This year, in July, a Baptist Congress was held in Montgomery in the Dexter Avenue Church. It was entertaining and instructive. Also in August a State Sunday School Convention was organized in Union Springs, with Rev. S. Jones as president, and is still doing a grand work, Brother Wells being still presiding officer.
TWENTY-FOURTH SESSION.
Held in Peace Baptist Church, Talladega, November, 1891. The same officers were re-elected, and also the same missionaries, except that Rev. C. R. Rodgers was chosen to fill the place made vacant by Bro. Pollard’s resignation. A grand session—never before in our history had our business seemed to be so much in the hands and hearts of wise, cultivated men and women. The Rev. Mr. Parks and Hon. James White, of Chattanooga, were with us. The mayor of Talladega, pastors of white churches, and everybody else, gave us a word of encouragement and expressed themselves as pleased and profited by our presence. Prof. Peterson, a recent member of the faculty of Selma University, was introduced to Alabama Baptists. One hundred and fifty churches and forty associations, besides Sunday school conventions and Sunday schools, were represented by two hundred messengers. The year’s income from all sources was reported by financial agents as footing up to $12,440. Statistical secretary reported as follows: “Seven hundred and eighteen churches and fifty-eight associations. Twenty-eight of the associations give an aggregate membership of 83,000. Thirty associations have failed to report their numbers.”
Dr. C. S. Dinkins had been operating an academy at Marion, for the use of which he had paid $1,000. Our school property increased in value from $3,000 to $30,000. The president of our Convention, W. R. Pettiford, was at this time president of a successful banking enterprise. Last, and perhaps least, one of our number had made an humble contribution to the literature of the denomination in the form of a little book entitled “Plain Theology for Plain People.” Thus had we grown in twenty-four years.
Before the next session Dr. McAlpine was made teacher of institutes, under the Southern Board.
TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION.
Held in Franklyn Street Church, Mobile, November, 1892. Dr. Dinkins was elected president, and Rev. J. P. Barton, vice-president. With these exceptions, the old officers, as well as missionaries, were continued. Editor W. H. Stewart, of Kentucky; Dr. Clanton, of Louisiana; the Rev. Mr. Luke, field secretary of the Foreign Mission Convention; Revs. T. L. Jordan and C. L. Fisher, of Mississippi, were present. For the most part, this was a good session. However, there were signs of a rising stormcloud, which, it was feared, foretold approaching evil; and perhaps a clogging of our educational and missionary operations would then soon come. A good money showing was made, and new financial plans were adopted. Dr. Pettiford was appointed financial agent and secretary. It was decided to attempt to establish two academies—one in Mobile and the other somewhere in Northern Alabama. Before the next session of the Convention, Rev. C. O. Boothe resigned his position as general missionary of the State and pastor at Meridian, Miss. Dr. Purce severed his connection with the University, and Dr. C. S. Dinkins was elected president in his stead. A division of the denomination was threatened in consequence of the presidential changes.
Again our debts were beginning to be a menace.
TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION.
Held in Eufaula, November, 1893. Rev. J. P. Barton, of Talladega, was elected president, and Rev. R. T. Pollard, secretary. Hon. Ad. Wimbs, of Greensboro, was a member of this Convention. Drs. Morehouse and McVicar, of New York, were with us; also Dr. Crumpton, who represented the Southern Baptists. Many changes were made upon the Board of Trustees. A committee was appointed to plan a change in our school charter. The session was stormy and far from pleasant. Dr. Pettiford made a good financial report. Rev. S. L. Ross was Sunday school missionary. Dr. Dinkins made a good beginning as president of Selma University. Rev. Lewis Brown was elected treasurer.