Forbes, Rev. W. R., now of Columbus, Ga., is still associated with our Alabama work. He is now about 37 years of age, is possessed of a fine personal appearance, is affable, studious, sociable and industrious. He is a Virginian by birth and came to Alabama in 1889 to begin work at Clayton and Eufaula.
Franklin, Rev. Samuel, of Mt. Meigs, was born June 4, 1849. He was converted to the Christian faith January, 1866, and ordained to the work of the ministry March, 1876. Brother Franklin is among the energetic enterprising men of his part of Montgomery county. Notwithstanding he earns his living at farming, he is busy in the interest of the affairs of the house of God. At present he is pastor at Pike Road Church.
Rev. J. P. O’Riley, Trussville, Ala., Pastor Compton Baptist Church.
Franklin, Rev. William, of Mt. Meigs, was born October 30, 1852. He was baptized by the late Rev. Washington Stevens, of Montgomery, July, 1871. He was ordained in 1881 by Revs. P. Lucas, W. Stevens and his brother, Rev. Samuel Franklin.
He is a thoughtful, enterprising man, and has the pastoral charge of several country churches. Being self-reliant, persevering, as well as economical with time and means, he has risen somewhat above the crushing heels of poverty and want. At the age of 25 years, he did not know the English alphabet, but by persistent application to study, he now reads and writes and keeps his own accounts.
His face bears those hospitable marks which make one feel easy and at home in his company and restful amid his family.
On a trip to Mobile, our train stopped at the bridge of the Tensas River to allow a freight train to clear the track. Mr. Franklin’s gaze upon the bridge led the writer to think he was frightened. As the freight train left the bridge, Mr. F. remarked: “If it will hold up that train, it will ours, too.” I said: “Maybe that train has just put it into the condition to let us through.” “Yes, and I’ll pull my shoes off now in time to swim,” said Mr. F.
Freeman, Rev. James H., of Moulton, Lawrence county, is one among the very worthy young men of our State. He has had comparatively no advantages for learning, and yet his sober and comprehensive views of life have spurred him onward in search of information, till now we have but few young men in Alabama who use better language, have clearer ideas of the Christian life, and make a more orderly speech than Mr. Freeman. Better still, his neighbors speak of him as a good man—a man whose conduct is a living epistle of the faith which he professes.
French.—Of the many substantial people of Talladega county who deserve honorable mention, none are more worthy in all regards than the French family. Messrs. Emanuel, William, and Prince French would be an honor to any race of people, no matter what the degree of their civilization and the purity of their moral culture. The two first named teach in the public schools; the latter is a preacher, and all of them are prosperous land owners, as well as faithful members of the Baptist church.