CENTENNIAL STORY, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, TYLER, SMITH CO, TEXAS, 1848-1948 ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Used with the permission of Dr. Michael Massar, Pastor First Baptist Church, Tyler, TX Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net 5 March 2001 ***************************************************************** PASTORS AND TIME OF SERVICE W. H. RAY . . . . . . . . 1848-1849 W. B. LANGSTON . . . . . 1849-1853 G. G. BAGGERLY . . . . . 1853-1856 J. S. BLEDSOE . . . . . . 1856-1859 D. B. MORRILL . . . . . . 1860-1862 J. R. CLARK . . . . . . . 1862-1863 VISITING MINISTERS . . . 1863-1865 N. P. MOORE . . . . . . . 1865-1868 J. H. ROWLAND . . . . . . 1868-1873 J. H. STRIBLING . . . . . 1874-1881 REDDIN ANDREWS . . . . . 1881-1888 R. T. YATES . . . . . . . 1886-1887 A. J. FAWCETT . . . . . . 1888-1898 J. H. GAMBRELL . . . . . 1898-1904 W. A. HAMLETT . . . . . . 1904-1905 H. C. RISNER . . . . . . 1905-1910 G. L. YATES . . . . . . . 1910-1917 SAM H. COMPBELL . . . . . 1917-1922 JAMES T. MCNEW . . . . . 1922-1928 PORTER M. BAILES . . . . 1929- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE PASTORS "ELDER" WILLIAM H. RAY 1848 - 1849 "Elder" William H. Ray was born in 1802 and died in l875, was the first pastor of the Baptist Church at Tyler, Texas. He and "Elder" Langston constituted the presbytery in the organization of tbe church. "Elder" Ray served with distinctlon for eight months, but because of ill health was forced to resign from the duties of the church. "Elder" Ray is buried in the cemetery at Antioch Church in Smith County. Many of his descendents are members of the church. A granddaughter, Mrs. Harlan Smith, is a member of the church today. Another granddaughter, Mrs. Flor­tnce McBride has been a member of the Pine Springs Baptist Church for sixty-eight years. * * * * "ELDER" W. B. LANGSTON 1849-1853 "Elder" Langston and the first pastor constituted the presbytery in the organization of the church and later he became the second pastor. Associations of churches were being organized throughout the new state. In 1852 the Tyler Baptist Church, as it was then called, had a membership of sixty-eight and joined the Cherokee Baptist Association. * * * * REV. G. G. BAGGERLY i853 -1856 During the pastorate of Rev. Baggerly thc construction of the first house of worship was started. It was located in the 300 block of East Ferguson Street, across the tracks from the present Missouri-Pacific Railroad Station. The building was used for school and church purposes. The lot was deeded to the trustees of the Tyler University which was sponsored by the Cherokee Baptist Association. While in process of construction, the church burned in December, 1856. Now homeless the membership returned to the courthouse for a place to worship, but before the next building was completed the Methodists offered the use of their church for services. A clear fountain of water, a spring, flowing freely in its setting provided an outdoor baptistry. It was here at the "Spring", that one of the present day's most beloved members, Mrs. J. P. Douglas, was baptised. The "Spring" was a great factor in the lives of the people at that time. Today one of Tyler's busy streets bears its name and perpetuates its memory. The "Spring" was located at the cor­ner of South Spring Avenue and East Elm Street. * * * * REV. J. T. BLEDSOE 1856-1859 Rev. J. T. Bledsoe did highly constructive work organizing churches, perhaps more than any other preacher of his day. During his pastorate in 1855 the church ordained her first minister, John H. Whitman. The first church had burned, but with un­daunted courage these hardy Christians and the pastor built the second church at the same location. In a large yard surrounded by trees, a brick build­mg. forty by sixty feet, containing a baptistry was erected. Since there was no public water system in the town, the baptistry was never used for its original purpose; the ever-flowing spring contin­ued to be used. One of the deacons had objected so strongly to an instrument of music in the house of the Lord that an organ acquired for the church was put in the baptistry, where it remained for some time. The two sons of the deacon, both good musicians, influenced their father after their conversions to give his consent to bring the organ out of the bap­tistry for church use. * * * * THE CRITICAL PERIOD 1860-1865 The Civil War years and the reconstruction era were marked by short pastorates or periods with no pastor at all. The preaching was fre­quently done by visiting ministers. One minister of the church identified with Texas Baptist his­tory, Rev. D. B. Morrill, a former student of Bay­lor University, Independence, Texas, carried on his work until 1862, encouraging the Tyler Christ­ians to keep the faith. He is credited with doing vastly effective missionary work in the state. Rev. J. R. Clark was pastor in 1863, the two years fol­lowing the church was pastorless. * * * * "ELDER" N. P. MOORE There are no records for 1862, 1863, and 1864. The next pastor was "Elder" N. P. Moore, whose work was difficult in these days of confu­sion, when brave men and women were rebuilding tkeir homes from the ruins of war. * * * * "ELDER JONN H. ROWLAND 1868 - 1874 "The sowing of seed" began again with "Elder" John H. Rowland, pastor from 1868 to 1874, who was active in associational work. The church had joined the Cherokee Baptist Associa­tion in 1852. There were many such organizations in this area of the state. The Baptist Convention of East Texas met in Tyler in 1855; again in 1860. A member of the church, Prof. J. T. Hand, was the secretary in 1867. The Baprist General Association met in Tyler in 1869, its secretary from 1866 to 1876 being Prof. J. T. Hand, president of the Charwood Institute of Tyler. The East Texas Baptist Convenzion was organized in 1877. George Yarbrough, secretary, served through its entire existence to 1884. This organization met with the Tyler church met in. 1880, 1881, and 1884. These and other organizations of similar nature consolidated in 1886 into the Baptist General Con­vention of the state, to which this church has been consistently loyal. Largely through the efforts of "Elder" Row­land, the Dean Baptist Church, seven miles west of Tyler, was organized June 8, 1872. In a suc­cessful meeting of the church, there were forty-eight additions. Among the gifts to the new country church was the chandelier which had been used in the Tyler Baptist Church until it had con­verted its lighting to kerosene lamps. * * * * DR. J. H. SThIBLING 1874 - 1881 The Centennial Story of Texas Baptists says of Dr. Stribling, "Texas has never had a preach­er more devoted to the varied interests of his de­nomination and one of distinction than J. H. Stribling." Traditionally he was the firsr ministerial student to enter Baylor University at Inde­pendence, Texas in 1846. Dr. J. M. Dawson, in his "A Century With Texas Baptists" writes, "He was among the first twenty-four to enroll in Bay­lor University in 1846." Dr. Stribling received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater. Dr. Stribling's pastorate was the beginning of "full-time services." Also, the weekly prayer meetings were changed to Thursday night to avoid conflicting with the Methodist prayer service on Wednesday night. One of the high experiences of Dr. Stribling's ministry when Major W. E. Penn from Jefferson, Texas, a lawyer and a lay­man, sproke in Tylerto a Sunday School conven­tion. He so impressed the church with his spirit­uality that he was asked to conduct a revival which lasted five weeks and many were saved. Under Dr. Stribling's pastorate the woman's work was organized by Rev. A. J. Hawthorne in 1880, under the name of Annie Luther Mission­ary Society. Through the early years it was known as the Ladies Aid Society and then later as the Womans Missionary Society. Dr. Stribling, a highly trained, educated Christian, handed in his resignation September 5, 1880, to become effective on January 1, 1881. * * * * REV. REDDIN ANDREWS 1881 - 1885 Rev. Andrews was a student of Baylor Uni­versity. As a pastor he was dauntless, persevering and courageous with executive ability and spiritual power. Under his leadership the church received its first charter from the state in June, 1882. A lot was bought on North Bois d' Arc Avenue for the construction of the third church building. Plans were submitted and a committee appointed but before the plans were carried to completion, Rev. Andrews resigned March 5, 1885, to accept the presidency of Baylor University. * * * * REV. R. T. YATES 1886 - 1887 A man of directness, Rev. Yates was elected pastor of the church on February 2, 1886. The minutes of February 28 report that he was moder­ator of the church conference on that date. The year before he accepted the pastorate marked the beginning of the new church building, but it was not completed and occupied until June 20, 1886. At that time the church membership was two hun­dred fifty. Stressing the winning of souls for the Lord during the first year of his ministry, there was an increase by letter of fifty-six and fifty-four by baptism. The total membership at the close of the year was three hundred sixty members. Rev. Yates resigned effective July 21, 1887 to accept a call to the First Baptist Church of Denton, Texas. * * * * DR. A. J. FAWCETT 1898- 1898 Elected pastor October 9, 1888, Rev. A. J. Fawcett came from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, con­tinued with the church until 1898. The records kept while he was pastor have been a great help in preparing the history of the church. A manual published in March, 1888, reads, "The church is under the process of being com­pleted. Up to this time $13,500.00 has been ex­pended. Several thousand dollars will be required to complete the building, and when completed it will be one of the largest and most beautiful build­ings in East Texas." The article did not give the total cost of the handsome red brick structure. On its front wall facing Bois d' Arc Avenue were cut deep into the stone these words, "Worship the Lord in The Beauty of Holiness." A portion of the building stands today but has been changed to meet the needs of a modern office building. The minutes of May, 1887, state that the Ladies Aid had nearly $800.00 in the treasury and had bought a pastor's home. November 13, 1892, reads, "the trustees are authorized to deed the property to the owners on payment of $100.00 and cost of court." Plans were made for the dedication of the church to take place September 29, 1889. Dr. F. H. Kerfoot of Louisville, Kentucky, was asked to preach the sermon. A mission in North Tyler was established in the fall of 1888. A Sunday School was organiz­ed and midweek prayer meetings were held weekly.­ In less than two years the growing church became self- supporting. It was first called the Sec­ond Baptist, the name was changed to North Bap­tist, and later became the Calvary Baptist Church. * * * * DR. J. H. GAMBRELL 1898 - 1904 The membcrs grew in Chnistian fellowship as they were led by Dr. J. H. Gambrell of Georgia, who came on unanimous call from the church. The minutes of March 13, 1898, reads, "A committee was appointed to arrange for a semi-centennial ohservance of the organization of the church. Believing the Cherokee Baptist Association was not in accord with the organized state work and alarmed at the lack of harmony at the sessions the First Baptist Church of Tyler withdrew from the Association October 23, 1898. At the Dean Church on December 6, messengers met from four churches in the county -- First Church of Tyler, Calvary, Noonday, and Dean -- to organize the Smith County Baptist Association. The combined membership of the churches was seven hundred fortv members. The first piano was bought in August, 1901. In June of the same year a parsonage, locat­ed on West Houston Street was purchased for $2,500.00. The financial report of January 12, 1905, showed a balance in the treasury of $275.00 and the church was out of debt. Dr. Gambrell, in January, 1904, resigned, closing six years of con­secrated work for the Lord. * * * * REV. W. A. HAMLETT 1904 - 1905 The church was not long without a pastor, Rev. W. A. Hamlett came March 27, 1904 and remained until July. 1905. The church in confer­ence Mav 15, 1904 recommended that the deacons resign in order to carry out a new method of elec­tion. The three names with the highest number of votes were elected for a period of three years, the next highest for a period of two years; with the remaining number for one year. The follow­mg were elected: R. H. Brown, A. L. Montgomery, George R. Phillips, J. S. Magee, C. C. Edwards, A. W. Birdwell, George S. McGhee, and Dr. C. C. Crews. The trustees elected at the time were J. H. Bonnet. C. F. Mansfield, John A. Brown, J. M. Fdwards, James H. Hambrick and George W. Cross. The first pipe organ, a Hook- Hasting or­gan was boought and installed at the cost of $2,500. The first pipe organist was Mary Bonner Sheppard. * * * * DR. H. C. RISNER 1905 - 1909 Upon the arrival of the new pastor in July. 1905, a revival, which had been planned to run from June 5 to June 16, was in progress. Dr. George W. Truett had preached for two days when an illness in his family called him away. Dr. Gambrell tic retiring pastor, continued for one week until Dr. Risner arrived to conclude the meeting. The Additions were eight by letter and twenty-eight for baptism. The church building was located on Nort Bois d'Arc Avenue and was not adequate for the needs of the church. On Sunday, Mrch 22, 1908, R. H. Brown presented a resolution to dispose of the property and to select a suitable location for a new building. The following Sunday the building committee was appointed: Dr. A. L. Montgomery, A. W. Birdwell, R. H. Brown and Mrs. M. L. Herndon. Finance committee consisted of Georgs S. McGhee, W. G. Human, James P. Broughton, and R. B. Long., to­gether with a large soliciting committee. On May 3 the committee reported that an option had been taken on the corner lot of West Ferguson Street and North Bois d'Arc Avenue at a cost of S1O,000. Mr. Green, an architect from Houton was em­ployed to draw the plans, but there was no effort made to start the work. The pastor resigned in November 1908, his resignation becoming effec­tive January 1, 1909. In his later years Dr. Risner became a lec­turer and was widely known for his lectures on Robert Browning, the poet. He was the author of "Pinnacles of Personalities." At one time he was head of the American Good Will Foundation for Promoting International Peace. He made a preaching tour of England in 1920. After a long illness, Dr. Risner died at the age of 78 years in a hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina May 5, 1948. * * * * DR. G. L. YATES 1910 - 1917 The First Baptist Church had been five months without a pastor, with visiting ministers supplying the pulpit each Sunday. Evangelistic fer­vor pervaded the membership, and there were sixty-one additions to the church. Dr. Yates was called April 10, 1910, at Wednesday night prayer service. On the first of June he began his duties with the church. Two years before Dr. Yates' arrival, the chutch had started a building program. Com­mittees had been appointed, the lot on which the church now stands had been bought, and an archi­tect had been engaged, but the building had not been started. After Dr. Yates had been in Tyler several months, he took up the building program. Subscriptions amounted to $23,000.00. The com­mittee on plans was composed of R. H. Brown, W. G. Human, and Mrs. M. L. Herndon. A meeting followed, conducted by Evangelist M. F. Hamm; forty-four were received by letter and twenty- four for baptism. At the close of the meeting Dr. Yates resign­ed as pastor. Calling a business meeting of the church, thirty members pledged themselves to see the church building program through if Dr. Yates would withdraw his resignation. With this pledge from the members Dr. Yates reconsidered and re­mained. On October 11 a new contract was signed for the building at a cost of $40,000.00. After a change in the plans adding another $5,000.00 to the cost, the large two-story yellow brick building became a reality. The new church was opened for service on March 16, 1913, Dr. Yates preaching the first ser­mon. It was also the beginning of the revival meeting for the year with Dr. L. R. Sarborough of Fort Worth as evangelist. The first to be baptized in the church was Pauline Barron (Mrs. Dugger Ray), one of a group of young people baptized at that time. Revival meetings during Dr. Yates ministry were conducted by Dr. M. E. Dodd, Shreveport, La.; Dr. L. R. Christie, Columbus, Ga.; Dr. J. M. Dawson, Waco, now in Washington, D.C. When Dr. Yates began his ministry, the membership was five hundred seventy-eight. In Mfarch, 1913, it was seven hundred forty-eight and in May, 1915, the membership was one thousand one hundred one. In a period of seven years there had been a net gain of three hundred sixteen mem­bers. The church adopted the use of the Duplex Envelope system in September, 1915. Closing a successful pastorate here October 3, 1918, Dr. Yates accepted a call to a church in Macon, GA. Upon his retirement the church presented him and and his wife with a Silver Memorial Trophy in recognition of the constructive work he did in Tyler. After the death of Mrs. Yates, while he was pastor at Amarillo, Texas he married Miss Annie Swann of Tyler. Dr. Yates body is buried in Oak­wood, Cemetery, Tyler, Texas. * * * * REV. SAM H. CAMPBELL 1918 - 1922 On January 1, 1918, Rev. Sam H. Campbell came to Tyler from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and served as pastor until August, 1922. The church voted two memorials in the Home Mission Board's "Hall of Fame," one for Dr. G. L. Yates, and the other for those who had served on the building committee of the fourth and present church building. The revival of April, 1919, was conducted by Rev. H. L. Winburn of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. There were eighteen additions by letter and twelve for baptism. Dr. Charles E. Maddry of Austin, Texas, conducted the 1920 meeting in which came twenty by letter and twenty-four for baptism. The next meeting was conducted by Dr. George Green of Brownwood, Texas in 1921. Fifty were received by letter and sixty-one for baptism. He was asked to return in 1922 at which time there were eighteen additions by letter and twenty-five for baptism. Dr. Campbell, is the only living ex-pastor, now lives in retirement at Dallas, Texas. * * * * REV. JAMES T. McNEW 1922 - 1928 Rev. James T. McNew came to Tyler from the First Baptist church of West, Texas. His pastorate began in January, 1923, the year of the diamond anniversary of the church. A special program for its observance was arranged for a Sunday morning service as follows: A Deacon Fifty Five Years . . . . . . . . . . R. B. Long Then and Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R. H. Brown A Deacon Fifty Years . . . . . . . . George R. Phillips History of The Church . . . . . . . . . .H. A. McDougall Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. A. Dean My First Impression of Tyler Baptists . Mrs. R. H. Brown The revival meeting in May was conducted by three Smith County ministers, Rev. J. R. Rozell, Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, and Rev. B. G. Hollway. There were twenty-two additions by letter with forty coming for baptism. The meeting in 1925 was in February with Dr. O. L. Powers of Wichita Falls, Texas, conducting. There were thirty-five additions by letter; sixty-two came for baptism. Coming to conduct the next year was Dr. D. M. Gardner of Birmingham, Alabama, now editor of the Baptist Standard, Dallas, Texas. Additions by letter numbered eighty-five, with ninety-five for baptism. * * * * DR. PORTER M. BAILES 1929 - ____ Dr. Porter M. Bailes, born on March 28, 1888, in York County, South Carolina, was one of ten children of Zachary Taylor Bailes and Ellen Hill Bailes. At the age of ten he joined Flint Hill Baptist Church, and at eighteen was its Sunday School superintendent. His early educa­tion came from earnest Christian parents and from country elementary schools. He entered Mars Hill College of North Carolina in 1906 to prepare for a business career, with special consideration for the profession of law. His cousin. George Lewis Bailes, was then a ministerial student, but in the course of time became the lawyer while Porter M. Bailes became the minister. In the fall of 1908 Dr. Bailes enrolled in Fur­man University at Greenville, South Carolina, obraining the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1912. In his junior and senior years he was the room­mate of Dr. Robert G. Lee, Memphis. Tenn., who was from his home community. While a junior, Dr Bailes represented Furman Universitv in the State Oratorical Contest in which he was awarded second place. He holds three awards for cxccl­lence in oratory. His acceptance of the call to the ministry came during his junior year at Furman Universitv, after a promise to God that he would enter the ministry if God would open a pastorate to him without his solicitation. When an invitaton to supply a country church with the view of a call came, he accepted it and his ministry started at the Columbia Baptist Church of Greenville County in South Carolina. The young student graduated from Furman University in 1912. At the beginning of the fall semester he entered the Southern Baptist Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, where he received the Master of Theology degree in 1915. He did resi­dent work for the Doctor of Divinity degree and stood a successful examination, but did not write the required thesis. While a student in the seminary he was pas­tor of Tea Creek Baptist Church in Indiana, Mt. Lebanon and Burks Branch Baptist churches in Kentucky. After receiving his Master of The­ology degree, he was pastor one year in La Grange, Kentuckv. He was married June 24, 1914 to Sarah Withers Button of Bedford, Kentucky, a student in the W. M. U. Training School, Louis­ville, Kentucky. A unanimous call came to him in 1917 from the First Baptist Church, Greer, South Carolina, where he remained nine years. A nine-room par­sonage and a $75,000 church were erected, and the membership increased from two hundred eight to eicht hundred twenty-four. Two sons were born to Porter M. and Sarah Bailes while living in Greet. They are Porter M. Bailes. Jr., born April 25, 1918, and Joe Dean Bailes, born November 25, 1922. Both ate fine, loyal Christian young men. The former, who is married and has two children, is a young doctor practicing medicine in Dallas, Texas. The young­er is married and attending the law school at Baylor University. A lovely niece, Ella Mae Bailes, of South Catolina, has made her home with the family for many years and is on the faculty of the Tyler Public Schools. Dr. Bailes accepted the call in 1926 to the First Baptist Church of Lakeland, Florida. Re­maining with the church three years, he received into its membership more than eleven hundred members. Following his pastorate in Florida, he has been in frequest demand there, returning for many types of service. Coming to Tyler from Lakeland, Florida, Dr. Bailes began, May 1, 1929, his challenging duties. Overcoming many difficulties, he has accomplished enormous tasks. He has been energetic in developing the material and spiritual life of the church. In his first year he conducted the re­vival and has brought the following ministers for annual meetings: J. Dean Crane, a personal friend and co-worker from South Carolina, Dr George W. Truett, Dallas; Dr. W. R. White, Ft. Worth, now president of Baylor University; Dr. Robert G. Lee, Memphis, Tennessee; Dr. Marshall Craig, Dallas; the late Dr. J. B Tidwell, Waco; Dr. H. D. Bruce, Midland, Texas, now president of East Texas Baptist College, Marshall; Dr. Ferguson, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Dr. W. H. Knight, Shreveport, Louisiana; Rev. James Cramer, Denver, Colorado; Dr. Chestor Swor, Jackson, Mississippi; Dr. W. L. Hawse, Kansas City, Missoun; Dr. Ellis Fuller, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. E. D. Head, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminay at Ft. Worth; and Dr. C. E. Hereford, Corpus Christi Texas. The pastor had a vision of the needs of a growing city at the beginning of his pastorate. The church soon began the erection of the present parsonage, which was completed in 1931. Not satisfied until more was accomplished, Dr. Bailes' enthusiasm inspired a friend and member of the church, T. 0. Wright to aid in his program. His gifts helped make possible the Educational Building, which was dedicated as a memoral to his wife, the late Lillie Belle Wright. Sunday School children and adults of the church completed the contribution. When the building was finished and entered December 8, 1935, it was free of debt. Ir was dedicated November 14, 1937. After the successful completion of the parsonage and edacationa building and realizing the need for an enlarged auditorium the church voted to remodel the main building. The work started in the spring of 1939; the building was finished and services began September 24, the same year. The church gave the pastor a trip to the meeting of the Baptist World Alliance in Atlanta, Georgia during that summer. Even though the pastor has many local duties and responsibilities, Dr. Bailes has time and interest for other organizations and institutions. For many years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the East Texas Baptist College of Marshall, Texas; has held elective offices, and has been moderator of the Smith Countv Association; has been an officer in the aest Texas Workers conference and Texas Baptist Convention. At Mineral Wells, in 1936, he was the president of the Pastors' and Laymans conference. In May 1936, he returned to Greer South Carolina, to preach the dedication sermon for the church erected during his pastorate. He delivered the commencement address for the Baylor Medical School in Dallas in 1937. Other ­activities have been the preaching of sermons at the annual revivals at Baylor University, ap­pearing on the program of three Texas encampments at Palacios, Leuders, and Alto Frio, and speaking to the Sunday School Headquarters Staff, Nashville, Tennessee in 1940. Dr. Bailes has preached three of the annual commencement sermons for the Tyler High School and Junior College and three sermons for the annual civic Thanksgiving servoce. In 1942 he returned to his alma mater, Furman University, to receive the de­gree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1945 he delivered the annual sermon at the Texas State Baptist Convenion in Amarillo. While he and Mrs. Bailes were on the summer foreign tour in 1947, Dr. Bailes preached in the First Baptist Church, Rome, Italy. Serving the Lord with his pen, Dr. Bailes is the author of three books, "Revival Sermons," published in 1938; "Lift your Skyline," appear­ing in 1940; and "In Quest of the Best," which came out in 1944. He is the author of numerous tracts and articles, one of which, "Why I am a Baptist," is presented by the church to each con­vert after his baptism as a certificate of church membership. In 1947 the church granted a three-months leave of absence with expenses to enable Dr. and Mrs. Bailes to attend the Baptist World Alliance in Copenhagen, Denmark in July. Their tour in­cluded visits to the Scandinavian Peninsula and other Western European Countries, and to, the British Isles. They returned to the United States on September 12, the trip having broadened their already rich travel experience. A distinctive neon church sign was installed at the corner of West Ferguson Street and North Bois d'Arc Avenue, with two smaller signs de­signating the Educational Building and Church Annex which were dedicated after the Wednes­day evening prayer service January 6, 1948. The church membership on March 1, 1948 was three thousand two hundred ninety two. Dr. Bailes' successful ministry stems from his sincerity; his love of preaching the gospel, his missionary spirit his interest in youth, and his understanding of adults. His service with this noble church has continued longer than any other pastor precedinc him. God has blessed his work of the church with more than five thousand members during his pastorate. Nineteen men have been licensed or ordained, and one young woman has offered heerself for work in the foreign mission­ field. It is through his humility and dependence upon the Father for divine guidance that he has been able to "lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes" in his ministry of evangelism. Dr. Porter M. Bailes is a master builder in this growing and vigorous First Baptist church of Tyler, Texas. MINISTERS LICENSED AND ORDAINED BY THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH John H. Whitman . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1854 Robert Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1855 H. T. Morton . . . . . . . . . April 23, 1882 M. O. Meadows . . . . . . . . October 3, 1906 J. R. Rozelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1912 J. B. Oliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1919 Ligon Rozelle . . . . . . . . . .July 31, 1927 W. E. Morgan . . . . . . . . . September 1932 W. M. Barber . . . . . . . . . September 1932 Leon Gorsline . . . . . . . . . September 1932 Billy Graves . . . . . . . . . September 1932 J. D. Aarant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1932 James Delbert Liles . . . . . . .Licensed 1933 C. D. Schmidt . . . . . . . . . March 13, 1939 Arthur Williams . . . . . . .September 3, 1941 William Beacham . . . . . . .September 3, 1941 John H. Gary . . . . . . . . December 9, 1942 Elbert Wright . . . . . . . September 28, 1943 Odom Dyess . . . . . . . . . . .Licensed 1944 A. B. Emerson . . . . . . . . . .Licensed 1945 Carl Wrotenberry. . . . . . .November 26, 1946 Fisk Ray . . . . . . . . . .December 25, 1946 Robert A. Gorsline. . . . . . . .Ordained 1946 John Hunter Hammett . . . . . . .Licensed 1946 Grady Hicks . . . . . . .Licensed January 1948