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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Charlotte, N. C. 1832—1916

COMPILED BY

CARRIE l_ . MCLEAN DEDICATED TO THE PARSONAGE BABY

MARY HENDERSON VINES :

Div.9

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHARLOTTE 1832—1916

Were this sketch to be introduced by a quotation from secular literature, it would be from 'The Blue Bird," where, after wandering through the Land of Memory, Mytyl asks: "Where are the dead?" and Tyltyl replies, mere are no dead." Were it to begin with a quotation from Holy Writ, it would be: "Other men labored and ye are entered into their labors."

In a sketch published in 1899 in the North Carolina Baptist Historical Papers, Dr. T. J. Taylor, who lived in Charlotte prior to 1870, and who now lives in Warrenton, N. C, says: "There is no account of any Baptist residing in the neighborhood of Charlotte until toward the close of the eighteenth century. This absence of record does not necessarily prove that there were no Baptists among the early settlers; for, in the midst of a strongly Presbyterian population, and with no church organization, a few isolated Baptists would have no opportunity of putting themselves on record as such." Dr. T. H. Pritchard wrote, in 1896 "The first Baptist known in Mecklenburg County was John Dinkins, the great-grandfather of Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Pritchard. He was an Irishman, and a man of means, and resided on the Nation Ford Road, half a mile beyond the Mineral Spring, on Sugar Creek. He sent his over- seer to Richmond, Va., with a covered wagon, drawn by four horses, and brought to his plantation, on which he had built a parsonage, the Rev. John Rooker, whose family was supported almost entirely by him for some time." Dr. Taylor shows from Warren County records that before coming to Mecklenburg, Rev. John Rooker lived for some time in Warren County, N. C. The records of the Flint Hill Church, sometimes called Sugar Creek, York County, S. C, begin thus: 6 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

"May 1st, 1792. This day, after examination into the faith and order of several members of the Baptist denomi- nation, residing on the Catawba Indians' land and the vicinity thereof, was constituted a Baptist church, by the Rev. Abraham Marshall, minister of the gospel, of the State of Georgia." This church had twelve original members, of whom Rev. John Rooker was pastor, and John Dinkins and John Smith were deacons. "Father Rooker/' as he was generally called, preached to this church for more than forty-two years.

The following interesting information is copied from Dr. Taylor's sketch:

"Although Flint Hill was from the first a prosperous church, and had labored to establish churches in other communities, yet for forty years no effort seems to have been made to organize a Baptist church in Charlotte. It is altogether likely that Father Rooker occasionally preached there; for Dr. Samuel W. Fox, a prominent member of Flint Hill Church, had been a resident of Charlotte for some years previous to the visit of Furman and Barnes, which resulted in the establishment of the first Baptist Church in Charlotte. "In the summer of 1832, Rev. James C. Furman, then known as the boy preacher, afterwards the distinguished President of Furman University, and Mr. Barnes, a young Baptist preacher, were conducting a series of meetings in Camden, S. C. Col. Thomas Boyd, a member of Flint Hill Church, who resided within a few miles of Charlotte, was in Camden on business during this meeting. At his earn- est solicitation, the young preachers consented to come to Charlotte and hold a meeting. Col. Boyd returned to Charlotte and made arrangements for the meeting."

He obtained the use of what is now the First Presby- terian Church property, which (as stated in a history of that church by Mr. Geo. E. Wilson) had been donated by the commissioners of Charlotte to its citizens, to give accommodation for religious services to all denominations. The people of the town had built on this square a brick church, which had been dedicated in 1823. It was not until 1832 that the property was bought in to secure a debt against it of $1,500.00, then regarded as "quite an : :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 7 incubus" upon the town. After the organization of the Presbyterian church it was purchased by them.

Dr. Taylor continues "Accordingly, at the close of the meeting in Camden, the young preachers came to Charlotte and commenced a meeting which continued for three weeks." (Dr. Pritch- ard says they were guests of Dr. Fox, the only Baptist then living in Charlotte.) "At first the meetings were held in the church, but it soon became necessary in order to accommodate the large congregations which attended, to erect a stand in the yard. The sittings were constantly enlarged, for the influence of the meeting had gone out through the surrounding country, and thousands came to hear the Word of Life. Many came from twenty to thirty miles in wagons, and tented on the ground. There were five services each day,—sunrise prayer-meeting, inquiry meeting at nine o'clock, and preaching at 11 o'clock, after dinner, and in the evening. "Many were awakened and sought religious conversa- tion with the preachers; many scores, says Dr. Furman,

were converted ; and Dr. Pritchard observes that 'as many as two hundred people were converted.' Many of the converts joined the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, and the membership of Flint Hill was also increased by the meeting."

There was no organized church of any denomination in Charlotte at this time. It is interesting at this point to quote from the records of the First Presbyterian Church "1832.—At this period there was no regularly organ- ized Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, but the few indi- viduals of the town who had publicly professed faith in Christ had joined themselves to the Church at Sugar Creek, then under the pastoral care of Rev. R. H. Morri- son. During the summer of 1832. while the congregation enjoyed the stated preaching of Mr. Morrison once in three weeks, an interesting revival occurred among the people, in which he was assisted by Messrs. Furman and Barnes, of the Baptist Church, and by Rev. Mr. Leavenworth. On the fourth Sabbath in August, thirty-six persons con- nected themselves with the church which was at that time organized." The further records show that these thirty-six were in addition to those who were already church members, :: :

8 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

and among the thirty-six were Joseph P. and Eliza Pritchard. The following quotation is from the 1833 records of the First Presbyterian Church "Jos. P. Pritchard, having fallen into antinomian views of doctrine, and not being able to reconcile the baptism of infants with foreordination, left us and joined the Baptists. Nemine contradicente. "During the year the interesting excitement which commenced last summer has measurably subsided, although no open defections have yet been witnessed among the hopeful converts." Dr. Taylor says "At the close of the meeting, some of the converts requested to be baptized then and there. In accordance with this request just before the departure of the young preachers for their home in South Carolina, James C. Furman baptized nine persons, chiefly young men. This was the first baptism ever witnessed in Charlotte. "In consequence of this great revival, a Baptist Church in Charlotte became not only a possibility, but a necessity. Therefore, in June, 1833, ten persons were dismissed from Flint Hill Church for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church. The names of these con- stituent members were Joseph Smith, Ephraim Bound, Joseph P. Pritchard, Eliza H. Pritchard, Margaret J. Henderson, Samuel W. Fox, Cynthia E. Fox, Thomas Boyd, Susannah Boyd, and W. C. Dyser." A lot of nearly an acre, on the northwest corner of Third and College Streets, was deeded on February 10, 1833, by the Commissioners of Charlotte to Dr. Stephen

( ?) Fox, Joseoh Smith and Joseph P. Pritchard, Trustees of the Charlotte Baotist Church, for the consideration of $10.00. It is said this site was chosen because there was a large spring on the lot. There are today in Charlotte a few people who still remember the little frame building, with its rock foundation, that was erected. There were two small dressing rooms and a baptistery outside of and in rear of the church, the baptistery being supplied by water from the spring. Dr. Taylor says "It is impossible to ascertain at this late date who served this church as pastor, but I remember to have :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 9

heard in my boyhood the older citizens of Charlotte speak of Elder Rooker as a Baptist preacher, who formerly preached in the town, and who was generally the guest of Dr. Samuel Fox or Colonel Boyd, both of whom were influential Baptists and prominent citizens. It is, there- fore, probable that for a time he divided his pastoral labors between this church and Flint Hill, but this could not have been long, for it was not long after the organi- zation of the Charlotte Church that he closed his pastor- ate at Flint Hill." A journal kept by Thomas Boyd in the forties contains many interesting allusions to the Baptist Church, which was then called the Beulah Baptist Church. This journal reflects the spirit of that time and some of the trials through which the little church had to pass, many of which vexed his righteous soul. From this journal the following items are gleaned: It was on Sept. 12, 1832, that the Beulah Baptist Church was constituted in Charlotte, and the first Lord's Supper by the Baptists was celebrated in Col. Boyd's house, preceded by a conference. In 1837, Oct. 6th, the first Association was held in his house. Joseph Pritchard, the father of Dr. T. H. Pritchard ; was pastor for a time at both Flint Hill and Charlotte. He was succeeded by Elder James M. Thomas, who was a hindrance rather than a help to the cause. This, together with the feeling caused by a Christmas ball held at the home of one of the leading members, which the pastor and others "tried in many ways" but "in vain" to prevent, caused the dissensions referred to by Dr. Taylor,—even though the member himself claimed not even to have heard the fiddle. In 1842 the church had only eleven white members. Every Sunday at two o'clock Col. Boyd and Joseph Smith met the black members. Every spring and fall the Baptists of Charlotte would go to Flint Hill for communion. One such day is describ- ed by Col. Boyd "May 14, 1843.—This day my wife and self saw three baptized at Flint Hill at 9:30 o'clock. Came up to house : —

10 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

at 11 :00. Old Bro. Posy preached almost two hours. Bro. Thomason followed nearly one hour. Twenty minutes intermission. Bro. Pritchard about one hour and a half one of his great visions. Communion then by Bros. Stridden and Posy to a large number of members. All from our Charlotte church communed; all in peace. My wife and self left Flint Hill for Charlotte at five o'clock; got home and ate supper by nine."

In October, 1844, it seems that Col. Boyd rode thirty- four miles each way to attend the Association. At that time he was sixty-seven years of age. The letter he took to the Association is as follows

Charlotte Beulah Church sends greetings to the Mirah Association at the Meadow Brush: Dear Brethren: We once more meet you in your deliberations with our brethren Joseph Smith (did not go) and Thomas Boyd. We have nothing to say to you. We are all at peace. We have had no preaching for some months. Dear brethren, pray for us, that the Lord will send some one to go in and out before us. The state of our church is thus: Baptized 1 Received by letter None Excommunicated None Dead None Dismissed 3 Whole number 39 (This included about 30 colored members.) We send $1.00 for minutes. In 1847 the report to the Association showed six white and nineteen colored members. It seems that Col. Boyd went "with his carryall" to the Association, seventy miles. The Association for the next year was to meet with the Beulah Church in Charlotte. In December, 1850, Col. Boyd records that for nearly seven years there had been no regular preaching. It is said by those who still have some recollections of that time that once in a while someone would happen along, and there would be preaching in the courc house, which stood on the present site of the Selwyn Hotel. Often these itinerant preachers, wearing blue trousers and :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 11 carrying their saddle bags, were made fun of by the more cultured people, but however unlettered some of them may have been, they kept the Baptist cause from entirely dying out in the community during these years when Bap- tists in Charlotte were but a feeble folk. Dr. Taylor continues "This feeble church had neither a prosperous nor a long existence. Deaths and removals greatly weakened it, and a want of harmony between two prominent families resulted in its death after an heroic struggle for exist-

ence of about twelve years ; and thus the work commenced through the instrumentality of Furman and Barnes, in the great revival of 1832, seemed to be destroyed by dis- cord and strife. But not so; for although there was no longer a Baptist Church in Charlotte, there were a num- ber of loyal Baptists who were only waiting tor the Lord to send them a leader.

"In 1853 or 1854, Rev. R. B. Jones, a missionary of the N. C. Baptist State Convention, established a mis- sion in Charlotte. He obtained permission to preach in the court-house, and commenced work. He did not find the way of a Baptist preacher in Charlotte strewn with flowers. The history of the late church was not at all helpful to him, the baser sort, of course, were not friendly to any preacher of the gospel, and the other denomina- tions had but scant welcome for an aggressive Baptist preacher like R. B. Jones. One incident will suffice to show the annoyances with which he had to contend.

"As already stated, the Baptists had obtained per- mission to hold services in the court house, and everything moved smoothly for a time; but one Sunday morning when Jones and his congregation appeared at the court house door, they found themselves locked out. 'Old blind Dick,' the janitor, was found; but he said the key had been taken from him the previous night,—by whom and for what reason he would not say. Mr. Jones was equal to the occasion. He mounted a goods box, and preached to the people in the court house yard. This novel way of preaching attracted the attention of those who passed by, many stopped to hear him, and as a result he had a larger audience than if the key had not been lost. This evidently did not please those through whose influence he had been shut out, for at the next appointment he found an open door." 12 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

It is said that R. B. Jones was eminently successful in his work. On the first Sabbath in January, 1855, assisted by Dr. T. H. Pritchard, he reorganized, in the court house, the "Beulah Baptist Church of Christ." A lot on the corner of Seventh and Brevard Streets was secured, and a small though neat brick building was erected at a cost of about $1,800.00. Both Dr. Pritchard and Dr. Taylor state that this lot was given to the church by Major Benjamin Morrow. One is loath to question either the generous act attributed to Major Morrow, or any statement made on such excellent authority, though accuracy compels the statement that the deed conveying the lot, as recorded in the Mecklenburg County registry, recites as the consideration the sum of $300.00. Mr. Matthew A. Edwards, a wealthy member of the Flint Hill Church, who resided some four miles east of Charlotte, is accredited with having been the largest con- tributor to the building.

The following record of the opening of this church is taken from the Church Book: "Beulah Baptist Church of Christ, at Charlotte, N. C. ;

Sabbath, Sept. 7, 1856. "This morning at half past ten o'clock our new House of Worship was opened. Reading of the Scripture and sermon by Elder P. Nicholson, from John IV: 23. The house was completely filled and the audience gave serious attention. Elder R. B. Jones, Missionary of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, who commenced laboring in this place the first Sabbath in January, 1855, preached in the evening at two o'clock. Elder P. Nichol- son preached again at night." This was the last public service of the Beulah Baptist Church, as such, for it appears that still there were "internal difficulties which marred the peace and pros- perity" of the church. On Monday morning, Sept. 8th, at nine o'clock, the Beulah Church "sat in conference" for the last time. Elder R. B. Jones was in the chair. The following visit- :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 13 ing brethren were present and invited to seats in the con- ference: Elder Peter Nicholson, and Brethren Richard Smith, Richard Kendrick, J. Ross Garrison and M. Edwards, of Sugar Creek Baptist Church; James Robe- son, of Long Creek Baptist Church; T. Robeson and A.

Robeson, of Salem Church ; James Hawkins and Jacob Hawkins, of Bruington Church. Acting upon a resolution offered by John W. Cibson, the Beulah Baptist Church of Christ was dissolved.

That afternoon at three o'clock, a presbytery was formed, consisting of Elders P. Nicholson, J. M. Garrison, and R. B. Jones, and Deacons J. R. Garrison and Thomp- son Robeson. Elder Nicholson read the Declaration of Faith and the Covenant Letter (see pages 81, 82 and 83), which were adopted, and which are still in use by this church. After singing an appropriate hymn, and prayer by Elder Jones, the members who formerly composed the Beulah Baptist Church of Christ were now, by their own desire, pronounced by the presbytery the "Charlotte Baptist Church of Christ." There were only nine white organization members Joseph Smith, John W. Gibson, J. D. Boyd, Marcus F. Clark, R. N. Carter, Eliza M. Springs, Catharine Warlick, Minerva Stewart, Mrs. Asa George. To these faithful few, on behalf of the presbytery, Elder Jones gave the right hand of fellowship and Elder Nicholson deliv- ered the charge.

The Charlotte Baptist Church of Christ then sat in conference, and elected John W. Gibson their deacon. He was immediately set before the presbytery for ordina- tion, Elder J. M. Garrison offering the ordination prayer and Elder Jones delivering the charge. Matthew Edwards and R. B. Jones were elected Trus- tees of the church. The next morning—Tuesday—the first prayer meet- ing was held, and during the week there was preaching —

14 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

each evening:, Elder J. J. James preaching for four of these evenings. On the third Sabbath morning of this eventful Septem- ber, this month of beginnings, a Sabbath School was organized. On Sabbath, Oct. 19th, the church celebrated the Lord's Supper for the first time.

On Nov. 1st, L, H. Smith was received into the church, and the same day was appointed as their first clerk.

On Dec. 6th it is recorded : "The church was in peace and harmony, and there being no further business adjourned."

The first of January, 1857, Elder R. B. Jones "com- menced his pastoral labors," devoting the whole of his time to the church. The following November he resigned to enter Wake Forest College.

On Saturday evening and Sunday, Jan. 10, 1857, the services were conducted by L. M. Berry, Agent of the Domestic Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Conven- tion, and a collection was taken amounting to $14.05, the first recorded offering of the church for missions. "Rules of Order" were presented by Elder Jones, and adopted, and though frequent reference is made to them, sometimes as the "Church Manual," and the "Rules of Decorum," it is a matter of regret that the evident inten- tion to record them in the church book was never carried into effect.

In February, W. A. Cook was elected as the first Treasurer.

In March it is recorded that Anthony, servant of Leroy Springs, had been employed as sexton, at $2.50 a month. In January it had been voted that an additional deacon should be elected, but before an election took place, the church was sorely bereaved: :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 15

"March 23, 1857.—Today, at 9 o'clock A. M., our Deacon, Brother John W. Gibson, died of pneumonia. His death was a triumphant one. "On the 24th he was conveyed to the Meeting House, where the pastor preached his funeral. A large concourse was present. He was buried with honors of Masonry." And for more than a year thereafter the church was without a deacon. In April the church was visited by Rev. George Brad- ford, Agent for Foreign Missions, who remained for more than three weeks, conducting a meeting, in which he was assisted by Elder Nicholson. Several were added to the

f church, and "Brother Bradford received $50.00 in cash a. - Agent for the Southern Board of Foreign Missions." The Fourth of July was celebrated by all the Sundav Schools of the city in union, and it is indicated that our school took part. The Corresponding Secretary of the State Convention recommended as a successor to Mr. Jones, Rev. R. H. Griffith, and offered to pay $400.00 to aid the church in securing his salary. Dr. Griffith commenced his services as pastor of the church on the fifth Lord's Day in January, 1858. Dr. Taylor says of Dr. Griffith "As a scholar, he was profound and broad; socially, he was interesting, genial and pleasing; as a Christian, he was spiritual, devout, and consecrated; as a preacher, he was able, eloquent, and scriptural; and as a pastor, he was prudent, patient and persevering. This young man of many gifts and attainments came to Charlotte, thor- oughly identified himself with the struggling infant church, and for eleven long years laid himself with all his gifts and attainments a willing sacrifice upon the altar for the establishment and building up of the Baptist cause." Soon after Dr. Griffith came, the attention of the church was called to the importance of and they agreed to hold "a monthly concert of prayer in behalf of the foreign missionaries." In June, Miss Margaret A. Springs and Miss Mary A. George were baptized. These are the two oldest in mem- :

16 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH bership in our church today, and are known to us as Mrs. S. A. Kelly and Mrs. M. A. Prather. Dr. Taylor says

"It was perhaps in 1858 that a Union Meeting was conducted by the pastors of the Presbyterian and Meth- odist churches. Mr. Griffith attended these services, but being, as they supposed, only an ignorant Baptist preacher, he was not invited to participate. The meetings had been in progress some time before it was deemed advisable to ask him to preach, but this was finally done. He took for his text II Kings V:12: 'Are not Abana and Phar- par, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.' Imagine such a man as Griffith, with the power of God upon him, preaching to a packed audience in the First Presbyterian Church from such a text as this! The great congregation was held spell-bound, the people hung entranced upon the matchless words of truth that fell from the lips of the preacher. The impression was profound and far-reaching. It was a great sermon, and the intelligent people of that cultivated community regarded it as such, and from that day esteemed R. H. Griffith as one of the great preachers of the State. This sermon had the effect of fixing the position of Dr. Griffith in Charlotte, and of increasing the respect of the community for the church that enjoyed the benefits of his ministry."

The amount of funds raised during the year was suf- ficient to entitle the church to five delegates to the State Convention. Dr. Griffith was requested to present to the Board the condition of the church, and the propriety of their granting further aid in the support of a pastor for the next year.

In January, 1859, the church received a letter from Dr. Thos. E. Skinner, the Corresponding Secretary of the State Convention, appropriating the sum of $300.00, which appears to have been the last aid the church received from the State Board, for later it Is recorded chat owing to the demand for money, the Board was not able to pay the amount agreed upon for 1860, and could not say what they would do in the future. CHAELOTTE, N. CAROLINA 17

DR. R. H. GRIFFITH 18 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Dr. Griffith not only had to contend with difficulties without, but evidently also within; somebody must have been dissatisfied with the prayer meetings, for "On motion, it was agreed that on Wednesday nights we have Prayer Meetings instead of lectures."

That the subject of missions was kept before the lit- tle church is indicated by the statement that "the Treas- urer of Missionary Funds was requested to pay to the Treasurer of the Convention all funds received for missions." In September, 1859, a committee was appointed to make arrangements (including the warming of the church) for the approaching State Convention, which was to meet in Charlotte. Dr. Taylor says, "The Convention was rejoiced and encouraged by the inspiring report that the pastor of this little mission church wa^ able to make."

In December of this year appears the first mention of a committee of women : "A committee of young ladies, members of the church,—Misses Eliza Springs, E. I. Smith, and Mary A. George,—were appointed to wait on the male members and request their punctual attendance at church conference." This "committee of sisters" reported in February "through Brother Boyd" that they had attended to that duty, and their report was accepted. Dr. Taylor says that in 1859 a meeting was conducted by Rev. J. K. Mendenhail, of Camden, S. C; that large crowds attended the services and a goodly number were converted, of whom some united with other denomina- itons, and the membership of our own church was con- siderably increased.

In April, 1860, it was voted that "the amounts collected at the concert meeting should be equally divided betwixt Foreign, Domestic and Indian Missions."

It is perhaps indicative of the feeling of that oeriod that about this time, when "the state of the church was inquired into," (as it was inquired into at every church CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 19 conference), one brother reported that he had gotten into two fights ; after he had stated the circumstances, it was agreed that he was justifiable in all that he had done. In May, 1860, the church had one of the most painful experiences in its history. The preceding year Lieuten- ant Chas. C. Lee had been detailed from the army to teach in the Mecklenburg Military Institute, coming to Charlotte from West Troy, N. Y. He united with the church by letter, and became one of its most devoted members, the superintendent as well as a faithful teacher in the Sunday School. He was a man of learning, a gen- tleman of the highest type, a noble character, and a man who added strength to the church. While not trying to lead others to accept his views, it became known that from his thought and study he held some views relating to the Trinity which were not in accord with the views held by the church. He had explained his views to the pastor of the church in West Troy before becoming a member of that church, and in presenting his letter to the church here, he did so with the understanding that membership in a Baptist church did not depend so much upon uniformity of views as upon love to God and love to man, and that each was to interpret the Bible for himself. When he learned that his belief was not in accord with that of the church in a matter which they deemed vital and funda- mental, he made a most manly, straightforward state- ment to the church, and requested that they act out their duty, however painful it might be to them or to him, as he did not wish them to be swerved from a sense of duty by their regard for him. In withdrawing fellowship from him, the church put on record their testimonial to his uniformly exemplary conduct, and expressed their high appreciation of his great service to the church, and to the Christian spirit he manifested during the painful pro- ceedings in his case. It has been said that "it was like extracting their pearl tooth" for the church to exclude from fellowship this man whom all so loved and admired. He continued to attend church regularly. When the war 2C FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH began, he entered the army, fighting for the South, and was made Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirty-Seventh Regi- ment of North Carolina State Troops. He fell at the battle of Seven Pines, gallantly leading his regiment in a heroic charge. They who still remember him love his memory to this day. In February, 1861, the Rules of Order were altered, making five male members a quorum, instead of seven, as that number constituted one-half of the male members of the church.

From February until October it was impossible to secure a quorum for the transaction of business. Had all our men become soldiers so that not even five could be mustered for a church conference?

In November, the pastor tendered his resignation. Is it any wonder? Not able to get together even five men for a business meeting, and on the $360.00 salary sub- scribed for the year, only $140.00 had been paid. An effort to get further aid from the State Board apparently failed. Dr. Griffith, however, was persuaded to remain, the church pledging him $300.00 for 1862, to which the Ladies' Sewing Society agreed to add $50.00, and he was to be allowed one-fourth of his time to supply a church in Iredell County. Though it had been but seven years since the Brevard Street building had been completed, already it was evident that it was too small and was unsuitably located. Even in the midst of the war, in 1863, the trustees were advised to sell the church, with a view to building another in a more suitable place,—and for twenty long and trying years this vision never faded completely from the minds and hearts of these faithful workers. In the face of every discouragement and the apparent failure of effort after effort, it beckoned them onward until their dream should become a reality. Norfolk having fallen into the hands of the Federal forces, the Confederate Navy Yard was moved from that CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 21 city to Charlotte. Quite a number of the employees were "members of churches now within the lines of the enemy," and while retaining their relation to their own churches, they accepted the invitation of the Charlotte church "to unite with them in the ordinances and privileges of God's house and in labor for our common Lord and the cause of Truth." These greatly increased the efficiency as well as enlarged the number of the Charlotte church. It was impossible to communicate with Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Hampton, Va., the records of the church at the latter place having been destroyed, the house of worship burned, and "the church driven away by the public enemy." In the year 1863 a protracted meeting was conducted by Rev. Wm. M. Young, Post Chaplain at Petersburg, Va., assisted by Elders Thomas Hume, Sr., Joseph Deans, J. L. Johnson of Virginia, and Elder Whitfield. The church record says : "During this period the Lord graciously revived the church, and many sinners turned to God; about fifty persons were hopefully converted; twenty- three were added to the church, while others joined other denominations during progress of our meeting, the ; the Methodists held a series of meetings of much interest, as did also the Presbyterians, and we may humbly trust that God has blessed our labors to such an extent as to extend

their influence beyond our own congregation ; may the great Head of the Church continue to bless the church and to add to her till her numbers shall be greatly multi- plied." It is given to us of this day to see the answer to this prayer of more than a half century ago. The year 1864 was marked by the revision of the "Rules of Order," which, besides elaborately setting forth rules for every possible contingency in the management of the affairs of the church, emphasized particularly the duty of all members to attend public worship required ; every member to contribute in proportion to ability towards defraying the expenses of the church and the spread of the gospel ; that all white male members attend all business meetings of the church, and if absent from 22 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH three successive meetings, that they should be cited to appear and give an excuse therefor; and (as before) only the white male members were to have a vote.

The first mention of a Missionary Society is in the fall of 1864, when, at the annual meeting, Mr. A. M. Tabb (one of the Virginia members affiliated the previous year) submitted his report as President of the Mission- ary Society, and delegates were elected to "the Mission- ary Convention." How one longs for information about that Missionary Society and that Missionary Convention that are only mentioned in the record!

That the Missionary Society had a real influence is shown in February, 1865, when, with a debt of $200.00 hanging over them from the previous year, the church voted to take up a collection each quarter for missionary and other benevolent objects. In his sketch Dr. Taylor says: "During the trying period of the Civil War the church experienced many hardships and discouragements. The Sunday School, which had been perhaps the most encour- aging feature of the church work, was at one time so reduced that there was only one teacher and one scholar; but these two would not let it die, and soon it was reorgan- ized under the superintendency of Mr. William Boyd." Neither of these two people who kept the Sunday School alive was a member of the church. The teacher was Miss Jennie Torrence, and the scholar was T. Jerome Taylor. He says in a letter: "When the Sunday School was reorganized, these two continued, she as a teacher and I as one of her scholars. This noble young woman did more to shape my life than any other person. I would go from her class home to pray." Dr. Taylor has been for many years one of the most useful ministers in North Carolina. Truly, "God does not count His workers,—He weighs them." A source of great annoyance and a subject that occu- pied much time at business meetings was the church bell. :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 23

Committee after committee was appointed to try to have "the bell fixed so it would ring better," but with little success. A solution to the problem was afforded by the war,—the bell was made into bullets with which to shoot Yankees. Having failed in its mission of calling people to the church to be saved, it was sent out on a mission of saving the people from "the public enemy." But the next bell was worse than the first, and numerous attempts were made to try to get a new one. If they ever suc- ceeded, it was not recorded. And since the church has been on Tryon Street, it has never had a bell.

From March, 1865, until November, there is not a record,—a silence more eloquent than words of trn broken spirits of those from whose hearts courage seemed gone, though they had so courageously kept the work alive while the conflict lasted.

But on November 22nd the church took up its work again, and a new thing under the sun is recorded "There were several female members present." One is tempted to wonder if they had not "waited on the male members" to secure their attendance and so made possi- ble this meeting. A committee was appointed to "see and talk kindly to members who had been absenting them- selves from church, about their obligation when they joined the church to attend punctually, especially on the Lord's Day, when they have nothing to prevent them." To quote again from Dr. Taylor:

"With the new life that the city took on after the close of the Civil War, the pastor saw the opportunity for expansion, but owing to the location of the church and the fact that he was engaged in teaching school, it was impos- sible for him to take advantage of it. Some work was attempted in the southwestern part of the city, and the writer, who was then a student in the High School of which Dr. Griffith and Judge Armistead Burwell were Principals, labored as missionary under the direction of Dr. Griffith. There were many who professed conver- sion. Very few of them, however, united wtih the Bap- tist Church, for at that time the church had not com- :

24 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

menced those vigorous missionary movements for which it has been remarkable in later years. It is worthy of note, however, that the Baptists, through the writer, inaugu- rated the movement in the southwestern part of the city which completely revolutionized that portion of the com- munity. Others soon joined in the work and carried it forward, but it was commenced by the Baptists." In 1866, hope was again revived in the hearts of the members, and renewed efforts were made to secure a lot nearer the center of the town. They even went so far as to appoint a Building Committee, after deliberation, to whom this matter was entrusted,—though the church was able to pledge only $400.00 for pastor's salary and there was debt to be paid. Their scheme for paying the debt was to ask each male member to pay $1.00 and each female member to pay 50 cents, and "one male member was appointed to wait on the male members and a com- mittee of four sisters to call on the ladies." A salary of $500.00 was pledged the pastor for 1867, and it was voted that "no present of money or anything given to the pastor outside the church should be credited on the amount pledged." The inference is obvious. Dr. Taylor says

"In 1867 Rev. J. B. Hardwiek, then pastor in Golds- boro, assisted in a meeting of considerable interest. Mr. Hardwick's preaching drew large congregations, who were delighted with his eloquence; but the best and most effect- ive sermon delivered during that meeting was preached by the pastor. In consequence of sickness, Mr. Hard- wick was unable to preach on the morning of the second Sunday of the meeting, and Dr. Griffith was compelled to take his place. His text was Matthew XI: 28-30. He preached perhaps on this occasion the greatest sermon of his life." The committee appointed to obtain a place for public worship if the old church should be sold, reported nothing done and prospects gloomy. A new committee was appointed to see the magistrates of the county in regard to getting the court house for public worship, and the pastor was authorized to advertise the church for sale, CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 25 privately, and another committee was appointed to try to obtain a good lot for a new church. A desirable lot was shortly afterwards reported for sale, and the trustees were empowered to secure it by pledging the church property until it could be sold,—but again disappointment was the outcome, for a month later this committee reported nothing accomplished, and no bids received for the old church in answer to advertisements. And the desperate condition of the treasury is indi- cated by the request that one of the deacons try to obtain funds from outside the church to pay pastor's salary and church expenses. The beginning of the year 1868 marked the beginning and the end of an era. From the organization of the church, there had been colored as well as white members. Prior to 1867 these had no surnames, but were known as "Moses, servant of Grier," or "Peggy, servant of Jen- kins," etc. Conferences were held regularly for and with the colored people, and regularly was "inquiry made into the state" of these members. Sometimes all was well,—and sometimes there were charges to be investi- gated. Two of their number, Zaccheus and Ezekiel, were "leaders" or "reporters," elected by the colored- people themselves. It is frequently recorded when appli- cation for membership was made by a colored person, that action was deferred until the permission of his or her master could be obtained. The pastor preached for the colored people, and the white brethren met with the colored members in their prayer meetings alternately each Lord's Day. In 1859, the church voted that the white and colored members should commune together. In their poverty, the colored people were generous, and on one occasion "a proposition was presented by Zaccheus to form among the colored members a Benevolent Society for the relief of the aged and sick of their own members, which was highly approved of." But at the close of the war, it was perhaps too much to expect of human nature that the white people should have just the same feeling 26 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Christian forbearance, though the only discordant note appears when the treasurer of the church was instructed to shut off the gas from the use of the colored people unless they paid for it. With the change in their rela- tionships, it is not surprising that soon they began to ask for a separate organization, though they had been granted the privilege of meeting with the church at their regular meetings, the business and responsibility con- tinuing to rest with the white members. In 1867, "Brother Alfred" was set apart to be a deacon for the colored members. And then that which was bound to occur did occur. In January, 1868, letters were granted to all of the colored members recommended by the colored deacon, and fifty-five of them, under Rev. Mr. Hinton and Dr. Griffith and the deacons of the church, were formed into a regular colored Baptist church. The last time they are mentioned in the record is that they "are doing as well as could be expected." The last series of meetings held during Dr. Griffith's pastorate was in 1868, conducted by Dr. T. H. Pritchard. The interest was good, and the membership of the church was increased and revived. Minor events of 1868, though of great interest to the little church at that time, were granting to the brethren the privilege of having singing school in the church, "they paying all expense of wood and gas" ; a gas lamp was erected in front of the church "as it would be of great benefit nights" every effort was to be made on dark ; to pay the pastor $400.00 for the year, he "to be allowed to dispense with night service at his pleasure." That there were progressive leaders in the little church is indicated by the fact that W. F. Cook, the Super- intendent of the Sunday School, called a District Sunday School Convention to meet in Charlotte on the last Satur- day in May, 1869, but no record of the Convention was made. The hope of a new church must have grown faint, for early in 1869 a number of alterations were made in the : :

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 27 old church. A baptistery was erected, and while the church was undergoing repairs, Mr. R. Y. McAden granted the church the use of his hall. During this year, Dr. Griffith resigned, though he and his gifted family remained in Charlotte until the year 1882, when they moved to Greenville, S. C. One of his daughters is now Mrs. W. E. Entzminger, a useful and beloved missionary in Brazil. Dr. Taylor says

"Dr. Griffith's pastorate was full of discouragements, trials and hardships; and many of these the pastor was compelled to meet single-handed. The inadequate sup- port furnished forced him into the school-room as a means of supplementing his income and thus making it equal to his expenses. It must be remembered that the young church was composed for the most part of people of lim- ited means, and the State Convention was in the infancy of its organized State Mission work. But this self-sacri- ficing man of God took the burden upon himself, and by his own labors supplied the deficiency, and thus continued on the field and laid that broad and deep foundation on which subsequent pastors have wisely and successfully built." Many who are living in Charlotte today will verify the statement that for many years, as far as the people were concerned, all Charlotte was divided into two parts,—those who were First Presbyterians and those who were not. This was particularly true in those early days. Dr. Taylor adds

"When Griffith came to Charlotte, Baptists were regarded as ignorant and unlearned, and their preachers received but little sympathy from other denominations. It was a part of his work to elevate Baptists and Baptist principles in the estimation of the community, and this he faithfully did. "Among the laymen who co-operated with Dr. Grif- fith in his arduous work, there was none more self- sacrificing and faithful than the late J. J. Blackwood. He was faithful in the Sunday School, in the prayer- meeting, and in every department of church work, and contributed liberally of his limited means to the support :

28 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

of the gospel, to the expenses of the church, and to the support of missionaries at home and abroad. He prac- ticed the most rigid economy that he might be able to furnish the poor with Bibles, hymn books, and religious literature, and literally imitated his Master in going about doing good."

In concluding his sketch, Dr. Taylor says

"Looking back over those long past days, I see again in memory the small congregation in the little brick church. There are the Boyds, and the Boones, and the Cooks and the Johnsons, and the Smiths, and the Torrences, and others worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Up near the pulpit sits the venerable and saintly Mrs. George, and the devout and consecrated Mrs. Springs. Near the center of the church is the beautiful and accomplished Miss Jennie Torrence, the ideal Sun- day School teacher; and in his accustomed place, leading the singing, is the big-hearted J. Jackson Blackwood; and in the pulpit the big-brained, big-hearted, saintly Grif- fith preaching the Word of Life to his little band of worshippers." The day of "church festivals" was now at hand, and faithfully and earnestly and enthusiastically the women worked, looking- to that far-off day when there should be a new church. Sometimes the festivals lasted for several days, and were most elaborate affairs. Though Baptist doctrines may not have been to the taste of many, their fried oysters and chicken salad proved most palatable, and at one of these festivals the women of the church made as much as $500.00. But the church was without a pastor, and the record

reflects their depression : "We have used our best efforts to have preaching when we could get anyone to preach

for us ; as to recommending anyone for a permanent pastor, we feel satisfied that a pastor can be obtained as soon as the church may feel able to pay for his services." Dr. Griffith was asked soon after this to become pastor again, but he declined the call, though occupying the pulpit at times, and in other ways rendering great service. Not a business meeting was held from September, 1869, to June, 1870,—almost a year. Even though "an !

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 29 improved financial plan" of pledges payable in weekly instalments had been adopted, the prospective total was $4.01 per week, but the church screwed up its courage and called a pastor. He declined. The financial condi- tion of the church must have reached a low point, indeed, for in August the brethren agreed to act alternately as sexton, each allotment of duty being for two weeks. When cold weather came, they voted to get two new stoves to replace the old stove,—and the members were all invited to meet at the church "on Saturday evening at one o'clock, to clean up the church and to place in position the two new stoves." And when Convention time came, an endeavor was made to raise sufficient funds to entitle the church to two delegates,—when twelve years before they had been entitled to five Just before the year closed, the hope that would not down, pastor or no pastor, again bobs up serenely, and "the three deacons are appointed to attend a sale of a vacant lot on Tryon Street, with authority to purchase said lot if sold at a reasonable price." In 1871, a new source of aid that appeared tangible and yet seems never to have materialized, greatly encour- aged the church. A promise was made through Rev. Dr. Sumner and Dr. Hufham that the Missionary Board at Marion, Ala., would aid the church to the extent of at least $300.00 a year in paying a pastor. From January to April, calls were extended to four preachers, and in their zeal awakened and strengthened by the hope of aid from Marion, the church even offered such wildly extravagant salaries as $1,200.00 a year,—but all with- out avail. One—Dr. Wm. B. Royall—did accept the call, but reconsidered, as his church was not willing to give him up. It was not until October that a fifth call was extended, "at a minimum salary of $60.00 per month," and Rev. J. B. Boone accepted the call, commencing his work October 1st. Though having been without a pastor for nearly two years, the church still had the courage to go ahead and :

30 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

entertain for the second time the Baptist State Conven- tion.

In April, 1872, Rev. J. C. Hiden, of Wilmington, assisted in a meeting. It appears that only four new members were received.

More and more is it noticeable in the records that "the sisters" are called upon for service. A deacon being appointed on a committee to visit unaffiliated Baptists and invite them to unite with the church, accepted the duty with the permission of the church "to appoint some one of the sisters as a substitute if he should be unable to perform the duties of said committee." And the thanks of the church were "tendered the sisters who so zealously assisted in the collection of the pastor's salary," and they were "requested to continue in the good work." One wonders if Dr. Griffith considered this work beyond a woman's sphere, for at this point he made "some very pertinent remarks upon the duty of the servants of the church to whom such work properly belonged."

Some progressive steps are indicated in the appoint- ment of a committee to devise a financial system, a com- mittee to welcome strangers, a committee on music with authority to exchange the melodeon or otherwise dispose of it, and the church voted to adopt the Mission School begun in the summer by some of the Sunday School teachers. The Financial Committee did devise a most remark- able financial system, a summary of which, reported in January, 1873, is as follows

"Pastor to appoint three male members with power to choose three female assistants; this committee to divide church roll into three divisions, one to each male member and his assistant, who are to see all their members and endeavor to obtain subscriptions for such amounts as they conscientiously think they ought to contribute, payable monthly. Every member who has the means shall con- tribute, and shall within one month after notification state the amount he or she will give. Committee to report

!

32 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

at next conference, and if they have not notified all their members, they are to give a reason therefor. A refusal to comply by any member who has the ability, shall be deemed sufficient ground for exclusion. At each quar- terly meeting the deacons are to report any who have failed to pay for three successive months, unless excuse has been rendered for such neglect; the church will cite all members thus reported to appear at next regular confer- ence, and unless excuse is rendered for neglect, the mem- ber so offending shall be excluded; deacons to report whether they have cited such delinquents to appear, and if not, why; any deacon failing to act in this matter and to give excuse therefor, shall be excluded. Out of funds thus collected, the pastor shall be paid a salary of $800.00 and the balance, if any, devoted to such religious objects as the church may order. Nothing in the foregoing is intended to prevent any deacon or member from soliciting aid from persons not members of this church." How grateful the Financial Executive Committee of male members and female assistants must have been for the long* season of bad weather that happened along and provided "an excuse therefor" in not carrying out this severe program! That bad weather continued for three months At the end of the year, "Dr. Griffith made some appropriate and happy suggestions as to punctuality in church matters, and strongly and feelingly urged the adoption of a policy that would save trouble and delicacy of feeling," and that some systematic arrangement be adopted for the future,—and evidently that was the end of the financial system of unhappy memory. In the spring of this year, 1873, Mr. Boone was released for a time at the request of the Board of Educa- tion to aid in raising an endowment for Wake Forest Col- lege, and soon afterwards resigned. He made his home in Charlotte for several years, however, and instituted the first Graded School in the city,—perhaps the first in the State,—though the school was not supported by public funds. The last work Mr. Boone did for the Bap- tists of North Carolina was as Manager of the Orphanage at Thomasville. Mr. Boone was a man of great moral CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 33 and physical courage. He was undaunted and undis- mayed, no matter what happened. Opposition strength- ened his resolution when once he had satisfied himself that he was right.

But once in its history has the church received a legacy. In September, 1873, Deacon Vail appeared and produced the will of Mrs. Jane Spears, who had bequeath- ed her entire estate to the Charlotte Baptist Church. Later records show that about $300.00 was realized from this estate, and this was applied toward building a par- sonage. In 1886, Mr. J. C. Dowd called the attention of the church to this bequest, and reminded them that the remains of Mrs. Spears were interred near Hickory Grove, with nothing to mark her final resting place. A committee was appointed to raise funds to erect a suit- able stone to mark her grave and to perpetuate her memory, and presumably this was done. Among the ministers who supplied the pulpit after Mr. Boone's resignation, the church had the privilege of hearing Dr. John A. Broadus for one month. Dr. Theodore Whitfield, of Meridian, Miss., arrived in Charlotte on the first Sunday in September, 1874, as did also the Rev. Clarence M. Dixon, of Shelby. "These brethren," says the record, "labored faithfully with the church for a fortnight, and their preaching was blessed with a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit." About thirty were added to the church. Dr. Whitfield accepted the call of the church to become its pastor, his pastorate to date back to September 1st. Mrs. Whitfield was instrumental in organizing the Women's Aid and Benevolent Society, whose object was to aid in beautifying the church and in keeping all things in order, to help the poor and needy, and to visit the sick and the stranger. This organization has had an unbroken existence until the present time, though it is now called the "Ladies' Aid Society." 34 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

That fall our delegation to the State Convention con- sisted of three ministers,—Drs. Whitfield, Griffith, and Boone.

It was soon after Dr. Whitfield's coming that the necessary alterations were made in the baptistery dress- ing rooms to convert them also into an infant class room, with stove, and carpet, and folding doors in place of par- tition, without interfering with their continued use as dressing rooms.

In the spring of 1875, Capt. Asa George was "request- ed to meet with the church choir as often as he could find it convenient, for the purpose of training their voices and inducing the congregation more generally to join in the public worship of God by singing His praises." A new organ was bought, and "the backs of the pews remodeled so as to make them more comfortable." The collections of every fifth Sunday were to be devoted to home and foreign missions, and one night in every month was set apart for a mission prayer meeting. The committee appointed to consider parsonage and ways and means of building it, recommended that a par- sonage be erected in the rear of the church, on the church property, to cost about $1,500.00. The bequest of Mrs. Spears was to be applied to this work, and the deacons were "authorized to borrow from the Ladies' Building Society any sum or sums of money they might have on hand, giving proper notes or bonds therefor." In 1876, two innovations were introduced,—ushers for the church, and a vacation for the pastor, "a leave of absence for rest and recreation." Whatever may have been the attitude of the men, the women would not permit the vision of the new church to be lost. There are those who remember now the untiring way in which the women, led by Mrs. Whitfield and Mrs. Murphy, would not let this object be forgotten. On Nov.

3rd it is recorded : "A letter was read from the Ladies' CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA

DR. THEODORE WHITFIELD 36 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Building Society urging immediate action towards rais- ing funds for building a new house of worship." A com- mittee of six (all women) was appointed to canvass the church and community for subscriptions, and to report to the delegates to the approaching State Convention. After the Convention, the pastor reported their sympathy with our church and "promises of assistance in our pur- pose to erect a more suitable house of worship." A few months later, it was resolved, "That the thanks of the church are due and are hereby tendered to the Ladies' Building Society for their persevering efforts in raising funds for a new church building, and especially for the handsome entertainment lately given by them for the same object." In 1877, a plan to "assess" all members for church expenses, after some six months' trial, failed. In April, preceded by a week of special prayer for a revival of religion, Rev. F. M. Jordan, at that time Vol- unteer State Evangelist, conducted a revival meeting, lasting for three weeks. Among those received into the church at that time are a number of our best church workers of today. "When Mr. Jordan bade the church adieu, he was followed by many prayers and tears." This veteran soldier of the cross, who has preached in every section of the State and has baptized people in every river in the State, is now spending the evening of his life in the mountains of Western North Carolina. On June 6th, the deacons reported that they had pur- chased the "Harris lot" on the east side of North Tryon Street, between Sixth and Seventh, for the sum of $2,125.00, "of which they had paid $1,000.00 in cash (the same having been raised principally through the efforts of the ladies of the church) and the balance divided into three notes of $375.00 each, payable in one, two and three years, with 8 per cent, interest, secured by mortgage on

the premises ; several of the brethren, including the pastor, gave expression in timely remarks to the thankfulness felt by the church at this mercy vouchsafed from the Lord." CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 37

The Ladies' Building Society was a real force, and for seven years figures more and more in the church records. In October they authorized the clerk to state to the church that they would pay on the parsonage debt a small amount they had on hand, and also the proceeds of a supper they intended giving at an early date. A few weeks later, through Mrs. N. A. Murphy, President, (the first time in its history that a woman appeared personally to report at a church meeting) the Society presented the sum of $50.25 as the net proceeds of the supper, and received the thanks of the church. Prior to that time, whenever the woman had anything to say to the church "a communication" had to be sent to the conference.

Now that the first of the three notes was about to fall due in June, 1878, in May two committees were appointed, one of three male members and one of three female mem- bers, "to devise ways and means to raise the funds." On May 29th, the "Ladies Committee on Ways and Means" handed in $64.45, but it is recorded that "no member of similar committee of gentlemen was present to report." Evidently, however, they were not neglecting their task, for not only was the note paid when due, but at the next meeting $50.00 was reported on hand toward the next note. This report says : "It was further ascertained that the net proceeds of the late Greenville excursion and concert would amount to a little over $100.00, to be applied on the same object; the thanks of the church were voted to Mrs. Morgan and the ladies assisting her for their zeal in projecting and carrying through to success this enterprise." More and more real grew the dream of the new church. A committee was appointed to canvass the city for contributions for a church to cost not less than $10,000.00, and to correspond with architects and other- wise procure designs for the new building. In November, for the third time the church was host to the Baptist State Convention. At this gathering, Dr. 38 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

T. H. Pritchard presided on Sunday night at a special meeting to secure funds for the building of the new church, and about $1,500.00 were raised.

In January, 1879, the second note on the church lot was reported paid, at a discount of 5 per cent., payment being made in advance of maturity; and only $240.00 lacking to pay the last note, not due for more than a year. This amount was secured, and in April the last payment was reported made, through the assistance of Dr. John H. McAden, and the church now rejoiced in holding a clear title to the lot on which our church now stands. The church clerk, Mr. R. D. Graham, attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta in the hope of getting assistance in building, but on his return had to report disappointment. But the Ladies' Building Asso- ciation were always on the job, and at the September meeting "A communication was received from the Ladies' Building Association and referred to the Build- ing Committee with instructions that they make a special report at a special conference." Two weeks later this special meeting was held, and the Building Committee reported about $4,000.00 promised from all sources, but little additional aid could be expected until a plan for the proposed new edifice should be adopted. After a month's consideration, the plan submitted by Architect A. L. West, of Richmond, Va., (for which he was paid $115.00) was adopted, with certain changes. In March, 1880, the contract was made for wood and carpenter work at a little under $2,200.00, and soon thereafter one gentleman and four ladies were appointed to canvass the city for subscriptions. After the founda- tion was laid, it was regarded as too small, and at the urgent request of Deacon W. J. F. Liddell, the length of the building was extended seventeen feet. In the summer, Dr. Whitfield was granted a leave of absence, to take a trip to Europe. Apparently this was CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 89 his second vacation, with an interval of four years between.

The last of July the brick work of the new building was reported completed up to the floor of the audience room, but at a standstill for want of funds. In October, Rev. Dr. Thos. C. Teasdale was engaged to accept the agency for collecting funds to finish the church, "and immediately entered upon the work by call- ing upon the membership present for increased sub- scriptions, meeting a hearty response and adding several hundred dollars to the building fund subscription in one night." Thus the beginning and thus the end of the record of Dr. Teasdale's efforts. Not yet realizing their hope of a new church, "a peti- tion from the sisters to the male membership suggesting certain improvements looking to the comeliness of our present audience room, was read, and the matter referred to the deacons for early action."

On Feb. 2, 1881, the pastor reported "the amount col- lected for the new church on his recent mission to Raleigh." At this same meeting Dr. Whitfield offered his resigna- tion, which "was received with much emotion, but no action taken." At the next church meeting, he stated the reasons that had induced him to resign. The church regarded the prospect of his leaving "as a calamity be- clouding the prospects of the Baptist cause in Charlotte," and succeeded in persuading him to withdraw his resigna- ton four weeks later, though his withdrawal was qualified by the announcement that unless there were greater progress, he would renew it. In April, a meeting was conducted by Dr. Whitfield, and twenty-five were received for baptism, among them a number of our present members.

The church was not able to offer Dr. Whitfield any definite salary for the coming year, was several hundred 40 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH dollars in arrears, and felt that no provision could be made for the new year until the old indebtedness was dis- charged. It is not surprising, therefore, that on Decem- ber 31st the church met to consider and accept Dr. Whitfield's resignaton. Dr. Whitfield is still remembered in Charlotte as a man who loved to preach of the love of God, and he stood high in the estimation and regard of the people. His accomplished wife was, indeed, a helo- meet to him in all the work of the church. Although during the seven years of his ministry, nearly one hun- dred persons had been baptized and about the same number received by letter, owing to change of residence and other loss, the aggregate membership at this time was only about one hundred and fifty. The resolutions of appreciation include the statement, "Our thanks rise to God for the benefits received under Dr. Whitfield's ministration."

On April 2, 1882, Dr. 0. F. Gregory, of Cheraw, S. C., became pastor of the church, and soon many progressive movements were inaugurated.

An Executive Committee took charge of all temporal and financial matters, submitting "a full synopsis of their doings" to the quarterly conference. They were to pro- ceed as rapidly as possible with the erection of the new house of worship without incurring debt.

It is said that before this time a few women met as a missionary society, chief among them being Mrs. W. J. F. Liddell, Mrs. N. A. Murphy, and Mrs. Geo. W. Graham. A few weeks after Dr. Gregory's arrival a resolution adopted included the following: "That we recognize in the Woman's Missionary Society a great power for good, and request them to act as a Committee on Missions, and that they endeavor to secure systematic contributions for missions from every member of the church, and that the pastor be requested to aid them in this work." CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 41

DR. O. F. GREGORY : :

42 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

This is the first mention m the church record of the Woman's Missionary Society. The resolution also included

"That the ladies of our church be urged to unite themselves with the Ladies' Aid Society in their laudable enterprise and undertaking." Also

"That we recognize in the Gleaners a great power for good, and urge all our young members to identify them- selves with this society." Among other rules adopted by the church at this time was one to the effect that out of town members should be dropped unless they took letters of dismission within thirty days after being notified, provided that if they were not within convenient distance of another church, their names might be retained here on condition that they should report to the pastor their spiritual condition by writing him at least once a year and should contribute to the support of the pastor, the missionary enterprises of the denomination, and the completion of the new church. Although in June of the preceding year the brick work had been reported ready to recommence, with assurance that the job was to be finished without interruption, the contractors on both brick and wood work now declined to resume operations, pleading previous engagements. It was added: "Other parties equally satisfactory can be employed when our funds are sufficient to justify it under our well understood intention to pay as we go." A strong plea was made for funds to resume work by the first of August, and the hope was held out that "by the immedi- ate redemption of pledges due July 1st, and a cordial co-operation in the share plan to raise $2,000.00 by October 1st, we shall be enabled to move in this year," and the plea was further strengthened by the warning that "the foundation has stood the long exposure remark- ably well, but we fear that another winter may prove just one too many." —

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 43

In October, work was reported actually resumed on the new building, and the walls were ready for receiving the roofing timbers. It was further reported that $1,400.00 had been obtained from the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, at 7 per cent, inter- est, but that with a liberal response to pledges already made, further canvassing would still be necessary to ren- der the house habitable. Shortly after this, the trustees were authorized to make sale of the old church and par- sonage at not less than $3,500.00.

There is no mention whatever of the new church in the 1883 records, but in March, 1884, the Executive Com- mittee was authorized to borrow not over $3,000.00 to complete the new church, and on March 23rd, the first service was held in the basement of the new building, Sunday School at half past nine, opened by T. S. Frank- lin, Assistant Superintendent, and public worship at eleven and eight. At the evening service, pledges were begun for the completion of the building, and four days later $1,500.00 were reported pledged to be paid within sixty days.

At this time, so poor was the church that they were unable to buy hymn books for the Sunday School. The pastor was the Superintendent of the Sunday School. One of the duties of the Assistant Superintendent was that each week he procured a piece of muslin, and spent each Friday night in stenciling on this muslin (with a borrowed stenciling outfit) a hymn copied from the one hymn book owned. This was placed before the school, supported in a wooden framework designed and con- structed by the Assistant Superintendent, so that every- one could see.

It was on May 4th, after the morning service in the basement, the congregation moved upstairs and the ordi- nance of baptism was administered, this being the first service held in the body of the new house of worship. The pastor made a short talk appropriate to the occasion. 44 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

In preparation for the opening, "a new and elegant organ" was purchased for $410.00, of which $50.00 was paid by the ladies and the balance was >co be paid in twelve monthly instalments of $30.00, the Sunday night collections to be applied to this purpose.

But Sunday, July 20, 1884, was the day of days, usher- ed in by a special service on Saturday evening, when there were present the following ministers : Dr. Shaver, of Atlanta ; Dr. J. C. Furman, of Greenville ; Dr. Theodore Whitfield, of Goldsboro; Dr. R. H. Griffith, of Greenville;

Rev. J. B. Boone, of Hendersonville ; and Dr. O. F. Greg- ory, the pastor. Addresses were delivered by Dr. Grif- fith, Mr. Boone, and Dr. Whitfield,—all the former pas- tors except R. B. Jones, who had passed to his reward. On Sunday morning, the sermon was preached by Dr. J. C. Furman, the "boy preacher" of fifty-two years before, through whose preaching in 1832 the first Baptist Church in Charlotte had come into being. It was an historical sermon, and related the early efforts to estab- lish a Baptist Church in Charlotte, and telling of the chain of circumstances which called him to Charlotte in 1832, which seemed to have been directed by a higher hand. That the seeds he had planted then had brought forth an hundred fold was evidenced by the elegant edifice he was now helping to dedicate. After the sermon, cash and pledges amounting to $763.00 were received to pay the balance of $618.36 still due on the work. At night the pastor made a report showing that $12,460.77 had been expended on the lot and building, of which the church and its societies had given $8,434.82; Baptists outside of Charlotte, $1,921.95; citizens of Charlotte, not BaDtists, $704.00; borrowed on old church building, $1,400.00. Under Dr. Whitfield's pastorate $4,917.44 was col- lected in cash, besides pledges to be paid later, and the remainder had been collected under Dr. Gregory's pastor- ate. The following special gifts were reported: Mrs. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 45 4G FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

J. L. Mprehead, the memorial window ; the Ladies' Aid Society, in addition to paying largely on the church lot, the carpet and $50.00 on the organ ; the Gleaners' Society, the church windows; Mrs. Murphy's class, the pulpit, chairs, table, silver pitcher and goblet ; Mrs. 0. F. Greg- ory's class, the pulpit Bible and hymn book; the Violet

Society, the collection baskets and organ screen ; the

Young People's Association, the granite steps ; the bap- tistery was the gift of Prof. J. W. P. Jenks, of Middle- ton, Mass., in memory of his wife; and Mrs. Brocken- borough, of Richmond, gave the book-marks. After this report, a doctrinal sermon was preached by Dr. Lansing Burrows, of Augusta, Ga. The following dedication hymn, written for the occa- sion by Dr. Lansing Burrows, inscribed to Mrs. 0. F. Gregory, was sung: Arise, with loud acclaim, The God of Mercy praise. All honor to the Name To whom this house we raise; His grace began; His love completes; And now our song His favor greets.

Thy works send out, 0 Lord, The savor of Thy grace. As oft our feet have trod The portals of this place. We've thought upon Thy conquering power. And waited long for this glad hour.

'Twas sovereign grace that made Courageous those weak hands. That the foundations laid, Where now this temple stands. Oh. may our faith like theirs be strong And conquer, though it wait as long.

This house is incomplete, With beauty glorified. If on Thy mercy seat Thou comest not to abide. Accept our temple for Thine own, And make our grateful hearts Thy home. CHAELOTTE, N. CAROLINA 47

At all these services there was special music by the choir, and a special resolution of thanks was tendered Miss Addie Williams (now Mrs. J. P. Caldwell), who served as organist for the occasion. Among those who sang in the choir were Mr. B. F. Withers and Miss Lelia Gallman, now Mrs. Alex. Stephens. In an effort to assign to every member of the church some specific work, in the fall the work of the church was to be divided among ten committees, to one of which every male member of the church was to belong. Monthly reports in writing were to be submitted by each commit- tee. The duties of each committee were carefully outlined and explained, and each committee furnished with a copy of that which pertained to their duties. The plan was well thought out, and great care taken to make the duties clear,—and it must have been exceedingly discouraging to the promoters at the very next meeting: "None of the standing committees had written reports, as required;" and at the next : "Three committees made verbal reports, no reports from others."

Simply for the purpose of comparison, it may be inter- esting to know that for the year 1884—the year the church moved to Trvon Street,—the mission fund had amounted to $160.40; the music had cost about $110.00; and for all purposes (including what had been paid on the new church) $4,253.78 had been collected and paid out. The deacons numbered four.

In January, 1885, it was the pleasure of the church to have a visit from Prof. J. W. P. Jeuks, who had given to the church the baptistery, and to have him occupy the pulpit.

On Feb. 8th, Dr. Gregory preached his farewell sermon, and a few days later left for his new field in New Orleans. About ten years ago it was the privilege of the church to have Dr. Gregory here for the "Home Coming- Day." For the past twenty-one years he has been and still is the loved pastor of a thriving church in the 48 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH suburbs of Baltimore, which in honor of their pastor has recently been named the Gregory Memorial Church. For thirty-seven years, Dr. Gregory has been one of the Sec- retaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. On Oct. 25th, Rev. A. G. McManaway, coming from Louisburg, entered upon his duties as pastor of the church. His first service was the beginning of a revival meeting, conducted by him, which resulted in the addi- tion of twenty-eight to the church.

Perhaps it is not out of place to mention here the Associational relationships of the church. The first year after the reorganization of the church, 1857, delegates were appointed to "the Association." The pastor was the only one who attended, and he "gave a brief outline of its proceedings, after an expository discourse." The next mention of an Association is in 1864, when delegates were appointed to the Brown Creek Association. For seven years the church was regularly represented at this Associ- ation, when a letter of dismission was requested to join some Association of more convenient access. When the new South Yadkin Association was formed in 1873, our church united with them at their organization meeting at New Hope Church, in Iredell County. An Associational Missionary was employed at a salary of $400.00 of which our church was asked to give $100.00, and decided to devote to this purpose a collection to be taken every other first Sunday. In 1886, a letter of dismission was asked from this Association, and in January, 1887, the church united with the Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Association, which had been organized twelve months before, at Clear Creek Church. At the first annual meeting of the new Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Association, in September, 1886, the night sermon was preached by Dr. McManaway, "an interesting sermon on the earthquake, from Psalm 104:32," At this meeting, a total of $80.00 was pledged for Home Missions, and "Sister R. E. Young" was appointed to make collection of the $30.00 apportioned to the Charlotte Church. Mr. John E. Ray, then Corre- CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA

DR. A. G. M'MANAWAY :

50 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH sponding Secretary of the State Mission Board, was present, and the Association voted to unite with the Board, and pledged $300.00 to State Missions. A collection amounting to $12.73 was taken for the newly established Orphanage at Thomasville, which could then accommodate about forty children. The report states: "It is with profoundest gratitude that we note the interest recently awakened in this work," and closes with the suggestion that this "institution needs our prayers to the Lord and our contributions to the Orphanage,"—always an effective combination of effort. As showing the trend of thought thirty years ago, it is also interesting to know that the Association recommended the establishment within the bounds of the Association of a school of high grade, to be owned and controlled by Baptists,—an ideal that has not yet been realized. During the year 1886, the old Brevard Street property was sold by Mr. R. H. Jordan, for $2,500.00, and the pro- ceeds were applied to paying off all remaining debts of the church. The Annual Report of the Treasurer, Mr. T. L. Vail, closes with the following "I congratulate the church on the fact that we can now have the pleasure of worshipping in a building which we know is ours for the Lord, and without fear of annoy- ance from the presentation of any bills on account of our undertaking to build a house for His name, which has cost many of us much anxiety and much sacrifice, and the completion of which reflects much credit on His people. I would do violence to my feelings and withhold that which is meet and proper were I not in this connection to make some allusion to some of the noble brethren (omitting names) who have so generously come forward during the year and contributed of their means at a time when the treasury was empty,—claims being presented and nothing to pay with. They are entitled to the thanks of the church as well as the lasting remembrance of the mem- bership. It is also very gratifying to add that while many of the male membership have been devising ways and means for the liquidation of our indebtedness and push- ing forward the cause we profess to love, the best part of our membership (to wit, our good Sisters) have by their godly example and exhibition of their strong faith in the CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 51

great Head of the Church encouraged many of us and bade us go forward. To the female membership of this church is largely due the credit for what has been accom- plished in the building of this house and freeing it from debt. May we all live long and harmoniously together and esteem it a privilege to work for the Master." From this time, the records are very meager, and for the past twenty years there are none.

It was in February, 1887, that Miss Eva Liddell organ- ized in our church the first Christian Endeavor Society not only in the city, but the first in the State. The first meeting was led by T. S. Franklin, the subject "Influence" being discussed. The Society accomplished much good in the training and development of the young people. Some- time in the nineties the Society became a Baptist Young People's Union, and since then has had an intermittent existence with good prospects that the present organiza- tions, Junior and Senior, are permanent and will continue to grow. At the end of the year 1887, the Treasurer reported the church in more satisfactory financial condition than for years, comparatively free from debt, regular and generous contributions from a large part of the mem- bership, and that ninety-four members had been received during the year. The total membership at this time was 315. And there was discipline in the church in those days. Not only did transgressors have to answer such charges as for intemperance, profanity, etc., but "for dancing at a party," for the "heresy" of joining another denomination, for errors of doctrine, for conducting one's self "unbecom- ing a Baptist," for refusing to join the church in another place to which the member had moved, and failure to appear when cited was taken as admission of guilt. A letter would not be granted to one in arrears in church dues, and on one occasion a brother was notified that unless he paid his dues which were in arrears, the letter already granted him to another church would be recalled. 52 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Often special prayer was offered for those from whom fellowship had been withdrawn, "that they might be turned from the way of death into the way of life eternal." Frequently the "male members" were "cited" for having missed three successive business meetings ; on one occa- sion a brother admitted he had no excuse, and for his frankness was excused for having no excuse. Names were dropped, and certificates issued that such action was taken for no other reason than absence from church. In 1888 resolutions were passed requesting the members "not to encourage many of the operas and plays presented in our city, which are light, frivolous, and demoralizing in their tendency," and "the modern dance as usually conducted at balls, sociables and other places of amuse- ment, which are detrimental to the cause of Christ," as their presence would "impair their usefulness and impede the Master's cause." In 1892 it was resolved that mem- bership should be withdrawn from members who engaged in dancing, if they still persisted "after due warning, admonition, and entreaty." And the Declaration of Faith, the Church Covenant, and the Rules of Decorum were almost always read at church meetings.

From its earliest days, the church has been active in city mission work. Mention has already been made of the work done in the 60's by Mr. Taylor. In 1872 the church adopted a mission Sunday School which was con- ducted by members of the church. In 1882, there was a committee of four on City Missions, and in 1887 mention is made of arrangements for mission station prayer meet- ing. It was in 1888 that Dr. McManaway brought before the church the need of and desirability for another Bap- tist Church in Charlotte, and recommended the purchase of the lot on the corner of West Trade and Cedar Streets. The lot was purchased, and largely through the efforts of Mr. W. J. F. Liddell, a building costing $1,500.00 was erected. The payments were arranged for through the Building and Loan Association, Mr. Liddell being one of sixteen men who agreed to carry the shares. A com- CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 53 mittee of ladies raised the funds necessary to buy the lot, which cost $500.00. On Nov. 5, 1890, thirty-eight mem- bers were dismissed to organize the Trade Street Mission into a church, the mother church then becoming known as the Tryon Street Church, and the new church was named by Mrs. W. J. F. Liddell, "Olivet." For about fifteen years this church had a precarious existence, and it was in 1905 that the church disbanded, most of the members coming "back home," and the following year the property was sold to the Presbyterians, it now being used by them as West Avenue Presbyterian Church. In 1890, some repairs and improvements were made, the church using the Y. M. C. A. hall for worship while the work was in progress. In 1892, a gracious revival was conducted by Dr. H. M. Wharton. In June, Dr. McManaway resigned, after a service of nearly seven years. When he came to Charlotte he found 172 members during his pastorate ; 375 were added to the church. He left the work flourishing in every department, and the church united, harmonious, and aggressive. An effort to get Dr. McManaway to recon- sider, failed, as he felt his work here was finished. He requested that no complimentary resolutions be pub- lished ; if of the right sort, he felt his work would speak for itself through the years to come; if not, that compli- mentary resolutions could not bolster it up ; he wanted his work to stand on its merits, though he "appreciated the kind words from ministers and laymen, Jew and Gentile, saint and sinner, that had touched his heart to the deepest core." Dr. McManaway and his family were greatly loved, and it was with genuine regret that the people of Charlotte saw them go. Dr. McManaway served for several years as pastor of the First Baptist Church, in Little Rock, Ark., and then became a professor and financial agent of the Euwashita University, at Arka- delphia, Ark. While still holding this position, he died =

54 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

in St. Louis, on the last day of the old century, Dec. 31, 1899.

In 1832, the year that Furman and Barnes preached in Charlotte, Thomas Henderson Pritchard was born in Charlotte. He attended the First Presbyterian Sunday School, and under its trees learned by heart the West- minster Shorter Catechism. He worked his way through college, graduating at Wake Forest in 1854 as the Vale- dictorian of his class. In the early 80's he was president of Wake Forest College, and twice was associate editor of the Biblical Recorder. It was said of Dr. Pritchard that he held more responsible positions and had been more honored by his brethren, had dedicated more churches, and preached more ordination sermons than any minister in North Carolina. This was the man who for the second time received a call to be pastor of the Charlotte Baptist Church. Com- ing from Wilmington, on Jan. 1, 1893, Dr. Pritchard preached to a large congregation his first sermon as pastor. "Thus we begin with bright prospects and feel the New Year has much good in store for our church," says the scribe.

During that year the Sunday School room was built, at a cost of about $2,500.00. It seated about 200 people. There were no class rooms, but there was a pastor's study At the same time, the baptistery was moved and rebuilt. It was in the nineties that the annual excursions of the Sunday School to Cleveland Springs, Asheville, and other points were an interesting feature of the work, occa- sions of pleasure to all who attended, and a source of profit to be applied to the work of the school. In 1894, the church was again host to the State Con- vention, and the Christian Endeavor Society invited all the Young People's Societies to meet here in convention on the day preceding. As a part of the preparation for the Convention, the ladies bought a new carpet at a cost of $350.00. It was a memorable meeting, with such CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 55

DR. T. H. PR1TCHARD 56 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

speakers as Dr. R. J. Willingham, Mr. J. W. McCullom from Japan, Dr. R. H. Graves, the veteran mis- sionary from China; Dr. John E. White, Dr. F. C. McCon- nell, and others. It is not unusual even now to hear those great speeches referred to and quoted from. In 1895 a mission Sunday School was started in the northeastern part of the city, the workers going largely from the First Church. This school was so prosperous that in July, 1896, the Twelfth Street Baptist Church was organized, with Rev. L. R. Pruett, who for six months had been doing city mission work, as pastor. In 1904, this church became the Ninth Avenue Baptist Church, moving into the building they now occupy. Mr. Pruett has been the pastor of this church since its organization, and the results of his work speak for him. A feature of the Sunday School work in the nineties was the presence of several Chinese as pupils. Their teachers endeavored simply to teach them to speak and read English, and as they came to understand the lan- guage, to inculcate as much of Christian truth as possible. As a result, several of them gave up their idol worship and acknowledged Christ as their Savior. One of them went from here to New York, and later wrote his teacher, Mrs. S. P. Smith, that he had joined one of the churches there and was preparing himself to go back to China as a missionary. During Dr. Pritchard's pastorate, protracted meetings were conducted by Dr. A. C. Dixon, by Dr. W. A. Nelson, and by Dr. J. L. White. There is no record in the church books, but with such strong preachers, the results must have been all that could have been expected. On May 23, 1896, Dr. Pritchard passed away at the home of his son in New York, having left Charlotte four weeks previously to go to the seaside in search of health, and later going to New York for treatment. His body was brought to Charlotte at the request of his church and many other friends, and laid to rest in Elmwood, in CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 57 the city of his birth. The clergy of the city and the Knights of Honor attended his funeral in a body, and every honor which love and esteem could suggest was shown the loved pastor. Dr. Pritchard was a faithful and distinguished pastor, a consecrated man of God, a manly man, a Christ-like Christian. The crowning characteristic of his soul was his love of little children, by whom he loved to be called "Bre'r Rabbit," and he was never happier than when telling Uncle Remus stories to the children. A man of brilliant intellect, with a keen sense and a rich fund of humor, a scholar who in his youth had sat at the feet of Broadus, as a platform speaker Dr. Pritchard was at his best. The work of the church was greatly strengthened by his pastorate of a little more than three years. The memorial tablet in the lobby of our church was erected in loving memory of Dr. Pritchard by the Young People's Mission Band. In the summer of 1895, Dr. A. C. Barron and Dr. H. M. Wharton, of Baltimore, had held a revival meeting lasting several weeks, and while it was held under the auspices of the First Baptist Church, other denominations co-operated to a large extent. The services were held in the large auditorium then standing on West Sixth Street, in the rear of the Tryon Street Methodist Church. This building accommodated several thousand people, and was filled at every service. One very far reaching result of that meeting was that all Charlotte came to love Dr. Barron.

Therefore, it was not strange that the hearts of the people should turn to Dr. Barron as their pastor to suc- ceed Dr. Pritchard, and on Nov. 1, 1896, he began his work here. His first sermon was "The Scarlet Line in the Window," a sermon repeated several times by request, and one he loved to preach because it gave him the oppor- tunity to preach on a theme of which he never tired, the redemption that came through the blood of Christ. Thus 58 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH began a ministry which endeared him to the hearts of all the people of Charlotte.

During his pastorate it became necessary to enlarge the Sunday School room. On one occasion Dr. Barron challenged the Sunday School to secure an attendance of 200, promising them "a treat." The record-breaking attendance of 201 on the following Sunday was the result, and when that number began to be no uncommon thing, a larger room was necessary, and for the first time there were class rooms provided. One factor in increasing the attendance of the school was the organization of the Baraca and Philathea Classes, the former being organized by Mr. R. N. Simms, and the latter by Miss Maude Reid,, both of Raleigh.

It was also during the pastorate of Dr. Barron that the present parsonage was built. In November, 1901, as the result of a mission Sunday School conducted by teachers from this church, another church was organized in the Southern part of the city. The organization meeting was held in Long's Hall in Dil- worth, with Dr. Barron, Mr. Pruett, Mr. J. A. Durham and Mr. W. C. Dowd assisting in the organization. The new church was named in honor of Dr. Pritchard, the Pritchard Memorial Church. It began with 46 members, most of whom went from the First Church. The success of this church is indicated by the fact that it now has a membership of nearly 500, and it has been a strong force ever since its organization. In 1903, the Baptists of Charlotte for the fifth time entertained the Baptist State Convention, and in connec- tion with it the State Convention of the Women's Mission- ary Union. For the latter meeting, Tryon Street Method- ist Church very graciously tendered the use of their build- ing. The addresses at these gatherings were of an especially high order. Few who heard the sermon of Dr. Willingham on Sunday of the Convention will ever forget DR. A. C. BARRON GO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH it. For an hour and ten minutes he preached, and all were sorry when he stopped.

In June, 1905, Dr. Barron went to London to attend the International Baptist Congress, and later gratified a life-long desire to see something of Europe. On the last Sunday in July he preached in Paris in one of the three Baptist churches, the sermon being translated into French by an interpreter. On the voyage home, he preached on Sunday on the steamer. This was his last ser- mon. A large number confessed Christ, among them the captain of the boat. On his way home, he stopped at the home of his daughter in Somerset, Va., where his family were visiting. As he was starting to the station to return to Charlotte, he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never rallied. The end came on August 19th. His body was brought to Charlotte and rests in Elmwood. Ministers of every denomination partici- pated in his funeral, which was attended by people from all ranks in life. The presiding judge adjourned court out of respect to his memory. Dr. Barron loved and was loved by his fellow men. He attracted them to him and to His Master. Nothing could better describe the life he lived among us than the text inscribed on the tableterected to his memory by Mr. Vinton Liddell, in the lobby of our church : "For I determined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." During his pastorate of nine years, Dr. Barron and his accomplished family labored faithfully and with success for the church and all that it stood for. During the winter of 1905-1906, the pulpit was sup- plied by Rev. Calder T. Willingham, one of our mission- aries in Japan, then at home on an extended furlough. In June, 1906, Rev. H. H. Hulten, of Kansas City, became pastor of the church. Dr. Hulten was an eloquent speaker, and his preaching attracted large congregations. During the summer the Sunday School room had to be again enlarged, and as it is today it was occupied for the CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 61

DR. H. H. HULTEN :

G2 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH first time on Nov. 17-18, 1906, the opening being celebrated by a Chautauqua lasting for two days. This gathering brought to Charlotte some of the best known Sunday School workers in the country, among them being Rev. Hight C. Moore, Mr. N. B. Broughton, and Mr. J. W. Bailey, of Raleigh; Dr. Joseph Broughton, of Atlanta;

Mr. Archibald Johnson, of Thomasville ; Mr. A. W. Payne, of St. Louis ; Dr. W. L. Poteat, of Wake Forest ; Mr. P. H. Bristow, of Calvary Church, Washington; Mr. J. H.

Tucker, of Asheville ; and Mr. D. W. Simms, of Richmond. Many notable speeches were made and conferences held, these experts bringing to us encouragement and inspira- tion as well as helpful suggestions and plans. Thus hope- fully and fittingly was inaugurated the work of the greater Sunday School. Just one week later a series of meetings began, con- ducted by Rev. W. L. Walker and Dr. Len G. Broughton. A large number were added to the church. At the end of this year, Miss Carrie Booker, who for two years or more had rendered effective service as city missionary, resigned to take up work in connection with Dr. Broughton's school and hospital in Atlanta.

A news item in the city papers on February 11, 1907, read " Yesterday at the First Baptist Sunday School 875 men, women and children were present. So far as can be learned that is the largest attendance ever accounted for at a local Sunday School." During Dr. Hulten's pastorate, meetings were con- ducted by Rev. J. W. McDaniel, of Richmond, and Dr. H. A. Porter. The biggest work undertaken during Dr. Hulten's pas- torate was the building of our present beautiful church. Now that the church was strong, it is difticult for us to realize the struggles lasting twenty years to build the old church, for now to resolve was to do. The old building was torn down in the summer of 1908, and on May 2, —

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA

1909,—twenty-five years almost to the day since the first service was held in the auditorium of the old church, our present splendid building was dedicated. The vast congregation overflowed the auditorium, and many were turned away. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. E. Y. Mullins, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. It was a masterly sermon, his subject being "Our Heritage," (text Psalm 16:6) —a sermon setting forth the fundamental beliefs of Baptists, our heritage of providential guidance, our heritage of suffering, the root principle being the com- petency of the individual soul in religion, under God. An exceptionally fine musical program was rendered under the direction of Mrs. Alexander Stephens, the new $5,000.00 organ being used. Rev. D. M. Austin delivered the invocation, Rev. F. S. Conrad the morning prayer, and at the close of the sermon the dedicatory prayer was offered by the pastor. The church has a seating capacity of 1,200, and, including equipment, cost over $50,000.00. Mr. J. M. McMichael was the architect, and Mr. J. O. Gardner the contractor, both members of our own congregation. The painting over the pulpit, "The Good Shepherd," was executed by Olsen, a Swedish artist of New York, who came to Charlotte for the purpose. The memorial window to Mr. W. J. F. Liddell was given by his son, Mr. Vinton Liddell, Mr. Liddell having been an honored mem- ber and deacon of the church for many years. The window in memory of Mrs. Jane Christian Boyd, a faith- ful member of the church in its Brevard Street days, was given by her son, Mr. W. S. Forbes, of Richmond. Half the cost of the organ was given by Mr. Carnegie. In 1909-1910, Miss Cora Ervin, a graduate of the Training School at Louisville, served the church as city missionary.

In September, 1912, Dr. Hulten resigned to become pastor of the First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. G4 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

During the following winter, the pulpit was most acceptably filled by Rev. W. L. Walker, who took up the work on the Sunday following Dr. Hulten's departure.

In the spring of 1913, for the third time a call was extended to Rev. Dr. W. M. Vines, at that time a pastor in St. Joseph, Mo. He came to us on the first Sunday in June. Dr. Vines was known to us not only by reason of his splendid work at other places, but during Dr. Barron's pastorate he had conducted here a very successful meet- ing and so was personally known and loved by a large proportion of the membership. In the summer of 1913 the church was visited by the Judson Centennial Committee,—Dr. R. T. Bryan, Dr. Livingstone Johnston, Rev. G. T. Lumpkin, and Rev. J. B. Hipps. In commemoration of the one hundredth anniver- sary of Judson's going to India as the first foreign mis- sionary from America, Southern Baptists undertook to raise a fund of $1,250,000.00 for the better equipping of our foreign mission stations. Of this amount, Charlotte Baptists were asked to give $10,000.00, one-half of which was asked of the First Baptist Church. Not only did the church meet this appeal, but also obligated them- selves to support as our own missionary in Shanghai, Rev. J. B. Hipps, who was to go to China in the fall,—this all to be in addition to the regular contributions for missions.

In the fall, the pastor himself conducted a meeting, resulting in a number of additions to the church, and in the spring of 1914, he was assisted in a very successful meeting by Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Dew, of Liberty, Mo. In 1914 the church was proud and grateful that from two of its members the Orphanage received a gift of a much needed building,—the Miles Durham Nursery, given by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Durham in memory of the little boy they had lost. This building made it possible for the Orphanage to care for children under six years of age, something they had not been able to do before. Some ten or twelve years ago, Mr. Durham had given to the CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA G6 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Orphanage a building in memory of his mother. The church and Sunday School have shown a steadily increas- ing interest in the Orphanage. The Baraca Class sup- ports an orphan; the Ladies' Aid Society each February

sends a valuable box "in kind" ; each November, the

church makes a handsome contribution for the work ; and the ideal of the Sunday School is that its monthly collec- tions for this purpose shall not fall below $100.00. Perhaps the outstanding event of 1915 was the evange- listic campaign of five weeks, beginning in April, in which almost all the city churches co-operated, conducted by Rev. Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman and Mr. Chas. M. Alex- ander, with their corps of assistants. Dr. Vines was Chairman of the Executive Committee for this campaign, and to his capable direction was attributed much of the success in carrying out the plans. An auditorium seat- ing about 6,000 people was erected on East Avenue, and this was filled at almost every service. It was perhaps the largest religious meeting of any kind ever held in this section, and hundreds came from all the surrounding towns and country. Of the nearly 1,000 who nr~' conversion, about 200 united with the First Baptist Church. This large ingathering of new members made impera- tive the securing at once of an assistant for Dr. Vines, and in July the church was fortunate in securing for this work Miss Susan Anderson, of Atlanta, a recent graduate of the Training School at Louisville. Miss Anderson has greatly endeared herself to the people, and is accomplish- ing splendid results for the church. In December, the church was host for the sixth time to the State Convention, this being in attendance the largest convention in its history. The "Harvard plan" of entertaining the Convention was adopted for the first time. In the spring of 1916 the Evangelistic Force of the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board conducted a city- CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA

REV. J. B. OUR MISSIONARY 6S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

wide campaign of two weeks in all the Baptist churches of Charlotte, Dr. Weston Bruner and Prof. Wolslagel hav- ing charge of the work at our church. A total of about 400 new members were added to the churches, of whom perhaps seventy-five joined the First Church. Ever since the completion of the new church, the work in many directions has been handicapped by the existence of a debt of $16,000.00. That this should be paid was the earnest desire of every member, and by concerted efforts within a week's time the entire amount was pledged, the last payments to fall due September 1, 1917. The church is eagerly looking forward to the day when this burden shall be removed. The Sunday School has always been one of the most helpful features of the church work. There was a Sun- day School as early as 1844,—perhaps earlier. On account of lack of records it has been impossible to secure a complete list of those who have served as Superintend- ent, but the following names have been secured: Wm. Boyd, W. F. Cook, C. C. Lee, R. D. Graham, Dr. O. F. Gregory, Capt. T. L. Vail, Thos. M. Pittman, J. O. Bell, W. F. Dowd, I. W. Durham, W. C. Dowd, V. J. Guthery, and T. S. Franklin.

It is a little strange that in the long history of our church there have gone out from among us so few young people to be ministers and missionaries. As already stated, T. J. Taylor, as a boy, was a member of our Sunday School. In 1872, Mr. Thomas J. Rooke was ordained to the gospel ministry, and the church aided him while he was a student at the Seminary, then located at Greenville, S. C. In 1890, Rev. John E. McManaway was ordained, Dr. C. Durham preaching the ordination sermon. During Dr. Hulten's pastorate, Rev. D. A. Tedder was ordained, and at the present time we have one young man at the Semi- nary preparing for the ministry, Mr. F. C. Helms. The church feels it has some claim on Mrs. W. E. Entzminger, who as Miss Grace Griffith was one of us. Miss Beulah CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 69

Bowden, one of our present members, served for several year in Mexico, but was forced to return on account of war conditions. A summary of the 1916 reports of the various organi- zations of the church will form an "Appendix" to this sketch, and will show the splendid work being done and the wonderful progress being made along all lines, and the variety of interests covered by these organizations. During the past ten years prosperous churches have been organized at North Charlotte, Allen Street, Thrift, and Chadwick. All of these have received more or less assistance from the old First Church.

It is well to pause and look back over the way our God has led us, a way that has often seemed longer and more arduous than we would have chosen, to measure as best we may that which has been accomplished and to remem- ber those into whose labors we have entered. The book of the past is finished, but the book of the future is yet to be written, and every member of the church must of neces- sity have a part in determining that which its pages shall record. With a large and loyal membership, with our splen- didly organized societies actively at work, with an able, earnest, consecrated pastor, in the prime of his manhood, as our leader, with his equally gifted and faithful wife, with a capable pastor's assistant, surely we may look forward with eagerness to the future, and with deepening and definite purpose begin even now to write more truly and more loyally the pages of the new days that are to come, "attempting great things for God, expecting great things from God." 70 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

OFFICERS Pastor William M. Vines, D.D. Pastor's Assistant Miss Susan Anderson. 'Phone 3450 Missionary Rev. J. B. Hipps, Shanghai, China Clerk Dr. C. N. Peeler Treasurer J. B. Efird Custodian C. H. Robinson Organist and Choir Director Mrs. Alex Stephens Pianist, Mid-week Service Mrs. A. B. Springer DEACONS J. A. Durham, Chairman Willis Brown Secretary B. F. Withers W. C. Dowd J. E. Murphy A. B. Springer H. G. Harper T. S. Franklin J. W. Lewis J. A. Yarbrough J. P. Hackney L. L. Hackney C. H. Robinson I. W. Durham ADVISORY BOARD V. J. Guthery, Chairman Wallace M. Smith, Vice-Chairman C. A. Duckworth, Secretary

CO. Kuester W. J. Smith J. B. Efird W. M. Wilkes W. S. Beam W. T. Shore F. B. Davant J. R. Purser Lloyd C. Withers F. G. Hill Dr. J. G. Johnston E. L. Kenner E. Bruce Howell Charles Stroupe E. S. Hoggard S. J. Taylor L. E. Wightman Dr. Raymond Thompson C. A. Moseley J. B. Pratt W. R. Foreman J. B. Johnson D. L. Probert B. L. Scruggs John B. Oates Hampton Brown Norman Lynch H. C. Dockery A. L. Byrd C. S. Elam J. A. Parker L. E. McBrayer N. V. Porter Oscar Dor sett A. L. Faul C. B. Reeves F. J. Robinson J. D. Short Frank Mosteller J. S. Cureton M. F. Wooten W. E. Langford Dr. C. N. Peeler C. R. Barker t

CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 71

FINANCIAL BOARD

J. E. Murphy, Ch'm. C. O. Kuester D. L. Prober Vernon Porter Frank Mosteller B. F. Withers W. C. Dowd C. H. Robinson W. R. Foreman T. S. Franklin J. A. Yarbrough V. J. Guthery J. A. Durham J. B. Efird A. L. Byrd COMMITTEES Music—W. C. Dowd, J. A. Yarbrough, Vernon Porter, V. J. Guthery, A. B. Springer, B. F. Withers. Mid-Week Service—F. B. Davant, Chairman; Mrs. J. R. Anderson, Mrs. T. F. Polk. Mrs. Hugh Harris, Mrs. R. C. Springs, Charles B. Stroupe, W. B. Renfrow. Literature—Miss Carrie McLean, Chairman; Miss Mary Palmer, Mrs. D. L. Probert. Ushers—Morning, J. P. Hackney, Chairman; Evening, L. C. Withers, Chairman. Visiting— (1) New Members, (2) Unaffiliated Baptists, (3) Sick, Miss Susan Anderson, Chairman; Mrs. W. G. Rogers, Mrs. J. S. Cureton, Mrs. 0. L. Dorsett, Mrs. V. J. Guthery.. Mrs. Hampton Brown, Mrs. J. C. Patton, Mrs. J. R. Hardin, Mrs. J. C. Evans, Mrs. A. B. Justice, Mrs. A. F Mosteller, Mrs. H. G. Harper, Mrs. J. G. Johnston, Mrs. R. L. Graham, Mrs. N. J. Sherrill, Mrs. L. L. Hackney, Mrs. J. A. Yarbrough, Mrs. J. A. Gardner.. Mrs. W. D. Sloan, Mrs. C. G. Smith, J. W. Lewis, I. W. Durham. Baptism—Mrs. Geo. Bryan, Chairman. Communion—Mrs. Helen Price, Chairman. Reception—H. G. Harper, Chairman. Civic Righteousness—T. B. Phillips, Chairman. Hipps' Fund—L. L. Hackney, Chairman. Home Missions—Dr. J. G. Johnston, Chairman. Offering fourth Sunday in January. Foreign Missions—W. C. Dowd, Chairman. Offering fourth Sun- day in March. Education—Dr. C. N. Peeler, Chairman. Offering fourth Sunday in May. State Missions—A. L. Byrd, Chairman. Offering second Sunday in October. Orphanage—J. A. Durham, Chairman. Offering fourth Sunday in November. Charities—B. F. Withers, Chairman; Mrs. J. A. Yarbrough, Mrs. N. J. Sherrill, Mrs. R. E. Mason. Auditor—Vernon Porter. 72 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH TREASURER'S STATEMENT

January 1st, 1916 to December 30th, 1916

Cash on hand January 1st, 1916 $ 784.58 RECEIPTS Subscriptions $8,200.94 Basket Collections 935.75 Special Collections: Home Missions—Brunei" Meeting.... 187.39 Education Fund 102.50 State Missions 400.00 Foreign Missions 314.51 Foreign Mission Debt 100.00 Foreign Missions, J. B. Hipps 600.00 Poor Fund 60.81 Thomasville Orphanage 460.00 Note 500.00

Total Receipts $12,646.48 DISBURSEMENTS Calendars and Printing $ 489.90 Envelopes 66.67 Fuel 82.50 Insurance 98.50 Janitor 416.00 Lights, Water and Gas 417.28 Stamps and Stationery 30.14 Incidental Expenses 573.17 Repairs, etc 521.22 Pastor's Salary 3,504.00 Pastor's Assistant 720.00 Pastor's Substitute 100.00 Music 1,664.00 Home Missions 283.00 Foreign Missions 1,014.51 State Missions 400.00 Education 102.50 Thomasville Orphanage 460.00 Interest 744.40 Poor Fund 84.00

Payment on Note t . . 300 00

Total Disbursements $12,071.79 Balance on hand January 1st, 1917 574.69 The above, together with amounts contributed bv the various societies, and the $6 000. 00 paid on the church debt, make the total gifts of the church for 1916, over $23,000.00. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 73

1917 BUDGET On January 5th ,1917, the Financial Board met and recom- mended to the Church the following budget for 1917: Pastor's Salary $3,500.00 Pastor's Assistant 900.00 Music 1,800.00 Janitor 420.00 Lights, Water, Gas 300.00 Fuel 200.00 Calendars, and Printing 500.00 Envelopes 75.00 Insurance 250.00 Repairs 500.00 Stamps and Stationery 200.00 Incidentals 400.00 Miscellaneous 200.00

Total $9,245.00 REPORT OF FIRST BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL Total number of people attending Sunday School in 1916 30,476 Average attendance 585 During past year, on account of fear of infantile paralysis, for one month the attendance was cut down very materially, and part of that time the Primary Department did not meet at all. Total collection for the year $1,434.31 Of this amount, sent to Thomasville Orphanage 737.88 SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS General Superintendent ..T. S. Franklin Associate Superintendents J. A. Durham, J. B. Spratt, V. J. Guthery Treasurer L. L. Hackney Secretaries. .E. L. Kenner, Chas. Stroupe, W. T. Gill SPECIAL SUPERINTENDENTS Music Mrs. A. B. Springer Home Department Mrs. O. L. Dorsett Missionary and Teachers' Training Miss Carrie McLean Temperance J. F. Flowers Grading and Classification Mrs. A. B. Justice DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENTS Adult Dr. J. G. Johnson Intermediate Mrs. T. S. Franklin Primary and Junior W:'Uis Brown Assistant Primary and Junior C O. Kuester Cradle Roll Mrs. M. F. Wooten Secretary N. J. Sherrill 74 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

OUR MISSION SUNDAY SCHOOL Meets each Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at 1005 North Smith Street. This school has been organized for about eighteen months, and during that time has had an average attendance of more than 100. Mr. J. B. Johnston is Superintendent.

REPORT OF CLERK Additions by baptism 42 Additions by letter 130 Dismissed by letter 87 Lost by death 6 Total membership 1417

LADIES' AID SOCIETY President Mrs. Lloyd C. Withers Vice-President Mrs. L. L. Hackney Secretary Mrs. Frank Taylor Assistant Secretary Mrs. John Sheppard Treasurer Mrs. George W. Bryan

The Ladies' Aid Society is really the City Missionary Society. Besides aiding the pastor in many ways, their work each month has been as follows:

January, for Associated Charities . . $220.00 February, for Orphanage 250.00 March, for Crittenton Home 91.00 April, for Infirmary at Mars Hill 53.20 May, Baby Relief fund, and jail 57.00 September and October, joined with Woman's Mission- ary Society in box for frontier missionary. November, Baby Relief fund. December, joined with Sunday School in helping poor of city.

Total Disbursements $671.20 Balance on hand 80.64

Total Contributions $751.84

WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY

President Mrs. T. S. Franklin Vice-President Mrs. J. A. Durham Secretary Mrs. D. L. Probert Treasurer Miss Eva Liddell Financial Secretary Mrs. F. Taylor CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 75

The Woman's Missionary Society of the First Baptist Church held a meeting in the Sunday School room of the church each month of the year 1916.

The society is divided into nine circles, each of which held at least nine (some twelve, or more) meetings during the year in the home of one of the members. In addition, there were two all- day prayer services, one for Foreign Missions in January, and one for Home Missions in April. The monthly missionary programs were given by the various circles and included, besides the usual literary programs, a lecture on "The American Indian," illustrated by stereopticon slides, and a missionary play, "China's New Day." In June a Memorial Service for Mrs. W. C. Dowd was held.

Each circle formed a Mission Study Class, the following text books having been used during the first half of the year: "Rising Churches in Non-Christian Lands," "Comrades in Service," "In Royal Service," "The King's Highway," "The Child in the Midst," and "Social Aspects of Foreign Missions."

During the second half of the year the circles began the study of a second text, among the books being "South American Neigh- bors," "Servants of the King," "Southern Baptists in Regions Beyond," "Comrades in Service," and "The Meaning of Prayer."

Three circles kept "God's Week," forming mission study classes, which met every day for a week. One circle met once each week until the text was completed.

The society gave a tea for the ladies of the congregation on the fifth Monday of October, and in November a reception at the par- sonage for Mrs. W. N. Jones, State Woman's Missionary Union President.

In October a box of clothing and household goods and $100 were sent to Mr. J. P. Masterson and family of San Jon, New Mexico.

The membership of the society at the close of the year was 135. Seven hundred and twelve were present at nine of the regular monthly meetings, an average of 79. Six hundred and one were present at seven circle meetings reported, an average of eighty-six. Fifteen hundred and fifty-eight visits were made during seven months, or 223 per month.

Respectfully submitted,

GLENA K. PROBERT, Recording Secretary. 76 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

treasurer's report Foreign Missions $648.00 Eloise Dowd Memorial, on Foreign Mission Debt 230.00 Judson Centennial Fund 460.00 $1,338.00

Home Missions 270.00 Home Mission Box, assisted by Men's Bible Classes 360.00 630.00

Louisville Training School 27.00 27.00 State Missions 300.00 300.00 State Expense Fund 12.50 Associational Expense Fund 5.25 Society Expense Fund 7.25 25.00

Total $2,320.00 YOUNG WOMEN'S AUXILIARY President Sara Holland Vice-President Attie Wier Secretary Virginia Davidson Treasurer Charlotte Rucker Reporter .Evelyn Rucker Mission Reader Mary Belle Palmer

This organization is composed of the business young women of the church, and holds its meetings on each third Thursday evening of the month, alternating in the homes of the members. When no home is offered the Society meets either at the Young Women's Christian Association or at the church.

During 1916 the Society enrolled fifty-six members total, hav- ing at the end of the year forty-six on roll. Tne membership is divided into four groups, each group having a captain. These groups have charge of a monthly program alternately. Each program is a missionary one, and the Society contributes quarterly to the Mission offerings as outlined by the Woman's Missionary Union.

The mission study of the Society is conducted by a Reader, Miss Mary Belle Palmer, who gives a biographical sketch at each meeting. "Comrades in Service," by Margaret Burton, was studied in 1916, and in November the study of "Makers of South America," by Margaret Daniels, was begun, this study to continue during the winter months. The personal work of the Society during eighteen months past has been in sharing the tuition of a girl in school. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 77

The following figures show the gifts of the Society for the year 1916, and show a large increase over the gifts of 1915: Christmas Offering for China $52.25 Eloise Dowd Memorial Fund 14.00

Total to Foreign Missions $66.25 Home Mission Offering 51.10 Missionary Box 19.00

Total to Home Missions $70.10 Training School 6.00 State Missions 68.75 Expense Fund—Associational 3.50 Tuition, girl in school 120.00

Total $334.60

LOTTIE MOON Y. W. A. Leader Miss Susan Anderson President Margaret Rucker Vice-President Secretary Dallis Brown Treasurer Myrtle Hudson The Lottie Moon Y. W. A. has accomplished many things dur- ing 1916. We have made scrap books for children at the Thomas- ville Orphanage, have taken interesting magazines, and flowers, to hospitals and to shut-ins, and have been to Hoskins several times to tell stories to little children. We are educating a girl at Albemarle, and have already paid $65.00 toward our pledge of $100.00 on this account. We have also sent to Foreign Missions, $10.75; Training School, $5.40. SUNBEAM SOCIETY Leader Mrs. Wallace M. Smith President Helenora Sherrill Treasurer Ida Reid Cohen Secretary Lucile Manning The Society has a membership of forty. They met once each month during the year. Their contributions were: Foreign Missions $17.45 Home Missions 5.80 State Missions 6.00 Home Mission Box 2.50

Total $31.75 :

78 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

SENIOR BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION President Felix H. Sisk Vice-President W. J. Smith Secretary R. H. Sharp Assistant Secretary Miss Hattie Cureton Corresponding Secretary Miss Maud Harrill Treasurer Miss Cora Carr Librarian Miss Sarah Harris

Pianist , Miss Virginia Davidson Chorister Dan Mason Membership Committee W. J. Smith, Ch'm. Program Committee Felix H. Sisk, Ch'm. Instruction Committee. .. .Miss Veatress Weir, Ch'm. Social Committee Miss Esther Bowden, Ch'm. The B. Y. P. U. of the First Baptist Church is young. It is so young that we have not become sufficiently well organized to enable us to make the kind of report that we feel the church is entitled to from us. We are pleased to report, however, that our Union is now well organized. All committees are active, and we feel very much encouraged by the good work they are doing.

A B. Y. P. U. is not to be judged by the size of its member- ship, but by the quantity and quality of the work it does, as the plan of the Union only accommodates to the best advantage a maximum membership of fifty. We have a present membership of forty-eight, and we are very much gratified by the progress we are making as illustrated by the following figures for the past quarter

Average number of members present each Sunday. . 27 56% Average number taking part on program 8 63% Average number taking Bible Readers' course.... 16 33%

Average number giving systematically to church. . 18 38% These figures show that we are steadily becoming more efficient in our work, and as a proper record of everything is being kept by the Secretary, we do not hesitate to promise you a better report for 1917. Our report will be better because we are going to so work during the year that we shall have more to report. The time, place and dates for our meetings for 1917 will be as follows: Regular weekly meetings each Sunday at the church at 6:45 P. M. Program Committee meeting at the church at 7:30 P. M. on the Third Tuesday in every month.

Quarterly Business meetings, at which all officers submit written reports, held at the church at 7:30 P. M., on the last CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 79

Thursday in the following months: December, March, June and September. Socials will be held at the church on the second Friday of the following months: January, April, July and October, with the exception that the social for January has been changed to the 15th of February. JUNIOR BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION Leaders Mrs. F. H. Sisk and Mr. J. B. Pratt President Joe Harrill Secretary Idelle Myers Treasurer Louise Long Group Leaders Viola Small, Mildred Rucker, Dorothy Wood and Dorothy Mosteller Meets each Sunday evening before the church service. Membership 51 Average Attendance 85

REPORT OF TROOP NO. 8, CHARLOTTE COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Troop No. 8, Charlotte Council, Boy Scouts of America, was organized on April 11th, by J. H. Bostick as Scout Master, and H. 0. Bangle as Assistant Scout Master.

The Troop Committee appointed was Mr. V. J. Guthery, Mr. T. S. Franklin and Mr. J. A. Durham.

Mr. V. J. Guthery was elected by the troop as their personal representative in the local Scout Council. The troop was organized with twelve charter members, and at one time increased to twenty-two, but there were some names dropped on account of non-attendance at meetings and others failed to take their Tender Foot examination, so that there were only fourteen Scouts in good standing, when regular meetings were discontinued for the holiday season. Eleven went with the Scout Master and his Assistant in August to Kings Mountain for a week's camp. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Following is a report of the troop's financial standing: RECEIPTS Regular dues $18.70 Subscription from Mr. J. A. Durham 5.00 Receipts from 20th of May refreshment stand 15.17

Total $38.87 so FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

DISBURSEMENTS Paid for Roll Books $ 1.80 Paid for part of Boy Scout Float in 20th of May parade 1.50 Camp Expenses 29.36 Balance in treasury 6.21

Total $38.87 J. H. BOSTICK, Scout Master. LITERATURE COMMITTEE Each Sunday during the year, the committee has posted on a blackboard in the Sunday School room the name of a good book and a good magazine article. Always these have been read by at least one member of the committee, and always could be found in the Carnegie Library. The committee has been responsible for two prayer meetings during the year. Two exhibits of missionary literature were given, one at the April day of prayer of the Woman's Missionary Society, and one at the Associational Y. W. A. Rally in August. The Missionary Review of the World and Everyland have been placed in the Carnegie Library. With the assistance of Dr. Vines, a reading campaign was instituted in the Sunday School in October. Graded lists of books, obtainable from the Carnegie Library, were placed in the class rooms, with the request that at least five of these books be read by each one before the first of January. A goodly number of books were read, every member of one class—Mrs. L. L. Hackney's class—reading at least the five books. The attention of the Sunday School was called to the reading courses prepared by the United States Bureau of Education, with the result that several enrolled for one of the courses. The chairman of the committee has prepared a history of the church from 1832 to 1916. And the best is yet to be—the committee has secured a promise from Dr. Edward Kidder Graham, President of the State Univer- sity, to give a lecture at an early date on the subject of reading. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA SI

DECLARATION OF FAITH

(As Agreed to by Charlotte Baptist Church, September 8th, 1856)

I. We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end. and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

II. That there is one, and only one, true and living God, whose name is Jehovah, the Master and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness; worthy of all pos- sible honor, confidence, and love; revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but har- monious offices in the great work of redemption.

III. That man was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all men are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice.

IV. That the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who took upon Him our nature, yet without sin ; honored the law by His personal obedience, and made atonement for our sins by His death; being risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven and, uniting in His ; wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections,, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

V. That the great gospel blessing which Christ of His full- ness bestows on such as believe upon Him, is justification; that justification consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through His own redemption and righteousness; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

VI. That the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel, that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth except his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation. 82 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

VII. That in order to be saved, we must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind, and is effected in a manner above our comprehen- sion, or calculation, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel and that the proper evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God.

VIII. That election is the gracious purpose of God, accord- ing to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it compre- hends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it is ascertained in all who believe the gospel; is the foundation of Christian assurance, and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence. IX. That such only are real believers who endure unto the end ; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

X. That a visible church of Christ is a congregation of bap- tized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges vested in them by His word; that its only proper officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

XI. That Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holv Ghost, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Savior ; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church relation ; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church bv the use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, preceded always by a solemn self-examination. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 83 CHURCH COVENANT

(September 8, 1856)

Having been as we trust brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves wholly to Him, we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other to walk together in Him in brotherly love, to His glory, as our common Lord. We do therefore in His strength engage that we will exer- cise a mutual care as members one of another to promote the growth of the whole body in Christian knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to the end that we may stand perfect in all the will of God. That to promote and secure this object, we will uphold the public worship of God and the ordinances of His house; and hold constant communion with each other therein; that we will cheer- fully contribute of our property for the support of the poor, and for the maintenance of the faithful ministry of the gospel among us. That we will not omit closet and family religion at home, nor allow ourselves to fall into the too common neglect of the great duty of religiously training up our children, and those under our care with a view to the service of Christ, and the enjoyment of heaven. That we will walk circumspectly in the world that we may win souls; remembering that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and a sound mind; that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that a city set upon a hill can not be hid.

That we will frequently exhort, and, if occasion require, admonish one another according to the gospel by Matthew, chapter 18, in the spirit of meekness considering ourselves lest we also be ; tempted, and that as in baptism we have been buried with Christ, and raised again, so there is on us a special obligation henceforth to walk in newness of life. And may the God of Peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 84 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH RESIDENT MEMBERS

Mrs. Margaret K. Abernathy 312 East Boulevard S. E. Absher 205 West Trade Street Thad A. Adams 500 Clement Avenue Mrs. Thad. A. Adams 500 Clement Avenue Mrs. J. Q. Adams 1509 South Boulevard Laurence Adams 1509 South Boulevard Leslie Adams 1509 South Boulevard Mrs. H. L. Adams 314 East Boulevard Miss Lula Adams Colonial Heights W. N. Adams 803 West 4th Street Mrs. W. N. Adams 803 West 4th Street Miss Pattie Adams 803 West 4th Street Miss Ethel Adams 5 Thomas Street J. F., Alexander 612 North Caldwell St. Mrs. J. F. Alexander 612 North Caldwell St. Mr. Joseph Alexander 612 North Caldwell St. Mrs. J. W. Alexander Ill Kenilworth Avenue Miss Fair Alexander Ill Kenilworth Avenue C. C. Alexander Lawyer's Road Mrs. C. C. Alexander Lawyer's Road Mrs. S. R. Alexander 713 North Davidson St. J. R. Anderson 208 Central Avenue Mrs. J. R. Anderson 208 Central Avenue Miss Helen Anderson 208 Central Avenue Miss Susan Anderson 600 North Church St. A. A. Armstrong Stonewall Hotel Mrs. Jno. R. Armstrong R. F. D. No. 7 Clarence Armstrong City Mrs. E. B. Arnold 415 North College Streer E. B. Arnold 415 North College Stree* C. B. Attoway 150 West Morehead Mrs. C. B. Attoway 150 West Morehead Mrs. C. L. Austin 1119 South Tryon Street Miss Gertrude Austelle 1119 South Tryon Street Mrs. J. A. Auten R. F. D. No. 7 B. L. Austin 619 North Caldwell St. Mrs. B. L. Austin 619 North Caldwell St. Lonnie Edward Austin 619 North Caldwell St. Miss Edith Austin 604 East 9th Street Miss Mamie Austin 300 North Brevard St. M. C. Austin 701 East 9th Street Mrs. M. C. Austin 701 East 9th Street

Miss Alice Baker 601 East 7th Street E. H. Baker 327 South Church Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA S5

Mrs. E. H. Baker 327 South Church Street Louis N. Baker 1600 Cleveland Avenue Mrs. Louis N. Baker 1600 Cleveland Avenue Miss Mary Kate Banton Presbyterian Hospital Arthur W. Banks 311 North McDowell St. Mrs. R. F. Banks 311 North McDowell St. Miss Maggie Barbee 405 East 16th Street Robert Barber 1311 East 4th Extens'n Miss Virginia Barber 1311 East 4th Extens'n C. R. Barker Myers Park Mrs. C. R. Barker Myers Park Mrs. B. E. Barksdale Myers Park Mrs. A. C. Barron 3 East Vance Street Mrs. W. H. Baucom 217 Vail Avenue Miss Grace Baucom 217 Vail Avenue Miss Elizabeth Baucom 217 Vail Avenue Fred B. Baucom 217 Vail Avenue Chas. Baucom 217 Vail Avenue E. T. Beaty 800 Worthington Avenue W. S. Beam 315 Law Building Mrs. C. E. Bennett City R. H. Bethel 514 North Church St. Mrs. R. H. Bethel 514 North Church St. B. S. Blanton Myers Park Mrs. B. S. Blanton Myers Park J. H. Blanton 812 North Church St. Mrs. J. H. Blanton 812 North Church St. Miss Annie Blackwood 408 North Smith Street Miss Sadie Blackwood 408 North Smith Street C. S. Bostic 609 North Brevard St. Mrs. C. S. Bostic 609 North Brevard St. Wilhoit Bostic 609 North Brevard St. Miss Pauline Bostic 609 North Brevard St. W. P. Bostick 209 North Myers St. Seth Bostick 209 North Myers St. Mrs. R. H. Bougliny 807 Worthington Avenue Mrs. U. T. Bowden 312 South Poplar Street Miss Esther Bowden 312 South Poplar Street Miss M. E. Bowden 411 North College Street N. R. Bowman Y. M. C. A. J. H. Braswell 300 South Cedar Street Mrs. Lucy Bright 909 North Tryon Street Miss Christine Bright 909 North Tryon Street Mrs. L. T. Brooks Seversville Arthur Brown 110 Park Drive Mrs. Arthur Brown 110 Park Drive Miss Dallas Brown 110 Park Drive Miss Mildred Brown 110 Park Drive 86 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Hampton S. Brown 409 East Boulevard Mrs. Hampton S. Brown 409 East Boulevard Hampton Brown, Jr 409 East Boulevard Miss Elizabeth Brown 409 East Boulevard Miss Elsie Brown 409 East Boulevard I. A. Brown 208 Lillington Avenue Mrs. I. A. Brown 208 Lillington Avenue J. W. Brown 410 East 5th Street Mrs. J. W. Brown 410 East 5th Street Mrs. Mozelle Brown 410 East 5th Street Camillus Brown 410 East 5th Street Herman F. Brown 410 East 5th Street Richard Brown 410 East 5th Street Mrs. W. J. Brown 626 South Church St. Willis Brown Salisbury Road

Mrs. Willis Brown , Salisbury Road Mrs. E. D. Brown Salisbury Road Osborne Brown Salisbury Road James Brown R. F. D. No. 6 John Brown R. F. D. No. 6 Sammie Brown R. F. D. No. 6 Mrs. G. W. Bryan 918 South Tryon Street Frank Buchanan, Jr 9 Mint Street Mrs. R. L. Burgin 1905 Avondale Avenue Mrs. J. D. Brumfield 305 West 7th Street Miss Eugeta Brumfield 305 West 7th Street Miss Mamie Brumfield 305 West 7th Street Harry Brumfield 305 West 7th Street Reuben Brunson 205 North Brevard St. A. L. Byrd Mecklenburg Hotel T. L. Byrd 203 Winthrop Avenue

G. B. Cabiness 410 North Church Street Mrs. G. B. Cabiness 410 North Church Street J. B. Caddell .201 South Harrill St. Mrs. J. B. Caddell 201 South Harrill St.

J. S. Caddell c <. 19 South Harrill Street

E. J. Caffrey . . .1 High Street

Mrs. E. J. Caffrey , 1 High Street Mrs. Frank M. Caldwell 900 South Tryon Street J. B. Carpenter 808 West 5th Street Mrs. J. B. Carpenter 808 West 5th Street Mrs. J. C. Carpenter 808 West 5th Street Miss Hattie Carpenter 808 West 5th Street J. S. Carr 1713 East 8th Street Mrs. J. S. Carr 1713 East 8th Street Miss Cora L. Carr 1713 East 8th Street Conrad F. Carter 312 South Poplar Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 87

Jno. A. Carter 814 East 5th Street Miss Myrtle Carter 814 East 5th Street Mrs. W. H. Carter 4 Columbus Avenue Geo. Cashion 1204 North Tryon Street Wilmer V. Cashion 1204 North Tryon Street Mrs. W. F. Caudle 1007 North Tryon Street Harvey F. Caudle 1007 North Tryon Street Miss Lelia Caudle 1007 North Tryon Street Miss Marguerite Caudle 1007 North Tryon Street A. B. Cheatham Vance Apartments Mrs. A. B. Cheatham Vance Apartments Mrs. M. P. Chipley 4 North Chase Street Reginald Chipley 4 North Chase Street Mrs. J. R. Clements 419 East 5th Street A. E. Cohen 301 North Poplar Street Mrs. A. E. Cohen 301 North Poplar Street Miss Ida Reid Cohen 301 North Poplar Street M. C. Coin 228 North College Street A. Collins Myers Park Mrs. A. Collins Myers Park W. E. Collins R. F. D. No. 3 Mrs. W. E. Collins R. F. D. No. 3 Marsh Collins R. F. D. No. 3

Miss Rose Collins , R. F. D. No. 3 Miss Hattie Ruth Collins R. F. D. No. 3 C. M. Collier 305 North Church Street Mrs. C. M. Collier 305 North Church Street T. W. Colyer 203 Beaumont Avenue Mrs. T. W. Colyer 203 Beaumont Avenue Mrs. J. E. Conniffee 325 East Morehead St. Miss Elizabeth Conrad 300 Central Avenue H. A. Cook 1222 East 7th Street Mrs. H. A. Cook 1222 East 7th Street Miss Bertie Cook ..1222 East 7th Street Miss Carrie Cook... 1222 East 7th Street Dwight Cook 1222 East 7th Street Harry Cook 1222 East 7th Street Mrs. W. B. Corby 214 West 4th Street C. A. Covey 506 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. C. A. Covey 506 Elizabeth Avenue Charles M. Covey 506 Elizabeth Avenue William Covey 506 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. R. C. Crissman 107 Hawthorne Lane Miss Elizabeth Crook ...409 North Poplar Street Geo. Crook Chamber of Commerce Mrs. W. J. Crowd! 623 Clement Avenue Miss Julia Crowell 623 Clement Avenue Miss Lola Belle C~owell 1007 Central Avenue 88 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Miss Annie Crutchfield .As. Sec. Associat'd Char. Mr. W. 0. Cullum JO North McDowell St. Mrs. W. O. Cullum 10 North McDowell St. W. E. Culpepper 20 Winifred Place Mrs. W. E. Culpepper 20 Winifred Place Miss Lois Culpepper 20 Winifred Place J. S. Cureton 600 North Church Street Mrs. J. S. Cureton 600 North Church Street Miss Hattie C. Cureton 600 North Church Street Miss Carrie Cureton 600 North Church Street Miss Nell Curlee Y. W. C. A. R. D. Currence Y. M. C. A.

Jno. L. Dabbs 411 Clement Avenue Mrs. Jno. L. Dabbs 411 Clement Avenue Miss Mabel Dabbs 411 Clement Avenue G. D. Darsey 404 East 10th Street Frank D. Darsey 404 East 10th Street Miss Mary Darsey 404 East 10th Street F. B. Davant 228 Kingston Avenue Mrs. F. B. Davant 228 Kingston Avenue Miss Frances Davant 228 Kingston Avenue W. H. Davey 812 West 5th Street Mrs. W. H. Davey 812 West 5th Street Leonard Davey 812 West 5th Street Vernon Davey 812 West 5th Street E. W. Davidson 702 North Brevard St. Mrs. E. W. Davidson 702 North Brevard St. Miss Mary Davidson 702 North Brevard St. Miss Virginia Davidson 702 North Brevard St, Edward Davidson 702 North Brevard St. D. G. Davis Y. M. C. A. W. W. Davis Pineville Road Miss Ora Danna 322 North Tryon Street E. N Dellinger 313 South Cedar Street Mrs. E. N. Dellinger 313 South Cedar Street U. G. Dellinger 1006 Mint Street B. T. Denton 228 North College Street J. E. Denton R. F. D. No .1 Miss Alice DeVane Y. W. C. A. W. L. Devereaux 19 South Tryon Street Mrs. W. L. Devereaux 19 South Tryon Street J. H. Dickinson 501 North College St. H. S. Diehl 1011 West 4th Street Mrs. H. S. Diehl 1011 West 4th Street Miss Flora Dinkins 912 South Mint Street W. C. Dobbs 310 East 6th Street Mrs. W. C. Dobbs 310 East 6th Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 89

H. C. Dockery Law Building J. P. Dodd 711 North Pine Street Mrs. J. P. Dodd 711 North Pine Street Morris Dodd 711 North Pine Street 0. L. Dorsett 1216 East 7th St Mrs. O. L. Dorsett 1216 East 7th St. C. O. Doty 715 North Church Street Mrs. C. O. Doty 715 North Church Street W. C. Dowd 707 South Tryon Street W. C. Dowd, Jr 707 South Tryon Street Edward Dowd 707 South Tryon Street Miss Cornelia Dowd 707 South Tryon Street Mrs. Chas. Drumright 303 Central Avenue C. A. Duckworth 215 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. C. A. Duckworth 215 Elizabeth Avenue

Miss Bessie Duckworth , 310 West 10th Street Miss Isolee Duckworth 310 West 10th Street Miss Nina Duckworth Manning Apartments E. V. Durham 15 West Vance Street Mrs. E. V. Durham 15 West Vance Street Frank M. Durham 15 West Vance Street I. W. Durham 902 North Tryon Street Webb Durham 902 North Tryon Street Miss Lelia Durham 902 North Tryon Street J. A. Durham 800 South Tryon Street Mrs. J. A. Durham 800 South Tryon Street Miss Bessie Durham 800 South Tryon Street Jno. F. Durham 800 South Tryon Street

Mrs. Lottie Eanes 500 West Trade Street Miss Louise Edwards 604 South Tryon Street Mrs. W. H. Edwards 508 East 14th Street William E. Edwards 508 East 14th Street J. B. Efird East Trade Street Mrs. R. L. Echard 1203 North Tryon Street C. S. Elam 1405 East 7th Street Mrs. C. S. Elam 1405 East 7th Street C. C. Elder 1903 South Boulevard Mrs. C. C. Elder.. 1903 South Boulevard H. S. Ellerby 205 West 9th Street Mrs. McNiel Elliott 901 South A. Street C. V. Ellis 203 North Caldwell St. Mrs. C. V. Ellis 203 North Caldwell St. Henry B. Ellis 203 North Caldwell St. Mrs. Henry B. Ellis 203 North Caldwell St. C. S. Ellis 203 North Caldwell St. Mrs. R. E. Epting 1405 East 5th Street •J. H. Erwin 1 North Davidson Street 90 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Mrs. J. H. Erwin 1 North Davidson Street Mrs. J. C. Evans Seversville Ray Evans Seversville Miss Grace Evans Seversville A. B. Everette 1705 North Davidson St.

Mrs. Walter M. Failor Myers Park E. R. Faires 213 East Vance Street Mrs. E. R. Faires 213 East Vance Street Miss Helen Falls Y. W. C. A. J. T. Farrington 701 North Graham St. Mrs. J. T. Farrington 701 North Graham St. Miss Laura Farrington 701 North Graham St. Miss Mary Farrington 701 North Graham St. H. B. Farrington 703 North Graham St.

Mrs. H. B. Farrington „ 703 North Graham St. A. L. Faul 205 Beaumont Avenue Mrs. A. L. Faul 205 Beaumont Avenue Mrs. J. B. Fears 901 North Pine Street W. E. Ferguson 1702 North Tryon St. Mrs. W. E. Ferguson 1702 North Tryon St. Mrs. Jno A. Ferrell 712 East Avenue Mrs. Netta Fletcher 614 North Church Street Jno. C. Fletcher 614 North Church Street Miss Marie Fletcher 614 North Church Street J. F. Flowers 619 Louise Avenue R. H. Fluker 326 North Graham St. Mrs. R. H. Fluker 326 North Graham St. Mrs. O. C. Fogus 504 North Poplar Street Otway C. Fogus, Jr 504 North Poplar Street Mrs. W. S. Ford 1837 Dallas Avenue W. R. Foreman 904 South Tryon Street Mrs. W. R. Foreman 904 South Tryon Street H. O. Foster 219 North Cedar Street Mrs. H. O. Foster 219 North Cedar Street H. L. Fowler 407 Louise Avenue Mrs. R. B. Fowler 802 North Brevard St. J. R. Fowler 512 East 7th Street Mr. A. W. Franklin 302 North Tryon Street Mrs. A. W. Franklin 302 North TVvon Street T. S. Franklin 604 East Avenue Mrs. T. S. Franklin 604 East Avenue Thomas S. Franklin, Jr 604 East Avenue L. R. Free ..207 South Cedar Street R. O. Free 207 South Cedar Street F. W. Frye 507 East 5th Street Mrs. F. W. Frye 507 East 5th Street J. F. Funderburk 1521 East 4th Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 91

C. L. Gable 822 North Church Street Mrs. C. L. Gable 822 North Church Street Mrs. F. C. Gaddy 403 North Brevard St. Mrs. Helen Gaddy R. F. D. No. 9 Mrs. A. C. Galloway 702 North Brevard St. Mrs. J. A. Gardner 410 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. Margaret Gardner 1803 Cleveland Avenue William H. Gardner 1803 Cleveland Avenue Roach Garrison 1207 South Tryon Street Mrs. Mary L. Gaston City Miss Brownie Gatling 209 North Brevard St. H. J. Gheesling 11 Park Court Mrs. H. J. Gheesling 11 Park Court A. H. Gibson .18 East Hill Street C. A. Gibson 18 East Hill Street Miss Ethel Gibson 18 East Hill Street Miss Ruth Gibson 18 East Hill Street

Mrs. A. K. Gilham , 1703 South Boulevard W. T. Gill 1008 West 4th Street F. K. Gilreath 627 East 5th Street Mrs. F. K. Gilreath 627 East 5th Street A. J. Goode Myers Park Mrs. A. J. Goode .Myers Park C. Evitt Goode Myers Park Lloyd Goode Myers Park R. L. Goode 902 North Tryon Street Mrs. R. L. Goode 902 North Tryon Street Mrs. R. L. Graham 801 North Church Street L. S. Grandy 606 North Poplar Street

Mrs. L. S. Grandy , 606 North Poplar Street Miss Galatia Grandy 606 North Poplar Street Miss Rubena Grandy 606 North Poplar Street Sidney Grandy 606 North Poplar Street W. J. Grant Ford Motor Co. Mrs. C. C. Green 304 West 10th Street C. S. Green 905 North Pine Street Miss Frances Green 905 North Pine Street Miss Lucile Green 905 North Pine Street W. I. Green 14 Winifred Place J. D. Green 16 North Brevard Stree* Edgar B. Grier care Fisk Rubber Co. Harris Grier .' City C. L. Gribble 8 South Brevard Street Mrs. C. L. Gribble 8 South Brevard Street Eldridge Gribble 8 South Brevard Street Leroy Gribble 8 South Brevard Street Mrs. N. A. Griswold 1002 West 2nd Street Mrs. R. B. Griswold 313 North Poplar Street 92 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Miss Zettie Griswold 313 North Poplar Street Eldridge Griswold 1002 West 2nd Street Mrs. M. A. Gryder 1707 East 7th Street V. J. Guthery Myers Park Mrs. V. J. Guthery Myers Park Paul Guthery Myers Park

J. P. Hackney 2001 East 7th Street Mrs. J. P. Hackney 2001 East 7th Street Miss Lucile Hackney 2001 East 7th Street Miss Mildred Hackney 2001 East 7th Street L. L. Hackney Myers Park Mrs. L. L. Hackney Myers Park S. H. Hackney 1404 East 7th Street W. R. Hackney 1406 East 7th Street Miss Isabella Hager Seversville J. K. Hair 500 Louise Avenue Mrs. J. K. Hair 500 Louise Avenue J. A. Haley 305 West 3rd Street J. H. Hall Box 926, City G. F. Hall 10 South Myers Street Mrs. G. F. Hall 10 South Myers Street W. H. Hall R. F. D. No. 8 Mrs. W. H. Hall R. F. D. No. 8 Miss Ethel Hall R. F. D. No. 8 Miss Vernessa Hall R. F. D. No. 8 Miss Mary Louise Hall 510 North Smith Street R. M. Hammond 604 Liddell Street Mrs. R. M. Hammond 604 Liddell Street E. M. Hannon 10 Travis Avenue J. R. Hardin 7 South Clarkson Street Mrs. J. R. Hardin 7 South Clarkson Street Miss Annie B. Harkie 301 North Poplar Street Geo. Harmon 1206 South Tryon Street Paul Harmon 31st Street Mrs. Paul Harmon 31st Street H. G. Harper 803 East Avenue Mrs. H. G. Harper 803 East Avenue Henry Harper 803 East Avenue Miss Martha Harper 803 East Avenue Miss Mabel Harper 803 East Avenue A. V. Harrill Myers Park Mrs. A. V. Harrill Myers Park Miss Essie Harrill Myers Park Miss Fannie Harrill Myers Park Miss Maud Harrill Myers Park J. H. Harrill 313 North Poplar Street Mrs. J. H. Harrill 313 North Poplar Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 93

Joseph Harrill 313 North Poplar Street Miss Elizabeth Harrill 313 North Poplar Street Miss Sara Harrill 313 North Poplar Street J. J. Harrill 1105 East 7th Street Mrs. J. J. Harrill 1105 East 7th Street Miss Flora Belle Harrill 1105 East 7th Street Jenkins Harrill 1105 East 7th Street Spencer Harrill 1105 East 7th Street Mrs. Hugh Harris West 3rd Street Miss Julia Harris West 3rd Street Miss Sara Harris West 3rd Street Robert Harris West 3rd Street Mrs. J. R. Harris 6 Jackson Avenue J. B. Hauser 602 East 4th Street Mrs. J. B. Hauser 602 East 4th Street Mrs. M. L. Hawkins 204 West 11th Street Miss Dorothy Hawkins 204 West 11th Street Marcus Hawkins 204 West 11th Street Miss Virginia Hawkins 204 West 11th Street Mrs. Elizabeth Hayes 405^ East Avenue R. F. Hayes 217 South Myers Street Mrs. R. F. Hayes 217 South Myers Street Miss Emily Haynes 506 North Poplar Street Miss Pearl Head 507 East 5th Street Miss Thelma Head 507 East 5th Street Edward T. Helms 1305 South Tryon Street M. C. Helms 601 Central Avenue Mrs. J. A. Henderson 16 Ransom Place W. I. Henry 608 East 7th Street W. F. Hendricks 411 North College Street L. C. Herndon 603 North Graham Ext. Mrs. L. C. Herndon 603 North Graham Ext. Claude Herndon 603 North Graham Ext. Miss Susie Herndon 603 North Graham Ext. Miss Elizabeth Hicks 915 Mint Street Mrs. F. A. Hicks 400 East Oak Street Miss Fannie Higgins 1101 North Davidson St. F. G. Hill 500 North Graham St. J. W. Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. J. W. Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Horace J. Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Oscar Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Miss Pearl Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Miss Viola Hill 303 Elizabeth Avenue Miss Mattie Hill 908 North Brevard St. L. M. Hilton 413 North Pine Street Mrs. L. M. Hilton 413 North Pine Street Miss Erma Hilton 413 North Pine Street 94 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Miss Edna Hilton 413 North Pine Street Miss Ruth Hilton 413 North Pine Street H. W. Hilton 413 North Pine Street Murray Hilton 413 North Pine Street T. R. Hilton 413 North Pine Street J. S. Hinson 810 North Brevard St. Mrs. J. S. Hinson 810 North Brevard St. Carl Hinson 810 North Brevard St. Claude Hinson 810 North Brevard St. Mitchell Hinson 810 North Brevard St. Sam Hinson 810 North Brevard St. E. S. Hoggard 503 Louise Avenue Mrs. E. S. Hoggard 503 Louise Avenue G. C. Holbrook 305 South Myers Street Mrs. G. C. Holbrook 305 South Myers Street Miss Sarah Holland 217 West 7th Street Charles Holobaugh 213 South Graham St. Mrs. Charles Holobaugh 213 South Graham St. Miss Katie Holobaugh 213 South Graham St. Mrs. C. S. Holton 601 East 7th Street

Gilmer Holton 601 East 7th Street . Miss Mary Holton 601 East 7th Street M. C. Hood 2 Vanderbilt St. A. V. Hooks 806 West Trade Street Mrs. P. H. Hoover 2 Ransom Place Mrs. Bettie Hopkins 211 South McDowell St. Howard Hopkins 211 South McDowell St. Miss Laura Hopkins 211 South McDowell St. Miss Mary Hopkins 211 South McDowell St. Miss Minnie Hopkins 211 South McDowell St. H. D. Horton 207 North Poplar Street Mrs. H. D. Horton 207 North Poplar Street

L. B. Hough , 12 North Church St. Mrs. J. M. House 1213 South Tryon Street Harry House 1213 South Tryon Street E. B. Howell 18 Grove Street Mrs. E. B. Howell 18 Grove Street Miss Mvrtle Hudson 205 South Myers Street Miss Tillie Hulten 410 North Church St. Mrs. Earl Hunt 200 East 8th Street Mrs. W. Myers Hunter Myers Park Mrs. M. W. Hunter 311 North Graham St.

W. C. Jackson 415 North College Street Miss Elizabeth Jenkins 1002 East 4th Street

Miss Goldie Jenkins . . . 1009 Central Avenue CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 95

Miss Mamie Jennings 8 South Brevard Street Miss Ola Belle Jenkins 8 South Brevard Street Mrs. C. M. Jetton 308 West 7th Street Miss Lillie Mae Jetton 308 West 7th Street Miss Sara Jetton 308 West 7th Street Mrs. J. H. Jett 24 South Graham Street J. B. Johnston Groveton Dr. J. G. Johnston 609 Clement Avenue Mrs. J. G. Johnston 609 Clement Avenue James Johnston 609 Clement Avenue Miss Mary Johnston 609 Clement Avenue Dr. B. C. Jones Y. M. C. A. Miss Ila Jones 405 East 16th Street H. J. Joyner 308 East Oak Street A. B. Justice 1602 East 8th Street Mrs. A. B. Justice 1602 East 8th Street Jno. M. Justice 1602 East 8th Street Miss Mary Justice 1602 East 8th Street

J. R. Keever Charlotte Observer E. M. Keith 403 South Church Street Mrs. E. M. Keith 403 South Church Street Miss E. Hope Keith 403 South Church Street Mrs. S. A. Kelly 312 East Boulevard Miss Sara Kelly 312 East Boulevard T. W. Kendrick 307 North Graham St. Mrs. T. W. Kendrick 307 North Graham St. E. L. Kenner .203 Sunnyside Avenue Mrs. F. L. Kenner 203 Sunnyside Avenue R. B. Kephart Bell Telephone Co. Miss Irwin Kerr 503 North Graham St. J. E. Killian 1009 West 2nd Street Mrs. J. E. Killian 1009 West 2nd Street Mrs. B. S. Kimbrell 411 East 10th Street Clarence King Charlotte Motor Car Co. S. O. Kins: 1710 N. Allen Street George King City Mrs. E. J. Krirm'nger 1408 East 4th Extension D. Eugene Krimingrer 1408 East 4th Extension Mrs. M. A. Klueppelburg 307 North Graham St. H. N. Klueppelburg 401 West 4th Street C. H. Klueppelburg 401 West 4th Street Mrs. G. P. Knov/les 204 Mint Street Miss Clay Knowles 204 Mint Street C. O. Kufster 515 Park Avenue Mrs. C. O. Kuester 515 Park Avenue 96 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Chas. E. Lacy Myers Park T. W. Lattimore 106 East Boulevard Mrs. T. W. Lattimore 106 East Boulevard Miss Sara Leak 1109 Central Avenue Jenkins Leak 1109 Central Avenue E. K. Leason 318 North Davidson St. Mrs. E. K. Leason 318 North Davidson St. C. M. Leeper Seversville Mrs. M. F. Lenoir 311 North Graham St. J. W. Lewis 206 South McDowell St. Mrs. J. W. Lewis 206 South McDowell St. Miss Mary Lewis 206 South McDowell St. Mrs. W. J. F. Liddell 604 East Avenue Miss Eva Liddell 604 East Avenue Mrs. W. S. Liddell 600 East Avenue Miss Anna Forbes Liddell 600 East Avenue Miss Grace Lindsay Thomasboro Mrs. M. E. Lingle .403 West 4th Street Mrs. W. C. Little 1111 North Tryon Street W. F. Little 313 North College St. Miss Frances Little 313 North College St. Miss Marie Little 313 North College St. Alfa Lomax 1009 North Church St. Mrs. Lewis Long 5 Thomas Avenue Miss Louise Long 5 Thomas Avenue Miss Nancy Long 1008 East 4th Extension T. O. Loveless 609 South Tryon Street Mrs. T. O. Loveless 609 South Tryon Street Mrs. O. W. Loving 309 North Church Lloyd D. Lyles 15 West 6th Street Mrs. L. D. Lyles 15 West 6th Street Miss Laura Lynch 510 West 4th Street Norman W. Lynch 437 South Church Street

Mrs. E. J. Manning 806 East 4th Extension Mrs. J. J. Manning 307 North Poplar Street Miss Marguerite Manning 307 North Poplar Street Chas. Manus 219 North Cedar Street C. C. Martin 206 Seigle Avenue Mrs. C. C. Martin 206 Seigle Avenue H. D. Martin 515 East Avenue Mrs. H. D. Martin 515 East Avenue Mrs. J. J. Martin 612 West Trade Street E. L. Mason 206 Hawthorne Lane Mrs. E. L. Mason 206 Hawthorne Lane Burwell Mason 206 Hawthorne Lane Robert Mason 206 Hawthorne Lane R. E. Mason 500 North Graham St. CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 97

Mrs. R. E. Mason 500 North Graham St. Dan V. Mason 500 North Graham St. Joe Mason 500 North Graham St. Harold Medlock 211 Hawthorne Lane Miss Bertie Medlock 211 Hawthorne Lane Miss Marion Medlock 211 Hawthorne Lane Miss Willie John Medlock 211 Hawthorne Lane Mrs. C. K. Messick 214 North Caldwell St. Mrs. O. L. Michael 410 East 5th Street Miss Natalie Mikell 1 Vance Apartments C. S. Milholland 709 North Graham St. Mrs. C. S. Milhollar.d 709 North Graham St. Hudson Millar Latta Arcade Chas. Miller 202 Lillington Avenue Mrs. Chas. Miller 202 Lillington Avenue Miss Emma Miller 202 Lillington Avenue Miss Ethel Miller 202 Lillington Avenue Miss Grace Millerschon Statesville Road Mrs. S. A. Mills East 18th Street L. E. Mincey 209 South Tryon Street Mrs. Chas. Mitchell 709 North Pine Street D. W. Mitchell 1 Sunnyside Avenue Mrs. D. W. Mitchell 1 Sunnyside Avenue

Miss Ethylene Mitchell , 1 Sunnyside Avenue Miss Louise Mitchell 1 Sunnyside Avenue Mrs. E. A. Moffett ....810 North Graham St. Miss Etta Moffett 810 North Graham St. Miss Lena Moffett 810 North Graham St. Mrs. J. B. Montgomery 11 West Palmer Street Mrs. O. W. Montgomery 507 West 8th Street C. B. Moore South Boulevard Ext'sn Mrs. C. B. Moore South Boulevard Ext'sn G. D. Moore South Boulevard Ext'sn H. A. Moore City J. F. Moore Y. M. C. A. Mrs. R. H. Moore 1219 East 4th Extens'n V. O. Moore 8 South Brevard Stree' E. L. Morris 206 South Graham St. Mrs. E. L. Morris 206 South Graham St. W. J. Morris 907 East 5th Street C. A. Moseley 513 North College St. Miss Marion Moseley Y. W. C. A. W. E. Moss 818 West Trade Street A. F. Mosteller 1204 East 4th Extension Mrs. A. F. Mosteller 1204 East 4th Extension J. F. Mosteller 1204 East 4th Extension Miss Dorothy Mosteller .1204 East 4th Extension

Miss Sadie Belle Mosteller . . . 1204 East 4th Extension 98 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

C. E. Mosteller 408 South Church St. J. O. Mosteller 501 East 7th Street C. E. Motte 720 East 4th Street

Mrs. C. E. Motte. ... t 720 East 4th Street

Mrs. N. A. Mullis „ 400 West 3rd Street Miss Edna Munson..,.,, 404 Smith Street J. E. Murphy 508 North Church St.

Miss Louise Murphy. . . 508 North Church St.

C. B. Muse , , City

J. W. Muse , City J. B. Myers 411 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. J. B. Myers 411 Elizabeth Avenue Dr. J. Q. Myers Tranquil Park Sanitar'm Miss Belva Myers. Tranquil Park Sanitar'm T. S. Myers 506 North Pine Street Mrs. T. S. Myers 506 North Pine Street Miss Idelle Myers 506 North Pine Street Miss Margaret Myers 506 North Pine Street Roy Myers 506 North Pine Street Webster Myers 506 North Pine Street

J. K. McAbee 413 East Oak Street Mrs. J. K. McAbee 413 East Oak Street Mr. L. E. McBrayer, „. 1607 East 7th Street Mrs. L. E. McBrayer 1607 East 7th Street Mrs. Dexter McBride 1301 32nd Street Miss Madeline McCann Myers Park

. Miss Edith McCarver. : 811 North Church St. Mrs. Annie McCoy rT .. 3 Gibbon Street Mrs. M. A. McCoy 401 South Mint Street Mrs. G. M. McCullough 1837 Dallas Avenue Mrs. J. D. McDuffie 709 North Graham St. Mrs. W. F. McDuffie., 709 North Graham St. Mrs. W. T. McGhee 211 South McDowell St.

Mrs. F. McKamey , 214 West 4th St.

Miss Laura McKamey. . . , 403 Mint Street Miss Sallie McKamey 403 Mint Street

Mrs. T. C. McKenzie . , ,, 818 North Church St.

Miss Eloise McKenzie. .... , . * . 818 North Church Street

Miss Carrie McLean , 803 North Tryon Street Dr. C. G. McManaway. Myers Park C. R. McManaway 312 North College St. I. M. McManaway 406 West Trade Street. J. M. McMichael 316 E. Park Avenue Mrs. J. M. McMichael 316 E. Park Avenue Miss Anna McMichael 316 E. Park Avenue Miss Grace McMichael 316 E. Park Avenue Miss Jennie McMichael 316 E. Park Avenue .

CHARLOTTE. N. CAROLINA

Miss Ruth McMichael . . 316 E. Park Avenue Mrs. W. L. McMichael .402 South Church St.

Mrs. D. A. McNeill. . .507 West 4th Street W. C. McNeil .310 Jackson Avenue Miss Pearl McNeil .310 Jackson Avenue

S. B. Naile 403 North Poplar Street

O. A. Neal ; Myers Park Mrs. W. S. Neice 818 North Church St. W. A. New 811 West Trade Street Mrs. W. A. New 811 West Trade Street Mrs. H. L. Nickson 311 North Graham St. J. R. Noles 201 South Cedar St.

R. B. Norris , S. A. L. Railway

Mrs. James Northey. . . 714 South Church St.

J. B. Oates 501 North Tryon Street Mrs. J. B. Oates 501 North Tryon Street Jno. O'Daniel 1410 East 4th Street Oris L. O'Daniel 1410 East 4th Street Mrs. J. F. Orr 508 East Avenue Manlius Orr 508 East Avenue N. J. Orr Lawyers Road Mrs. N. J. Orr Lawyers Road Mrs. Martha A. Oldham 417 Elizabeth Avenue Mrs. C. R. Otterbourg 1016 West 2nd Street W. E. Outen 213 North Church Street Mrs. W. E. Outen 213 North Church Street A. C. Owens 2001 Winthrop Avenue

Mrs. A. C. Owens , 2001 Winthrop Avenue J.H.Owen 911 North Pine Street Mrs. J. H. Owen 911 North Pine Street Thos. Owen 911 North Pine Street Miss Pauline Owen 911 North Pine Street

W. C. Owens , , . , Seversville

Mrs. W. C. Owens , Seversville

C. A. Padgett 10 West 5th Street Mrs. C. A. Padgett 10 West 5th Street Miss Mary B. Palmer 417 West Trade Street L. A. Pangle 1119 North Tryon St. Mrs. L. A. Pangle 1119 North Tryon St. Miss Emma Pangle 1119 North Tryon St. Miss Zoa Pangle 1119 North Tryon St. Jno. A. Parker Y. M. C. A. J. N. Parker 308 West 12th Street Mrs. J. N. Parker 308 West 12th Street 100 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Leroy Parker .308 West 12th Street

Miss Tebelle Parker . . 503 East 7th Street Z. 0. Parker Y. M. C. A. E. L. Patterson 205 Elizabeth Avenue J. C. Patton W^esley Heights Mrs. J. C. Patton W^esley Heights Mrs. 0. W. Payne Villa Heights

Dr. C. N. Peeler . . 310 Sunnyside Avenue W. R. Pendleton 302 East 6th Street Mrs. W. R. Pendleton 302 East 6th Street

Samuel Pendleton . 302 East 6th Street Mrs. J. T. Penny 606 Louise Avenue

J. D. Perry Y. M. C. A. G. B. Phillips 1117 North Tryon St Mrs. G. B. Phillips 1117 North Tryon St. J. C. Phillips Mrs. J. C. Phillips T. B. Phillips Mrs. T. B. Phillips 1117 North Tryon St Miss Alice Phillips 1117 North Tryon St Miss Elizabeth Phillips 1117 North Tryon St. Eddie Phillips 1117 North Tryon St.

T. W. Phillips. . 1117 North Tryon St.

Willie Phillips ...... 1117 North Tryon St. C. G. Pickard 213 North Church St. Miss Lou Poindexter 213 North Church St. T. F. Polk ...... 803 West 4th Street

Mrs. T. F. Polk...... 803 West 4th Street W. J. Polk .410 East 9th Street Mrs. W. J. Polk 410 East 9th Street

Claude Polk...... 410 East 9th Street Miss Ruby Polk 410 East 9th Street Miss Ruth Polk 410 East 9th Street

Miss Crettie Polk. . . 410 East 9th Street J. M. Porter 309 North Poplar Street

Mrs. J. M. Porter. . 309 North Poplar Street N V Porter 134 West Morehead St. Mrs. M. A. Prather...... 803 North Tryon St. H D Prather 1110 South Graham St. Mrs. H. D. Prather 1110 South Graham St.

J T B. Pratt 1712 South Boulevard

414 North College St.

C. S. Pritchett CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 101

Mrs. C. S. Pritchett 700 North Graham St. W. A. Pritchett 700 North Graham St. Mrs. W. A. Pritchett 700 North Graham St. Miss Annie Mae Pritchett 700 North Graham St. D. L. Probert 1225 East 7th Street Mrs. D. L. Probert 1225 East 7th Street Mrs. J. P. Propst 1210 East 4th Street Miss Marion Propst 1210 East 4th Street Mrs. J. C. Purcell 9 East 7th Street J. R. Purser 204 East Morehead Mrs- J. R. Purser 204 East Morehead

Carr Purser „ 204 East Morehead John R. Purser, Jr 204 East Morehead

Miss Natalie Rahan 501 East 7th Street Mrs. Gertrude Randall 205 North Clarkson St. E. E. Redfern 712 North Brevard St. Mrs. E. E. Redfern 712 North Brevard St. C. B. Reeves 1203 South Tryon St. Mrs. C. B. Reeves 1203 South Tryon St. Z. C. Reeves 213 North Church St. A. S. Reid 603 South Tryon St.

Mrs. A. S. Reid . 603 South Tryon St. W. B. Renfrow 315 North Poplar St. Mrs. W. B. Renfrow 315 North Poplar St. Ernest Reynolds 402 West 12th Street Mrs. Ernest Reynolds 402 West 12th Street Mrs. J. C. Rhyne 9 East 12th Street Mrs. F. B. Richardson. 12 South Brevard Street Mrs. M. Richardson 411 North McDowell St. O. D. Riddle Charlotte News. Miss Ray Rippy 7 South Clarkson Street Miss Frances Roberts 14 West 6th Street

H. P. Roberts . , 402 South Cedar Street

C. H. Robinson ,. 4 08 Elizabeth Avenue

Miss Corrine Robinson. . ,„... 709 North Graham St.

Claude E. Robinson , 905 West Trade St. Miss Maggie Robinson 905 West Trade St. Miss Ruth Robinson 905 West Trade St. F. J. Robinson 300 North Tryon Street Hubert Robinson 406 West 9th Street Lilious Robinson 406 West 9th Street Miss Mvrtle Robinson 1014 North Tryon St. S. A. Robinson 509 East 9th Street Mrs. S. A. Robinson 509 East 9th Street Miss Emma Robinson 509 East 9th Street Miss Gertrude Robinson 509 East 9th Street Lafferty Robinson 509 East 9th Street 102 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

S. L. Robinson 509 East 9th Street Mrs. W. G. Rogers 528 East Boulevard W. S. Rolph 207 Miller Avenue Mrs. W. S. Rolph 207 Miller Avenue

Mrs. F. R. Ross . .404 East Avenue S. E. Rowe 715 North Graham St. Mrs. S. E. Rowe 715 North Graham St. A. P. Rucker 213 South McDowell St. Mrs. A. P. Rucker 213 South McDowell St.

Miss Charlotte Rucker , 213 South McDowell St. Miss Evelyn Rucker 213 South McDowell St. Miss Kathleen Rucker 213 South McDowell St. Miss Margaret Rucker 213 South McDowell St. Miss Mildred Rucker 213 South McDowell St. Mrs. Ella Russell 208 Mint Street Miss Virginia Russell 208 Mint Street Richard Ruth 307 North Poplar St.

Wilbur Sadelson 305 E. Morehead St.

Mrs. O. B. Saine * . . . Burton Apartments James Schorne Southern Cotton Oil Co. C. R. Scott 207 Beaumont Avenue Mrs. F. Scott 402 West 7th Street B. L. Scruggs 314 East Boulevard Mrs. B. L. Scruggs 314 East Boulevard J. S. Seay 1 Ransom Place W. E. Senn 6 North Fox Street Mrs. W. E. Senn 6 North Fox Street T. B. Senn 304 West Palmer Street Mrs. T. B. Senn 304 West Palmer Street Irwin Setzer 215 North Caldwell St. J. F. Shannon 1600 Park Drive Mrs. J. F. Shannon ....1600 Park Drive Mrs. J. G. Shannonhouse .1911 Park Drive J. C. Shepherd Blandwood Apartments

Mrs. J. C. Shepherd , . , . . .Blandwood Apartments Miss Lemma Shepherd Blandwood Apartments Miss Mildred Shepherd Blandwood Apartments N. J. Sherrill 605 North Graham St. Mrs. N. J. Sherrill 605 North Graham St. Miss Helen Nora Sherrill 605 North Graham St. Miss Marguerite Sherrill 605 North Graham St. Sloan Sherrill 605 North Graham St. W. B. Shockley J. B. Ivey Co.

W. T. Shore 3 Law Building J. D. Shori 814 North Church Street

Mrs. J. D. Short , , . 814 North Church Street CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 103

Mrs. F. H. Sides 112 Park Court Mrs. W. M. Sigmon 206 E. Liberty Street Harold Simms 510 East 7th Street J. V. Simms 407 West 4th Street Albert Sinclair 213 North Caldwell St. Mrs. Jettie Sizer 315 South Poplar Street Miss Virginia Skeen 16 Wilmoore Drive Mrs. B. A. Slate 503 North Graham St. W. D. Sloan 213 North Church Street Mrs. W. D. Sloan 213 North Church Street R. J. Small 614 East 7th Street Mrs. R. J. Small 614 East 7th Street Miss Viola Small 614 East 7th Street C. G. Smith 203 Victoria Avenue Mrs. C. G. Smith 203 Victoria Avenue Vernon Smith 203 Victoria Avenue J. H. Smith „ City Mrs. Fannie O. Smith 516 West 7th Street Miss Josephine Smith .....1904 Lennox Avenue

J. H. Smith , 503 North Graham St. Junius Smith 5 North Caldwell Street Mrs. Minnie W. Smith 810 South Tryon St. Morris Smith 410 North McDowell St. T. T. Smith 42 North College Street W. J. Smith Y. M. C. A. Wallace M. Smith 401 North Poplar Street Mrs. Wallace M. Smith 401 North Poplar Street Mrs. W. M. Smith 1905 Springdale Avenue W. P. Smith 210 North Brevard St. Mrs. W. P. Smith 210 North Brevard St. Roy Smith 210 North Brevard St, Mrs. A. B. Solomon 818 West 5th Street Miss Blanche Solomon 818 West 5th Street W. L. Solomon 1001 North Graham Ext. J. R. Sowell ..306 West 10th Street Mrs. James Spoon .1001 Central Avenue James Spoon ...1001 Central Avenue

Harry Spoon . . „ . .1001 Central Avenue A. B. Springer .511 Park Avenue Mrs. A. B. Springer 511 Park Avenue

Brantley Springer . 511 Park Avenue Eugene Springer .511 Park Avenue Miss Louise Springer 511 Park Avenue J. C. Springs, Jr 308 West Trade Street R. C. Springs 5 North Caldwell Street Mrs. R. C. Springs 5 North Caldwell Street Miss Carrie Springs ....5 North Caldwell Street

J. O. Sprinkle - 1400 East 4th Extension 104 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Mrs. J. O. Sprinkle. . . 1400 East 4th Extension Walter Stacker 508 East 9th Street

Mrs. Mattie Starnes . . . , . « 502 North Brevard St. H. L. Steele 308 West 10th Street Mrs. H. L. Steele 308 West 10th Street Edwina Steele 308 West 10th Street R. P. Steffy 402 South Cedar Street M. C. Stegall Smith-Wadsworth Co. Mrs. Alex Stephens 9 East First Street Lewis O. Stephens 9 East First Street Alex Stephens, Jr 9 East First Street A. E. Stephenson 306 East 9th Street W. H. Stone 507 West 4th Street Miss Annie B. Strickland 213 North Church St. C. A. Stroupe Central Hotel Chas. Stroupe 610 North Caldwell St. Mrs. Chas. Stroupe 610 North Caldwell St. J. D. Stroupe 409 North Smith Street Mrs. M. C. Stroupe 409 North Smith Street Dewitt Stroupe 409 North Smith Street Miss Ruby Stroupe 409 North Smith Street W. R. Stroupe 409 East 7th Street Mrs. W. R. Stroupe 409 East 7th Street Clint Stroupe 409 East 7th Street Howard Stroupe 409 East 7th Street Miss Edna Stroupe 409 East 7th Street W. R. Swindell 804 North Pine Street Mrs. W. R. Swindell 804 North Pine Street

Fred A. Taylor 7 Wynona A. Y. Tavlor 622 South Church St. Mrs. A. Y. Tavlor 622 South Church St. Mrs. E. C. Taylor 403 West 4th Street S. J. Taylor 208 East Liberty Street Mrs. S. j. Taylor 208 East Liberty Street D. M. Tedder 715 North Church St. Mrs. D. M. Tedder 715 North Church St. Harry L. Templeton. 425 Elizabeth Avenue E. B. Timmons 411 Louise Avenue Mrs. R. O, Tingley 422 Elizabeth Avenue S. E. Todd 406 North Church St.

Mrs. S. E. Todd . . . 406 North Church St. Dr. S. R. Thompson! Realty Building Mrs. Sophia Thompson 512 Fairview Miss Nellie Thompson 512 Fairview William Thompson 512 Fairview Mrs. P. M. Tucker 1104 North Church St. Ira B. Turner 5 Park Court CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 105

W. D. Upshaw ,„.... 4 Vance Apartments Mrs. W. D. Upshaw. ...,<> 4 Vance Apartments

Mrs. Paul Valaer 31st Street C. A. Vaughn 515 East 7th Street Mrs. C. A. Vaughn 515 East 7th Street Miss Ethel Vaughn 515 East 7th Street Miss Estelle Vaughn 515 East 7th Street Miss Jeanette Vaughn 515 East 7th Street R. L. Vernon Myers Park Mrs. R. L. Vernon Myers Park W. M. Vines 506 North Tryon Street Mrs. W. M. Vines 506 North Tryon Street

C. B. Walsh 737 Worthington Avenue R. L. Walker 1108 South Graham St. Eugene Walters Cotton Belt Candy Co. Mrs. A. E. Walton 6 North Davidson Street Miss Lucy Walton Tranquil P'k Sanitarium Mrs. J. I. Webb 401 East Avenue Philip Wagner East Avenue Mrs. Mangum Webb 3 West Morehead Street F. R. Webber J. B. Ivey Co. Miss Veatress Weir 209 West 8th Street H. C. Wentz 201 South Cedar Street L. E. Wightman 32nd Street Mrs. L. E. Wightman 32nd Street Mrs. A. L. Wiley 1604 East 8th Extension W. M. Wilkes 7 South McDowell St. Mrs. W. M. Wilkes 7 South McDowell St. J. B. Wilkev R F. D. Mrs. J. B. Wilkey R F. D. Mrs. J. L. Wilkinson 1021 West Trade Street Mrs. L. H. Wilkinson 307 North Brevard St. Mrs. J. J. Wilkes 323 East Boulevard

A. F. Williams , . . , 808 North Brevard St. A. H. Williams 808 North Brevard St. Noah Williams 808 North Brevard St. Mrs. Noah Williams 808 North Brevard St. Mrs. J. A. Williams 109 East Boulevard Lee Williams 215 East 8th Street Mrs. Lee Williams 215 East 8th Street Miss Lillian Williams 209 Harrill Street Miss Jessie Williams 706 North Pine Street Mr. Vernon Williams Jackson Avenue Mrs. Vernon Williams Jackson Avenue Mrs. M. W. Williams 606 Kingston Avenue W. H. Williams 202 Polk Avenue 106 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Mrs. W. H. Williams 202 Polk Avenue Hall Wills 504 North Poplar Street Mrs. J. H. Wingfield 726 East Boulevard Alonzo Wishart 12 South Tryon Street Dr. W. E. Wishart 12 South Tryon Street B. F. Withers 712 East Avenue Mrs. B. F. Withers 712 East Avenue Miss Bennie Withers 712 East Avenue Miss Elizabeth Withers 712 East Avenue L. C. Withers 3 East Vance Street Mrs. L. C. Withers 3 East Vance Street J. L. Witherspoon ..1011 West 2nd Street T. D. Witherspoon 1011 West 2nd Street Miss Maggie Witherspoon 1011 West 2nd Street W. M. Witter 1411 East 5th Street Mrs. W. M. Witter 1411 East 5th Street Miss Elizabeth Witter 1411 East 5th Street Miss Grace Witter 1411 East 5th Street C. E. Wister 708 East 4th Street C. O. Wise 304 East 6th Street Mrs. C. O. Wise 304 East 6th Street Miss Hal Wise 304 East 6th Street Miss Margaret Wise 304 East 6th Street Miss Mary Wise 304 East 6th Street C. W. Wise 6 North Davidson Street Mrs. C. W. Wise 6 North Davidson Street C. W. Wise, Jr 6 North Davidson Street G. E. Wood 213 South Cecil Street Mrs. G. E. Wood 213 South Cecil Street Miss Dorothy Wood 213 South Cecil Street J. M. Woodside 407 Louise Avenue Mrs. J. M. Woodside 407 Louise Avenue C. E. Woolen 1304 East 4th Extension M. F. Wooten 1004 West Trade Street Mrs. M. F. Wooten 1004 West Trade Street Mrs. Amelia Wray 10 South Myers Street R. T. Wray 3 Elizabeth Avenue F. G. Wright 150 West Morehead St. Mrs. F. G. Wright ,...150 West Morehead St. Mrs. Mary Wright Chadwick

Miss Blake Yandle ....309 North McDowell St.

Mrs. B. H. Yarbrough , .915 South Tryon St. J. A. Yarbrough 915 South Tryon St Mrs. J. A. Yarbrough 915 South Tryon St Joel Yarbrough, Jr 915 South Tryon St A. E. Young ,.323 North Tryon Stree* R. E. Young 233 East Boulevard CHARLOTTE, N. CAROLINA 107

Mrs. R. E. Young 233 East Boulevard Miss Annie Young 233 East Boulevard Miss Rena Gibbon Young 233 East Boulevard Norman F. Young 233 East Boulevard R. H. Young 1017 West Trade Street Mrs. R. H. Young 1017 West Trade Street

Mrs. H. L. Zeigler 312 East Boulevard Miss Lizzie Zeigler 28 West Trade Street R. F. Zickler 129 Woodlawn Mrs. R. F. Zickler 129 Woodlawn

Total Resident Members 1086 Non-resident and Address Unknown,., 331

Total Membership 1417