A^AMi BAfTIST aiSTORJCAL SOOfTT

THIRD /INNM/IL SESSION

... OF THE . . .

COLBERT MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. . .

5ILO/in PflPTIJT CHURCH,

Siloam, Franklin Co., Ala., October 14, 15, ^ 16, — ^^!1899. ^^ —

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OFFKER5:— A. J. IVIE, Moderator, ShelTield, Ala. C. A. WOMBLE, Clerk, Tuscumbia. A. L. MOODY, Treasurer, "

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EXECUTIVE DOflRb:-A. J. Ivie, Chairman. Dit. W. M. Ellis, Petek Clay, Jno. Q. Aycock, A. L. Moody. R W. HiNNioAN, W. N. ^okmoke; VValtek Stanley

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THIRD /INNU/IL SESSION

... OF THE . . .

COLBERT MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. . .

SlLOAffl BAPTIST CHURCH,

Siloam, Franklin Co., Ala., Oct. 14, 15 and 16, « 1 8S». ?

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OFFKER5:-A. J. IVIE, Moderator, Sheffield, Ala. C. A. WOMBLE, Clerk, Tuscumbia. A. L. MOODY, Treasurer,

EXECUTIVE PO/JRb:-A. .1. Ivie, Clunrnian I)i{ W. M. Ellls, Petek Clay, Jno. Q. AvcutK, A. L. M()(»i)y. Iv W.

UlNNIGAN, VV. N. NOKMOKE, WaLTEH STANLEY.

REAPCf^ FRINT, SMEFFieLD

MINUTES OF THE THlRD ANNUAL SESSION

M.IK[UTES

-: OF THE

Colb»e^rt !Ba.ptist jPLssoc:ii9.tion..

SiLOAM, Franklin Co., Oct. 14, 1899.

The officers and delegates of the Third Annual Session of the Colbert Association of Missionary Baptist, met with Siloam church on Thursday before the third Sunday in September, 1899.

The meeting was called to order by Moderator, Bro. A. J. Ivie, and at the appointed hour, it o'clock at m., the introductory sermon was preached by Rev. Brice Ledbetter, from i^th Chapter First Cor., fifty-first and thirty-fifth verses. The Rev. Turnage was asked by the Rev. Ledbetter to conclude the sermon, he did so and his remarks were well chosen with elaboration on this important part of the scripture, after services the meeting adjourned until 1:30 p. m.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

At 1:30 o'clock the delegates assembled in the church while the congregation sung. After a few minutes were devoted to devotional exercises, after which the Moderator appointed the following brethren as reading clerks, to-wit: A. L. Moody and A. P. Smith.

The following Letters were read and delegates enrolled:

TuscuMBiA, Rev. T. F. Hendon, Judge Moody and C. A. Wom- ble. Alternates — Shelby Grisham and Hugh McVVilliams,

Sheffield, A. J. Ivie, A. P. Smith and R. W. Hinnigan.

Pleasant Hill, Brice Ledbetter, Miley Thompson and Walter Denton.

OF THE COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 8

Cherokee, S. B. Greenhill, W. N. Normore, W. M. Whitlock. Alternate — T. L. Yarbrough.

Okolona, J. M. Eledge, Mrs. J. M. Eledge, G. L. Keenum. Alternate — Mrs. Kate Moody.

Liberty, W. A. Norton, J. H. Wilson and M. Odell.

Furnace Hill, O. E. Comstock, j. W. Reynolds.

SiLOAM, J. H. Hargett, B. T. Ryland, R. N. Ramsey and J. S. Gray.

petitionary letters.

Barton, This is a petition letter with statistics and delegates sent up as follows: David Thorn and Richard Iveman.

Russellville, Rev. A. W. Briscoe and Peter Clay. A song was sung and the right hand of fellowship given.

Riverton, J. F. Hurd, L. P. Grissom, R.J.Moore. Alternate — Mrs. Laura J. Ellis, Miss Anna Spencer and Miss Nina Moore. [This letter was delayed, not reaching the clerks hands until the i8th, and was not read before Association.] Song was sung at this point and the following business taken up:

election of officers.

The Association elected the following officers for the ensuing year: A. J. Ivie, Moderator. It was moved and carried that the clerk cast the vote for Bro. Ivie, which was done and he was declared re-elected for the Associational year ending September, 1900.

Moved and carried that Judge A. L. Moody be re-elected for Treasurer, and that the clerk cast the vote, which was done and he was declared our Treasurer for the Association year ending September, 1900.

It was moved and carried that C. A. Womble be elected to that of clerk for ensuing year ending September, 1900. corresponding delegates.

Delegates from the following Associations were invited to seats in this Association:

Muscle Shoals, Bro. J. O. A. Pace and Bro. A. W. Briscoe.

Big Bear Creek, Bro. Andrews, Bro. James.

Tishomingo Association, Miss., Bro. W. A. Turnage was re- cognized as a delegate from that Association: and fraternal greetings were received from them in loving words from the brother.

It was then moved and carried that all visiting members and delegates be recognized as members with this body, and that they are

r2

MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

at liberty to |)articii)ate in all its deliherations. In behalf of the Association Bro. Moderator welcomed the visitors to this Associaiioiu

COMMITTEES:

Devotional, Pastors and Deacons of this church. State of Religion, C. A. Womble and J. S. Gray. Deceased Ministers, A. P. Smith and Shelby Grisham. Documents, W. N. Normore and G. L. Keenum. P'l-jance, a. L. Moody, R. W. Hinnigan and R. M. Ramse) . Time and place of next meeting. P.. W. Hinnigaii, Shelby Gris- ham, C. L. Keenum.

REGULAR business.

At this point the letter and proposition of Bro. O. E. Comstock was read and it was moved and carried that the Association accept the offer, which reads in part as follows: "I propose to you to do the printing of the minutes to pay what the church should have given you the past two sessions. This will save you paying out any funds and will pay the pledge of Furnace Hill church."

Messengers to other associations. Muscle Shoals, Brethren J. M. Roberts, J. R. Nesmith, A. L. Moody; Big Bear Creek, A. L. Moody, and W. M. VVhitlock; Florence, Bret-hren A. J. Ivie, A. L, Moody, T. F. Hendon, C. A. Womble, J. M. Roberts and W. A. Turnage.

Moved and carried that this Association send fraternal greetings to the Tishomingo, Miss. Association, through Bro. W. A. Turnage.

Delegates to State Convention, Brethren T. F. Hendon, A. VV. Briscoe, Dr. W. M. Ellis and Rev. W. M. Whitlock. Delegates Southern Baptist Convention, T. F. Hendon, Alternate — A. L. Moody. Devotional Committee's partial report, Bro. A. W. Briscoe to preach at 7:30 this p. m. And for Friday 11 a. m. Bro. Turnage, and ]^ro. Hendon 7:30 p. m.

FRIDAY MORNING 9:30.

Devotional services conducted this a. m. by Bro James, nrayer.s by Brethren Gray. and Moody, which was full of the Spirit and good for us all. After the devotional exercises the Moderator announced the Association ready for business.

Report on Foreign Missions read by Bro. J. M. Roberts who fol- lowed up his report with quite an elaborate discourse on this very

OF THE COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

important subject. Report received and ordered adopted. Bro. W. A. Turnage said ihat a man that is not a missionary has never been born again. He advocated systematic giving with a great emphasis. At this point visiting brethren came in and il was moved and carried that the subject of missions in general be laid on table until this evening at 2 o'clock. (a*)

Brethren Ashcraft, Gilbert and Hall of Florence Association were recognized as correspondents from the Florence Association.

The report of Home Missions read by Bro, Turnage it was then moved and carried that it be laid on table until 2 o'clock this evening. (b)

State Missions report read by Rev. T. F. Hendon and it was moved and carried that it be laid on tabic to be taken up at 2 o'clock this day. (c)

Bro. Briscoe asked for further time to report on orphanage, granted.

Report on education read by Bro. Nesmith moved and carried that it come u\) in the regular order after discussion of missions, (d)

FRIDAY 2 P. M.

Report of Associational Missionary, Bro. Turnage chairman made report and it was moved and carried that the same be received. Bro. Turnage report showed how many sermons preached in Barton and organizing of a church there. He collected $5 00 and Association owes him $7.50. Amount agreed to pay missionary was $12.50, the balance was ordered paid him out of the Association's Treasurery. (e)

The rejjort on Associational missions was read by chairman T. F. Hendon and it was moved and carried that the same be received. (f)

Moved and carried that the discussion placed before noon, l)e withdrawn and for 30 minutes the discussion on Associational Mission be had. Rev. Hendon took the floor and lead in the discussion. Bro. Turnage spoke just these words, 'Tf Riverton and Cherokee won't give $50 for Association Missions I won't preach for them." Bro. Bri.scoe said he believed in having an Association Missionarv. .At this point it was moved and carried that the discu.ssion be con- tinued for 30 minutes more. (Devotional committee just here re- ported that Bro. Hendon preach this evening at 7:00 and that A. W.

* All reports will be found in alphabetical order under heading •'Various Reports."

MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

Briscoe preach at 1 1 a. m. to-morrow.) Bro. Ivie here requested Bro. Moody to act as Moderator. He says the preachers in the Association can do the work and he proceeded to discuss the Associational mis- sion in destitute places. Bro. Hendon spoke in argument for his point and arpjued that it was better for the Association to employ a Missionary than to depend on the pastors of the Association to do this work.

Moved and carried that the employing of a Missionary for the destitute fields be left in the hands of the Executive Committee. Bro. Moderator said he would appoint the executive board later on.

At 3 p. m. the subject of Foreign Missions was take up and Bro, Hall of Florence Association spoke fluently, and said in part for mis- sionary Baptist to read Isaiah 54th Chapter, 2d and 3d verses and. see what Wm. Carey, the great foreign missionary had done He spoke of China and Japan and other heathen countries. Bro. Ash- craft spoke of the destitution of the neighborhood of Florence, and had asked Bro. Crumpton to send them a Missionary and now they are on a higher plane because the Master heard the cry. Bro. Hendon spoke and said he wanted to read a letter from a Chinaman, reading "I had always worshiped idols^ but I heard the gospel preached by Dr. Yates and they would not receive me because I sold rice on Sun- day. I quit it and they received me, and I continued and I prosper- ed and became a wholesale merchant, and now I sometimes preach, but I am only a Deacon." Moved and carried we adjourn until 9:30 Saturday morning. Benediction by Bro. Turnage.

SATURDAY, 9:30 A. M.

Devotional exercise by Bro. Andrews. Moderator called house to order. The following committee on place of next meeting of this Association, time, preacher for introductory sermon and alternate. Com. T. F. Hendon, Shelby Grisham and G. L. Keenum. (g)

The subject of missions in general continued from Friday even- ing. Bro. Andrews of Big Bear Creek Association opened the discus- sion this a. m. He was followed by Bro. J. M. Roberts who said in part, it has always been God's plan to send Mis'^ionaries for his pur- poses, he spoke of Israel and Moses theif Commander, &c.

Bro. Nesmith spoke on missions, in part he said, how he had helped his first charge to begin giving for missions. Bro. A. P. Smith

OF COLBiERT BAPTIST ASSOCITION

spoke on this subject very pathetically Bro. C. G. T.ynch of Russell- ville church spoke, analyzing the mission cause. Bro. R. W. Hinni- gan spoke feelingly on this imi)ortant subject.

At II a. m., the time for services, it was moved and carried that we, in lieu thereof, continue to discuss the mission subject in general. Bro. East of Russellville spoke with much emphasis and great feeling for the missions. Judge Moody spoke on this subject with comparison and illustrations. Bro. Comstock spoke in his usual style, with great force, and said, like people, like priest. Bro. Lynch again made some fine points on the great subject. Bro. Briscoe spoke on this subject like the smooth running water, and like the still and low muttering sound heard from the distant thunder, and like the heart-beat, throb, throb like the great denomination heart, he moved the passions of the people. Bro. Hendon spoke and said he wanted this Association to give to missions the sum of $300.00, he talked so earnestly that they began to pledge.

CHURCHES.

> 75	00
20	00
30	00
10	GO
20	00

Bethel church pledge

Tuscumbia " "

Cherokee << <<

Riverton << <<

Furnace Hill «< "

Liberty " "

Mt. Stanley " " . .

Minot " "

Okolona (f <.- _ 10 00

Pleasant Hill << << • . . . 10 00

Siloam << •; j^ qq

Sheffield $10, (Smith, Hinnigan and Ivie $30) 40 00

Valley Grove church pledge . 10 00

Mt. Pleasant " " .

Russellville •' " . . 50 00

Barton " " . . 3 00

S293 00

MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

INDIVIDUAL PLEDGES.

Shelby Grisham

G. L. Keemim

Andrews, pd.

A. L. Moody

A. W. Briscoe

Wm. East

J. M. Eledge

Jno. Belue

Tom Hurst

Mrs. J. M. Roberts

Ethel and Sallie Roberts

J. M. Orman

Wm. Whitlock

J. M. Roberts

Mrs. Warhurst

Mattie E. Hurst

Miss S. E. Underwood

PETITIONARY LETTERS.

The letter of Ressellville church was presented and read l)y the clerk and it was moved and carried that this church be received iuto full fellowship of this Association to take effect immediately after meet- ing of the Muscle Shoals Association.

The letter of Barton church was presented and read by the clerk praying admittance to this Association. It was moved and carried that this church be received and the right hand of fellowship be ex- tended to both churches bv the entire Association now assembled.

)I	OO	J. M. Whitlock			00
I	'CO	C. A. Womble			00
I	OO	W. N. Normore			00
5	OO	Peter Clay			00
5	OO	Arthur Quellin			00
5	OO	H. C. Underwood			00
1	OO	0. E. Comstock		5	00
I	OO	J R. Nesmith		5	00
I	OO	Cash		3	51
I	OO	Dr. Hargett		I	00
T	OO
5	OO	Total	$	56	51
2	5°	Church subscriptions	$293	00
2	OO 5° OO	Individual pledges		56	51
2	Grand total	$349	51
I	OO

SATURDAY 2 P. M.

Reports on Foreign Missions moved and carried that the report be adopted and that of the State and Home Missions also.

Report on education was read on the 15th last and was ordered discussed after discussion on missions in general. Bro. Hendoii spoke about educated ministers of the gospel and the advantages, but did not speak disparagingly of the uneducated ministry, but lauded ihem up to the skies for leaving the plow handles and going out on Sunday and preaching to the pe(jple. Bro. Nesmith talked some little while kindly and he said we need not only education in the university but we need it among the ])eople, that they may knovv more about the Bible and the holy spirit. Just here the chairman of this report was asked to insert in his report the recognition of Howard College and that of the Judson, accepted.

OF COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCITIOX

Rei)ort on Baptist Orphanage, moved and carried that the re- port be received and adopted.' Hendon chairman. (h)

Report on Colportage, moved and carred that the report be re- ceived. O. E. Comstock. Sr. chairman. (i)

Report on Sunday Schools read, and moved that it be adopted. C. A. Womble chairman. Carried. (j)

Report of devotion Com. I'or preaching on the follow ing times and hours. This evening, 7:30, Wm. Whiilock; Sunday, 11 a. m., T. F. Hendon; 2 \). m., A. W. Briscoe.

Report on Temperance, read by A. P. Smith, chairman. Talk on the subject by Bro. O. E. Comstock, Sr., the "cyclonic defender of temperance. Bro. J. M. Roberts spoke on this subject, speaking of \vi)mea signing petitions for a licensed saloon, living close in his neighborhood, drawing comparisons. Bro. A. P. Smith spoke on this subject, about his father talking about it when he was a boy and the distruction of souls it made. (k)

Report on Temperance was moved and carried that it be adopted.

Report on Sunday Schools read by Bro. Womble, chairman, and it was moved and carried that it be received and adopted. (1)

Report on deceased ministers, report read by Bro. A. P. Smith, chairman, moved and carried that the report be adopted. (m)

Report on Documents, report read by Bro. W. N. Normore, chairman, moved and carried that the report on documents be received. (m)

Report of Treasurer, Bro. A. L. Moody, moved and carried that the report of the treasurer be received. (o)

Report of Finance Committee, report read by Bro. A. L. Moody chairman, m.oved and carried that the report be received and adopted. (p)

Report of Executive Committee, report read by Bro. A. L. Moody, chairman, moved and carried that the report be received and adopted. [q]

Committee on time and place of next Association year meeting received and adopted, Riverton the next place of the meeting.

Executive Committee for Association year, appointed by Modera- tor are as follows: A. J. Ivie, chairman. Dr. W. M. Ellis, Peter Clay, Jno. Q. Aycock, A. L. Moody, R. W. Hinnigan, W. N. Normore, Walter Stanlev.

10 MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

Missionary report of Wm. Whitlock was received and it was moved and carried that his report be received and account be paid. Also the missionary report of Brice Ledbetter be received and ordered paid.

STANDING COMMITTEES.

Foreign Missions, A. L. Moody, D, I'horne, Jesse Elledge; Homie Missions, Dr. VV, M. Ellis, W. N. Normore, J. L. Keenum; State Missions, J. Q. Aycock, R. N. Ramsey, Shelby Grisham; As- sociational Missions, A. P. Smith. R. W. Hinnigan, M. Odel; Bap- tist Orphanage, C. A, Womble, Peter Clay, J. W. Reynolds; Educa- tion, C. G. Lynch, J. S. Gray, C. C. Kirby. Colportage, VV. E. Aycock, C. M. Kirby, B. V. Ryland; Sunday School C. T. Morris, R. M. Chitwood; Temperance, Wm. East, J. W. McDanial, Henry Carter.

RESOLUTION OF THANKS.

We the delegates of this noble Association feel under grateful obligation to the noble people of Siloam church for their royal entertainment given us during our stay among them. Recognizing this fact be it therefore

Resolved, i. That we extend to this church and her noble pastor, and the community at large, a rising vote of thanks for their royal entertainment. 2. To the Southern R. R. for the curtesies ex- tended in stoping the train for the delegates to get off at the church thereby saving a long, hot walk. 3. That ^10 be given the clerk for his work in keeping the proceedings of this session, and looking after the printing of 300 minutes.

Valley Grove church letter was rather late coming in, and had but a very small report. There was no delegates from this church and very little of anything said about the church. Shame on it.

The church letter of Riverton, Ala., did not reach the clerk's hands until September i8th. The delegates that were to represent it at the Association were J. F. Hurd, L. P. Grissom, R. J. Moore Alternates — Laura J. Ellis, Anna Spencer and Nina Moore. This letter shows the action of this church on the 20th of August, 1899. C. A. Womble. A. J. Ivie,

Clerk. . Moderator.

REPORT OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES.

(A) We, your committee on Foreign Missions, would submit their report. This subject is perhaps of as much importance as any that engages the mind of the church at this time, because it is the means

OF THE COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 31

that God has has ordainecl for spreading the gospel of life over all the world, and thereby the light of Salvation to the lost. God himself gave us the example when the world was lost in sin. He sent a mis- sionary Baptist to the earth to herald the news of a coming Savior who came and accomplislied his mission. Organized his church and gave them the gospel of salvation and with it the solemn charge that they should preach it in all the world and in obedience to this com- mand we have received this gospel and hence the obligation to give it to others and today a thousand million people are looking to us for liglit and the cry is heard from every corner of the earth almost, "come and help us." Oh, that we might feel the responsibility of our relation to this subject, today we have consecrated men and women on the Held in China. Italy, Brazil, Mexico and Japan who need our help not only our prayers but money and men to better enable them to culti- vate the Held. Will we help? J. M. PtOBERTS, Chairman.

(B) Home Missions, We, the committee on Home Missions, beg leave to submit the following report, viz. Realizing as we do that our Baptist Zion^lias been laboring for years In the United States and Cuba to give the gospel to the perishing and furthermore realizing that God has opened the door and in token of our thankfulness to God and love for perishing souls the Home Board has been ordered by the Southern Baptist Convention to double the working force in Cuba that vve may burst the bonds of Catholicism that has held that people under the iron yoke of ignorance and sin so long, and lead them out into the light and liberty of the children of God. Oh, brethren, if you knew the work that has been done by that noble, consecrated man, (Powel, of Mexico,) in Cuba surely you would come to the rescue of this, the most important of our boards. Respt.,

W. A. TURNAGE, Superintendent.

(C) State Missions : We, your Committee on State Missions, beg leave to report as follows: At no time in the history of our board has the board a more encouraging outlook for work in the future. At the last report of the work to the State Convention the board re- ported an indebtedness of several hundred dollars. The work was very discouraging indeed and Dr. Bledsoe, the secretary, resigned. For some time the board was without a secretary, consequently the work was neglected to a certain extent. The light of a brighter day has dawned upon us, God in his infinite goodness has dispelled the cloud of gloom. Sinc>e our last association all boards have been consolidated under one head, namely : State Board of Missions. Under the wise forethought of the board and guidance of God. A new secretary was employed and no mistake was made when the services of our wise leader and consecrated servant, W. B. Crumpton, were secured. He is now in the field and greater things are already beginning to be ac- complished. During the recent debt paying campaign our board was freed from all indebtedness. The shackles have been torn off, the

12 MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

Ark inlarged and never beft)re was our denomination more hopeful. It is a lon^ conceeded fact that Alabama is fast developing; Into a cotton Koods manufacturing state. Large mills are going up in many towns. This brings many people in our state, the larger portion of which are ignorant and unable to support the gospel. It was there- fore necessary for our board to look after these places. This is mainly the work of the board. More destitute places are being reached than ever before. Let us endeavor to spread the gospel through our entire State. We need to take courage and move on. Let this Association stand by our board and its noble secretary in every forward movement. Respectfully submitted,

T. F. HENDON, Chairman.

G. L. KEENUM.

J. R. WARHURST.

(D) We, your Committee on Education, report favorable, there is an advance on all scientific and literary lines since our last meeting. The State has increased the public school fund, there is more interest manifested by parents, to educate their children, the children them- selves are making stronger efforts, and we are having a 'better grade of teachers. We would advise all to avoid trashy books and papers. We recommend our Trinity high school, Morgan county, Alabama. Chairman admits tlie insersion of the recognition of Howard College at Birmingham, and Judson Female College at Marion.

Now brethren, this wisdom of men, for it is of men. The Bible says, is foolishness before God. In other , words no man can depend upon science, or art, or even morality, to be saved. These are simply the effect, of the wisdom of God which cometh down from above.

J. R. NESMITH, Chairman.

(E) Report on Missions— destitute : Miles travelled, 50; sermons preached, 14 ; churches organized, 1; members, 6; number joined, 5: amount collected, $5.00; balance due, $7.50. Church organized was named Barton. W. A. TURNAGE.

(F) Report on Associational Missions: Your committee beg leave to report Llie following: We are glad that our Association is keeping pace with the times, Christ said, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and in Judia and in Samari a, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." The plan adopted by the executive board has worked well and to a certain extent has accomplished the desired end. We believe, however, that this plan is not sufticient to cover the entire field. Some brethren have done good and effective work. We further believe that the volunteer plan on the part of the pastors is n)t suffioieat to cover the entire field. In the face of the facts before us namely, that the harvest is great and the laborers few. The destitution of the field, and need of the gospel. We therefore recommend that a strong man be placed in the field as Associational Missionary to be supported by the Association

Respectfully submitted,

T. F. HENDON-

OF THE COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 13

(G) We. the Committee appointed on time and place of the next meeting of the Colbert Association; beg leave to report that the next meeting shall be held with Riverton church and the time shall be Thursday before the third Sunday in September, 1900, and the intro- ductory sermon be preached by Bro. A. VV. Briscoe. Alternate — Bro. •John M. Roberts. R. W. IIINNIGAN, Chairman.

..(H) Report on Orphanage: To bring before our people the claim of our orphanage needs only to say that it is the home of the homeless. No institution fostered by our denomination is more justly entitled to a liberal support. The plea of the orphan touches a respon- sive chord in the heart of the most unfeeling. There can be but one explanation to the question of a deficient treasure in this work. Thftt of neglect upon the part of pastors. Any church will contribute to this cause if its needs are explained and its claims presented. This institution is located at Evergreen, Alabama, under the supervision of Geo. W, Stewart, a man in whom the orphan finds a friend next to that of parent and a man of whom a nobler hearted christian could scarcely anywhere be found. We recommend that each pastor in this Association bring before his church the claim of this institution and sees to it that regular collections for its support are taken.

Respectfully submitted,

A. W. BRISCOE.

(1) Colportage : We, your Committee on Colportage find no reports on this great subject, and wf)uld suggest that the Moderator take steps to see that this work be put into action, by having some one, or more, to give at least some time and attention to colportage. May God guide us into the path of active duty along this line.

O. E. COM STOCK, Sr. BRICE LEDBETTER.

(J) Sunday Schools: Since the beginning of Robert Kaik's first Sunday school, established by him- a century or more ago, there has been wonderful work done for the Master's cause. You may take up any religious paper and you will always find in it something good about the Sunday schools. In our estimation there is nothing that helps children on as fast to understand the wonderful word as the Sunday schools and the godly teachers. The Sunday school teachers hold a high place among christian workers. Indeed, they are hardly second to any save only the pastor and preacher, and stand close to these in the character of their work. The teacher himself has hardly realized the greatness of his position aud his influence, and also his work as a teacher. It gives to him a class whose making and moulding lie largely with himself. He bears to them the wonderful message of the gospel ; he lays upon the mind and heart the doctrine of the Lord Jesus, unfolding to them the wonders of dying love and saving power. He see them tutn to the Lord. This leads to the higher work of train- ing in the Lord for the Lord's work. "Take heed unto thyself, and

14. MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

unto tlie doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this thou shalt tooth save tliyself, and thena that hear thee." But the teacher is something more than a teacher. He is a member of the cliurch and sustains im- portant relations to all church life and church work, as well, also, to all great denominational enterprises. His work as teacher however faithfully done does not complete his round of duty or till up the measure of his responsibility. What he shall be to his pastor, to mem- bers of his church, to the-church'it self as an organized christian lifei to our missionary enterprises, to all our educational Interests, this is a great matter to be laid upon his heart and mind. And the holding of his class along these great lines is of utmost moment. But in addition to this, in the nature of things the teachers in our Sunday schools^ ct)nstitute a large part of the directing force in our churches. Not always, but frequently they are the balance of power in church meet- ings, in determining what shall be undertaken in the church, so give character and tone to its very life and work. It is therefore of the utmost importance to have them well trained in doctrine and reli- gious work and denominational life. When we look back over our helpers in the Sunday school work, we call to mind some of our best workers and we hope it will not be encrouching on your time too much when we tell you of some of them who have stood by the superinten- dent, working faithfully tho' the trials and struggles seemed dark with him and them. There in our school at Tuscumbia the memory of Sisters Chitwood, Shackelford and Turner and that of our late pastor.

"Speak about them at this time

from memory — Eulogizing."

C. A. WOMBLE.

(K) Temperance: This question, as it has ever been, one of vital importance and should enlist the careful thought and co-opera- tion of every man and woman whether christians or not, as it relates to the use. sale and manufacture of intoxicating beverages it becomes the momentous question of the age. In the deadly trail of the liquor traffic we find woe, misery and desolated homes. How long will the wail of widowed mothers and orphaned children go unheeded by the christian people of this land? How long will we give consent by silence and vote to a business that is annually carrying to drunkards graves and drunknessess kill more then sixty thousand of our people per year. The responsibility of arresting and destroying the power and influence of this deadly enemy rests upon the christian people in every land and country. We note with pleasure that most all the corporations and business industries are putting the seal of condemn- ation upon the use of intoxicating drinks, whether from business or philanthropic principle it is having a wonderful influence and shall we, to whom God has committed the teaching of His sacred word that declares no drunkard shall enter heaven, not join han(3s with them in destroying this great evil. It is the sentiment of Colbert Association

OF COLBERT BAPTIST ASSOCITION 15

tiiat every christian should use every means consistent to create and ijuild up such a strong public sentiment against the use, manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages that no saloon can find a place U> deal out its dondly poison.

A. P. SMITH, ChMirman.

SHELBY GRISSOM.

(L) Repon on State of Religion : We, your committee, beg leave to submit the following report on the state of religion, first, we find in looking over oar Association Letters that we have made some ad- vani^es tovvard tiie betterment, since the last meeting (tf this body. But we are sorry to say that in nearly two-thirds of the letters re- ported, have little of the spirit of missions in their church. We recom- mend to these churches that they see to this the most important thing in their churches, thereby helping the state of religion. Second, we are sorry that so few Sunday schools are reported as evergreen schools, and we earnestly and prayerfully ask them, in the name ot (lur Master, to throw out this life-line to the little ones and bring them into this, the open door to the church. Third, we find but two churches in this Association that report prayer-meeting service in their churches. We earnestly ask the pastors of these churches t<i forward this important service, and the state of religion will grow like the green-bay tree as in tlmesof old. Brethren let us take new zeal in every department in our churches and go forward to a higher plane and give the Lord all the praise, looking forward for greater re- sults in the future. C. A. WOMBLE, Chairman.

(M) Your Committee on Deceased Ministers would submit the following report: It is our sad duty to record the death of Bro. Ray S. Fleming, pastor of the Baptist church at Tuscumbia, on the 18th of October, 1898. Identified with every interest of his church, lovinji, faithful and true to his people, and consecrated to the service of his Master, he exerted an influence for good that cannot be estimated. While we liumbly submit to the will of Him who doeth all things well we feel we have sustained an irreparable loss in the death of Bro. Fleming. A. P. SMITH, Chairman.

SHELBY GRISSOxM.

(N) We, your Committee on Documents, be leave to make the following report: We find that there is 14 churches belonging to this body, and at this session there has been two petitionary letters, which swells this body up to the goodly number of 16 churciies. We find on these church letters reported, only two have prayer-meetings. This is not a'fair showing and we are sorry to report this of our churches. Only three churches report Sunday schools, and this my brethren looks bad for us, this meeting of Association year. ISotas good as last year by half. We do not know of any church asking for the Association the coming year. We pray that there may be more zeal for these par- ticular adjuncts to our churches and take courage and lo(.k to the

16 MINUTES OF THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION

Lord for greater blessings in the future. Eesp. submitted.

W. N. NORMORE, Chairman. (O) Amos L. Moody. Treasurer of Colbert Association, in Ac- count with said A.ssociation. To this amount received from Finance Committee divided as follows, towit:

» DR. " J. L. Reeves "4 6 00

Associatlonal Mis. $ 69 88 " Tom Yarbrough "5 6 GO

Home and State 25 47 " Erice Ledbetter " 0 5 00

Foreign 6 40 " " " " 7 15 00

Ministerial Education 2 50 " J. O. A. Pace "8 2 00

Orphan's Home 3 91 " O E Comstock for service

Indi'al pledges for Mis. 16 00 as clerk ses'ns '97, 98, -pr'g

Minutes 13 08 Min for '98 vo 9 36 00

From Bethel S. S. Mis. Pd 5 doz bl'kch let and pos'e 102

next year 1 50 Post send Was to cl'kof ch's 18

PdJby OEComstockforMis 5 GO Am't pd VV. B. Crnmpton,

Re'd from 5 S meeting at Sec'y Foreign Mis 6 40

Riverton church 6 42 Am't pd W. B. Crnmpton,

Re'd from former Treas. 8 .00 Sec'y Mlnistrial Educa'n 2 50

Am't pd W. B. Crumpton.

$158 16 Sec'y Orphans Home vo 10 3 91

CR. Am't pd F. C. David vo 11 6 42

Pd St Sec'y per Sadiin vol $ 25 47 In hand of Treas to bal 33 68

' ' " " " '2 6 40 ~

" W. M. Whitlock vo 3 2 00 $158 16

(Q) The Executive Committee beg leave to make the following report: There has been no chairman of this comniittee since the death of Bro. Fleming. There has been very little done in matter of tilling the destitution in the Association, I as one of said committee employed Rev. W. A. Turnage to hold a meeting at Barton which he did, preaching a number of days, and organized a church there, for which services I agreed to pay him $12.50; he collected $5, the balance $7.50 has been allowed and paid to him by the Treasurer. No other work was done by authority of board. Resp. submitted,

AMOS L. MOODY.

(S) Missionary Report: I labored in the destitution at Barton and surrounding communities for 16 days; my expenses were $16.00: collected, $1.00: balance due $15.00. Respectfully submitted,

W. M. WHITLOCK

(T) Missionary Work: I labored in the distitution at Barton and surrounding community, in connection with Bro. Whitlock, 18 days; my expenses were $18.00 Respectfully submitted,

BRICE LEDBETTER.

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