Scott, Rev. Anderson, is at this writing pastor of the Tabernacle Church, in Birmingham, but began his ministry at Selma, where he appears among the organizers of the work. He has undergone a good many changes, but because of the presence of a very large amount of vitality and will force he is still pushing on among his brethren. His life may give this useful lesson, namely, “keep the face to the lion, never give the back to the foe”—forgetting the things that lie behind us, vigorously reach for the good that lies before us. Brother Scott is one of the pioneers and his name lies in the foundations.
Scott, Rev. Henry, of Blocton, is of Maryland parentage. He is a man of piety, of integrity and industry. He has labored as a missionary of the Shelby Springs Association, and has rendered valuable services in support of Selma University. He is an uncompromising foe of low morals. Recently his health has been poor, and hence his work has been hindered.
When Selma University existed only in purpose he very substantially aided the purpose toward materialization. He and Rev. D. L. Prentice collected over a hundred dollars from one church and sent it up to the writer in Talladega in 1876.
Shirley, Rev. W. A., was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 12, 1857. He began the work of mastering letters in his native city at the age of seven years, by attending the public schools provided for by the State. Later he attended three sessions (of nine months) of the city school in Columbus, Miss. For seven years he worked in a whiskey saloon, where, he says, that while at work behind the bar, he was converted to the faith of the Christian religion. Joined the church in 1878 in Mississippi, under the pastorate of Rev. T. L. Jordan. Studied theology in the Presbyterian school at Tuscaloosa. Was ordained in the African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa under the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Mason. His pastorates have been at Hull’s and Birmingham, Ala.
For ten years he served the Antioch, Bethlehem Association, as clerk. He has built three church edifices.
Mr. Shirley is possessed of that easy, joyous, friendly turn in manners and address, which make him agreeable to all classes of reasonable people. He is studious and observing, which fact, coupled with his native talent, offers him an ever broadening field of operation as the years shall come and go “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
Simmons, Rev. J. S., at present pastor of the Gadsden Church, son of James and Annie Simmons, was born in Alabama August 16, 1859. He was baptized by the Rev. Henry Stevens into the Greensboro Church May 27, 1878. Mr. Simmons is a man of talent, and is a graduate of the Lincoln University, once located at Marion. He was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the Sixteenth Street Church, Birmingham, in April, 1889, Revs. W. R. Pettiford, D. D., A. C. Jackson, and R. Donald, officiating as presbytery. Since his ordination he has served the Galilee Church at Anniston, and now serves the church at Gadsden, where his labors have been especially successful. Everywhere he has borne the reputation of an honorable and pious man. He has been fortunate in finding and winning a helpmeet for him in his spiritual and intellectual labors in the person of a very excellent lady.
Simpson, Rev. I. T., of Selma, Ala., was born in this State August 1, 1858. He was baptized into the Belleville Church December, 1876, and in 1883, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. D. Shepherd and C. Travis. He attended the State University at Montgomery and is now soon to close a course in Selma University. Brother Simpson is a man of fine sense, is a good speaker, and with heed on his own part, sympathy on the part of his people, and blessing from above, his opportunities for increasing usefulness and honor are very encouraging. Already he has attained a reputation as a pastor and builder as well as orator.
P. S. Since the above was written, Brother Simpson has completed his course at the University, and is now pastor at Opelika, where he is already the peerless preacher and successful leader.
The writer has the good fortune to know something about the good order of his home, and of the hospitality of his refined and agreeable wife. He is peculiarly himself and not another—clear headed, comprehensive, reasonable, self-reliant, genial, in his home as well as in the public harness. Doubtless the historian who comes after, will tell of the fruits which shall hang upon the ripened years of this strong man. May God help him to remember that Sampson’s strength was the source of his ruin. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”