Minutes of the ... Annual Session of the Bethlehem Baptist Association 1883

AUBAKA BAmST BISTOIUCAi SOCIETY

MINUTES

SIXTY-SEYEBETH ANNUAL SESSION

OF THK

BETHLEHEM

BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,

HELD WITH

Zion Church, Monroe Co., Ala.,

September &■$> and ,f>d, 18 83.

OFFICERS:

Elder B. J. Skinner - Moderator, - Burnt Corn, Ala.

Thos. S. Wiggins, - - Clerk, - - - Monroeville, "
Thos. ]. Emmons, - - - Treasurer, - -

SELMA, ALA.:

[OHN L. WEST S. CO., PRINTERS AND BOOK BINDEKS.
1883.

MI NUTES

Bethlehem Baptist Association.

The Sixty-seventh Annual Session of the Bethlehem Bap-
tist Association met pursuant to adjournment with the Zion
church, in Monroe county, on Saturday, September 22nd, 1883.

The Introductory Sermon was preached by Elder W. G. Curry,
of the Pine Barren Association, at 1 1 o'clock a. m., after which a
recess of one hour was taken.

On assembling again in the afternoon, the Moderator, Bro. A.
J. Robinson, announced, as first in the order of business, the read-
ing of letters from the churches, and, for that purpose, appointed
Brethren W. G. Curry, J. W. Leslie, and B. F. Riley.

An election for officers for the ensuing year was then ordered,
and Brethren W. G. Curry and P. N. Bruner were appointed as
tellers of the election. Before the election was proceeded with,
the Moderator requested that he be not nominated for re-election.
Elder B. J. Skinner was elected Moderator; Thos. S. Wiggins,
Clerk; and Thomas J. Emmons, Treasurer.

The newly elected Moderator then took the chair, and the
usual order of business was adopted.

The following churches were represented by their delegates,
to-wit:

Claiborne — M. D. Lambert, Thomas Newberry, and J. M. Thompson.
Enon — S. W. Jones and N. A. McNeal.
Montgomery Hill — A. J. Lambert and T. P. Atkinson.
Monroeville — J. W. Leslie, T* J. Emmons, J. Ue Loach, and T. S. Wig-
gins.

Philadelphia— W. A. Lock, W. B. Kemp, W. T. Nettles, and J. Sawyer.
Pleasant Hill— I. H. Moore, B. Hale, and Monroe Stacev,

Pleasant Ridge— George Roley, James I.. Smith, J. S. Buford, and W.
Biggs.

Poplar Springs — Thomas Dees and David De Wise.

Salem — W. J. Newberry, W, D, Fountain, E. II. Atkinson, and J. II.
Brown.

Zion — J. McWilliams, W. A. Fountain, William Rikard, and \V. I). Mc-
Williams.

Aikadelphia — J. II. Higdon, S. L, Stoke, George Lee, and A. II. Stoke,

Bellville — C. I'. Gaily, William Kyser, J. K. Hard)-, and J. Straughn.

Bethany — B. Shirley, Thomas Morton, and 1!. J. Skinner.

Brownsville — J. B. Griffin, J. Wesley Brown, and Z. T. James.

Catawba Springs — Mathew Crosby and ]. J. faekson.

Castleberry — James D. Burnett and John M. Fickling.

Olive Branch — Thomas M. Huston and Thomas J. Ray.

Pilgrims Rest — W B. Loveless and ]. E. Deer.

Fairfield— T. B. McMillan, T. J. McMillan, and W. W. Johnson.

Raman — J. H. Raines and T. H. Raines.

Antioch — L, B. Cohran and A. J. Stanford.

Brooklyn — I. A. White, A. J. Robinson, and C. A. Thame.-.

Brushy Creek— IL H. Shell and M. F. Fail.

Evergreen — B. H. Crumpton, B. F. Riley, J. T. Fincher, and Y. M. Rabb.

Georgiana — P. M. Smith.

Midway — John Hardee, J. J. Pipkins, and B. T. Higdon.

New Prospect — M. F. Gamble, J. D. Bryan, and L. G. Wommack.

Old Town — I. Spence, W. M. Lane, and A. S. Hudson.

Long Branch — J. P. Purnal.

Sepulga — J. A. Hyde.

New Hope — M. A. Lane, F. M. Cook, W. Thames, and. M. E. Cooper.

Mars Hill — Alex Boone and David Richardson.

Mamilton Hill — Charley Hixon and T. J. Busey.

Bethesda — W. C. Cumbie and J. W. Murphy.

The following corresponding messengers were received, to-wit:

From the Pine Barren Association — Elders P. J. Cree, YY. G. Curry, J. F.
Deer, and Bio. P. C. Riley.

From the Elim Association — Elder J. G. McCaskey.

Bro. B. F. Riley was recognized as a representative of The
Alabama Baptist and Bro. W. (i. Curry asa representative of the

State Mission Board.

COMMITTEE OX PREACHING.

The pastor and deacons of the Zion church were appointed a committee to
arrange the order of preaching for to-morrow, Sabbath.

An invitation was extended to the visiting brethren of the
ministry to seats with us.

KIN \.\< i:.
Brethren W. 1!. Kemp, J. T, Fincher, and Y. M. Rabb were appointed a
Committee on Finance.

THE STATE OF RELIGION.
Brethren I. Spence, J. M. Thompson, J. E. Deer, James Straughn, and
S. W. Jones were appointed a Committee on the State of Religion.

QUERIES \M> REQUESTS.
Brethren A. J. Lambert, Win. Kyser, and James I.. Smith were appointed
a Committee on Queries and Requests.

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION.
Elder B. H. Crumpton and Brethren W. T. Nettles and A. J. Robinson were
appointed a Committee on Ministerial Education.

On motion, the Rules of Order were suspended, and a Com-
mittee on Denominational Education was appointed, consisting of
Elders B. F. Riley, I. A. White, and Bro. Wm. Loveless.

Petitionary letters were received from Hamilton Hill and
Bethesda churches asking to be received as members of the Asso-
ciation, which was granted, and they were so received.

drove Dale church also presented a letter, which was referred
to a Special Committee, consisting of Brethren Y. M. Rabb, J. W.
Leslie, Thomas Morton, and Elder A. J. Lambert.

The Committee on Preaching made their report, which was
adopted, and arranged for Bro. B. F. Riley to preach at the arbor
and Bro. W. G. Curry to preach at the church in the forenoon ;
in the afternoon, Bro. B. J. Skinner at the church.

Bro. Jehu Holly being the only member present of the Com-
mittee on Missions appointed at the last session of this body, on
motion, two additional names were added to the Committee, to-wit:
Elders R. I. Draughon and J. L. Eddins.

The report of the Committee on Sunday Schools was read,
and after being discussed by Brethren B. F. Riley, R. I. Draughon,
I. A. White, Y. M. Rabb, J. McWilliams, and J. G. McCaskey,

was adopted.

The report is as follows:

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Your Committee on Sunday Schools, appointed at your last session, report
with pleasure a steady increase of interest in this work in some parts of our
Association; but regret that this is not the case generally. In many of our
churches, there seems to be a total want of interest in and appreciation of our
solemn obligations to God in this field of labor; and we fear that among the
causes of this culpable indifference, a want of interest and activity in the work
on the part of our ministers, may not be the least. As a rule, the churches must
Lie led in this work, and who can better do this than the pastors? In our last
report, we had forty-one churches and only fifteen Sunday Schools, while of this
number, Conecuh county, alone, had seven schools with a membership of
three hundred and thirty-nine, besides seven union schools with three hundred
and forty-two scholars, half of winch, we will say, are Baptists; making a total
of five hundred and ten scholars in this county alone — more than half in the
Association by fifty-nine. We trust you will give the subject that consideration
which its importance demands. Respectfully submitted,

J no. W. Leslie,
W. R. Sawyer,
1. A. White,

Committee.

On motion, the Moderator was authorized to appoint a com-
mittee in vacation, with Bro. B. H. Crumpton as chairman, on
Deceased Ministers, to make their report also in vacation.

A committee was also appointed to consider and report upon
the time of the annual meeting of this Association, to-wit: Breth-
ren Y. M. Rabb, B. F. Riley, and W. H. Fountain.

The Association then adjourned to 9:30 Monday morning.

On Sabbath at n o'clock a. m., Elder B. F. Riley preached
at the arbor and Elder W. G. Curry at the church to large assem-
blies, after which a collection was taken up for missions amounting

to $31.95. Elders B. J. Skinner and preached in

the afternoon, and I. A. White preached at night.

Monday Morning, 9:30 a. m.

The session again met pursuant to adjournment, and after
singing, and prayer by Bro. B. H. Crumpton, was called to order.

The minutes of Saturday were read, corrected, and adopted.

The Committee on Missions made their report, and, at the
same time, a minority report was submitted; and after considera-
ble discussion, the subject was recommitted.

The Committee then submitted the following report, which
was adopted, to-wit:

MISSIONS.

Never in the history of the world was the spirit of missions more widespread
and deep, than at the present time. More and more the people of God are
becoming interested in supplying destitute fields with the Gospel, and as a result,
its effects are becoming more and more marked. At the beginning of the pres-
ent century, there were not more than 50,000 converted heathen in all lands;
to-day. there are not less than two millions. The work with which we have
directly to do, is, for the sake of convenience, divided into Foreign Missions,
Home Missions, and State Missions. It is gratifying to report that all of these
Boards are generally in a flourishing condition. We have foreign missionaries
in Africa. Liberia, Italy, South America, and Mexico. The Home Board
occupies as its field of operation all the waste places of the South, New Orleans,
the western frontier, the territory occupied by the Indians, and the Chinese upon
the Pacific slope. Under the efficient management of Dr. Tichenor. as Secretary
of the Home Board, new enterprises are being inaugurated, and the work is
steadily prospering. A new department has recently been created, known as
the Church Building Department, which has been placed under Dr. N initially, a
most vigorous and energetic worker.

With State Missions we are familiar. It proposes to labor for the evangel-
ization of Alabama. Its record, though brief, is a brilliant one. To the extent
of its facilities, it is energetically prosecuting its work in other regions; yet in
our particular section and within our limits, it does not seem to be reaching and
supplying the destitution; and there is some confusion and, perhaps, conflict with
the Board in regard to [he precise field of the evangelist and the collection and
disbursement of funds. In view of this, w_- recommend to the Association,
either to surrender and turn over to the Board the entire matter, or withdraw it
from the Board and resum#the employment of its own evangelist in its own way,
and offer the following resolution:

Resolved, That while the Bethlehem Association are, and desire to continue
in sympathy with the State Mission Board, yet we recognize the fact of a felt
and expressed necessity of some change of policy, and do, herein and now,
affectionately request the Board to take the matter under consideration, and see
if the necessary change can be made.

Robert I. Draughon,
Jehu Hoi.lv.

The report of the Committee to whom was referred the peti-
tionary letter of Grove Dale church, was adopted, and is as follows:
GROVE DALE CHURCH.

Your Special Committee, to whom was referred the petitionary letter of
Grove Dale church for membership in our body, beg leave to report as follows:
rst. The material proposed to have been organized may be such as would
be received by this body, if the organization or constitution had been by an
orderly and competent Presbytery, and, on this account, these brethren have our
Christian sympathy.

2nd. This body could not remain within the bounds of Christain consistency,
or preserve the integrity of its membership, if it should receive any of the acts
purporting to be official of John D. Beck, in his present disordered condition
with the Pensacola church. Therefore, we recommend the rejection of the peti-
tion. V. M. RABB,

J. W. Leslie,
Thomas Morton,
A. J. Lambert.

The following resolution in relation to Grove Dale church was
adopted:

Resolved, That this Association appoint a committee to confer with Rev.
John D. Beck and the Grove Dale church in conference, to ascertain what can
be done in reference to their union with this Association.

For this purpose, the following committee was appointed,
to-wit:

B. H. Crumpton, J. W. Leslie, and J. E. Bell.

The Committee on Denominational Education submitted their
report, which was adopted, and is as follows:

DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

The Committee to whom was referred the matter of Denominational Edu-
cation report :

More than ever befoie, the subject of Education is engaging the attention
of a thoughtful public. Divers means are being suggested for the removal of
the widespread illiteracy which prevails throughout this broad land of States.
Advanced steps have been taken, both, in state and national legislation, toward
vast appropriations for the removal of existing ignorance. But Christianity, rec-
ognizing in education such a potent factor, is not willing to surrender its main-
tenance into the hands of the State. Hence the existence of denominational
institutions. More and more the claims c f denominational education are being
pressed to the front. And such have been the wholesome influences springing
from it, that the different Christian denominations have been encouraged to
foster it yet more and more. While other than denominational colleges may
not inculcate error, there is no safeguard against it in such; whereas, a strictly
denominational institution is presupposed to provide against it by the erection

of moral safeguards. This is the pronounced purpose of institutions fostered
directly under the influences of Christianity, and the histories of such show con-
clusively that their claims in that direction have been vindicated.

i lontrolled by this purpose, which is coupled to a corresponding purpo
use the great agent of education in the pi erval on and perpetuation of our
principles, the Baptist denomination has established institutions of learning
wherever it has been able. Those which addn to our corisid r-

ation are the Howard College and the Judson Female Institute, at Marion, the
Central Female College at Tuskaloosa and the Southern Baptist Tin
Seminary at Louisvilic. These are all Baptist, collegi , the claims of which are
being constantly pressed upon us.

The Howard has established a reputation which places it in the van rank of
literary institutions in the land. With a superb property, a most proficient fac-
ulty, a most thorough course of instruction and the highest moral influences
thrown around the students who go there, the Howard has special claims upon
our patronage, our contributions and our prayers. Notwithstanding, its compet-
itors for public patronage are heavily endowed institutions, Howard College is
able to cope with them in the inducements offered.

The Judson is an old and cherished institution, reared by the fathers of the
past for the education of girls; and the brilli mt record which it has made, guar-
antees to it a character secured to no other female college in the South.

The Central Female College is virtually a Baptist institution, haying been
placed for an unlimited period of time by legislative enactment directly under
Baptist auspices. Situated in a section of the State favorable to healthfulness,
and surrounded by the most elevating influences, social and moral, it offers pecu-
liar inducements to Baptist parents.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky., is our own
loved school of the prophets. After a severe struggle of a quarter of a century,
it has at length reached a successful issue. To-day it offers thheological train-
ing second to none that can be afforded by any other similar institution in the
world. It is dping more to lift our denomination into the permanent place
which it deserves to hold, than any other agency under the control of the Bap-
tist denomination.

These four institutions are emphatically ours, and as such they have pecu-
liar claims upon us as representatives of the great Baptist denomination.

B. 1*'. Riley, Chm'n.

The report on Temperance was submitted and adopted, viz :

REPORT ON TEMPERANCE.

It is particularly gratifying to note the rapid strides being made in the sup-
pression of the whisky traffic. This country has never seen a greater revolution
Lhan that created by this subject. 'Idle discussion awakened by this matter has
developed the fearful ravages of strong drink, and these alarming facts are con-
stantly winning new accessions 10 the party seeking it -> utter suppression. ' In al
bodies of men, ecclesiastical and legal, are speaking out in no uncertain sound
against it. Entire States have incorporated prohibitory clauses in their Con ti-
tutions.'aiid others still are moving in the sam n. Ii gives us

pleasure to note the steady growth of ti m ice pi in our own State,

and we urge the necessity of all the m mb oi the < iurchi compo ing this
Association, in the name of the cause of our Master, to plant themselves
fully in sympathy with this great progressive movi mer.t.

Respectfully submitted, t. Spj

The following committees were appointed to report at the
next session of this Association, to-wit:

On Mission — 1'.. [I. Crumpton, C. I >. Gully, VV. A. Lock, A. J. Robin-
son and L M. Fickling.

( >n Sunday Schools— I. A. White, Y. M. Rabb, B. Shirley, J, E. Deer and
S. W. Jones.

i In Temperance — [no. M. Thompson, Thus. B. McMillan, I. Spence, f.
M. Gillespie and J. Holly.

The Committee on Ministerial Education submitted the fol-
lowing report, which was adopted:

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION.

Tli is subject has been claiming the attention of our denomination for years

past, raid, in the main, has gained ground upon the confidence and support of
the brotherhood; yet, like every other subject of importance, it can never be
exhausted, and probably never will be universally accepted among our people.
However, it is the opinion of your committee that there is less objection to edu-
cation of ministers than to the method and degree. Hitherto there have been but
quite limited and spasmodic efforts or methods for the accomplishment of this
important work. These plans were by no means failures; they accomplished
good for the time, and were an apparent necessity, but the demands of the situ-
tion gave birth at the recent State Convention to the inauguration of a broader
system, and possibly a more permanent one.

In order to promote ministerial education more effectually, an Educational
Board has been created by our Convention, of which Rev. E. B. Teague is
President and Rev. E. J. Forrester, Secretary. A large amount of money was
raised at the late Convention for this purpose, amounting to eighteen hundred
dollars. It is designed in the appointment of said Board to raise more for the
same purpose, and to examine applicants for education. This Board is composed
of men of deep piety and acknowledged ability, to whom we can with safety
entrust an important interest. It was contemplated by the Convention, that
every applicant should be endorsed by his church or association, so as to insure
no more waste of funds than was absolutely unavoidable. The best we can do
will be, as with all similar enterprises, to co-operate with the Board. It seems
that there is progress in this direction, and we hail the fact with delight.

"Study to show thyself approved of God," etc., indicates clearly the impor-
tance of an acquisition of knowledge. A literary education is but a mental prep-
aration for study. It is ours to encourage and support this entei prise. Will we
do so?

The Committee regret their inability, because of the illness of the Chairman,
to offer a fuller and more practical report. B. H. CRUMPTON, Chm'n.

The following report on the State of Religion was submitted
and adopted:

STATE OF RELIGION.

Your Committee on the State of Religion in the churches, beg leave to
report :

From the reading of the letters, we find that some of the churches have
enjoyed precious revivals, perhaps some increase in baptisms; also, a slight
increase, we arc sorry to say, in the Sabbath Scho . rk. We are glad to state
that there has been some increase of contiibutions to Missions, and your com-
mittee urge and beg that we, as a body, come up more libeVally in support of
our Master's work. Respectfully submitted, I. SPENCE.

The report on Queries and Requests was submitted, and, after
considerable discussion and several amendments, was adopted as
follows:

QUERIES AND REQUESTS.

Your Committee to whom was referred the subject of Queries and Requests,
respectfully report, that we find requests before this body from three of the
churches, to-wit: Bellville, Bethany and Pilgrims' Rest, each asking that the
next session of this body be held with it. We recommend that the next annual
session of this Association be held with the Bethany church.

We also find from the Long Branch Church the following query:
" Is it right to keep in your organization a church or churches who tolerate
or retain in their fellowship members who are engaged in trafficking in ardent
spirits?" We answer, " No; in our opinion, it is not right."

Respectfully submitted, A. J. LAMBERT, Chm'n.

The committee to whom was referred the proposition to
change the time of the annual meetings of this Association,
reported that, after the consideration of the matter, they did not
think such a change advisable.

The Finance Committee' submitted their report, which was
adopted, viz :

REPORT ON FINANCE.

CHURCHES.

'-

~<

CI i borne

Enon

Salem

Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Ridge. . .
Poplar Springs. . . .
Philadelphia. ...

Monroeville

Montgomery Hill.
Hamilton Hill. . . .

Zion

Arkadelphia . . . .

Bellville

C atav, ha Spnnss
Pilgrims' Rest. . . .

Bethany

Olive Branch. . .

Ramah ....

Fairfield .

Mais Hill

Castleberry

Brownsville

Antioch

Brooklyn

New Hope

Brushy creek

Long Branch

< ieorgiana

Sepulga

Old Town

Midway

New Prospect

-da

reen

Grove Dale

20 70
5 00
1 50

4 00

5 00
12 50
30 00

5 30

5 00
10 00

3 00
18 25

5.00
10 00

6 00

11 60

5 00

10 00

4 50

6 00
26 os

6 00
6 00

5 25

43 95

1 00

6 05

6 05

2 00

5 00

2 00

5 00

2 50
4 00
1 00

5°

1 70

1 00

3 00

1 45

1 20

50

00

00

75
00
50
90
00
25
5"
75
05

85

00
60

50
05

45

5 00

5 00

3 10

5 00

I217 65' 33 95 26 55 1 50 50 60 18 10
Respectfully submitted,

\V. B. Kemp, Chm'n.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the apportionment for Missions adopted al the last session
of this Association, be adopted without change for the coming year.

Elder B. H. Crumpton was selected to preach the Introduc-
tory Sermon at the next annual session of this body.

Resolved, That the Sabbath collections, amounting to $31.95, be equally
divided between the three Mission Boards, State. Home and Foreign.

Resolved, That the Treasurer be instructed to forward the amounts in his
hands for Foreign and Home Missions immediately, and hold the amouni
hand for State Missions until he correspond with the Secretary of the Board and
ascertain what amount is still due Rev. J. F. Bruner, our evangelist, and secure
an order for payment of same at as early a day as possible.

Resolved, That the Clerk superintend the printing of the Minutes, and In-
allowed $15.00 for his services.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Thqs. J. Emmons, Treasurer,

In account with Bethlehem i '.apt 1st Association:

DR.

To amount cash from Finance Committe ... .$221 65

" in vouchers 126 70

" cash from Sabbath collections 31 95 — S3^o 30

CK.

By amount to Clerk for Minute Fund $ 50 bo

in vouchers 126 70— $177 30

Cash on hand to be disposed of as follows $203 00

To State Board for Home Missions $ 10 65

" " " Foreign " 10 65

For State Missions and other purposes subject to order of Board 181 70 — $203 00

T. J. Emmons, Treas.

The following messengers were appointed, to-wit :

To Pine Barren Association — Elders B. II. Crumpton, B. J. Skinner and
J. Holly.

To Elim Association — Elders S. W. Jones,* J. E. Deer, I. Spence, and
Brethren Y. M. Rabb and S. W. Loveless.

To Zion Association — Eld. I. Spence and Bro. A. J. Robinson.

To the State Convention — Elders I. A. White, B. II. Crumpton, B. I .
Riley, B. J. Skinner, S. W. Jones, I. Spence and Bro. A. J. Robinson.

That the thanks of this body arc hereby tendered to the Zion
Church and the citizens of this community for their hospitality during our stay
with them.

The following is the report of the Committee on

DECEASED MINISTERS:

It becomes a painful necessity to record the death ol two of our most worthy
and useful ministers. The decease of all men is inevitable, and our ministry is
not exempt from its shaft, yet it is certainly a loss to the elm,, h and the world
when faithful ministers of the Gospel fall.

REV. /.. A OWENS,

of Pensacola. one of the most humble, unassuming, conscientious and self-sacri-
ficing men on earth, fell, last October, a victim to that dreadful and dreaded
disease, yellow fever. IK- was absent from the city for his health when he
heard of the fever in Pensacola. Being a single man, and devoted to his (lock,
he flew to the scene of danger. Alter nearly two monthsof faithful work nurs-
ing the sick and burying the dead, he had himself to succumb lie stood like
an adamantine pillar until heal sufficient to melt granite came, ami then, like
one in the furnace, he yielded to the inevitable. We have lost a gentleman, a
Christian and a worker. The Pensacola Church must have doubled its mem-
bership within six months after he entered upon his work at that place.

REV. ANDREW JAY,

a name which, from our long knowledge of and association with him, has become
a household word, under most painful and unpleasant circumstances, was cut off
from thestage of action in the month of July. He was killed by a falling limb
off a tree. He died in the sixty-fourth year of his age. lie was baptized by
Rev. Alexander Travis in 1849, and nine years later, was ordained to the work
of the ministry. He was, for several years successively, the cherished Modera-
tor of Bethlehem Association. He served numbers of churches within the
bounds of the Association at difTerent.times during his life, and was one year the
evangelist of the Zion Association. Bro. Jay was a man of decided conviction,
and hence as firm as a rock in every sentiment he imbibed. He seemed always
open to argument, and was as fair in debate as any man could be. He was
thoroughly a Baptist, yet possessed of no spirit of overbearance. His life might
have been one of more usefulness, could he have entirely disengaged himself from
secular business; but, withal, he was a useful man, and his sun has set to rise in
the radiant glory of immortality in the resurrection morn. It is with pain we
say to these brethren, Farewell! Our separation is only temporary; they are
now working in the church above, and we in the church below. Peace to their
ashes and a blessing to their memory.

B. H. Cri'mpton,
A. T. Robinson,
V. M. Rabb.
f. W. Leslie.

The Association adjourned to meet with the Bethany Church
in Monroe County, on Saturday before the fourth Sabbath in Sep-
tember, 1S84. B. J. SKINNER, Moderator.

THOS. S. WIGGINS, Clerk.

THE ALABAMA BAPTIST,

SELMA. ALA.

There is no more important interest fostered by the Baptists of Alabama
than their Denominational Paper, The Alabama Baptist. No Baptist in the

r

State who feels any interest in the progress of our Denomination and the pros-
perity of our enterprises can afford to be without it, and no wide-awake Baptist
will allow himself to be without it under any consideration. Subscription rates:
3 months, 50 cents; 6 months, $1.00; 12 months, $2.00; 3 years, $5.00.
Address all communications in regard to the paper to

JNO. L. WEST & CO.,

SELMA, ALA.

uOHN L. WEST&

SELMA, ALA.,

BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS

AND

BOOK BINDERS.

•All kinds of printing executed in the best style at reasonable prices.
Blank Books of all sorts and sizes made to order. Paper ruled to any pattern.
Sheet Music, Magazines, Periodicals, &c, bound in the best style.
Old books rebound and made as good as new.
Orders by mail solicited from all parts of the country. Satisfaction guar-
anteed.

JOHN L. WEST & CO.,

SELMA. ALA.