Held in Montgomery, in the Columbus Street Church, July, 1887. The Ministers’ Union rescinded their vote passed in Birmingham in 1885, bearing upon the character of Rev. C. O. Boothe. Rev. W. R. Pettiford, of Birmingham, was elected president, and Rev. R. T. Pollard, clerk. Rev. William J. Simmons, of Louisville, district secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and Bro. Woodsmall, were present. Mrs. M. A. Boothe, president of the State W. C. T. U., addressed the Convention. Mrs. C. Thompson, agent in Alabama for the Women’s Home Missionary Society of Chicago, also spoke. Stormy time, and no small amount of bitter feeling. The financial vote sustained Selma, and the University remained at the home of her childhood.
Debts were threatening our property. Mr. Purce endeavored to prevent any increase of debts.
TWENTY-FIRST SESSION.
Held in Tuscaloosa, July, 1888. Officers of previous year were re-elected. About $4,000 was raised this year. Dr. W. J. Simmons, district secretary of the Home Mission Society, was present with plans for missionary co-operation with our State, which were endorsed. Some of the school grounds had been sold to meet debts, six acres having gone to meet the $7,000.
Rev. W. R. Forbes, of Virginia, pastor at Eufaula, was present. The board recommended Rev. W. H. McAlpine as State Missionary under the joint plan with the Home Mission Society.
TWENTY-SECOND SESSION.
Held in Selma, July, 1889. Officers of previous session were re-elected. Rev. C. S. Dinkins, having severed his connection with the faculty of the University, was successfully operating an academy at Marion in connection with his pastorate. This project the Convention, on motion of Rev. A. N. McEwen, endorsed. Rev. C. O. Boothe was appointed General Missionary of Alabama on the joint plan with the Home Mission Society. This year our women, under the leadership of Miss S. A. Stone, gloriously rallied to the support of the University. About $5,700 was raised in the State. Rev. Washington Stevens, Montgomery, and Deacon D. Lane, Greensboro, had passed away. Time of session was again changed to November. Brethren R. T. Pollard and D. T. Gulley made Sunday Missionaries under the Publication Society on the joint plan. During this year, in May, a jubilee meeting was held in Selma and over $2,000 was raised. In this jubilee meeting we met Rev. H. Stevens the last time on earth.
TWENTY-THIRD SESSION.
Held in Sixth Avenue Church, Birmingham, November, 1890. The officers of the previous session and all the missionaries were re-elected. The Home Mission Society gave about $6,000 to Alabama, including $2,600 given for University buildings. The financial agent, President Purce, and the missionaries all made very encouraging financial reports—thousands of dollars having been collected ($5,400). Dr. W. J. Simmons and Rev. Henry Stevens crossed the dark river this year. Drs. Clanton and Brawley were present. This was a good session—debts fast disappearing under the industrious and wise financiering of President Purce and Agent Wilhite. The missionaries were continued.
The Baptist Leader (once The Baptist Pioneer), which for several years had been successfully run by Editor McEwen, was continued under its old management.