Memorial Biographies of General Baptist Ministers
of the
Union Association
M. B. MCDONALD
M. B. McDonald was born three miles north of Greenville, Kentucky, on a farm on the 5th day of April 1882. Attended rural school and later at Powderly, Kentucky, and at Greenville High School. Taught in the rural schools for four years, after which I went into business in Greenville, Kentucky. Remaining in business for thirty-two years, then sold out in the interest of better health.
I professed faith in Christ at the age of fourteen; was one of the charter members of Duvall's Chapel Church when it was organize din 1896. Was its first clerk, and have served that church as clerk for twenty-nine years. Was baptized by a brother in law, Rev. J. W. Green, who at the same time baptized two of my sisters, one of whom was the wife of Rev. green. I was made a deacon in 1910. Attended Union Association for the first time in 1898, when it met with Mt. Pleasant Church. I have attended forty sessions of Union Association, and have missed only fifteen since becoming a member of the church. Have attended many sessions of the General Association. I served as moderator of the Union Association in 1933; have been clerk of Union Association since 1942, and treasurer most of that time. Have served on the Board of Publications, the Foreign Mission Board, and the General Board. Have served on the Home Mission Board of Union Association for several years. Served on the Committee in 1939 to Revise the Doctrine and Usage.
I sponsored the publication of the Lasle-Willie debate book in 1922. This debate was held near Greenville, Kentucky, and the Rev. Laslie stayed in my home during the debate. Had published a book of my own, in 1934, "The coming Christ and Signs of His Coming."
I have been a reader of the General Baptist Messenger for more than fifty years, having never missed an issue during that time. I get a lot of joy trying to teach a class of men at Sunday School, as I have been doing for several years.
Shown above is Mrs. Effie Rhey McDonald, wife of M. B. McDonald, She was born in Webster County, Kentucky, the daughter of J. H. and Emma Polley. She has one sisters, Mrs. O. B. Clark, of Henderson, Kentucky, and five brothers, the Rev. Charles Polley, of Dixon, Ky.; Henry, Wayne, and O.K. Polley, all of Webster County, and Essel Polley, of Henderson, Kentucky. All of them are General Baptists.
she professed faith in Christ at an early age and joined Little Zion General Baptist Church. She married John T. Wilson of that community, and to this union was born two children, Desmond W. Wilson, of Owensboro, Ky., Marlowe Wilson Harkins, of Providence, Ky. Later she and her family joined the Providence General Baptist Church. In 1946, she and Mr. McDonald were married and she moved her membership to Duvall's Chapel General Baptist church.
She was an active member of the ladies' Aid Society of the Providence Church, and was president of that society. She was also a member of the Women's Missionary Society of the Providence Church, and after moving to Greenville, Ky., she was the first president of the Ethel Mae (Clark) Missionary Society of Duvall's Chapel, and has again been elected president of that society this spring.
Ever since girlhood she has enjoyed good gospel singing and always fills her place in the choir in church services.
* - Source - History of Union Association of General Baptist 1840 - 1953
By
M.D. Mc Donald