USA > Louisiana > History of Louisiana Negro Baptists : from 1804 to 1914 > Part 9
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BISHOP JAMES ROBERSON, A FORCE FOR GOOD IN HIS COMMUNITY.
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Elder Roberson was born in the year 1853 in Ascension Parish, La. Being born in ante-bel- lum times his opportunities for going to school
were few or none at all. But having plenty of pluck and push he started up any how.
He attended the public school of his parish nine months in 1866. To this small store of knowledge he continually added by burning mid- night oil and studying perhaps by the flickering light of the pine knot fire. In this way he be- came sufficiently strong intellectually, and al- ready possessing the moral fitness, he went stead- ily on doing the work of Him that sent him. After his conversion he was baptized into the member- ship of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in 1878 by
Bishop Thomas Brown. The subject of this sketch was ordained in 1888 by Bishops John Marks, Isaiah Lawson and Thomas Brown. Bishop Roberson has pastored the following churches: Nazarene, Mt. Olive (a church in the city of New Orleans) ; Mt. Zion, Darrow, La., and has pastored Ebenezer Baptist Church since 1892. Not only has he been interested in the spiritual growth of his people. but their intel- lectual as well.
At this time he is President of the Trustee Board. of Leland Academy, Donaldsonville, La .; a member of the Trustee Board of Leland Uni- versity, and Treasurer of the Second District Association. He has taught his people that they should buy and own homes, by buying and own- ing one himself. The children of this home-a daughter and niece-were given every possible educational advantage. His daughter held her own as a winning student and pushed her way up from the Intermediate Department at Leland Uni- versity to a place on the faculty, after graduat- ing with honors from the B. A. degree Course. Bishop Roberson as a father, preacher and leader has wrought well.
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ELDER ALLEN STEVENSON, A TIRELESS WORKER.
Bishop Stevenson first saw light in Ascension Parish, La., in 1858. Mr. Jacob and Mrs. Hen- rietta Stephenson were his parents. They were deeply interested in the education of their son, and no doubt prayed often that he would some day be a strong and useful man. A prayer an- swering God granted this request. After the war Brother Stevenson picked up what learn- ing he could here and there, attending public school whenever he could.
He was converted in 1881 and baptized into the membership of the Mount . Baptist Church, Ascension Parish. Brother Stevenson was ordained in 1889 by the following Elders: Isaiah Lawson, Nathan Cambrie and V. B. Hubbs. This minister of Christ has pastored the following churches: Mount Bethel Baptist Church and Nazarene Baptist Church, Donald- sonville, La. He has manifested much interest in Sunday-school and day school work, having taught public school seventeen years and at the same time held important positions in the Sun- day-school work of his District. He showed his interest in the Christian education of his com- munity by accepting the presidency of the Board of Trustees of Leland Academy, Donald- sonville, La. He has reared a large family of fifteen children, and in other laudable ways done what he could for the material and religious ad- vancement of his people.
ELDER LUKE ALLEN, SR., ONE OF THE NORTH LOUISIANA PIONEER BAPTIST LEADERS.
This venerable servant of God was born in Lee County, Ga., February 23, 1841. His mother's
THEOLOICAL CLASS, LELAND UNIVERSITY.
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name was Charlotte and his father's name was Allen. After the death of his owner, Mr. Joseph B. Bond, in 1859, he, with other slaves, was brought to Albany, Ga., where he was sold to the highest bidder. A man by the name of S. P. Corbin bought him in 1860, and brought him to Louisiana. Immediately after the surrender in 1865 he came to Shreve- port, La.
Bishop Allen was converted June 16th, 1866 and baptized into the membership of Antioch Baptist Church by Elder John Jones, who was Antioch's first pastor. So filled with the Holy Ghost was he when he was first converted . he preached the Word on the streets at Shreveport, and everywhere he went and to everybody. Be- ing adjudged crazy he was put in jail, but like Paul in the Philippian prison he preached the jailer off his feet, so to speak, and the doors were opened unto him when he walked out. From.that day to this he has been preaching the gospel with power. The writer knows personal- ly of his worth as a New Testament preacher, because after his conversion through the influ- ence of this good man he was baptized into the membership of the Antioch Baptist Church, which was pastored by Elder Allen twelve years. He was licensed to preach December 24, 1868, during the pastorate of Bishop Julius Chambers, who succeeded Elder John Jones to the pastorate of Antioch. After the death of Pastor Cham- bers and when Bishop Jones was re-called to Antioch's pastorate, Brother Allen was still faithfully serving his, and continued his service as church clerk to the death of Elder Jones, February 23, 1877.
The pastoral mantle fell this time on the sub-
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ject of this sketch, after a rigid examina- tion by four competent Elders, namely, Bishops J. A. Hacket and George Tucker (white), and Thomas Christian and Joseph Nelson (colored). He wore this mantle with dignity and honor to the end of his ministry at Antioch, and also at the other churches pastored since leaving Anti- och. He wears it becomingly today. He car- red Antioch's enrollment from a small number to 515 before resigning June 24, 1889. In 1897, when he was elected as one of the State's Mis- sionaries, which office he has filled for sixteen years with credit to himself and to the delight of his brethren.
He was married the first time January 27, 1867, to Miss Hester Ann Williams by Elder H. P. James. This union was blessed with nine children-seven boys and two girls. This wife left for heaven October, 1884, after a well spent life, and, as it were, after hearing the blessed applaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Mrs. Winnie Carr is Elder Allen's second wife, whom he married February 2, 1885, at Antioch Baptist Church, Bishop Thomas Christian officiating. Since their marriage they have lived happily together, nobly 'upholding their matrimonial vow. At this writing Brother Allen is 72 years old and is active in the minis- try. Not a better doctrinal preacher lives in Louisiana today. He is orthodox to the core. For many years he has been honored by his brethren and held as President of the Minister's and Deacon's meeting of the Thirteenth District. Pioneer work done by him places him in the front ranks not only of Louisiana Baptists, but of Bap- tists throughout these United States.
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DR. A. F. OWENS, A PIONEER TEACHER OF PREACHERS.
Of the pioneer workers and scholars in the early days of Louisiana Negro Baptists, none have made a greater record nor enjoy wider dis- tinction than does Bishop Albert Franklin Owens. He was born in Wilcox County, Ala., in 1859. Being deprived of early school advan- tages, he struggled upward as best he could un- til he finally made his way to Leland University, New Orleans, La. He was among Leland's first students, knowing personally Deacon Holbrook Chamberlain, the honored founder of Leland. No student stood higher, nor enjoyed the esteem and confidence of both teacher and students than did Brother Owens.
In the year of 1872, he was converted and baptized into the membership of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Atchafalaya, La. Elder Green Stemley baptized him. In :873 he was notifed of his call to the ministry and ordained by the Common Street Church, New Orleans, four years later. The following churches have been suc- cessfully pastored by him: Third Baptist and Union Baptist Churches, Mobile, Ala., and First Baptist Church, Uniontown, Ala. Before leav- ing Louisiana Dr. Owens was one of the most honored Louisiana Baptist State Convention Sec- retaries. This was during the Convention's in- fancy. Coming to Mobile he engaged in and did the well-done above mentioned church work. He also accomplished a deal of school work, hav- ing served with credit as principal of the Orange Grove School four years, taught in Mobile al- together twenty-five years. He distinguished I imself as a preacher of charities years ago with
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the people of Mobile. He was made manager of City Charities and held that position thirty-three years.
In 1885 he edited the "Baptist Pioneer;" in 1892-93 he edited the "Alabama Baptist Leader." For many years he was a Trustee of Selma Uni- versity. Dr. Booker T. Washington, learning of the work and worth of this great man, sought and secured his services as Dean of Phelps Bible
School, Tuskegee Institute, Ala. He held this position a number of years to the satisfaction of Dr. Washington and to the delight of his many students and friends. Recently he resigned the work at Tuskegee and accepted a call Deanship of Bible School of Selma University, to the Selma, Ala., where he now makes good, render- ing the institution yeoman service. His old school, Leland University, has recognized and ac- knowledged his ability by conferring upon him the degree of D. D .- Doctor of Divinity.
In 1908, he married Miss S. M. Pruitt, who has been to him a help-meet, indeed, and who today helps him in his great work.
PROFESSOR O. L. COLEMAN, A. M., EDUCATIONAL APOSTLE OF NORTH LOUISIANA BAPTISTS.
This educator stands among the first in his state and in his race. He came into Louisiana from Mississippi twenty-seven years ago, after graduating from the following schools : High School, Livingston, Miss., and Alcorn College, Alcorn, Miss. In addition to completed work at these two schools he has spent six or more ses- sions doing post work in Northern schools, fre- quently being the only Negro in his classes, but
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EVERGREEN BAPTIST CHURCH, Shreveport.
always "holding his own," reflecting credit on his race.
The Home Mission Society of New York and the Women's Home Mission Society of Boston, Mass., conferred a signal honor upon Professor Coleman when they jointly elected him to repre- sent the Negro educationally of four Southern States, viz., Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas, in Northern Conventions held in the states of Massachusetts, Maine and New Hamp- shire, respectively.
Brother Coleman's paramount contribution to the Baptist cause in the state is an interesting Christian family and Coleman College, one of the leading Negro Baptist institutions in the South. This school is his life work. It is a big demonstration of what a man can do when he finds HIS job, gets on it, and Coleman-like stays on it with a dogged determination until he wins out.
His wife, Mrs. Mattie A. Coleman, stood by him with Spartan courage as he labored on through frost and snow, through encouragements and discouragements, through well days and sick days in the accomplishment of his great work. The oldest son of this noted educator is at this writing a student of Medicine at Shaw Univer- sity, Raleigh, N. C., and his eldest daughter is pursuing higher studies at Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn. As a testimonial of the work and worth of this great man Leland University has honored him with the M. A. degree.
J. W. WILEY, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND DRUGGIST.
Dr. Wiley was born on the farm of his father (Mr. Anderson Wiley) at Vernon, La. He lived
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in the country the first ten years of his life, at- tending the public schools that were taught in the summer time after the crops were "layed by." At the age of 13 he went to Coleman College, Gibsland, La., where he attended two sessions. During this time he was converted and baptized. From then until now he has remained loyal to the Baptist flag, being at present Financial Sec- retary, Treasurer and Deacon of the Salem Bap- tist Church, Greensboro, Ala.
Dr. Wiley finished his grammar and high school course at Vernon Academy, Vernon, La. Passing successfully the public school examina- tion he began teaching. He worked hard with head and hand, making cotton and corn by work- ing in the evenings after leaving the school room. Not being contented with his limited education and chances for life, he saved sufficient money, and went to Sedalia, Mo., where he made good as a student of the George R. Smith College, graduating in 1897 as salutatorian of his class. His school road was rough but he persevered. While in his senior year he taught school during the day three miles away from Georgetown, Mo., and attended his class work at night. It was during these five months at College he decided to study medicine.
In the fall of 1901 he started for New Orleans, La., to attend Flint Medical College. After pur- suing his course here three years, he entered the Illinois Medical College, Chicago, Ill., and graduated with honors January 1, 1905. Dr. Wiley located in Greensboro, Ala., is successfully. engaged in the practice of his profession. Dur- ing the nine years he has been here he has built up a reputation as a competent physician, and generally, with his skill in Therapeutics coupled
with the help of the Great Physician, puts his patient on his feet again.
His friends are counted by scores in both races. In connection with healing his people, he has taught them practical lessons in economy by buying property and operating a first-class drug store. While in the west he met Miss A. M. Smith, whom he married in 1906. Mrs. Wiley is a model doctor's wife. Every thoughtful Bap- tist in the state should be proud of the record al- ready made by this young Medico, and bid him God-speed as he goes forward to greater achieve- ments.
BISHOP J. L. BURRELL, D. D., ONE OF THE STATE'S FOREMOST PREACHERS.
In the year 1859, and in the town of Thibo- deaux, La., there was born Dr. John L. Burrell. His parents were Mr. William and Mrs. Nancy Burrell. Being born a slave his chances for go- ing to school were few, or none at all. Despite this fact, by dint of pluck and push he began climbing upward. £ At the earliest opportunity he entered the public school of his parish, where he learned his lessons well; and by his good be- havior won the esteem and respect of both teacher and fellow-students. As soon the opportunity came he entered Leland University, New Orleans, La. During his stay there he did good work and grew in intellectual power.
Elder Burrell was converted in 1876, after which he was baptized into the membership of Moses Baptist Church by Elder T. J. Rhodes. In 1882 he realized his call to the ministry, made it known and was ordained by the following bishops: T. J. Rhodes, Isaiah Lawson, R. Cole-
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man, I. H. Stewart, John Brown and P. H. Diggs. Brother Burrell has spent quite a number of years in the ministry, pastoring the following churches : Little Zion Baptist Church, Opelousas; Evergreen, Lake Charles, La .; Shiloh, Washing- ton, La .; Mt. Pleasant, Elba, La .; First African, New Orleans, La .; Progressive, Sherman, Texas, and the Progressive Baptist Church, New Orleans, La., of which he is now (1914) pastor.
In 1888 Dr. Bothwell, President Columbia University, conferred the honorary degree, D. D., upon Brother Burrell in recognition of work al- ready done. No man in the state has been more highly honored. The brethren lifted Dr. Bur- rell to the highest station when they elected him President of the Louisiana Baptist State Con- vention. He has held and is now holding the fol- lowing positions of trust: Vice Moderator First District Association and President Board of Di- rectors Providence Sanitarium. Brother Bur- rell's kind disposition has won and holds for hin a large number of friends in both races.
BISHOP CHARLES WILLIAM BROOKS, B. A., ONE OF OUR STRONGEST YOUNG MEN.
Among the young ministers of the state, none stand higher than Brother Brooks in point of thrift and intellectual attainment. He was born of Elder Charles and Mrs. Virginia Brooks in the village of Camp Parapet, Jefferson Parish, La., April 2, 1876. He attended the following schools: Short Street, Keller's, McDonough No. 24 and Leland University, New Orleans, La. Brother Brooks entered Leland in 1896 recently after his conversion and during the presidency of the noted preacher and scholar, Dr. Edward
BISHOP D. M. BROWN, Gramgling, La.
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Cushing Mitchell. Conditions uncontrolable forced young Brooks out of school, but his faith did not falter, and when the opportunity came again he re entered under the late Dr. R. W. Perkins. This time he remained at his post until he won with honor three diplomas-the College Preparatory 1907-08, Normal 1908-09, and the College Course, 1911-12.
After his conversion and notice of his call to the ministry, Brother Brooks was baptized into the membership of the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church by the late Elder David Young. In his church he held the following positions: teacher of Bible Class No. 2, Sunday-school secretary, president church choir, president B. Y. P. U., president Board of Trustees and church clerk.
He was called to ordination by the Progres- sive Baptist Church, Bishop J. L. Burrell, pas- tor, and was set apart by the following Elders: J. H. Flemings, E. D. Sims, A. Hubbs, John Marks, D. D., J. L. Burrell, D. D., G. W. Toney, J. M. Young, D. D., Jackson Acox and A. P. Or- lage, April, 1911. Bishop Brooks has done good work during the short time he has been in the ministry, having filled creditably the following positions : Sunday-School Missionary First Dis- trict Association, 1907-08; Missionary First Dis- trict Association, 1912-13; State Organizer of B. Y. P. U. Convention, 1911-12; now pastor Mt. Moriah Baptist Church; at present one of the state missionaries of Louisiana Baptist State Convention elected at the Monroe session July, 1913, and he holds at this tinie the position of Financial Agent of Leland University. Bishop Brooks being a well prepared young man of Louisiana Baptists, we predict for him a future
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 169
filled with "good works" to the glory of God and the uplift of humanity.
ELDER C. L. ROBERTS, D. D., A CHURCH AND SCHOOL BUILDER.
Eighteen hundred fifty-one (1851) was the year during which the birth of Brother Roberts occurred at Cheneyville, La. The above date shows that early educational opportunities were few or none, but he was blessed with a deal of determination and began pushing upward. Af- ter making the most of advantages coming to him from the public schools of his parish, he en- tered Leland University and remained there for some time under a line of the schools first Presi- dents, Drs. Traver and Gregory, Professor Barker and others.
Bishop Roberts was converted in 1869, and afterwards was baptized into the membership of the Edgefield Baptist Church by Elder Thomas Blackman. After realizing and making known his call to the ministry in 1870, he was ordained to preach Christ in 1875 by the following Bishops: Dr. A. M. Newman, Dr. Nelson (white), Dr. Taylor Frierson, G. W. Walker, Holland Patent, of New York; H. R. Curtis (white), and deacons from First Baptist Church, Jefferson, La., and the Baptist Church, Jordan- ville. La. Since his ordination Elder Roberts has been one of the most progressive pastors in the state. having successfully pastored the fol- lowing churches: St. Joseph, Haasville, La .; Second Union, Bunkie, La .; St. John, Lamourie. La .; True Vine, Alexandria, La .; Union Chapel, Lloyd, La .; Edgefield, Cheyneville, La., and Beulah Lacompt, La.
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In connection with his large amount of church work, he has done a deal of school work, and has held and now holds positions of trust and honor in the state. Much pioneer work was done by him as a public school teacher. He helped build Central Louisiana Academy, and singly and alone with his three churches founded and built up the Cheyneville Academy, one of the best schools in the state. Too much credit cannot be given these loyal churches and their great leader.
What this veteran preacher has done with three churches some entire associations fail to do with 30 and 40 churches. Unity and loyalty always spell success. Let us doff our hats to them, my brethren, and LET THEM BY. This tireless worker was for eight years Moderator of the Eighth District Association. At this writ- ing he is President of Cheyneville Academy, and for more than fourteen years has been a mem- ber of the Trustee Board of Leland University. Of the above-named churches he built up five and organized two. Leland has recognized and ac- knowledged this successful labor by conferring upon Elder Roberts the honorary degree, D. D.
PROF. EMMETT LOUIS WASHBURN, B. A., A SUCCESSFUL TEACHER.
This young educator was born in Gloster, Miss., 1889. The names of his parents are Mr. Isaac and Mrs. Annie Washburn. After enjoy- ing the advantages offered by the public school of his town and county, he attended Harper and Natchez Colleges, graduating B. A., from the lat- ter with honors.
Brother Washburn was converted in 1903 and baptized into the membership of the Gloster Bap-
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tist Church, Gloster, Miss. He has held the fol- lowing positions of trust: Three years student teacher at Natchez College, and two years prin- cipal of the East Carroll Normal and Industrial Institute. This school is among the best schools in the state. It is located at Lake Providence, La. Bishop J. E. Brunswick founded this school in 1898. It comprises three buildings beauti- fully situated on 60 acres of land. Watch this young man and his great work. Lovers of edu- cation are proud of this institution and are ex- pecting greater things from Brother Washburn as the years come and go.
DR. A. M. NEWMAN, ONE OF THE DENOMINATION'S GREATEST PREACHERS.
Louisiana has never laid claim to a greater preacher than Bishop Armstead Mason Newman. It was the writer's great privilege to know him personally and to listen Sunday after Sunday to his able sermons, taking notes and study ser- monic architecture. I delight to record here that my first and best lessons in sermonizing were received from this noble man. It was largely through his persuasion and influence that I accepted the principalship of the Thirteenth, District Academy, and during his pastorate at: Antioch Baptist Church I was licensed to preach in 1895.
He was born during the dark days of slavery in Alexandria, Va. To him early school advan- tages were unknown, but being blessed innately with push and pluck, he started to the front. Though his struggle through school was bitter he held to it, and finally forged his way through
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CHAMBERLAIN HALL, LELAND UNIVERSITY.
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Colgate University, Hamilton, N, Y., graduating B. S., with signal honors.
His first labors in the state were at the Com- mon Street or Tulane Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans. Following he did effective work at Bunkie, Shiloh Baptist Church, Alexandria; and after serving as State Missionary and Presi- dent of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, he was called to the Antioch Baptist Church July 27 1889. Bishop A. B. Daniels in his "Histori- cal Sketch of Antioch Baptist Church," has the following to say of Dr. Newman and his work at Antioch : "On July 27, 1889, the church elected Rev. Armstead M. Newman, formerly of Alex- andria, Va., to take charge as pastor. Rev. New- man began his work in a Christian-like manner and soon had the wreckage cleared up and the sails hoisted and soon the old Ship of Zion had her head to the wind and was moving on her mission of soul-saving. He began the work with 146 members. It will be remembered that dur- ing the confusion of the church prior to Rev. New- man's election a great number of dissatisfied members had withdrawn from the church and built another house of worship known as Avenue Baptist Church. In a short time these members were granted letters of dismission and all was peace once more where hatred, malice and every- thing which was un-Christian prevailed just a few months before. Rev. Newman proved him- self to be a peacemaker of whom it is said in Matt. 5:9, "they shall be called the children of God." During the pastorate of Rev. Newman, beginning July 27, 1889, there has been added to the church 256 members."
In addition to this excellent church work he did a deal of school work while at Antioch, or-
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ganizing and operating the Providence Academy, which was perhaps the first distinctive Baptist Academy in Shreveport. Miss Blanch Sterrett and Miss Elizabeth Norrington, ably assisted Dr. Newman as instructors in this school. The chief material used in the founding of the Thirteenth District Academy came from Bishop Newman's school. He was elected Supervisor of Education for the Thirteenth District. This position and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church he filled until he was called from labor to reward. Thus closed the earthly career of an affectionate father, pleasant teacher, a loving and watchful pastor, a forceful preacher, an apt theologian, a pro- found thinker and a logical reasoner.
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