So true

... and so good, for some of us!

As a beauty I'm not a great star.
There are others more handsome, by far,
But my face - I don't mind it
For I am behind it;
It's the people in front get the jar.
-- Anthony Henderson Euwer

A mish-mash of links

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

* Authenticity, Honesty, and the Stay-At-Home-Mother -- "The mommy wars have made great advances in battling the false fronts of picture-perfect blog posts, where dinners always look fabulous, children are always beautifully dressed, and husbands always come home with roses. But..."
* California Students File Suit Aimed at Tenure Law -- "In a packed courtroom, attorneys unveiled opposing views Monday on the emotionally divisive issue of whether California public school teachers should be protected from dismissal if they are found to be grossly ineffective in their jobs."
* Controversial 3,700-Year-Old Sumerian Clay Tablet Discovered–Claims Noah’s Ark Was Round? -- "The story told on the cuneiform clay tablet is nearly identical to that of the Holy Bible..."
* Iran's FM: 'Glimmer of Hope' for Pastor Abedini -- "The ACLJ reports Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested clemency could be an option for Abedini."
* Manual Transmission Stymies Massachusetts Car Thieves -- "A trio of would-be car thieves had to hit the brakes on their plan because none of them knew how to drive a stick."
* NSA Spying Isn't Just an Illegal Invasion of Privacy—It Doesn't Stop Terror Attacks -- "We have not identified a single instance involving a threat to the United States in which the program made a concrete difference in the outcome of a counterterrorism investigation."
* Starbucks Is Already in Front of the Next Specialty Beverage Craze -- "Starbucks owns two major tea brands: Tazo and Teavana."
* Texas husband named brain-dead wife's fetus -- "I'm just glad they are not in my shoes. I hope every day that no one ever has to go through what I went through."
* Useful Church History -- "Here are ten stories from Church History that I tend to use in my ministry as the pastor of a local church."
* Were you charged $9.84? It might be fraud -- "Be on the lookout for a recent $9.84 charge on your debit or credit card. It might be part of a massive, worldwide scam."
* What Macklemore got wrong…and right -- "The lyrics to Macklemore’s song took aim at Christians and their views on marriage."

The other Faust

Faust, William Michael, Sr. (November 12, 1865—July 22, 1940) married Laura Ada McFadden (1871—1932). They are buried in the Morning View Cemetery, Ozark, Dale County, Alabama. Faust served as chairman of the 1927 Revision Committee, which added an appendix of 53 songs to the book. He introduced John H. Tenney’s My Friend (Class, Choir and Congregation, No. 98) to the book in 1927, with a few minor changes. J. L. White book committeeman “H. Faust” may have been Henry Faust, the father of W. M. & B. F. Faust.

563      Jesus Is Mine (arranged)

Quot-un

"By today's standards, the lyrics [of Sacred Harp songs] are like fire and brimstone...you feel better after singing this, cleansed." -- Sacred Harp singer Gary Hamilton

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without." -- copied

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future." -- Paul Lewis Boese

"As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil that they set out to destroy." -- Christopher Dawson

"A flatterer never seems absurd; The flattered always takes his word." -- copied

"Heroes are created by popular demand, sometimes out of the scantiest materials, or none at all." -- Gerald White Johnson

One of two Fausts

Faust, Bascom Franklin (January 14, 1874—January 30, 1946) was born in Dale County, Alabama, the son of Henry and Milly Anne Faust. His parents were early settlers of Dale County. He married first Mary Emma Byrd (1876—1899) and they had one child. After her death he married her cousin, Mary Elizabeth Byrd (1869—1960). B. F. and Mary Elizabeth are buried in the Morning View Cemetery, Ozark, Dale County, Alabama. Emma is buried at the Hopeful Primitive Baptist Cemetery. Faust was a successful farmer and was a trustee of the first Dale County High School. He worked for the Ozark City Bank for over 15 years, served as County Commissioner from 1906 till 1911, and was Mayor of Ozark from 1937 till 1940. He was a member of the Methodist Church and the Masonic Fraternity. B. F. Faust put up $1000 to subsidize the publication of The Colored Sacred Harp. His song Eternal Truth Thy Word appears on page 92 of that book. Child of Thine is a major companion to Grantville (p. 423).

530      God’s Unchanging Hand

537      Praise the Lord

556      A Prayerful Heart

567      Child of Thine (arranged)

All those initials

Brown, Stephen Commodore Decatur (September 12, 1849—December 24, 1935) was the son of Lewis Buchanan Brown and Teresa Hale Wiggins. He married Selathia Mozetta Townsend "Townie" Matthews (1860—1934) and they had eight children. Stephen and Townie are buried in the Daleville City Cemetery in Dale County, Alabama. The mother of S. C. D. Brown may have been related to W. M. Cooper's stepfather, Hopewell Wiggins. He was not a composer, but served as the secretary of the original 12 member committee to revise The Sacred Harp in 1902.

            1902    Secretary, Revision Committee 

Linking up again

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

* 11 most dangerous states for drivers -- "A new report on highway safety says more states have a “dangerous lack of basic safety laws” than have strong safety regulations."
* Boy dies trying to save family from fire -- "A woman in upstate New York will remember her 8-year-old son as a hero. The boy died trying to save his grandfather from a fire, early Monday morning."
* Killings of Christians by Islamists Doubled in 2013 -- "According to Open Doors, a non-denominational group that supports persecuted Christians worldwide, the official number of Christians killed for their faith around the world doubled in 2013, compared to 2012."
* Songs of Zion Songs of Zion: Being a Small Collection of Tunes, principally original; with appropriate lines, adapted to divine worship, by James P. Carrell, 1821
* The Non-Christians' Favorite Bible Verse -- "The favorite verse of the Bible referenced in the public sphere is..."
* Thoughts on Tune Families -- " a tune family...is, a collection of tunes that are regional or denominational variants of the same melody."
* Two Christian Quarterbacks Faceoff in Upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII -- "This year's Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, February 2nd, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. It will be Peyton's 3rd time at the big event, and Russell's first."
* US watchdog: NSA snooping illegal, violates privacy -- "The bulk telephone data collection by a US intelligence agency is a massive violation of civil liberties and should be shut down, a government advisory panel said Thursday."

Another John Massengale MIA?

Is there another more "viable" John Massengale I am overlooking? This one seems right "circumstantially", but wrong "geographically".

Massengale, John. John Cobb Massengale of Autauga County, Alabama is a possibility for the John Massengale, composer and 1860 co-proprietor of The Sacred Harp.[i] He was born in Tennessee, January 20, 1792, the son of Virginians Solomon Massengale and Tabbitha Cobb. He married Jane Rogers (1795—1860) in Madison County, Alabama. Massengale died in Elmore County, Alabama, July 9, 1866. He and his wife are buried in the Cain's Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery at Holtville, Alabama. This John Massengale's geographical trajectory seems all wrong; He didn't live in Georgia, as J. S. James claimed. But there is some circumstantial evidence to support his "candidacy". The tune name Autauga, p. 322, is significant. The name is rare and seems to appear only in this area of Alabama. John Massengale also arranged the tune for the dying words of Rev. S. B. Sawyer (Sawyer's Exit, 338, The Sacred Harp, 1850). Seymour Boughton Sawyer was a Methodist minister who lived in Wetumpka, which was in Autauga County. Elmore County was formed in 1866 and the locations of both Sawyer's and Massengale's interments are now in Elmore County.[ii] The cemeteries where they are buried are only about 10 miles apart. It is likely that John Cobb Massengale was well acquainted with S. B. Sawyer, but how did he become acquainted with B. F. White?

32t       I’m Not Ashamed of Jesus (Corinth)

73t       Show Pity, Lord (Cusseta)

88b      Mount Zion

306      News From the Regions of the Skies (arranged)

312      Sing to Me of Heaven

322      Soon We Shall Land on Canaan’s Shore (Autauga)

---

[i] From the title page: "For the proprietors, White, Massengale & Co., Hamilton, Ga. 1860." White also refers to The Sacred Harp as “the property of White, Massengale & Co.” in The Organ, Feb. 2, 1856, Vol. 4, No. 47.

[ii] Elmore County was established in February of 1866, so was already in existence at the time of John C. Massengale’s death.

Links to thinks

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

* Books Aren’t Dead, And Neither Is Paper -- "Do you remember when people said that computers would end the age of paper?"
* Rape Culture is Everywhere – Watch Your Favorite Sitcoms Prove it -- "So jokes that poke fun at raping a woman in her sleep or trivialize the act of sleeping with a drunk girl aren't just offensive to victims of sexual assault, but they also help normalize the behavior of rapists."
* The Twelve Ws of Baptism by J. B. Moody -- "These Twelve Ws of Water Baptism enable me to touch the subject, I trust, with sufficient clearness at every important point—doctrinal and practical."
* Trust in God and Do the Right -- (A slightly different version of the poem Norman McLeod that I posted the other day.)
* War of 1812 Discharge Certificates -- "...records relating to the discharge of soldiers from the Regular Army, 1792-1815."
* Wendy Davis' story may have misstated details -- "Davis' critics said Monday that the small discrepancies suggest her past is not quite as inspirational as she has lead Texans to believe."
* Wiregrass Shape Note Academy -- "Established in September 2012, this comprehensive music school uses the historical seven-shape notation system...This well-proven music system is very easy to learn, sometimes nicknamed the 'Hooked on Phonics' method of learning music and sight reading."

Ezra Parmenter's Complaint

Parmenter, Ezra (June 26, 1760—April 14, 1808) son of Samuel Parmenter and Mary Tower, he was born at Sudbury, Massachusetts. He learned the trade of blacksmith and moved to Boston to work. During the Revolutionary War he worked in a workshop for the Continental Army. "He was fond of music, and sang in the choir of the New South Church on Summer Street. He was the author of the once popular psalm tune called 'Complaint' which was sung in the churches of New England for many years." The earliest appearance of this tune is in The Federal Harmony, published at Boston in 1790. T. J. Allen arranged this tune in 1893 and called it God's Eternal. In 1781 Parmenter married Mary Ellison and they had 8 children. Ezra Parmenter died at Boston. An Ezra Parmenter buried at the Central Burying Ground in Boston might be this person. His son, William, was a United States Congressman and served four terms beginning in 1836. 

357      God's Eternal (aka Complaint)

The Meeting of the Three-in-One in Baptism

"Note how in Christ's Baptism the Trinity does as it were meet; The Father with a Voice, the Son baptized in Person; The Holy Ghost descends like a Dove: And surely it is one Reason, why Baptism in special is to be administered in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; because he who doth sincerely believe,and is baptized, the Whole Trinity, the Father, Son and Spirit, is his portion; and that glorious Union of the Trinity in Christ's Baptism, is in every Believer's Baptism commemorated." -- From Baptism Discovered Plainly and Faithfully, According to the Word of God by John Norcott, second Pastor of the old Wapping Church (pp. 6-7)

Abraham Linkin

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

* 5 Things to Know About Montanism -- "Oftentimes what appears novel is simply an old, forgotten debate repackaged for a new generation."
* Crafting Inspiration: Why the Speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Still Motivate Us Today -- Click on "Multimedia" for the video
* How this family of four lives 'off the grid' in the middle of the desert -- "At a time when we carry computers in our pockets and our cars practically do the driving for us, a certain subset of people have willingly chosen to cut the cord on modern American life"
* If You’ve Ever Wondered What Selfless Love Looks Like -- "This is the story of Ian and Larissa, a couple who overcame tough obstacles and learned what true, selfless love is all about."
* Is This the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie? -- "Some of my changes are very straightforward: a touch less flour, more brown sugar, less white sugar, extra vanilla, and more nuts (finely chopped)."
* Lawmakers Say Obama Surveillance Idea Won't Work -- "Obama, under pressure to calm the controversy over government spying, said Friday he wants bulk phone data stored outside the government to reduce the risk that the records will be abused."
* Pelvic Bone in Museum Storage May Be King Alfred the Great's -- "Archaeologists had mounted a search to find the lost remains of Alfred the Great, who was king of Wessex and dominated England from 871 until his death in 899."
* The New Hymnology of the Scottish Kirk -- A very interesting bit of writing about The Scottish Hymnal of 1870

Courage, brothers

I enjoyed the following hymn and thought it might be a blessing to someone. Hope you had a wonderful Lord's day.

Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Though the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,
Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God and do the right.

By Norman Macleod; first appeared in The Edinburgh Christian Magazine, 1857.

Other things I've noticed

There are things that go bump in the daytime!

I don't think about what I don't think about.

Great triumph is often birthed by great trouble.

My "Plan B" (or "Plan Z") is often God's "Plan A".

The faith was once delivered to the saints. Don't accept any late deliveries.

The Music of His Steps

Following find "The Music of His Steps (The Itinerant's Death)" written by Samuel Wakefield in 1854. In it Wakefield describes the perils known all too well to 18th & 19th century itinerants and their families. The family anxiously awaits his return:

1. The music of his steps was sought,
His time had come, and he came not;
His little ones were wont to greet,
The sound of his returning feet.
They waited long, were waiting still,
To see him hastening o'er the hill,
Across the brook, and to the door,
His manly face with joy spread o'er.

2. He was a faithful man of God,
And in his Saviour's footsteps trod;
Stern duty bade him often stray
From those who near his bosom lay.
But when from anxious toils returned,
Kind hearts with strong affection burned;
The husband's and the father's voice,
In every ear poured richest joys.

3. But ah! those ears no more shall hear
That voice to wife and children dear;
Those eyes of love shall never more
Look on that face with joy spread o'er;
Shall never see their loved one come,
To cheer their hearth and bless their home.
Low lies his form beneath the sod;
High lives his spirit with his God.

4. Yet still they look with glistening eye,
Till lo! a herald hastens nigh;
He comes the tale of woe to tell,
How he, their prop and glory, fell;
How died he in a stranger’s room,
How strangers laid him in the tomb,
How spoke he with his latest breath,
And loved and blessed them all in death.

Wakefield also wrote music for this hymn, which can be found HERE.

I link, therefore I am

The posting of links does not constitute an endorsement of the sites linked, and not necessarily even agreement with the specific posts linked.

* Book Review: Fabricating Jesus -- "Fabricating Jesus...takes up several attacks against the Christian faith and refutes them."
* Camille Paglia: A Feminist Defense of Masculine Virtues -- "She sees the tacit elevation of 'female values'—such as sensitivity, socialization and cooperation—as the main aim of teachers, rather than fostering creative energy and teaching hard geographical and historical facts."
* Crossword Creator Marks 100th Birthday With Puzzle -- "Gordon is nearly as old as the crossword puzzle itself. The first 'word-cross' appeared in the New York Sunday World on Dec. 21, 1913..."
* Get Sprouted -- "Once sprouted, grains, seeds and beans have 15 to 30 percent more protein, up to 10 times the B-vitamins, more vitamin C, vitamin E and K, beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorus and iron"
* How to Schedule Gmail Messages to Be Delivered in the Future -- "Have you ever wanted to write an email in the morning and send it later, when you were away from your keyboard?"
* Scientists create 'micro-windmills' that could power your cellphones -- "Researchers at the University of Texas Arlington have developed tiny 'micro-windmills' so small that ten of them can fit on one grain of rice."
* Tax Invasion -- The IRS Movie
* The Inside Story of the Wendy's 'Where’s the Beef?' Ad, 30 Years Later -- "Thirty years ago this week, Wendy's debuted their now-iconic "Where's the Beef?" commercial, starring Clara Peller as an old lady demanding more meat from her fast-food hamburger."

Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones

The song Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones (2012 Sacred Harp, Revised Cooper, p. 539) combines three songs to make one. The words are from A. J. McLendon’s A Sister’s Farewell (James Original Sacred Harp, p. 505; now 55 in 1991). The tune arranges The Blind Girl (J. S. James book, p. 521) with the chorus of John A. Watson’s Passing Away in 2/4 time. The alto is "as sung by Mrs. Julia Parks." The Passing Away alto is different, at least from what is currently with that tune in the Cooper Book. The rest of the alto mostly follows The Blind Girl alto, but seems to take the high road on a few occasions where the original descended to a lower road. There are a few other minor variations in the parts.

Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones reminds me of the tragedy in the lives of our Sacred Harp forefathers and foremothers while making their way through a dark and dreary land – especially when we learn some of the details behind the scenes. According to J. S. James, Augustus J. McLendon wrote A Sister’s Farewell "in memory of Bertha B. Brantly, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Laminack." Bertha Brantley was a sister of McLendon's wife, Ida Viola Laminack. She died October 5, 1904 at age 20, leaving behind a husband and a 10 month old son.

Lewis and Julia Park re-appropriated the words of McLendon's song to fit their own loss. Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones is “Inscribed to B. M. Wesley.” Benjamin M. Wesley was Julia's brother who died December 4, 1913 at the age of 26, leaving behind a 22 year old wife Pearl and 4 children under 6 years of age. (Interestingly, Pearl later married Claude C. McLendon, who was a distant relative of A. J. McLendon.)

The history of songs continues to tell the tale of family tragedy, and in 1927 Wilson Rountree composes Gone to a Better World (Cooper, p. 34) in memory of little Elizabeth Wesley, age 8, daughter of Henry Clifford Wesley and Rashell Brown. She was Julia Park's niece.

Doubtless we have no less tragedy in 2013 than folks in 1913. But I wonder how many now find solace in singing?

Park, Julia Flossie Wesley (June 26, 1889—May 24, 1967) was born in Alabama, the daughter of Hiram B. Wesley and Eliza L. Golden. She married Lewis Park (q.v.) circa 1915. This song is “Inscribed to B. M. Wesley.” Benjamin M. Wesley was Julia's brother, who died in 1913 at the age of 26. Elizabeth Wesley, of whom Gone to a Better World (p. 34) is written in memory, was Julia's niece, daughter of Henry Clifford Wesley and Rashell Brown. Julia is buried at the Enon Cemetery in Pike County, Alabama. The alto is a variant of the original alto, originally described “as sung by Mrs. Julia Park.”

539       Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones (alto)

Park, Lewis (August 14, 1882—July 20, 1967) was born in Alabama, the son of George W. Park and Josephine Mann. He married Julia Wesley (q.v.) circa 1915. He lived in Pike County, was a farmer and a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He died in Phenix City in Russell County and is buried at the Enon Cemetery in Pike County, Alabama. This arrangement is a centonization of The Blind Girl (J. S. James book, p. 521) and the chorus of John A. Watson’s Passing Away. The words are from A. J. McLendon’s A Sister’s Farewell.

539       Bidding Farewell to Loved Ones (arranged)

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=86718610

To read the words of this tune, select the link HERE.

When I am called to die

Read 2 Timothy 4:9-22 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The poetess Mary Shindler wanted her friends to "sing to me of heaven when I am called to die." The old spiritual "Give Me that Old Time Religion/Tis the Old Time Religion" tells us it is something that "will do when I am dying." At some point most people reflect on death, and what they would do -- and what they want to get done -- before they die.

We all know we are going to die, generally, for the wages of sin is death and it is appointed unto men once to die. Some get a feeling, a premonition of death, which seems to be accurate. Some have terminal diseases and know they'll not be long for this world. The apostle Paul knew his life was short because he had a sentence of death passed against him. In his last letter he wrote, "I am now ready to be offered; the time of my departure is at hand."

When we think of knowing we have only a brief time of life let, our thoughts often soar to theological heights -- to what we ought to do. It is probable that anything we ought to do living with the knowledge that we are dying we ought to do at all times whether we know we are dying or not! In such times, to what does our minds turn? To what did Paul's thoughts turn when he saw death's valley looming large in his view? Notice these things he addressed.

Reunion with friends. "Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me...Take Mark, and bring him with thee." He wanted to see Timothy and Mark, men who had co-labored with him in the ministry. Of his previous co-laborers only Luke was present. He wanted to see others.

Physical comfort. The mention of Timothy's coming, Paul's cloke, and the coming of winter, taken together, hint of Paul's desire for some degree of physical comfort -- even in this house of clay he would shortly leave.

Mental stimulation. Paul asked Timothy to bring books and parchments. We are not privy to exactly what books & parchments he wanted, but Paul did not intend to languish in self-pity or dwell on the morbid. He would read, learn, stimulate his mind as he awaited his execution. What good would that do? Who knows, maybe he would learn something to pass along to his Christian friends.

Thoughts of the future. Paul did not take the cynical approach of some -- I'll be gone so it doesn't matter what happens now. Yes, he would be gone, but he would leave many behind. He cared for them. He desired what was best for them. In his "swan song" he is teaching Timothy, exhorting Timothy, warning Timothy -- preparing Timothy for his ministry that would go on after Paul was gone, and ministry of the students of Timothy who would "teach others also". It doesn't stop with you. Pass it on.

Don't despise the small things. Paul even takes time to send the greetings of others. We may, at such a time as this, become so busy seeking the "important things" that we forget the details. Most of the lives of most of us all are not made up of grand and lofty things, but a grand compilation of lots of little details.

The days or months before death contain a series of events that we will not get to do over. No one who has gone through this will come back and tell us what they did right and what they did wrong. But we can listen to the words of an apostle writing under the inspiration of God. Maybe even learn a little something.

Infant salvation

"The position which we, as Baptists, have occupied since the days of Christ and the inspired Apostles, and which we still maintain is this: That all infants dying in infancy are saved, in accordance with the electing love of God through the application of the atonement of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and are included in the number of God’s elect; and this salvation is unconditional, so far as repentance, faith, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the holiness or unholiness of parents are concerned." -- J. W. D. Creath, circular letter, Union Baptist Association of Texas, 1854

“If there were no other way of saving infants but by the gospel and its ordinances, they would be excluded from salvation; for with them the gospel and its ordinances have nothing to do. Infants are saved by virtue of the death of Christ, but not by faith—not by the gospel. And you do not gather them into the promise by baptism, for the promise is to him that believeth and is baptized. God has committed the ministration of the gospel and its ordinances to us; but the salvation of infants he has reserved in his own hands.” -- Andrew Broaddus (From Sermons and Other Writings of the Rev. Andrew Broaddus, 1852, pp.189-190.)

W. A. Cumbie: but which one?

Cumbie, W. A. (Rev.) (There are several men named W. A. Cumbie in this area of Alabama and at least two – an uncle and nephew – were also Baptist preachers.)

Cumbie, William Allen or Ansel (October 13, 1831—December 25, 1918) was born in South Carolina, the son of James Cumbie/Cumbaa and his second wife, Elizabeth Culpepper. James was a Baptist minister, and at least seven of his sons were. W. A. Cumbie married Elizabeth Ann Jackson (1836-1919) in 1853. He was a Baptist minister, a Mason, and a Confederate veteran (having served as a Lieutenant in Company B of the 33rd Alabama Infantry). He and his wife are buried at the Newton City Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama.

Cumbie, William Allen (December 13, 1836—September 13, 1906) was born in Pike County, Georgia, the son of Benjamin Riley Cumbie and Priscilla Malinda Buffington (Benjamin was the son of James Cumbie and his first wife Matilda [last name unknown). William married Mary Elizabeth Staggers in Alabama in 1866. His obituary in the Andalusia Times said he "was in his sixty-ninth year and had preached all over Southeast Alabama and the Northern part of Florida." Perhaps this may best match Cooper's description on page 284. Then again, he was deceased by the time two of the songs were printed. William Allen Cumbie and wife are buried at the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Covington County Alabama. His tombstone records his service in the Confederate Army: "2D LT CO F 17 REGT AL INF CSA". He was the co-author of at least one work, an 1875 discussion with R. T. Webb on the question, “Which are the Primitive Baptist Churches?”

153      Come and God with Me to Heaven

284      The Christian's Rest (arranged, based partially on Blooming Youth)

507a    I am Near the Shore (a variant of The Christian’s Flight; removed in 1992)