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 AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
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 Form No 513. 
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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil 
 
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HISTORY 
 
 ' -A O 
 
 OF 
 
 Louisiana Negro 
 Baptists 8 ™ *' 
 
 H ^ From 1804 to 1914 
 
 . L 8- 
 
 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 IntrodjHtjSenRT^ 
 
 Bishop W. B. Pury&S^ 
 
 -v 
 
 <r > — <"\ * \ 
 
 NASHVILLE, TEN 
 NATIONAL BAPTIST PUBLISHING BOAR 
 B. H. BOYD D. D. SECRETARY. 
 
 A ' S ' 
 
 the librSby aitt J^C A y^ 
 **, TWUMWBB!TYOF^5»«!SafiS> 
 
WM. HICKS, A. B., D. D. 
 
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 IVIarks, Taylor 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 thorn s 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 is 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 
 
 I. J. Washington, M. D - 77 
 
 O. L. 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 
 
 Thomas Lee Welch, M. D 87 
 
 Miss Elizabeth Norrington 88 
 
 7. C. Chaptman, M. D., LL. B 90 
 
 H. P. Player - 92 
 
 Madison James Foster, A. B 94 
 
 N. H. C. Henderson, M. D 89 
 
 William McDonald 
 
 Elder J. H. Flemings 96 
 
 Wilder 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 
 
 Uishop R. A. Mayneld » 107 
 
 Elder Auder Back Flood 112 
 
 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) 
 
Biographies 
 
 Elder A. H. Samuels 120 
 
 Elder F. J. Davidson, A. M., D. D 121 
 
 Elder S. T. Clanton, A. M., D. D 123 
 
 Bishop W. W. Hill 125 
 
 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 131 
 
 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 138 
 
 Elder J. L. Burrell, D. D 140 
 
 Eishop 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 14S 
 
 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 . < 150 
 
 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 generations, climes, peoples and tongues wliile 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 Orleans, 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, 1333, 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 or me Shreveport 
 
 (7) 
 
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- 
 uicely 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. Thi s 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 srate until he- 
 was called back to his home city by the Trinity Baptist. 
 Church. When he had succeeded two years pnenominally 
 at Trinity, he was called to Meridian, Miss., by the El- 
 Eethel Baptist Church. Finishing his well-done labors 
 here, he moved to Uniontown, Aia., 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 3 rapidly gaining renown, having been se- 
 lected by the National Baptist Publishing Board to write- 
 articles for the National Baptist Sunda v -School Teacher,, 
 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. Win. Hicks 
 is a conscientious Christian gentleman in whom there is 
 no guile. He loves his Bible and is an exeperienced ex- 
 
Introduction 
 
 pounder of its truths. The Sunday-School Congress is to 
 be congratulated for obtaining the services of so compe- 
 tent a man." 
 
 His services have been secured by Dr. Booker T. Wash- 
 ington to lecture to the students of the Phelps Bible 
 Training School at Tuskegee. Dr. Hicks was ordained at 
 tbe 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. Shelton, 
 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 tnougntfui; as a 
 preacher he is known. His arguments are convincing and 
 conclusive, being a ready speaker, a clear scliolar, an ac- 
 curate thinker, he is always in demand. When I contem- 
 plate the life of such a man, it makes me feel tliat God 
 has created no man for naught but ratner tnat He has 
 put into the reach of every man vast possibilities which 
 only need be turned into right channels at tne 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 1, 1909. 
 Rev. Win. Hicks, E'. 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 waj of 
 data, etc., we shall gladly do so. 
 
 Done by order of Louisiana Baptist State Executive 
 Board in session at Cpelousa-s, La., May otft, 1909. 
 REV. A. E. FLOOD, President. 
 W. B. PURVIS, Corresponding Secretary. 
 * * * 
 Delhi, La., December 24, 1909. 
 Rev. Win. 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 
 leader s , 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, La., January 20, 1909. 
 Rev. Wm. Hicks, Shreveport, La.: 
 
 Dear Brother — Your letter bearing date of the twelfth 
 instant is received and has been read wlm 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. E'. 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 F. 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) 
 
1 i 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. 
 
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. 
 
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 Eaptist Association 45 
 
 Second Eighth District Missionary Baptist Association. 4G 
 
 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 
 
 Springville 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 2AI 
 
 (16) 
 
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. When 
 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 Opetousas, 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 labor 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 the 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, planted 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, 
 iNovember 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 
 Paris'h 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. 7 Z, "J .-a- o!A 
 
 Another pioneer Baptist preacher of these 
 times was Bishop D. H. Willis, grandson of Elder 
 Joseph Willis. He was born on Bayou Boeuff in 
 Rapides 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 
 cf the Louisiana Association. In 1847 ne 
 preached his first sermon, and in 1849, on Spring 
 Creek 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 1304 to the Civil War.,. Elder Willis and 
 his grandson were the only Negro Baptist 
 preachers of prominence during the first part 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 hack 
 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 of 
 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 church 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 Baptist church in the city 
 of New Orleans, which was admitted into the 
 Mississippi Association. Dr. Paxton says 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 das- 
 solution of this church, Elder Wm. B. Johnson, 
 of South 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. 
 Paxton'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. Furmah, 
 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 pastor. 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 pastored 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, speaking 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 
 it 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 meeting^they enforced the 
 law to the letter. Under these oppressions and 
 persecutions the Baptists "contended earnestly 
 
Negro Baptist Bfiginnings in America. 27 
 
 for the 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 Nachitoches, 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 the First Colored Baptist 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 Baptist 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 $30,000. 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 Mrs. ■ 
 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. Marks brings us up to 1902. From that 
 time to this our material progress has been phe- 
 ncminal. 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. • 
 
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 much 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. These 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 has 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 Wil- 
 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 
 Ave 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 I 
 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 Margaret 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 ouj; 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 she 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- 
 tempts 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 ycu 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 Burk 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 and 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 cared 
 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?' 
 '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 
 trom 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 come 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 his 
 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. 
 Tayne, 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. W T alker, 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 tneir 
 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 the pioneer 
 fathers in 1875 on the 12th day of April. Con- 
 solidated December 10th, 1883; incorporated De- 
 cember 12th, 1881 ; re-organized April 12th, 1895, 
 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 ASSO^ATION. 
 
 This Association was organized in 1870 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. Cotton 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, without 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. ML, LL. B., Recording Secretary; 
 Bishop C. S. Collins, A. B., M. D., Corresponding 
 Secretary; Elder T. L. Welch, Treasurer, and 
 Bishop S. L. McComb, 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 Baptistj. 
 
 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. Thisbody 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 fruit. 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. 49 
 
 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; 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. 
 
 sponding 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 built 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 $3,000. 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, lAuder 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; Martin 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 succeeded 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, Campti, 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 STATE 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. TBarret, 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 Oak 
 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. Morris, Sister Charlotte Russell, Sister E. M. 
 Brown, Sister M. T. Anderson, Sister Katie Pri- 
 
58 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 erson, Sister Annie Levy, Sister Bell Speed, Sis- 
 ter Katie Chatman, Sister Catherine Miles, Sis- 
 ter E. L. Primm, 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 organised 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, H. 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 accept- 
 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 teacU- 
 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 
 moved 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 300, 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. Canfield, L. C. Capers, H. 
 R. Flynn and Wm. 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 acres 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 
 accomplishing- 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 Secre- 
 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 by 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, Mktt 
 Glover, Monroe Moore, 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 and 
 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. Mr.lone, G. H. 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. Gul- 
 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 a 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., Recording 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 m 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 foot 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 have 
 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 about 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 
 Henrv 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 borr 
 
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 victor}. 
 
 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 an.d 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 EDUCA- 
 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. 
 
EiLDER 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 s on 
 above mentioned date at 10 a. m. Devotiorials 
 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. 11 
 
 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. F. 
 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 W. 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 Au 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 N. 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, La.," 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 
 born 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 th3 
 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, Term., 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 has 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. Walker 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 
 lie 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 Nsgro Baptists. 
 
 "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 stands, in 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 homing 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, he 
 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. His 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 medicine) 
 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. Pie attended the -common public school 
 around his home and at Stonewall, La., where 
 he 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 w T as 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 Baptist Beginnings in America. 91 
 
 school. He graduated in 1902 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. H e 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 examining 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 No^. 2, 1903, by R. E. Jacobs. It 
 has 7 building* 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. Malissa 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. 
 
 0. '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 working- 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 man 
 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 W. 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 perioc 1 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 tne 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 wo 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 earl r 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. COTTON. 
 
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. Hav- 
 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 hf i r to Oberlin College, 
 Oberlin, 0. Here she waf studious and indus- 
 trious, being loved by her teachers and school- 
 mates. She often led in tier 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 '19 14) labors to the satis- 
 faction of the School Board and the patrons and 
 to the delight of A 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 OnDhanage. 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. D., PHYSICIAN 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. Mr. 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 Negro Baptists. 
 
 PROF. R. P. PLAYER, NOTED TEACHER. 
 
 March 11, 1876, this young man was born near 
 Aiden 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. 
 Here 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 
 I. 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 he 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 their union — 
 Madison W. and Leland F. Prof. Foster has put 
 himself on record as an efficient teacher, schgol 
 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 
 taug-ht 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 Baptist 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 young 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 joy." 
 
 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 highei" 
 mark in these endeavors than Bishop H. C. Cot- 
 ton. He was born at Bayou Sara, La., August, 
 1852. 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 Baptist*. 
 
 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 
 RatlifT, 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, 
 
9. 
 ' 
 
 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 was 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 
 
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 
 1: allowed fire, and moved them to uncontrolable 
 tears of rejoicing. 
 
 In the dark days of slavery, this veteran 
 preache: 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 member 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 of 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 Simon 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 struggle 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 Ruston 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 pastored 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 
 vears, 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 
 
Is 
 
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 Bap cists of Louisiana none 
 have given signs of more s.pirit of push and push- 
 fulness than Bishop Roy Arthur Mayfield, who 
 was born April 8, 1876, i 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 
 gcod-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 cfty 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 m America. 127 
 
 After studying here two years he was compelled 
 to return to his work at Homer, La., where he 
 is now accomplishing 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 
 Kichard 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 Church, 
 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, Dovvns- 
 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 Indusirhu 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. Moriah 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 has 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 Flood. 
 
132 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 He was born in 1855. Shortly after the death 
 of his father, in Washington, D. C, 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 chance to learn came 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 was the high- 
 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 the 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 VV. 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, having- 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- 
 
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 135 
 
 pc ter for the American Baptist Publication So- 
 ciety, which positions he ably filled. 
 
 On 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 Association, and Corresponding Secretary of 
 the Louisiana 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 not 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- 
 ber' 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 
 
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 Suni 
 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 Negr Baptist*. 
 
 School. In 1907 he wa& elected. Vice Pres dent of 
 the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, and 
 when Llder 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- 
 e al 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 cleroyman is 
 logical in his reasoning and witty in h ; s argu- 
 ment. He swayed the great National Baptist 
 Convention in session at Columbus, Ohio, like a 
 mighty tempest swavs 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 sweot 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 born 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 Baptist 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 
 
 1 
 
 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 
 
-. a 
 
 < O 
 
 S 9 
 
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 th e 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 filling 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 was 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 J 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 
 Marks, 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 
 builder, 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, 1870. 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 
 
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. Flooa 
 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 $3,000 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 Negrr* 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 
 crdained him to take charge of the Mt. Moriah 
 Baptist Church, 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 following 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 188? 
 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 attached 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 
 Iiis other churches range from five to eight years. 
 
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: Wpodlawn, 
 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 Mr. 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 
 by 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. IA11 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 baptiz-ed into 
 
 the membership of the Mount Baptist 
 
 Church, Ascension Parish. Brother Stevenson 
 was ordained in 1889 by the following Elders: 
 Isaiah Lawson, Nathan Cambrie and V. B. 
 Hubbs. This minister of Christ has pastored the 
 following churches: Mount Bethel Baptist 
 Church and Nazarene Baptist Church, Donald- 
 sonville, La. He has manifested much interest 
 in Sunday-school and day school work, having 
 taught public school seventeen years and at the 
 same time held important positions in the Sun- 
 day-school work of his District. He showed his 
 interest in the Christian education of his com- 
 munity by accepting the presidency of the 
 Board of Trustees of Leland Academy, Donald- 
 sonville, La. He has reared a large family of 
 fifteen children, and in other laudable ways done 
 what he could for the material and religious ad- 
 vancement of his people. 
 
 ELDER LUKE ALLEN, SR., ONE OF THE NORTH 
 LOUISIANA PIONEER BAPTIST LEADERS. 
 
 This venerable servant of God was born in Lee 
 County, Ga., February 23, 1841. His mother's 
 
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 is active in the minis- 
 try. Not a better doctrinal preacher lives In 
 Louisiana today. He is orthodox to the core. 
 For many years he has been honored by his 
 brethren and held as President of the Minister's 
 and Deacon's meeting of the Thirteenth District. 
 Pioneer work done by him places him in the front 
 ranks not only of Louisiana Baptists, but of Bap- 
 tists throughout these United States. 
 
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- 
 fancy. iComing 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 
 1" imself as a poacher 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 OF NORTH LOUISIANA BAPTISTS. 
 
 This educator stands among the first in his 
 state and in his race. He came into Louisiana 
 from Mississippi twenty-seven years ago, after 
 graduating from the following schools: High 
 School, Livingston, Miss., and Alcorn College, 
 Alcorn, Miss. In addition to completed work at 
 these two schools he has spent six or more ses- 
 sions doing post work in Northern schools, fre- 
 quently being the only Negro in his classes, but 
 
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 Coleman-like stays 
 on it with a dogged determination until he wins 
 out. 
 
 His wife, Mrs. Mattie A. Coleman, stood by 
 him with Spartan courage as he labored on 
 through frost and snow, through encouragements 
 and discouragements, through well days and sick 
 days in the accomplishment of his great work. 
 The oldest son of this noted educator is at this 
 writing a student of Medicine at Shaw Univer- 
 sity, Raleigh, N. C, and his eldest daughter is 
 pursuing higher studies at Fisk University, 
 Nashville, Tenn. As a testimonial of the work 
 and worth of this great man Leland University 
 has honored him with the M. A. degree. 
 
 J. W. WILEY, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND DRUGGIST. 
 
 Dr. Wiley was born on the farm of his father 
 (Mr. Anderson Wiley) at Vernon, La. He lived 
 
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., whjere he attended two sessions. 
 During this time he was converted and baptized. 
 From then until now he has remained loj T al 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, -yernon, 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 on his feet again. 
 
 His friends are counted by scores in both races. 
 In connection with healing his people, he has 
 taught them practical lessons in economy by 
 buying property and operating a first-class drug 
 store. While in the west he met Miss A. M. 
 Smith, whom he married in 1906. Mrs. Wiley 
 is a model doctor's wife. Every thoughtful Bap- 
 tist in' the state should be proud of the record al- 
 ready made by this young Medico, and bid him 
 God-speed as he goes forward to greater achieve- 
 ments. 
 
 EISHOP 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- 
 
16b 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. 
 
 BISHOP CHARLES WILLIAM BROOKS, B. A., ONE OF 
 OUR STRONGEST YOUNG MEN. 
 
 Among the young ministers of the state, none 
 stand higher than Brother Brooks in point of 
 thrift and intellectual attainment. He was born 
 of Elder Charles and Mrs. Virginia Brooks in 
 the village of Camp Parapet, Jefferson Parish, 
 La., April 2, 1876. He attended the following 
 schools: Short Street, Keller's, McDonough No. 
 24 and Leland University, New Orleans, La. 
 Brother Brooks entered Leland in 1896 recently 
 after his conversion and during the presidency of 
 the noted preacher and scholar, Dr. Edward 
 

 BISHOP D. M. BROWN 
 G-raiugling. La. 
 
168 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 Ciishing Mitchell. Conditions uncontrolable 
 forced young- Brooks out of school, but his faith 
 did not falter, and when the opportunity came 
 again he re-entered under the late Dr. R. W. 
 Perkins. This time he remained at his post until 
 he won with honor three diplomas — the College 
 Preparatory 1907-08, Normal 1908-09, and the 
 College Course, 1911-12. 
 
 After his conversion and notice of his call to 
 the ministry, Brother Brooks was baptized into 
 the membership of the Plymouth Rock Baptist 
 Church by the late Elder David Young. In his 
 church he held the following positions: teacher 
 of Bible Class No. 2, Sunday-school secretary, 
 president church choir, president B. Y. P. U., 
 president Board of Trustees and church clerk. 
 
 He was called to ordination by the Progres- 
 sive Baptist Church, Bishop J. L. Burrell, pas- 
 tor, and was set apart by the following Elders: 
 J. H. Flemings, E. D. Sims, A. Hubbs, John 
 Marks, D. D., J. L. Burrell, D. D., G. W. Toney, 
 J. ML 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 ha? 
 held and now holds positions of trust and honor 
 in the state. Much pioneer work was done by 
 Ihim as a public school teacher. He helped build 
 Central Louisiana Academy, and singly and alone 
 with his three churches founded and built up the 
 Cheyneville Academy, one of the best schools in 
 the state. Too much credit cannot be given 
 these loyal churches and their great leader. 
 
 What this veteran preacher has done with 
 "three churches some entire associations fail to 
 do with 30 and 40 churches. Unity and loyalty 
 always spell success. Let us doff our hats to 
 them, my brethren, and LET THEM BY. This 
 tireless worker was for eight years Moderator of 
 the Eighth District Association. At this writ- 
 ing he is President of Cheyneville Academy, and 
 for more than fourteen years has been a mem- 
 ber of the Trustee Board of Leland University. 
 Of the above-named churches he built up five and 
 organized two. Leland has recognized and ac- 
 knowledged this successful labor by conferring 
 ■upon Elder Roberts the honorary degree, D. D. 
 
 PROF. EMMETT LOUIS WASHBURN, B. A., A 
 SUCCESSFUL TEACHER. 
 
 This young educator was. born in Gloster, 
 Miss., 1889. The names of his parents are Mr. 
 Isaac and Mrs. Annie Washburn. After enjoy- 
 ing the advantages offered by the public school 
 of his town and county, he attended Harper and 
 Natchez Colleges, graduating B. A., from the lat- 
 ter with honors. 
 
 Brother Washburn was converted in 1903 and 
 baptized into the membership of the Gloster Bap- 
 
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 171 
 
 tist Church, Gloster, Miss. He has held the fol- 
 lowing positions of trust: Three years student 
 teacher at Natchez College, and two years prin- 
 cipal of the East Carroll Normal and Industrial 
 Institute. This school is among the best schools 
 in the state. It is located at Lake Providence, 
 La. Bishop J. E. Brunswick founded this school 
 in 1898. It comprises three buildings beauti- 
 fully situated on 60 acres of land. Watch this 
 young man and his great work. Lovers of edu- 
 cation are proud of this institution and are ex- 
 pecting greater things from Brother Washburn 
 as the years come and go. 
 
 DR. A. M. NEWMAN, ONE OF THE DENOMINATION'S 
 GREATEST PREACHERS. 
 
 Louisiana has never laid claim to a greater 
 preacher than Bishop Armstead Mason Newman. 
 It was the writer's great privilege to know him 
 personally and to listen Sunday after Sunday to\ 
 his able sermons, taking notes and study ser~. 
 monic architecture. I delight to record here- 
 that my first and best lessons in sermonizing 
 were received from this noble man. It was 
 largely through his persuasion and influence that 
 I accepted the principalship of the Thirteenth 
 District Academy, and during his pastorate at 
 Antioch Baptist Church I was licensed to preach, 
 in 1895. 
 
 He was born during the dark days of slavery 
 in Alexandria, Va. To him early school advan- 
 tages were unknown, but being blessed innatelv 
 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 
 
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 173 
 
 Colgate University, Hamilton, N, Y.-, graduating* 
 B. S., with signal honors. 
 
 His first labors in the state were at the Com- 
 mon Street or Tulane Avenue Baptist Church, 
 New Orleans. Following he did effective work 
 at Bunkie, Shiloh Baptist Church, Alexandria; 
 and after serving as State Missionary and Presi- 
 dent of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention, 
 he was called to the Antioch Baptist Church July 
 27, 1889. Bishop A. B. Daniels in his "Histori- 
 cal Sketch of Antioch Baptist Church," has the 
 following to say of Dr. Newman and his work 
 at Antioch : "On July 27, 1889, the church elected 
 Rev. Armstead M. Newman, formerly of Alex- 
 andria, Va., to take charge as pastor. Rev. New- 
 man began his work in a Christian-like manner 
 and soon had the wreckage cleared up and the 
 sails hoisted and soon the old Ship of Zion had 
 lier head to the wind and was moving on her 
 mission of soul-saving. He began the work with 
 146 members. It will be remembered that dur- 
 ing the confusion of the church prior to Rev. New- 
 man's election a great number of dissatisfied 
 members had withdrawn from the church and 
 built another house of worship known as Avenue 
 Baptist Church. In a short time these members 
 were granted letters of dismission and all was 
 peace once more where hatred, malice and every- 
 thing which was un-Christian prevailed just a 
 few months before. Rev. Newman proved him- 
 self to be a peacemaker of whom it is said in 
 Matt. 5:9, "they shall be called the children of 
 God." During the pastorate of Rev. Newman, 
 beginning July 27, 1889, there has been added to 
 the church 256 members." 
 
 In addition to this excellent church work he 
 did a deal of school work while at Antioch, or- 
 
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 the founding of the Thirteenth 
 District Academy came from Bishop Newman's 
 school. He was elected Supervisor of Education 
 for the Thirteenth District. This position and 
 pastor of Antioch Baptist Church he filled until 
 he was called from labor to reward. Thus closed 
 the earthly career of an affectionate father, 
 pleasant teacher, a loving and watchful pastor, 
 a forceful preacher, an apt theologian, a pro- 
 found thinker and a logical reasoner. 
 
 BISHOP H. B. N. BROWN, D. D., PASTOR, EDITOR 
 AND MISSIONARY. 
 
 With little exception the missionary work of 
 the Louisiana Baptist State Convention has been 
 under the supervision of Dr. Brown since the 
 early eighties or shortly after the state was di- 
 vided into Districts. Missionaries preceding 
 him served short periods, but Brother Brown 
 has held on for more than twenty years, and ac- 
 complished much along missionary lines. He de- 
 veloped the work until three or four other mis- 
 sionaries known as State District Missionaries 
 had been appointed by the Convention. Then 
 the Convention made Dr. Brown State Superin- 
 tendent of Missions, which office he now fills to 
 the delight and satisfaction of his brethren. 
 
 Being born in the state and having become con- 
 nected with Louisiana Baptists in early life, he 
 studied his people and conditions closely. This 
 pre-eminently fitted him for his great task. In 
 
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 edited The Louisiana Baptist, 
 one of our leading denominational papers. 
 
 Bishop Brown has been closely identified with 
 our state work for more than a quarter of a cen- 
 tury, and has been a prime mover in the organi- 
 zation of many churches throughout the state 
 and other state organizations. 
 
 As a preacher Dr. Brown is convincing in ar- 
 gument, sound in doctrine and a bold advocate 
 of Baptist principles. 
 
 Guadalupe College, in recognition of the abili- 
 ty and worth of Brother Brown, conferred upon 
 him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 BISHOP A. S. JACKSON, D. D., A NOTED PREACHER 
 AND SCHOLAR. 
 
 Reaching New Orleans in 1887, I entered a 
 university the head of whose Southern Board of 
 Trustees was one of the most cultured men of 
 our race. I refer to Dr. Alexander S. Jackson. 
 The university referred to is Leland. Brother 
 Jackson held the chairmanship of this Board for 
 many years, until he was called from the pasto- 
 rate of the Tulane Avenue Baptist Church to the 
 New Hope Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. 
 
 Before going to this new field he made a rec- 
 ord in Louisiana. Coming to the state in the late 
 seventies or early eighties intellectually prepared 
 he easily took front rank among Louisiana Bap- 
 tist leaders. After his call to the above men- 
 tioned New Orleans Church, came his election to 
 the Recording Secretaryship of the Louisiana 
 Baptist State Convention, during the presidency 
 of Dr. John Marks. 
 
176 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 In course of time the brethren lifted Brother 
 Jackson to the highest position in the state by 
 electing him President of the Louisiana Baptist 
 State Convention, which office he filled with be- 
 coming dignity and to the delight of the brother- 
 hood. 
 
 Although in Texas at this writing, Dr. Jackson 
 yet enjoys the confidence and esteem of his 
 Louisiana brethren. He is one of the few Negro 
 preachers who have toured the Holy Land. 
 Since returning he has delivered interesting and 
 able lectures on the Land of our Savior's nativi- 
 ty. As a speaker, Elder Jackson is eloquent, 
 persuasive and convincing. His greatest contri- 
 bution to his denomination and race is an inter- 
 esting family. His first wife was an ex- 
 cellent Christian woman. His second com- 
 panion, Mrs. 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 and 
 baptized by this veteran preacher into the mem- 
 bership of Austerlitz Street Baptist Church. 
 After giving evidence of his call to preach his 
 church ordained him. 
 
 Having passed through the molds of prepara- 
 tion at Leland, he entered vigorously upon his 
 ministerial career. He has built up the Sixth 
 
178 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 Baptist Church from a Mission Station into one 
 of the leading churches of the state, and has pas- 
 tored it continuously since its organization, 
 through a period of more than thirty years. This 
 is perhaps the longest New Orleans pastorate 
 among Negro Baptists. During this time he has 
 erected and remodeled not less than two houses 
 of worship. 
 
 Early in his ministry he so favorably im- 
 pressed his brethren that they elected him to the 
 high office of President of the Louisiana Baptist 
 State Convention, which position he held success- 
 fully for more than seven years. Brother Marks 
 has succeeded Dr. A. S. Jackson to the chairman- 
 ship of the Southern Trustee Board of Leland 
 University, and has held this position for 13 or 
 14 years with credit to himself and Louisiana 
 Negro Baptists. He is President of this Board 
 at this writing and holds other offices of trust in 
 New Orleans. Elder Marks has been and is one 
 of the strongest pulpiteers in the state, being a 
 deep thinker, sound reasoner and a bold advocate 
 of his scriptural beliefs.. 
 
 Recognizing the work and worth of Bishop 
 Marks, Leland University has conferred upon 
 him the D. D. degree — Doctor of Divinity. 
 
 BISHOP JOHN JONES, AN ANTE-BELLUM PREACHER 
 OF MARKED ABILITY. 
 
 Back in the early fifties there came into the 
 state a free-bom Negro Baptist preacher from 
 Ohio. His name was John Jones, generally 
 known by the people of Shreveport as "John the 
 Baptist." 
 
 In 1856 on account of his intellectual, moral 
 and scriptural qualifications he was adjudged 
 
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 pasto- 
 rate of the First Colored Baptist Church, 
 Shreveport, La., in 1866, immediately after its 
 organization by Bishops Tucker and Wm. H. 
 Baliss (white). Antioch is the present name of 
 this church. This pioneer preacher accomplished 
 much here, both teaching and preaching to the 
 people. He was the first or among the first 
 colored teachers of Shreveport. He labored hard 
 but successfully in establishing the first schools 
 in North Louisiana for the Negro. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Paxton, historian of Louisiana white 
 Baptists, says that Elder Jones possessed won- 
 derful gifts, and that he exercised great influ- 
 ence over his race. He did more to preserve 
 order among the Negroes of Shreveport than did 
 the police force. Being a free man he fell under 
 the operation of a law, during the war, putting 
 all free persons of color, not natives of the state 
 under heavy penalties. He went North for a 
 while but it was found that the influence of his 
 example was so essential in preserving order 
 among the colored people that the Legislature, 
 then in session at Shreveport, passed a SPECIAL 
 act recalling him to Louisiana, when he gladly 
 returned to his home and people. This peace- 
 maker proved himself a Henry Clay and a Booker 
 T. Washington in allaying the bitterness and 
 strife and harmonizing the races. After a five- 
 years' useful pastorate at Antioch, and after 
 serving well Shreveport in general, 
 
180 History of Louisiana Negio 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 
 was ordained in 1901, and united in marriage De- 
 cember, 1902, to Miss Rainy Butler — one of 
 Louisiana's best women. Their union has been 
 blessed with four children — Leona Bee, Joseph 
 Lee, H. A., and J. H. Henderson, Jr. After re- 
 signing the Deanship of the Theological Depart- 
 ment, Coleman College, Gibsland, La., Bishop 
 Henderson removed to Shreveport where he ac- 
 
184 History of Louisiana Negro 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 a^res 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 mem- 
 bership of about 40, worshipping in a little rented 
 fish shop on Texas Avenue and Jordan Street. 
 His successful labors have brought this member- 
 ship to about 400. He has led them out of the 
 little fish house successfully through 30 or more 
 years into one of the best frame structures in 
 the state. He has pastored St. John at Mans- 
 field more than 30 years. During this time he 
 has erected two houses of worship, the second 
 being the beautiful frame building in which they 
 now meet for service. Elder Carter secured the 
 services of the writer to preach the dedication 
 sermon When they entered their new building in 
 1896. He has baptised, perhaps, more than 600 
 
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 fe*w years 
 associations were born and churches dotted the 
 northern part of the state. Many leading 
 churches of the state called him to their pasto- 
 rate, and his brethren honored him with many 
 important positions of trust. When he left for 
 Heaven he was and had been for many years 
 President Trustee Board of Coleman College, 
 Gibsland, La. 
 
 Elder Wm. Head like Bishop Whaley led in 
 the earliest church and associational organiza- 
 tions in the northern part of the state. He was 
 among the first to teach school in the northern 
 parishes of the state, and to ask for schools for 
 his recently emancipated people. Brother Head 
 began serving his brethren as secretary of asso- 
 ciations when it was dark — there being scarcely 
 a ray of intellectual light. Very often he would 
 be the only man that could read in the meeting. 
 
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- 
 Die 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 oi 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 Frierson — No truer Herald of a 
 whole Gospel has ever taken a text than Dr. Tay- 
 lor Frierson. He is orthodox to the core, and 
 believes in and preaches a "what saith the Lord" 
 Gospel. He was among the first students who 
 entered Leland University in 1870. After pas- 
 toring some years in Mississippi, he was called 
 to succeed the late Bishop Jiles North at Lake 
 Charles, La., where he now labors — doing much 
 good. Leland University has long since ac- 
 knowledged his worth and ability as a preacher 
 by conferring upon him the D. D. degree. He is 
 a pioneer upon whom too much honor cannot be 
 conferred. 
 
 Elder A. T. Sumpter is among the Louisiana 
 preachers who are "doing things." . Lfke 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 £he 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 larsre 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 Rouge 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 
 land disposition, energy and jpushfulness 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. 
 
 L'Lcler 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. 
 
 h'lde r George Byrd, an honored old pioneer, 
 wrought well at Baton Rouge in early times. He 
 came 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. 
 
 b'ldey 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 Amazon 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 
 him. 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 Le- 
 land University; A. C. Priestly, Principal High 
 School in New Orleans; A. J. Lagard, B. A.; 
 Francis Boley, B. A., Mrs. Amelia 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 
 
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 Z ~ 
 
 z s 
 
 c z- 
 
 z < 
 
 z 3 
 
 C C 
 
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 ■ -i. -iry- ■ 
 
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. 
 
 Professor 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. Mar get Thomas and Mrs. Grace Williams 
 are among the honored pioneer teachers of North 
 Louisiana, having taught successfully and with 
 credit before many 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 Hunfsville, 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 Priestly, 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., Wm. 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. Jt has an endowment of $100,000 or 
 
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, Principal 
 
204 History of Louisiana Negro Baptists. 
 
 District Department; T. J. Jordan, Bishop P. B. 
 Lewis, Mrs. M. A. Coleman, B. S., Mary Clay, 
 Rosa 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 
 No. 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. 
 
 Hoive 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, 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 large 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. 
 
 Gpelousas 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. Wright, 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. C. 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 
 
ELDER C. W. BROOKS, 
 
 1136 Cherokee St., New Orleans, La. 
 
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 disso- 
 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 moved 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. Fisher, 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, 120 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-" 
 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 present 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, Ruston, 
 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' encumbency, 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 with 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 Jamaici., 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, 
 but 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 4;o 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 he, 
 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 school 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 ORGANIZATION IN THE NORTH. 
 
 Bishop R. L. Perry, Ph. D., says (1887) "The 
 million colored Baptists in the United States 
 maintain their own churches, associations and 
 
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 formed their own association. 
 

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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. De 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 
 awakened 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 Now 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 are: President, Rev. R. D. 
 Wynn ; 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 two churches and 150 members. They 
 had 100 baptisms within two and a half years. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION. 
 
 By Bishop W. J. Simmons, D. D. 
 When a call was made by Elder W. J. Simmons, 
 D. D., the First National Baptist Convention of 
 Colored Baptists came together August 25, 1886, 
 
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 223 
 
 — _ — i 
 
 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. 
 Simmons, 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 "Knox 
 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 
 held 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 seems 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 — 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Elder H. B. N. Brown, B. D. 
 
Negro Baptist Beginnings in America. 225 
 
 Elder Jesse Peter through whom 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 oi; 
 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. 
 
 7 
 
 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 in 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 Shelton College *iad beem purchased 
 worth $25,000 and a school of high grade was 
 to be soon opened with Elder C. H. Payne as 
 President. 
 
 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 Isstitute (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 Dak, 
 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 Abner 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. Tefft 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. Burdick, 
 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, O. ; Baptist Mes- 
 senger, Hon. J. J. Spelman, Jackson, Miss.; Bap- 
 tist Preacher, Elder A. R. Griggs, Dallas, Texas ; 
 Georgia 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, April, 
 3 884, 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- 
 M-- --- cs-.^oxtc; "H e 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 moved 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 a y paid in four years, ex- 
 cepting $500. The pastor of this church wlas the. 
 prime mover in bringing Maryland Baptists to- 
 gether in a ^tate Convention. There were in the-, 
 state as early, or earlier than 1887, 20 churches,, 
 6,000 memoers, 15 ministers and $150,000 worth 
 of church property. 
 
 FIRST BAPTIST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DISTRICT OF 
 COLUMBIA. 
 
 Bishop Walter H. Brooks says that: "The 
 Baptists of Washington, D. €., 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 10th 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 
 1086, 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 
 
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 paid 
 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 SermJon 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-schools; 3500 (teachers, and 
 75,000 scholars. There are several 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 Baptists. 
 
 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 much 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. Lyons, 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 J Y -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, Vice-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 some 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 OF 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, come 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 down 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 nupils; 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 than all Pedo Baptists togeth- 
 er." This is also the claim of the Author to-day 
 (1914). 
 
Bridgeport National 
 Bindery, Inc. 
 
 MAY 2001