organ- ized into literary, business and domestic sci-

ence departments. Diplomas are awarded for the completion of the prescribed courses. Its report to the State education department, September 30, 1916, showed buildings and site valued at $20,000; equipment, $20,000; 6 teachers; 220 pupils; and total support, $3,000. Prof. A. W. Tate has been principal of the institute from the beginning.

REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1898-1916; Alabama State Convention, Minutes, 1915, p. 34.

BAPTIST COLORED UNIVERSITY, ALA- BAMA. A denominational school for the edu- cation of negroes, located at Selma, and under the control of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. The first movement looking to the founding of the institution was made at the meeting of the Colored Baptist Conven- tion held in Tuscaloosa in November, 1873. They had some opposition in developing their plans, but were not to be turned from their purpose. At the convention which met at Eufaula in 1877, it was definitely decided to locate the school at Selma, and the formal opening took place in January, 1878, at the St. Phillip Street Baptist Church, with Rev. H. Woodsmall as president, and W. R. Petti- ford as assistant. The school now has, with other property, 36 acres of land, on which are two large four-story brick buildings, and three small frame ones. The courses offered include theological, normal, college, prepara- tory, grammar and primary departments. In- struction is also given in sewing and milli- nery, and in domestic science. Literary and religious societies are maintained. In 1885 the name of the school was changed from "The Alabama Normal and Theological School," to "Selma University." In Novem- ber, 1895, it was changed to "Alabama Bap- tist Colored University." On September 30, 1916, its report to the state superintendent of education showed buildings and site valued at $75,000; equipment, $1,000; 18 teachers; 281 pupils; and a total support of $17,100.

Presidents .- Rev. H. Woodsmall, 1878- 1881; W. H. McAlpine, 1881-1883; E. M. Brawley, 1883-1886; C. L. Bruce, 1886-1893; C. S. Dinkins, 1893-1901; C. O. Boothe, 1901- 1902; R. T. Pollard, 1902 -.

REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1884-1916. In the issues for 1905-06 and 1907-08 are detailed sketches of the institution. Acts, 1880-81, p. 503.

BAPTIST ORPHANAGE. See Child Wel- fare.

BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION. See Baptists, various branches of.

BAPTISTS. A religious denomination, of various branches, tracing its American origin from the coming of Roger Williams in 1839, as the apostle of religious liberty," and to whom must be ascribed the honor of found- ing first Baptist church society in the United States. Even at that early day, among be- lievers there developed differences, some. holding to the Particular, or Calvinistic doc- trines, as distinguished from the General,

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

or Arminian branch. The Calvinistic view came to be generally accepted, but later, in the bodies known as Free and Free Will Baptists, the Arminian doctrines again found expression.

Differences had so far developed that in 1906 the U. S. Bureau of the Census found it necessary to distinguish 14 Baptist bodies in the presentation of their statistics. Be- fore sectional and doctrinal differences had differentiated Baptists into these groups, there was more or less general unity. In 1814 was formed the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions. In the development of that body, however, for- eign missionary work was but a small part of its activities. It undertook some home missions also, besides other work, including the tract society, which in 1840 was reorgan- ized as the American Baptist Publishing So- ciety.

The Baptists in Virginia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee, from whom those in Alabama have been largely drawn, took a leading part in early Baptist extension and growth, as well as in the work of the gen- eral convention. To that body in its early history Alabama Baptists generally held al- legiance individually, through their churches, associations and conventions. The further history of the denomination in the State, since the divisions early came about, is given under separate branches.

See Baptist (Southern Convention) ; Bap- tists, Church of Christ; Baptists, Free; Bap- tists, Free Will; Baptist, Primitive; Baptists, Seventh-Day; Baptists, Two-Seed-in-the-Spi- rit Predestinarian.

REFERENCES .- U. S. Bureau of the Census, Religious bodies, 1906 (1910), passim; and the several citations in the seven following titles.

BAPTISTS, CHURCH OF CHRIST A branch of the general religious body of Bap- tists, made up of a membership located in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, and grouped in seven associations in 1906. This Baptist sect holds essentially the same gen- eral doctrines as the Separate Baptists, but local conditions appear to have prevented union. They are Calvinistic, though liberal; and they hold that baptism of believers by immersion, the Lord's Supper, and foot- washing are gospel institutions. In polity they accord in practice with other Baptists. The churches are organized into associations. which "are purely for purposes of fellow- ship." They have no distinctive missionary societies or benevolent organizations, but they are not closed as "antimissionary." "Since they occupy mountainous sections chiefly, and represent the less wealthy com- munities, their missionary spirit finds ex- pression in local evangelistic work. As they have come in contact more and more with other churches, their sense of fellowship has broadened, and with this has been apparent a desire to share in the wider work of the general church."

In 1906 there were 28 church organiza-

tions in Alabama, with 1,947 members; 25 of these reported this membership as 741 males, and 1,065 females; 24 church edifices, with a seating capacity of 8,845, and valued at $11,525; no parsonages reported; and 1 sunday school, with 3 teachers and 50 pupils.

REFERENCES .- U. S. Bureau of the Census, Religious bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 136-138.

BAPTISTS, FREE. A branch of the gen- eral body of Baptists, having its origin in New England in the latter part of the eighteenth century. It grew out of a dis- satisfaction on the part of numbers of Bap- tists in that section, which declined to accept the Calvinistic theology in its most rigid form. They were sometimes called "New Lights," or "Randallites," so named because the first congregation was organized by Ben- jamin Randall. They are sometimes called Free Will Baptists, but the particular branch immediately under review is not to be con- fused with the Baptists of that name, which is also represented in Alabama.

The term Free Baptists has been finally adopted as more nearly descriptive of their adherence, not only to the doctrine of free will, but also to free grace and free com- munion. In polity they are congregational, but for purposes of fellowship, associations are formed, ordinarily called quarterly con- ferences. The quarterly conferences are rep- resented in yearly conferences, and these in turn in a triennial general conference. The claim is made by the Free Baptists that they were the first religious body to pronounce against slavery, their general conference of 1835 making a vigorous declaration on the subject.

The statistics of 1906 show in Alabama 21 organizations; 1,200 members; 13 church edifices, valued at $4,750; no parsonages re- ported; and 12 Sunday schools, with 39 offi- cers and teachers and 273 pupils.

See Baptists, Free Will.

REFERENCES .- U. S. Bureau of the Census. Religious bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 117-123, 157; Cathcart, Baptist encyclopædia (1881), pp. 416- 417.

BAPTISTS, FREE WILL. A branch of the general body of Baptists, sometimes con- fused with Free Baptists, but more properly known as Free Will Baptists. They accept the five points of Arminianism as opposed to the five points of Calvinism. Immersion is considered the only correct form of baptism, but no distinction is made in the invitation to the Lord's Supper, and they uniformly practice open communion. They further be- lieve in foot-washing and anointing the sick with oil.

While in doctrine and polity they are sim- ilar to the Free Baptists, they have a differ- ent origin, and are traced to local Baptist differences in Pennsylvania about the middle of the eighteenth century. In the South their position on slavery was at variance with the position of the Free Baptists of the North. The Free Will Baptists are congre- gational in government, hold quarterly con- ferences, state conferences or associations,

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

and an annual conference representing the entire denomination.

In 1906 the Free Will Baptists had 42 churches; 2,213 members; 40 church edi- fices, with a seating capacity of 10,800, and valued at $15,150; no parsonages reported; and 11 Sunday schools, with 53 officers and teachers and 502 pupils. These were organ- ized into 3 associations, viz .: Cahaba, 11 churches, and 584 members; North River, 8 churches, and 336 members; and State Line, 23 churches, and 1,337 members, lo- cated in south central and west Alabama.

See Baptists, Free.

REFERENCE .- U. S. Bureau of the Census, Re- ligious bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 124-127; Cath- cart, Baptist Encyclopedia (1881) ; pp. 416-417.

BAPTISTS, MISSIONARY. See Baptists (Southern Convention ).

BAPTISTS, PRIMITIVE. A branch of the general religious body of Baptists, dating from differences developed early in the nine- teenth century in reference to missionary so- cieties, Sunday schools, education of preach- ers, and similar liberal ideas and practices. They are also known as "Old School," "Reg- ulars," "Anti-mission," and "Hard Shell." With the growth of population and complexity in social organization, the religious leaders among the Baptists began the development of plans looking to the unification of their forces for extension, internal development, etc. These liberal ideas aroused opposition on the part of many churches, and in the first quarter century of the history of the Baptists in Alabama, there was a fierce con- flict. The denomination was divided into two camps known as missionary and anti- missionary, resulting finally in a permanent division in 1836, in many cases reaching to both churches and associations.

The story of this period is dramatically told in the usual church histories, and the official literature of the respective organiza- tions. The Primitive branch is strongest in North Alabama, in Chambers County in East Alabama, and in Pike, Henry, Butler and Covington counties in South Alabama. Its churches are organized into associations, but they have never formed a central state body, and have never had any state conventions or general bodies of any kind. In the annual minutes of the associations are to be found statements of articles of faith, constitutions and rules of order.

In doctrine the denomination is Calvin- istic. Usually their abstracts of principles, or articles of faith are eleven in number. The full verbal inspiration of the Old and New Testament scriptures, immersion of be- lievers as the only form of baptism, and as a prerequisite to the taking of the Lord's Sup- per, and the practice of foot-washing are ad- hered to rigidly. As a church they stand for honesty in public and private dealing, the prompt payment of debts, and the perfect in- dependence of individual action within the law. While not opposing an educated min- istry, they are opposed to the maintenance

of educational institutions by the church. They are without Sunday schools, but are not opposed to the religious training and in- struction of their children. They have no organized missionary activities, but at the same time do not oppose evangelistic effort on the part of their preachers.

A number of Alabama Primitive Baptist churches and some of the associations date from the early settlement of the State, and prior to the division. The details of their history are poorly preserved, and their origi- nal manuscript records are meager. Few files of minutes of the associations in pub- lished form are available, and in consequence denominational growth cannot possibly be stated with any degree of accuracy. Their rules do not require the organization and preservation of statistical data.

The U. S. Census Report of 1906 gives the total number of organizations in the State as 306; total number of members 9,772; 221 church edifices, with a seating capacity of 77,031; and church property valued at $123,123. There has doubtless been growth and enlargement in many churches, and some new churches have been organized, with a falling off in others, but information is not at hand to enable a definite statement.

Associations .- The association is the only form of church union among Primitive Bap- tists. They meet once a year, and preserve only a loose form of organization. They are composed of messengers from the different churches, usually three in number. The offi- cers are a moderator and clerk. In the con- stitution of the Beulah Association, which may be taken as typical, it is declared that it will not correspond "with any association the churches of which hold or are in any wise connected with any missionary society, Sunday school union society, or advocate state or national conventions held for the purpose of furthering the missionary cause, theological schools, nor any other society that has been, or may hereafter be, formed under a pretense of circulating the Gospel of Christ, nor any secret society that now exists, or may hereafter exist." As illustrat- ing the unwillingness of associations to in- terfere with absolute independence on the part of the churches, they expressly hold that no act of the associations shall be in any way binding on the churches.

In the Report of 1906 above referred to 28 organizations are reported in Alabama. Twelve churches in the State are reported as "unassociated." The following is a list of

the associations with total number of churches and members:

Associations.

Churches. Members

Antioch

519

Beulah

933

Buttahatchie

107

Cane Creek

204

Choctawatchee

321

Clay Bank

776

Conecuh River No. 1.

266

Conecuh River No. 2.

656

Ebenezer

424

Fellowship

540

ORIGINAL SHELL BEADS FOUND IN INDIAN CEMETERY AT THE ALIBAMO TOWN, TOASI, NEAR MONTGOMERY

Vol. 1-T

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Associations.

Churches. Members

Five Mile

Flint River

248

Hillabee

699

Hopewell

221

Liberty

474

Little Hope

Little Vine

308

Lost Creek

186

Mount Zion

482

Mud Creek

362

Muscle Shoals

Patsaliga

503

Pilgrims Rest No. 1.

535

Pilgrims Rest No. 2.

River Fork

Second Creek

212

Wetumpka

579

Unassociated

354

REFERENCES .- U. S. Bureau of the Census. Religious bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 138-150; Cathcort, Baptist Encyclopedia (1881); Hol- combe, History of the rise and progress of the Baptists in Alabama (1840); Riley, History of the Baptists of Alabama (1895) ; and Minutes of the several associations. Partial files of some of the latter are preserved in the Ala- bama Department of Archives and History.

BAPTISTS, SEVENTH-DAY. A branch of the general religious body of Baptists, evan- gelical in doctrine, and distinguished from the regular Calvinistic group only by their ob- servance of the seventh day instead of the first day as the sabbath. It is said of them that "They are in no sense 'Judaizers' or 'Legulizers,' but believe in salvation through faith alone, and insist upon the observance of the Sabbath, not as a basis of salvation, but as evidence of obedience and conformity to the teachings of Christ." They were orig- inally "restricted communionists," but now no limitations are imposed. Immersion is a necessary condition to church membership. In church government they are independent congregationalists. The churches are organ- ized into associations and a general confer- ence, but these bodies have advisory juris- diction only. The denomination has always been characterized by a missionary spirit; and woman's boards, sabbath schools, and Christian endeavor societies are supported.

In Alabama, in 1906, there was 1 Congre- gation of 9 males and 15 females; 1 church edifice, valued at $2,000; 1 parsonage, val- ued at $1,000; and 1 Sunday school, with 9 officers and teachers and 45 pupils.

REFERENCE .- U. S. Bureau of the Census, Re- ligious bodies, 1906 (1910), pp. 113-116; Cath- cart, Baptist encyclopaedia (1881), pp. 1042- 1043.

BAPTISTS. (Southern Convention. ) The principai branch of the great religious body of Baptists in Alabama. The denomination traces its history through conflicting strug- gles to the original founding of the church of that name. In America it has its begin- ning with Roger Williams at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1639, and Dr. John Clarke at Newport a year or two later. With de-

nominational growth came denominational differences, and the breaking up into general branches, known by varying names, but by far the larger part are still known merely as Baptists. In 1844 a division came about due chiefly to sectional controversies, which re- sulted in 1845 in the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention, the northern body remaining as formerly, until within the last few years, when its various general societies came together as the Northern Bap- tist Convention. The term "Missionary" sometimes employed in reference to this branch is descriptive merely, and its adop- tion is illustrative of the long struggle over doctrinal differences, particularly in mission activity, education of ministers, general education, Sunday schools and other forms of church work.

The Missionary Baptists in Alabama are in harmony with all Baptists on the fundamen- tals of doctrine, more or less Calvinistic in terms, as will appear from the statement hereinafter; and in many features of polity they are in general accord with them, notably in the local autonomy or independence of the churches. There are no doctrinal or prac- tical differences between them, organized as the Southern Baptist Convention, and the churches of the Northern Baptist Convention. They are not different denominations, but simply one denomination, working through different agencies, and generally in different parts of the world. However, it may be said that generally they are more strictly Cal- vinistic, and the Philadelphia or New Hamp- shire confession of faith is more firmly held than in the Northern churches. The car- dinal principle of Alabama Baptists is im- plicit obedience to the plain teachings of the Word. Briefly summarized, they hold that the churches are independent in their local affairs; that there should be an entire sepa- ration of church and State; that religious liberty of freedom in matters of religion is an inherent right of the human soul; that a church is a body of regenerated people who have been baptized on profession of personal faith in Christ, and who have associated themselves in the fellowship of the Gospel; that infant baptism is not only not taught in the Scriptures, but is fatal to the spirituality of the church; that from the meaning of the words used in the Greek text of the Scrip- ture, the symbolism of the ordinance, and the practice of the early church, immersion in water is the only proper mode of baptism; that the scriptural officers of the church are pastors and deacons; and that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the church ob- served in commemoration of the sufferings and death of Christ.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 20

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756