The Cyclopedia of the Colored Baptists of Alabama: Their Leaders and Their Work

by Charles Octavius Boothe

Rev. W. A. Shirley, Pastor Sardis Baptist Church, Enon Ridge.

Thornton, Rev. Elbert, of Union Springs, son of E. Thornton and Matilda Thornton, was born in the State of Georgia, December 8, 1838. In 1853 he was moved into Barbour county, Alabama, where he remained till he was emancipated in 1865. In June, 1861, he was baptized into the white Baptist Church at Midway, Ala., by the Rev. Mr. Brooks. In 1868 he was united with the church at Union Springs, and was one among the colored brethren who drew out from the white church to organize a colored Baptist Church in Union Springs—the first colored church in Bullock county. He was chosen one of the first deacons. It was not long ere his brethren urged him to enter the work of the ministry, which, under a deep sense of duty and after some hesitancy, he did. On the 5th day of June, 1874, at the call of his church, he was solemnly set apart to the sacred office of the gospel ministry by Revs. C. H. Thornton, B. Clark and others. When he took charge of the church it was in debt, but this debt was soon removed and the membership was increased, during six years pastorate, from 48 to 188, and the pastor’s salary was raised from $30 a year to $25 per month. From 1874 to 1881 he was moderator of Pine Grove Association, and since his return from his gospel labors in Arkansas he has been re-elected. Brother Thornton is no less commanding in his personal appearance than he is in his strong, clear intellect. He is a strong leader.

Thornton, Rev. C. H., of Aberfoil, Bullock county, was born in North Carolina, in 1842. He was baptized in 1862 by a Rev. Mr. Brooks, of Midway. In 1869 he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. R. Wright and J. C. Jett. He organized and built up the Aberfoil Church. For several years he was moderator of the Pine Grove Association. Mr. Thornton is a strong, industrious, economical, persevering man. He has obtained property worth about $3,000. The people whom he serves at Aberfoil are honorable and aspiring, and hence each—pastor and people—finds in the other the elements of success.

It was within his comfortable home that the writer, weary from overwork and exposure in constant travel, found in February, 1890, a quiet retreat in which to finish “Plain Theology for Plain People.”

Troupe, Rev. Aaron, of Town Creek, Lawrence county, was born February 14, 1851, in Morgan county, Ala. Immediately after the close of the war his parents moved to Courtland, Ala., where Aaron was brought up. He was baptized in 1869 by Rev. John Bell, the pastor of Red Bank Church. Feeling that it was his duty to preach the gospel, and not willing to enter upon such a responsible mission without previous preparation, he, for about four sessions, attended the Selma University, known at that time as the Normal and Theological School. On his return home he taught in the public schools. On May 16, 1886, he was ordained to the work of the ministry by Revs. G. Garth, M. J. Hooks, A. J. Owens and M. James. Brother Troupe has served in the church at Huntsville, and is now the successful pastor of Macedonia, near Town Creek. In 1882 he labored as district missionary under the Publication Society. He promises well. He and his brother, Deacon Troupe, are in the bone and sinew of the north Alabama work, and in them every good thing finds a ready echo and a tangible response.

Tyler, Rev. Mansfield, of Lowndesboro, was born about twelve miles from Augusta, Ga., in the month of November, 1826. When very young he was moved into the city of Augusta and lived in the family of his great aunt, the wife of Rev. Jacob Walker. He was early brought under the influences of the Springfield Baptist Church of that city—a church of colored people, which as early as 1845 was reported as numbering 1,100 members, and it was added: “This large community, with the pastor and a large corps of exhorters, are all of the colored race.” Rev. M. Tyler remained in this Christian family and attended the services of the above named church till he was 18 years of age. He says: “I was with them when the stars fell.”

At this time, as he was a slave, he was removed by his master to the State of Alabama, where he has remained until this writing. In April, 1855, he made a public profession of faith in Christ and united with the people of God by baptism. Shortly after this he felt impressed with a call to enter the work of the gospel ministry. This call he tried to obey as far as his condition and fitness would allow. “The work,” he says, “was exceeding difficult, as we were not allowed to know books and might receive only oral instruction on religious subjects.” When a very young man he married his first wife, with whom he lived for twenty-six years—till her death.

At the close of the war he located at Lowndesboro, where he went immediately to work to organize a colored Baptist church. Success attended his ministry and many were brought to faith in Christ. In 1867 he succeeded in organizing the colored Baptist church in Lowndesboro. On June 27, 1868, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, since which time he has baptized 1,000 persons into the Lowndesboro church and 500 at White Hall.

When the Alabama District Association was organized in 1871, he was elected moderator, and is moderator at this time. He was a leader in the organization of the Baptist State Convention, over which he presided from 1876 to 1886. He is one of the originators, stockholders, and trustees of the Selma University, and is now, and from the beginning of the University, has been the chairman of the board of trustees. He is a man dearly beloved.

In recognition of his Christian manliness, his faithful labors, and his knowledge of the word of God, the above named university in 1890 conferred upon him the honorary title of D. D.