USA > Louisiana > History of Louisiana Negro Baptists : from 1804 to 1914 > Part 10
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BISHOP H. B. N. BROWN, D. D., PASTOR, EDITOR AND MISSIONARY.
With little exception the missionary work of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention has been under the supervision of Dr. Brown since the early eighties or shortly after the state was di- vided into Districts. Missionaries preceding him served short periods, but Brother Brown has held on for more than twenty years, and ac- complished much along missionary lines. He de- veloped the work until three or four other mis- sionaries known as State District Missionaries had been appointed by the Convention. Then the Convention made Dr. Brown State Superin- tendent of Missions, which office he now fills to the delight and satisfaction of his brethren.
Being born in the state and having become con- nected with Louisiana Baptists in early life, he studied his people and conditions closely. This pre-eminently fitted him for his great task. In
connection with this well-done missionary work Elder Brown has done much church work, and too he has ably edited The Louisiana Baptist, one of our leading denominational papers.
Bishop Brown has been closely identified with our state work for more than a quarter of a cen- tury, and has been a prime mover in the organi- zation of many churches throughout the state and other state organizations.
As a preacher Dr. Brown is convincing in ar- gument, sound in doctrine and a bold advocate of Baptist principles.
Guadalupe College, in recognition of the abili- ty and worth of Brother Brown, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
BISHOP A. S. JACKSON, D. D., A NOTED PREACHER AND SCHOLAR.
Reaching New Orleans in 1887, I entered a university the head of whose Southern Board of Trustees was one of the most cultured men of our race. I refer to Dr. Alexander S. Jackson. The university referred to is Leland. Brother Jackson held the chairmanship of this Board for many years, until he was called from the pasto- rate of the Tulane Avenue Baptist Church to the New Hope Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.
Before going to this new field he made a rec- ord in Louisiana. Coming to the state in the late seventies or early eighties intellectually prepared he easily took front rank among Louisiana Bap- tist leaders. After his call to the above men- tioned New Orleans Church, came his election to the Recording Secretaryship of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, during the presidency of Dr. John Marks.
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In course of time the brethren lifted Brother Jackson to the highest position in the state by electing him President of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, which office he filled with be- coming dignity and to the delight of the brother- hood.
Although in Texas at this writing, Dr. Jackson yet enjoys the confidence and esteem of his Louisiana brethren. He is one of the few Negro preachers who have toured the Holy Land. Since returning he has delivered interesting and able lectures on the Land of our Savior's nativi- ty. As a speaker, Elder Jackson is eloquent, persuasive and convincing. His greatest contri- bution to his denomination and race is an inter- esting family. His first wife was an ex -. cellent Christian woman. His second com- panion, Mrs. O. M. Jackson, is an ex-teacher of Leland University, and one of the best Chris- tian instructors that ever lived. She has held the hand of her husband high while doing the great work he has and is doing in Texas.
BISHOP JOHN MARKS, D. D., A PREACHER OF PER- SEVERANCE AND ENDURANCE.
Dr. Marks came from Louisiana to Virginia when he was quite young, and located in New Orleans. He was converted through the power- ful preaching of Elder George W. Walker and baptized by this veteran preacher into the mem- bership of Austerlitz Street Baptist Church. After giving evidence of his call to preach his church ordained him.
Having passed through the molds of prepara- tion at Leland, he entered vigorously upon his ministerial career. He has built up the Sixth
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LELAND HALL, LELAND UNIVERSITY.
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Baptist Church from a Mission Station into one of the leading churches of the state, and has pas- tored it continuously since its organization, through a period of more than thirty years. This is perhaps the longest New Orleans pastorate among Negro Baptists. During this time he has erected and remodeled not less than two houses of worship.
Early in his ministry he so favorably im- pressed his brethren that they elected him to the high office of President of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, which position he held success- fully for more than seven years. Brother Marks has succeeded Dr. A. S. Jackson to the chairman- ship of the Southern Trustee Board of Leland University, and has held this position for 13 or 14 years with credit to himself and Louisiana Negro Baptists. He is President of this Board at this writing and holds other offices of trust in New Orleans. Elder Marks has been and is one of the strongest pulpiteers in the state, being a deep thinker, sound reasoner and a bold advocate of his scriptural beliefs.
Recognizing the work and worth of Bishop Marks, Leland University has conferred upon him the D. D. degree-Doctor of Divinity.
BISHOP JOHN JONES, AN ANTE-BELLUM PREACHER OF MARKED ABILITY.
Back in the early fifties there came into the state a free-born Negro Baptist preacher from Ohio. His name was John Jones, generally known by the people of Shreveport as "John the Baptist."
In 1856 on account of his intellectual, moral and scriptural qualifications he was adjudged
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worthy, and ordained to the work of the minis- try by the following white presbytery : Elders W. H. Stokes, George Tucker, Jesse Lee and A. J. Rutherford. After a few years of successful labor, preaching to the slaves and wherever op- portunity permitted, he was called to the pasto- rate of the First Colored Baptist Church, Shreveport, La., in 1866, immediately after its organization by Bishops Tucker and Wm. H. Baliss (white). Antioch is the present name of this church. This pioneer preacher accomplished much here, both teaching and preaching to the people. He was the first or among the first colored teachers of Shreveport. He labored hard but successfully in establishing the first schools in North Louisiana for the Negro.
Dr. Wm. Paxton, historian of Louisiana white Baptists, says that Elder Jones possessed won- derful gifts, and that he exercised great influ- ence over his race. He did more to preserve order among the Negroes of Shreveport than did the police force. Being a free man he fell under the operation of a law, during the war, putting all free persons of color, not natives of the state under heavy penalties. He went North for a while but it was found that the influence of his example was so essential in preserving order among the colored people that the Legislature, then in session at Shreveport, passed a SPECIAL act recalling him to Louisiana, when he gladly returned to his home and people. This peace- maker proved himself a Henry Clay and a Booker T. Washington in allaying the bitterness and strife and harmonizing the races. After a five- years' useful pastorate at Antioch, and after serving well Shreveport in general,
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"A voice at midnight came, He started up to hear; A mortal arrow pierced his frame, He fell but felt no fear,"
on February 23, 1877.
BISHOP JAMES MONROE CARTER- PREACHER AND EDITOR.
Mr. William and Mrs. Jane Carter were the parents of the subject of this sketch. Brother Carter was born July 4th, 1858. Louisiana is his native state. Though born a slave, he was blessed with enough innate vim and push to start to the front, and when the opportunity came, he attended the following schools : Wiley University, Marshall, Texas, Straight and Leland Univer- sities, New Orleans, La. He made a good record at these institutions, being at one time a student teacher at Leland.
He was converted and baptised into the mem- bership of the St. John Baptist Church, Mans- field, La., in 1878. Bishop Henry Jackson baptised him. In 1888, Bishop Carter was or- dained to the work of the Ministry, and called to pastor St. Peter Baptist Church, Pelican, La. The following year he was elected Corresponding Secretary of the Louisiana Baptist State Conven- tion, and served successfully for 20 years.
The following churches have been successfully pastored by him: Cross Road, 5 years; Mary Magdalene, 1 years; Stonewall, 3 years; May- flower, 7 years; Friendship, 1 year; Morning- glory, 26 years; and Goodhope, Keachie, La., 24 years. At present (1914) Elder Carter pastors
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the last two mentioned churches and the Oakland Baptist Church, Shreveport, La. He has been honored by the 13th District Association by a four-time election to the Moderatorship. During this time he recommended the establishment of the 13th District Academy in one of his annual messages. He holds the following positions of trust at present: Member State Executive Board; Vice-President Louisiana Baptist State Convention ; Member Executive Board 13th Dis- trict Association; and Editor News-Enterprise, one of the leading Negro newspapers of the State.
Bishop Carter married Miss Jessie Gaskin in 1875. This union has been blessed with nine children, four of whom have graduated from the Normal Course and others are pursuing their course in school. While Bishop Carter has been busy "fighting the Wolf at the door" of his home, he has been blessed with a queenly woman on the inside who has made success possible for him. He removed recently from Mansfield, and is now enjoying life in his new home in Shreveport, La. A picture of his beautiful residence appears else- where in this volume.
BISHOP JOHN HARRIS HENDERSON, B. D., TEACHER AND CHURCH BUILDER.
Elder Henderson is the eighth child of Bishop Wyatt and Mrs. Alice Henderson. He was born about 1872, on a Christmas Day on the Old In- dependent Plantation near Bayou Sara, La.
From infancy he has been blessed with much physical strength. When quite young he was able to split 400 rails per day. The devoutness
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BISHOP J. H. HENDERSON, .. Hot Springs, Ark.
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of his parents, was instrumental in the conver- sion of him and the other eight children. One of the brothers (Bishop Thomas Fields Hender- son) is at present pastor of their home church.
When quite a boy the subject of our sketch gave evidence of a bright intellect and a dogged determination to educate. His father being un- able to send him to school, he set out from home with $32 in his pocket with which to educate himself. He found a helpful and life-long friend in the person of the late Principal, Dr. E. N. Smith at Howe Institute, New Iberia, La. By hard work and "keeping at it," he graduated from Howe in 1893. This was not enough he pushed his way onward to Leland University, and there began the struggle of finishing another course of study, some time subsisting on 15 cents per day, but he "stuck to his bush" and graduated May, 1897.
After his conversion in 1886, he was baptised into the membership of the church by his own brother. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, New Iberia licensed him to preach in 1892. Conscious of his need of Ministerial preparation, he made his way to the Virginia Union University, Rich- mond, Va., and after enduring hardness like a good soldier he graduated B. D., under the late Dr. M. Mc Vicar, in 1902. Brother Henderson was ordained in 1901, and united in marriage De- cember, 1902, to Miss Rainy Butler-one of Louisiana's best women. Their union has been blessed with four children-Leona Bee, Joseph Lee, H. A., and J. H. Henderson, Jr. After re- signing the Deanship of the Theological Depart- ment, Coleman College, Gibsland, La., Bishop Henderson removed to Shreveport where he ac-
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cepted a call to Trinity Baptist Church, 1903. Taking this congregation out of the Lone Star Hall, he placed them in a splendid church edi- fice valued at $8,000. After leaving here he or- ganized the Henderson Chapel which he built up to a valuation of $2,700, with a good membership.
This minister also did some splendid school work, succeeding the writer as Principal of 13th District Academy, Shreveport, La. He made the school self-supporting the first year, and succeed- ed in effecting a purchase of 121 acres of valu- able land at a cost of $2,500. In 1910, a "Mace- donian cry" came from Minden, La., to which he responded, and assumed the pastorate of the First Baptist Church. Here he erected one of the most modern structures in the state at a cost of $5,000.
He has occupied with credit the following po- sitions: Vice-President Louisiana Baptist State Convention; Vice President Louisiana Baptist State Sunday School Convention.
At this writing he pastors the Roanoke Bap- tist Church, Hot Springs, Ark. Bishop Hender- son has been here only a short while, but has made a splendid record.
ELDER I. A. CARTER, A PIONEER PREACH- ER OF WONDERFUL POWER.
About 1847 in Culpepper County, Virginia, Bishop Isaac Albert Carter was born. He came into this state in 1858 and settled in Mansfield, Louisiana, Desoto Parish. In 1859 he was con- verted and baptised into the membership of the White Baptist Church, Mansfield, La. Pastor McCivie (white) baptised him, in 1862.
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Elder Carter came to Shreveport in 1866, and began holding prayer meetings on Sunday even- ings with Sister Hannah Battle, Sister Priscilla Coursey, Brother Billy Lewis and others. From these meetings . Antioch Church was organized, other colored members from the White Baptist Church joining them in the organization. Dea- con John Howell of the White Baptist Church urged this organization and advised the Negro members of the White Church to unite with Brother Carter's prayer meeting crowd and set up the First Colored Baptist Church of Shreve- port, now known as the Antioch Baptist Church.
Bishop Carter was ordained to the deaconate of Antioch about 1870. After serving 8 years, he resigned to take charge of the St. John Bap- tist Church, Mansfield, La., being ordained to the work of the ministry, May 24, 1879 by Elders : Josiah Jones, Isaiah Jones, ( col) and J. A. Hack- ett (white). Brother Carter was called to the Pastorate of the Evergreen Baptist Church, Shreveport in 1882. It was then a small mem- bership of about 40, worshipping in a little rented fish shop on Texas Avenue and Jordan Street. His successful labors have brought this member- ship to about 400. He has led them out of the little fish house successfully through 30 or more years into one of the best frame structures in the state. He has pastored St. John at Mans- field more than 30 years. During this time he has erected two houses of worship, the second being the beautiful frame building in which they now meet for service. Elder Carter secured the services of the writer to preach the dedication sermon when they entered their new building in 1896. He has baptised, perhaps, more than 600
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happy souls into the membership of these two churches. The 13th District accomplished its great work educationally and otherwise during his 21 years of dauntless and successful leader- ship. He labored for 21 years, "the greatest Ro- man of them all."
SOME OF OUR WORKERS WHOSE FULL BI- OGRAPHIES WE DID NOT SUCCEED IN GETTING.
Bishop J. S. Love, tireless worker of 10th Dis- trict Association, was born in Richland Parish. After his conversion, he was baptised into the membership of Holly Grove Church, by Elder H. A. Scates. October 19th, 1899, he was or- dained to the work of the Minstry. He now (1913) pastors three of the best churches of the 10th District. Bishop Love owns a nice home at Rayville, La., where one of his churches is lo- cated and where he is doing a good work.
Bishop E. S. Stills is one of the strong young preachers of the 13th District. Although he has been ordained but a few years, yet his work speaks volumes attesting his worth and ability as a preacher. He now (1914) pastors the Gali- lee Baptist Church, Shreveport, which in point of membership is the largest or easily among the largest churches in the 13th District Associa- tion. Bishop Stills pastors two other churches, and is doing much for the Cause of Christ. He is always anxious to study him who said "Learn of Me," having studied hard and successfully at the 13th District Academy and Bishop College, Marshall, Texas.
MRS. L. D. PRUITT. President Woman's State Convention.
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Bishop C. S. Shelton, one of the most honored Secretaries of the state, is doing good work in the 13th District. He has been secretary of the 13th District Association since its organization or there-about. He has pastored Trinity Bap- tist Church, and other of the District's best churches. As Secretary, he has been identified with all the work of the District, and stands well with his brethren.
Elder Robert Taylor was, perhaps, the 13th District's first Missionary. Brother Taylor is among the oldest and most respected pioneer preachers of the state. For many years he served the Galilee Baptist Church, Shreveport. He now (1914) pastors successfully the Baptist Temple, Shreveport. Brother Taylor is orthor- dox, bold and uncompromising in preaching a WHOLE GOSPEL.
Elder S. M. Bendau is another of Louisiana's Clergy who has made good, and done much for the Master. As many as four of the 13th Dis- trict's country churches clamor for the services of Brother Bendau constantly. Bishop Bendau though comparatively young in the ministry has done a deal of work and gives promise of still larger usefulness.
Bishop B. Moore, who came into our state a few years ago from Texarkana, Tex., is pastor- ing the old historic Antioch Baptist Church at Shreveport. In point of location, architecture and beauty this brick house of worship leads in the state among Negro Baptists. It was planned and erected by Bishop J. B. Green whom Brother Moore succeeds. Elder Moore has accomplished much during the short time he has been here, having paid many dollars on the church debt
and won many souls for the Kingdom, and gives promise of much more usefulness.
Bishop J. W. Wells is found among the young clergymen of North Louisiana, energetic, aggres- sive, and pushful. . He has pastored and now pastors some of the best churches of the state. Brother Wells has been elected to many positions of trust by his brethren with whom he stands well, and among whom he gives promise of work- ing out a great future.
Elder J. W. Whaley was among the first or- ganizers of the Baptist forces in North Louisi- ana. After the New Orleans brethren had got- ten their work well on foot, and the State Con- Vention had been organized and the state dis- tricted, Brother Whaley with his organizers got busy in North Louisiana, and within a few years associations were born and churches dotted the northern part of the state. Many leading churches of the state called him to their pasto- rate, and his brethren honored him with many important positions of trust. When he left for Heaven he was and had been for many years President Trustee Board of Coleman College, Gibsland, La.
Elder Wm. Head like Bishop Whaley led in the earliest church and associational organiza- tions in the northern part of the state. He was among the first to teach school in the northern parishes of the state, and to ask for schools for his recently emancipated people. Brother Head began serving his brethren as secretary of asso- ciations when it was dark-there being scarcely a ray of intellectual light. Very often he would be the only man that could read in the meeting.
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This was the condition of the Baptist cause just after we emerged from slavery. The brethren have thrust positions of trust upon Bishop Head, and many leading churches have honored him with their pastorate. All honor to the pioneers.
Bishop Luke Allen, Jr., although among the youngest of Shreveport pastors, has wrought well and built up a large membership at the Avenue Baptist Church. He has also been called to the Greenwood Baptist Church, Greenwood, La. Here as at Shreveport he has accomplished much in helping "the man fartherest down." Bishop Allen is a strong young preacher with a stentorian voice. His pleasing manner, energy and pushfulness bespeak for him a brilliant fu- ture. He is the son of one of Louisiana's great- est preachers-Elder Luke Allen, Sr.
Elder L. W. Canfield must be numbered among the men who have done much for the cause in Louisiana. The Republican Baptist Church, near the line of Louisiana and Texas, owes its life to God and the unselfish labors of this great man. He preached a faithful Gospel to them" "in season and out of season," making 20 mile trips in his buggy out of Shreveport twice per month; sometimes almost swimming the swollen creeks. The Furrh community will never for- get Bishop Levi W. Canfield. Henderson Chap- ple Baptist Church, Shreveport, recently called him to its pastorate.
Bishop J. T. B. Labeau holds forth at Baldwin, La., where he has done a great work. For years Brother Labeau has been among the Baptist leaders in this section of the state. He has held the high office of Vice-President of the Louisi- ana Baptist State Convention, and other positions
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of trust within the gift of his brethren. In ad- dition to these positions some of our first church- es have called him to pastor them.
Elder Taylor Frierson-No truer Herald of a whole Gospel has ever taken a text than Dr. Tay- lor Frierson. He is orthodox to the core, and believes in and preaches a "what saith the Lord" Gospel. He was among the first students who entered Leland University in 1870. After pas- toring some years in Mississippi, he was called to succeed the late Bishop Jiles North at Lake Charles, La., where he now labors-doing much good. Leland University has long since ac- knowledged his worth and ability as a preacher by conferring upon him the D. D. degree. He is a pioneer upon whom too much honor cannot be conferred.
Elder A. T. Sumpter is among the Louisiana preachers who are "doing things." Like the Apostle Paul he works at times with his hands as well as preaches the Word. He has done much in building up the cause of Christ along the, Red River where he has labored for years. He has bought land and built up a nice home in Shreve- port. Brother Sumpter is one of the oldest and most respected Ministers of the 13th District, and enjoys the confidence of his brethren. He has also been a member of the Executive Board of the Association and the Managing Board of the 13th District Academy.
Bishop Jordan Taylor, although deprived of a great deal of early school advantages, is easily one of the foremost young ministers of Louisiana. His work like Bishop Sumpter's has been prin- cipally in the Red River bottoms. Some of his church work is in the hill country of Bossier
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PRESIDENT W. M. TAYLOR AND OTHER STATE CONVENTION LEADERS 1914.
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Parish. Brother Taylor is one of the most re- spected and honored leaders in this section of the state. He studied hard and successfully under the writer in the Ministers Department at the 13th District Academy, and is ever ready to learn more and more of the "Lowly Nazarene." In Christianity and economy he teaches his peo- ple both by precept and example, having accumu- lated some property, built up a home, and he has let his light so shine, and has preached the .Gos- pel with such power that many hundreds have been converted unto God.
Elder L. C. Capers is, perhaps, the oldest pio- neer in Bossier Parish church work. As far back as the writer can remember the Friend- ship Baptist Church, Bossier City, was in his charge. He was the first Moderator of the local association of the 13th District, prior to the or- ganization of the Thirteenth District Association proper. Brother Capers has presided over many of the churches of the 13th District, and baptised hundreds into church membership. The present day ministry owes Elder Capers and scores of other pioneers a debt of gratitude for their well done work in laying the foundation on which the work now stands, and operates.
Miss Mattie E. Walker, of New Orleans, La., has the honor of being one of the first two lady graduates of Leland University, and thus one of the race's first teachers. She is a daughter of the sainted Bishop George W. Walker, who was one of the leaders of Louisiana Baptists. Miss Walker a teacher of large experience, having studied at The Woman's Home Mission Training School, Chicago, Ill., in addition to her course at Le- land. She has taught successfully several years
شهيد
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