Robert W. Woodruff
Library
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Special Collections & Archives
WM. HICKS, A. B., D. D.
HISTORY
OF
Louisiana Negro
Baptists
From 1804 to 1914
BY
Wm. hicks, b. a., d. d.,
Author of "Bible Thoughts, With Questions and Answers,"
and "Things Necessary for the Preacher, Deacon
and Layman to Know."
With a Biographical* Introduction by
Bishop W. B. Purvis.
NASHVILLE, TENN.I
NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING BOARD.
B. H. BOYD D. D. SECRETARY.
Contents.
Page
Preface 3
Introduction 7
Letters of Endorsement 10
General History 17
Pioneer Work in and Around New Orleans Before
and After the War 21
Organization of First Louisiana Baptist Asociation.... 29
First Free Missionary Association 29
First District Missionary Baptist Association 30
Second District Missionary Baptist Association 39
Third District Missionary Baptist Association 40
Fourth District Missionary Baptist Association 41
Fifth District Missionary Baptist Association 42
Sixth District Missionary Baptist Association ........ 44
Seventh District Missionary Baptist- Association 45
Second Eighth District Missionary Baptist Association. 46
Tenth District Missionary Baptist Association 47
Twelfth District Missionary Baptist Association 48
Thirteenth District Missionary Baptist Association .... 52
Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association No. 1 56
Spjingville Missionary and Educational Association... 65
Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Association 58
Gum Spring Missionary Baptist Association 59
Friendship Missionary and Educational Association .... 73
Calvary Missionary Baptist Association 61
Union Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Association 64
Louisiana Freedmen Missionary Baptist Association .. 67
New Hope Missionary Baptist Association 63
The Woman's Baptist State Convention 71
Northwest No. 2, Missionary Baptist Association 62
Louisiana Eaptist State Sunday-School Convention 68
New Beulah Missionary Baptist Association No. 4....
Louisiana Baptist State Convention
Biographies - 74
A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America
(16)
To the Negro Baptist Pioneer Preachers of Louisiana
(many of whom having preached the Gospel in log cabins
with dirt floors, thereby laying the foundation upon
which our brick and stone church houses of today
STAND) is this volume with our abiding gratitude dedi¬
cated.
The Author.
Preface.
While thinking of the welfare of our Baptist Zion
throughout the state, and wondering what would best
serve as a stimulus to encourage our brethren, and arouse
our churches to more religious activity, it occurred to me
that a faithful record of past achievements both by our
pioneer fathers and ourselves would give much impetus to
lagging denominational pride, and set up a beacon light
to guide and inspire the young preacher of today. To this
end I cheerfully set myself to the task, and after consult¬
ing God and writing the late Bishop A. B. Flood (Presi¬
dent Louisiana Baptist State Convention); Secretary W.
E'. Purvis, Treasurer T. L. Welch, Sr., Vice President W.
M. Taylor, Drs. H. C. Cotton, John Marks, Uaylor Frier-
son, J. M. Carter and others, I received Divine approval
and hearty endorsement by the above-mentioned brethren,
the State Executive Board and the Louisiana State Con¬
vention. This volume promises to set forth as faithfully
as possible: (a) The pioneer work of our fathers extend¬
ing into ante-bellum times; (b) the work of the young
ministers and teachers to the present. I am not unmind¬
ful of the fact that this is a Herculean task which I can
not finish in its entirety, hence the critic must be asked
to be reasonable, remembering that it is "human to err."
God gives us the rose with the thorns: we must learn to
enjoy its fragrance without being torn by the thorns.
Roses with their thorns may be found in this work, but
the critic must be 'Charitable and fair enough to accept
them. It is out of the question to look for all that Louisi-
(3)
4
Preface
ana Baptists have said and done since 1801. It would re¬
quire too many scribes to write their doings, and too large
a volume to contain them. Because of inability to obtain
cuts and biographies as I desire, mention of many excellent
men of our denomination ig omitted. I could not tell
everything, nor have I tried. I have simply humbly en¬
deavored to answer the questions in part as a denomina¬
tion: From whence have we come? What have we done?
To what have we attained? What are the possibilities
before us? Being aware of the fact that we are denomi¬
nationally young, a voluminous history should not be ex¬
pected. I simply pray that this may serve as a nucleus
of Louisiana Baptist history. Other writers more able
than I will tell the Baptist story more fully.
Biographies.
T. A. Walker, A. M., M. D 74
1. J. Washington, M. D - 77
0. Li. Coleman, A. M 137
Elder J. A. Carter 152
Melvin L. Collins 81
Thomas Henry Kane 83
■George W. Green .. 85
John Milton * Smith 86
Thorna® Lee Welch, M. D 87
Miss Elizabeth Norrington 88
1. C. Chaptman, M. D., LL. B 90
H. P. Player - 92
Madison James Poster, A. B 94
3ST. H. C. Henderson, M. D 89
William McDonald
"Elder J. H. Flemings 96
Elder H. C. Cotton, D. D--~ 97
Elder George W. Walker 100
Elder T. L. Welch 103
Bishop L. C. Simon 104
Bishop D. M. Brown ...105
Bishop R. A. Mayfield 107
Elder Auder Back Flood T12
Bishop W. B. Purvis 114
Bishop P. B. Lewis 109
Elder J. J. Fuller Ill
Bishop W. M. Taylor 116
Elder Bryant Wright 118
(5)
6
Biographies
120
Elder A. H. Samuels ^2^
Elder F. J. Davidson, A. M., D.
Elder S. T. Clanton, A. M., D.
Bishop W. W. Hill • • *
Bishop C. S. Collins, B. A., M. D 126
Elder Caroliner Fuller 128
Bishop Albert Henry 129
Elder Lorenzo Smith 130
Elder Allen Stevenson 133
Elder James Roberson 13"1
Elder Luke Allen, Sr 133
Elder J. M. Carter 152
Bishop J. H. Henderson 153
Elder A. F. Owens, D. D 136
J. W. Wiley, M. D
Elder J. L. Burrell, D. D 140
Bishop C. W. Brooks, B. A 141
Ira Henderson _
Elder C. L. Roberts, D. D 143
Emmett L. Washburn, B. A 144
Elder H. B. N. Brown, D. D 147
Elder Armstead Mason Newman, D. D 145
Elder A. S. Jackson, D. D 148
Elder John Marks, D. D 149
Elder C. L. Fisher, A. M., D. D
Professor R. E. Jacobs 79
Elder S. D. Nance 167
John Jones ..
I. A. Carter 155
Introduction.
It is indeed a source' of pleasure to introduce the writer
of this history. The highest aim of the author, who will
be blessed, honored and revered more by future historians,
orators and statesmen than the present, is to so portray
the life history of men who have risen out of the very
depths of poverty and obscurity to places of honor and
trust of men of science, arts and letters that the young
of all generation®, climes, peoples and tongues while read¬
ing and studying shall catch inspiration tnat will make
the great of mankind the greatest, and the lowly of man¬
kind the better. The writer of this history was born in
Shreveport, La., April 9th, 1869, of Square and Jane Hicks.
When but a child he showed signs of marked intelligence.
He attended the schools of his home city, and being seized
by a desire for higher education he left his home and went
to New Orleans1, La., in 1887, where he entered Leland
University. Here he distinguished himself as a hard stu¬
dent, and graduated from this University with high
honors, graduating the first time May 9th, 1893, receiving
the Normal and College Preparatory diplomas arter the
delivery of one oration. After finishing these two courses
and studying on through the freshman to me sophomore
year, he accepted a call to the Thirteenth District Academy
at Shreveport. Here he wrought successfully and well
seven consecutive years, when he felt so keenly his need
for more thorough preparation that he returned to Leland,
resumed his studies and graduated from the B. A. degree
course in 1902. After pushing the work of the Shreveport
(7)
8
Introduction
school on another year, and after carrying tne school from
a very small enrollment to a maximum enrollment of'
nearly 300, and from an old one-story frame building with
many leaks therein to a $3,000 two story frame building
nicely painted and reasonably well equipped, he accepted
a call to the Deanship of the Theological Department of
Coleman College, Gibsland, La. Here he realized his need
for more Biblical knowledge, and again returned to his.
Alma Mater, graduating the third time. This, time he
won the B. D. degree. After making good here at Gibsland
as a theologian and pastor of ability, he was called to
Atlanta, Texas, and Junction City, Ark. Locating in Texas
he pastored a two-Sunday church in each state until he
was called back to his home city by the Trinity Baptist-
Church. When he had succeeded two' years phenominally
at Trinity, he was called to Meridian, Miss., by the El-
E'ethel Baptist Church. Finishing his well-done labors
here, he moved to Uniontown, Ala., and took charge of the-
First Baptist Church of that place at the urgent request
of the members of said church. Selma University, at
Selma, Ala., recognizing the accomplished work, and the
intellectual ability of Bishop Hicks, conferred upon him.
the D. D. degree May, 1913.
Dr. Hicks married Miss Olivia Josephine Madison, a
graduate of Leland University, December 27th, 1897. Their
union has been blessed with nine children and a model
home. Elder Hicks is one of the most scholarly of our
brethren, and i» rapidly gaining renown, having been se¬
lected by the National Baptist Publishing Board to write-
articles for the National Baptist Sunday-School Teaciier,.
to write monthly for the National Baptist Union-Review*
and to a Bible Teachership in the National Baptist Sun¬
day-School Congress, which represents about 14,000 Sun¬
day-schools. Editorial Secretary W. S. Ellington, speak¬
ing of the writer of this history, says: "Rev. Wm. Hicks
is a conscientious Christian gentleman in whom there is
no guile. He loves his Bible and is an exeperienced ex-
Introduction
9
pounder of its truths. The Sunday-School Congress is to
be congratulated for obtaining the service^ of so compe¬
tent a man."
His services have been secured by Dr. Boorter T. Wash¬
ington to lecture to the students of the Phelps Bible
Training School at Tuskegee. Dr. Hicks was ordained at
the Evergreen Baptist Church, Shreveport, April 28th,
1899, by the following brethren: Bishops I. A. Carter, J.
M. Carter, L. W. Canfield, Robert Taylor, C'. S. Shel'ton,
H. R. Flynn and A. T. Sumpter. In disposition Dr. Hicks
is as meek as a. child. In dress he is not extravagant.
His face wears the expression of thoughtfulness. His will
is iron and his nerves steel, yet meek and mild in deport¬
ment. As a professor he is deep and thoughtful; as a
preacher he is known. His arguments are convincing and
conclusive, being a ready speaker, a clear scholar, an ac¬
curate thinker, he is always in demand. When I contem¬
plate the life of such a man, it makes me feel that God
has created no man for naught but rather that He has
put into the reach of every man vast possibilities which
'only need be turned into right channels at the right
time.
"Pluck bright honor from the pale-faced moon,
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom-line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honor by the locks."
Such is the character of the writer of this history, loved
and admired- by all who know him.
W. B. PURVIS, Pleasant Hill, La.
Letters of Encouragement and Endorse¬
ment.
Pelican, La., May I, 1909.
Rev. Wm. Hicks, B. D., Shreveport, La.:
Dear Brother—In reply to your communication, we take
pleasure in saying that we approve of the task (of writing
the History of Louisiana Negro Baptists ), which you are un¬
dertaking, and any help we can give you in the way of
data, etc., we shall gladly do so.
Done by order of Louisiana Baptist State Executive
Board in session at Opel'ousas, La., May 5tli, 1909.
REV. A. B. FLOOD, President.
W. B. PURVIS, Corresponding Secretary.
* * *
Delhi, La., December 24, 1909.
Rev. Wm. Hicks, D. D., Shreveport, La.:
Dear Brother in the Lord, your very timeiy message by
mail has been received and read carefully. In response I
must say that your idea meets my hearty approval. Louisi¬
ana Baptists deserve a history of their worlc. The old
leaders, made history but were unable to put It In print.
So I think it is the work of you young men to put it in
print. I shall do what I can to help you. I shall let you
have my cut and sketch of my life as early as possible.
With love and best wishes to yourself and family, wishing
you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I am,
Yours in Christ,
A. B. FLOOD,
President Louisiana Baptist State Convention.
(10)
Letters
11
Belle Alliance, Da., January 20, 1909.
Rev. Wm. Hicks, Shreveport, La.:
Dear Brother—Your letter bearing date of the twelfth
instant is received and has been read with a deal of satis¬
faction. The work you are about to undertake is beyond
doubt a much-needed one, and is worthy or the man un¬
dertaking it. I am sure you will find a rich field of in¬
teresting material from which to make up your forthcom¬
ing volume. There is no doubt that your book will be
hailed with great delight by the progressive Baptists all
over the state, and will find a ready market. I hope that
you will be granted abundant life and health to complete
the arduous task It is a much-needed work, and
it appears that you are the man for it. The brethren
will appreciate its worth. It will accomplish a wonderful
amount of good in stimulating and putting new life in the
brotherhood of the state. It will be a source of informa¬
tion revealing facts that cannot be found from any other
source. I hope that you will continue the work to an hon¬
orable and successful conclusion.
Yours in Christian service,
H. C. COTTON.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Elder A. D. Flood.
Louisiana Baptist State Convention Leaders in 1879.
Elder J. M. Carter.
Elder J. M. Carter's Home.
Elder L. Allen, Sr.
J. W. Wiley, M. D.
Miss Elizabeth Norrington.
Theological Class, Leland University.
Bishop W, W. Hill.
Mrs. L. D. Pruitt.
Elder J. A. Carter.
City Ministers' Union, New Orleans.
Evergreen Baptist Church.
Louisiana Baptist State Convention Leaders, 1914.
Elder P. J. Davidson, A. M., D. D.
Proposed Theological Department, Coleman College.
Elder A. H. Samuels.
Administration and Dining Departments, Coleman Col¬
lege.
Elder L. Ford.
Reynold's Hall, Girls' Dormitory, Coleman College.
Bishop John Harris Henderson, B. D.
Main Building, Coleman College.
Elder Jackson J. Fuller.
Boys' Dormitory, Coleman College.
Dr. H. C. Cotton.
Bishop E. S. Stills.
Elder George W. Walker.
(13)
14
Illustrations
Galilee Baptist Church, Shreveport, La.
Bishop William Hicks, B. A., D. D.
Sabine Normal and Industrial Institute.
Chamberlain Hall, Leland University.
Faculty of Sabine N. & I. Institute.
Leland Hall, Leland University.
Industrial Hall, Sabine N. & I. Institute.
Bishop P. B. Lewis.
Elder H. E. N. Brown, B. D.
Elder C. L; Fisher, D. D.
Elder C. L. Roberts, D. D.
Prof. R E. Jacobs.
Bishop C. W. Brooks, B. A.
Elder J. L. Burrell, D. D.
John Milton Smith, Sr.
GENERAL HISTORY.
As to the general history of Negro Baptists of
Louisiana, according to Dr. W. E. Paxton, author
of the history of white Louisiana Baptists, we
must go back* to 1804 and come forward. WTien
more than half of our state was a wilderness, and
there were only a few French settlements in the
southern part on the Mississippi River, Bayou
Teche, the prairies of the Opelousas, and the fer¬
tile bayou that threads the valleys of the Lower
Red River, "there came into the state a Negro
Baptist preacher, Bishop Joseph Willis, of Mis¬
sissippi, but probably a native of South Carolina.
This was in 1804, the next year after the Louisi¬
ana Purchase. Louisiana was in her infancy and
not a single Protestant or Baptist Church within
its bounds. The first Baptist doctrine in Louisiana
was preached by this pioneer in November, 1804,
at Vermillion, about 40 miles southwest of Baton
Rouge in a day meeting. At night he preached
at Plaquemine Brule. This preaching was done
at the peril of his life, since he was: both a Negro
and a Baptist. At this time he was on a visit,
and 'had not permanently settled. His labors,
however, were successful, turning many from the
error of their way. These converts were the first
in Louisiana to begin marching under the flag
bearing the triple declaration—"One Lord, one
Faith and one Baptism."
(17)
18 History of' Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Not being ordained he was unable to baptize
his converts and organize the First Baptist
Church of Louisiana at this time. After urging
them, perhaps, to be strong and steadfast in the
faith, he returned to Mississippi for ordination,
and for other brethren to help him organize the
First Baptist Church of the state. But to his
surprise on reaching the church of his member¬
ship he found it pastorless, and the church, there¬
fore, felt that it could not arrange and grant his
request, although they desired to do so. They
advised him to take his letter and unite with a
church that had a pastor. This he did, but the
church refused to ordain him, claiming that the
Church of Christ might suffer reproach owing to
the humble social condition of this Negro
preacher. This was a heavy blow to the "Apos¬
tle of the Opelousas," as he was called, but he
did not give up on account of unwavering faith
in God, and the large amount of iron in his blood.
How could he give up when he was under march¬
ing orders and had been told to go into all the
world and preach the Gospel? Some prudent
white friend advised Brother Willis to get a rec¬
ommendation from the people among whom he
had labored, and present it to the next meeting
of the Mississippi Association. This he did in
1811, and the Association appointed two minis¬
ters, Bishops Thomas Mercer and David Cooper,
to visit Brother Willis and his work in Louisiana.
These two brethren were, providentially hindered,
and failed to go. This Pioneer Preacher still
stood undaunted, like Job, waiting for his change
to come. His petition came before the Associa¬
tion the next year (1812), and two other white
brethren were appointed to go and examine the
colored brother's work, Elders Moses Hadly and
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 19
Laurence Scarborough. Meanwhile Brother Wil¬
lis had returned to his field of lalbor only to find
those who had come to Christ through his preach¬
ing deceived and led off by a Methodist preacher,
who had entered the field of Brother Willis and
formed the converts into a society of methods at
Plaquemine. Yet this Baptist hero was not dis¬
couraged, because he had preached th© first New
Testament doctrine, and made the first disciples
in the state of Louisiana. By the time Elders
Hadly .and Scarborough arrived he had indoctri¬
nated others, planned the Baptist flag, and was
standing ready for ordination and organization.
When they reached Bayou Chicot, in St. Landry
Parish, one of the places where Brother Willis
preached, there were five brothers and one sister
whom they formed into a church, called Calvary,
November 13th, 1812, thus organizing the first
church in the state. These elders were also re¬
quested to ordain Brother Willis for their pastor.
The request was granted and the Lord blessed
their labors by adding nine.to the membership
the following year. The work of these elders
was approved at the next session (1813) of the
Mississippi Association. Dr. W. E. Paxton,
author of Louisiana Baptist History (white),
and to whom we are indebted for above informa¬
tion, says concerning this pioneer: "The zeal of
Father Willis, as he was called by the affection¬
ate people among whom he labored, could not be
bounded by the narrow limits of his own home,
but he traveled far and wide. He extended his
labors to Cheyneyville on Bayou Boeuff in the
Parish of Rapides, some fifty or sixty miles
higher up the country where many of his Mis¬
sissippi acquaintances had settled, and among
whom were some of the Bayou Chicot members.
20 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
The history of Louisiana Baptists could not be
written without mention of this brother (Joseph
Willis), whose name occurs so often in connection
with the oldest churches in the Louisiana Asso¬
ciation." He was born in 1762 and died at Ten
Mile Creek in Rapides Parish, September 14,
1854.
Another pioneer Baptist preacher of these
times was Bishop D. H. Willis, grandson of Elder
Joseph Willis. He was born on Bayou Boeuff in
Itapides Parish, December 28th, 1817. At the
age of 11 he was carried by his father to their
new home on Calcasieu River in St. Landry
Parish, a wilderness country, eight miles from
the nearest white settlement. He stayed here
nine years, attended school five months, and when
17 years old went to an Academy twenty miles
from home, remaining only one month. Being
blessed with his, grandfather's push and pluck, he
studied at every opportunity by the flickering
light of pine knots and in this way prepared him¬
self for the task of continuing the pioneer work
so nobly begun by his grandfather in 1804. He
married March 15, 1838, and in 1840 was con¬
verted and baptized into the membership of Oc¬
cupy Baptist Church, which was then a member
of the Louisiana Association. In 1847 ne
preached his first sermon, and in 1849, on Spring
dreek Rapides Parish at the home of Elder Wil¬
lis he was ordained to the gospel ministry by
Bishops Joseph Willis, B. C. Roberts and John
O'Quin. This young Baptist elder continued to
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of God un¬
til he became a beacon light in those dark times.
Notwithstanding he afterwards lost his sight,
yet, Moses like, he pressed forward along the
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 21
rugged road of those perilous times, crying aloud,
"Repent, believe and be baptized."
This period of our General History extends
from 1804 to the Civil War. Elder Willis and
his grandson were the only Negro Baptist
preachers of prominence during the first piart of
this period. During the latter part the Baptist
work was carried on by white preachers who gen¬
erally preached a sermon in the forenoon to white
people and in the afternoon to the colored people.
However, a Negro Baptist ministers would rise
•up occasionally among the slaves, and preach to
them despite high water and patroles. And, too,
there were a few free-born Negro Baptist clergy¬
men in some parts of the state, especially in the
towns and cities, who were sometimes permitted
by the slave master to preach to the slaves.
Bishop Henry Adams was the most noted of
this class of preachers. He labored as far back
as 1837 with marked success. He was a man of
education and ability. After leaving Louisiana
he continued his labors as pastor of the First
Colored Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky., where
after accomplishing much for the Master, during
twenty-five years of pioneer life, he fell asleep
in Jesus. Further mention of the early work oi
Negro Baptists is not necessary here, since their
work before and after the war, especially in,
New Orleans, will be taken up in the following
chapter.
PIONEER WORK IN AND AROUND NEW
ORLEANS BEFORE AND AFTER THE
WAR.
Because the birth, of our organic denomina¬
tional life is so closely connected with that of the
22 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
white Baptists of the state, and especially those
of New Orleans, we must know their beginnings
if we would intelligently know our own. The
first effort made by the white Baptists to establish
a cliurch was in 1817. In that year the Board
of the Triennial Baptist Convention sent out as.
missionary, Elder Jas. A. Randolson, who
preached and taught in the "Long Room" which
belonged to a Mr. C. Paulding on Dorseive street,
near Canal. In this room Bishop Ranaldson or¬
ganized the first white B,aptist church in the city
of New Orleans, which was admitted into the
Mississippi Association. Dr. Paxton say* in his
history this church prospered under the pas¬
torate of Elder Benj. Davis, of Natchez, Miss.,
who succeeded Bishop Ranaldson. The member¬
ship soon reached forty-eight—sixteen white and
thirty-two colored. These thirty-two Negro Bap¬
tists were perhaps the first to hold membership
in an association except those who were won to
Christ by "Father Willis," and with all proba¬
bility they were the first Negro Baptists of New
Orleans. In 1820 Bishop Davis left this church,
and it disbanded soon after. Following the dis¬
solution of this church, Elder Win. B. Johnson,
of iSouth Carolina, came to New Orleans and
preached in this "Long Room." From this time
until 1826 Baptist preaching was only occasion¬
ally heard. Frequent preaching was resumed
when Elder Wm. Bondeau arrived from England
in 1826, formed a new organization and preached
about one year, first in the "Long Room," and
then in a school house in Paulding's Row on St.
Charles street, and then in a brick building, cor¬
ner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas streets. Mr.
W. C. Duncans says Bishop Bondeau afterwards
went north and settled in Kentucky. His church
ELDER I. A. CARTER.
24 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
at one time had about twenty members, but by
the close of the year 1828 it was dissolved and
scattered. Now we are nearing the organization
of the first Negro Baptists in New Orleans. Dr.
Piaxton's History says: "There was also at this
time (1827) an African church of about twenty
members. They had a colored minister named
Asa Goldsbery, who just before had been bound
over by authority of the city, or otherwise to be
silent six months under penalty of a law against
colored preachers. Of this body J. L. Furman,
an intelligent member of the First Baptist
Church (white) and editor of the New Orleans
Baptist Messenger, says: "As we have been in¬
formed by the late Brother Lewis Banks, an aged
colored Baptist from Virginia, who resided here
many years, and who died here last January
(1876) and as appears also from a book of
minutes in his possession, the first colored Bap¬
tist church of this city was organized on the 31st
of October, 1826, under the name of the First
African Church of New Orleans." This was
done in a school on Burgundy street, by a Pres¬
bytery consisting of the already mentioned Wm.
Rondeau and Elder Elisha Andrews. Asa C.
Goldsbery was elected by the church and ordained
pastor and Moses Jackson deacon. The church
flourished for a time. Additions were made from
time to time until the membership numbered 41
males and 46 females.
After a few years, Mr. Goldbery died and the
church declined. About 1834 several other col¬
ored Baptists came from Virginia and else¬
where, among whom were Brethren N. D. San¬
ders, Richard Satterfield, John Edmonds, Lewis
Banks and Nathaniel Short. The church became
somewhat revived, worship was maintained and
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 25
new life was apparent. Brethren Sanders and
Satterfield were licensed as ministers and labored
with much success. In 1837 Elder Peter W.
Robert, aided by some transient preacher, recon¬
stituted this First African Church, and ordained
Brothers Sanders and Satterfield to the gospel
ministry. Bishop Sanders became piastor. The
church purchased property and began to build
on the corner of Howard and Cypress street in
1842. Under Elder Sanders the "Old Church"
grew and became the acknowledged mother of
New Orleans Negro Baptists. However, during
the time Elder L. Fletcher piastored the white
Baptist church (1850), the Negro members of
his church were organized into a church under
the care of the white brethren. This Second
Colored Baptist Church numbered sixty-two»
members and was received into the Mississippi
River Association (white), in 1859 under the
fostering care of the Coliseum Baptist Church
(white). This is the same church that Bishop
Jackson Acox now pastors (1914), called the
Fourth Baptist Church. This body owes its be¬
ginning to the new interest started by Elder R.
H. Steptoe in 1857. Dr. Paxton, speakipg of the
work of these churches, said: "The First and
Fourth African Churches had greatly prospered.
They had baptized into their membership about
3,000. They had established a number of
branches in the city, and extended their labors
along the Mississippi above and below New
Orleans. .With their branches they now number
7,000."
It will be also of interest to those who scan
these pages to read what Dr. John Marks, pastor
Sixth Baptist Church, has to say concerning Bap¬
tist progress from 1867 to 1902. He speaks as
26 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
follows: "In order that I may have a foundation
to build upon, I will have to go back to 1833 when
the Rev. Nelson D. Sanders, a Negro Baptist
minister, was sold in Virginia and brought to
New Orleans in chains by Negro slave traders.
He was sold to a good master who allowed him
to hire his time, and afterward bought himself.
He gathered together 32 slaves in a little house
in Gentilly Road. Under the leadership of Rev.
Sanders, assisted by Revs. Satterfield, Hollands,
Esau Carter, Robert Steptoe, Joseph Davenport,
Henry White and others. The First Colored
Baptist Church was organized in 1833. They
held services on Gentilly Road until 1844. As
at was against the law for colored people to hold
public meetings, their meetings were, often brok¬
en up, and their leaders were often arrested by
the police officers and carried to jail and punished
to the full extent of the law that was then on the
statute books against slaves holding meetings.
Sometime all in the meeting house were arrested
and carried to jail—both men and women. They
finally, through the kindness of some of the whites
who owned slaves, obtained permission from the
city authorities to allow the colored people to
hold meetings two hours on Sundays from 3 to
5 p. m., under the watch of a police officer who
was to be paid $2 per hour. The officer was in¬
structed not to let the meeting continue one
minute over two hours. If they should violate
that order all who were present would be arrested
and punished. The city authorities and police
officers were not favorably disposed to Baptist
doctrine, and as the law was against colored peo¬
ple assembling in any meetings they enforced the
law to the letter. Under these oppressions and
persecutions the Baptists "contended earnestly
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 27
for th© faith once for all delivered to the saints."
The fire of truth was kindled and could not be
quenched. In 1844 they moved to Cypress street
and Howard avenue. Here they bought the first
piece of ground owned by Negro Baptists in the
state, and erected a house of worship thereon.
Many were the oppressions and persecutions of
these humble servants of God, but their faith in
Christ and his Word made their burdens light.
When New Orleans surrendered and freedom re¬
moved the persecutions and oppressions, new zeal
for the faith sprang up, and the once-smothered
flame burst forth and its influence spread all
through the city and parish. Churches were or¬
ganized in different parts of the city, and in
every parish in the southern part of the state.
In 1865 a large number of churches had been
organized. Elder Sanders and others organized
what is now known as the Louisiana Southern
Baptist Association. The following year Rev.
Charles 'Satchel and others, taking issue at the
name, "Southern Baptist," withdrew from the
Association, and organized the First Free Mis¬
sion Association. These two bodies being zeal¬
ous of each other unto good works, labored earn¬
estly and planted the Baptist banner all over the
southern part of the state and as far up the Red
River as Nachitpches, and in the southwestern
part as far as the line of Texas.
In 1867 a very few churches owned any prop¬
erty. Preaching was done 'in the gin houses,,
ware houses, log cabins, under cane sheds on
plantations, or rented houses in cities and towns.
In 1871 Revs. Wm. Head, Whaley and others or¬
ganized the Gumspring Association in the north¬
ern part of the state; and the brethren in the
northwestern part of the state withdrew from
28 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Texas and organized another Association. These
two bodies extended all over the northern part
of the state, organizing and building churches in
every town and city, and on every plantation un¬
til the ministers were heard of from the Gulf of
Mexico to the line of Arkansas, and from the line
of Mississippi to the line of Texas.
The work of the Associations had grown to
such magnitude in 1872, and each of them cover¬
ing such large territories, that it was impossible
for them to cultivate their fields properly. In
order to more thoroughly organize their forces,
the Louisiana Southern Baptist Association, in
session at Baton Rouge, February, 1872, passed
a resolution inviting the other associations and
churches to send delegates to meet in joint ses¬
sion at th© First Colored Bajptist Church, New
Orleans, La., for the purpose of organizing a
State Convention. The invitation was hailed
with joy all over the state, and on the appointed
day, delegates from each Association and each
regularly organized Biaptist church met and, ac¬
complished their work.
In 1883, the Convention in annual session at
Baton Rouge, passed resolutions dividing the
state into fourteen Associational Districts. The
districts' plans were well received by the churches
throughout the state, and by July, 1884, nearly
every district was organized. We have our
Grand State Convention with sixteen Associa¬
tions. Our growth for the last thirty-five years
has been as follows: In 1867 we had a few small
churches organized, and about 5,000* members.
The ministers had just been emancipated, and
with a very few exceptions they could neither
read nor write. We had no day schools nor Sun¬
day-schools. Today (1902) we have 125,000
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 29
members; 1,200' churches at an average cost of
$1,000 each, making a total of $1,200,000 worth
of church property throughout the state. We
have eleven well organized and fairly equipped
academies, namely: Gibsland, Alexandria, Baton
Rouge, Donaldsonville, Cheyneyville, Opelousas,-
Homer, Ruston, Shreveport, New Iberia and
Monroe. These schools value on an average of
$1,200, making a total valuation of $3.0,000. Add¬
ing church and school property together, you
have a grand total of $1,213,200. This does not
include our Leland University, which is our high¬
est institution of learning given by Mr. and Mtrs.
Holbrook Chamberlain. We have now in the
state over 800 pastors who read and write intel¬
ligently. We can count our graduates by the
hundreds; also there has been wonderful im¬
provement in divine services. All of this work
has been accomplished by Negro brain and energy
from the Baptist pulpits, as they have lifted up
Christ to the people. We can say with thanks¬
giving and rejoicing: "The Lord is with His
people."
The above REMARKABLE progress recorded
by Dr. Msarks brings us up to 1902. From that
time to this our material progress has been pile-
nominal. Today (1914), we thank God for our
Grand Old Convention born in 1872. Further
mention will be made of it elsewhere in this
volume. Through this and other agencies our
pioneer and post-pioneer brethren wrought more
than we knew. They set in motion snow balls
of consecrated work which gained in momentum
and size as they rolled.
BISHOP J. M. CARTER'S HOME.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 31
ORGANIZATION OF FIRST ASSOCIATION.
As you have observed, the associations are
older than the conventions, and the churches are
older than the associations. This is clear since
churches make associations and associations make
conventions. The first association was organized
in 1837 by Elder Joseph Willis, and was called
the Louisiana 'Baptist Association. This body
was formed of churches he had previously or¬
ganized. Dr. S. T. Clanton says the Louisiana
Southern Association was organized in 1865, the
first after Freedom. We can point with pride
to this as the first distinctive Negro Baptist As¬
sociation of Louisiana, but not the first associa¬
tion organized by a Negro. Elder Willis' organi¬
zation was of a mixed membership, while the one
former by Elder Sanders and others was entire¬
ly of freedmen.
These Christian workers grew, waxed strong,
and led by our pioneer fathers did muehi good in
those stormy days of our denomination's infancy.
They were officered by Elder Sanders and others
who won many hard-fought battles while digging
out the rubbish of sin, superstition and ignorance
that the mudsills of New Testament doctrines
might be laid. Hats should be taken off to them
for having set up these landmarks by which we
are safely guided today. Further mention of
this father of all Louisiana Negro Baptists and
organizer of the state's first association will be
made elsewhere in this volume.
FIRST FREE MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.
As previously stated, this body was organized
by Elder Charles Satchell and others, in 1866.
They did not like the name "Southern Baptist
32 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Association," and consequently took issue and
organized the First Free Mission Association.
This body made rapid progress and accomplished
much. For some time it vied with the Louisiana
Southern Association in the matter of organizing
churches and spreading the Gospel along the
lower and upper coasts of the Mississippi River.
Finally the First Free Missionary and the South¬
ern Baptist Associations came together and be^
gan doing business under the new name—"First
District Missionary Baptist Association." This
body, which will be spoken of later, has done and
is doing a commendable work.
FIRST DISTRICT MISSIONARY BAPTIST
ASSOCIATION.
This body was organized in New Orleans, La.,
in 1866 by the following brethren: Bishops
George W. Walker, John Marks, Esau Carter,
Charles Satchell, Alex Armstrong, R. H. Steptoe
and others. Besides having preached the gospel
and established churches in New Orleans and
along the coasts of the Mississippi River, it has
fostered an Old Folks Home.
Sister Joanna P. Moore has the following to
say with reference to the founding, development
and growth of the Home: "The most pitiful ob¬
jects I found in New Orleans were the old freed
women worn out with years of slavery. They
were usually rag pickers, and had a little hut
where they lodged at night, and ate old scraps
they had begged during the day. There was in
the city an Old Ladies' Home, but no department
for colored, and there was no alms. Jhese old
people you sometimes found on the streets, be-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 33
cause for some reason they had been turned out
of their little corner and had nowhere to go.
Sometimes the police took them up and lodged
them in the parish prison. They were soon
turned out of this because they were guilty of no
offence, save age, poverty and sickness. The
colored people had tried several times "to collect
money for a Home, but something always hap¬
pened to the treasurer before they got enough to
open a Home. For two years I made this a sub¬
ject of prayer. Nothing was done until 1878,
when I called together those whom I thought the
most interested, both colored and white friends.
For several weeks we unitedly asked God to sup¬
ply this great need.
"About the last of January, 1879, the Lord
said: 'Go Forward.' Deacon Lease (white) was
selected to hunt a house which he soon found. The
first story was fitted up for the aged, and our
missionaries moved into the second story. I
first prayed for some one to take care of and to
cook for these pilgrims. Katie Lewis was the
answer to "this prayer. I wish you could have-
seen her. She was about seventy years old,
tall and as dignified as a queen, and wore her
turban as gracefully. While a slave she was a
head cook and general manager in the home of a
rich planter. She was a good Christian and had
correct ideas about most things. I had never
met her. The first day she came to my home she
said: 'Sister Moore, I am Katie Lewis. The Lord
showed me in a vision that I must come and help
you take care of those little babies (as she called
the old slaves). I am old but have good health,
and know how to cook and I want to help you
missionaries that the Lord hias sent down in this
34 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
low-ground of sorrow. Now I am ready to go to
work.'
"This and more she said in a very direct and
business way. I accepted her as God's gift.
She did not ask for any money. Dear Katie cer¬
tainly was a God-Send and remained as long as I
had charge of the Home, leaving the day I left
because she would not serve under a colored
matron.
"Our first inmate, Sallie Henderson, a rag
picker, old, dirty, cross, sick, was received Febru¬
ary 1, 1879. She had been unkindly treated so
long that she thought no one loved her, and I am
sure she did not love any one, and yet she was
a Christian, but down in a very low class of which
we have so many in our churches. Brother Wii-
son had a cart in which for more than a year he
brought the old people to the Home without
charge. At first Sallie did not know my plan to
leave the old rags behind. Poor Sallie had several
bags of them. I succeeded in burning some of
them, but it almost broke her heart. I offered
her nice new garments, but she preferred the old
rags, because she said I am used to them. We
had the same trouble with most of our inmates,
and yet we found among these neglected ones a
few real saints, from whom I learned many les¬
sons of gratitude. I had saved up $55 with which
we began. Within one month we had five in¬
mates, and that money was all gone and some
additional gifts. But our motto over the mantle
said: 'The Lord will provide,' and in that our
faith rested while we prayed, and according to the
promise to supply our needs a check of $15 from
Miss E. C. Prudden, of Wheaton, 111., came the
very day it was greatly needed. Two years later
she gave us $450 to help us pay for our property.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 35
I had met this friend the preceding summer, and
told her about my old women, but she had not
heard that the Home was started. The Spirit
that moved us to pray said to her: 'Send this
money to Sister Moore for the old people.' I
wish I had time to tell you of the many remarka¬
ble answers to prayer in that blessed Home. We
never went in debt, but when the oil and meal
were nearly gone, the old saints joined me in
asking supplies from our Heavenly Father. They
all knew that God was our Treasurer. The first
year we sheltered 22 weary pilgrims; none of
them were well; six were cripples, one blind and
two unable to leave their cots were cared for like
babies.
"I must say a word about two or three of "our
babies." Harriet Taylor was a poor drunken
woman, whom I found often in an Irish woman's
saloon. After much coaxing I finally persuaded
her to come and see my Home. She was partly
drunk. I led her to the street car, and because
it was nearly dark I succeeded in getting the
wretched woman on. My Home was one block
from the car line, and I had hard work to drag
her to the house. She was determined to go
back. We could not do much for her that night,
and the next morning she asked for whisky and
said she would die if she did not get it. Once
she had been a professing Christian. I said,
'Harriet, whisky is killing your soul and body.
We will ask God to take away this wicked appe¬
tite, and then if you believe you will be saved.'
We prayed and glory to God the answer came.
Some days after Harriet said: 'I don't study
about whisky. I prays and I prays; sometime 1
feel light and happy; sometimes low down and
sorrowful, but I keeps on praying." Harriet was
36 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
brought to the Home a perfect wreck, and yet
God restored her physical health so that she was
a great help in taking care of Miargaret Jones.
She was a hundred years old. She had fallen
on a pavement in December and was never after¬
ward able to walk. A kind-hearted sister gave
her a room in which there was no fire. Different
persons brought her something to eat. The day
I found her she was about to be turned out of
this shelter. I brought her to my Home, laid
her on a cot and took care of her for more than
two years, and then she moved to Heaven. I
wish you could have heard her say for every
favor she received: 'I thank you, Master Jesus.'
and often with tears of gratitude rolling down
her withered cheeks §he would turn and thank
the one who brought the gift from Jesus. Har¬
riet had never met Margaret before, and yet she
cared for her as tenderly as any daughter ever
cared for a mother.
"We had several inmates who were addicted to
drink. All were not so completely saved as Har¬
riet. One day in my visits I saw a little child
leading a blind woman across one of the back
streets. She walked very slowly. I asked
where she lived, and we climbed a dirty stairway.
'Here,' she said, 'this is my home.' I asked,
'where is your bed?' 'I sleep -on the floor in one
corner this little girl's mother allows me to have.'
'Have you a home in Heaven?' 'No, I have no
home on earth nor in Heaven,' and the tears
flowed from her sightless eyes. I said, 'Wait
here till I come back.' I went out and made an
inquiry about her, and all the neighbors said,
'Do take her to the Home.' This I did but the
car driver did not want to take such a filthy ob¬
ject into the car. He did not see the immortal
BISHOP JAMES
MONROE CARTER.
38 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
soul that now shines in glory. After several at-
tenpts we succeeded in crowding in. When I
got home it was long after dark, because poor
blind Lucy could walk so slowly. Katie Lewis
was feeling anxious lest something had happened
to me. She met me at the door. 'What is that
thing,' she said with contempt. The light re¬
vealed Lucy. 'A human being for whom Christ
died,' I replied. '0, Sister Moore, you do not
know the dirt and disease you are bringing into
this Home. You will ruin us.' At first she did
not want to help wash Lucy, but when I had all
ready, she came, saying, 'You go away and I will
do all this.' Soon after Lucy was converted. She
met me one evening exclaiming: '0, Sister Moore,
I have seen Jesus, and now I have a home on earth
and one 'in Heaven.'
"Jane Bu-rk was about one hundred years old,
and was quite active. She knew how to care for
the sick, of whom we had many. She was our
peacemaker, and such persons are much needed
in all homes, especially one like ours where dwelt
so many old bodies and souls, weary and full of
pain and unhappiness. Every little thing hurts
them. We feel that those younger and stronger
often lack the tender sympathy that God wants
given those who have "borne the burden and heat
of the day.'
Patsy Shaw, one of our inmates, was a charac¬
ter that any one could love. She was reared in
Virginia and could read and write. She arid her
husband were sold to a trader, and were auctioned
off in New Orleans about forty years previous.
She was sold to a citizen of New Orleans. She
begged him to buy her husband. He took Patsy
home, but for three days she refused to eat, weep¬
ing bitterly. He was a humane man and for pity
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 39
sake bought her husband. This bound her to the
family by chords of love. Shortly after his wife
died, leaving two children in Patsy's care. The
father was now an invalid and very poor—the
family having lost all their property. They were
Catholics. Patsy was a strong Baptist and still
had her Bible and hymn book which she brought
from Virginia. The white children she had
reared begged me to take Patsy into the Home
as they were unable to care for her. I said I will
send a cart for her, for she had been unable to
leave her bed for several years, and they caredi
for her. '0, no, I will never send my mammy in
a cart. We will get a hack and bring her if it
takes the last cent.' So the brother and sister
brought her, carried her in, laid her on the cot,
knelt beside her and wept like children, while
Patsy's old black hand wiped the tears away and
she comforted them with loving words as I sup¬
pose she did when they were little children. They
came to see her as often as possible. Patsy was
a real lady of culture, fond of flowers and pretty
things. One morning her face fairly shone. I
asked, 'Patsy, what makes you look so happy?7
'0, Sister Moore, Jesus came last night and told
me he had my mansion ready.' That light never
left Patsy's face until 'Jesus took her into the
light of Heaven.
"I have told you about the good folks. I like
to remember them. But surely we did have some
rough and coarse natures with which to deal. One
was Patience Jorum. She would take her staff
and strike the others, if they offended her. Yet
she insisted that she was a Christian, and that
the Lord gave her a spear and said, 'My little
one, go into yonders world and spear my people.'
To this command she was very faithful. I am
40 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
sorry the world has so many like her. A large
number died in our Home because they were very
old and sick when we took them in; and because
those admitted were both old and sick. We not
only cared for their worn bodies, but directed
them: to the Great Physician, and none left our
Home without giving evidence of readiness for
the Home in Heaven.
"I wish I could introduce you to one more of
that forty inmates, and show you how beautifully
tney grew under the culture of God's Word. We
repeated texts in the dining-room, prayer room
and everywhere. They could memorize one each
month. 'Did prayers alone supply your needs
each month?' you ask. I answer, 'Yes.' Letters
often came enclosing money without any name,
and provisions were received when we didn't
know the donors. Persons in the North whom I
had never seen sent boxes of clothes. I wish you
could have seen our old folks when we dressed
them up on Sundays and state occasions—white
turbans, white neck handkerchiefs and gingham
aprons. They never felt dressed without an
apron. When these gifts came I wrote grateful
letters telling of the work being done. At the
end of the year I published a report and sent it
to all who had helped, and so the good news
spread not by telling what we were going to do,
but by praising God for what we had done. The
fact that something has been done encourages
individuals to give.
"The colored Baptist churches in New Orleans
began to give monthly, and the little children
from the Sabbath-schools came trooping in with
glad songs, and put their offerings of money and.
provisions in the old wrinkled hands and received
a 'God bless you.'
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 41
Once George W. Cable sent me $10. Rev. Hart-
zell, now Bishop Hartzell, did the same, also Dr.
Holcome and other white people in New Orleans.
1 remained in charge about three years, and stood
by the work until the property which cost $1,500
was paid for. The price was $2,500', but in an¬
swer to prayer the owner donated $1,000 without
being asked to do so. I then gave the Home into
the hands of the colored Baptists with the earnest
request that they would not go into debt. They
tried to obey, but when hungry, incurred debt,
saying as an excuse, 'Sister Moore, we are trust¬
ing God to get us out of debt which is just as
good as to give us money before we go into debt.'
Their philosophy is very popular today, but not¬
withstanding all mistakes Faith Home has made,
she has lived 24 years, and today shelters many
poor of New Orleans. To God be all the glory.
"Before I close this narrative I must refer to
a lesson I learned in the Home. It is this: YOU
MUST LOVE BEFORE YOU CAN COMFORT
AND HELP. Referring to my first annual re-
port of Faith Home, I find the following record:
In starting this Home I hoped to accomplish
three things. (1) To care for the aged poor.
(2) To teach greater faith in God's promises.
(3) We hoped that this Home would teach the
people the Bible plan of giving—to lay by from
thier income a portion for the Lord as He had
prospered them, each according to his ability, and
not resort to such wrong methods as suppers,
concerts, fairs and such things; and going about
begging contributions from the world."
Thus you see from the above what this veteran
missionary, Sister J. P. Moore, has done for our
people. Too much worthy of praise cannot be said
42 Hitsory of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
of her. She has labored among us for more than
fifty years with marvelous success; and is now
(1914) active on the field. She was among the
first to com© and help us when freedom came.
The First District brethren will always feel grate¬
ful to her. This mother association has worked
well and accomplished much. According to the
minutes of its forty-fifth annual session it com¬
prises today sixty-nine churches. Perhaps there
are other churches that did not represent. The
membership of the District is 3,397. This is the
nestor association of the state, since it has in it
the first churches organized after Emancipation.
Its present officers are (1911) : Elder J. H. Flem¬
ing, Moderator; Elder Thomas Columbus, Vice
Moderator; Elder A. Hubbs, Recording Secreta¬
ry; Brother R. Johnson, Corresponding Secreta¬
ry; Bishop Jackson Acox, Treasurer; Bishop M.
S. Gordon, Statistician. Executive Board Mem¬
bers: Bishops E. D. Sims, J. R. Lawson, G. W.
Tony, John Brown, S. Wilmore, Levi Leach, L. H
Ben, J. L. Burrell and Ed. Coleman.
SECOND DISTRICT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
This is one of the state's oldest associations.
Unfortunately I have not been able to gather full
information as to when, where and by whom or¬
ganized. With all probability it is the work of
pioneer fathers just after the order went forth
to district the state. Like the other associations
it has satisfied a long-felt want and rendered yeo¬
man service in the matter of lifting Christ up in
South Louisiana.
At this time (1912) President Allen and hiis
corps of officers are doing much in the way of
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 43
spreading Gospel truth throughout the associa-
tional bounds.
Officers: Elder T. Allen, President; Elder J.
'Payne, Vice President; Elder G. D. McGruder,
Recording Secretary; Elder J. Dumas, Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Elder E. Stewart, Treas¬
urer; Elder B. Bell, Missionary. Executive Board
including the above brethren: Elders. J. Wallace,
J. Tumor, H. Roe, R. N. Waters, A. J. Favors,
V. Baily, G. Western, B. P. Lee, L. S. Hopkins,
J. J. Ellis.
The B. B. and 0. Association has the following
staff of officers : Bishop W. P. Darrington, Presi¬
dent; Bishop J. E. Walker, Recording Secretary;
Bishop R. W. White, Corresponding Secretary;
Bishop J. Gains, Treasurer, and J. W. Brown,
Missionary. Executive Board (including above
officers) : Elders S. H. McCall, S. H Sneed, H. B.
Bland, A. B. Stamper, A. D. Turner, R. C. Garri¬
son, J. Newman, T. H. Jefferson, S. A. Alexander.
THIRD DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
Inability to get data telling fully of the work
of this body prevents me from saying all I would
like to say about it. I am pleased to record, at
any rate, that this organization has been a force
for good in South Louisiana. The labors of these
brethren have touched the work of charity at the
Old Folks Home in one way or another; the
educational work at Leland and other points, and
have quickened Spiritual life throughout tiieir
associational bounds. Too much cannot be said
in honor of the old ministers of this District for
well done pioneer work. The younger preachers
have been and are standing today on foundations;
laid by the fathers of this District years ago.
ELDER J. L. BURRELL, D. D.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 45
The following brethren comprise the staff of
associational officers: Elder Robert Vernon,
President; Elder A. P. Orlage Vice President;
Bishop I. H. Perkins, Recording Secretary;
Bishop E. A. Watkins, Corresponding Secretary;
Bro. H. Williams, Treasurer; Elder A. W. War¬
ren, Missionary.
OFFICERS OF WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF
THIRD DISTRICT.
Sister A. E. Randall, President; Sister M.
Daniels, Vice President; Sister F. D. Blanchard,
Recording Secretary; Sister A. J. Baker, Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Sister E. Johnson, Treas¬
urer; Sister Mary Williams, Missionary, and
Sister M. E. Jones, Assistant Missionary.
FOURTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This. Association was organized by th© pioneer
fathers in 1875 on the 12th day of April. Con¬
solidated December 10th, 1883; incorporated De¬
cember 12th, 1881; re-organized April 12th, 1895r
and on January 24th 1901, it was re-incorporated.
In 1905 and prior the Fourth District Asso¬
ciation held jurisdiction over or in the following
parishes : East Filiciana, West Filiciana, East
Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Point Coupee,
Iberville and Livingstone Parishes.
This body of Christian workers, in 1905, was
led by the following staff of officers: Elder
Robert Morrison, D. D., Moderator; Bishop W.
M. Taylor; Vice Moderator; Brother L. F. Ger¬
many, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop J. D.
Smith,. Recording Secretary; Elder Joseph Fos-
46 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ter, Treasurer; Elder J. Mitchell, Missionary for
East Side of River, and Bishop P. W. Silket,
Missionary for West Side of River.
Executive Board, including the officers:
Bishops S. D. Nance, Isaac Anderson, L. Scott,
C. C. Richardson, D. Palmer, W. W. Georgetown,
A. H. Harbor.
Educational Board: Bishop W. M. Taylor,
President; Elder R. L. Williams, Vice President;
Elder Joseph Foster, Secretary; Bishop H.
Rivers, Educational Treasurer, and Bishops R.
Brooks, A. Freeman, L. Bullup, J. B. Williams,
C. L. Washington.
Dr. T. A. Walker, M. D., Superintendent of
Baton Rouge Academy, and Prof. J. S. Clark,
Principal of Academy.
This Association has done, and under the lead¬
ership of Bishop W. M. Taylor is today (1914)
doing a great work in the matter of lifting Negro
Baptists religiously and educationally.
FIFTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This Association was organized in 1876 by
Elders Isaiah Lawson, Thomas L. Rhodes, I. C.
Stewart and R. Coleman. Bishop Lawson was
its first president. Then followed successively
Bishops R. Coleman, I. H. Stewart and Dr. H. C.
Cotton, who at this time (1912) stands as the
Moses of this great Baptist host, numbering
3,200 as loyal Baptists as can be found anywhere
in the Union. 'Dr. Cotton is a man who believes
in doing things by DOING THEM, This fact
is evidenced by what he and his great association
have done and are doing. For more than twenty
years he has led them in the work of lifting up
the men, women and children "farthest down."
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 47
Through his ability to do things two academies
have been founded—one at Houma, La., and an¬
other at Belle Alliance, La. Both of these schools
have been powerful influences for good in this
part of the state, expelling ignorance and vice.
The cost of these school buildings was more than
$2,000 each. They are two-story frame build¬
ings and are completed throughout, very well
furnished with the latest improved desks and
furniture. Dr. Cbtton took a single church, the
Israel Baptist Church, and erected the Israel
Academy building at a cost of $2,556.20. They
were only six months and one day paying this
amount.
The property of the District is as follows: two
plots of ground, two school buildings and-a credi¬
table Old Folks Home. The members of this
District under their pioneer fathers and the
great men they now have, have, witho-ut doubt,
wrought well. Their present staff of officers
(1913) follows: Bishop H. C. Cotton, President;
Bishop C. D. Reese, Vice President; Professor
D. F. Ross, A. M;., LL. B., Recording Secretary;
Bishop C. S. Collins, A. B., M. D., Corresponding
Secretary; Elder T. L. Welch, Treasurer, and
Bishop S. L. MoGomb, Missionary.
S. S. Association Officers: Bishop 0. Williams,
President; Bishop J. W. Wickham, Recording
Secretary; Prof. McWillis, Corresponding Secre¬
tary, and Elder T. L. Welch, Treasurer.
P. S.—Since the above was written Elder Cot¬
ton has gone to his reward and Bishop Chas, D.
Reese is now (1914) Moderator.
48 History of Louisiana Negro Baplisto.
SIXTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This is one of the oldest and most active dis¬
tricts in the state. It was organized by Elder
J. B. Livingston and other pioneer leaders in
1877.
Elder Livingston has been its honored head
for more than thirty-seven years. This body of
Christian workers has weathered many storms
during these years, but this veteran leader has
stood heroically on the bridge of this ship of
Zion and kept her from going to pieces on the
rocks. Brother Livingston and his co-workers
began this work with but few churches, but to¬
day the Sixth District Association is among the
largest and most influential in the state, having
ordained preachers many and organized NOT A
FEW churches.
In addition to the large amount of church work
this District has wrought well educationally.
Howe Institute, the pride of Sixth District Bap¬
tists, stands as a monument of educational inter¬
est. This splendid school began its existence
among these brethren in 1890, and has borne
much fr.uit. In point of commodious school
buildings, the Sixth District leads; other Dis¬
tricts follow. In addition to a large two-story
frame building, they have erected a beautiful
two-story brick building at a ccst of $8,000.
The Sixth District Association is officered by
the following brethren: Elder J. B. Livingston,
Moderator; Elder J. T. B. Labeau, Vice Modera¬
tor; Elder J. C. Rochell, Recording Secretary;
Bishop A. J. Horton, Corresponding Secretary;
and Bishop Prince Albert, Treasurer.
Sunday-School Association Officers: Bishop A.
J. Horton, President; Bishop A. R. Butler, Vice
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 491
President; Bishop A.. J. Willis, Recording Secre¬
tary; Elder J. W. Cooper, Corresponding Secre¬
tary, and Elder J. C. Rochell, Treasurer.
Women's Association: Sister S. Jenkins, Pres¬
ident; Sister N. L. West, Recording Secretary;
Sister L. D. Bray, Corresponding Secretary, and
Sister L. J. Green, Treasurer.
SEVENTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1874 there was organized at Ope-
lousas, La., an Association known as the Seventh
District Baptist Association. The following
brethren were the organizers : Bishops J. P.
Davenport, Osborne England, Samuel Moore,
James McNeil, V. Rideau, Isaac Hodges, John
Horn and others. Its first officers were J. P.
Davenport, Moderator; S. W. White, Secretary;
V. L. Rideau, Treasurer. Its present offiecrs
(1911) are: Bishop H. L. Stewart, Moderator;
Elder E. W. Renty, Vice Moderator ;v Dr. G. M.
Hunter, Recording Secretary; Brother P. L.
Silas, Corresponding Secretary, and Brother L_
J. Campbell, Treasurer.
These Christian workers have done much in
the work of "lifting up" in their part of the state.
Their work began in a hot-bed of Roman Cathol¬
icism with a handful of members, so to speak,
but today they praise God for sixty-five strong
churches with a membership of 5,000 or more
marching under the triple declaration of "One
Lord, one Faith and one Baptism." Bishop L. C.
Simon, in 1900, founded one of the best high
schools in the state, which under his fostering
care has gone steadily on in the good work of
saving our boys and girls. This school has a
good annual enrollment and has grown in value
50 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
from almost nothing to $20,000 in 1911. Elder
Simon and co-workers deserve much credit for
this great work.
In a few short years this District has accumu¬
lated the following: School property, $20,000;
church property, $95,000; total, $115,000.
SECOND EIGHTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1872 this body was organized by
Bishops C. H. Ellis, F. Boyd, A. January and
others. This being one of our pioneer associa¬
tions, it necessarily began its existence with a
few churches, but it has grown steadily and
worked hard in carrying the Gospel to its remot¬
est territorial bounds. So that today (1911) the
membership numbers 872 or more, and under the
leadership of Moderator Smith they are pushing
on to higher grounds.
In addition to the large amount of religious
work done, this, body of Christian workers has
done a great deal by way of encouraging and
supporting schools for the education of its young
people. Many strong young men and women
have gone out into life's work from this section
of the state, and have touched communities for
good wherever they have located. Prominent
among these young people who have forged their
way to the front is Professor C. C. Smith, B. A.,
who is (1911) a member of the Faculty of Le-
land University.
OFFICERS OF ASSOCIATION.
Elder Alonzo Smith, Moderator; Elder I.
Young, Vice Moderator; Elder W. T. Purvis, Re¬
cording Secretary; Elder Henry Brew, Corre-
J. W. WILEY, M. D.
ELDER C. L. ROBERTS, D. D.
52 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
spending Secretary; Elder J. H. Ellis, Treasurer,
and Elder H. R. Norris, Missionary.
Executive Board (including above officers) :
Elders L. T. Tison, O. Smith, C. H. Thomas, S.
T. Wilkins, E. Griffin, W. M. Banks, G. W. Pan-
nell.
S. S. Association Officers: Brothers L. T. Ti¬
son, President; E. L. Parker, Vice President;
R. C. White, Recording Secretary; E. Fobs, Cor¬
responding Secretary; W. M. Phillips, Treasurer,
Mc Burns and L. W. Wallace, District Directors.
Officers Woman's Association: Sisters Carrie
Payne, President; H. Johnson, Vice President;
J. B. Wilkins, Recording Secretary; M. L. Wil¬
kins, Corresponding Secretary; M. Jackson,
Treasurer, and L. Johnson, District Missionary.
Both the S. S. Association and the Woman's As¬
sociation have done and are doing much good for
the cause of Christ.
TENTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This organization covers a large territory in
Northeast Louisiana. It was organized in 1872
in Cloudy Creek Baptist Church by the following
Elders: T. H. Johnson, who was the first Presi¬
dent, Phillip Robinson, John Strauther, Stephen
Bailer, Isaac Grant, Mitchell Sims, H. A. Scates,
I. Verwood, J. Jacob and A. Johnson. Drs. J.
Tresvant and J. Mangham (white) assisted the
brethren.
They began with seventeen church, member¬
ship about 2,000; today (1912) they number
more than 10,000. This body has wrought well,
and greatly improved conditions in this part of
the state. Not only have they preached the Gos¬
pel, organized and bu'ilt up churches, but they
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 53
have and are now doing a deal of educational
work. The North Louisiana Industrial High
School located at Monroe with the scholarly Prof.
M». J. Foster at its head, is sufficient proof of the
District's interest in education. Elder H. R.
Flynn, who for years has been chairman of the
Trustee Board, Bishop Hill and the late Bishops
Hamilton and Flood and scores of other strong'
men have labored hard for the educational work
of the District.
Professor Foster, its efficient principal, is a
college graduate of Leland University and a man
of experience in matters pertaining to school
management. With his able faculty, he is doing
head, heart and hand work that measures up with
any state district school. This school was founded
in 1895 by Elders Wm. Hamilton, W. P. Darring-
ton, J. B. Bolden and others. Its present valuation
(1912) is $8,000. This host of Christian work¬
ers has been led from 1872 to' 1912 by the follow¬
ing Moderators: Elder T. H. Johnson, C. Gard¬
ner, William Hamilton, lAiuder Back, Flood and
W. W. Hill. Bishop Hill, the present Moderator
(1912), is an untiring worker and stands shoul¬
der to shoulder with any District Moderator in
the state in point of devotion to the Master's
cause. No District in the state is more loyal to
the Convention. She easily holds her place
among the banner districts of the state.
TWELFTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
In August, 1870, this Association came into
existence. It was organized in the First Bap¬
tist Church, Natchitoches, La., by the following
brethren: Elders A. R. Blunt, Martin Kiles, Ben-
54 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
jamin Perrow, Professor John G. Lewis and
others who names cannot now be recalled.
For many years this body was successfully led
by the following officers: Elders A. R. Blunt,
Moderator; Miartin Kiles, Vice Moderator; Ben¬
jamin Perrow, Treasurer, and Professor John
G. Lewis, Recording Secretary,
These brethren deserve much credit for
pioneer work. Present-day conveniences of
travel were unknown to them, yet they pressed
their way to the remotest bounds of their Dis¬
trict, planting the gospel banner as. they marched.
Elder A. J. Harris suoceedejd Bishop Blunt. The
younger men under Bishop Harris have been and
are carrying the work on nobly, building on the
foundation laid by the fathers. They have gone
on with the work of organizing churches, ordain¬
ing preachers, until the entire District has been
flooded by gospel light. Years ago it took its
place among the banner districts of the state,
and up to this writing (1914) it has held its own
in the great work of Christianizing Louisiana.
This association has evidenced its interest in
education by doing what it could by way of fos¬
tering and encouraging schools. Moderator Har¬
ris, a broad-hearted and liberal-minded man, is
always ready for any movement that promises
to lift his constituency spiritually and educa¬
tionally.
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD.
Elder A. J. Harris, Moderator; Elder B. A.
Amons, Vice Moderator; Elder George W. Green,
Sr., Recording Secretary; Elder M. A. Gurst,
Treasurer; Elder A. D. Anderson, Corresponding
Secretary; Elder John Loveless, District Mis-
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 55
sionary, Ringold, La.; Elder George W. Green,
Sr., District Missionary, Carnpti, La.; Elder S.
Carter, District Missionary, Montrose, La.; El¬
der Wm. Clayton, High School, Treasurer; El¬
ders S. Horton, F. Hatcher, L. S. Hodge, R. A.
Nash.
LOUISIANA BAPTIST STfATE S. S. CONVEN¬
TION.
After the organization of churches, associa¬
tions and conventions came the institution of
the Louisiana 'Baptist Sunday-School State Con¬
vention.
Bishops S. T. Clanton, C. J. Hardy and other
pioneer leaders were responsible for the introduc¬
tion of this work. These brethren wrought more
than they knew in that they set in motion a
movement that has blessed thousands of chil¬
dren in the state, and quickened spiritual life in
old people as well.
In 1887 the officers were; Bishop C. J. Hardy,
President; Elder A. L. Reese, Vice President;
Bishop S. T. Clanton, Corresponding Secretary;
Bishop H. K. Barret, Recording Secretary, and
Elder B. Dorsey, Treasurer. •
Bishop A. J. Horton, of New Iberia, was for
many years the honored President of this body.
He and his co-workers accomplished much. Other
Presidents whose names I cannot now recall fol¬
lowed in the wake of Elder Horton's well done
work.
At this time (1914) Elder D. M. Brown leads
the Sunday-school hosts of the State. They held
a splendid session recently at Crowly, La. They
adjourned to meet next year (1915) at Homer,
La.
ELDER L. ALLEN, SR.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 57
The present staff of officers follows: Bishop
D. M. Brown, President; Elder*H. C. Ross, Vice
President; Bishop T. H. Evans, Recording Sec¬
retary; Bishop J. W. White, Corresponding Sec¬
retary; Brother J. A. Steadman, State Mission¬
ary; Bishop G. S. Lee, Sub-Missionary, and Elder
J. R. Rodney, Sub-Missionary. Brother Stead-
man is a splendid Sunday-school worker, and is
also under the co-operative plan of the Southern
White Baptist Convention.
Bishop Evans is accomplishing much at Uak
Ridge, and is one of the Tenth District leaders.
Bishop White is one of the leading workers at
Bunkie and is helping his people no little bit.
TWELFTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
THE WOMAN'S HOME MISSION ASSOCIATION.
This noble band of Christian women has
worked shoulder to shoulder with the brethren
and has accomplished much. Under the leader¬
ship of Sister F. M. Washington they give prom¬
ise of continued great work as the years come
and go.
Officers and Board members are as follows:
Sister F. M. Washington, President; Sister Ella
Cloud, Vice President; Sister Eugenia Allen,
Recording Secretary; Sister A. J. Thompson, Cor¬
responding Secretary; Sister Ann Ladson, Treas¬
urer; District Missionaries, Sister M. T. Ander¬
son, Sister Rosa Carter, Sister E. M. Brown, Sis¬
ter Ella Cloud, Sister Ann Ladson, Sister E. M*
Washington and Sister Clara Williams.
Executive Board, including officers : Sister L.
H. Mlorris, Sister Charlotte Russell, Sister E. M.
Brown, Sister M. T. Anderson, Sister Katie Fri-
58 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
erson, Sister Annie Levy, Sister Bell Speed, bis¬
ter Katie Chatman, Sister Catherine Miles, Sis¬
ter E. L. Primim, Sister Martha Felix.
NEW BEULAH ASSOCIATION NUMBER 4.
This body of Christian workers is doing splen¬
did work in and around Natchitoches, under the
leadership of Bishop Z. Z. Harrison. Twenty-
five churches represent in this Association, with
a membership of 2,000. Elder Z. Z. Harrison is
the efficient Moderator; Brother W. M. Allen is
the worthy scribe. Among other associational
leaders are: Bishops Henry Douglas, D. January,
E. A. Adams, S. L. Hamilton, John Gains, B. R.
Holmes, M. C. Holmes and J. L. Cole.
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
This is one of the largest and most progres¬
sive districts in the state, and is the home dis¬
trict of the writer. Its beginning and work
date back to 1876 when Bishop Wm. Massy, of
Marshall, Texas, was appointed by the Louisiana
and Texas brethren Educational and Financial
Agent. Half of what he raised went to start the
FIRST educational work in North Louisiana,
while the other half was used to foster educa¬
tional work in Texas. One hundred dollars was
raised in the first Educational Rally.
After the Louisiana brethren withdrew from
the Texas brethren they formed local associa¬
tions, the first being organized in 1880 with
Bishop L. C. Capers as Moderator. This first
organization 'was effected by Elders L. C. Ca¬
pers, Luke Allen, Sr., N. W. Winston, Jackson
Powell, Eli Adams, Dave Grantham, Tom Luke
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 59
and others. Bishop Robert Taylor was elected
Missionary—the first to go forth in this part of
the state.
The North Louisiana Association No. 1 was
organized in 1869 with the following officers:
Bishop John Jones, Moderator; Elder Dave Gran¬
tham, Vice Moderator; P. W. Shivers, Secretary,
and a Treasurer whose name cannot be recalled.
Others helped to set up this body, whose names
are lost to this history, but their names are on
the "Record on High" to be known when the roll
is called in Heaven.
The Thirteenth District Association is the re¬
sult of the union of local bodies, and was con¬
stituted in the year 1888 at Antioch Baptist
Church, Elder L. Allen, Sr., pastor, Shreveport,
La. The following brethren affected the organi¬
zation: L. Allen, Sr., C. S. Shelton, Allen John¬
son, Daniel Gross, L. C. Capers, Robert Taylor,
J. M. Carter, II. C. Coleman, F. J. Cook and
others. Bishop J. M. Carter was chosen to> be the
Association's first Moderator, and Deacon A. A,
Pradd its first Secretary. The rest of the officers
were elected and the Association got down to
business. Elder L. C. Capers was subsequently
elected to the Moderatorship and served aecept-
bly for a number of years.
In the year 1894, during the session held at
Mansfield, La., with the St. John Baptist Church,
Elder Albert Isaac Carter, by the will of the asso¬
ciation, came to the Moderator's chair. This
body has wrought well religiously and educa¬
tionally since this grand old man has had his
"hands upon the throttle and his eyes upon the
rails." He took the work up where his prede¬
cessors had creditably left off and brought it
forward with marked success. This Thirteenth
60 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
District as such had no educational work going
on at this time. A school known as Providence
Academy, however, was 'being operated in its
midst by a, Trustee Board independent of the as¬
sociation. This school was the product of the
great mind of Dr. A. M. Newman, who was its
founder and Educational Supervisor. The teach¬
ers were Miss Blanch Sterrett, Miss Elizabeth
Norrington and others, whose names cannot now
be recalled. The Providence Academy accom¬
plished much under its efficient Board, able Su¬
pervisor and faculty. Bishop A. B. Daniels was
the popular chairman of this Board.
In the fall of 1894 the Providence Academy
Board and the Thirteenth District Executive
Board met in joint session at the Antioch Bap¬
tist Church, Dr. A. M. Newman, pastor, and
agreed on the dissolution of the Providence
Academy and the organization of the Thirteenth
District Academy, with Professor Wm. Hicks as
Principal; Miss Blanch Sterrett, Assistant; and
Dr. A. M. Newman, Supervisor. So to speak,
the Institution got up steam and started out,
sending word ahead "to close all switches because
the Thirteenth District Academy was on the main
line." The beginning of this school was small
and humble. When Principal Hicks climbed the
hill, October, 1894, on which he hoped to find a
two-story structure completely equipped, instead
he found an old "L" shaped cast-away dwelling
house on whose top was the warm-hearted and
education-loving Bishop A. T. Sumpter and the
faithful Deacon Aaron Gaskin, with hammer in
hand, stopping the leaks in the old building.
After five years of successful labor the Principal
mov^d this old house back, made a dining-room
and kitchen of it, and on its site erected to the
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 61
credit of the District a fine $3,000 two-story
frame building. In a short while the District
had paid every cent on it. No member of the
Board worked harder and more zealously in the
erection of this edifice and the payment of the
debt than did Bishop A>. H. Samuels, chairman
of School Board. He stood ready at all
times to encourage the Principal with both his
money and his words. The enrollment of the
school grew rapidly to nearly 3001, and the term
receipts from tuition, board, etc., to more than
$2,000, when Professor Hicks resigned in 1903
and accepted the Deanship of the Theological De¬
partment of Coleman College, Gibsland, La. The
Managing Board of the school was made up of
the following brethren: A. H. Samuels, Presi¬
dent; C. S. Shelton, Secretary; J. M. Carter, Dis¬
trict Supervisor of Education; J. T. Alexander,
A. T. Sumpter, L. W. Ganfield, L. O. Capers, H.
R. Flynn and Wim. Caldwell. The following
teachers have served this school: Wm. Hicks, B.
A., D. D.; Miss Blanch Sterrett, Prof. Harris
Hamilton, Mrs. Desire Morse Priestly, Mrs. Olivia
Madison Hicks, Mrs. Julia Carter Whalley, Mrs.
Rhoda Brown Madkin, Mrs. Agnes Johnson Mick-
ens, Mrs. Dr. Rainwater, Mrs. Lula Burgess
Capers, Mrs.. Dr. J. H. Henderson, Mrs. Harris
Hamilton, Professor A. Cheatham, B. A., Profes¬
sor R. P. Player, Professor A. Leatherman, B. A.,
Professor A. C. Capers, B. A., Professor J. E.
Wilson and others.
This school has grown from a minimum value
or $600 or $700 to a maximum of about $6,000
or $7,000 in 1914. It comprises one two-story
frame building with an attached boys' depart¬
ment, seven or eight city lots and 120 ac-res of
farm land. The District's churches have in-
BISHOP W. W. HILL.
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 63
creased to 94, with a membership of about 9,000.
Elder A. H. Samuels has been recently elected
Moderator (1913).
In connection with the Association of churches
this body has three working auxiliaries that are
accomplishing1 much.
The entire staff of District officers follows:
Elder A. H. Samuels, Moderator; Bishop E. S.
Stills, Vice Moderator; Bishop C. S. Shelton, Re¬
cording Secretary; Brother J. A. Steadman, Cor¬
responding Secretary; Bishop J. J. Evans, Treas¬
urer; Professor R. P. Player, Auditor.
Sunday-School Association officers: Brother J.
A. Steadman, President; Mrs. S. C. Williams,
Vice President; Prof. R. P. Player, Recording
Secretary; Miss Essie Bailey, Corresponding Sec¬
retary; Brother H. C. Henderson, Treasurer. .
Baptist Young People's Union: Brother H. S.
Davis, President; Brother L. E. Murray, Vice
President; Miss Johnetta Bradford, Recording
Secretary; Bishop I. A. Carter, Jr., Correspond¬
ing Secretary.
Woman's Home Mission Association: Mrs. S.
C. Williams, President; Mrs. J. C'. Carter, Vice
President; Mrs. H. R. Flynn, Recording Secret
tary; Mrs. Margaret Chew, Treasurer.
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA BAPTIST ASSO¬
CIATION.
Among the oldest and most progressive asso¬
ciations in the state, is the Northwest No. 1. Its
organization was affected in 1872 toy the follow¬
ing Bishops : William Newman, Cager Nelson,
Peter McDaniel, Monroe Moore and others at
Saint Rest Baptist Church, Minden, La.
Since its organization it has been victoriously
64 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
led by the following officers: Elders William
Newman, Jerry Chaptman, W. W. Stewart, Mlatt
Glover, Monroe M'ooie, Joseph Frank, J. R.
Moore, James Newman, P. P. Mellon, Th., B.,
and the present (1913) intrepid and tireless
leader, Bishop Jerry A. Moore, Th. B. The
pioneer preachers began work in this part of the
state when the darkness of ignorance and sin
was dense. There was hardly a ray of light to
guide them on their way, but their faith was
strong in God. They got together a few scattered
churches soon after freedom and set themselves
to work. Their small beginning has grown into
a strong and influential association with twenty-
five or more churches and a membership of more
than 2,500. This body of Christian workers is
after "the man farthest down" and is gradu¬
ally getting him in hand. Its churches would
number more but for the giving birth to the
Springfield Missionary and Educational Associa¬
tion which is doing a great work throughout
Bienville and other parishes. Besides church
work well done these brethren have done and are
doing a deal of educational work.
For a number of years many of its members
gave liberally for the support of Coleman Col¬
lege, and since 1905 they have fostered the North¬
west Louisiana District High School No. 1,
which was founded by Bishops J. R. Moore, P. P.
Mellon, Th. B., J. M. Moore, A. G. McDaniel and1
others. The school comprises a two-story frame
structure situated on about 33 acres of fine land
valued at $3,000. Bishop J. A. Moore, B. Th., a
man of great mental, moral and spiritual power,
is the present (1912) head of this Association.
He is leading this body to "higher grounds."
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 65
LIBERTY HILL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1884, this, body came into existence
at the Liberty Hill Baptist Church. The or¬
ganization was effected by Bishops G. W. Jack¬
son, W. B. Washington, R. D. Mfilone, G. K. Gul-
latt and others.
The number of churches was small, but today
(1911) it comprises thirty-one of the best
churches in the state. The pioneer New Testa¬
ment preachers of this period were men of sterl¬
ing character. They served the people faithfully
in their day, and laid a foundation deep and
broad upon which the young ministers coming
after have raised creditable superstructures.
The association's Moderators and Secretaries
from its organization to date (1912) follow: El¬
ders G. W. Jackson, Moderator, and G. H. <tu1-
latt, Secretary; then came Bishops G. B. Washing¬
ton, Moderator, and A. J. Jackson, Secretary;
and last but not least, the present stalwart Chris¬
tian leaders, Bishops D. M. Brown, Moderator,
and L. W. Fuller, Secretary.
These brethren have wrought well, having
preached the Gospel through their churches to
thousands, bringing hundreds into fellowship
with God and doing much in ai Christian and edu¬
cational way to lift the people up out of the mud
of superstition, ignorance >and vice.
At this time the Liberty Hill Association fos¬
ters the Allengreen Normal and Industrial Insti¬
tute valued at $3,000. Under the leadership of
Elder Brown these laborers in the Lord's vine¬
yard have done and are doing an abiding work.
The following brethren constitute the present
staff of officers and Executive Board: Bishop D.
M. Brown, D. D., Moderator; Bishop P. B.
66 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Lewis, Vice Moderator; Bishop L. W. Fuller, D.
D., Recording1 Secretary; Bishop A. L. Adams,
Corresponding Secretary; Elder G. B. Washing¬
ton, District Missionary; Deacon G. S. May,
Treasurer; Bishops F. W. Winbush, S. M. Man¬
nings and C. L. Woods.
woman's home mission society auxiliary to
liberty hill association.
The aim and object of this organization is to
inculcate in its members the true spirit of mis¬
sions, to aid and assist worthy young women in
becoming trained missionaries.
The object of these women is indeed noble.
Up to this time they have done a deal of work,
and under the leadership of Sister 'Brown and her
able staff of officers they are destined to do un¬
told good.
Officers: Sister L. R. Brown, President; Sister
Mary J. Lewis, Recording Secretary; Sister Sadie
Hollis, Corresponding- Secretary; Sister Katie
Peevy, Treasurer; Sisters Nellie May and Eva
Derrett, First District Missionaries; Sister Re-
gina Dorson, Second District Missionary, and
Sister M. Sanders, Third District Missionary.
GUM SPRING ASSOCIATION.
In the town of Farmersville, 1872, the Gum
Spring Association was brought into existence
by the following Bishops: W. Gray, P. Shepherd,
Ezekiel L. Jones, C, Morse, G. W. Jackson, W.
G. Head, J. D. Dunn, N. T. Abbott and others.
This pioneer body was organized with twenty-
five churches. Today it more than doubles this
number, and from time to time new churches are
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 67
being added to its membership. The present
membership is 5,642. This organization has ac¬
complished, perhaps, much more than it knows.
I speak with special reference to the fathers,
who took no note of their labors, but worked
steadily on, doing in the Lord's name what their
hands found to do. Too much cannot be said
honoring these veterans. Their day was dark and
full of inconveniences. They had no V. S. and
P. R. R.; and no Rock Island R. R. to help them
on their way. When too poor to go on horse or
mule-back, or by way of buggy or wagon, they
went forth on fo'ot with the torchlight of Gospel
truth, walking miles to preach in some old gin
house, barn or log cabin with dirt floor. By so do¬
ing they made it possible for the present day min¬
ister to preach the Word in brick and stone build¬
ings with their pulpits not on dirt floors, but on
tongue-glued floors and Brussels carpets.
THREE CHEERS! Not only for the pioneers
of Louisiana, but for the world. So vigorously
and persistently did they push this propaganda
that within a few short years after the white
Baptists had turned them loose to stand or fall,
they had nearly all of the parishes of Louisiana
dotted with churches.
Most of the fathers have crossed the river, but
their sons in the Gospel are on the scene, carry¬
ing on the well-begun work. This band of
Christian workers has not only organized
churches and preached the Word, but they hiave
and are now moving things educationally. They
own and operate the Ruston Colored Normal,
valued at $3,000. This school is ably principaled
by Prof. I. S. Powell, B. A., one of the most
scholarly Christian teachers in the state. He
has accomplished much for God and his race.
ELDER F. J. DAVIDSON, A. M., D. D.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 69
The Moderators of the Association since its or¬
ganization are as follows: Elders W. Gray,
Ezekiel Jones, Prince Jones, W. G. Head, J. D.
Whalley, F. T. Delley and the present Moderator,
Bishop Albert Henry.
Secretaries as follows: Elders W. G. Head, T.
J. Brown, J. M. Dade, Prof. S. S. Gray and J. F.
Rhone. Bishop Head was the first Secretary and
served with credit to himself and his denomina¬
tion for years. The value of this Association's
church and school property is estimated at
$55,285.
CALVARY ASSOCIATION.
This body was organized in 1872 at Rocky
Mount, La., Bossier Parish. The first Modera¬
tor was Elder A. Windham (white), who did
much in organizing and assisting the ex-slaves
religiously. The next Moderator was Bishop
Charles Jones; the third, Elder F. J. Cook;
fourth, Bishop H. C. Dickerson, and the fifth
Moderator (1911) is Elder L. Ford.
These early laborers began this work with a
very few members in the early seventies; to-day,
they number more than 3,000. Interest in the
educational uplift of their people is evidenced by
their High School, which was organized in 1907
by Elders S. H. Ralph, L. Ford, S. W. Jackson,
Z. Flenouy, W. H. Hall, I. S. Mitchell, Jr., Bishop
Ralph worked hard and wrought well as princi¬
pal of this school. It is valued at $1,000 and
has an annual enrollment of 150. It is destined
to do much good in this part of the state. In
fact, Calvary Association, under the leadership
of Bishops L. Ford, F. J. Cook, S. H. Ralph,
70 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Jesse Byrd, James Moore, Mitchell and others,
has done and is doing much in this part of the
moral vineyard to dispell the darkness of ignor¬
ance, superstition and vice.
Bishop Ralph was among the first or the first
Negro Baptist newspaper man in North Louisi¬
ana, his first paper being aJbout the size of a let¬
ter. Elder Jesse Byrd, although working prin¬
cipally in the bounds of the Thirteenth District
Association, weilded much influence for good in
this, body also. He is often called "Father Byrd."
NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION NO. 2.
Among the Baptist state organizations, none
labors harder for the religious and educational
uplift of the people than the Northwest No. 2.
It is among the oldest associations in the state,
and was organized in the year 1873 by the fol¬
lowing brethren: Bishops Thomas B. Smith,
Henry Jackson, Joseph Satterwhite, Carolina
Fuller, Rial Wickwire, S. Presley and Brother
Henry Farris. Bishops that have served this
body are T. B. Smith, R. B. Gant and J. J. Fuller.
Bros. Smith and Gant have served acceptably
and with credit to themselves and denomination,
and gone to their reward. Elder Fuller is at
present the Moses of this band of Christian work¬
ers. What he may lack "in the letter" is more
than made up "in the Spirit, in moral power and
in executive ability." At the time of its organi¬
zation this association had but few churches; to¬
day it has, 56 splendid bodies of baptized believers
with a membership of 4,000.
Besides this marvelous spiritual growth, the
organization's educational growth has been phe-
nominal. Moderator Fuller has backed and
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 71
stood by Professor J. H. Whaley, in matters edu¬
cational, "to the last ditch," consequently the
District School has grown from almost nothing'
just a few years ago, under Professor Whaley,
to one of the leading District Schools in the
state. See more about this and other of our
schools elsewhere in this volume.
Association secretaries that have served fol¬
lows: Bishops B. F. Edwards, J. M. Carter, H. L.
Davis, W. B. Purvis and William Caldwell. The
Mansfield Colored High School at Mansfield is
owned by this body. The valuation of the Dis¬
trict's property is not less than $5,000. With
Moderator Fuller at the head, it is safe to predict
that this good work will go on. Officers: Bishop
J. J. Fuller, Moderator; Bishop R. B. Sloan, Vice
Moderator; Elder B. F. Edwards, Recording Sec¬
retary ; Bishop W. B. Purvis, Corresponding Sec¬
retary; Brother H. H. Farris, Treasurer, and
Prof. J. M. Peace, Auditor.
NEW HOPE ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1873 at New Hope Baptist Church,
Jackson Parish, La., there came into existence
the New Hope Association. It was organized by
the following Bishops: I. S. Flournoy, Modera¬
tor; Ezekiel Jones, Will Gray, W. G. Jackson and
other brethren. They began with eight churches.
Now (1913) the younger brethren who are in
charge of the work are thanking God for twenty-
four or more of the best churches in the state.
These brethren have taught and preached.
Their work of teaching goes on in the Chatham
District School which is owned and operated by
them. The valuation of this school is $1,000.
In addition to this work within their own bor-
72 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ders they contribute to representatives of Cole¬
man College, Ruston Normal Institute and others
who may appeal to them during their sessions.
The following Bishops have presided over this
body since its organization: I. S. Flenouy, H. P.
Pierce, Elbert Scott, Stephen Jackson and C. B.
Collins. Brother Collins, the present Moderator,
is leading the host on to victory.
Staff of officers (1911) follows; Bishop C. B.
Collins, Moderator; Bishop A. B. Harris, Vice
Moderator; Professor William McDonald, Re¬
cording Secretary; Brother L. J. Nelson, Record¬
ing Secretary; Brother H. N. McCarty, Treas¬
urer, and Elder J. W. Cassy, District Missionary.
UNION MOUNT OLIVE ASSOCIATION.
In 1900 this body of Christian workers was
born in Ascension Parish, La. The following
Elders took part in the organization: A. Steven¬
son, H. C. Johnson, James Roberson, M. P. Vin¬
cent, F. Coleman, F. Willis and others. This
body began with a small number of churches—
only twelve, but today their number is* doubled
and they are pressing on, covering more terri¬
tory, organizing more churches and planting the
blood-stained banner wherever opportunity per¬
mits.
In addition to the religious work that they have
done and are doing, this association shows its
loyalty to that part of the Great Commission
which makes it binding "to teach" by fostering
Leland Academy at Donaldsonville, La. This is
one of our District Schools which has accom¬
plished much, being valued at $6,000.
Bishops Stevenson, Johnson, Roberson and
their followers are (pushing steadily on in the
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 73
matter of educating and Christianizing the peo¬
ple in this part of the state. They are going on
with the Gospel propaganda and are "making
disciples."
Association officers are (1910) as follows:
Bishop A. Stevenson, Moderator; Elder F. Wil¬
liams, Vice Moderator; Brother Hy Henderson,
Corresponding Secretary; Brother G. H. Hill,
Corresponding Secretary; Bishop F. Coleman,
Treasurer, and Bishop James Bruley, District
Missionary. Board Members: Elders J. J. Jen¬
kins, Thomas Brown, F. Burnett, H. Williams,
H. White, E. D. Reditt, H. Butler, R. W. Allison,
Wm. Davis and Brother D. C. Nelson.
SPRINGVILLE MISSIONARY AND EDUCfA.
TIONAL ASSOCIATION.
This organization is among the youngest, but
it is one of the most influential for good in the
state. In point of numbers it is small; but in
point of actual, tangible and constructive mis¬
sionary and educational work, it is. THERE with
the largest association in the state. When the
Apostle of Education of North Louisiana, Prof.
0. L. Coleman comes before it with an educa¬
tional appeal, it is an ordinary thing for the mes¬
sengers to give from $40' to $50 with additional
contributions during the associational year, and
when the Foreign Missionary comes and tells
them about dark Africa, they count $25 or more
for the preaching of the Gospel across the wa¬
ters. In addition to this the churches send to
Dr. Jordan foreign mission money during the
year. Bishop J. D. Stewart, A. B., Moderator of
this body, is one of the most liberal foreign mis¬
sion contributors in the United States.
ElLDER A. H. SAMUELS.
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 75
This association is a child of the Northwest
No. 1. It was organized November 7th, 1907, at
Springville Baptist Church, Gibsland, La., after
the above mentioned association had granted sev¬
eral of her churches letters of dismission to af¬
fect a new organization. The mother associa¬
tion granted these letters in peace, being im¬
pressed that said churches would do better and
more affective work.
Meeting to organize was called to order on
above mentioned date at 10 a. m. Devotionals
were led by Elder R. Booker. After a part of
the 8th chapter of 2nd Corinthians was read,
prayer was offered by Brother E. D. Johnson.
Appropriate words of welcome were then deliv¬
ered by the pastor, Bishop J. D. Stewart, which
were aptly responded to by Bishop T. H. Mc¬
Donald. The association was then organized by
Bishops J. D. Stewart, T. H. McDonald, A. B.
Amons, W. L. Gibson, Wm. Hicks and others.
The following officers were elected: Bishop J. D„
Stewart, Moderator: Brother T. M. Egan, Vice
Moderator; Brother B. G. Hewitt, Recording Sec¬
retary; Bishop T. H. McDonald, Corresponding
Secretary, and Brother H. H. Henson, Treasurer..
The following brethren were elected to consti¬
tute the Executive Board in connection with the
officers: W: L: Gibson, W. L. Lewis, B. A. Amons
and G. W. Smith. In this first meeting alter an
able introductory sermon, preached by Bishop W.
L. Gibson, the brethren gave so liberally that
Bishop Wm. Hicks easily lifted a collection of
$26. Total raised in this initial session was
$159.80. The baptizing that this first session of
the association received at the hand of the Holy
Ghost will be long remembered and never forgot¬
ten. This body of Christian workers is destined;
76 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
to do much good under God and their tireless
leader, Bishop J. D. Stewart, A. B.
LOUISIANA FREEDMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
This is one of the oldest Christian organiza¬
tions in the state. It was constituted in the city
of New Orleans in 1869 by Elder Thos. Peterson,
its founder, and others. It was incorporated. June
16th, 1880. These veterans organized it with
only seven churches, but at this writing, Modera¬
tor Brown and his followers praise God for sixty
churches. Not only have they won stars for
their crowns by doing church work, but by main¬
taining and supporting an Old Folks Home in
which they have cared for scores of our old
mothers. No race will live long that neglects
its old and its young people. This Association,
like the First District and a few others, is nobly
living up to that phase of Christian religion
which makes it" BINDING to "visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction." Their asylum
for the old people is a nice, large, commodious
building valued at $5,000. It has a campus com¬
prising 19 lots with a value of $10,000, making
a total valuation of $15,000.
The association's present membership is 3,000,
and under the undaunted leadership of Modera¬
tor Brown this number will grow numerically,
morally and spiritually. Bishop Brown is com¬
paratively young in the work, but under God he
has more than made good, and with his able staff
of officers promises to do much more by way of
bettering conditions in the city of New Orleans.
The Association's first Executive Board was
as follows: Elders Tom Peterson, Charles
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 77
Brooks, T. B. Evans, Palmer Elkins, Thomas
Jones, Brothers Joseph Kion and Wm. Kelley.
The present 1912 corps of officers and Execu¬
tive Board follows: Bishop E. L. Brown, Modera¬
tor; Bishop N. Melrow, Vice Moderator; Bishop
A. Guilliott, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop E.
N. Webb, Recording Secretary; Bishop B. J.
Stewart, Statistical Secretary, and Bishop R. W.
Williams, Treasurer. Board Members : Brothers
G. S. King, Wm. Brown, Robert Rush, James
Roberson, Arthur James R. Carter, J. Thomas,
C. V. Thomas, E. Scott, E, Washington, D. D.
Marcell, C. Barber, Robert Riley and Sister
Mamie Willis.
LOUISIANA BAPTIST STATE CONVEN¬
TION.
The wonderful growth of the few associations
which were at work* in the state in the early seven¬
ties, and a desire among the brethren to more
closely associate themselves in the work through¬
out the state, brought about the organization of
the Louisiana Baptist State Convention.
The Louisiana Southern Baptist Association,
in session at Baton Rouge, La., February, 1872,
passed a resolution inviting the other associa¬
tions and churches to send delegates to meet in
joint session at the First Colored Baptist Church,
New Orleans, La., for the purpose of organizing
a State Convention. This call was hailed with
joy all over the state, and on the appointed date,
the brethren came from the north, east and west
and accomplished the great work. .It appears
that a pioneer preacher by the name of Madison
Allen was the first president; then came the fol-
78 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
lowing brethren: Elder Henry White, Hon. C. J.
Ladd, Bishops John Marks, A. S. Jackson, A. M.
Newman, A. R. Blunt, J. B. Livingston, H. C.
Cotton, J. L. Burrell A. B. Flood and W. M. Tay¬
lor.
Bishop Taylor is President at this time (1914).
Since the organization was affected, this body
has done much by way of stimulating the broth¬
erhood and encouraging the work in every nook
and corner of the state. As early as 1883, signs
of immense moral and intellectual progress were
apparent. There were 500 churches connected
with the Convention; 70,000 members, 650 min¬
isters and 350 Sunday-schools. The officers of
the Convention at this time were: Bishop John
Mark, President; Bishop A. S. Jackson, Record¬
ing Secretary; Bishop S. T. Clanton, Correspond¬
ing Secretary, and Bishop Ambrose Hubbs,
Treasurer. Officers of State Sunday-School Con¬
vention follow: Bishop C. J. Hardy, President;
Bishop A. L. Reese, Vice President; Bishop S. T.
Clanton, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop H. K.
Barrett, Recording Secretary, and Bishop B.
Dorsey, Treasurer. Other organizations through¬
out the state were alive, and the influence of the
Convention for good was felt everywhere. The
organization of this body had supplied a long-
felt want. The pioneer fathers at this time were
on the scene, but were gradually turning the reins
over to the younger brethren.
In this same year (1883) the Convention di¬
vided the state into thirteen district associations
(Bishop J. M. Carter made the motion), making
16 in all (including three associations previous-
y organized). The brethren throughout the
state entered vigorously upon the work of de-
Negro Baptist Beginning in America. 79
veloping these districts, which work they have
prosecuted admirably well. Forty-one years
have gone by since the fathers, started this work
and many of them, Bishops Newman, Blunt Walk¬
er, Hamilton, Ladd, Dorsey, Flemings, Cotton,
Flood and scores of others, have answered the roll
call, but their well-begun work goes on. Their
labors have borne fruit which has become ripe
all over the state to the glory and honor of God.
"Right blessed are the dead which die in the
Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors; and their works
do follow them."
The work of these great men and the labors of
those who have followed them are expressed in
terms of churches, Old Folks Homes and schools
all over Louisiana. They planted no cotton and
corn, raised no large crops, but they planted
churches and Christian schools and raised men.
We have a splendid crop of men in the state to¬
day due to seed planted by the hand of "the
fathers" forty years ago.
The Convention is proud of the fourteen or
fifteen hundred churches with a membership of
135,000 ; two or three old folks homes; the eight¬
een or twenty District Schools, and the present-
day opportunity to do greater work.
'Convention Officers (1909) : President, Elder
A. B. Flood; Vice President, Bishop Wi. M. Tay¬
lor; Recording Secretary, Prof. D. F. Ross, A.
M., LL. B.; Corresponding Secretary, Bishop W.
B. Purvis; Assistant Secretary, Elder G. W.
Head; Treasurer, Elder T. L. Welch.
Missionaries-Superintendent of Missions, Dr.
H. B. N. Brown, Elder J. M. Carter, Elder J. W.
Williard and Elder Luke Allen, Sr.
BISHOP PHILLIP BERRYMAN LEWIS.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
81
Vice Presidents: First, Bishop E. D. Sims;
Second, Elder A. Stephenson; fourth, Elder A.
L. Ash; fifth, Elder C. D. Reese; sixth, Bishop
A. Horton; seventh, Elder Ai. W. Renty; Educa¬
tional seventh, Bishop C. J. W. Boyd, Sr.; eighth,
Elder H. J. Williams; S. E. eighth, Elder S. R.
Franklin; tenth, Elder H. Y. Florence;. Elders:
L. Hill, P. B. Lewis, Wm. Wyatt, Luke Allen,
Jr., F. J. Cook, R. B. Sloan, C. W. White, R. J.
Dunlap.
State Board: First District, Dr. J. L. Burrell;
Second District, Elder J. Roberson; Fourth Dis¬
trict, Bishop W. M. Taylor; Fifth District, El¬
der H. C. Cotton; Sixth District, Elder J. B.
Livingston; Seventh District, Bishop L. C.
Simon; Educational Eighth, Bishop C. J. W*
Boyd; Eighth District, Elder R. Cleveland; S. E.
Eighth District, J. W. White; Tenth District,
Bishop T. S. Washington; Gum Spring, Bishop
A. Henry; Liberty Hill, Bishop L. W. Fuller;
New Hope, Bishop B. C. Collins; Twelfth Dis¬
trict, Elder C. S. Satterwhite; Thirteenth Dis¬
trict, Elder J. M. Carter; Calvary Association,
Bishop B. Moore; Union County Association,
Elder W. B. Willis; North Louisiana Association,
Elder C. W. White.
Recently, Elders Flood and Cotton have been
called to their home in Heaven. Bishop W. M.
Taylor is now (1914) President of the Conven¬
tion.
THE WOMAN'S BAPTIST STATE
CONVENTION.
For twenty-two years after the brethren be¬
gan organic work, the sisterhood of the state was
doing unorganized mission work as best they
82 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
could until Bishops H. C. Cotton, William Hamil¬
ton, H. B. N. Brown, Israel Thomas, L. C. Simon,
John Marks, A. S. Jackson, J. M. Carter and S.
T. Clanton called them together and organized
them into "The Woman's Baptist State Conven¬
tion of Louisiana," with Mrs. Alice Staff as
President, in 1887.
The following Presidents came after: Sister
Rosa Cotton, Sister Sarah A. Gates, Sister A. L.
Windham,, Sister N. L. West and Sister L. D.
Pruit, who at this time is the efficient leader of
Louisiana Baptist women.
All the good accomplished by these sisters will
never be penned. Many of their noble deeds are
unwritten, -and the writer is unable to record
them here, but there is a Historian ON HIGH
who has jotted the proceedings of all their meet¬
ings, and who will read them on Judgment Day
to the teeming millions of "the great and the
small."
After much good had been accomplished, it
seemed that the work lagged and became practi¬
cally disorganized, but in September, 1896,
Bishops L. G. Jordan, J. M. Carter, Israel
Thomas and A. J. Horton encouraged and reor¬
ganized the sisters. Sister 1ST. L. West was elect¬
ed President and the Convention "set sail" again.
From 1896 to the present day they have come,
scattering sunshine along their pathway and into
many darkened homes. With the Joanna P.
Moore spirit they are making glad and encourag¬
ing the hearts of many mothers.
The present wide-awake President is Sister
Loretta Dunn Pruitt. She and her co-workers
"are doing things." In addition to their already
well-done work, they are pressing forward, and
are making splendid headway in founding a State
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 83
Female Seminary, which is to be known as "The
Joanna P. Moore's State Female Seminary." Con¬
vention Officers: Sister L. D. Pruitt, President;
Sister N. L. West, Vice President; Sister M. A.
Cook, Recording Secretary; Sister Winnie Am¬
bler, Corresponding Secretary; Sister R. D. Wat-
kins, Treasurer, and Sister Jane P. Harden,
State Missionary.
FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY AND EDUCA¬
TIONAL ASSOCIATION.
This is perhaps one of the youngest associa¬
tions in the state. It is doing missionary and
educational work in and around Homer, La.
Having been very recently set up much cannot
be said of its accomplishments. Under the lead¬
ership, however, of Bishop Roy A. Mayfield and
others it is destined to do much good.
This association was organized by the follow¬
ing brethren: Bishops Wm. Garrett, J. M. Har¬
vey, R. A. Mayfield, Brothers J. W. Oliver, T. B.
Dozier and others.
Present staff of officers follows: Elder Wm.
Garrett, Moderator; Elder J. M. Harvey, Vice
Moderator; Elder R. A. Mayfield, Recording Sec¬
retary; G. W. Adams, Corresponding Secretary;
W. Scott, Treasurer.
NEW LINE NORTH NO 5 BAPTIST
ASSOCIATION.
We learn from an article in the News Enter¬
prise, dated October 3, 1914, that a "New Asso¬
ciation at Preston, L&.," had been organized. We
pray for these brethren unlimited success in the
84 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
vineyard of the Lord. Officers: Bishop M. Ray,
Moderator; Elder L. L. Gastin, Vice Moderator;
Brother E. J. C. Allen, Recording Secretary;
Brother W. H. Green, Corresponding Secretary;
Brother Henry Demery, Treasurer, and Brothers
J. Nash and B. J. Johnson, Board Members.
Bishop W; L. Hobley, Missionary.
Women's District Home Mission Association
Officers: Sister Ellen Hobley, President; Sister
Josephine Demery, Vice President; Sister Siller
Williams, Recording Secretary; Sister Henrietta
Ray, Treasurer, and Sister Charlotte Russell,
Board member.
BIOGRAPHIES.
T. A. WALKER, A. M., M. D., NOTED PHYSICIAN AND
ORATOR.
The gentleman of whom we now write was
horn in the city of New Orleans in the year 1864.
His parents were the revered and very popular
minister, George W. Walker, pastor Austerlitz
Street Baptist Church, New Orleans, and Mrs.
Martha Jane Walker. At the fireside, listening
to the reading of God's word by his sainted
mother, he was imbued with higher ideals of life,
and with a burning desire to give himself to the
service of God and humanity. His mother and
father having learned how to read through the
generosity of their young master and mistress,
encouraged him to go to school and prepare to
battle with the stern realities of life.
Acting upon their advice he began laying deep
and broad, the foundation of a thorough educa¬
tion by making good in the public schools of
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
85
New Orleans. After receiving a pretty fair com¬
mon school education, he entered Leland Uni¬
versity, and by assiduous attention and studious
application he completed the college course in six
years, receiving the B. A. degree at the early age
of 17. He is among the first classical graduates
of our race. After his graduation, there ap>-
peared on the scene a benefactor in the person of
the Hon. T. B. Stamps, a cotton factor who of¬
fered young Walker a position as cotton clerk
in his office on Carondelet street, near Poydras.
He remained in this position until Mr. Stamps
failed financially.
Early in life he was converted and baptized
into the membership of the Austerlitz Street
Baptist Church by his father, and at once became
an active church worker, identifying himself
with the Sunday-school and other church
auxiliaries. Unlike most college men he attend¬
ed regularly the prayer meetings and the Satur¬
day night Bible Class, conducted by Sister J. P.
Moore.
After finishing his course at Leland, becoming
converted, beginning work as office clerk and
teacher, he began to consider what should be
his life work. Inspired by his Professor in
Latin at Leland, and encouraged by one of the
ablest physicians of New Orleans, Dr. E. T.
Shepherd, he began the study of medicine at
Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, N. C. Being
studious and industrious he could be seen on
Saturdays and at other spare times sawing wood
on the campus of Shaw University. Here he
solved many knotty medical problems and stood
at the head of his class in Chemistry. After
studying two years at Shaw and passing a rigid
examination, he entered Meharry Medical Col-
ELDER JACKSON J. FULLER.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
87
lege, Nashville, Tenn., October, 1884, taking up
the senior studies and graduating at the head of
his class in Gynecology, February 26th, 1885.
Returning to New Orleans he began practicing
medicine. Soon afterwards he married Miss
Fannie Elliott, of New Orleans, who ha£ stood
faithfully by him, serving as a source of comfort,
cheer and inspiration. He first labored at Lake¬
land, La., away "down in the sticks," where he
-and his help-meet first began life's struggle. Be¬
coming anxious for a larger field, after practic¬
ing here successfully, removed to Baton Rouge,
where he is known and acknowledged as a physi¬
cian skilled in minor surgery and the science of
Materia Medica. Dr. "W]alker has shown himself
an able scholar and an apt teacher by his thor¬
ough work as Professor of Gynecology at Flint
Medical College, New Orleans. The lectures de¬
livered here were always considered both scien¬
tific and literary treats.
He was commissioner from Louisiana to the
World's Negro Congress at Atlanta, Ga., in the
year 1902. The following positions have also been
honorably filled by him: General Superintendent
Education of Fourth District Association; Baton
Rouge College physician (blessing- many suffer¬
ing students with his healing powers); Historian
of the National Medical Association, writing
its history from 1895 to 1906, and reading said
history at the Philadelphia session, 1906; and
he has been elected honorary member Mississippi
Medical and Surgical Association.
As a writer, he has written and delivered many
orations on the Emancipation of his race, and
other subjects which have been looked upon as
masterpieces of oratory and literary gems. His
88 History of Uouisiana Nzgro Baytists.
"Aftermath of the Negro Congress" held at At¬
lanta, Ga., was commented on by Professor I.
Garland Penn to be the best he had seen on the
subject, and Professor M. S. Davage, A. M.,
said it was the best he had heard on that subject.
His History of National Medical Association
was published far and wide by the Odd Fellows
Journal, of Philadelphia, Pa., and many com¬
mendatory letters were sent the writer. Presi¬
dent P. A. Johnson, in requesting Dr. Walker to
continue the writing and read it at New York, re¬
ferred to it as a "Scholarly Production."
Though one of the busiest medical men in the
state, Dr. Walker has never been too much en¬
grossed with his own interests to divide his valu¬
able time with the cause of Christian education.
He has taken time from his practice and collected
from white friends of Negro education more
money for Baton Rouge College than any other
man that has gone among them. This alone
shows how he standsjn his home city. The Bap¬
tists of the state are justly proud of him, be¬
cause he has subordinated and consecrated his
giant intellect to the cause of Christ; and now
(1914) glories in the fact that he is an honored
follower of the Lowly Nazarene. He and his ac¬
complished wife live happily and comfortably in
their $4,000 home on Boulevard Avenue, Baton
Rouge, La., within two blocks of the Executive
Mansion, enjoying the confidence and esteem of
both their white and colored friends.
I. J. WASHINGTON, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND TEACHER.
Tensas Parish has never produced a greater
physician and teacher than the subject of this
sketch. His parents were Mr. Daniel and Mrs.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 89
Virginia Washington. Dr. Washington was
born on a farm in 1865.
On reaching school age he found himself un¬
able'to enter and remain in school. His parents
for no fault of their own were without means,
but they had blessed him by borning in him the
spirit of honest endeavor which enabled" him by
God's help to fight the scholastic battle singly and
alone. After catching up what he could here
and there,' he entered Coleman College, Gibsland,
La., and there under adverse circumstances sur¬
mounted every difficulty incident to the strug¬
gling student's school life, and graduated with
honors from the Normal Course.
After being happily converted he was baptized
into the membership of the Palestine Baptist
Church, Gibsland, La., by Bishop P. P. Mellon,
B. Th., in 1896. Dr. Washington reached a de¬
cision as to his life work, after he had taught a
considerable time with marked success.
He chose the humane work of healing and com¬
forting the sick. With the tenacity of the noted
physician, James Y. Simpson, who discovered
the anaesthetical properties of chloroform, lie
seized upon the almost invisible opportunity to
study for the M. D. degree. I say invisible be¬
cause in connection with paddling his own canoe
he had to support and care for a dependent
mother. This he did by the Lord's help and
graduated at the head of a class of Medicoes at
Flint Medical College, New Orleans, La., 1905.
At* Lake Charles, La., Minden, La., and El
Dorado, Ark., he has proved himself by his cura¬
tive power to be among the leading practitioners
of his race. Hisi ^record should inspire the young
man who reads these lines with increasing desire
90 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
to become a doctor, because ''what man has done
man can do."
This son of Hippocrates (the father of med_icine)
made his way through the school of medicine by
working at saw mills, picking cotton, teaching
school and railroading during vacations. He is
today climbing the medical ladder with wonderful
rapidity.
He was married to Miss Hattie Scott, of Ar¬
cadia, La., by the writer# His wife has proved
herself a help-meet indeed. At this writing two
children have blessed their union. Dr. Washing¬
ton's thorough work guarantees for him future
success.
PROF. R. E. JACOBS.
Prof. R. E. Jacobs, the oldest son of Solomon
and Ellen Jacobs, was born at Converse, La.,
Sabine Parish, near the Sabine River, May 22,
1877. He spent his early days on his father's
farm. He attended the common public school
around his home and at Stonewall, La., where
lie was greatly encouraged by his uncle, Jack
Butler. His first teacher was his father, S. J.
Jacobs. After finishing some of the common
public school grades his father encouraged him
to go to college.
January 1, 1897, he entered Coleman College,
Gibsland, La. He was short of money and his
father was not able to help him financially,
therefore he made arrangements off of the cam¬
pus, where he could help himself by working.
Mr. W. F. Hawk, who was Prof. Jacob's land¬
lord when he first entered college, and Prof. 0.
L. Coleman, the President of the school, showed
him many kind favors by helping him through
Negro Bwptist Beginnings in America. 91
school. He graduated in 1900 with much honor.
He desired to deliver an oration on commence¬
ment day, but the President and faculty appoint¬
ed him class valedictorian because of his high
standing in school. He was loved by his teach¬
ers, admired by his classmates and greatly hon¬
ored by the students below him. He had several
positions offered him when he graduated. Among
them was one as field agent for his Alma Mater,
and he accepted this position the next day after
graduating. He traveled seven months in the
states of Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas in the
interest of the above-named school. At the ex¬
piration of this time, the President was in need
of another teacher and Prof. Jacobs was called
on to take the position and he did so.
In the spring of 1903 he was re-elected one of
the members of the faculty of Coleman College,
but resigned to go to his old home to accept a
position his father desired him to take. Nov.
2, 1903, he founded the Sabine Normal and In¬
dustrial Institute, Converse, La. This position
was planned by his father before Prof. Jacobs
entered college.
Jan. 28, 1904, he married Miss Mary Lee, a
student of Coleman College, Gibsland, La. In
1905 Prof. Jacobs took a special course in the
University of Chicago. With the aid of Mrs.
Jacobs, a few trustees and friends, Prof. Jacobs
has erected seven good buildings on the campus
of the Sabine Normal and Industrial Institute.
The value of the property in 1914, including land
and live stock, was $30,000.
Prof. Jacobs proved himself worthy as_ a
scholar when a public school teacher by making
several first grade certificates. He has often
been appointed by his county Superintendent as
ELDER AUDER BACK FLOOD.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 93
member of the examining1 committee, and also
appointed in the city of Shreveport to do the
same work. The white people with whom he has
dealings respect him as a man of business and
he is often called on by the white school authori¬
ties to address them in the behalf of his race.
Prof. Jacobs succeeded in getting the Slater
Fund, the Jeanes Fund and his county school
board to make annual appropriations to the Sa¬
bine School.
Facts About the Sabine Normal and Industrial
Institute.
Founded Nov. 2, 1903, by R. E. Jacobs. It
has 7 buildings. Supported by the Slater Fund,
Jeanes Fund, county school board, school farm
and private subscription.
Present Faculty: R. E. Jacobs, President; S.
B. Belton, First Assistant; Miss Flora M. Goode,
Second Assistant and Secretary; E. D. Tyler,
Third Assistant and Business Manager : W. M.
Tyler, Fourth Assistant and Field Agent; Mrs. M.
L. Jacobs, Domestic Science; Miss Lillie Mae
'Baddie, Music; A. J. Jones, Agriculture.
Value of school property, including' land and
live stock, is $30,000.
PROF. M. L. COLLINS, ONE OF LOUISIANA'S BEST
TEACHERS.
This young man, Melvin Lee Collins, son of
Mr. Milton and Mrs. M,alissa Collins, began life
in 1882 at Forbing, La. At an early age his
parents trained him to go to church and Sunday-
school, so that on reaching the years of accounta¬
bility his heart was susceptible to the gospel, and
when it was preached to him by the late Bishop
94 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
O. (C. Jones, it took root and he was happily con¬
verted. Elder Jones baptized him into the mem¬
bership of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church,
Forbing, La.
After working1 many years on his father's
farm and attending the Parish schools whenever
opportunity presented itself he, through the aid
of devoted parents, entered the Thirteenth Dis¬
trict Normal and Collegiate Institute under the
tutorship of the writer and his efficient wife.
Mrs. Hicks says he was one of the best students
she ever taught, being susceptible, docile and
obedient. With help divine, the assistance of
his parents and the encouragment of his friends,
he stuck to his bush and manfully fought the
scholastic battle to a finish, graduating from the
Normal Course with honors, May, 1908.
As a teacher he is thorough in what he at¬
tempts to teach. He is conscientious and pains¬
taking. Already at the early age of 30 years,
through perseverance and push, he has forged
his way as teacher through the teachership of
schools at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Grand
Cane, Dotson Academy and Spring Ridge In¬
dustrial Institute, to the principalship of the
West End Public School, of Shreveport.
He founded and taught "The Collins Practical
Night School," at Shreveport. Professor Collins
is not only acknowledged for his marked ability
to work the school up from within, but when it
comes to working it up from without, he is there.
When the teaching fraternity and friends of
public school education of Shreveport knew not
what to do that they might pay for a school lot
and win for themselves another public school
building, Professor Collins came to the rescue
and set his master mind in action, and when he
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 95
got through thinking a few thoughts, a plan of
action had taken shape in his mind. This plan
materialized and yielded $334.41. The em¬
barrassed situation was relieved and better fa.-
cilities for Negro public school children were
secured.
Be it said to his credit that he is among the
few young educators of our race who take stock
in the church of God and delight to worship and
mingle with "the man farthest down." We
feel safe in the prediction that this young mail
will continue to ripen as he grows older into one
of the world's greatest scholars.
PROF. THOMAS HENRY KANE, AN HONORED NORTH
LOUISIANA EDUCATOR.
One of the most widely known teachers in the
state is the subject of this sketch. He was born
in slavery, of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Amanda Kane
in the state of 'South Carolina, February 6, 1853.
After the horrors and besetments of American
slavery had passed and freedom had been
freighted with educational hope for the Negro,
young Kane began to apply himself. The first
school he attended was Providence, Benton, La.,
next Peter's School, Shreveport, La., and finally
Bishop College, Marshall, Texas. Here he was
a hard student, and through that pluck and in¬
domitable will so characteristic of the professor,
he laid the educational foundation on which he
stands today, and on which he has stood and won
his hard-fought scholastic battle from the coun¬
try schools of Greenwood, La., and Kellyville,
Texas, up to the (principalship of the Antoine or
Mt. Zion School, Shreveport. La.
Prof. Kane is active in educational circles,
96 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
both local and national, having conducted State
Summer Normals for years in various parts of
Louisiana and represented the State at the Na¬
tional Teachers' Association. He has been iden¬
tified with the growth of public schools for years,
being among the prime movers who influenced
the public school authorities to grant and estab¬
lish the Peabody Normal in Shreveport for Ne¬
groes; and through his untiring efforts the new
schoool building where he now teaches was
erected.
His interest does not stop with the children in
the day school, but extends to the Evergreen Bap¬
tist Church Sunday-School, which he has super¬
intended for a number of years. He came to this
work shortly after he was converted and baptized
into the membership of the Antioch Baptist
Church in 1877 by Bishop Thomas Christian. He
has been continuously engaged in Sunday-school
work since uniting with Evergreen. For many
years he presided over the children of the entire
District, being President of the Thirteenth Dis¬
trict Sunday-School Association. While holding
this position he became endeared both to the chil¬
dren of his school and those of the District. He
delighted in lecturing the Negro Boy's Improve¬
ment Association—a movement organized by
Bishop Wm. Hicks, A. B., D. D., at Trinity Bap¬
tist Church. Professor Kane is a great reader,
having read the Bible through several times, and
reads almost daily some of the best authors of
this and other ages, thus keeping abreast of the
times and holding his own among the educators
of his day.
ELDER GEORGE Wl WALKER.
98 History of Louisiana Negro 'Baptists.
PROF. GEORGE W. GREEN, TEACHER AND
CHURCHMAN.
There is not to be found in Louisiana a teacher
more devoted to the-church and its work than the
man of whom we now write. He was born in
St. Louis, Mo., in 1849. Mr. Alexander and Mrs.
E. A. Green being his parents. His father lived
to the ripe old age of 83, and his mother 94. Both
were Virginians. Prof. Green was born a slave
but was bought by his own father and thus
escaped the sad and bitter experiences of the
bondman.
He entered the public school in St. Louis,
where he received an academic education. In
1871 through recommendation of Mr. W. H. Red-
mond, Bishop A. R. Blunt sent to St. Louis for
Prof. Green to come and begin school work in
the Pelican State. He reached Natchitoches, La.,
November 26, 1871, and was appointed to a school
in Campti, where he has lived and labored suc¬
cessfully ever since. The first Negro Baptist
Sunday-school, perhaps, in this part of the state
was organized by him in the St. Peter Baptist
Church, December 11, 1871.
In 1880 he succeeded Prof. John G. Lewis as
Secretary of the Second Regular Baptist Asso¬
ciation of the Twelfth District. He has held this
position continuously until now, save his five
years' residence in his native city. Upon his re¬
turn in 1886 this body promptly re-elected him.
He fills the office with credit to himself and de¬
nomination.
He is among that class of teachers to whom the
race is ESPECIALLY indebted. He is an hon¬
ored pioneer teacher and as such endured hard¬
ness, teaching in log houses and perhaps on dirt
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
99
floors that the present-day Negro teacher might
teach in his two and three-story brick building.
Under the circumstances he has wrought well,
and made for himself an imperishable record
which will live on surviving the ravages of time
after his, body will have gone back to mother
earth.
JOHN MILTON SMITH, SR., TEACHER, FARMER AND
EX-U. S. POSTAL CLERK.
Of our many young Baptist laymen, none have
climbed higher in teaching, farming and United
States Postal Clerk circles than Mr. J. M,. Smith,
Sr. He was born October 28, 1872, at Furrh, La.
His parents, Mr. William and Mrs. Ida Smith,
being financially weak when he reached school
age, failed to carry him all the way through but
did what they could under the circumstances.
Being blessed with sufficient iron in his blood
and hustle in his bones, the subject of our sketch
started upward like a rising star. After attend¬
ing the rural public school, the Providence
Academy, Shreveport, La., under the late lament¬
ed and scholarly Dr. A. M. Newman, and Bishop
College a short while, he passed first grade Texas
examinations and won his place among college
graduate teachers in the big state of Texas and
often outclassed them.
After teaching seven years, in Harrison County,
he passed a Civil Service examination and en¬
tered the Railway Mail Service June 2, 1903,
which position he held and honorably filled to
the delight and satisfaction of the United States
Government until 1912, when he of his own ac¬
cord resigned much to the regret of ''Uncle Sam."
One of his reasons for leaving this lucrative po-
100 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
sition was to go back to the farm where he could
more successfully save and rear his ^ children.
Brother Smith wisely put the value of his children
above a big salary and the privilege of living in
Mississippi's metropolis. He reached the high¬
est round in the ladder of service on the mail car,
i. e., Clerk in Charge.
His career thus far has been one of unbroken
success. His motto—"A Consistent Christian, a
Loyal Baptist, One and Inseparable Now and For¬
ever"—is the secret of his success. He was con¬
verted August, 1891, and baptized into the mem¬
bership of Republican Baptist Church by Bishop
L. W. Canfield. He married Miss Crenzia Patsy
Hicks, March 13, 1898. Eight children bless their
union. Brother Smith's marked success has
helped him to get closer to, not further from, the
Lord. While doing well financially in the mail
service, during his stay in Meridian, Miss., he
always found time to work in El Bethel Baptist
Sunday-School and superintend a division of the
Negro Boy's Improvement Association, a con¬
structive movement for the good of the boys.
He is comparatively young and has a great
future before him. His achievements say he will
still succeed.
THOMAS LEE WELCH, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND
SURGEON.
In the town of Houma, La., there was born of
Mrs. Saraphine and Bishop T. L. Welch the young
doctor of whom we now write. He became a
student at an early age. After finishing his
course in Houma Academy, he began the study of
medicine at Flint Medical College, New Orleans,
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 101
La., and at the early age of 25 years graduated
M. D. with honors in 1907.
Dr. Welch sought and found the Lord early
in 1898, and was baptized into membership of
the New Zion Baptist Church, Houma, La. Al¬
though he had the unstinted support of a good
father, yet he proved his pluck by hustling part
of his way through school and working during
his vacations at the United States Custom House,
New Orleans, La. Notwithstanding he has only
been pacticing the short perioo1 of four years (at
this writing), he has held his own in the science
of Medicine at New Iberia, La., where he is ad¬
ministering and healing the sick.
Dr. Welch is both a physician and lecturer.
The writer was privileged to enjoy one of his
great lectures on Tuberculosis delivered before
the Louisiana Baptist State Convention in ses¬
sion at Shreveport La.
The Baptists of the state are justly proud of
this young man, and although tme greater part of
his medical road lies before him, from work al¬
ready well done, it is easy to predict that success
will be his as he shall count more mile stones in
medicine.
MISS ELIZABETH NORRINGTON, NOTED SCHOLAR
AND TEACHER.
. The lady whose biography w^ now pen is the
daughter of Mr. Emanuel and Mrs. Eliza Nor-
rington. She was born in the town of Minden,
La., 1865. It was evident earlr in life that she
was endowed with a bright intellect. Her
parents, though slaves, were firm believers in,
and ardent supporters of 'Christian education.
Though they had but little of this world's good,
DR. H. C. COTTiON.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 103
they set themselves to the task of educating their
little daughter. After removing to New Orleans
they first sent her to the Clio Public School. Hay¬
ing accomplished much here, they removed again
to Shreveport, La., where Miss Elizabeth imme¬
diately entered school. Here she distinguished
herself by showing that she had laid deep and
broad a foundation for higher education. Ac¬
cordingly her father sent hfvr to Oberlin College,
Oberlin, O. Here .she wa? studious and indus¬
trious, being loved by her teachers and school¬
mates. She often led in her examinations.
After preparation for her life work, here at.
Oberlin, she came south and began teaching. As
a teacher she has been and is a success, having
won for herself not only a state-wide, but a coun¬
try-wide reputation. She has held the follow¬
ing positions: First Assistant in Providence
Academy, Shreveport, La.; First Assistant in
Antoine or Mt. Zion ^ublic School, Shreveport,
La., where she now '1914) labors to the satis¬
faction of the School Board and the patrons and
to the delight of 4'he children. Miss Norring-
ton has served repeatedly in Summer Normal
School Faculties a« Model Teacher. She is Trus¬
tee and one of the Supervisors of The Heart's
Ease Industrial Orphanage. This is one of the
most accomplished women in the state, well read,
a consistent Christian, model housekeeper and an
exemplary teacher.
N. H. C. HENDERSON, M. Dv F'HYSICIAN AND
SURGEON.
This young man is the son of Mr. H. C. and
Mrs. Pheobe Henderson. He is one of Louisi¬
ana's most successful physicians. Longwood,
104 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
La., is his birthplace. Being blessed with a pa¬
rents who were intensely interested in Christian
education, he had fairly smooth sailing as to get¬
ting through school. Reaching school age he was
sent to the country public school. Later he en¬
tered Bishop College, Marshall, Texas, where he
spent several years. During his vacations he
studied Latin and other subjects under the writer
at a Summer School near Furrh, La. After¬
wards he entered the College and Medical De¬
partment of the University of West Tennessee,
and graduated M. D. 1908.
Dr. Henderson located in Memphis, Tenn., in
1909, after passing the State Medical Board of
Tennessee. He has been elected president of the
Alumni Association of West Tennessee Univer¬
sity, and also Professor of Chemical Medicine.
He was converted at the early age of 14, and
baptized into the membership of the Republican
Baptist Church, Furrh, La., 'by Bishop L. W.
Canfield. This young man has a bright future
in the field of medical endeavor.
ISAAC CORNELIUS CHAPTMAN, M. D., LL. B.,
PHYSICIAN AND LAWYER.
The subject of this sketch was born in La¬
fayette, La., 1861. Mir. Isaac and Mrs. Malina
Chaptman were his parents. Dr. Chaptman was
deprived of early school training. He worked on
the farm with his. father until he was of age.
The writer has heard him say that on the day
he was 21 his father called him in the field, and
reminding him of his age told him he might go,
and (so to speak) enter life's battle to win or
lose. With a good supply of nerve and iron in
his blood he started out. His first job was on
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 105
a farm at $12 per month. The work was hard
but he stayed on his job until the crop was
gathered. Next he succeeded in getting work as
a common laborer in the U. S. Custom House,
New Orleans, La., under Hon. William Pitt Kel¬
logg. He worked here two years at $50' per
month, saving about $600 during this time.
Lending this money out amiss made it almost
impossible for him to begin the work of self-
education. However he succeeded in entering
Leland University with a small sum of money,
and practically no education at all after he was
22 years old. After spending some years here
at Leland, doing a deal of literary work, he en¬
tered New Orleans University, where he was a
hard student, and where he accomplished much.
Following he took up the study of medicine at
Flint Medical College and graduated M. D.„
with honors, being among its first graduates,.
He again graduated from the Intercontinental
School of Law.
Starting out on his medical career practically
penniless, his only money to start with being a
graduating present of $10, given by Mrs. Frances
White, and $1 by Prof. Jonas Henderson, he
began at once to demonstrate his curative powers
as a physician at New Orleans, La., Crowley, La.,
Orange, Texas, Lake Charles, La., and Lafayette,
La., where he now (1912) labors.
He was converted and baptized in the mem¬
bership of the Good Hope Baptist Church, El¬
der C. Noah, buried him in baptism. Dr. Chapt-
man is pushful, enterprising and progressive.
He is largely a "self-made man"—pure and sim¬
ple. What he has accomplished bespeaks for
him continued success in the medical profession.
106 History of Louisiana Negrc Baptists.
PROF. R. P. PLAYER, NOTED TEACHER.
March 11, 1876, this young man was born near
Alden Bridge, La., of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Mag¬
gie Player. ' At the age of eight his parents sent
him to school at Cotton Grove (near Alden
Bridge) to a Mr. Russell (white) as the public
'schools at that time were being taught by a very-
few colored teachers. So marked was young
Player's interest in his books, and so studious
<did he become that he began to hold the "head of
his class."
At this early age he started up to take his place
among the intellectual stars of Louisiana. He
spent four years in public schools of his parish,
and. after studying "farmology" eight years he
entered the Thirteenth District Normal and Col¬
legiate Institute under Professor Wm. Hicks.
Her© he studied hard and graduated from the
Normal Course with honors. He speaks as fol¬
lows of his school life: "Although Rev. Hicks re¬
signed before I finished, I confess that I owe
much of the character building and general in¬
formation needed to carry one over life's sea to
him." After finishing the prescribed course of
study here at this Institution, he was elected As¬
sistant Principal of his Alma Mater, but soon
resigned and accepted the principalship of the
Butler Hill Public School, Shreveport, La.
He began this work with only about 50' pupils
in one rented room. But because of the large
amount of hustle in his bones, and his indomita¬
ble will, he was willing to go up against adverse
conditions, believing that with God on his side
no night would get too dark, no road too muddy,
and no hill too high. He got down to business
and in a short while, by the assistance of God,
MISS ELIZABETH NORRINGTON.
108 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
white and colored friends, his 50 pupils grew in
numbers to 450, and his little rented room gave
way to a large two-story frame structure with
six modernly equipped recitation rooms and a
large auditorium. He is now (1914) the popu¬
lar principal of this school, enjoying the confi¬
dence of his corps of teachers, hundreds of stu¬
dents, friends and the public school authorities of
both parish and state.
Prof. Player was converted at the. age of 17
years, but owing to a continual "sending back to
the wilderness," which was in vogue in those
days, among the pioneer preachers (and which
is much needed to be revived in these days), it
was a year hence before he was baptized. Bishop
L S. Whitaker baptized him into the membership
of the Evergreen Baptist Church, Alden Bridge,
La. His pleasing manner and Christian deport¬
ment commended him to his church. He was
elected clerk and annually represented his church
in the Thirteenth District Association. The As¬
sociation being favorably impressed, elected him
Corresponding Secretary. During this time he
was also appointed School Secretary. He is at
this writing Auditor of the Thirteenth District
Association of Churches and Secretary of the As¬
sociation of Sunday-schools.
Four years he owned and operated the Search¬
light Printing Office. In 1908 he married Miss
Pearline Bailey. Two boys bless their union.
Prof. Player's pleasing manner, upright charac¬
ter and religious sentiment predict for him fu¬
ture success.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 109
PROF. M. J. FOSTER, B. A., TEACHER AND SCHOOL
BUILDER.
The light of day was first seen by Professor
Foster in 1875 in the parish of St. Martin, La.
He is the son of Mr. Albert and Mrs. Cora Foster.
Being proud of their boy they doubtless prayed
early and earnestly that God would some day
make of him a great man. It is gratifying to
say that their prayers have been answered. They
helped God to answer their prayers by starting
their boy out to school as soon as be reached
school age.
Having a bright intellect, he successfully made
his way through the course of study at Howe
Institute, New Iberia, La. He attended Atlanta
Baptist College, Atlanta, Ga., and afterwards en¬
tered Leland University, New Orleans, La., where
he applied himself as a hard student, winning
and holding the confidence of the President, fac¬
ulty and student body; and graduated twice with
honors: first from the College Preparatory
Course and then from the B. A. degree Course
May 17, 1905.
On leaving Leland he was called to the princi-
palship of the Tenth District High School, Mon¬
roe, La., which position he now holds with credit
to himself and to the satisfaction of the Tenth
District brethren, having graduated from the
Teacher-Training Course in connection with his
Normal and College Course. This school is in
a prosperous condition with an enrollment of
208. Domestic Science, Sewing and thorough
work in literary branches up to the Ninth Grade
are taught. Plans and specifications for another
building three stories high with a seating ca-
110 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
pacity of 500 have recently been approved by the
principal.
After his conversion in 1892, Elder J. B. Liv¬
ingston baptized him into the membership of the
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, New Iberia, La. In
1905 he was united in holy wedlock to Miss Ottie
Alberta Wright. Two sons bless tfrfcir union—
Madison W. and Leland F. Prof. Foster has put
himself on record as an efficient teacher, school
and home builder.
PROF. IRA A. HENDERSON, TEACHER AND U. S. R. R.
POSTAL CLERK.
- None of Louisiana's young men are more in¬
dustrious and more religiously inclined than Ira
A. Henderson. His birth place was Longwood,
La. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howell Hender¬
son, have always been loyal supporters of Chris¬
tian education, and he received from them every
school advantage they were able to give. "
It became evident early in life that his was a
bright intellect. He was started to school at an
early age, and after making good in the public
school of his parish and also in a private school
taught by the writer and other teachers, he enter¬
ed the famous Tuskegee Institute, Oct, 1902, and
graduated from the Academic Course, May, 1904.
On leaving school he accepted the principalship
of the public school at Emma, La. In 1907 he
was appointed postmaster at Sojourner,' La. He
served "Uncle Sam" for some time satisfactorily
in this capacity; later he climbed higher into the
United States' Mail Service, which position he
now (1912) holds with credit to himself and
race.
Mr. Henderson was converted in 1893 and bap-
Negro Ba/ptist Beginnings in America. Ill
tized into the membership of the Republican Bap¬
tist Church, Furrh, La., by Bishop L. W. Can-
field. His economic ability is evidenced by the
fact that in a short while he has acquired prop¬
erty in Texarkana, Tex., Shreveport, La., and is
also a stockholder in the Caddo Pharmacy,
Shreveport, La. The push, energy, will-power
and determination possessed by this young1 man
say that he will win more victories.
BISHOP J. H. FLEMINGS, NOTED PIONEER
PREACHER.
No man in the state has done more for our
Baptist Zion than Elder John H. Flemings. He
was born in St. Landry Parish in 1852. In 1872
he was converted at the early age of 20 years.
This, pioneer came along when intellectual dark¬
ness hung like a pall over his pathway, but being
made of the proper kind of metal with plenty of
push and energy he pushed his way to the front.
Although deprived of early training he seized
every opportunity freedom brought him to im¬
prove, and very soon he was able to read the
"King's English" and God's Holy Word. In
1882 he passed a very creditable examination and
was ordained to the gospel ministry. His first
pastorate was Good Hope Baptist Church, Al¬
giers, La. Following he pastored successfully
Mt. Olive and Mt. Carmel Baptist Churches. He
was the honored pastor twenty-nine years of the
first church to which he was called, serving until
he left for Heaven. For .more than twenty-three
years he stood at his post, weathering many
storms as Moderator of the First District Asso¬
ciation. During these years this body has done
a work that mortal tongue will never tell fully.
JOHN MILTON SMITH.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 113
The District fosters and maintains an Old Folks
Home which has done much in soothing the sor¬
rows and alleviating the sufferings of our poor
old mothers. Bishop Flemings now rest from his
labors and his good works do follow him.
"Servant of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Master's jo3r."
DR. H. C. COTTON, A GREAT PREACHER AND
COMMUNITY BUILDER.
Some of our brethren throughout the state
have accomplished much in preaching the gos¬
pel, building church houses, school houses and
communities, but none have reached .a higher
mark in these endeavors than Bishop H. .C. Cot¬
ton. He was born at Bayou Sara, La., August,
1C52. At the close of the Civil War he attended
the private and public schools of his town, where
he completed the English Course. In 1884 he
entered Leland University, where he found him¬
self surrounded by many disadvantages. These
obstacles, together with the responsibility of a
family and the oversight of a large church, com¬
pelled him to give up further study at the Uni¬
versity and arrange for private study at home.
His progress proved his success as a private stu¬
dent. Manifest educational attainments pos¬
sessed by him, and the educational training that
came to others through his instrumentality placed
him among the men of thought and action of his
day.
Elder Cotton was converted at Bayou Sara,
La., and baptized into the membership of the In¬
dependent Missionary Baptist Church, May 10,
114 History of Louisiana, Negro Baptists.
1871. In 1875 he was licensed to preach and in
1879 he was ordained by the following Bishops:
Daniel Dorsey, Samuel Tucker, Henry Hewlet,
Eli Perkins and Anderson Hogan.
One of the first acts of his public life was the
organization of East and West Feliciana and
Point Coupee Baptist Association. This associ¬
ation was instrumental in collecting the few scat¬
tered churches for future service. It began the
work of organizing churches, ordaining preach¬
ers and disseminating Baptist doctrine until the
year 1885. Then the State Convention (as will
be observed elsewhere in this volume)' for the
conveniences of the churches re-districted the
state into 13 associational districts. It was then
that this body organized by Dr. Cotton became
the Fourth District Baptist Association. The
following brethren assisted in the organization of
the East and West Feliciana and Point Coupee
Baptist Association: Daniel Dorsey, George
Dent, Henry Hewlet, Archie Hulbert, Nathaniel
Ratliff, John Clark, Wash Carter, Moses Overton,
Rufin Thornton and many others whose names
are not preserved.
Bishop Cotton served nearly four years as
State and District Missionary and has pastored
twenty-seven years, during which time he bap¬
tized more than a thousand souls, assisted in or¬
ganizing many churches, helped in the ordina¬
tion of a large number of young ministers. Three
church edifices have been constructed and re¬
modeled under his wise leadership. This same
leader of men with others organized and founded
the Houma Academy, Houma, La., and the Israel
Academy, Bell Alliance, La. Both of these
schools have creditably constructed buildings
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 115
with modern improvements. Their value is more
than $2,000 each.
For more than twenty consecutive years Dr.
Cotton served as Moderator of the Fifth District
Association, and was three times elected Presi¬
dent of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention,
the highest honor that could be bestowed by his
brethren. His brethren were satisfied and de<-
lighted with his service while he presided over
the Convention. He was called to the Israel Bap¬
tist Church in 1885, which is one of our largest
and most influential churches. During the 28
years of pastoral work with these good people,
he has more than doubled the membership and
increased the material . value from $5,000 to
$10",000, having remodeled the church edifice and
made it modern in every respect. Israel Acade¬
my which was fostered by him and his great
church is a large two-story frame structure 45x-
30x22, completed throughout. Israel Baptist
Church put this- school up at a cost of .$2,556.20,
and paid for it in six months and one day.
Through the teaching and influence of this
great man the majority of his members own
homes.
Leland University has signally honored him
by conferring upon him the honorary degree,
D. D., and also elected him as one of its trustees.
Dr. Cotton enjoyed the esteem and confidence not
only of the people of Bell Alliance, but of all who
knew him. He did great good while he lived,
blessing every life that came in contact with his.
"Soldier of Christ, well done,
Praise be thy new employ,
116 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
And, while eternal ages run,
Rest in thy Savior's joy."
ELDER GEORGE W. WALKER, PIONEER PREACHER OF
ABILITY.
The great work of this noted man accomplished
in the city of New Orleans caused his name to
become a household word almost throughout the
state of Louisiana. The veteran whose life and
deeds we attempt to depict was known for his
sterling qualities beyond the confines of his state.
He was a skilled mechanic and held the position
of engineer at the shipper's Cotton Press, New
Orleans, La.
After his conversion he united with the First
African Baptist Church, New Orleans, La., un¬
der the pastorate of Elder Nelson Sanders. In
the year of 1819 he was born at Pulaski, Tenn.,
and at the time of his death, December, 1892,
was 73 years old. The greater part of these
years wa's spent in unselfish service to God and
humanity.
Soon after his conversion he felt divinely called
to preach the Gospel of Christ, and after relat¬
ing his call was ordained to the ministry by
Bishop Nelson Sanders and others. In almost
middle life and about the time of his entrance
into the work of the ministry, he married Miss
Martha Jane Wright, of Norfolk, Va., who was
a great source of inspiration to him in his Di¬
vinely appointed profession. While working at
his trade as an engineer he gathered together a
faithful band of followers and began worship¬
ping God at a little church within the confines
of the old Delechaise Brick Yard. His effective-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 117
ness as a gospel preacher and his ability to at¬
tract and hold men became so pronounced that
the congregation outgrew its small house and he
was compelled to purchase larger quarters on
Austerlitz street, upon which was erected a com¬
modious building. Hundreds of souls were born
of the Spirit through the plain but effective Gos¬
pel which was preached from the sacred desk of
the new church edifice. Soon this structure be¬
came too small to accommodate the large and in¬
creasing membership and congregation that
would gather to hear this gifted gospel preacher.
Seeing the need of a larger house, his trustees
and members joined him in purchasing the lot
whereon stands today an edifice which is a monu¬
ment to his memory, his far-sightedness and
ability as both a preacher and a church house
builder. Funds were readily raised by various
kinds of entertainments and liberal private sub¬
scriptions. Upon the completion of the building,
and the entry of the congregation into it, his min¬
istry was blessed with many more -souls;; and be¬
cause of his ability to influence and persuade men
to come to Christ there are scattered here and
there throughout these United States hundreds
of men and women who delight to call him
"Pappy George," and who attribute their conver¬
sion to his plain, thoughtful and convincing gos¬
pel.
He was an intense lover of education and en¬
couraged the young members of his church to
attend school. During his pastorate at the
Austerlitz Street Baptist Church more College
students heard his sermons and connected them¬
selves with his church than with any other Bap¬
tist church in the city. Elder Walker possessed
wonderful power in prayer. At a meeting held
IMUKiVlAJLi AND INiDUS'TRj AL INSTITUTE.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 119
in Washington Artillery Hall he prayed so much
like Paul anl Silas in the Philippian jail that the
Holy Ghost came and set that vast audience on
hallowed fire, and moved them to uncontrolable
tears nf rejoicing.
In the dark days of slavery, this veteran
preachei learned to read and write, and also to
add, subtract and multiply. He accumulated a
large theological library which he studied and
which was made manifest through his intelligent
and able expositions of God's Word. He was a
trustee of Leland University as long as he lived;
was a life memlber of the Baptist Foreign Mis¬
sion Convention, the first interstate organization
among Negro Baptists, organized at Montgomery,
Ala., in 1880. He was Treasurer of the old
Louisiana Southern Association, Treasurer of
the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, and one
of the founders and Treasurer of the Old Folks
Home at New Orleans, La. His ability to handle
wisely the finances of his people, and his honesty
of purpose was demonstrated by the fact that he
accumulated little for himself, but left at least
$20,000 worth of property for his members.
His sainted wife preceded him to glory, and
after the cares and turmoils of life had begun to
make successful inroads upon his physical frame,
he departed this life December, 1892. The
esteem in which he was held was clearly demon¬
strated, for he had one of, if not the largest fun¬
eral pageants that ever approached a cemetery.
His children are Mattie E. Walker, noted teacher,
Thaddeus Walker, A. M., M. D., a scholar and one
of the leading physicians of the United States,
and George H. Walker, a printer.
120 History of Louisiana, Negro Baptists.
BISHOP T. L. WELCH, SR., AN EMINENT PREACHER.
Among the good and loyal Baptist preachers
of Louisiana stands towering high Elder Thomas
Lee Welch, who was born in Louisiana in 1859.
His parents moved to Texas in 1861, but owing
to bad health the family moved back to Louisiana.
When quite young Brother Welch showed signs
of a desire for learning, accordingly in 1869 he
entered school. After completing his English
Course misfortune came to his parents which
made it necessary for him to begin teaching
school.
When he had taught three or four years, he
became acquainted with Miss Sarah Carter and
after five years they were married. This union
has been blessed with three children, the younger
of whom, T. L. Welch, Jr., is a successful physi¬
cian. Elder Welch was converted and by bap¬
tism added to the Morning Star Baptist Church,
July 7, 1878. Five years after he joined the
church, it became pastorless, and being led by
the Spirit to believe that Bishop Welch was the
man, called him to their pastorate in 1885. In
1902 he was elected pastor qf New Zion Baptist
Church, which he pastored successfully for seven
years, having added three hundred souls and
raised to their credit $4,670.60.
Brother Welch has held and now holds many
positions of honor and trust. In 1887 he was
unanimously elected secretary of the Fifth Dis¬
trict Association, which position he filled with
credit five years. In 1903 he was elected Treas¬
urer of this same body and served with that dig¬
nity and honor which becometh a Christian min¬
ister, and in 1908 he was elected Treasurer of the
Louisiana Baptist State Convention. He fills
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 121
this position now (1912) to the satisfaction of
this great body. Bishop Welch enjoys the con¬
fidence and esteem of all who know him.
BISHOP LAURENCE CYRUS SIMON, DISTINGUISHED
PASTOR AND ORATOR.
Of the hundreds of Louisiana. Baptist pulpiteers
there are none stronger than Elder Simon, who
was born March 8, 1858, at Youngville, La. His
parents were Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Delia Simon.
From youth he had a bright intellect. His school
age and Emancipation coming about the same
time surrounded him with meager opportunities
for going to school. However, his parents did
what they could for him, and notwithstanding
hardships he continued struggling upward until
the good fortune of entering Leland University,
New Orleans, La., came his way. He hailed this
privilege with delight, and very soon was enrolled
among Leland's students. Here he became a hard
student, usually leading his classes.
He was not alone interested in his own welfare
at the University, but was much concerned about
the other boys. The writer will not forget the
kindness and help that came to him at Leland
from the hands of this good man. Elder Simon
continued his studies and stayed in Leland's.
molds of preparation until he had about finished
the Normal Course.
He is noted for his humor, wit and sound judg¬
ment, and has but few equals when it comes to
doing things, believing thoroughly in the doctrine
of doing things BY DOING THEM. More than
once has he captured with his wonderful oratory
the great National Baptist Convention, and
122 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
swayed that great audience to and fro like a
forest in a tempest.
He was converted in 1873, baptized by Bishop
R. R. Dyeis, preached his first sermon July, 1875,
and was ordained March 26, 1881. He has
preached the Word with power and demonstra¬
tion to the Baptist churches at Lafayette, La.,
Morgan City, La., and Opelousas, La., where he
has held forth the Word of Truth for the past
22 years.
For twelve years he was Moderator of the Sev¬
enth District Baptist (Association. This position
he held with credit to himself and to the satis¬
faction of his 'brethren. At the expiration of
these twelve years this Christian body with much
reluctance gave up this great thinker and worker,
who had been their Moses through all these years
of sunshine and storm. During his administra¬
tion the Association founded and paid for a Dis¬
trict High School with a valuation of $20,000.
Brother S;mon stands well in his community, and
his worth as a man and as a preacher is not only
acknowledged in his District and state but
throughout the United States.
ELDER D. M. BROWN, PREACHER AND ASSOCIATION
MODERATOR.
Bishop Brown was born of Mr. Abram and
Mrs. Adline Brown, at Vernon, La., Jackson
Parish, November, 1865. He inherited love for
knowledge and found himself the happy posses¬
sor of energy and push in the strug'gle to win
out in life's battle. At an early age he married
Miss Laura Thompson.
In 1885, Elder Brown was converted and bap¬
tized into the membership of the County Line
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 123
Baptist Church by Bishop H. P. Pierce. His
faithfulness to duty caused his church to esteem
him highly. He served this church one year as
deacon, during which time he was impressed of
his call by the Spirit to preach. He was ordained
by the following: H. P. Pierce, C. H. Harvey. C.
H. Wilson, G. B. Washington. He was ordained
to take charge of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Church,
Boatner, La., which he served one year with
credit. In 1894, he accepted a call to the County
Line Baptist Church, of which he was a member.
Here he erected a good house of worship during
these six years of service at this place; he taught
both by precept and example. He accepted the
pastorate of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church,
Clay, La.
Feeling more keenly his need for further study,
he moved to Ruston and entered the Huston Nor¬
mal School under Professor S. A. Williams.
While at school he was elected pastor of Olive
Grove Baptist Church. He was the prime mover
in the organization of St. Peter Baptist Church.
He has pastorea with credit the following
churches: Hopewell Baptist Church, Dubach,
La.; Hopewell Union Baptist Church, Bernice,
La. Here he erected a $600 edifice as proof of
his ability as a builder. Salem Baptist Church,
which he pastored eight years; Fellowship Bap¬
tist Church, Simsboro, La., where he served six
years, built a nice house of worship and received
many into the membership of the church.
He finished the Normal Course in 1907 at Rus¬
ton Normal School under Professor I. S. Powell,
B. A., with honors. Bishop Brown has held the
following positions: Moderator Liberty Hill As¬
sociation several years, Vice Moderator Liberty
Hill Baptist Association, Member Executive
FACULTY OiF SABINE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTE.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 125
Board Louisiana Baptist State Convention six
years, District State Missionary two years and
President State Sunday-School Convention.
Temporally as well as spiritually, Brother
Brown believes in improving his business. As
evidence of this fact, he possesses a nice six-
room cottage at Ruston, and also a nice house
and lot at Burnice. He is blessed with an ener¬
getic wife who figures prominently in his success.
She holds the position of President of the
Woman's Home Mission Society of Liberty Hill
Association. Elder Brown has wrought well
thus far, and with the continued support of his
co-laborers in Sunday-school and District work
his future achievements will be greater than his
past accomplishments.
BISHOP R. A. MAYFIELD, CHURCH AND SCHOOL
BUILDER.
Of the progressive Baptists of Louisiana none
have given signs of more spirit of push and push-
fulness than Bishop Roy Arthur Mayfield, who
was born April 8, 1876, l ear Vienna, La. It is
said that he was a strange child, and that he
never crawled, but one day all at once jumped up
and went to running all about.
Before knowing what a school was he was
versed in notation and numeration. He entered
a Lincoln parish school when he was 10 years of
age. After getting five heavy thrashings the
first week from his teacher, Mr. S. L. Keels, who
afterwards baptized him and became his lifelong
friend, young Mayfield did good work under his,
teacher in his Blue-back Speller. In 1892 he en¬
tered the Ruston Colored Normal School under
Professor S. A. Williams. After four years of
126 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
hard study he graduated with honors. He first
taught a little summer school with marked suc¬
cess. After closing this school term he went to
Pine Bluff, Ark., to live with his cousin. By his
diligence to Sunday-school and church work he
won the admiration of the Arkansas people. He
attended an Arkansas. Summer Normal in June,
1897, and took examination, making second grade.
Many of the young men did not know he was a
teacher until he came to the Brick Yard (where
he had been working with them) to bid them
good-bye to take leave for his Summer School.
In the fall of 1897, the Ebenezer Baptist
Church desired him to build a school for the Bap¬
tists in and around Homer, La., since they were
denied the privilege of taking shares in a move¬
ment which afterwards became the C. M. E. Col¬
lege. The Baptists called for a man to be their
Moses in this undertaking. Professor S. A. Wil¬
liams, principal Ruston Colored Normal Institute,
answered the call by recommending Brother May-
field as the man. Bishop Mayfield was accepted
and the. work was begun January, 1898. His
first whole session ended 1899, at which time he
was able to build a small house for the public
school. His ability to pass examinations soon
won for him the principalship of the city public
school, and today he is among the best first-
grade teachers in the state.
He married Miss S. P. Legardy in 1901. Dur¬
ing this same year he entered the ministry and
was called to pastor the First Baptist Church,
of Homer, where he yet pastors (1913). In 1905
he entered the Moody Institute and Wendell Phil¬
lips Schools, Chicago, 111. After accomplishing
much at these schools he took up study at Vir-*
ginia Union University, Richmond, Va., in 1906.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 127
After studying here two years he was compelled
to return to his work at Homer, La., where he
is now accomplishing1 much as a church and
school builder, having founded and built up the
Homer Normal, Industrial and Bible Training
School.
BISHOP P. B. LEWIS, A GREAT PREACHER AND
CHURCH BUILDER,
The subject of this sketch is the son of the late
Bishop G. C. Lewis and Mrs. Sallie Lewis. He
was born in Lincoln Parish March 8, 1872. When
young Lewis, was 9 years old his father died. The
mother and children were cared for the next five
years by Brother Lewis' grandparents, Elder
Richard Johnson and his wife, Mahalia. Bishop
Lewis entered school when very young, but con¬
ditions were such that he could not remain.
At the early age of 14 he took charge of his
mother's business, and managed it like a man for
the following eight years, until she married the
second time. This brother was converted and
notified of his call at the early age of 16. He
joined the Liberty Hill Baptist Church, of which
he is now a member (1913): Shortly after join¬
ing the church he was elected Sunday-school
teacher, Mr. D. S. Hollis being superintendent.
During his twelve years of service in this school
he won the admiration and esteem of all.
He courted and married one of North Louisi¬
ana's girls, Miss Delia Hill. Their union has
been blessed by some of the best and most God¬
fearing children in the state. In 1901 Bishop
Lewis was elected Missionary of the Liberty Hill
Sunday-School Association, and in 1902 he was
ordained to the gospel ministry. When the As-
128 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
sociation wanted a competent and energetic mis¬
sionary in 1903, Brother Lewis was elected as,
that man. These positions he filled both with
credit to himself and denomination^
His usefulness as a pastor began in 1904 with
his call to Gethsemane Baptist Church, Wise, La.,
a church of a very small membership. After
about five months of successful service he re¬
signed and accepted Providence Baptist Churcli,
Hico, La., and in September of the same year he
was called to the pastorate of Pleasant Groove
Baptist Church, Unionville, La. He is now
(1912) Vice Moderator of Liberty Hill Associa¬
tion and pastor of the following churches: Mace¬
donia No. 2, Chodrant, La.; Lane Chapel, Downs-
ville, La.; Gumspring, Farmersville, La., and St.
John, Lillie, La. Elder Lewis, though young in
the ministry, is one of our most successful pas¬
tors.
Feeling keenly the need of knowing more, he
entered Coleman College, Gibsland, La., January,
1906. He has not only been in training here him¬
self, but has moved his entire family to Gibsland,
bought a home adjacent to the college that his
family with him might drink of the educational
waters. He was a successful theological student
here under the writer, at one time, generally
leading his classes. President Coleman, faculty
and student body esteem him highly. President
Coleman said of him: "He is a born preacher,
a profound thinker and he believes in preaching
the gospel to the people—just what they need to
make them better and not what they want to
make them feel good in their sins." Bro. Lewis
believes in an applied education, an education
that is. known and then expressed in terms of
real service. His interest is alive in the com-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 129
munities in which he preaches, doing all in the
matter of helping the schools of his church com¬
munities. He says: "Save the children." The
writer has known Bishop Lewis as a student per¬
sonally and takes pleasure in saying that for ve¬
racity and Christian integrity he has but few
equals and no superiors in the Louisiana minis¬
try.
ELDER JACKSON J. FULLER, NOTED FOR HIS
PIETY AND INTEGRITY.
The minister whose name appears above was
born in South Carolina in 1852 a slave and of
slave parents, Elder Carolina Fuller and Mrs.
Patsy Fuller. He was sold and brought to
Louisiana in 1857. An old colored lady, Mrs.
Lizzie Brooks, advised him in 1867 to get a book,
assuring him if he would she would teach him.
True to her promise she taught him his first let¬
ters, and from that time he was able to see the
need of education and became very anxious to
know more and more. He heard of Mr. Wm.
Brown and Mr. M. V. B. Brown, who were teach¬
ing a night school and Sunday-school about four
miles away, but because he meant business four
miles was no distance for him to walk and bow
at the feet of these two Gamaliels. Here with
Blue-back Speller in hand he received much of
his educational foundation, upon which his phe¬
nomenal success now stands.
He courted and married Miss Harriet John¬
son. Their union has been blessed with four¬
teen children—ten boys and four girls. In his
endeavor to give his children some education,
Christian home training and some land he was
compelled to deprive himself of further study in
PRINCIPAL R. E. JACOBS,
of Sabine Normal and Industrial Institute.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 131
the school room. Being pushful he studied at
home by the light of the old-time tallow candle
and pine-knot, and made his way to the front.
Elder and Sister Fuller feel grateful to God for
giving them so many smart children with whom
they worked and paid for more than 800 acres
of Louisiana's best land. Bishop Fuller was
converted and baptized into the membership of
the Mt. Mbriah Baptist Church, Kingston, La.,
in 1882. Shortly after he was notified of
his call to preach the everlasting gospel
of God's dear Son. After making this fact
known, his church voted him license to preach
wherever Providence might direct. A very
short while after Elder Carolina Fuller, pastor
of the above-named church, was called to his re¬
ward in Heaven. Bishop Fuller was elected to
succeed his father to the pastorate, and June 1,
1887, he was ordained by the following Elders:
C. S. Shelton, Charley Boykin, S. S. Fuller and
Nathaniel Oliver. He has pastored this church
successfully from that day to this (1913).
He has held and now holds some of the high¬
est positions in the gift of his brethren, being at
this time shepherd of some of the state's best
churches; and at the death of Bishop Gant his
brethren lifted him to the Moderator's chair of
the Northwest Association No. 2. He presides
over this body with credit, having succeeded him¬
self many times. Brother Fuller hasi made a
record as a Christian, a, husband and leader.
BISHOP A. B. FLOOD, A GREAT LEADER AND
PREACHER.
Of the many great men born in the state of
Virginia, none are greater than Bishop FloQd.
132 History of Louisiana- Negro Baptists.
He was born in 1855. Shortly after the death
of his father, in 'Washington, D. G., he was
brought with other slaves to the state of Alabama
at the early age of six years. He was reared in
this state near Uniontown, and while in slavery
was owned by a Mr. W. H. Taylor. Being a
slave he had meager opportunities to learn, but
whenever a chanee to learn eame his way he
would seize it.
In 1871 he was converted and baptized into
the membership of the First Colored Baptist
Church of Uniontown, Alabama,- by Bishop John
Dozier, D. D. Brother Flood left Alabama in
1874, removing to Louisiana, where he was ad¬
mitted to membership, by letter, to the Cloudy
Creek Baptist Church, Elder H. A. Scates, pas¬
tor. The church being impressed by his knowl¬
edge of his call to preach, licensed him in 1881.
After the death of! Elder Scates the church elect¬
ed him pastor in 1882. March 19th, 1875, he
married Miss Emma R. Bolden.
Bishop Flood was continuously in the pastorate
for more than 27 years. During this time he
served the Tenth District Association as Mis¬
sionary for two years; and also two years as
Treasurer. The efficient service rendered by him
in these offices won for him the abiding respect
of his brethren. In 1892 when they found their
Moderator's chair vacant and that they needed a
man who would
"Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone,
Dare to have a purpose true
And dare to make it known,"
they found such a man in the person of Elder
Auder Back Flood, whom they elected Moderator.
He filled this office with credit to himself and de-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 133
nomination until he left to join the Great Asso¬
ciation on High. He served as President of the
Louisiana Baptist State Convention creditably
seven years and four months. This wasi the highr
est position within the gift of his brethren. Both
his District and the Convention wrought well un¬
der his leadership.
The successful operation of an excellent Dis¬
trict High School at Monroe, under the manage¬
ment of Prof. M. J. Foster, B. A., and the har¬
mony prevailing throughout his District attest
the fact that he had marked executive ability.
Elder Flood was indeed a great preacher and
builder, having erected five houses of worship at
a cost of from $500 to $5,000. He baptized 2,100
souls and married about 350 couples. Sometime
after his wife's death, he was joined in
holy wedlock to Mrs. Ella A. Rushing, one of
Louisiana's best women. They lived happily to¬
gether until he heard tfce blessed applaudit "Well
done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will make thee
ruler over many things, enter thou into the joys
of thy Lord."'
BISHOP W. B. PURVIS, A FORCEFUL AND PROGRESSIVE
PREACHER.
Brother Purvis is one of our best young minis¬
ters and in point of actual service is surpassed by
none. His birthplace is Cotton Port, La., Avoy¬
elles Parish. October 7, 1870, is the date of his
birth. He is the eldest son of a large family.
Although his parents, were ex-slaves, deprived
themselves of education, their ignorance was no
barrier to their determination to have their chil-
134 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
dren educated. As early as they could they
started the children to school. The subject of
our sketch, having1 finished fairly well the pre¬
scribed course of study in the public schools of
his parish, was, through the advice of Professor
Jonas Henderson and Sister J. P. Moore, sent to
other schools. Much of his education was re¬
ceived at the Alexandria Academy and Leland
University. At the early age of 19, he began
teaching and in this way helped to keep him¬
self in school. He went to North Louisiana in
1892, and while there he was urged to buy a farm
for the family, which he did. This broke into
his plans, for going to school.
At this time (December 12, 1895,) he married
Miss Jennie Lee, one of the state's best women.
A little more than a year before this time he had
been ordained, having been converted and noti¬
fied of his call to preach Christ. His first call
to the pastorate came to him from the St. Paul
Baptist Church, Pelican, La. The next "Mace¬
donian cry'' came from Saline Baptist Church,
Converse, La,, where he labored successfully un¬
til the spring of 1902. In 1900, being urged by
the members of his church, he moved into this
community and started a school under the
auspices of the Farmers' Union. From this work
sprang the Sabine Industrial Institute, one of the
best schools in the state.
When his wife left him for Heaven in 1901, he
resigned this work and re-entered school. Cole'
man College became the school of his choice,
from which he graduated with honors. While
here at College he was called to be overseer of
Republican Baptist Church, Furrh, La., and St.
Peter Baptist Church, Pelican, La. He was also
elected Sunday-School State Missionary and Col'
teqto Baptist Beginnings in America. 135
po ter for the American Baptist Publication So¬
ciety, which positions he ably filled.
Cn June 25th, 1903, he married Miss Salina
Joseph, a graduate of Leland University. Their
union has been blessed with four boys. Bishop
Purvis has a good home at Pelican, La., and owns
valuable property elsewhere. He is now (1911)
serving two churches where he has been for
ten years, and is also the pastor of the church
that had him ordained. Elder Purvis holds the
following positions.: President Northwest No. 2
S. S. Association, principal Pleasant Hill Colored
School, Corresponding Secretary Northwest No.
2 ss^ciation, and Corresponding Secretary of
the T ouisiana Baptist State Convention. Among
the ministerial stars that shine in the sky of the
Louisiana ministry, none has dispersed more
light in the given time than Brother Purvis. He
is net a "reactionary" but a "standpatter" when
it comes to defending "the faith which was once
delivered unto the saints." Bishop Purvis is
highly respected and esteemed by his brethren
throughout the state. He is a wise counsellor,
formidable in debate and powerful in the pulpit.
BISHOP W. M. TAYLOR, ONE OF THE MOST ELOQUENT
OF LOUISIANA PREACHERS.
In the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Septem-
be" 17, 1867, there was born a preacher who was
named Washington M. Taylor. His parents,
though ex-slaves, were much interested in their
son's education, and sent him to the Parish Pub¬
lic School. Here he showed a keen desire for
knowledge and won the confidence and esteem of
schoolmates and teachers. He was converted
and notified of his call to the ministry at the age
SABINE FORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 137
of 17 years. Elder Hannibal Williams baptized
him into the membership of the Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, Baton Rouge, La. Feeling very keenly
his need of preparation to preach, he began sav¬
ing his earnings, and in due time entered Leland
University and became a diligent student. While
here at Leland he accomplished much, but on ac¬
count of the urgent request of his people that he
take up some work at home, he was compelled to-
leave before finishing his course.
He was licensed to preach January 21, 1893,.
and six months thereafter was called to the pas¬
torate of the Morning Star Baptist Church. His
success with this church moved New Rising Sun
Baptist Church to call him also. More well-done
work added to his list of churches the Ebenezer
Baptist Church. When Elder Hannibal Wil¬
liams, pastor of the "Big" Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, went to his reward his pastoral mantle
fell upon Brother Taylor. Accordingly he was
elected January 6, 1901. He entered this new
field with a strong determination to win. How
well he has done is told by the work he has ac¬
complished here. In 1909 he received a call to
another Baton Rouge church, Jerusalem. Per¬
haps no pastor in the state presides over more
people than Elder Taylor. He is now (1910)
serving his fifth term as Moderator of the Fourth
District Association. He resigned recently but
after his successor had ruled only a short while
he was reelected.
His District is one of the largest in the state,
and operates one of our leading Baptist schools,
the Baton Rouge College. The building is a
large brick structure. Bishop Taylor traveled
and lectured no little throughout the length and
breadth of his District in the interest of this
138 History of Louisiana Negrc Baptists.
School. In 1907 he was elected Vice President of
the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, and
when Elder Flood went to Heaven succeeded to
the presidency. Brother Taylor is a man of keen
perception and lofty ambition, possessing many
winning traits. His life is not an empty shadow,
but a real line of thoughts and deeds. He can
easily preach to his people both of a home on
earth and a home in Heaven, since he owns sev¬
eral houses and lots in Baton Rouge. He has a
nice home, his wife being a graduate of the Baton
Rouge College. As a speaker this clergyman is
logical in his reasoning and witty in his argu¬
ment. He swayed the great National Baptist
Convention in session at Columbus, Ohio, like a
mighty tempest sways a forest, when on behalf
of his state with pleasing manners and persua¬
sive eloquence he delivered the invitation invit¬
ing the greatest body of religious workers in the
world to meet (1910) in the city of New Orleans,
La. He swept this great body, so to speak, from
its feet and forced it to cry out, saying, in sub¬
stance, "we are willing, we are coming, Father
Abraham, 2,500,000 strong." Bishop Taylor, be¬
ing comparatively young, has a great future be¬
fore him.
ELDER BRYANT WRIGHT, AN HONORED PIONEER
PREACHER.
Brother Wright is among the oldest pioneers
of the state. He was bom in Montgomery
County, Alabama, December 2, 1837. He has the
following to say concerning his early start in
preaching: "When I was six years old the white
people gave me a suit of clothes for preaching.
They saw in me the work of the ministry." When
Negro Bwptist Beginnings in America. 139
Elder Bryant was only 17 years old he was fully
inducted into the ministerial fold. Leaving Ala¬
bama he came to Louisiana, and took his place
among the first gospel preachers of the state.
He not only did pioneer work in Louisiana, but
pushed his way into Texas; and in those early,
perilous times preached the Word with power
and demonstration at Marshall, Marion County,,
and Douglass Mill, Ark. He preached the Word!
with much acceptance along the Red River coast
at Alexandria and other points, on steam boats,
and on land, thereby setting up several of the
state's first churches. Elder Wright, like many,
others of our pioneer fathers, did great and abid¬
ing work.
He organized many of the first Sunday-schools,
and therefore stands among the first Sunday-
school superintendents, thus opening the door for
the young superintendent of today. In those
early times many souls were converted unto God
through his preaching, and baptized into the
membership of the state's first churches. On
one occasion at the risk of his life he broke the
ice in December, plunged into the icy waters and
baptized five happy souls. On another occasion
for preaching and standing for what he preached
his life was threatened. He says: "One man
made three shots at me and never hit me, and
walked off a piece and said, 'I will kill you.' I
told him to shoot ahead. His will was my pleas¬
ure." This veteran was hidden behind "The
Blood," and was safely wrapped in the folds of
"The Blood-Stained Banner," and could not be
shot. He was protected (Matt. 18:6). He ac¬
complished much in his day.
140 History of Louisiana Negrc Baptists.
ELDER A. H. SAMUELS, ELOQUENT PREACHER AND
VETERAN EDITOR.
May 15, 1857, in Desota Parish, Louisiana,
there was born Elder Andrew Henry Samuels,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Cato Samuels.
The real progress of Bishop Samuels began
with his conversion. Like Isaiah, a live coal
touched his tongue when he realized his call to
tell the "Story of the Cross." This he has been
doing with power and telling effect. In the Thir¬
teenth District he is known as the "Silver-Tongue
Orator." Being born a slave, his opportunities
for schooling were few, but by dint of persever¬
ance in study he has pushed on and today stands
among the denominational leaders in the state.
He was ordained in 1888, and since that time
has served with marked success the following
churches: St. Rest Baptist Church, St. Luke Bap¬
tist Church, Red Chute. Baptist Church and Wil¬
low Chute Baptist Church, Shreveport, La., and
Union Mission Baptist Church, Waskom, Texas.
He has been managing-editor of the News En¬
terprise for years. He is and has been deeply
interested in the education of the children of his
race. Like a stone wall Bishop Samuels stood
with the writer and others in the work of found¬
ing and developing the Thirteenth District
Academy. There was not a man in the District
who held the principal's arm higher than did
Elder Samuels. He has been chairman of the
Education Board for more than fifteen years.
In 1875 he and Miss Esther Chew were united
in holy wedlock. Through life's combats and
shifting scenes, they have guarded the matri¬
monial vow and today (1914) are together in
their cozy little home on Christian street, Shreve-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 141
port, La., in which city he has lived for thirty-
six years, enjoying the confidence and respect of
his white and colored friends. The St. Rest Bap¬
tist Church edifice, the last church building erect¬
ed by Brother Samuels, is one of the most beau¬
tiful frame buildings in the state—"a thing of
beauty and a joy forever."
Bishop Samuels, has been recently elected Mod¬
erator of the Thirteenth District Association,
one of our largest associations. He gives prom¬
ise of much more usefulness.
ELDER FRANCIS JAMES DAVIDSON, PREACHER AND
EDITOR.
This veteran preacher and editor was born of
Mr. Nero and Mrs. Malinda Davidson, October
31, 1862, at Nealsboro, Rapides Parish, Louisi¬
ana. The first school he attended was in a lit¬
tle log cabin M. E. Church on Williamson's Creek
Parish of Rapides, 1869-72. Next he attended a
public school at Greenwood, Laftlore County,
Miss., to which place his parents moved in 1873.
Young Davidson also attended a Missionary
school during the summer months. From Green¬
wood he removed to New Orleans, January, 1878,
where he attended night school at Straight Uni¬
versity.
During the winter of 1869, Brother Davidson
was converted on Williamson's Creek and fol¬
lowed the M. E. Church regularly although he re¬
fused to join. After earnestly, carefully and
prayerfully reading his Bible, he became con¬
vinced that the Baptist way was the right way,
and in 1878 was baptized into the membership
of St. Mark Fourth Baptist Church, New Orleans,
by Bishop R. H. Steptoe. Impressed of his call
INTENDED THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, COLE¬
MAN COLLEGE,
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 143
to the ministry he began the work of prepara¬
tion. He studied under Dr. H. C. Green, Presi¬
dent Bothwell of Columbia University, attended
theological lectures delivered by the late Presi¬
dent E. C. Mitchell, of Leland University; later
he studied under J. Lewis Smith, A. M., D. D.,
LL. D., and attended the Washington University,
Tacoma, Wash.
Bishop Davidson has held the following
churches: St. John, Dorseyville, La.; St. Mat¬
thew, New Orleans, La., 1889-1902; First Baptist
Church, Mandeville, La.; Starlight, Slidell, La.;
Zion, Ponchatoula, La.; Olivet, Tacoma, Wash.;
Mt. Herob, Greenville, Miss., 1905; First Bap¬
tist, Cairo, 111., 1907; Centralia, Centralia, 111.,
1908; First Baptist, Metropolis, 111.; Trinity,
Shreveport, 1910; Shiloh, Alexandria, La. He
now pastors at Leesville, La. Elder Davidson
has edited the following papers: The Teller, 1890;
the New Orleans Tribune, 1891-1902; Tacoma
Tribune, 1903-04; the Bulletin, Greenville, Miss.,
1905-06; the Tribune, Centralia, 111., 1908-09;
The Christian Herald, Mound City, 111., 1909-10,
and Louisiana Baptist, 1910^-11.
As a preacher Dr. Davidson is fearless and
progressive and preaches "a what saith the Lord"
Gospel. As an editor and writer he is conscien¬
tious and bold. In the language of the lamented
Dr. Wm. J. Simons, "Some men are often brave
from experience with arms and the scenes of war;
others because of the recklessness of life, and a
dare-devil spirit, and still others are born for
deeds of bravery and glide easily to places of
danger as if led by unerring instinct; they are
bold, aggressive, determined and venturesome."
Such a man as the last is Bishop Davidson, when
it comes to driving the quill. "When editing the
144 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
New Orleans Tribune, he was the gamest Negro
editor in Louisiana. He has and is accomplish¬
ing much.
BISHOP SOLOMON TRUMBULL CLANTON, A. M., D. D.,
A TEACHER OF PREACHERS.
Dr. Clanton was born at Glenco, La., March
27, 1857. His parents were Mr. Solomon and
Mrs. Maria Clanton. After his conversion he
was baptized into the membership of the Auster-
litz Street Baptist Church by Elder George W.
Walker.
His parents being unable to help him all the
way through school, he began in early life to help
himself. He trusted God and worked his way
through New Orleans University, graduating
with honors from the B. A. degree Course in
1878. After holding a professorship in Leland
University 1878-80, he entered the Baptist Union
Theological Seminary, Chicago, 111., graduating
therefrom in 1883 from the B. D. degree Course.
Being conscious of a call to the ministry,
Bishop Clanton made same known to his breth¬
ren and was ordained in 1881 in the Olivet Bap¬
tist Church, Chicago, 111., by the following
Bishops: T. J. Morgan, Richard DeBaptist, E. B.
Hubbard, Dean of Divinity School, University of
Chicago, Wm. Laurence, J. T. Burhoe, George
C. Lorimer and J. W. Polk. Dr. J. T. Morgan
was chairman of Presbytery and Bishop R. De-
Baptist, clerk; ordination sermon being preached
by Dr. Hubbard.
After returning South and throwing himself
into the work of human uplift, Brother Clanton
pastored the following churches: Austerlitz
Street Baptist Church, 1891-94, and Bethany
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 145
Baptist Church, New Orleans, La. The follow¬
ing positions have 'been creditably filled by him:
Sunday-School Missionary of American Baptist
Publication Society, 1883-90; District Secretary
of American Baptist Publication Society, 1890-
95. This secretaryship covered all the Gulf
States. He rendered valuable service both to the
Society and his denomination while filling1 these
positions. This is not all; the first Secretary of
our great National Baptist Convention was Dr.
Solomon T. Clanton, being elected at the Con¬
vention's organization, August, 1886, in the First
Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo. He served until
1896. He wasi elected Recording Secretary of
the Foreign Mission Convention in 1885 at New
Orleans, La., and continued in that office until
1895 with the exception of one year (1887).
1903-04 the subject of this sketch served as prin¬
cipal and chaplain of A. & M. College, Normal,
Ala. October of this same year he was called
to the principalship of Helena Academy, Helena,
Ark. After working for some time as Field Sec¬
retary of the John C. Martin Educational Fund,
he was called to the Assistant Deanship of The¬
ological School at Selma University. After serv¬
ing in this capacity under Deans W. H. McAl-
pine, Albert F. Owens and C. 0. Booth, Brother
Clanton succeeded to the Deanship in 1909 when
Dr. Booth resigned. At this time (1914) he is
Vice President of Selma University.
June 6, 1883, he was joined in holy wedlock to
Miss Olive Byrd, of Decatur, 111. Eleven children
bless this union, the eldest being Miss E. M. Clan¬
ton, stenographer Houston College; Georgia E.
Clanton, Benjamin Griffith, Attorney-at-Law; S.
T. Clanton, Jr., Attorney-at-Law; Johnetta B.
Clanton, Music Teacher in Western College, Ma-
146 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
con, Mo.; Dwight Lorimer Clanton, Jannitta B.
Clanton, Robert Stewart, Pheobe Nan and two
others who have gone before.
The Louisiana Baptist brotherhood will always
think kindly of Dr. Clanton for services rendered.
For years he stood shoulder to shoulder with the
early state leaders. Such men as Bishops John
Miarks, A. S. Jackson, A. R. Blunt, J. M. Carter,
H B. N. Brown and others.
BISHOP WARNER WASHINGTON HILL, A PROGRESSIVE
YOUNG PREACHER.
Elder Hill is a great church builder, because
God has used him to preach men and women out
of darkness into light, and he is a church house
Tbuilder, because through his leadership and man¬
agement beautiful church edifices have been
erected. Our brother was born of Mr. Warner
and Mrs. Angeline Hill in Franklin Parish, La.,
March '10; 18701. His parents were Alabamians
from Sumpter County near Gainsville, being sold
into Louisiana before the war. Bishop Hill's
father was an unusually bright slave, serving his
young master as secretary and Negro driver until
freedom came. He then began to accumulate
property and help in the establishment of pub¬
lic schools for his 'race. Being a leader of his
people during those dark and perilous times, he
was elected to the State Legislature.
But this father who was bent on educating his
son was called to his reward when Elder Hill
was but 12 years of age. His prop having gone,
young Hill began at once to apply himself, to
study as best he could, taking lessons from any
one able to teach who would come his way. In
church work he was apt and studious, doing with
~ MAIN BUILDING, COLEMAN COLLEGE.
148 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
a will whatever his hands found to do. After
his conversion and baptism in 1889 he was added
to the True Vine Baptist 'Church, Bishop H. R.
Flynn, pastor, Delhi, La. Realizing his call to
preach, an insatiable appetite for Bible reading
seized him, and he read the Bible through twice.
Since his ordination by the Tenth District As¬
sociation, fifteen churches have honored h^m with
calls. He served as President of the Sunday-
School Association and District Missionary for
three years. After Elder Wm. Hamilton went to
his reward, the Zion Travelers Baptist Church,
Monroe, La., called him to its pastorate. Since
entering upon this, work he has spent five years
in the Tenth District High School, graduating
therefrom with honors. For more than eight
years he has pastored this church successfully,
and enjoys the esteem and confidence of both
races at Monroe and his brethren throughout the
state.
He succeeded the lamented Bishop A. B. Flood
to the Moderatorship of the Tenth District Asso¬
ciation. He has filled this office creditably, taking
up the work where Brother Flood left off and
carrying it on toward perfection. During his
short term of office more than $8,000 were raised
and a debt of 15 years' standing against the Dis¬
trict School liquidated. Brother Hill is among
the youngest District Moderators of the state.
His work places him among the highest minis¬
terial stars of the state.
BISHOP C. S. COLLINS, A. B., M. D., PREACHER AND
PHYSICIAN.
Of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Amelia Collins, Dr.
Collins was born in Houma, La., March 12, 1867.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 149
Though his school facilities were meager, his
parents were proud of their boy and did what
they could to train his mind, heart and hand.
Accordingly they sent him to a Terrabone
Parish public school, where he studied until he
entered Leland University, where he graduated
with the writer and others from the Normal
Course, May, 1893, under the world-renowned
scholar, Dr. E. C. Mitchell. Not contented, he
continued his voyage on the scholastic sea until
he finished the highest course at the University,
thus graduating Bachelor of Arts. This did not
satisfy his intellectual longing because he entered
Flint Medical College, New Orleans, La., where
he won the M. D. degree, 1910. It is clear that
while this young man has waited on the Lord, it
is evident that he has "hustled" while he waited.
In the year 1886 he, was converted and added
to the Litttle Zion Baptist Church, after being
baptized by Bishop S. T. Smith. He at once be¬
came aggressive and progressive in church work,
and was notified of his call to the ministry. His
interest in the education of his race was attested
by well-done work as Principal of Cheneyville
Academy, Cheneyville, La. He held this position
successfully until he was called back to his home
town (Houma) to take charge of the Boy's High
School there. After making good in this work,
Bishop Collins accepted the pastorate of the Mt.
Zion Baptist Church, Houma, La. His election
to the secretaryship of the Fifth District Sunday-
School Association and to the presidency of
Houma Academy Educational Board prove his
standing with his brethren and point to his future
usefulness.
150 History of Louisiana Negrn Baptists.
ELDER CAROLINER FULLER, A VETERAN OF
PIONEER DAYS.
Far back in the darkness of American slavery,.
Bishop Fuller was born, in South Carolina. At
an early age he was baptized, after being con¬
verted, and joined the Missionary Baptist Church.
Soon afterwards the Spirit notified him of his.
call to preach the "Everlasting Gospel."
Convincing the Louisiana brethren of his call,
by actual works, Bishop Scott (white) and others,
ordained him to take charge of the Mt. Moriah
Baptist Chairch, Kingston, La. Leading this
flock onward and upward he was called to pastor
Mary Evergreen Baptist Church, Grand Cane,
La., and also Zion Hill Baptist Church, of the-
same town. This veteran preacher did a great
work back there in those pioneer days, his fame
as a preacher of power spreading the country
around.
His was a sainted wife, Mrs. Patsy Fuller..
Their union was blessed with a number of chil¬
dren, most prominent of whom is Bishop Jack¬
son J. Fuller who, like his sainted father, is felt
as a power for good not only in his own District,
but throughout the state. This man of God
buried hundreds, in baptism, celebrated many
marriages, and by his earnest preaching and
Godly life led a multitude to Christ. Too much
in a commendable way cannot be said of him and
all the other pioneer fathers of the state.
Elder and Sister Fuller carried out their matri¬
monial contract by living happily together until'
death did them part. Like hundreds of others
of his day, Elder Fuller, under very adverse cir¬
cumstances and in the face of many odds,
"worked the work of him that sent him," until
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 151
he was called from earth to Heaven August 26,
1886, his wife following1 him four years later in
1890.
BISHOP ALBERT HENRY, GUM SPRING ASSOCIATION
MODERATOR.
Brother Henry was born in 1868 of Mr. Char¬
ley and Mrs. Margret Henry. After conversion,
he was baptized into the membership of the Wood
Chapel Baptist Church, Cedartown, La. In 1887
his church being convinced of his call to preach
.set him apart to the work. He was. baptized By
Elder J. H. Jackson.
Notwithstanding his educational advantages
were meager, he had enough iron in his blood to
push himself upward. After reaching school age he
picked up what learning he could here and there
until he was blessed with the opportunity to en¬
ter Ruston Normal Institute, where he studied
hard under Professor I. S. Powell, B. A., and
graduated from the Normal Course 1904. Prin¬
cipal Powell has the following to say of him:
"He is now a successful minister and pastor, hav¬
ing been divinely called to preach the gospel and
after pastoring several churches a number of
years, he felt it necessary to make fuller prepa¬
ration for his calling. He therefore entered this
school where he applied himself zealously and
finally graduated withjionors. He was the first
to enroll as a theological student when that de¬
partment was attached1 to our school, and studied
God's Word faithfully for three and a half years.
He has built more church houses than any other
one minister in this section. His terms of pas¬
torate tell how successful a pastor he is, having
presided over one church 23 years. , The terms of
Itis other churches range from five to eight years.
BOYS' DORMITORY, COLEMAN COLLEGE.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 153
He has baptized 1,050 converts. In 1905, he was
elected Moderator of the Gum Spring Association
and has presided over it from that time to this
(1913). He with his earnest helpers has long
struggled to foster education. Through his in¬
fluence the Association has adopted this school,
and under his leadership with the co-operation of
his staff of officers and with God as the sovereign
power, the school will achieve success."
It is clear from Prof. Powell's statement that
Bishop Henry has wrought well and accomplished
much good religiously, having served his brethren
as Secretary, Treasurer and Moderator, and hav¬
ing served the following churches: Wbodlawn,
Wood Chapel, Pine Grove, Hopewell, Lincoln
Parish; Hopewell, Union Parish; Blooming Grove,
Harmony, Jerusalem, Chapel Hill, Providence,
St. John, Palestine and Pilgrim's Rest.
ELDER LORENZO SMITH, A PIONEER OF MUCH
USEFULNESS.
In the Parish of Caldwell, 1850, Bishop Lo¬
renzo Smith was born of Mtr. Nathaniel and Mrs.
Amy Smith. Although bound by the ropes of
slavery, these parents were hopeful of their son,
and perhaps prayed secretly that some day the
shackles would be broken off and that their boy
would make the mark he has made.
When Brother Smith reached school age there
were no schools for him to attend, and unlike
the Negro boy who came after Lincoln signed
the Emancipation Proclamation, he had to start
upward without a single ray of light or an iota
of encouragement. He scuffled along as best he
could, studying perhaps at night by light from
the torch and the pine knot until he learned his
154 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
letters. After the war he entered the public
school and there got a little more preparation for
life.
He was converted in 1874 and baptized into the
membership of Raven Camp Baptist Church by-
Elder Levy Sawyer. He was ordained in 1881
toy the following" bishops: Thomas E. Harris,
Thomas Epps, Thomas Clark, H. K. Barrett, A.
M. Newman, D. D., Ed Daniels and Joe Wash-
ington. Brother Smith is one of the most active
Louisiana pioneer preachers, having pastored the
following churches: St. Paul Baptist Church, St.
Peter Baptist Church, served as Vice President
State Sunday-School Convention two years; Cor¬
responding Secretary of the Eighth District Asso¬
ciation three years ; Treasurer Eighth District
Association No. 2 thirteen years; and now (1913)
President Eighth District Sunday-School Asso¬
ciation and Moderator of Second Eighth District
Association.
He has done well in the matter of educating his
children. I All of them are won to Christ save
one; all have been sent to school, one having grad¬
uated from the B. A. degree course at Leland
University, where he now (1912) holds a pro¬
fessorship. Bishop Smith has given more than
half his days to his Master's cause, having bap¬
tized more than 850 souls and married more than
355 couples.
BISHOP JAMES ROBERSON, A FORCE FOR GOOD IN HIS
COMMUNITY.
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
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 155
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.
156 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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.
Iiubbs. 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
THEOLOlCALi CLASS, LELAND UNIVERSITY.
158 History of Louisiana Negrc Baptists.
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-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 159
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 isi 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.
160 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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 oaptized him. in "1873 he was notified
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-
ifancy. IC'oming 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
Hmself as a preacher of charities years ago with
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 161
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 to the
Deanship of Bible School of Selma University,
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 0. L. COLEMAN, A. M., EDUCATIONAL
APOSTLE "OP 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
evergreen baptist church
Shreveport.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 163
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 Cbleman-like stays
on it with a dogged determination until he wins
out.
His wife, Mrs. Mattie A. Coleman, -stfcod 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 ML 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
164 Hitsory of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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., wh.ere 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, 111., 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
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 165
with the help of the Great Physician, puts his
patient oji 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 as 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-
166 history of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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 him
a large number of friends in both races.
EISHOP CHARLES WILLIAM BROOKS, B. A., ONE OP
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,
G-raiiigling, La.
168 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
(Hushing 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. Burreli, pas¬
tor, and was set apart by the following Elders:
J. H. Flemings, E. D. Sims, A. Hubbs, John
Marks, D. D., J. L. Burreli, D. D., G. W. Toney,
J. Mi. 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 time 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.
170 History of Louisiana Uegro Baptists.
In connection with his large amount of church
work, he has done a deal of school work, and has
lield and now holds positions of trust and honor
in the state. Much pioneer work was done by
ibim as a public school teacher. He helped build
(Central Louisiana Academy, and singly and alone
with his three churches founded and built up the
Chevneville 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 Wiashburn. 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-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 171
tist Church, Gloster, Miss. He has. held the fol¬
lowing1 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 601 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 MJason Newman.
It was the writer's great privilege to know him
personally and to listen Sunday after Sunday to
hisi 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 wasi 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
CHAMBERLAIN JiALiL, iLELAND UNIVERSITY.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 173
Colgate University, Hamilton, N, Y., graduating
B. S., with signal honors.
His. first laborsi 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
lier hiead 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
huilt another house of worship known as Avenue
Baptist Church. In a short time these members
were granted letters of dismission and all was
peac© 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 Tbe 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
<lid a deal of school work while at Antioch, or-
174 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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 th© 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
th© 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.
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 Stat© 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
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 175
connection with this well-done missionary work
Elder Brown has done much church work, and
too he has ably edited1 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
hie 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 Mlarks.
176 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
In course of time the brethren lifted Brother
Jackson to th© 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. 0. 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 anci
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
LELAND HAIiL, LEiLAND UNIVERSITY.
178 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Baptist Church from a Mission Station into one
of the leading churches of the state, and has pas¬
tor ed 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 IB 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
Tmown by the people of Shreveport as "John the
Baptist."
In 1856 on account of his intellectual, moral
and scriptural qualifications he was adjudged
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 179
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 pastor-
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, during1 the war, putting1
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 preserving1 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,
180 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
"A voice at midnight came,
He staited 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, 4 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
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 181
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
BISHOP J. H. HENDERSON,
Hot Springs, Ark.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 183
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
wias 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-
184 History of Louisiana Negy^o Baptists.
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.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 185
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 memr
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
186 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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.
188 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 189
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 foV
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.
190 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
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¬
pie 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 o£ the Louisi¬
ana Baptist State Convention, and other positions
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 191
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 Frier son—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 i"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 £hey 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
PRESIDENT W. M. TAYLOR AND OTHER
STATE CONVENTION LEADERS 1914.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 193
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 larere experience, having studied at
The Woman's Home Mission Training School,
Chicago, 111., in addition to her course at Le¬
land. She has taught successfully several years
194 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
at the Baton Roujge College, Baton Rouge, La.,
where she now labors.
Bishop G. W. Toney within a few years has
made his way like a meteor from ministerial
obscurity to one of the highest positions among
Louisiana Baptists, that is, Moderator of the
First District Association. Brother Toney's
kind disposition, energy and jmshfulness have
been deservedly rewarded. He has been serving
a New Orleans church for many years, and has
accomplished much for the Master. Bishop
Toney is a lover of education, having spent sev¬
eral years at Leland himself as a student, and
has encouraged scores of others to do likewise.
His District actually carries on the work that Je¬
sus commanded and emphasized when He said:
"Ye have the poor always with you, but me ye
have not always." Matt. 26:11. "Whoso stop-
peth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also
cry, but shall not be heard." . . . .Prov. 21:13.
The operation of the Old Folks Home proves that
Bishop Toney is loyal to this teaching.
h'lder Guy Beck was one of the first preachers
in the city of New Orleans recently after the war.
He was a power for good in New Orleans, and
pastored a church in Carrolton, where he did a
deal of abiding work. Elder Beck was a grand
old man—strong in morals, and powerful in the
Spirit, leading hundreds to Christ and Heaven.
He went to his home in Heaven late in the seven¬
ties or early in the eighties, leaving a consecrated
"Widow to mourn his loss to earth. She has prov¬
en herself to be a widow in deed.
kilder George Byrd, an honored old pioneer,
wrought well at Baton Rouge in early times. He
•cam© into the state from Virginia, and pastored
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 195
the Shiloh Baptist Church many years. Brother
Byrd was an old-school preacher believing wholly
in the "What saith the Lord." He was respected
by the people of Baton Rouge for his moral worth
and Christian bearing. When called from labor
to reward he had built up a strong church, and
accomplished the work he was divinely sent to do.
kJlder Charley Williams was the noted pioneer
Worker below Canal Street in New Orleans for
many years. He was the much loved and hon¬
ored pastor of the Amlazon Baptist Church. Al¬
though he was down there among many Roman
Catholics, he held his own, preached "One Lord,
One Faith and One Baptism" and built up a
great church. Elder Williams was a great
preacher, loved and respected by all who knew
himl. The work of Brother Williams goes on to¬
day through the untiring labors of Bishop Piercy,
who caught the banner when falling from the
hands of Elder Williams, and has been gallantly
marching with it up the hill. Brother Williams
hearing the blessed applaudit, as it were, "Well
done thou good and faithful servant," left New
Orleans for Heaven.
Among the many efficient Baptist teachers of
the state, is Professor J. S. Clark, B. A., who for
many years was the able instructor, head and
builder of Baton Rouge College, and • today
through his energy and push holds the highest
position of a Negro Educator within the gift of
the State of Louisiana, being recently appointed
by the Governor of Louisiana, President of the
state school—Southern University. After fin¬
ishing a course of study at Coleman College,
Professor Clark entered Leland University where
196 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
he graduated with honors from the B. A. degree
course.
Professors S. S. Gray, member faculty of Ire¬
land University; A. C. Priestly, Principal High
School in New Orleans; A. J. Lagard, B. A.;
Francis Boley, B. A., Mrs. Amtelia Boley, B. A.,
J. M. Frazier, B. A., Mrs. J. M. Frazier, Mrs.
Betsy Planving, B. A., Harris Hamilton, William
Boston, Principal City School, Lake Charles, John
Jones, Principal City School, Lake Charles, Wil¬
liam Thomas, Principal, Alexandria Academy,
C. C. Smith, B. A., and scores of other Baptist
scholars are making good and accomplishing
much. We are proud of these.
Bishop H. L. Davis was one of the first Secre¬
taries of the North West Louisiana Association
No. 2. After many years of successful labor in
Desoto Parish, he removed to Gibsland, La.,
Bienville Parish where he has with his own
hands built a good home. Sister Mollie Davis,
his wife, a zealous church worker has stood by
him in the building of a Christian home and suc¬
ceeding in the ministry. Two boys and one girl
bless their union.
Elder Davis has pastored and now pastors some
of the best churches in the state. The First Baptist
Church at Minden, and the Republican Baptist
Church, Furrh, La., being among the churches
pastored. He pastors Republican at this writing.
Elder H. R. Flynn is among the oldest workers
in the state. He came into the 13th District
from the 10th District some years ago and ac¬
cepted the pastorate of the Avenue Baptist
Church at Shreveport. He increased his member¬
ship of this church to five or six hundred, leading
in point of numbers every other church in the
ADMINISTRATION AND DINING DEPARTMENT,
COLEMAN COLLEGE.
198 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
13th District. Brother Flynn now pastors the
20th Century Baptist Church, Shreveport, and
churches in the 10th District. Mrs. H. R. Flynn
who is deeply interested in church and District
work has helped the Elder much in achieving his
great success in the ministry.
Frojessor Albert W. Stewart was without
question one of the greatest Baptist school
teachers not only in Shreveport, but in all Amer¬
ica. He was kind in disposition, firm in decision,
painstaking and thorough in his work as a teach¬
er. As a true husband he had no superiors and
but few equals. When the Lord called him, he
was standing loyally at his post, as the efficient
Principal of the Peabody Normal, Shreveport, La.
Professor F. S. McKeel came to Louisiana many
years ago from New York City, and became one
of the first Negro teachers of North Louisiana.
When overtaken by affliction and called to his
reward, he was the honored principal of the West
End Public School, Shreveport. He had served
this post for many years with credit to himself,
denomination and race. Professor McKeel was
a "Progressive" ever ready to do what he could
for the uplift of his race and humanity. He was
a devoted husband and father.
Mrs. Marget Thomas and Mrs. Grace Williams
are among the honored pioneer teachers of North
Louisiana, having taught successfully and with
credit before m&ny of the present teachers were
born.
Mrs. Williams is at present one of the popular
teachers of the West End Public School of Shreve¬
port.
Mrs. Margret Butler Thomas resigned the
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 199
work of teaching some years ago for the higher
and more honored duties of the home.
The writer of this History will always feel
grateful to her for teaching him his alphabet
before she left the school room.
ELDER S. D. NANCE—PIONEER AND EX-
MODERATOR OF 4TH DISTRICT ASSOCI¬
ATION.
Brother Simon Daniel Nance was born of Mr.
Simon and Mrs. Martha Nance in Walker Coun¬
ty, Texas not far from Hun^sville, June, 1844.
His father was of pure African blood; his mother
Was half Indian.
After the death of his owner—Captain Black—
Elder Nance was brought to Mississippi. At
the outbreak of the Civil War he ran away and
joined the Federal Army. After the war he mar¬
ried Miss Amelia M. Pierce in 1871. Their union
has been blessed. Miss Maggie_Nance, their
daughter, has developed into a splendid young
woman, and serves at this writing as one of Tus-
kegee Institute's best teachers.
As to Elder Nance's schooling; he spent 5 days
in school, so meager were his opportunities in
those dark days. And yet with practically no
schooling he forged his way to the front. On the
2nd Sunday in October, 1873, after conversion he
was baptised into the membership of the Antioch
Baptist Church by Elder John C. Williams, and
January 9th, 1879 he was ordained by Elders
John Carter, Ambrose Harris, and Caroline Weal.
While Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church,
which grew out of a prayer meeting on his gal-
200 History of Louisiana, Negro Baptists.
lery commenced in 1881, he was elected Modera¬
tor of what is now the 4th District Association,
which position he creditably held 19 years. Elder
Nance was member and secretary of District Ed¬
ucational Board 9 years and Missionary 8 years.
He has pastored the following churches: Mount
Carmel, St. Paul No. 2, Antioch, Mt. Zion, Mace¬
donia, Magnolia, Bethlehem!, Mt. Pilgrim, Beech
Hill, Little Antioch, Belladonia and Cypress
Grove. The Association presided over by Elder
Nance was organized in 1883 under the name—
First Regular Baptist Association by the follow¬
ing brethren and others.: Elders Daniel Dorsey,
Isaac Langdon, Logan Peterson, Sam Tucker,
George Tilly, Ruffin Thornton, Major Hamilton
and Henry Hewley. No Pioneer in the state has
labored harder and more zealously for the race
and the Master's cause than Bishop Simon Dan¬
iel Nance.
SOME OF OUR MANY SCHOOLS.
LELAND UNIVERSITY.
Leland was founded by Deacon Holbrook
Chamberlain in 1870 at New Orleans, La., in the
basement of Tulane Avenue Baptist Church. The
writer has often been told of this good man's self-
denial and self-sacrificing spirit when establish¬
ing this great institution for the Louisiana Ne¬
gro Baptists and the Negro race. According to
Dr. R. B. Cook in his "History of the Baptists
in All Ages and Countries," it seems that Le-
land's first President was an acting President—
Elder M. C. Cole. Then follows the line of Pres¬
idents from 1870 to 1914—Drs. Gregory and
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America.
201
Barker; Professor Traver, and then it appears
that Dr. Cole acted President again until the
election of Dr. Edward Cushing Mitchell in 1887.
Dr. George H. Felton acted President a while
after the death of Dr. Mitchell when Dr. R. W.
Perkins was elected President. At present
(1914) Professor Alfred A. Earl is President.
Although he has been there only a short while, he
has thus far made a successful fight for a greater
Leland and made many improvements.
Deacon Chamberlain wrought more than he
knew. He has established this institution for us
and gone on, but his good works follow him. Le¬
land has been and is the Educational Mother of
Louisiana Negro Baptists. From her walls have
gone out some of the best and most serviceable
men our race has produced—some of whom are:
T. A. Walker, A. M., M. D., Professors Jonas
Henderson, A. M., John Jones, W. 0. Boston,
Francis Boley, B. A., Alfred Priestfy, A. M.,* S.
S. Gray, A. M.> A. J. Lagard, B. A., A. L. Yates,
B. A., John Yates, B. A., J. S. Clark, B. A., J. D.
Stewart, B. A., J. L. Crosley, B. A., J. M. Frazier,
B. A., M. J. Foster, B. A., Drs. C. L. Fisher, A.
M., A. F. Owens, John Marks, Taylor Frierson,
C, S. Collins, B. A., M. D., A. H. Brown, B. A.,
M. D., Wra. Hicks, B. A., D. D., and scores of
others too numerous to mention here. Through
these and her other great sons and daughters, the
power and influence of Leland touches every part
of Louisiana as well as extends into other states
and Canada. This school is beautifully situated
on St. Charles Avenue. It comprises two large
brick buildings and about 10 acres of very val¬
uable land. It has an endowment of $100,000 or
REYNOLD'S HALL—GIRL'S DORMITORY, COLEMAN
COLLEGE.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 203''
more. Dr. Simmons (white) was Leland's first
instructor.
Coleman College is easily one of the greatest
Negro Baptist Schools not only in Louisiana, but
in the South. It is beautifully located at Gibs-
land, La., on one of the most picturesque hills in
the state. The ridge on which sits two three-
story brick buildings; one two and a half story
brick building; and two two-story frame build¬
ings, is nearly a complete horse shoe made by
the hand of nature's God. This institution is the
life-work of Professor C. L. Coleman who found-,
ed it in 1888. Brother Coleman began practically
with no house, but to-day the above mentioned
stately buildings beautify the campus.
Valuation about 26 years ago practically noth¬
ing; today, its valuation is $60,000, and it is the
largest school in the state owned exclusively by
Negro Baptists. Through President Coleman's
influence and push it is supported more liberally
by the white people of the North than any other
school of its kind in the South.
It is supported by the following: The Home
Mission Society of Boston; The Home Mission
Society of New York; The United States Govern¬
ment Bureau of Agriculture; and by the Negro
Baptists of Louisiana. It has been and is now
doing untold good for the Baptist cause in Louis¬
iana, having sent out many splendid young men
and women. Coleman College emphasizes Chris¬
tian training, not failing each session to lay aside
books for a week or ten days, and engage in re¬
vival work, with wonderful success. Present
Faculty: O. L. Coleman, A. M.. President; J. D
Stewart, A. B., Associate President; A. L. Yates.
B. A., O. W. Gray, C. R. Dickerson, Princioal
204 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
District Department; T. J. Jordan, Bishop P. B.
Lewis, Mrs. M. A. Coleman, B. S., Mary Clay,
Kosa Lewis, and Katie Smith.
Houma Academy, Houma, La., fostered and
operated by the Fifth District Association. It
was founded by this Association under the lead¬
ership of the late Dr. H. C. Cotton—a man of
sterling worth and ability. The Academy's val¬
uation is more than $2,000. Professor A. J.
Lagard, B. A., renders excellent services as Prin¬
cipal.
Israel Academy was founded by the late Bishop
H. C. Cotton. It is a large well equipped two
story frame building. This school is fostered
principally by the great church at Bell Alliance
of which Dr. Cotton was the honored pastor for
many years. Miss Philemine Joseph succeeds
here as Principal. Valuation of this school is
more than $2000.
Minden Academy, located at Minden, La., was
founded in 1905 by Bishops: J. R. Moore, P. P.
Mellon, Th. B., J. M. Moore, A. G. McDaniel, and
others of the North West Louisiana Association
N)o. 1. Its main building is a two story frame
structure situated on about 33 acres of good land.
Total valuation $3000. It is doing good work
under (1913) under the management of Professor
J. D. Johnson, B. S.
Mansfield Colored Industrial High School,
Mansfield, La., is fostered by the North West
Louisiana Association No. 2. It was founded in
1902 by Professor John H. Whaley and Trustees.
It comprises both a boy's and girl's dormitory,
situated in a valuable plot of ground. Valuation
of school (1909) was $5000 and still it grows
under the successful management of its efficient
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 205
head, Professor J. H. Whaley, graduate of
Straight University and a summer student of
Chicago University.
Howe Institute was established at New Iberia,
La., in 1890. The sons of Peter Howe of We-
nona, 111., who out of filial regard for the wishes
of their revered father, placed this beautiful
property under the control of the President of
Leland University for a number of years. In
1904 they gave the property in simple fee to the
school management, and added a handsome dona¬
tion. At this time (1914) the Institute is fos¬
tered and controlled by the Sixth District Asso¬
ciation. In 1905-6 the Association erected a
splendid two-story brick building costing $8000.
Professor Jonas Henderson, B. A., A. M., is at
the head of this institution. He is one of the
leading educators, not only of his state but of his
race. For many years he was an honored mem¬
ber of the Faculty of Leland University y filling
with credit to himself and denomination the chair
of History and Mathematics. The writer being
one of his old pupils knows personally of the
worth and ability of this great man. His wife—
a splendid woman and a graduate of Leland Uni¬
versity, is matron of this school.
Leland Academy is located at Donaldsonville,
La. In 1892, its Trustees made application when
it became auxiliary to Leland University. Prof-
fessor S. S. Gray, A. M., was at one time Prin¬
cipal of this school..
The Tenth District High School at Monroe, La.,
is in a prosperous condition under the manage¬
ment of Professor M. J. Foster, B. A.^ Its recent
enrollment reached 208. At present it comprises
a la-rge two-story frame building, a smaller one
206 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
and a large plot of ground. This school is fos¬
tered and controlled by the 10th District Associ¬
ation. It stands as a beacon light in North Louis¬
iana, and is accomplishing much.
Opelousas Academy was founded in 1900, by
Bishop L. C. Simon, Opelousas, La. Its valuation
was $20,000 in 1911. This institution has a good
enrollment and is doing splendid work under the
principalship of Professor B. J. Hurd, B. A.
Central Louisiana Academy is the widely
known school oi the 8th District Association. It
was established under the management of Prof.
Warner R. W'right, Elders C. L. Roberts, H. B. N.
Brown, Israel Thomas and others were with Pro¬
fessor Wright in founding and building up this
institution. It has done a deal of good and last¬
ing work in the central part of the state.
Cheyneyville Academy was founded by Dr. G. L.
Roberts with the assistance of his three local
churches, and it has been operated with marked
success, helping the Baptist cause in and around
'Cheneyville. It has been principalled by some of
the race's strongest men: C. S. Collins, A. B., M.
D., A. J. Lagard, B. A., A. L. Yates, B. A., and
Wm. Thomas. The present encumbent (1913)
is Professor Charles A. Martin.
Bunkie Academy is beautifully located in the
town of Bunkie, La. Professor A. J. Willis is
the efficient principal. He is "on the wall," do¬
ing a great work for Bunkie and cannot at this
time come down. He has enlarged the building
twice and yet there is not enough room.
WOMEN'S WORK THROUGHOUT THE STATE
Almost every Association of brothers, from the
Gulf to the line of Arkansas and from the line of
208 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Mississippi on the east to the line of Texas on
the west, has an Association of Sisters working
by its side.
These Christian women have done and are do¬
ing much good in their respective districts. In
the First District, the 13th and the Freedmen's
the women are loyally supporting Old Folks
Homes. In other Districts they are helping the
brethren to foster schools.
I tried to get the work of these Sisters more
in detail, but could not. It must be said to their
credit that they have already won the blessed ap-
plaudit "Well done."
SOME OF OUR MANY SCHOOLS.
Thirteenth District Normal and Collegiate In¬
stitute in the city of Shreveport, is owned and
fostered by the 13th District Association. It
was founded as the 13th District Academy by
Wm. Hicks, A. B., D. D., the Trustees of Provi¬
dence Academy (who afterwards went into di¬
lution) ; and President I. A. Carter and his Ex¬
ecutive Board of the 13th District Association.
The school afterwards took the name—13th Dis¬
trict Institute at the suggestion of Bishop Hicks.
Dr. A. M. Newman was elected Supervisor of
Education; with Brother Hicks as Principal.
The Institute got down to work. 13th District
Baptists accomplished much during the 9 years
of Professor's Hicks' encumbency. He opened
the school in an old dilapidated dwelling house in
1894, which he soon mjoved back; converted it
into a dining room and kitchen; and erected in
1899, a magnificent $3,000 two-story structure.
The enrollment ' in the Boarding Department
Elder C. L. Fishe!1, D.
D.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 209
reached about 40, and of the entire school nearly
three hundred, with a maximum annual receipt
of $2,000. Professor Hicks organized a School
Land Saving Association composed of both his
converted and unconverted friends; by means of
which five lots on west side of the two already
paid for school lots, were secured as District
property. During the successful labors of Dr. J.
H. Henderson as Principal, 1201 acres were se¬
cured (about seven miles out from town) and
added to the school property; and also the Boys"
Department was enlarged.
Other Principals who have served this school
successfully are: Professors A. C. Capers, B. A.,
A. Letherman, B. A., A. Cheatham, B. A., and
Harris Hamilton. The Institute is getting on
nicely now (1914) under Professor J. E. Wilson.
The buildings and land of this institution easily
value $10,000.
Benton Colored High School was organized
in 1907 by Elders S. H. Ralph, L. Ford, S. W.
Jackson, Z. Flenouy, W. H. Hall and I. S. Mitch-J
ell, Jr. Bishop Ralph has wrought well as Prin¬
cipal. This school is valued at $1,000 and has an
enrollment of 150. It is destined to do much
good in this part of the state, being within the
bounds of the Calvary Association.
East Carrol Normal and Industrial Institute
is one of our schools in North East Louisiana.
It is located at Lake Providence on 60 acres of
fine land. This school comprises three build¬
ings. It was founded in 1898 by Bishop J. E.
Brunswick. Under tjhe preseAt efficient man¬
agement of Professor Emmett Louis Washburn,
B. A., it bids fair to do much good as the years
come and go.
210 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Ruston Colored Normal Institute, Huston,
La., is one of the best Baptist schools in the
state. It was begun about 1896 by Professor
S. A. Williams and others. After Professor
Williams' eneumbency, Professor I. S. Powell
was elected to the Principalship. That Profes¬
sor Powell has succeeded here and done a great
work nobody doubts. This school comprises two
large two-story frame building situated on a nice
plot of ground. The grounds and buildings
easily value two or three thousand dollars.
Some of our most brilliant Baptist sons have
been connected with this school; prominent
among whom; was the late Professor William
Allen, B. A.—one of the most scholarly young
men that has graduated from Leland. He was bril¬
liant, pleasing in manners, morally strong, and
a teacher of whom all Louisiana Baptists were
proud. But the Lord took him after he had
worked here successfully only a short while.
Professor Powell did not make excuses here
at this school; he made good.
Homer Industrial and Bible Training School
was founded by Bishop R. A. Mayfield in 1898.
A Board of Mission sisters and brothers as¬
sisted him in the organization. Elder Mayfield
labored hard but wlith marked success in the es¬
tablishment of this school. Having just gradu¬
ated from the Ruston Normal Institute, he came
to this almost forsaken field and threw himself
into this work. As a result of his labors he has
built up one of the best schools in the state, val¬
uing $3000 or more. It is one of the North
Louisiana Beacon Lights. After the establish¬
ment of the school, Bishop Mayfield became Presi¬
dent. The following have served as Principals:
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 211
T. C. Compton, B. A., and B. C. Lewis, B. A. The
Lord has taken Professor Compton to heaven.
He was a splendid young man—strong in intel¬
lect and morals. To know him, was to respect
and love him. After well done work at Homer,
he accepted the principalship of the Junction
Arkansas Baptist Academy, Junction, Ark.,
where he was doing splendid work when he was
called away. The Baptists lost in his departure
an efficient teacher, a loyal husband, and a de¬
voted father. Homer Industrial and Bible Train¬
ing School gives promise of a deal of future use¬
fulness.
A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER.
NEGRO BAPTIST BEGINNINGS IN AMERICA.
Dr. Richard B. Cook in his "Story of the Bap¬
tists in All Ages and Countries," says that the
Island of Jamaica, W. I., first belonged to Spain,
and then to England. After the Indians were
driven off, the Island became populated by Span¬
iards and English. Negroes from America, and
not Missionaries'from England first began Bap¬
tist Missionary work on this Island." The Voice
of Jubilee" said that as early as 1814, the English
Baptist Missionaries on arriving at Jamaica
found that black men from America had preached
the Gospel there, and prepared a people to hail
their coming, to receive their message and to as¬
sist in propagating the Gospel through the Island
of Jamaica.
As early as 1783, Elder George Lisle went
from Georgia to Jamaica as the slave of an Eng¬
lish officer. At the close of the Revolutionary
War and at the death of his master, he was left
212 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
free. He preached the Gospel here with telling
effect and organized the first Baptist Church on
the Island.
At Kingston, moved by the ignorance and vice
of his race, he preached to them at the race¬
course and in his own "hired room." He organ¬
ized a church of four members, who were
refugees from America like himself. Like the
Apostle Paul, he supported himself, as he
preached the Gospel, by labor with his own
hands. This Pioneer of pioneers told the story
of the Cross to bond and free on neighboring
plantations and to distant parts of the Island.
His labors were blessed so abundantly that in
about seven years he had baptised five hundred
converts, and in 1793 built the first dissenting
chapel in Jamaica. This subjected him and his
followers to every kind of insult and persecution.
He was thrown into prison for preaching sedition
"loaded with irons and his feet fastened in the
stocks, not even his wife nor his children were
permitted to see him." He was imprisoned more
than once, and was at one time tried for his life,
hut acquitted. Elders George Gives and T. N.
Swingle were co-laborers of Brother Lisle
They organized a Second Church of 700 at Kings¬
ton. Another church was established by Moses
Baker, a converted drunkard, at Crooked Spring.
One. of Brother Lisle's contemporaries whose
name I cannot obtain was "hung for preaching
and baptising." Notwithstanding a rigidly en¬
forced law from 1805 to 1814, forbidding preach¬
ing to slaves, the Word was preached with power
and sinners converted by the hundred. Through
the preaching of the Gospel these pioneers
brought liberty to the souls of these bondmen ;
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 213
England's Emancipation Proclamation brought
freedom to their bodies August 28, 1833.
Dr. R. B. Cooks says it was the correspondence
of Elders George Lisle, Moses Baker and others,
with Drs. Ryland and Rippon of England, that
led finally to the sending out of the English Bap¬
tist Missionaries. That the work of these Mis¬
sionaries was a success is evidenced by the fact
that it not only became self-sustaining, but in
1842, there were 45 missionaries to leave for
Africa, to take the Gospel to their brethren at
home. Some one said to this departing Van¬
guard of African Missionaries, "Perhaps you will
be made slaves by the heathen if you go." Their
prompt reply was, "We have been made slaves
for men; we can be made slaves for Christ."
A Jamaica Baptist by the name of Keith sold
what he possessed, bought a few clothes only, and
leaving his beloved companion for two years,"
worked his way to Africa and preached the Gos¬
pel on the very spot where he had been stolen."
By 1887, the number of Jamaica churches had
grown from the first church organized by Broth¬
er Lisle to 142 live Christian organizations with a
membership of 31,000 reporting as many as
2,140 baptisms per year. Dr. Walter H. Brooks
refers to Elder George Lisle as "The Black Apos¬
tle."
It seems that the work in Port-au-Prince,
Hayti was more difficult than that in Jamaica.
Elder W. C. Monroe, ordained in 1835 in New
York, met with so much discouragement there
that he abandoned the work, however it was
afterwards resumed. In 1887 there were six
churches, and five ministers in Hayti; and in all
T. A. WALKER,
Baton Rouge, La.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 215
the West Indies 189 churches, 109 preachers,
37,564 members.
BEGINNINGS OF AFRICAN MISSIONS.
The first missionary from America to Africa
was Elder Lot Carey. Although a slave in Rich¬
mond, Va., he applied himself to business and
soon bought the freedom of himself and his two
children for $850 in 1813. As early as 1807 hq,
had joined the Baptist church, and in 1815, he
became one of the prime movers in the formation
of the African Missionary Society in Richmond,
Va. Under very adverse circumstances they
raised, within five years, $700 for missions. This
was one of the first Missionary Societies of Amer¬
ica ; another being formed in Georgia soon after.
Elders Carey and Colin Teague, both of Rich¬
mond, labored first among the Bassas, Monrovia,
Liberia, where there was an American Colony as
early as 1822. Here the first Christian church
by Negro Missionaries was established, and six
were baptised in 1823; nine more happy converts
the following year. Elder Carey became pastor,
and Brother Teague returned to Sierra Leone
where they had first landed. Elder Carey ex¬
tended the missionary work to Cape Grand
Mount, among 'the Veys, one of the most power¬
ful and intelligent tribes on the coast." He main¬
tained missions at both places, and "manifested
much energy and faithfulness in his labors, great
sagacity in civil affairs, and remarkable power
and earnestness as a preacher." At one time
this missionary was Liberia's Vice-Governor, and
became acting Governor during the absence of
Governor Ashmun. One of the saddest tragedies
216 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
on missionary fields occurred when Elder Carey
was accidently killed by the explosion of gun¬
powder, November, 1828.
Elders A. W. Anderson, J. Lewis, and Elder
H. Teague, son of Brother A. Teague, reinforced
the white missionaries on the West Coast of
Africa, there being some doubt as to whether the
white missionaries could stand the climate. After
the death or departure of the white brethren, the
mission work was carried on by Elder J. Von-
brunn, a native Bassa.
Bishops J. Day, and A. L. Jones were sent to
Africa in 1846, by the Southern Baptist Society,
and from! 1846 to 1856 other Negro missionaries
were appointed, and in 14 Liberian villages,
churches and schools were established. Two
churches were organized in Sierra Leone. "In
1860 there were 24 stations, and churches, 18
pastors, 1,258 members, 26 tachers and 665 pu¬
pils." Whn this mission was closed in 1875,
Missionaries W. J. Davis and W. W. Colley re¬
sumed work in Yoruba, where they were heartily
received as "God men." Thousands had been
converted while the work went on, and "many
Godly men and women of the. race were de¬
veloped."
Elder J. Day was a very active missionary.
He went to Liberia in 1830, "resigned a judge¬
ship, and was elected Lieutenant-Governor in
1847. "In 1854, the church at Monrovia called
him to its pastorate. While here he founded and
presided over a high sichool in which were the
following departments: Elementary, Classical,
and Theological. This pioneer accomplished
much at this place. He made extended preach-
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 217
ing tours, and reported "a Sunday-school in every
village and the word preached statedly to more
than 10,000 heathens.
Elder J. T. Bowen founded the Yoruba Mission
in 1850, and in 1853 other missionaries were sent
out. Through the labors of Brother Bowen sta¬
tions were opened, residences and chapels were
built, and schools and churches established.
The first Negro Missionary sent out under ap¬
pointment by a Colored Board was Bishop S.
Cosby, in 1878. Virginia Baptists sent him
forth to labor in their Fatherland. Brother Cos¬
by had with him in the work Elder W. W. Colley
instead of Missionary David who had returned
home. Thus Brother Bowen opened the way for
colored missionaries.
In 1879, South Carolina Baptists sent Elder H.
N. Bouey as their missionary to Africa. He took
charge of a missionary church at Royeville,
where he labored three years and returned home.
Brother Bouey labored here with marked suc¬
cess, permanently organizing churches and asso¬
ciations. Missionary J. O. Hayes was a contem¬
porary of Bishop Bouey, and did effective work
in Africa. As early as 1887, Dr. Cook said, in¬
cluding Western, Southern and Central Africa,
where the Congo Mission is, there are three As¬
sociations, 81 churches, 55 ministers, and 3,012
members. The slogan of Colored Baptists every¬
where was "Africa for Christ."
OUR EARLIEST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NORTH.
Bishop R. L. Perry, Ph. D., says (1887) "The
million colored Baptists in the United States
maintain their own churches, associations»-,„$nd
218 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
missionary conventions. Their early history in
the South was interwoven with the history of the
white churches, but since emancipation they
have made their own independent record in the
South, just as they were doing in the North be¬
fore the war. They began in the North about
80 years ago—that is the Joy Street Church, Bos¬
ton, Mass., was constituted in 1805; the Abys¬
sinian Church, New York, in 1808, and the First
African Church, Philadelphia, in 1809. From
these as mother churches others were established,
till, in 1840, there had been such an increase in
churches in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Is¬
land and Massachusetts, that they then formed
themselves into a Missionary Convention for
work among their own race.
The work of this body was confined to the
North, excepting an effort to establish a mission
in Africa, till peace in 1865, enabled them! to enter
the South, to which their whole attention was
given. At their 26th Anniversary, at Richmond,
Va., August, 1886, this body united with the
North Western and Southern Convention. The
united bodies took the name of the Consolidated
American Baptist Missionary Convention, and
did a grand work in the South. Some difference
of opinion arose as to jurisdiction and manage¬
ment at Richmond in 1877, which indicated ap¬
proaching disruption. This Convention still ex¬
ists, but the fields it once occupied are now worked
by new organizations: the New England Baptist
Missionary Convention in the North; the Baptist
Foreign Missionary Convention of the United
States and Territories in the West.
In each quarter of the United States—North,
South, East and West, there are some strong
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 219
churches and able men, who take the lead in mis¬
sion work and denominational action in their re¬
spective societies. The Foreign Mission Conven¬
tion of the South, and the General Association of
the Western States and Territories, have Foreign
Mission Stations in Africa, while the Consoli¬
dated Convention has a Mission Station, and owns
good mission property in Port-au-Prince, Hayti."
I have quoted Dr. Perry at length that the read¬
er might thoroughly understand these early be¬
ginnings. Ebenezer Baptist Church, New York,
organized in 1825, and the Union Baptist Church
in Cincinnati, constituted in 1827, follow in age
the above mentioned churches.
FIRST GENERAL MISSIONARY SOCIETIES AMONG
NEGRO BAPTISTS.
In 1873, the Baptist General Association of the
Western States and Territories came into exis¬
tence and was made larger in 1880. Bishop R. De
Baptist, speaking of further Baptist growth says
that: "In 1853 a movement was begun in the
Wood River Association, Illinois, to reach wider
and more needy parts of the West, which resulted
in the formation of the Western Colored Baptist
Convention, which in 1864, was still further widen¬
ed into the North Western and Southern Baptist
Convention. The latter consolidated in 1867 with
the American Baptist Missionary Convention,
operating in the Eastern and North Eastern
States, the new body taking the name of the Con¬
solidated American Baptist Convention, which
continued its work at home and abroad till 1879,
as a united body, when the Western Churches
withdrew and formied their own association.
PRESIDENT JOHN MARKS AND OTHER CONVENTION
LEADERS, 1879
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 221
The officers for 1887 were: Rev. W. H. Howard,
M.D.,Moderator; Rev. J. W. Cruchon and Rev. J.
H. Oden, assistant moderators; Rev. J. L. Corron,
Recording Secretary; Rev. T. L. Johnson, Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Rev. R. J)e Baptist, Treas¬
urer. The income for the year was $5,136. Rev.
T. L. Johnson, London, England, and Rev. J. W.
Polk at home, are agents for collecting funds for
the African Mission. Great interest has been
awiakened in the Congo Mission, Africa, and the
Association appointed in 1886, Rev. J. W. Rickets
and T. E. S. Scholes, M. D., as missionaries to the
Congo Valley. Miss L. C. Fleming goes also as
a missionary to the Congo country, whence her
father was brought as a slave to this land. She
is a graduate of Shaw University, and will be ac¬
companied by Miss Faulkner and Miss Hamilton.
They go under the Women's Societies of the East
and West, which have already been doing a work
among the women of the South through female
teachers and missionaries.
The New England Baptist Missionary Conven¬
tion was formed in 1875. Its field of operation
is in the Northern and Eastern States. The min¬
utes of 1886 show a list of 43 churches—open in
Delaware, six in Pennsylvania, nine in New York,
nine in New Jersey, four in Connecticut, two in
Rhode Island, eleven in Massachusetts and one in
Virginia. The main object of the Convention is
to send out missionaries into destitute regions and
to plant and build up churches within its reach.
Its officers for 1887 ate: President, Rev. R. D.
Wvnn: Vice-President, Rev. B. T. Moore; Record-
ing Secretary, Rev. T. D. Miller, D. D.; Corre¬
sponding Secretary, Rev. W. T. Dixon; Treasurer,
222 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
Rev. R. A. Motley; General Agent, Rev. R. L.
Perry, Ph. D."
In 1880 the Baptist Foreign Missionary Con¬
vention was formed with the following officers:
Bishop A. S. Jackson, President; Hon. J. J. Spel-
man, Secretary; Professor J. E. Jones, Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Elder R. Wells, Treasurer.
The Executive Board was located at Richmond,
Va. The Convention divided the country into the
following districts for Foreign Mission work: 1st
Virginia ; 2nd'—the Territory covered by the New
England Convention; 3rd—South Carolina, Geor¬
gia, and Alabama. The receipts for 1886 Were
$4,473.
Elder J. H. Presley and wife, Elder W. W.
Colley and wife, Bishop J. J. Coles and Bishop
H. McKinney, were sent as missionaries to Afri¬
ca in 1883. "Africa In Brief" is the name of a
little book of Elder J. J. Coles in which he tells of
the labors and trials of these missionaries in
building up the Baptist Vey Mission. In 1886
the Convention sent to this mission Bishop J. J.
Coles, who returned to America, Mrs. Cole, Elder
and Mrs. E. B. Topp and Elder J. J. Diggs, Mrs.
Diggs was soon to follow. The Foreign Mission¬
ary Force now (1887) consists of four ordained
ministers, four native helpers and two women.
There are twt> churches and 150 members. They
had 100 baptisms within two and a half years.
ORGANIZATION OF NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION.
By Bishop W. J. Sinwnons, D. D.
When a call was made by Elder W. J. Simmons,
D. D., the First National Baptist Convention of
Colored Brptists came together August 25, 1886,
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 223
. -j
at the First Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo., Bishop
J. R. Young, pastor. After Brother Simmons
had called the brethren to order, a temporary or¬
ganization was effected by calling Elder W. J.
Shelton to the chair, and selecting W. H. Stewart,
Secretary. The permanent election resulted in
the election of the following officers: Bishop W. J.
Sin^mons, D. D., President; Elder J. R. Young,
1st Vice-President; Elder T. L. Johnson, 2nd Vice
President; Elder W. H. Steward, and Bishop S. T.
Clanton, Recording Secretaries; Bishop R. De
Baptist, Corresponding Secretary; Miss L. W.
Smith, Historian; and Elder D. A. Gaddie, Treas¬
urer. After the adoption of the Constitution,
the body was made permanent, and "got down to
work." The main object of the Convention given
out by these pioneer fathers was "to unify the de¬
nomination in MISSION WORK."
Seventeen states were represented by 600 mes¬
sengers and visitors at this initial meeting.
Among them were graduates in Law, Medicine,
Theology; Professors of Philosophy, German,
French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew; Ex-State Repre¬
sentatives ; Ex-Senators; Two Ex-Lieutenant
Governors; Editors and Teachers not a few; and
a Baptist Missionary from England. In line with
the "Spirit of Missions" on which the fathers
founded the Convention, Bishop T. L. Johnson
said to this crowd of enthusiastic Baptists "Knoxs
lifted up Germany, and it is for us to lift the
heathen of the land of our fathers."
The second session of the Convention was
Iheld with the Third Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala.,
Dr. A. F. Owens, pastor—1887.
224 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
FIRST ASSOCIATION.
Professor Monroe N. Work, in his 1913 "Negro
Year Book" says that the first Negro Baptist As¬
sociation organized in the United States, was the
Providence Baptist Association of Ohio, in 1836.
Two years later the Wood River Baptist Asso¬
ciation was organized in Illinois.
BAPTIST CHURCH BEGINNINGS IN THE SOUTH.
The earliest church beginnings were in the
South. Just which is the first Negro Baptist
church in America is a disputed question.
The First African Baptist Church, Savan¬
nah, Ga., is claimed by some historians to be the
oldest, while on the other hand Dr. Walter H.
Brooks says: "The First Church of Negro Bap¬
tists, the very first and oldest, so far as authentic
and trustworthy writings of the eighteenth cen¬
tury establish, was constituted at Silver Bluff,
on Mr. Galphin's estate, a year or two before the
Revolutionary War. "This church continued to
worship here at Silver Bluff situated on the South
Carolina side of Savannah River, in Aiken Coun¬
ty just 12 miles from Augusta, Ga., until the lat¬
ter part of 1778 when the vicissitudes of war
drove the little flock into exile. Its exile simply
meant to multiply it in other places. Elder Da¬
vid George was pastor of the Silver Bluff Church.
This pastor and people finally moved to Savannah
seeking safety and freedom under the British flag
at the fall of Savannah. It seemis that unavoid¬
able changes brought on by the war forced the
members of The Silver Bluff Church to disband;
but in due time God raised up another man—
Elder H. B. N. Brown, B. D.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 225
Elder Jesse Peter through ^vhom he revived His
work again and set it to going.
As the First African Baptist Church at Augus¬
ta, Ga., the Springfield Baptist Church—comes
into existence we lose sight of the Silver Bluff
Church, with Rev. Jesse Peter as pastor when the
church is reported in a flourishing condition.
The curtain rises and again we see a flock of de¬
voted Christians, with Jesse Peters, as pastor,
but they are 12 miles away from Silver Bluff, S.
Carolina, receiving the regulated touches of the
Rev. Abram Marshall and another white minis¬
ter, which gave the'body standing and influence,
as the First African Church of Augusta, Ga.
"If we presume, the Silver Bluff church is still
with us, in another meeting place, and under a
new name, the oldest Negro Baptist Church in
this country to-day is that at Augusta, Ga., hav¬
ing existed at Silver Bluff, South Carolina from
the period 1774-1775 to the year 1793, before be¬
coming a Georgia Institution."
THE FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH,
GA.
It seems that this church grew out of one o%
the scattered parts of the Silver Bluff Church.
There is some difference of opinion as to the
founder and first pastor—some claiming that it
was set up by Elder Andrew Bryan in 1788,
others hold that this could not be. Dr. Walter
H. Brooks says: "The Negro Baptist Church at
Savannah, Ga., existed before Andrew Bryan
became a Christian," and that Elder Lislie was
the first pastor. Mr. Joseph Cook, of Euhaw,
South Carolina, in a letter to Dr. John Rippon of
226 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
London, England says: "A poor Negro common¬
ly called Brother George, has been so highly fa¬
vored of God as to plant the First Baptist church
in Savannah, and another in Jamaica." From
the time of Brother Lislie's departure for Jamaica
in 1782 to the time of Bryan's ordination, 1788
the little flock at Savannah, Ga., was bitterly
persecuted, but it stood the storm and fire of op¬
position, and outstripped in point of growth and
numbers the other branches of Silver Bluff Bap¬
tist Church, and is today the acknowledged moth¬
er of American Negro Baptists.
In 1785 there was a Negro Baptist Church or¬
ganized at Williamsburg, Va., but did not
flourish to any large extent. There were other
early church beginnings at Atlanta, Ga., New Or¬
leans, La., and Galveston, Texas.
FIRST NEGRO BAPTIST SCHOOLS.
In 1887 there were, in the South at least 26
institutions of Higher Education for Negroes.
The following schools had Negro Presidents, and
for the most part were under the control of Ne¬
gro Baptists:
State University of Louisville, Ky., founded
by the late Dr. Wm, J. Simmons and others in
1873. Dr. Simmons had two assistants of whom
only two were white. The University had three
departments: College, Normal and Model school
with 171 students. Property value of this
school Jn 1887 was $18,000. First class of B.
A.'s graduated in 1886.
Natchez College, Natchez, Miss., was organ¬
ized in 1877. President P. A. Wardlaw had
three instructors and 165 students.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 227
Selma University, Selma, Ala., 1878. Dr. H.
Woodsmall, President, in 1887 had seven instruc¬
tors and 353 students—male and female with a
property valuation of $15,000.
Brazoria Institute, Brazoria, Texas 1867.
Professor H. S. Smothers was President. As
early as 1887 he had trained 60 teachers for
work among colored people.
Seguin Academy, Seguin, Tex., as early as
1887 had property valued at $1,400.
Hearne Academy, Hearne, Tex., was organ¬
ized in 1881; by 1887 Professor W. F. Smith,
principal had three teachers and 32 students
with a property value of $4,000.
Western Union Institute, Asheville, N. C., was
founded in 1884. Elder E. H. Lipscombe was
President in 1887 with four teachers and 200
students. Property valued at $5,000.
In 1887 there were several other Academies
North Carolina; Winston Academy, Bishop C.
S. Brown, A. B., Principal, costing $2,000;
Garysburge High School, R. J. Walden, A. M.,
Principal, worth $1,500; High School at War-
for years pastor of the first white Baptist church
renton, Bishop J. A. Whitted, B. A., Principal,
valued at $5,000; Cedar Grove Academy, Elder R.
H. Harris, Principal and at Goldsboro a lot had
been purchased for a school site on which build-
dings were soon to be erected.
At Coalsmouth, W. Va., a school property
formerly iShelton College fiad1 been purchased
worth $25,000 and a school of high grade was
to be soon opened with Elder C. H. Payne as
PrGsidciiti
The Colored Baptists of Lynchburg, W. Va.,
perhaps, earlier than 1887 had bought a lot on
228 History of Louisiana, Negro Baptists.
which to erect a building and operate a school
preparatory to Richmond Seminary.
At Little Rock, Ark, the Arkansas Baptist Col¬
lege was begun in 1886 under "a scholarly and
competent President Professor J. H. Garnett.
The first, third and last of the above schools,
and those that follow in this list, in 1887, were
under the fostering care of the American Bap¬
tist Home Mission Society. Dr. Morehouse
said, "The Colored Baptists have raised apart
from the Society's efforts, about $50,000 for
property and teachers, chiefly for the schools at
Selma, Live Oak, and Marshall, Texas.
By 1887 eight thousand students had enrolled
in Home Mission schools.
Roger Williams University, Nashville, Tenn.,
the first school of the kind in order of time, be¬
gan work in 1864. In 1887, President W. H.
Stifler, D. D., had eight assistants and 126 young
men and 87 young women. The property value
was $85,000.
Wayland Seminary, Washington, D. C., opened
its doors for the education of freed men in 1865.
In 1887 President C. M. P. King, D. D., was as¬
sisted by six teachers with an enrollment of 126
students. Value of property at that time $10,000.
Our race owes Dr. King a debt of gratitude, be¬
cause as early as 1887 he had spent 18 years
training Negro preachers and teachers.
In 1865, Shaw University began operations in
Raleigh, North Carolina. By 1887, President H.
M. Tupper, D. D., had a faculty of 20, and 402
students. . Within 22 years after beginning this
work, Dr. Tupper had built up a great Univer¬
sity consisting of Esty Hall, Leonard Medical
building, Chapel and Dining Hall Medical Dormi¬
tory and residences costing in all about $125,000.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 229
The Medical faculty was composed of the best
white talent in Raleigh, while the Theological
Department was in charge of Dr. T. E. Skinner,
for years pastor of the First White Baptist in
Raleigh, who said: "The work is itself an in¬
spiration. The deportment is good, and far be¬
yond any I have seen. The desire to learn is
a most encouraging feature to the teacher, the
ability to learn is fully equal to that of the white
people, where the advantages have been the
same."
Dr. C. H. Cory and other white friends of ours
founded Richmond Theological Seminary, Rich¬
mond, Va., in 1867. Two of its faculty of four
were Negroes. The student body numbered 64
as early as 1887.
Atlanta Seminary, (now Morehouse College) At¬
lanta, Ga., came into existence in 1867, and by
1887 President S. Graves, D. D., had five teachers
and one hundred and fifty-three students.
Leland University, New Orleans, La., was or¬
ganized in the basement of the Tulane Baptist
Church for the education of freed men by Dea¬
con Holbrook Chamberlain, in 1870, and by 1887
Acting President, Bishop M. C. Cole, was
assisted by eight instructors With an enroll¬
ment of 221 students. Deacon Chamberlain en¬
dowed it with $95,000. Valuation of its prop¬
erty in 1887 was $85,000.
Columbia, South Carolina, is the seat of Bene¬
dict Institute (now* Benedict College), which be¬
gan work in 1870. President C. E. Becker as
early as 1887 had four assistants and 218 stu¬
dents. His work was divided into four depart¬
ments—Theological, Academic, Musical and In¬
dustrial.
ELDER L. FORD,
Benton, La.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 231
In 1887 Bishop J. L. A. Fish was President of
Florida Institute organized in 1880', at Live Oak,
Fla. Teachers at that time numbered 6; stu¬
dents 96; and valuation was $7,000.
Jackson College, Jackson, Miss., was; founded
in 1877 not in Jackson, but in Natchez, Miss., and
was afterwards moved to Jackson. President
C. Ayer heroically began the work and by 1887
he had four assistants and 251 students. Prop¬
erty value at that time $30,000.
1887 was the year in which Bishop College was
established at Marshall, Texas. President S. W.
Culver with five assistants and 156 students was
doing-a splendid work in 1887. One of his teach¬
ers, Professor David Aibner was a College
graduate of the school. This school was named
after the late Dr. Nathan Bishop whose widow
liberally endowed it.
Spelman Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., was organ¬
ized in 1887 for females only. Before the year
1887 Miss H. Giles, and Miss S. B. Packard had
built up a splendid school for Negro girls, hav¬
ing a faculty of 20 with an enrollment of 555
scholars.
Hartshorn Memorial College, Richmond, Va.,
founded in 1884 was another female school. Pres¬
ident L. B. T'efft in 1887 had an enrollment of 96
girls. Property value was $35,000.
The Creen Freedman School, Tullahassee, I. T.,
was established in 1883, Professor C. E. Burdiok,
Superintendent. In 1887 it had three teachers,
6 pupils and property valued at $6,000.
In 1887 there were in the Home Mission
schools alone 23 Negro teachers; 2,739 scholars;
437 preparing to preach; 963 preparing to teach;
35 desiring to go to Africa as missionaries and
38 studying medicine.
232 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
SOME OF THE FIRST NEGRO BAPTIST NEWSPAPERS
AND EDITORS.
African Expositor, Bishop N. F. Roberts, Ral¬
eigh, N. C.; American Baptist, Dr. William J.
Simmons, and Brother W. H. Stewart, Louisville,
Ky.; Arkansas Baptist, Dr. E. C. Morris, Little
Rock, Ark.; Arkansas Review, Bishop J. T.
White, Helena, Ark.; Baptist Advocate, Bishop
A. S. Jackson, D. D., and Elder S. T. Clanton, D.
D., New Orleans, La.; Baptist Beacon, Bishop
W. R. Boone, B. D., Springfield, 0.; Baptist Mes¬
senger, Hon. J. J. Spelman, Jackson, Miss.; Bap¬
tist Preacher, Elder A. R. Griggs, Dallas, Texas;
GeCrgia Baptist, Bishop W. J. White, Augusta,
Ga.; Baptist Signal, Bishop G. W. Gales, Green¬
ville, Miss.; Living Way, Elder W. A. Brinkly,
Memphis, Tenn.; Memphis Watchman, Brother
J. T. Turner, Memphis, Tenn.; National Monitor,
Bishop R. L. Perry, Ph. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.;
Western Herald, Elders R. De Baptist, A. John¬
son, R. M. Duling and T. L. Smith, Keokuk, la.;
Richmond Planet, John Mitchell, Jr., Richmond,
Va., West Virginia Enterprise, Elder C. H. Payne,
Charleston, West Va.; Weekly, Bishops R. R.
Wright and E. K. Love, Augusta Georgia;
Baptist Watchover, Brother W. H. Anderson,
Evansville, Indianapolis; Mountain Gleaner,
Elder E. H. Lipscombe, Asheville, N. C.;
C.; Baptist Pilot, Elders L. G. Jordan and F. G.
Davis, Waco, Tex.; Baptist Tribune, Dr. E. M.
Brawley, Columbia, S. C.; Baptist Leader, Bish¬
op A. N. McEwen, Montgomery, Ala.; Herald,
Brother J. C. Duke, Montgomery, Ala.; African
Missions, Professor J. E. Jones, Richmond, Va.;
The Caret, Elder C. D. Cooley, Newport News,
Va.; Marion Headlight, Brother J. L. Fleming,
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 233
Marion, Ark.; Pioneer Press, Brother J. R. Clif¬
ford, Martinsburge, West Va.; Golden Epoch,
Brother C. H. W. Stewart, Helena, Ark.; Bap¬
tist Banner, Brother J. W. Browdwe, Columbus,
Kans.; Texas Pioneer, Professor S. M. Smothers,
Brazoria, Tex.; Seven Mansions, N. 0. Bryant,
Calvert,. Tex.; Busy Bee, Brother E. J. Jones,
Greenville, Miss.; Baptist Review (magazine),
Bishop E. R. Carter, Atlanta, Ga.; Missouri Bap¬
tist Standard, Brother G. H. McDaniel, Palmyra,
Mo.; Pulpit and Desk (quarterly), Bishop Bird
Wilkins, B. D., St. Paul, Minn.
These are only some of the many papers—re¬
ligious and secular published by Baptist Editors
as early as 1887. Drs. Brawley and Perry said
at that time that there were as many more, whose
names could not be obtained.
OTHER EARLY ORGANIZATIONS.
NEW YORK STATE.
Dr. Richard B. Cook says that the Mount Olivet
Baptist Church, West 53d Street, New York
City, was organized in 1878 with 21 members,
and with five dollars in the treasury. At this
time they worshipped in a hall and were under
the care of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Chruch
(white). Mount Olivet flourished under the pas¬
torate of Bishop D. W. Wisher of Norfolk, Va.
The church was organized and the pastor or¬
dained on the same day, May 30th, 1878. Elder
Armitage preaching the sermon.
It was not long before this hall became too
small for the great crowds that came to hear the
Gospel. Over 500 were added to the church by
baptism, 250 by letter and 300 by experience. As
early as 1886 this church had an active member-
234 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ship of 700, besides, $40,000 had been raised for
church expenses; $6,000 for missions at home
and abroad, and $16,000 for repairs and interest.
The Southern New York Association, ApriE,
1884, assisted this membership in {purchasing
the splendid granite church edifice it now (1887)
occupies. This was the church of Bishop
Cheever, valued at $125,000, with a seating ca¬
pacity of 2,000. Its organ cost $5,000. The
dedication services occurred June 15th, 1884, Dr.
Harvey Johnson preaching in the forenoon, Dr.
Armitage in the afternoon and Bishop T. D. Mil¬
ler at night. The dedication prayer was prayed
by Bishop H„ Williams, Jr. On the following
Thursday the venerable Elder Cheever delivered
an address of much interest, and a letter from
the poet J. G. Whittier was read.
God gave this pioneer church many friends of
means, among them were Bishop H. F. Barnes,
S. S. Constant, and B. F. Judson who gave from
$500 to $8,000. John D. Rockefeller, the rich¬
est of men, gave one-fourth of the entire cost of
the property.
FIRST MARYLAND BAPTIST CHURCHES.
A Negro Baptist preacher whose name I can¬
not now obtain gathered a few Baptists in a
private house in Baltimore, Md., in 1818, and in
1836 the first Baptist Church was organized in
the State of Maryland. Moses Clayton, a Vir¬
ginia slave, came to Baltimore in 1834. He could
read, write, and speak with fluency. He worked
at the carpenter's trade during the week and
preached the Word with power and demonstra¬
tion on Sundays. "He began a school with three
children, two of them his own. Often he preached
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 235
to an audience comprising his wife and two or
three others, and spoke with much earnestness
as if addressing a thousand." A church was
formed with 8 or 10, and Bishop Moses Clayton
was ordained pastor of Maryland's first church.
In 1865 Bishop L. Hicks being pastor, suffi¬
cient money was. collected for a house of worship
into which they mioved from the old school house.
In 1880 a larger house was built in a more suit¬
able location, costing $16,000. The present pas¬
tor (1887) is Bishop J. C. Allen.
In 1852, the Union Baptist Church, Baltimore,
Md., was organized with 57 members. Elder J.
Cary was the first pastor. By 1887 the member¬
ship had grown from 57 in 1852 to 2,000. Bishop
Harvey Johnson, who was pastor of this church
prior to 1887, and is now pastor (1914), stands
high in his community. He is a graduate of
Wayland Seminary. He took charge of his church
in 1872 with only 278 members. In 1876 they
entered their new house of worship, which cost
$20,000. All of this th^y paid in four years, ex¬
cepting $500. The pastor of this church wias the.
prime mover in bringing Maryland Baptists to-,
gether in a ^tate Convention. There were in th&
state as early, or earlier than 1887, 20 churches,
6,000 members, 15 ministers and $150,000 worth
of church property.
FIRST BAPTIST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DISTRICT O?
COLUMBIA.
Bishop Walter H. Brooks says that: "The
Baptists of Washington, D. C., organized their
first church and erected their first meeting
house at the corner of 19th and I Streets,
in 1802. There were six constituent mem-
236 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
bers, all white. In process of time many
colored persons were received as members. The
house of worship had in 1833, become too small
for the congregation and the old house was aban¬
doned for a new one on 10th Street. The
colored people were encouraged to continue in
the old building. Finally the property was sold
to the colored Baptists of the District. They had
then, 1833, no church organization. They were
members of the church on 10 th street although
they had their separate place of worship, and a
Sunday-school for their children.
A number of colored Baptists who had come
to Washington formed themselves into a Baptist
Church in 1839. The church numbered four, of
whom one, Emily Cook, now (1887) lives. As
soon as the church was formed the colored mem¬
bers of the church on 10th Street, united with
the new body and the property on 19th Street
passed into their hands. In 1846 they numbered
202, from 1865 to 1873 they had increased from
370 to 1191, and in 1876 the membership was
1200, but a revision of the roll reduced it to
10'86, the present number. The first pastor was
Bishop S. White, and the present one is Dr. Wal¬
ter H. Brooks.
From this church has gone out: The Second,
Fourth, Fifth, Salem and Berean churches.
Since 1860 other Baptist churches have sprung
up that are not off-shoots of the First Church.
There are today in the District between 20 and
30 Baptist Churches, many of which have a mem¬
bership of between 1,000 and 1,800. They own
some valuable church property, such as that of
the Shiloh, First, Liberty, Fourth, Fifth, Berean,
and others too numerous to name, which shows
CITY MINISTERS' UftiON, New Orleans.
238 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
to what good use thousands of the money of this
people have been put."
Revs. Brooks, Walker, Lee, Johnson, Howard,
of the Zion Church, preach to large congregations.
VIRGINIA BAPTIST'S BEGINNINGS.
I am informed that the First White Baptist
Church of Richmond, Va., was organized with
14 members, in 1780, when Richmond was a vil¬
lage of 1800 inhabitants, one half of whom were
Negroes. "Since 1863 the Colored Baptists have
constituted themselves separately, and have their
own associations," says one writer. The First
African Baptist 'Church of Richmond existed be¬
fore the War.
Bishop R. Ryland, D. D., President of Rich¬
mond College, was the pastor of this church for
25 years, and during his pastorate there bap¬
tised more than 3,800 persons. This house of
worship was built between the years 1790 and
1800, and set apart for the use of the Colored
Baptists, when the white Baptists erected for
themselves a new church in 1841. This old
Negro church house was historic, and was pub¬
lished in the list of places to be visited by the
stranger in the city, who took Sunday for the
purpose, to hear the excellent music. Within its
walls some of the most important meetings have
been held, and some of the most distinguished men
have spoken. !
The Virginia Convention of 1829-30 met here.
Madison and Marshall were there. It was the last
time these distinguished men held a seat in a
public assembly.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 239
In April, 1861, 'the largest meeting ever held
in that church took place in behalf of the Union,
the Constitution, and the enforcement of the
laws."
In 1864, a famous meeting took place in this
Negro Church building, the object of which was
to urge the people to renewed resistance to the
Federal Army then thundering at the gates of
Richmond. Addresses were made by Jefferson
Davis, J. P. Benjamin and others.
Here also was held, after the surrender, a
meeting of the Freedmen, "the first ever held in
the South."
In those days such men as Horace Greely, Ger-
ritt Davis, Henry Wilson, and General Howard
addressed the multitudes in this old church
house. The African Church was the place both
before and after the war for all great meetings.
This famous old Negro house of Worship was
torn down in 1876, to make way for the present
elegant structure which costs $40,000, seats
2,500 people, and has an organ costing $2,500.
Bishop J. H. Holmes, the present (1887) pastor,
took charge in 1867 when the membership was
three thousand. Since then 5,000 have been
added, and eleven other churches have been or¬
ganized of material from this church. In 1887,
the Sunday-school numbered 600 pupils; the
church collections amounting to $4,000 annually.
The pastor of this church, though born a slave,
educated himself and became a power for good
in his day; baptizing June, 1878, at one time,
268 souls; on another day 598, and at another
time in 1887, two hundred believers. The Sec¬
ond Baptist Church has a membership of 3,000.
* Another of the early organizations in Virginia
240 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
is the church which was organized at Portsmouth
in 1798.
The First Church, Manchester, Va., held its
meetings apart from the whites the first time in
1821, at the house of Mrs. Nancy Rasfield. At
this time they were few in number, and were a
branch of the Spring Creek Church. Their num¬
bers increased under their white pastors until
when they purchased ground and erected a frame
meeting house. These white pastors, however,
were assisted by colored preachers. This
church built its first brick house of worship in
1854, and in 1865, Bishop R. Wells, their first
colored pastor took charge. He was followed in
1872 by Elder A. Binga. In 1869 they entered
their present (1887) house of worship, which
seats 1,400 people, and costs $18,000. Present
membership is 1,512, after furnishing material
for three churches within 15 years.
As early as 1887 the Fourth Church, Bishop
E. Paine, pastor, numbers 1,400; Ebenezer, Elder
R. Wells, pastor, 1,600; and the Second Baptist
Church, Bishop W. Troy, pastor, 3,000. Elder
John Jasper at this time was preaching to large
congregations, and Bishop H. Williams was pre¬
paring a history of Negro Virginia Baptists.
The officers of the Virginia Baptist State Con¬
vention in 1887 were: Elder J. M. Armistead,
President; Bishops A. Gordon, A. Truatt, A. H.
Lewis, and H. W. Dickerson, Vice-Presidents;
Bishop H. H. Mitchell, Corresponding Secretary;
Elder A. Binga, Jr., Recording Secretary; and
J. E. Farrar, Treasurer.
By 1887, this convention had employed six mis¬
sionaries, raised $3,000 for missions, and p^d
to missionaries in Africa $2,250. The Secretary
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 241
and Agent of their Foreign Mission Board was
Bishop J. A. Taylor. Lynchburg Baptists had
bought a $1,800 lot overlooking the city on which
to establish a denominational school of high
grade. West Virginia Baptists, in '1887, num¬
bered 1800 with 25 churches, 3 associations and
one State Convention, and the Executive Board
had purchased school property for the erection
of an Academic, Normal and Industrial School.
The originator of the school movement was
Bishop C. H. Payne who was to be the President
of the Institution.
TENNESSEE BAPTISTS BEGINNINGS.
It appears that they began their work with the
organization of the First Baptist Church, Nash¬
ville, Tenn. By 1887 this church had a member¬
ship of 2,500. Their house of worship cost
$26,000 with a seating capacity of 1300. At this
early date Tennessee Baptists also had a large
house of worship at Memphis, for which they
paid $100,000 cash. They had 10 associations in
the state with more than 35,000 members.
Officers of their State Convention, at the 14th
Anniversary held at Winchester in 1886 were:
Bishop R. V. Vandervell, D. D., President; Elders
C. C. Russell, J. Bransford and I. Trimble, Vice-
Presidents; Bishop B. Frierson, Recording Sec¬
retary; Elder B. A. Franklin, Corresponding
Secretary; and Elder A. Buchanan, Treasurer.
The Annual Sermlon at this session was
preached by Bishop S. M. Dickinson, and inspir¬
ing addresses were made by Bishops H. Wood-
small and D. A. Franklin.
242 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
NORTH CAROLINA NEGRO BAPTISTS EARLY WORK.
In 1887 Bishop N. F. Roberts said: "The
State Convention of North Carolina was organ¬
ized in 1886. Then the Colored Baptists had but
few churches in the state, and most of these had
neither house of worship nor pastor. There are
now 500 ministers; 850 churches; 110,000 mem¬
bers; 850 Sunday-schjools; 3500 Iteachers, and
75,000 scholars. There are fseveral academies
of high grade preparing students for Shaw Uni¬
versity. During the last 20 years God has great¬
ly prospered us. Our preachers have planted
churches in many destitute fields, and the peo¬
ple are hearing the word with gladness. Over
8,000 were baptised last year. Many brethren
of other denominations have learned the truth
as we hold it and have united with us. Within
the past year many of the churches have pro¬
vided themselves with comfortable houses of
worship."
FIRST WORK AMONG KENTUCKY BAPTISTS.
Earlier than 1887, Brother W. H. Steward said
that the Fifth Church, Louisville, Ky., formed in
1839, had the finest building and largest con¬
gregation in the state. Bishop J. H. Frank was
pastor in 1887, and holds forth now (1914). His
flock numbered 1500 about 30 years ago. The
Fifth Church was a model church, having a
splendid choir. Kentucky Baptists led other de¬
nominations in the state in point of numbers and
actual Christian work.
Dr. Everets said: "The Colored Baptists are
sharing th<* progressive spirit of the white
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 243
churches, and have increased to fifteen churches,
With almost five thousand members in Louisville.
Bishop C. C. Stum said that Elder G. W. Dupee
was the Nestor of Kentucky Baptists. This Pi¬
oneer Baptist was the prime mover in most of
the first Kentucky organizations. These early
organizers wrought well in the matter of setting
up churches, associations and conventions.
They held their 17th session of the General
Association of Kentucky at Danville, in 1885.
This shows that the fathers started this work as
early as 1868. Officers of this Association in
1887 were: Bishop P. Johnson, Moderator; Elders
D. A. Gaddie, P. H. Kennedy, Assistant Modera¬
tors; Brother W. H. Steward, Recording Secre¬
tary; Brother Q. B. Jones, Corresponding Sec¬
retary; and Bishop P. Alexander, Treasurer.
Brother W. H. Steward was Chairman of Trustee
Board. At this session 287 churches and 46,902
members were reported.
Officers of the State Women's Educational
Convention: Mrs. A. V. Nelson, President; Mrs.
M. B. Wallace, Secretary, and Miss L. C. Critten¬
den, Chairman Board of Managers.
In 1887, Dr. William J. Simmons was writing
a History of Kentucky Negro Baptists, setting
forth their wonderful achievements and marvel¬
ous growth.
Officers of North Carolina State Convention in
1887 were: Professor Roberts, President; Bishop
A. M. Conway, Vice-President; Elder W. T. H.
Woodward, Recording Secretary; Bishop J. O.
Crosby, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop A. B.
Williams, Treasurer; and Elder G. W. Holland,
Auditor.
244 History of Louisiana Negro Bwptists.
SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST WORK BEFORE 1887.
We are informed that the Baptist Educational
Missionary and Sunday School Convention—of
South Carolina was doing a noble work before
1887, and its Secretary, Bishop J. J. Durham; M.
D., had asked for as mlich as $5,000 in one year
for missions.
President I.- P. Brockenton said: "The Con¬
vention is one of the great levers in lifting our
people; it has done a great deal toward lifting
our ministry to its present height. One of its
grand objects is to give to our churches an edu¬
cated ministry."
Officers of this Convention in 1887 were:
Brother I. P. Brockenton, President; Bishop J.
C. Butler, Vice-President; Elder S. B. Stratfoot,
Treasurer; Bishop J. J. Durham, M. D., Secre¬
tary; and E. M. Brawley, D. D., Historian. There
were 100,000 Negro Baptists in the state of South
Carolina in 1887.
GEORGIA BAPTIST BEGINNINGS.
Elsewhere in this chapter you will find full
reference to the first Christian work done by
Georgia Baptists. However, it may be of inter¬
est to add that the officers of their State Conven¬
tion in 1887 were: Elder C. J. Bryan, President;
Bishop U. L. Houston, Vice-President; Brother J.
H. Brown, Secretary; Bishop T. J. Hornsby, As¬
sistant Secretary; Elder C. H. Lyon®, Correspond¬
ing Secretary, and Bishop J. T. Tolbert, Treas¬
urer.
This 'Convention was organized by the Georgia
Pioneers in 1870. At their 16th Anniversary in
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 245
1886 sermons were preached by Bishops C. T.
James, F. M. Simmons, and C. C. Terry. There
were in the state at that time 42 Associations;
1301 churches, with 134,489 members, which was
claimed to be the largest Negro membership in
any state. Two missionaries were employed by
the Convention, and more than $1,000 were ex¬
pended. The First Church, Savannah, Ga.,
claimed 4,000 members, and the First Church,
Augusta, Ga., claimed a membership of 5,000.
The Second Church was organized in 1803.
EARLY WORK OF FLORIDA BAPTISTS.
The officers of the General Convention in 1887
were: Bishop J. N. Stokes, President; Bishop T.
Lancaster, Vice-President; Elder G. P. McKin-
ney, Recording Secretary; Bishop J. B. Hankers,
Corresponding Secretary; and P. S. Sommers,
Treasurer. The 1887 Session of the Convention
was called to order by Elder J. A. Potter, and
Bishops JV-Felder, and J. G. Ross preached the
principal sermons at this session. Brother Ross
"was at that time pastor of the Bethel Baptist
Church, Jacksonville, Fla., which had built a
$2,000 parsonage, and sent Miss L. C. Fleming
to Africa. As early as 1887 there were 27,000
Negro Baptists in the state, and more than $1300
was given in 1885 for the Florida Institute.
Officers of the Sunday School Convention were:
Brother A. Dallas, President ; Brother D. H.
Brown, Recording Secretary; Brother J. W.
Benton, Corresponding Secretary; and Bishop M.
Wiggins, Treasurer.
246 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ALABAMA BAPTISTS 1868-87.
Their work took organized form in a Conven¬
tional way in 1868 with Bishop Nathan Ashby as
their first President. Then followed Elder J.
Washington Stephens, in 1870; Bishop Prince
Merrill, 1871-72; Elder James Foster, 1873-75;
Bishop Mansfield Tyler, 1876-86; and Elder W. R.
Pettiford, was elected President in 1887. There
were at this time in the state 50 associations, 700
ministers, 800 churches, with 85,000 members.
Valuation of their church property was $250,000.
EARLY WORK AMONG MISSISSIPPI NEGRO BAP¬
TISTS.
Concerning pioneer work among these breth¬
ren, Hon. J. J. Spelman says, as early as or be¬
fore 1886, that: "Mississippi had a State Con¬
vention, besides a General Association, having
over 38,766 communicants, and a paper edited,
and its whole mechanical department managed by
colored men. They have also a College at Natch¬
ez worth $20,000 without a dollar of debt, with a
President and faculty, all colored, and 165 stu¬
dents."
The officers of the General Association were:
Bishop H. W. Bowen, Moderator; Elder A. Reed,
Vice-Moderator; Bishop J. H. Nichols, Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Bishop H. M. Thompson,
Recording Secretary; Hon. J. J. Spelman, Statis¬
tical Secretary; and Elder A. Durham, Treasurer.
State Sunday School Convention officers were:
Hon. J. J. Spelman, President; Bishops H. Wat¬
son, and H. M. Thompson, Vlice-Presidents; Elder
T. L. Jordan, Corresponding Secretary; Bishop
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 247
J. H. Nichols, Recording Secretary; and Brother
L. R. Shepherd, Treasurer.
During the 1886 session of the Association,
$400 were raised for African Missions, and fare¬
well addresses were delivered by two of its mem¬
bers, namely, Bishop E. B. Topp and his wife.
They went under appointment as missionaries
to the Veys. The Introductory Sermon' of this
session was preached by Bishop G. W. Cohran;
Doctrinal Sermon by Elder J. F. Boulden; Edu¬
cational Sermon by Bishop T. L. Jordan, and the
Temperance Sermon by Elder R. Ramsey. In
1887 Hon. J. J. Spelman was at work writing a
History of Mississippi Negro Baptists.
TEXAS NEGRO BAPTISTS IN AND BEFORE
1887.
Elder A. R. Griggs is quoted as saying in 1887
that: "The Colored Baptists of Texas began as
an independent people, with the ordination of
Bishop Reinhardt in 1866 by the white Baptists.
In the same year they ordained Elder S. Cobb of
Waco and organized the first colored Baptist
church. In 1867, Bishop I. S. Campbell came to
Texas as Missionary of the Consolidated Conven¬
tion, and organized the first church of Galveston
in 1867, and within a few months somje 50 or 60
churches were formed by him, and the Lincoln
Association was organized in 1867 at Houston.
In 1880 this Association numbered 150 churches
and 12,000 members. There are now 25 Asso¬
ciations, 795 churches, 664 Ministers, and 69,950
members.
The State Convention was -organized in 1872,
and the Sunday School Convention in 1880. The
248 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
first denominational school for colored people
originated in Dallas, in 1867, in the North West¬
ern Association, through the efforts of Bishop A.
R. Griggs. It is still in operation at Brazoria.
Bishop College and Hearne Academy are both
Baptist Institutions. The latter was established
by the colored State Convention, and to the form¬
er the colored Baptists contributed the lot, cost¬
ing $3,500. The late T. Hill of Austin, a colored
man, bequeathed $6,000 to Hearne Academy.
Seguin Academy was founded by the Guada¬
lupe Association through the efforts of Elder W.
B. Ball.
The first colored newspaper was started by
Elder A. R. Griggs in 1867, and is known as the
Baptist Pilot at Waco. To Elder I. S. Camp¬
bell, more than any other man, is due the credit
for the formation of the present organizations in
the state. In 1887 he celebrated his fiftieth year
in the ministry and his twentieth year as pastor
at Waco, where he has nearly completed the best
brick church in the state. There are in the state
19 Women's Missionary Societies, and there has
been collected for the year $13,474. The value
of church property is $250,000.
Officers of the Texas State Convention were:
Bishop W. Massey, President; Elder F. Hooks,
Vice-President; Brother W. F. Smith, Recording
Secretary; Professor David Abner, Jr., Corre¬
sponding Secretary; Brother A. Terrell, Treas¬
urer; and Bishop A. R. Griggs, Superintendent
of Missions.
Sunday School Convention officers: Bishop J.
Toliver, President; Hon. J. H. Stewart, Secre¬
tary; Brother M. Dudley, Treasurer; and Elder
A. R. Griggs, State Evangelist.
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 249
EARLY WORK OP ARKANSAS BAPTISTS.
Before 1887 they had developed their work
until 19 Associations had been organized, about
300 ministers ordained, more than 500 churches
instituted with a membership of 30,000 mem¬
bers.
After their well-done work "the fathers"
placed their mantles on the shoulders of younger
men and went to their reward. The Presidential
toga fell upon the shoulders of Bishop E. C. Mor¬
ris, who has worn it successfully not only among
Arkansas Baptists but among the Baptists of
America. By 1887, their church and education¬
al work was booming.
FIRST ORGANIZATION AMONG ILLINOIS BAPTISTS,
According to Bishop R. DeBaptist was among
the colored farmers near Alton. They Were free
people, some of them owning farms. They
organized the Salem Baptist Church near Alton
which is the oldest Negro Baptist Church in the;
state. Three or four other churches were organ¬
ized soon afterwards. Elder J. Livingston, Pi¬
oneer of Illinois Pioneers, with others organized
the Wood River Association in 1838, which is
probably the oldest Negro Baptist Association
not only in the state of Illinois, but in the United
States. By 1887, two Associations were the.
justly proud boast of Illinois Baptists—the Wood
River with 48 churches; 3500 members and 40-
ministers ; and the Mount Olive with 45 church¬
es; 2,000 members and 29 preachers. Elder De
Baptist was pastor for nearly 19 years of one of
the strongest churches in the Wood River Asso-
250 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists.
ciation, and instrumental in collecting and or¬
ganizing six churches.
The Western Baptist Convention originated
from a movement in the Wood River Association
in 1853. In this organization the Negro Baptists
of St. Louis, Mo., took part.
The Olivet Church, Chicago, had Bishop R. De-
Baptist as pastor from 1863 to 1882, during
which time the membership increased from 100
to 600. They had a lot in 1887 which alone cost
$13,000. The Bethesda Church went out of Olivet
in 1883 with 43 members while Bishop J. A. D.
Podd was pastor.
FIRST WORK OF MISSOURI BAPTIST.
Elder R. De Baptist said: "Probably the old¬
est Baptist Church in the West or Southwest is
the First Church, St. Louis, Mo., organized about
1830. For years its first pastor was Rev. J. B.
Meacham. He died in 1854 or '55, and was suc¬
ceeded by Rev. E. Cartwright, who was laid
aside in 1873. From this church a large num¬
ber went out and formed the 2nd or 8th St.
Church, now the Central. Its? first pastor was
Rev. J. R.. Anderson who was perhaps the lead¬
ing Baptist minister of his race at this period,
at least in the West. He was educated, and
learned his trade in the Printing Office of Rev.
E. P. Lovejoy, Alton, 111. He was pastor till his
death in 1863."
According to information from Bishop R. H.
Brown, the Central Church was organized in
1846, with 25 members and "now (1887) numbers-
800. 1941 members had been received, and
$108,512 expended for the Gospel at home and
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 251
abroad; property valuation was $30,000. Elder
S. P. Anderson was pastor.
The Second Church, Kansas City, Mo., was or¬
ganized by Bishop C. Moore and twelve others in
1866. Several times their house of worship was
torn .dowrf to make room for the growing con¬
gregation. Bishop H. Roberson was pastor.
Their membership in 1887 was 475, and property
valuation was $50,000. The Pleasant Green Bap¬
tist Church of Kansas City was formed in 1881,
with 8 members. Their house cost $3,300; their
membership was 283, Bishop J. Morgan, pastor.
Through the efforts of Elder R. H. Brown the
Berean Baptist Church of this same city was or¬
ganized in 1882.
DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS IN 1887.
As early as 1887,- Bishop R. De Baptist said
that there were in the United States 1,071,902
colored Baptist Church members, organized into
churches and associations. He said of the 311
associations organized, 255 reported 9,079 church¬
es ; 218 reported 4,590 ordained ministers; 90 re¬
ported 2,603 Sunday-schools; 94 reported 143,832'
Sunday-school pupils; 58 reported $1,334,092
valuation of church property; 153 reported $181,
063.41 contributions for religious and educa¬
tional work; 168 reported 39,151 baptisms.
In 1887, Dr. William J. Simmons said: "I
claim that there are in the United States more'
colored Baptists than white Baptists, and more-
colored Baptists tha$ all Pedo Baptists togeth¬
er." This is also, the "claim of the Author to-day
(1914)..