USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 12
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Rosen, Rev. T. J., of Hollywood, is an industrious and honorable man. He has served the Mud Creek Association as missionary, has been pastor at Bridgeport, and now preaches at Paint Rock.
ROBINSON, REV. IsHAM, of Eureka, Talladega county, was born in Greenville, S. C., October 10, 1814. While he was the property (?) of Mr. John Truss (in 1833) he took to wife Miss Aggie Truss, by whom there has been born unto him a large family of sons and daughters, who are now grown and are honorable members of society. Brother Robinson was bap- tized by a Rev. Mr. Joseph Byers in 1840. He said to the writer: " I was licensed in 1850, but could not preach except when I could secure the presence of two slaveholders. I was licensed by the Mount Joy Church, the first church organized
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in our section of the State. I was ordained in 1865, by a council over which Rev. A. J. Waldrop presided. I was so hindered in my ministry in slavery time that Brother Henty Wood and I covenanted together to take our case to God and beg for liberty. We agreed that we would go at sunrise at least once each week and pray to God for freedom. It was eighteen years before the victory came, and often appearances caused our faith to waver." Mr. Robinson is now quite old, but is still in fair health. His sons are leaders in the Baptist church and helpers in every good cause.
RODGERS, REV. C. R., missionary for the western district of Alabama under the American Baptist Publication Society, was born at Hamburg, Perry county, Ala., August 4, 1859.
In early life he had opportunity to attend the country school of his neigborhood, beginning under the instruction of Rev. G. J. Brooks, now of Selma.
Living on the farm, his early activities were in line with his calling. He was a farmer boy, and hence he drew his bread and bed from the handles of the plow and the hoe.
In November, 1878, he entered Selma University, gradu- ating from the normal course in 1884, with Messrs. R. T. Pollard, L. J. Green, R. B. Hudson, D. T. Gulley, - Hines, Miss S. A. Stone and Miss Eliza Washington (now Mrs. R. T. Pollard). The next year he began the college course and com- pleted with Messrs. Pollard and Hines the sophomore year.
Mr. Rodgers was converted in his fifteenth year. and was baptized by Rev. R. Windham September, 1874.
On June 11, 1884, he was set apart to the full work of the gospel ministry in the St. Philip Street Church, Selma, by Drs. E. M. Brawley, C. L. Purce and C. O. Boothe, aided by Revs. II. N. Bouey and G. J. Brooks. From the time of his ordination till December, 1890, he served the pastorate of the
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First Colored Baptist Church, Tuskegee, but since this last date he has been successfully operating in his present posi- tion.
In January, 1889, he was wedded to Miss Lily B. Fore- man, of Opelika. Bro. R. is a man of excellent spirit, quiet, unassuming, and makes changes in men more on the order of the sunshine than in the manner of the storm spoken of in the fable of the contest between sun and wind. Perhaps no man among us has so few enemies as he has.
From 1889 to 1892, he has presided over the Auburn As- sociation. He is an easy, pleasant speaker, and a choice man.
Ross, Rev. S. L .- It was March 9, 1861, when the subject of this sketch was born of slave parents-Luckie and Emily Ross-near Rehoboth, Wilcox county, Ala.
He had the advantage of a pious, Christian mother, and was hopefully converted at the age of 12 years, and united with the Pine Grove Baptist Church by baptism, Rev. Wallaec Richardson, pastor, officiating.
He was taught his " A B C's " by his mother and grand- father. As soon as free schools opened he was placed in school, which were simply poor, for schools in those days were kept, not taught.
In December, 1879, he was sent to Selma for the purpose of attending school. He united with the St. Philip Street Baptist Church-Rev. W. A. Burch, pastor. For a number of years he was elerk of the church and superintendent of the Sunday School.
It was while he was superintendent of the Sunday School that Mr. Ross felt called to the gospel ministry, in order to a better preparation for which he entered (1883) the Alabama Baptist Normal and Theological School (now Selma Univer- sity), where he spent a number of years.
Having received a call to the pastorate of the Hamburg Baptist Church, near Marion, Mr. Ross was accordingly or- dained March 31, 1889. Ordaining council : Revs. Charles L. Puree, president Selma University; R. T. Pollard, Sunday School Missionary; William Madison, J. H. Hunter and L. J. Green. Dr. C. O. Boothe and Rev. Charles L. Fisber were also present and participated.
Rev. Ross was married to Miss Emily C. Boyd, of Selma. August 7, 1889. October 1, of the same year he resigned the Hamburg Church, the Forkland School, which he had taught for a number of years, to accept the principalship of the Eutaw public schools, Eutaw ; Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Boli- gec, and Liberty Baptist Church, Bloeton.
Owing to her thorough training and long experience as instruetress in the city schools of Selma, Mrs. Ross has con- tributed much to the success of her husband.
Against the wishes of friends, patrons and churches he resigned his school of 350 pupils and the two churches named, to accept the position as treasurer and instructor in the State Colored Normal School, Normal. Ala.
July 1, 1893, he severed his connection with that school and became pastor of the Steele Street Baptist Church, Hunts- ville.
October 1 of the same year he resigned the pastorate of the Steele Street Church to take charge of the Sunday School Missionary work in the State under the American Baptist Publieation Society, Philadelphia, Pa., which position he now holds.
SAVAGE, REV. DANIEL, of Mumford, pastor of several large churches, deserves to be mentioned among the praise- worthy, busy men of the Rushing Springs Association. Ile is held in high esteem for his self-reliance, stainless reputation,
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agreeable manners, public spirit and earnest Christian labors. HIe preaches for Shady Grove Church, Jenifer, and Sycamore Church, Talladega. The writer has seen him during the past fifteen years-in many meetings where there were hot words and hotter feelings and yet with him there was the same quiet spirit, the same smiling face. "He that ruleth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city."
SAMPSON, MR. JAMES WILLIAM, son of Rev. Green Samp- son, of Wetumpka, is a young man of high rank in the order of the Knights of Pythias, but is no less a solid efficient mem- ber of the Shiloh Baptist Church, of Birmingham. He de- serves consideration as a man of discernment and enterprise concerning racial questions and denominational interests.
SCOTT, REV. Jons, late of Demopolis, led to the erection of the edifice in which the First Colored Baptist Church of Demopolis now worships. After the Rev. James Caldwell, Rev. Seott was the chief leader of the people in his section. IIe died five or six years ago at about 50 years of age, and his pastorate is now filled by the Rev. Mr. Wallace.
Scor, REv. ANDERsox, is at this writing pastor of the Tabernacle Church, in Birmingham, but began his ministry at Selma, where he appears among the organizers of the work. He has undergone a good many changes, but because of the presence of a very large amount of vitality and will force be is still pushing on among his brethren. His life may give this useful lesson, namely, "keep the face to the lion, never give the back to the foe"-forgetting the things that lie behind us, vigorously reach for the good that lies before us. Brother Scott is one of the pioneers and his name lies in the founda- tions.
Scorr. Rev. HEsuy, of Blocton, is of Maryland parent- age. Ile is a man of piety, of integrity and industry. He has
labored as a missionary of the Shelby Springs Association, and has rendered valuable services in support of Selma Univer- sity. He is an uncompromising foe of low morals. Recently his health has been poor, and hence his work has been hin- dered.
When Selma University existed only in purpose he very substantially aided the purpose toward materialization. He and Rev. D. L. Prentice collected over a hundred dollars from one church and sent it up to the writer in Talladega in 1876.
SHIRLEY, REV. W. A., was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 12, 1857. He began the work of mastering letters in his native city at the age of seven years, by attending the public schools provided for by the State. Later he attended three sessions (of mine months) of the city school in Columbus, Miss. For seven years he worked in a whiskey saloon, where. he says, that while at work behind the bar, he was converted to the faith of the Christian religion. Joined the church in 1878 in Mississippi, under the pastorate of Rev. T. L. Jordan. Studied theology in the Presbyterian school at Tuscaloosa. Was ordained in the African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa under the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Mason. Ilis pastorates have been at Hull's and Birmingham, Ala.
For ten years he served the Antioch, Bethlehem Associa- tion, as clerk. He has built three church edifices.
Mr. Shirley is possessed of that easy, joyous, friendly turn in manners and address, which make him agreeable to all classes of reasonable people. He is studious and observing, which fact, coupled with his native talent, offers him an ever broadening field of operation as the years shall come and go " Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation."
SIMMONS, REV. J. S., at present pastor of the Gadsden Church, son of James and Annie Simmons, was born in Ala- 14-
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bama August 16, 1859. He was baptized by the Rev. Henry Stevens into the Greensboro Church May 27, 1878 .- Mr. Sim- mons is a man of talent,'and is a graduate of the Lincoln University, onee located af Marion. He was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry hy the Sixteenth Street Church, Birmingham, in April, 1889, Revs. W. R. Pettiford, D. D., A. C. Jackson, and R. Donald, officiating as presbytery. Since his ordination he has served the Galilee Church at Anniston, and now serves the church at Gadsden, where his labors have been especially successful. Everywhere he has borne the reputation of an honorable and pious man. He has been for- tunate in finding and winning a helpmeet for him in his spiritual and intellectual labors in the person of a very excel- lent lady.
Siursos, Rev. I. T., of Selma, Ala., was born in this State August 1, 1858. He was baptized into the Belleville Church December, 1876, and in 1883, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. D. Shepherd and C. Travis. Ile attended the State University at Montgomery and is now soon to close a course in Selma University. Brother Simpson is a man of fine seuse, is a good speaker, and with heed on his own part, sympathy on the part of his people, and bless- ing from above, his opportunities for inereasing usefulness and honor are very encouraging. Already he has attained a reputation as a pastor and builder as well as orator.
P. S. Since the above was written, Brother Simpson has completed his course at the University, and is now pastor at Opelika, where he is already the peerless preacher and suc- cessful leader.
The writer has the good fortune to know something about the good order of his home, and of the hospitality of his refined and agreeble wife. He is peculiarly himself and
Rev. J. E. A. Wilson, Pastor Rising Star Baptist Church, Pratt City, Ala.
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not another-clear headed, comprehensive, reasonable, self- reliant, genial, in his home as well as in the public harness. Doubtless the historian who comes after, will tell of the fruits which shall hang upon the ripened years of this strong man. May God help him to remember that Sampson's strength was the source of his ruin. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
SMITH, REV. G. S., is pastor of the Red Mountain Church Bessemer.
STEINBACK, REV. L. S., ex-pastor African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, was born in Marengo county, Ala., March 12, 1852. He was set free at 12 years of age.
He says : " One year, all the wages I received above my scanty meals and rough clothes, was one dozen apples. Often I was glad to obtain a good meal of parched corn. At 19 1 worked in Uniontown for 50 cents a day."
It was at this time that he learned his alphabet, studying at night school. He says that as he went to his meals and to his work, his spelling book was ever with him. He at- tended school after he had married-using such time as he could spare after crops were " laid by."
He was ordained to the ministry in October, 1883, Revs. John Scott, F. Gilbert and A. Wright officiating as presbytery. By industry and perseverance, he has been able to teach in the free public schools of the State, has been missionary in his association, and is now pastor of one of our largest churches. He lives, he says, on his own plantation, for which he has paid three thousand dollars.
This is an example which is well calculated to encourage poor, struggling young men to overcome difficulties and rise anyhow-rise in spite of difficulties. Brother Steinback has served the pastorate of the Tuscaloosa Church and also edits a newspaper, The Christian Hope.
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STEVENS, REV. HENRY, of Uniontown, son of Harry and Agnes Stevens, was born near Port Royal, Va., May 5, 1820. At the age of 21 he was baptized into Flat Run Church, Orange county, Va., by the Rev. B. Hodge. He came to Ala- bama in 1843, at which time he began to speak concerning the grace of God in the redemption of sinners. In 1845 he began for the first time to read the sacred Scriptures, and in the same year he married Miss Clarissa Clay, by whom ten children were born to him.
Mr. Stevens was one of nature's noblemen. He was an honest, outspoken man, an orderly citizen, and a very forcible preacher of the plain old gospel.
In 1868 he was fully set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by his white brethren, Revs. T. M. Bailey and Drs. McIntosh and Curry.
llis every word was believed by all who knew him, and his perfect honesty no man doubted. For nine consecutive years he was moderator of the Uniontown Association. He was one of the founders of the State Convention, and also of the Selma University. In 1800 he exchanged the cross for the crown, dying as he had lived, loved and respected by all. ITe left his family in possession of good property, worth about 85,000, and, above all, a name that has no blemish. Often our school sought refuge from want in the purse of Elder Stevens. Ile was two years older than his brother Washington, who died before him in Montgomery.
STOKES, REV. A. J., pastor of Columbus Street Church, Montgomery, was born in Orangeburg county, S. C., July 25, 1858. Ile was led to exercise faith in Christ at the age of twelve and a half years. He entered the work of the minis. try in the Methodist church, but soon became convinced of the correctness of Baptist views, and, joining the Baptist people he was baptized by Rev. Edward Green, of Branchwell, S. C.
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May, 1871. After studying two terms in Crafting University and two terms in the State University, he entered Benedict College, from which he graduated in 1884. In 1874 he was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. E. Green, Jacob Govan, Henry Harvey, and Harry Reeves. Brother Stokes has been missionary, editor and school com- missioner, and is one of the most successful preachers and pastors in all the land. During the two months in which he has been preaching in Montgomery he has added, by baptism, about 500 members. The writer tried to learn something of his methods, by visiting his meetings and young people's classes, and the following points seem worthy of mention ; his preaching is characterized :
1. By the idea of salvation by grace through simple faith.
2. By narrative and portraiture and illustration. There is no cold obtruse reasoning nor loud emptiness in his speeches.
3. By pointedness and sympathy. Each man seems to feel that the pastor is talking to him and that the heart that speaks has a care and tenderness for all.
Then he is sociable, approachable to all, from the lowest to the highest, old folks and children, rich and poor, great and small, wise and otherwise-all seem to find in him a ready echo. In view of his power and of his youth, prayer spontaneously rises to God that he may be kept in watching, in humility, in faith and in faithful service.
It is worthy of remark that during his short time with Columbus Street Church, he has bought a neat and valuable parsonage for the church from means raised above the neces- sary expenses.
TAYLOR, REV. WILLIAM, Choccolocco, was born in April, 1836, in the State of Georgia. He was the property (?) of at
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Rev. W. A. Shirley, Pastor Sardis Baptist Church, Enon Ridge.
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Mr. B. Jenks, whose daughter married a Mr. Taylor. He says, "When in my ninth year my mother bade me farewell with this charge : Don't kill, don't steal, don't keep bad company, don't be impolite to old people, don't be disobedient to those who own you, and you will never be abused.' I have never seen her face since, but her words have ever been with me to confirm me iu the right way." Brother Taylor has now been in the ministry abont twenty-four years, having entered upon his public career 1868. He is one of the leading men of the Snow Creek Association, and has attained to a fair knowledge of letters, though he has had no educational advantages. Brother Taylor has been careful of the welfare of his family and interested in the affairs of the house of God. He lives on his own farm near Choccolocco, respected by his neighbors, both white and colored.
THORNTON, REV. ELBERT, of Union Springs, son of E. Thornton and Matilda Thornton, was born in the State of Geor- gia, December 8, 1838. In 1853 he was moved into Barbour county, Alabama, where he remained till he was emancipated in 1865. In June, 1861, he was baptized into the white Bap- tist Church at Midway, Ala., by the Rev. Mr. Brooks. In 1868 he was united with the church at Union Springs, and was one among the colored brethren who drew out from the white church to organize a colored Baptist Church in Union Springs-the first colored church in Bullock county. He was chosen one of the first deacons. It was not long ere his breth- ren urged him to enter the work of the ministry, which, under a deep sense of duty and after some hesitaney, he did. On the 5th day of June, 1874, at the call of his church, he was solemnly set apart to the sacred office of the gospel ministry by Revs. C. H. Thornton, B. Clark and others. When he took charge of the church it was in debt, but this debt was soon
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removed and the membership was increased, during six years pastorate, from 48 to 188, and the pastor's salary was raised from $30 a year to 825 per month. From 1874 to 1881 he was moderator of Pine Grove Association, and since his return from his gospel labors in Arkansas he has been re- elected. Brother Thornton is no less commanding in his per- sonal appearance than he is in his strong, clear intellect. He is a strong leader.
THORNTON, REV. C. H., of Aberfoil, Bullock county, was born in North Carolina, in 1842. He was baptized in 1862 by a Rev. Mr. Brooks, of Midway. In 1869 he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. R. Wright and J. C. Jett. He organized and built up the Aberfoil Church. For several years he was moderator of the l'ine Grove Association. Mr. Thornton is a strong, industrious, economical, persever- ing man. He has obtained property worth about 83,000. The people whom he serves at Aberfoil are honorable and aspiring, and hence each-pastor and people-finds in the other the elements of success.
It was within his comfortable home that the writer, weary from overwork and exposure in constant travel, found in February, 1890, a quiet retreat in which to finish "Plain Theology for Plain People."
TROUPE, REV. AARON, of Town Creek, Lawrence county, was born February 14, 1851, in Morgan county, Ala. Imme- diately after the close of the war his parents moved to Court- land, Ala., where Aaron was brought up. He was baptized in 1869 by Rev. John Bell, the pastor of Red Bank Church. Feeling that it was his duty to preach the gospel, and not willing to enter upon such a responsible mission without pre- vious preparation, he, for about four sessions, attended the
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Selma University, known at that time as the Normal and Theological School. On his return home he taught in the publie schools. On May 16, 1886, he was ordained to the work of the ministry by Revs. G. Garth, M. J. Hooks, A. J. Owens and M. James. . Brother Troupe has served in the church at Huntsville, and is now the successful pastor of Macedonia, near Town Creek. In 1882 he labored as district missionary under the Publication Society. He promises well. He and his brother, Deacon Troupe, are in the bone and sinew of the north Alabama work, and in them every good thing finds a ready echo and a tangible response.
TYLER, REV. MANSFIELD, of Lowndesboro, was born about twelve miles from Augusta, Ga., in the month of November, 1826. When very young he was moved into the city of Augusta and lived in the family of his great aunt, the wife of Rev. Jacob Walker. He was early brought under the influences of the Springfield Baptist Church of that city-a church of colored people, which as early as 1845 was reported as num- bering 1,100 members, and it was added: " This large com- munity, with the pastor and a large corps of exhorters, are all of the colored race." Rev. M. Tyler remained in this Christian family and attended the services of the above named church till he was 18 years of age. He says: "I was with them when the stars fell."
At this time, as he was a slave, he was removed by his master to the State of Alabama, where he has remained until this writing. In April, 1855, he made a public profession of faith in Christ and united with the people of God by baptism. Shortly after this he felt impressed with a call to enter the work of the gospel ministry. This call he tried to obey as far as his condition and fitness would allow. " The work," bc says, " was exceeding difficult, as we were not allowed to know
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books and might receive only oral instruction on religious sub- jects." When a very young man he married bis first wife, with whom he lived for twenty-six years-till her death.
At the close of the war he located at Lowndesboro, where he went immediately to work to organize a colored Baptist church. Snecessattended his ministry and many were brought to faith in Christ. In 1867 he succeeded in organizing the colored Baptist church in Lowndesboro. On June 27, 1868, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, since which time he has baptized 1,000 persons into the Lowndesboro church and 500 at White Hall.
When the Alabama District Association was organized in 1871, he was elected moderator, and is moderator at this time. He was a leader in the organization of the Baptist State Con- vention, over which he presided from 1876 to 1886. . He is one of the originators, stockholders, and trustees of the Selma University, and is now, and from the beginning of the Uni- versity, has been the chairman of the board of trustees. Ile is a man dearly beloved.
In recognition of his Christian manliness, his faithful labors, and his knowledge of the word of God, the above named university in 1890 conferred upon him the honorary title of D. D.
He is studions, industrious, devout, urbane; and though he is now about 68 years of age, he is still so full of sunshine as to be acceptable to youth as he is to old age. His present wife heartily joins him in every good word and work.
He has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. and is greatly to be praised for the care he has bestowed upon the culture of his sons. Ile has been among the chief finan- cial supports of all the worthy measures of the denomination. IIe is very sociable, and possesses rare powers as a preacher. No man in Alabama has so much power over the Alabama
Baptists as Dr. Tyler; his works as well as words make him the beloved.
WALKER, REV. WILLIAM, of Avondale, was born Novem- ber 30, 1848, near Jacksonville, Ala. In August of 1866 he was baptized into Bethel Baptist Church, Alexandria, by Rev. George W. Brewton. Mr. Walker's ordination took place in August, 1876, Revs. G. W. Brewton, S. L. MeLean and James Miller officiating as presbytery. It was late in life cre he came upon opportunities for book learning, but finally some good white friends, seeing his desire to learn, assisted him in mak- ing a beginning upon which he has made a fair improvement. His preaching is characterized by self-abnegation, application to the subjeet, and earnestness of style. Indeed in several re- gards he is really a strong preacher. He is no less foreible in the pulpit than he is agreeable in the parlor. He has served the pastorates at Gadsden and Anniston, and now presides over the church at Ashville. The following will give some evidence of his standing among all elasses : While the Wills Creek Asso- eiation was in session a few weeks ago in Ashville the white Baptists allowed him the use of the house of worship for the session, and the Rev. Mr. Montgomery (white), of this town. informs me that the white people aid in his support, some of them constantly attending upon his services.
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