USA > Alabama > The cyclopedia of the colored Baptists of Alabama, their leaders and their work > Part 8
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Dwvis, Rev. Punir, late of Talladega, was born in 1813, in the State of Virginia, near the North Carolina line. He was baptized in 1841, and about the year 1848 he began to speak to his neighbors of the doetrines and hope of the gospel. Early in life he married, and became the father of a large family. After he was brought to Calhoun county, Ala., be
continued his labors in the ministry of the gospel, as he had opportunity, constantly inereasing in favor with both God and man; and this was true of him to the day of his death, which oeeurred December 30, 1881. I first met this pious man in December, 1875, in Talladega. He was not a learned man, but he knew the holy scriptures, and was wise in the things of salvation. The more he was known the better he was loved ; and his unassuming, gentle, chastened. self-forget- ting spirit, as exhibited at home and abroad, was simply charming. As I have looked upon this unmixed, full-blooded representative of the Negro race, arrayed in the beauty of the Christian spirit, I have felt proud of him as a witness for my people. He was not fully installed in the ministry until the close of the war. The late Dr. J. J. D. Renfroe was the lead- ing man in the presbytery who officially set him apart to the sacred office. llis last words were : " Like one of old, I have finished my course and am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is come." Ile left a pleasant home for his family.
DAVIS, REV. C. M., of Flint, Morgan county, was born in the State of Tennessee. Ile was led to faith in Christ and was baptized by the Rev. F. A. Chapman. He says that his early life was rather wild, but when his eyes were opened he turned with all his heart. In 1885, in May. he was set apart to the ministry by Revs. F. A. Chat man and C. C. Matthews. Mr. Davis is one among the most promising young men in the Flint River Association. He is a discerning, aspiring man. who believes in studying to know the truth, so that he may not have reason to feel ashamed of his teaching, nor spend his time and energies without producing effects. The writer had special opportunity to know him at the State school, where the former was teacher and the latter was student. He is clear-headed, kind and conscientious.
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DAwsos, Rev. Ivensox, of Eutaw, is a man rich in nat- ural endowments, both of body and mind. Upon no man in Alabama has nature been more profuse in the bestowment of choice gifts. Ile is tall, well, proportioned, kind hearted, ge- nial, sociable, magnetic, clear-headed and ever sanguine. He is, no doubt, the strongest man in the Bethlehem Association, of which body he has been clerk for many years ; and in every section of the State, and in every phase of business, he is recognized as a man of power and character. As a pub- lie speaker, he is both pleasing and instructive.
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The vote, which in 1887 retained our university at Selma, was largely owing to his influence and labors.
Mr. Dawson has a pleasant home and an interesting family in the town of Eutaw, where he now serves as pastor. His home is placed on the roll of asylums for tired missionaries. Ile is a brave, fearless opponent and a true and trusty friend. At this time, he is editing a paper in his town in the interest of the republican party. The writer sincerely wishes that every motion of his strong manhood might be laid wholly upon the church's altar, and that he could consent to leave the running of political papers to others.
DINKINS, CHARLES SPENCER, D. D., general Sunday School missionary of Alabama for the American Baptist Publication Society, was born September 15, 1856, near Canton, Miss. Mr. Dinkins never knew his father, and his mother, Mrs. Sarah Dinkins, died when he was only 13 years of age. One year prior to her death, he was led to faith in the salvation of God as presented in the gospel, under the preaching of Rev. Jor- dan Williams, by whom he was baptized into the fellowship of the Mount Zion Church, Canton, in the fall of 1868. For such a boy, at such a time, to make the favorable acquaintance of such a man as Mr. Williams, was a peculiar providence.
As in the cases of Saul and Ananias, and Philip and the eunuch, God brought the parties together.
Mr. Williams, perceiving the superior talents of the youth, privately inquired of him whether or not he desired to educate himself, and when the affirmative reply was obtained, he at once influenced his church to provide the means.
On Friday night, January 28, 1870, Mr. Dinkins took the cars for Nashville, Tenn., arriving at that point on Sunday morning. That day he met the good Dr. Phillips, who cor- dially accepted him at once, and remained his admiring friend - . to the close of his (Dr. Phillip's) long and useful life.
In referring to his early life, Mr. Dinkins says: " When I was 9 years old, my mother bought me a blue back speller and taught me the alphabet, which I learned in one night. My first teachers were Mrs. and Miss Highgate, of Philadel- phia, and Hon. J. J. Spellman, now of Jackson, Miss. Before leaving the old plantation, I saw something of the horrors of slavery, which I can never forget."
At the age of 16 he began teaching, which work he pur- sued during summer, returning to Nashville to continue his studies in the fall and winter. He graduated from the classical course of the Roger Williams University, Nashville, in the spring of 1877, as valedictorian of his class, among whom were Messrs. N. H. Ensley and II. M. G. Spenser. In 1878 he returned to take a post-graduate course and was appointed a member of the faculty. In the latter part of this same year he entered Newton Theological Seminary, near Boston, Mass., where, during the time of a full course, from which he gradu- ated in 1881, he was associated with some of the most promi- nent educators of the country. In this course he took theology, church history, Hebrew. Greek, homileties, etc. llow Mr. Dinkins was seen by this institution, the following story may be allowed to signify :
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Dr. 1. G. Mason, Physician and Surgeon, Birmingham, Ma.
Just before the death of Dr. Phillips, the writer met him in Nashville.
Dr. Phillips-How is Brother Dinkins?
The Writer-He is well and doing well.
Dr. P .- He is a very capable and worthy person. . Dr. Hovey, the president of Newton, said to me on one occasion when I asked after some students who had gone from us to him: "Mr. - is very sensitive, but Mr. Dinkins is very sensible."
Dr. Dinkins has held varions prominent positions, among which may be mentioned : Member of the faculty of the State University of Kentucky : pastor York Street Church, Louis- ville, Ky .; teacher of languages in Selma University ; pastor Second Baptist Church of Marion, Ala ; and principal of the Marion Baptist Academy ; and has been tendered the presi- dency of the University of Kentucky. and many times he has been earnestly solicited to return to the faculty of Selma University. His examination for ordination before the minis- ters of Louisville, Ky., in 1888, was an occasion of much com- ment by both white and colored pastors, in praise of his ability. The writer has had occasion to watch him very closely since his entrance upon work in Alabama, and he does not hesitate to write that Charles S. Dinkins, in point of scholarship, industry and high sense of honor, is not excelled by any man we have had among us. In 1890 the State Uni- versity of Louisville, Ky., then under the presidency of the late Dr. W. J. Simmons, conferred on him the title of D. D. On the day which elosed his twenty-fifth year, the 15th day of September, 1881, he was wedded to Miss Panline E. Fears, the friend and classmate of Miss M. A. Roach (now Mrs. M. A. Boothe), by his fatherly instructor and faithful friend, Dr. D. W. Phillips. The marriage took place in the Roger Williams University, Nashville. Tenn., a school of which they are both 10-
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graduates. Perhaps some future historian will write of Mr. Dinkins: " An eventful life, not the least eventful point in which is the finding and wedding of a woman so well suited to a man of such rare gifts." 1
Five children-two boys and three girls-grace their home as the fruit of the marriage.
Closing this sketch, the writer would remark that if Mr. Dinkins has a fault, it may be described thus: An exceeding tenderness of conscience, whereby one may be so entirely possessed by present views of law and duty as to forget that new light and other views may modify appearances.
P. S .- He is now the trusted president of Selma Univer- sity, and none of his predecessors have made, in the same length of time, a better mark than he has made. His person- ality moves in lofty purposes and is a source of pure thoughts and pious emotions which affect all his surroundings.
DOSIER. RIV. Jons, the founder and for twenty years pastor of the church in Uniontown, was a man of great moral worth. 1 once heard a politician who was associated with him in the legislature of Alabama, remark :
" John Dosier was an honorable man everywhere, and I never saw a man who did not believe every word he said."
lle, like Mr. A. Il. Curtis, passed through his political preferments with stainless reputation.
He was a very old man at the time of his death, which occurred only a few years ago. Ile was born somewhere near the beginning of the present century. By some means he, during the days of his bondage, learned to read Greek, which knowledge he turned to good results upon his study and in- terpretation of the Scriptures. Ile was one of Alabama's most worthy pioneers. He was a temperance man. Upon one occasion in a session of the Uniontown Association, some
one complained that he smelled a very disagreeable whiskey odor in the house.
Mr. Dosier remarked : " With the consent of the body I will find the man who has been drinking." It was agreed that he might make the search. Accordingly, he passed from man to man, requesting that he might smell his breath. He located the man, who, for lying about it, was excluded from the body.
The writer never met a man for whose veracity he had a higher regard.
DONALD, REV. R., of Birmingham, was born in Alabama June 10, 1854. He is the founder of the Tabernacle Church, Birmingham, and the builder of the First Church, Pratt Mines. He has worked hard and sacrificed much for the cause. His name will remain in many churches. Ile owes much to his noble, patient wife.
EDWARDS, REV. A. J., of Lowndes county, is a teacher as well as a preacher, and in different sections of the State he has labored with good results in the interest of morality, edu- cation and religion. Mr. Edwards is blessed with much body as well as with much soul. Good health and jovial spirits abound, and hence he is ever an enjoyable companion. Ile is still a young man, full of manly pride. commendable ambi- tion, and a love for the pure and charitable, in view of which we may hope that his day is only in its dawning, and that a brighter noon and evening are before him.
ELLIS, REV. HENRY, of Flint, Morgan county, son of Wil- liam and Martha Ellis, was born in May, 1856. Ile was bap- tized in 1871, and in 1875 he was ordained to the ministry by Revs. Charles Davis and M. J. Hooks. He is now pastor of St. Peter's Church, which is composed of some of Morgan county's best citizens. Ile deserves special praise for his at-
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tention to his Sunday School. Mr. Ellis also preaches to a church near Courtland. This brother is a warm friend to missionaries and delights to aid good eauses.
FISHER, REV. C. L., B. D., son of Alexander and Elizabeth Fisher, was born in St. Bernard parish, twenty miles below New Orleans, La., February 16, 1866.
On the first Sunday in February, 1875, he was baptized into the Broadway Street Baptist Church, New Orleans, La.
Ordained-He was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the Second Baptist Church in Evanston, Ill., September 20, 1887, where he was student-pastor.
Educated-He graduated from the college department of Leland University, New Orleans, La., May 28, 1884, with the degree of B. A., and graduated from the Baptist Union Theo- logical Seminary, Morgan Park, Ill., May 5, 1887, with the degree of B. D. On May 27, 1891, he received from Leland University the degree of Master of Arts.
Positions-In 1888 pastor of Mt. Zion Church, Little Rock, Ark. In 1889-92 he is teacher of languages and in- structor of ministers in Selma University, Selma, Ala. For the last two years of this time he is pastor of the Tabernacle Chmich of the city of Selma. In the office of State Sunday School Missionary, under the American Baptist Publication Society of Philadelphia, he has for several years rendered very profitable service for the Baptists of Alabama as well as Mis- sissippi. Ile has recently been recalled to the pastorate of the Tabernacle Church, Selma.
Than is Charles Lewis Fisher, Alabama Baptists have no more thorough scholar, profound logician and industrious pastor. Ilis physieal form is a little frail. Should this not hinder length of days, early future years must present him to the world as one of our greatest theologians and metaphysi-
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eians. He is not less modest than he is learned, not less benevolent and respectful than he is self-reliant and dignified.
FYRES, REV. A. J., of Pratt City, is the much beloved pastor of the Canaan Church, Bessemer.
A FLUKER, REV. SOLOMON, of Sylacauga, Talladega county, was born in March, 1833; was baptized in 1866 by a Rev. Mr. Smith (white), of Talladega. He soon began to preach, and ere long he bad become a leading minister in his section of the country. For nine years he was pastor of the church in his town. Ile is a very meek, unassuming man, careful for the welfare of his family, and hospitable towards his brethren. Of late he has been a great but patient sufferer, and hence has been compelled to cease from active labors in the ministry. We owe much of our success in this section of the State to the dustry and exemplary character of this faithful man. Hle has left the cross for the crown.
FOSTER, REV. L. P., of Selma, was baptized by Rev. Jerry Shorter in Eufanta in 1876. Mr. Foster, some time after his marriage and mature manhood, moved to Selma and gradu- ated from the normal course of Sehna University. Ile is a stirring, industrious, self-reliant man, who purposes to make his own way in the world without striding the back of any other man. He has ocenpied different pastorates and has served as missionary of the Eufaula Association. He has a comfortable home-free of debt-and lends a helping hand to missionary and educational enterprises.
Foster, Rev. JJvaks A., late of Montgomery, was born in the State of Kentucky, in which he grew to young manhood. He died in the city of Montgomery in December of 1891- died as he had lived, in love and honor with men and in peace with God. Twenty-five of Is fifty-four years had been spent
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in the gospel ministry, from the sacred offices of which he re- tired in great joy. He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. I. T. Tichenor, .D. D., Nathan Ashby and Jeob Bellser, in the city of Montgomery, in the year 1867. Ilis first pastoral charge was the church at Mt. Meigs, which he served till he resigned to accept the eall of the Columbus Street Church in 1871. He was the first recording secretary of the State Convention, and was the next man to Mr. Ashby to preside over the Convention as president. He was trustee of the State Normal and Swayne Schools, and moderator of the Spring Hill Association.
Mr. Foster was a man whom nature had variously and richly endowed. Had he possessed early educational advan- tages-advantages suited to his rich natural resources-he would have held a place among the sons of the giants. Ilis sermons were always earnest, and frequently his vast audi- ences were melted into weeping by a pathos that was as mys- Prions as it was mighty. He was loved, honored, followed, and obeyed. In the two churches in which he was pastor he, & is said, baptized 10,000 persons, married 600 couples, and Preached 4,000 sermons. His loving, courtly manners won ind maintained for him such a tender regard as few men ever possess. Nor was this confined to his own flock and race, but " was shared more or less by the whole people, white and ack. The following will show something of his liberality :
" MONTGOMERY, May -, 1891.
"Deur Bro. Boothe: On hearing that you need some money for your work, I look over my account with the Lord and find that I owe him five dollars. Enclosed you will find this amount. May God bless you."
The last letter I received from him, one month before his death, contained a donation to the mission work.
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His wife says of him: "Some time before his sickness, he talked of nothing but heaven. I conld plainly see that his mind had left the world. I tried to interest him in house and home affairs : but he would talk of nothing but of God's grace and of the home of the saints."
He was a model husband and father, and is sadly missed from his home, as well as from his church and community. A good man has gone from labor to reward-from cross to crown. He was thoughtful of the welfare of his loved ones, and hence carried an insurance on his life, the payment of which has rendered them some assistance since his death.
[le was one of the original incorporators of Selma Uni- versity, and was a life member of the Home Mission Society.
"Servant of God, well done; Rest from the sweet employ."
FORBES, REV. W. R., now of Columbus, Ga., is still asso- ciated with our Alabama work. He is now about 37 years of age, is possessed of a fine personal appearance. is affable. >tu- dions, sociable and industrions. He is a Virginian by birth and came to Alabama in 1889 to begin work at Clayton and Enfanla.
FRANKLIN, REV. SAMUEL, of Mt Meigs, was born June +. 1849. He was converted to the Christian faith January, 1>66, and ordained to the work of the ministry March, 1576. Brother Franklin is among the energetic enterprising men of his part of Montgomery county. Notwithstanding he carns his living at farming, he is busy in the interest of the affairs of the house of God. At present he is pastor at Pike Road Church.
FRANKLIN, REV. WIMMAM, of Mt. Meigs, was born Octo- ber 30, 1852. He was baptized by the late Rev. Washington Stevens, of Montgomery, July, 1971. He was ordained in
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Rev. J. P. O Riley. Trussville, Van Pastor Computer Baptist Church.
1881 by Revs. P. Lucas, W. Stevens and his brother, Rev. Samnel Franklin.
He is a thoughtful, enterprising man, and has the pas- toral charge of several country churches. Being self-reliant, persevering, as well as economieal with time and means, he has risen somewhat above the crushing heels of poverty and want. At the age of 25 years, he did not know the English alphabet, but by persistent application to study, he now reads and writes and keeps his own accounts.
Ilis face bears those hospitable marks which make one feel easy and at home in his company and restful amid his family.
On a trip to Mobile, our train stopped at the bridge of the Tensas river to allow a freight train to clear the track. Mr. Franklin's gaze upon the bridge led the writer to think he was frightened. As the freight train left the bridge, Mr. F. remarked : " If it will hold up that train, it will ours, too." I said : " Maybe that train has just put it into the condition to let us through." " Yes, and I'll pull my shoes off now in time to swim," said Mr. F.
FREEMAN, REV. JAMES H., of Moulton, Lawrence county. is one among the very worthy young men of our State. He has had comparatively no advantages for learning, and yet his sober and comprehensive views of life have spurred him on- ward in search of information, till now we have but few young men in Alabama who use better language, have clearer ideas of the Christian life, and make a more orderly speech than Mr. Freeman. Better still, his neighbors speak of him as a good man -- a man whose condnet is a living epistle of the faith which he professes.
FRENCH. - Of the many substantial people of Talladega county who deserve honorable mention, none are more worthy
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in all regards than the French family. Messrs. Emanuel, William, and Prince French would be an honor to any raee of people. no matter what the degree of their civilization and the purity of their moral culture. The two first named teach in the public schools; the latter is a preacher, and all of them are prosperous land owners, as well as faithful members of the Baptist church.
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GwDET, REV. ADAM, of Barbour county, Ala., was born in Randolph county. Ga., March 10, 1:37. At the age of 16 he was carried to the county and State in which he now lives. His childhood was wholly deprived of parental love and care, and he says he never knew anything of a relative. De- pressed by his loneliness, he early felt the need of the friend- ship of God, which he sought and soon obtained, to the great joy of his heart. With this sweet peace soon came an impres- sion that he was called upon to speak of this wondrous love to his fellow-slaves. In April, 1854, he was baptized into Enon Church. On June 7. 1869, he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. He is one of the pioneers in the work of the Eufaula Association, having preached the introductory sermon of the first session of that body. From the first till how he has been a member of their executive board, and is now a member of the board of trustees of Selma University. Notwithstanding Bro. Gachet has had no educational advan- tages, he reads intelligently and writes some. Ile has labored, and now labors, in some of the most important churches in bis section of Alabama. Ile is still active on all lines of progress. He has a large family, who seem to do him honor. Bro. Gachet is no more.
GOLDSEY, ALEXANDER, was born February 6, 1819, in Edgefield district, S. C. He came to Alabama in 1830. His father, who was a native African, was born on the ocean while
his mother was on her way to America. His mother was born in Maryland. In 1844 he was baptized into the white church at Selma, Ala., by the Rev. Mr. Collins. In 1845 he was or- dained to the office of deacon, in which position he served for thirty-eight years. He was a very honorable man, and was not less respected by the white people than he was loved and followed by his own. He was a successful blacksmith, usually hired his time, and hence he was to a very considerable degree his own master. In 1843 he married Miss Nieey Goodwin, and a large family of children is the fruit of the marriage. His massive head and deliberate manner, his strong will and dauntless spirit, his good sense and genuine piety, made him a leader of the people and a pillar in the house of God. A man more capable of friendship at great personal costs, I have never known. Especially from him, aided by Deacons Charles White, Nick Claiborne, Tall Underwood, and E. Ross, our cause in Dallas county has risen up. At or near the close of his seventy-third year, " Father Goldsby " bravely, triumph- antly and peacefully passed from the earth to that city which knows no night and needs not the shining of the sun. He was one of the chief leaders of the band which met on Friday night, near Selma, forty or fifty years ago, to pray for freedom. His name is honored in his children.
GREEN, REV. LAWSON J., son of Lawson and Martha Green, was born near Livingston. Sumter county, Ala., An- gust 4, 1850. Though he was so young, he says his heart still bears the impress of the horrors of slavery. Under his father's direction, he soon learned how to farm. Notwith- standing the colored people of this county were greatly hin- dered by the kuklux, Mr. Green utilized every educational fa- cility within his reach to attain to a knowledge of letters. After he had gone as far as he could in the schools in and
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around Livingston, in 1879 he entered the Selma University, then under the management of Rev. H. Woodsmall, of Indiana. From this institution, he graduated in 1884 under the presi- deney of Dr. E. M. Brawley. At different times and places he has followed the work of teaching. Ile taught in his own county, was principal of Tullabody Academy at Greensboro, was a member of the faculty of Selma University, and was also of the faculty of the Baptist Academy at Marion. His prin- cipal pastorates have been at Greensboro, Ala., and Selma, of the same State. As Brother Green is full of good health, pluck and mental energy, there is no reason why he should not have a long and useful life as a Christian leader. He has held varions honorable positions in the general work, and is now secretary of the Board of Trustees of Selma Univer- sity.
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