Shirley, Rev. W. A., was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., June 12, 1857. He began the work of mastering letters in his native city at the age of seven years, by attending the public schools provided for by the State. Later he attended three sessions (of nine months) of the city school in Columbus, Miss. For seven years he worked in a whiskey saloon, where, he says, that while at work behind the bar, he was converted to the faith of the Christian religion. Joined the church in 1878 in Mississippi, under the pastorate of Rev. T. L. Jordan. Studied theology in the Presbyterian school at Tuscaloosa. Was ordained in the African Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa under the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Mason. His pastorates have been at Hull’s and Birmingham, Ala. For ten years he served the Antioch, Bethlehem Association, as clerk. He has built three church edifices. Mr. Shirley is possessed of that easy, joyous, friendly turn in manners and address, which make him agreeable to all classes of reasonable people. He is studious and observing, which fact, coupled with his native talent, offers him an ever broadening field of operation as the years shall come and go “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Simmons, Rev. J. S., at present pastor of the Gadsden Church, son of James and Annie Simmons, was born in Alabama August 16, 1859. He was baptized by the Rev. Henry Stevens into the Greensboro Church May 27, 1878. Mr. Simmons is a man of talent, and is a graduate of the Lincoln University, once located at Marion. He was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the Sixteenth Street Church, Birmingham, in April, 1889, Revs. W. R. Pettiford, D. D., A. C. Jackson, and R. Donald, officiating as presbytery. Since his ordination he has served the Galilee Church at Anniston, and now serves the church at Gadsden, where his labors have been especially successful. Everywhere he has borne the reputation of an honorable and pious man. He has been fortunate in finding and winning a helpmeet for him in his spiritual and intellectual labors in the person of a very excellent lady. Simpson, Rev. I. T., of Selma, Ala., was born in this State August 1, 1858. He was baptized into the Belleville Church December, 1876, and in 1883, he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. D. Shepherd and C. Travis. He attended the State University at Montgomery and is now soon to close a course in Selma University. Brother Simpson is a man of fine sense, is a good speaker, and with heed on his own part, sympathy on the part of his people, and blessing from above, his opportunities for increasing usefulness and honor are very encouraging. Already he has attained a reputation as a pastor and builder as well as orator. P. S. Since the above was written, Brother Simpson has completed his course at the University, and is now pastor at Opelika, where he is already the peerless preacher and successful leader.