From History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting by Alexander Lee Miller:

Rev. M. B. L. Binion was born June 20th, 1835 in Hancock County, Georgia. At the age of eighteen he was converted and baptized into the membership of Ireland Creek Baptist Church in the same County. He attended Mercer University while it was located at Penfield, Georgia and graduated in 1856. In the same year of his graduation, in the summer, he was ordained as a ministor of the Gospel by authority of the Ireland Creek Baptist Church. Elder B. Roberts, L. R. L. Jones, and Corlos W. Stevens constituted the Presbytery. In the same year he moved from Hancock County to Weston, Webster County. At that time he was twenty one years of age. He later moved to Terrell County, Georgia and located near Sardis Church, six miles north west of Dawson. He served many churches in Randolph, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Lee, Hancock and other counties. In a biography written by Mrs. William A. Fitzgerald of him it is stated that he served twenty four churches in these counties and that he was Moderator of the Friendship Baptist Association for eight consecutive years. Many of the churches he served were located in the Bethel Association. He was Moderator of the Bethel Association for two years 1891 and 1892. He was a strong, eloquent and forceful speaker, attentive to his churches and kind to the people. He exemplified the Christian spirit and was one of the great leaders among the Baptists in Southwest Georgia. The Friendship Association and the Summerhill Association is made up largely of churches that originally joined the Bethel Association before these two associations came into existence.

During the last sixteen years of his life, Rev. Binion was forced to give up the pastorate of his churches on account of the loss of his eyesight, but he continued to preach whenever the opportunity presented itself. During his affliction he was patient and cheerful and remained interested and alert in his chosen work until his death, which came on December 31st, 1925, just as the old year passed out. His body lies buried at Sardis Church, a spot he loved. He baptized many and performed many marriage ceremonies during his seventy years of service to his Master. There are many throughout this whole section who remember his wise counsel and great leadership. He was truly one of the great preachers of this State.