Brother Rodgers was born in Madison County, Arkansas, July 18, 1841. He was the son of Rev. Samuel and Eliza (Doak) Rodgers. His father moved to Texas soon after the war between the states, and united with the Waco Presbytery. He engaged as Colporteur of the American Bible Society, and of his work Superintendent Rankin said he was the best he had in Texas. He and Rev. Jno. Hudson, of Round Rock, Tex., belonged to the same presbytery, and between them existed a friendship like that of Jonathan and David. His mother was a devoted Christian. When Albert was only four years old his father stood him in a chair by her bedside that he might see her die. Brother Rodgers says: "I will never forget that scene. After mother's death father took me on his knee and preached the gospel to me. It was then I learned to love the Lord and to believe the Bible. I never doubted the word of God, and at the age of fourteen I received the true witness of the Spirit that I was born again; also the call to preach the gospel."

In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private. Twelve months later he raised a company of ninety-five men, and was elected captain. His company was Company D., Hill's Regiment and Gen. Cabble's Brigade. This position he held for three years. The four years of war deprived him of a good English education, as it did many other young men.

After the war he came to Grayson County, Texas, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Bush, September 11, 1866. In Brother Rodger's own language I will tell you the story of his entering the ministry. "After I was married the call came to me so forcibly, I could hardly live under it. But with a keen sense of my limited education, I thought if I attempted to preach, I would be a failure. I knew I could not make a sermon. Fortunately for me my wife realized that I was struggling between my call to the ministry and my environments, and said to me: 'The quicker you go to preaching the better it will be for us.' I said to her, I cannot do great things, but I can be a 'fool for Christ's sake,' (1 Cor. 4:10). So by wife's help I gained the victory."

Brother Rodgers joined the White Rock Presbytery at McKinney, Tex., in October, 1870, and was licensed to preach a year later at old Canaan Church, in Grayson County, and in one more year was ordained at Richardson, in Dallas County. Rev. Robert Jones delivered the ordination sermon from the text, "Preach the Word." Old "Father" Wilkins gave the charge. Soon after his ordination he served as Presbyterial Missionary for White Rock Presbytery, and later for Guthrie Presbytery. After a period of faithful service, he moved to Western Texas, and was one of the charter members of Pease River Presbytery. At that time there was no Cumberland Church west of Quanah. The eastern presbyteries had become greatly burdened with that vast western field as missionary ground. They wanted to send a missionary, but had no funds. Our hero said: "Send me." They gladly accepted the proffered service. With only $75 in cash and unwavering confidence in God's promises, he took his wife and five children, and located at Claude, in Armstrong County. After having been in this work quite awhile, and having been well supported he went to Presbytery to make his report. He had indeed tested the promise: 'Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." the congregations at Amarillo, Canyon City, and other places were organized by him. After four years spent in this work he entered the evangelistic field of Texas Synod. All this time he and Sister Rodgers trusted God's promises and never lacked for any necessary comfort.

Now let us make the climax of our story the verbal testimony of this honored old veteran--not only a veteran of the Confederate service, where he was called "Boy Captain," but that which is better, a veteran of the Lord's army. "For the past forty-two years I have been going in the name of my Master into the highways, hedges, lanes and streets, seeking the lost, the poor, halt maimed and the blind, telling them of God's love for sinners, although he hates sin. Preaching a "whosoever-will gospel, I have often been filled with wonder as I witnessed its effectiveness and power among the people. But it was the word of God being wielded by the Spirit, and my heart reverently bowed in its presence. "The sword of the Spirit" is the only weapon that will reach sinners. I have never kept an account of the number of converts in my work. I know that the Lord has used me an an humble instrument in his hands in the salvation of many souls, and to Him be all the glory. I am glad to know that He can take "the weak things of the world to confound the mighty." I am now in my seventy-third year and have made it the rule of my life to attend to my Christian duty first of all.

"I would not have thee come, dear Lord,
    And leave behind, undone and lost,
Some groping soul my hand might lead
    To join the blood-washed host."

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 43-46]