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* PROCEEDINGS *
OF THE
OF THE
^AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH,!*
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
AT CHARLESTON, S. C, MAY 15, 16 17, 1889.
THE QUARTO-CENTENNIAL ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE AND AT JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA,
AND
AN HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE TWENTY-FIVE YEARS WORK OF THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH, IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA
TOGETHER WITH
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF SOME OF THE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. A COMPLETE LIST OF THE BISHOPS AND A STATE- MENT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF ALLEN UNIVERSITY.
IN ADDITION,
SOME FACTS IN RELATION TO THE PROGRESS OF THE NEGRO OF THE PALMETTO STATE AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
EDITED BY
BISHOP BENJAMIN W. ARNETT, D. D, Presiding Bishop of the States of South Carolina and Florida.
i8qo.
RESOLUTION-
BY ^EV. E. WAIili. D. D.
Whereas, there being no funds in hand or collectable for the printing of the Proceedings of the Quarto-Centenary Conference, therefore
Be it Resolved, that this Conference request Bishop B. W. Arnett to accept the compilation, and superintend the printing of the Min- utes, that its proceedings may be preserved to posterity.
Adopted unanimously.
Attest :
J. D. Barksdale, Secretary,
176039
EI>ITOR AND COMPILER.
INDEX.
Introduction by Rev. B. F. Lee, D. D., LL. D.
Names of Bishops and their Districts 9
Names of General Officers, 1888-92 10
Names of Officers and Members Quarto-Centenary Conference 10
Program of Quarto-Centenary Celebration 12
Pioneers, Missionaries and Founders 17
Roil of Members of South Carolina and Columbia Conferences 18
Journal of Proceedings of Quarto-Centennial Conference . 24
Organization Essential to Success — Bishop D. A. Payne 38
The Field and the Workman — James A. Handy, D. D 43
The Founding of the South Carolina Conference— J. H. A. Johnson, D. D. 47
Now and Then — T. G. Steward, D. D 56
How to Save Our Young Men — D. T. McDaniel, A. B 65
Reminiscences of the Pioneers — Rev. W. M. Thomas 68
How African Methodism was Introduced in the Up Country — Rev. A.Weston 70
John Graham and His Associates — J. E. Hayne, D. D 72
The Progress of Education in South Carolina — Prof. J. W.Morris, A.M., LL.B 77-
Woman and Her Influence — M. B. Salter, D. D 82
Finance and Church Property— C. M. Crosby, D. D 84
The Souvenir — Mrs. C. S. Riley 92
The Centennial Host — Miss Josephine Prioleau 93
Addresses Delivered at the Columbia, S. C, Conference —
Bishop B. W. Arnett, I). D 94
Rev. C. C. Dunlap, A. B 95
Rev. S. H. Robertson, P. E . . . ; 97
Rev. W. D. Johnson, D. D. . . • • • 99
Miss Hallie Quinn Brown, M. A ico
Opening Prayer — Rev. L. Lawrence 102
Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D. ... , 104
Rev. W. M. Thomas 105
Rev. A. Weston 107
Rev. Isaac S. Grant , in
Rev. Hiram Young ^ , . . in
Anecdote 112
Rev. Silas H. Jefferson 112
Rev. Robert C. lrvin 114
Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D. , 116
Rev. C. S. Bradley c 118
Rev. W. B. Derrick, D. D 120
176039
VI
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
Addresses delivered a Columbia Conference — Continued.
Rev. F. Y. Dendy 124
Rev. Hiram Young 128
Addresses Delivered at South Carolina Conference at Aiken, S. C.
Dr. Edward W. Blyden 131
Dr. W. B. Derrick 138
Rev. S. F. Flegler 138
Rev. S. J. Campbell 141
Miss Hallie Q. Brown , 142
Rev. M. B. Salter, D. D 148
Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D 149
Important Facts 152
Dollar Money 156
Statistics 158
Old Sancho Cooper 159
Church Property 160
Ordinations in 7th District 162
Introduction of African Methodism in West Florida — Rev. A. J. Kershaw. 163
Letter from Governor Reed to Bishop Brown 168
Introduction of African Methodism in East Florida— Rev. John R. Scott, B.D 168
The Pioneer Workman — Rev. J.J. Sawyer . . .■ 174
Pioneer Women of East Florida— Mrs. M. E. C. Smith . 181
Address to Law Class of Allen University — Major J. H. Fordham . . . . 186
Address before the Societies of Allen University — Rev. W. B. Derrick, D.D 190
Address before the Graduating Class Allen University — Rev. J. A. Handy, D.D 201
Historical Table — Bishop Arnett, D. D 209
Conference Calendar — South Carolina 210
Conference Calendar — Florida 211
Conference Calendar — East Florida 212
Compiler's Note— R. E. Wall, D. D 213
Summary of Proceedings South Carolina Conference from 1865 to 1890 . . 213
Summary of Proceedings Columbia Conference from 1865 to 1890 276
Poem — Rev. S. G. Cross 318
Biographical Sketch— B. W. Arnett, D. D 320
Arnett Governor for an Hour 324
Biographical Sketches of some of the Ministers of South Carolina- Rev. S. W. Bellamy 326
Rev. S. F. Flegler 326
Rev. R. C. Williams 327
Rev. J. W. White 327
Rev. John S. Singleton 327
Rev. R. W. Srnckler 328
Rev. March Singleton 328
Rev. E. H. Gourdine 328
INDEX. VII
Biographical Sketches — Continued.
Rev. M. R. Thomas . 328
Rev. G. W. Hill . . . . 329
Rev. R. R. Bryant 329
Rev. J. Montgomery 329
Rev. C. W. McQueen 329
Rev. L. L. Carson 330
Rev. Wm. Steel 330
Rev. Caesar Small 330
Rev. D. L. Jenkins 330
Rev. T. B. Barnwell 330
Rev. J. S. Barre 331
Rev. E. M. Gibson 331
Rev. H. McD. Hale 331
Rev. W. A. Hey ward 331
Rev. W. P. Carolina 331
Rev. Jethro T. Gibbons 332
Rev. A. Brown 832
Rev. M. N. Thompson 332
Rev. W. A. Holland 332
Rev. Joseph Wright • • 332
Rev. James R. Bowens 333
Rev. S. J. Brown . . 333
Rev. A. Harrell 333
Rev. S. K. Howard 333
Rev. D. T. Taylor 333
Rev. Andrew Evans • • • 334
Rev A. W. Crawford 334
Rev. P. A. Mouzon 334
Rev. Peter Smith 334
Bro. Wm. P. Graham 335
Rev. G. E. Miles 335
Rev. Henry Taylor 335
Rev. C. F. North . . . . . 335
Bro. F. C. Alfred 336
Rev. Jos. Woodward 336
Rev. P. Jenkins 336
Rev. S. G. Cross 336
Rev. Kit McHoney 336
Rev. P. E. Gadsen 337
Rev. I. F. Gillison 337
Rev. R. T. Bull . . 337
Bro. James M. Saxton 337
Rev. G. M. Holland . 337
VIII
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
Biographical Sketches — Continued.
Rev. S. Washington 338
Rev. S. Bass ......... ................ 338
Rev. John McRae 338
Rev. S. P. Randolph 338
Rev. James Butler Green 338
Rev. John A. Seale 339
Rev. Wm. F. Dennison 339
Rev. G. W. Mance ...... 339
Rev. S. S. Miles 339
Rev. James Murrell 34°
Rev. L. R. Nichols 340
Rev. D. J. Lites 34"
Rev. P. H. Johnson 342
Rev. S. J. Brown 344
Rev. A. Ransom 344
Rev. George Washington Hill 345
Rev. J. D. Barksdale . . 345
Rev. R. C. Williams 347
Rev. T. E. Wilson 348
Rev. Isaiah F. Gillison . . 348
Rev. W. H. Jenkins 349
Rev. James T. Baker 349
Quarto-Centennial Reports —
Emanual Church 350
Monck's Corner 350
Mepkind Church 35
Sampit Circuit . 35
Williamsburg Circuit 353
Bethlehem and Howard Chapel 354
Walterboro Circuit 355
South Santee Circuit . 356
Mt. Pleasant District — Zion Church 357
Hilton Head Circuit 357
Winy ah Mission 358
Parish Church — Olive Branch 358
South Santee Circuit 356
Jerusalem and Canaan Churches — White Hall Circuit 360
Black River Circuit 36"
St. Paul, Bethel and St. Matthew's Churches 36
Cain Chapel — Anneville, S. C 36
Bonneau's Circuit — Bonneau, S. C 362
Bethel Church — Georgetown, S. C 362
Bethel A. M. E. Church 364
INDEX.
I
Quarto-Centennial Reports — Continued.
East Combahee Circuit 366
Jehosse A. M. E. Church . 365
St. Paul and New Bethel 366
St. Stephen's Church — Hardeeville. S. C 367
Pee Dee Circuit — South Carolina Conference 368
St. John's Church — Ridgland, S. C 369
Beaufort District — Churches and Preaching Places 369
Robertsville Circuit 370
Hardeville and St. Stephen's 370
St. Paul's Circuit 371
Morris Brown Chapel 371
East Combahee Circuit 372
Green Pond Circuit 372
Beaufort Circuit 373
Brunson Circuit 373
Pacific Mission ^374
Hilton Head Circuit 374
Bluffton Circuit 375
Pipe Creek Circuit i. . . 375
Members of Quarterly Conferences and their Official Position and
Residence 376
Edisto District 377
Number of Classes in each Church or Congregation 379
Methodist Organization —
Historic Notes by Bishop B. W. Arnett 382
From the Annals of Southern Methodism 390
Missions to Slaves in South Carolina . . . 390
One Round on My Mission *. . . . 391
Protracted Meeting for Colored People 392
The Colored Churches in New Orleans 393
The Colored People in Charleston 394
Missions Among the People of Color 396
General Recapitulation of Church Membership 415
Biographical Tables — Bishop B. W. Arnett.
Bishops of the A. M. E. Church 416
Bishops of the Colored Church of America 416
Bishops of the Independent A. M. E. Church. Canada 416
Bishops of the A. M. E. Zion Church 417
Our Schools 418
Observations in South Carolina — Rev. W. H. Heard, pastor Bethel church.
Philadelphia 419
Orangeburg District — Rev. C. P. Nelson. D. D 421
Manning District — Rev. W. D. Chappelle, A. B 423
2
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
Letter of Rev. R. H. Cain to "Christian Recorder," 1865 . , .... 425 An Account of the Organization and Sailing of the Azor for Africa — J. E.
Hayne, D. D 429
Welcome Address Delivered in Jacksonville, Fla., May 22, 1890 — J. H.
Welsh, D. D 430
Memorial Address — Rev, J. E. Hayne, D. D. . . 434
Address on the Rise and Progress of Education in Florida — Rev. M.M.Moore 435
A Pioneer Woman 440
Books Compiled and Edited by Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D 441
The Final Triumph of Christianity — Rev. S. H. Coleman 442
Journal — Quarto-Centenary at Jacksonville, Fla 450
Sketch — S. H. Jefferson . 455
Addenda — Summary of Proceedings of South Carolina Conference .... 456
Analysis of the A. M. E. Church 465
The Developing Power of the A. M. Church 448
John Stocks Thorne— Rev. W. E. Wall, D. D 498
Elisha Church 499
Statistics — Sunday School 500
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Op. Page. Op. Page.
Bishop Richard Allen 8 Bishop Richard H. Cain .... 104
Mrs. Sarah Allen 8 Mrs. Laura A. Cain 104
Bishop Morris Brown 9 Bishop Richard R. Disney . . . 105
Bishop Edward Waters ...... 9 Mrs. Sarah E. Disney . . • • 105
Bishop William Paul Quinn ... 24 Bishop Wesley J. Gaines . . . . 120
Mrs. Mary Jane Quinn 24 Mrs. Julia Ann Gaines 120
Bishop Willis Nazrey 25 Bishop Benj. W. Arnett .... 121
Mrs. Mary Ann Nazrey .... 25 Mrs. Mary L. Arnett 121
Bishop Daniel A. Payne .... 40 Bishop Benj. T. Tanner .... 136
Mrs. Eliza J. Payne 40 Mrs. Sarah E. Tanner 136
Bishop Alex. W. Wayman ... 41 Bishop Abram Grant 137
Mrs. Harriet A. E. Wayman . . 41 Mrs. Florida Grant 137
Bishop Jabez P. Campbell ... 56 Rev. James Lynch 152
Mrs. Mary A. Campbell .... 56 Rev. James D. S. Hall 152
Bishop James A. Shorter .... 57 Rev. James A. Handy 153
Mrs. Marie A. Shorter 57 Rev. Charles L. Bradwell .... 168
Bishop Thomas M. D. Ward . . 72 Rev. J. H. A. Johnson 168
Mrs. Rachel Ward . . 72' Rev. T. G. Steward 168
Bishop John M. Brown 73 Rev. Levi J. Coppin 169
Mrs. Mary Louisa Brown .... 73 Rev. Chas. S. Smith 169
Bishop H. McNeal Turner ... 88 Rev. Benj. F. Lee 169
Mrs. Eliza Ann Turner 88 Rev. James C. Embry 169
Bishop Wm. F. Dickerson ... 89 Rev. Wm. D. Johnson 184
Mrs, Isabella Dickerson .... 89 Rev. M. E. Bryant . . . . . 184 *
INDEX.
3
|
Til,.,- |
trations — Continued. |
Op. Page |
|
Rev. |
L. Ruffin Nichols . . . |
. . 185 |
|
Rev. |
. . I85 |
|
|
Rev. |
Samuel Washington . . |
. . 185 |
|
Rev. |
Samuel W. Bellamy . . |
. . I85 |
|
Rev. |
S. F. Flegler |
200 |
|
Rev. |
Norman B. Sterritt . . |
. . 200 |
|
Rev. |
Bruce H. Williams . . |
. . 20O |
|
Rev. |
Abram Weston .... |
, , 20I |
|
Rev. |
William M. Thomas . |
. . 20I |
|
Rev. |
Edward D. Spearman . |
. . 20I |
|
Rev. Silas H. Jefferson . . . |
20I |
|
|
Rev. |
RirharH F Wall |
2l6 |
|
Rev |
John W. Lykes .... |
. . 216 |
|
Rev. |
Willi3.n1 H). Chctppcllc |
. . 216 |
|
Rev. |
H IX2L m \ 0 u n °" |
. . 2l6 |
|
Rev. |
. . 217 |
|
|
Rev. |
Tamps Hill |
. . 232 |
|
Rev. |
m m rm A fill pi* |
• • 232 |
|
Rev. |
• • 232 |
|
|
Rev. |
L. S. Prioleau . . . |
• • 232 |
|
Rev. |
James D. Barksdale . . |
• • 233 |
|
Rev |
D. H. Tohnson .... |
• • 233 |
|
Rev |
William H. Heard . . |
• • 233 |
|
Rev. |
David J. Lites .... |
• • 233 |
|
Rev. |
Edward W. Blyden . .. |
. . 248 |
|
Rev. |
Joseph E. Haynes . . |
. . 248 |
|
Rev |
Paul W. Jefferson . . . |
248 |
|
Rev. |
Israel S. Lee |
248 |
|
Rev. |
Isaac Cooke |
. . 249 |
|
Mrs. |
Mary Cooke |
• • 249 |
|
Rev |
W. D. Harris .... |
• ■ 249 |
|
Rev. |
Moses B. Salter .... |
249 |
|
Mrs. |
Anna Brown |
. . 264 |
|
Mrs. |
Winnie Simmons . . . |
. . 264 |
|
Rev |
J. W. Baker |
. . 264 |
|
Mrs. |
Baker |
. . 264 |
|
Rev |
S. T. Mitchell .... |
265 |
|
Prof. Joseph W, Morris . . |
• 265 |
|
|
Prof. Abner J. Tamison . . . |
. , 280 |
|
|
Prof. Henrv Y. Arnett . . . |
. . 280 |
|
|
Rev. Cassius M. Crosby . . |
. . 28o |
|
|
Prof. Thomas A. Saxon . . . |
280 |
|
|
Miss |
Hallie Q. Brown . . . |
. . 28l |
Op. Page
Rev. David Smith 296
Rev. Marcus M. Moore 297
Rev. S. H. Coleman 297
Rev. P. B. Braddock 312
Rev. Thomas W. Long 312
Rev. J. J. Sawyer 312
Rev. W. W. Sampson . . . . . 312
Rev. William G. Steward .... 313
Rev. William A. Bird 313
Rev. A. J- Kershaw 313
Rev. J. W. Dukes 328
Rev. John R. Scott 328
Rev. Judge Jos. E. Lee .... 328
Prof. Benj. W. Arnett, Jr .... 329
Rev. John H. Welsh 344
Mrs. Annie L. Welsh 344
Miss Helen D. Handy 344
Miss M. E. C. Smith 345
Rev. E. W. Johnson 345
Rev. D. W. Gilleslie 345
Wilberforce University 360
Ladies" Normal and Industrial
Building at Wilberforce . . .361
Allen University, Columbia, S. C. 376
Girls' Industrial Building at Allen 377
Morris Brown College 392
Paul Quinn College 393
Sunday School Union Building . 393 Mt. Zion Church, Charleston, S.C. 408 New Emanuel Church, Charleston, 409 Morris Brown Church, Charleston, 424 Morris Brown Parsonage, . . , 425 Metropolitan Church, Washing- ton, D. C 440
New Bethel Church. Philadelphia, 441
Mt. Zion Church, Jacksonville, 456
Church at St. Augustine, Fla . . 457
Church at Fernandino, Fla . . . 472
Rev. Wm. B. Derrick 473
Rev. Chas. H. Pearce 488
Rev. John Burley 489
Rev. Henry J. Young 489
Rev. John A. Warren 489
No Compromise with Sin and Ignorance.
1 Lo ! a mighty host is rising now,
See ! their banner is unfurled ! Its fair legend, Truth and Righteousness ; Spread the tidings thro' the world.
Chorus.
No compromise ! No compromise !
No more yielding to the foe; No compromise, no compromise !
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO !
2 See the mighty host advancing now !
Look ! the proud oppressors flee ! So our country breaks its fetters off, And her captive sons are free. Cho. — No compromise ! etc.
3 Weary watchers, cease your vigil's now,
For the morning surely comes ; Night is fleeing, joy is dawning now On your hearts and on your homes. Cho. — No compromise ! etc.
4 Sing, O Zion ! no more desolate,
Lift thine eyes, the brightness see ! Thy Redeemer makes thee glorious, Thine oppressors bend to thee. Cho. — No compromise! etc.
INTRODUCTION
By B. p. bEE, D. D, Lib. D.
A work like this, from such people and such conditions, needs no apology. This work comes to the world with increased interest, be- cause of the prominence of its author and publisher, Bishop B. W. Arnett, whose adeptness in gathering statistics relating to the Negro is so well known. Two hundred years of the life of a part of the most loyal and most valuable class of persons in this country had been lived without records other than such as noted the time of the bills of sale that gave them from one man to another in legal holding, under the laws of the land, when Bishop Daniel A. Payne, D. D., with Revs. James A. Handy, James H. A. Johnson, Theophilus G. Steward and James Lynch, under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal church andathe direction of Almighty God, extended the borders and the influence of the A. M. E. Church into the great South, the first church that ever was planted there representing the Christ of Calvary, in the sense of the Holy Scriptures : John xvii, 21 ; ''That they all may be one in us."
Religion, even the religion of Christ, had been taught to the Negro enslaved and freed, in a way that caused the wounds of Christ Jesus to bleed afresh. " Christ had been divided," God had been
6
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
preached a " respecter of person"; the doctrine had been received too generously by the Negro, for him ever to attain to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus without greater light. But the fullness of time came, the hand of the black man bore to the heart of the black man in the South the Christian religion under the influence of an organiza- tion of Christians so characterized by the religion of Jesus as to grant full fellowship with the whitest persons who were Christians equally freely with the blackest persons who were Christians. Herein is the peculiarity of this church that is taunted as drawing race lines, because it named itself by one of the few descriptive appellations that Avarrant the free and confidential approach of a Negro to the American Christ- ian altar — the descriptive " African." As much as illiberal white men may condemn the term, and Negroes who lack yet the spirit of Christian — not not to say self-assertiveness necessary to act up to the largest possibilities of Christian liberty in the several churches where white men virtually control and dominate the religious life and ener- gies of the Negro may join them ; though those churches are aid- ing them much, without something of the spirit that actuated Richard Allen and his compeers in 1787 and Daniel A. Payne and his in 1865, the Negro's redemption in the Christian church must remain a prob- lem ; unless there be a great relenting and real loving by Christians of the Caucasian class.
The institution of the African Methodist church among the ex- slave class, whether East, West, North or South ; on the continent of Africa, the continent of America, the continent of South America or the West Indies, has been to the Negro as the rising of a new sun, the dis- covery of a new world. Twenty-five years ago, to both the white and the black man of the South, the steady march of this church, with all its officers black and comely, full of noble purpose, Holy zeal and sancti- fied knowledge, was as one looking forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an army with banners. Hay- wood, the Bradwells, Carr, Dart, Williams, Brown, Epps, Sampson and
INTRODUCTION".
7
others, who, like Samsons, in the mill, had toiled and prayed many years for " the light," and walked therein. Brown. Turner. Cain. Brody, Thomas, Mitchell, Stringer, Birch, Sisson and others joined them and soon Noble, Dixon, Gaines, Salter, Sterrett. Grant and Armstrong brought up the center, and a right grand army is following on.
This Quarto-Centennial might well be called a Bi-centennial : for it is but the partial evolution of two centuries of the religious energies : partial, because it is but the promise of future revelations, whose inspirations have begun as it is but the partial fulfilment of pro- phecies long deferred. It shows indeed that there is gold in these " diggings," but equally plainly it indicates that there are to come, miners, whose superior skill will discover greater wealth in what has been here discarded than in that which is gathered : still this is gold, without which and the excavation it leaves, future engineers and pros- pectors must needs move as slowly and as uncertainly as those have done who give us this. -
xThe twenty-five years' partial history recounted here, represents the hundreds of thousands of African Methodists in the South burying a stupendous lie as well as exposing a magnificent truth — the lie is, that sweet morsal rolled " under the much polluted tongue " of the Ameri- can Caucasian , that the Negro is essentially and irreparably inferior . hence can be outraged in every way with impunity- — the truth is, that whosoever feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him.
The work of the A. M. E. Church in the South, as in the North, has been, and is, that of infusing new hope into the heart of the Afro- American, developing influence into his heart, and patience and courage into his every movement. The erection of churches and par- sonages, school houses and colleges all over the land has given assur- ance to those who doubt the ability* of the Negro to organize and con- duct business pertaining to materiality. $6,000,000 worth of property settle this doubt, while the manly march of eleven bishops directing
8
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
and settling nearly 3000 pastors, who regulate the affairs of 3000 churches, must convince the most skeptical that governing ability is not wanting in the Negro American.
The sweetness of song, the correctness of Theology and the elo- quence in the pulpit, seconded by the great steam power presses, the critical writers and skillful teachers of African Methodism must enlist and hold the respect of every God-fearing man who notices the work of the hand, head and heart of this great body of Christians. Such work remaining as proof of the earnest, of the spirit, and the ac- knowledgement of God, that the man who would expatriate such a band of workers, would crucify the Christ, rob God. The mills of Allen University, Waters College, Kittrell School and Morris Brown College will grind too fine and sure to allow their work tossed lightly off the hearts of the best men of the South, or their reputations to be outraged by the flippant and jealous.
God, give us grace to work and trust. Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 5, 1890.
• ••• •»»»• ••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• ••••« •©••• ••••• ••••• •
EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS.
9
THE EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS AND THE BISHOPS PRESIDING,
1888-1892.
1. Philadelphia, New England. New York, New Jersey Confer- ence. Bishop H. M. Turner, 28 Young Street, Atlanta, Ga.
2. North Carolina, Virginia, Baltimore. Bishop J. P. Campbell, 1923 North Eleventh Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
3. Ohio, North Ohio, Pittsburgh. Bishop D. A. Payne, Ever- green Cottage, Wilberforce, Greene Co., O. During winter, Jackson- ville. Florida.
4. Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan. Bishop J. M. Brown, 142 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, D. C. Episcopal residence, Chicago, 111.
5. Rocky Mountain, Missouri, North Missouri, Kansas, Indian. Bishop T. M. D. Ward, Beuninge, D. C. Episcopal residence, St. Louis, Mo.
6. North Georgia, Macon, Georgia, Alabama, North Alabama, Georgia. Bishop W. J. Gaines, 314 Huston Street, Atlanta, Ga.
7. Columbia, South Carolina, Florid, East Florida. Bishop B. W. Arnett, Wilberforce, Greene Co., O. Episcopal residence, Col- umbia, S. C.
8. Mississippi, North Mississippi, Arkansas, South Arkansas, West Arkansas. Bishop R. R. Disney, 218 King Street, Chatham, Ontario. Episcopal residence, Yicksburg, Miss.
9. California, Texas, Northeast Texas, Texas Central, West Texas, North Louisiana, Louisiana. Bishop A. Grant, San Antonio, Texas.
10. Kentucky. West Kentucky, West Tennessee, Tennessee. Bishop A. W. Wayman, 127 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Md. Episcopal residence, Nashville, Term.
11. Haytian, San Domingo, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, St. Thomas. Bishop B. T. Tanner, 2008 West Park Avenue, Phila- delphia, Pa.
B
I o
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
GENERAL OFFICERS, 1888-1892.
Rev. J. C. Embry, D. D., General Business Manager, 631 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
; Rev. B. F. Lee, D. D., LL. D., Editor of Christian Recorder, 631 Pine Street, Philadelpia, Pa.
Rev. L. J. Coppin, D. D., Editor of A. M. E. Review, 631 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev. M. E. Bryant, D. D., Editor of Southern Recorder, Nash- ville, Tenn.
Rev. J. A. Handy, D. D., Financial Secretary, 12 14 16th St. N. W., Washington, D. C.
Rev. W. B. Derrick, D. D., Secretary of Missions, 64 Bible House, N. Y.
Rev. C. S. Smith, D. D., M. D., Secretary of Sunday School Unions, Nashville, Tenn.
Rev. W. D. Johnson, D. D., Secretary of Education, Athens, Georgia.
OFFICERS OF THE QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE, 1890.
BISHOPS.
Benj. W. Arnett, D. D Columbia, S. C
John M. Brown, D. D., D. C. L Washington, D. C
FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
James A. Handy, D. D Washington, D. C
Rev. James A. Johnson, D. D
Presiding Elder of Potomac, District of Baltimore Conference
SECRETARIES.
Rev. Samuel Washington.. Sutton, S. C
Rev. J. D. Barksdale Georgetown, S. C
Rev. D. J. Lites Mt. Pleasant, S. C
Rev. D. H. Johnson Cokesbury, S. C
Rev. C. S. Bradly Bradly, S. C
Rev. D. T. McDaniel St. Matthew, S. C
OFFICERS OF CONFERENCE.
I I
PRESIDING ELDERS SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
Rev. L. R. Nichols Edisto District
Rev. N. B. Sterrett, D. D' Georgetown District
Rev. S W. Bellamy Beaufort District
Rev. S. F. Fiegler Mt. Pleasant District
Rev. Samuel Washington Marion District
Rev. James F. Dart Charleston District
PRESIDING ELDERS COLUMBIA CONFERENCE.
Rev. Hiram Young Newberry District
Rev. W. M. Thomas Abbeville District
Rev. J. W. Lykes Greenville District
Rev. R. E. Wall Columbia District
Rev. C. Peirce Nelson Orangeburg District
Rev. S. H. Jefferson Sumter District
Rev. W. D. Chappelle Manning District
MINISTERS PRESENT MAY 1 5. i860.
Albright, J. W. Gibson, E. M. Lee, I. S.
Alston, W. R. Greg, E. J. McCaslan, L. A.
Alston, J. P. Hayne, J. E. Miles, G. E.
Baker, James F. Haywood. W. A. McCrey, John
Bemer, W. R. Hayzel, S. W. Player, F. J.
^arksdale. J. D. Holland, G. M. Rivers. F. E.
Bruce, Jas. Alex. Jefferson, P. W. Salter. M. B.
Bradley, C. S. Johnson, D. H. Smith, Peter
Bowen, J. R. Johnson, P. H. Singleton, J. S.
Carson, L. L. Jenkins, W. H. Sinkler, S. W.
Cross, A. G. Jenkins, M. Williams, B. H.
Dunlap, C. C. Lites, D. J. Williams, B. H. Jr.
Dundy, F. Y. Ladsen, S. W. Watson, Levi Foster, C. W.
12 QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
[CIRCULAR.]
PROGRAMME Of QUARTO CENTENARY AT CHARLESTON, S. 0.
COD OUR FATHER, CHRIST OUR REDEEMER, MAN OUR BROTHER. 1787-1816. 1816-1890. QUARTO-CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN METHODISM IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
BISHOP DANIEL A. PAYNE, D. I)., LL. D.
BORN AT CHARLESTON, S. C, FEB. 24, I S I I ; ELECTED SIXTH BISHOP MAY 7, 1852, IN NEW YORK; ORDAINED BISHOP MAY 13, 1852; ORGANIZED THE A. M. E. CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, S. C, MAY 15, 1865.
PRESIDING BISHOPS FROM 1865 TO 1890.
1865-6 Bishop D. A. PAYNE, D. D., LL. D.
1867-8 . , Bishop A. W. WAY MAN, D. D.
1869-72 Bishop fOHN M. BROWN, D. D., D. C. L.
1873-76 Bishop J. P. CAMPBELL, D. D., LL. D.
1877-80 Bishop JOHN M. BROWN, D. D., D. C. L.
1881-84 Bishop WM. F. DICKERSON, D. D.
1885-87 Bishop JAMES A. SHORTER.
1888 , . . . Bishop T. M. D. WARD, D. D.
1889-90 Bishop B. W. ARNETT, D. D.
PRESIDING ELDEKS, COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Rev. C. P. Nelson Orangeburg District.
Rev. S. H. Jefferson Sumpter District.
Rev. W. D. Chappelle, A. B Manning District.
Rev. R. E. Wall, D. D Columbia District.
Rev. H. Young Newberry District.
Rev. W. H. Thomas . . '. Abbeville District.
Rev. J. W. Lykes Greenville District.
PRESIDING ELDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
Rev. S. W. Bellamy Beaufort District!
Rev. S. F. Flegler Mt. Pleasant District.
Rev. J. S. Dart Charleston District.
Rev. S. Washington Marion District.
Rev. L. R. Nichols Edisto District.
Rev. N. B. Sterrett, D. D Georgetown District.
PROGRAMME AT CHARLESTON.
*3
HISTORICAL SECRETARIES. SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE. COLUMBIA CONFERENCE.
Rev. Samuel Washington. Rev. D. H. Johnson.
Rev. J. D. Barksdale. Rev. C. S. Bradley.
Rev. D. J. Lites. Rev. D. T. McDaniel,A. B.
LOCAL COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Presiding Elders — L. R. Nichols, S. F. Flegler, J. F. Dart.
Pastors -B. H. Williams, M. B. Salter, I. S. Lee, P. H. Johnson, D. L. Jenkins. J. A. Seals.
Laymen — J. B. Mott. Salem Mitchell, J. S. Morant, L. J. Boilings, S. B. Garrett, C. W. Swinton, W. D. Wilkerson, D. M. Izard, J. B. Brown.
QUARTO-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, Charleston, S. C, May 15,1890
THURSDAY MORNING, IO A. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. L. R. Nichols
Address of Welcome Rev. B. H. Williams
Response to Address Rev. T. G. Stewart, of Baltimore
Calling Roil of Original Conference Rev. M. B. Salter
Address Rev. D. A. Payne, D. D., LL. D
Subject: Organization Essential to Success.
Singing Choir
Benediction by Rev. Ceasar Small.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, 3 P. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. J. F. Dart
Address Rev. J. H. A. Johnson
Singing . . . Choir
Address Rev. C. L. Bradwell
How our Missions were formed on the Edisto Island.
Singing Choir
Benediction by Rev. J. E. Hill.
THURSDAY NIGHT, 7.30 P. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. S. F. Flegler
Poem . . . T. G. Steward, D. D
Singing , Choir
Address . . Rev. J. A. Handy, D. D., Financial Secretary
Subject : Field and the Work. Benediction by Rev. P. W. Jefferson.
FRIDAY MORNING, IO A. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. Hiram Young
Address D. T. McDaniel, A. B
Subject : How to Save our Young Men.
Singing Choir
Address Rev. W. M. Thomas, P. E.s Abbeville, S. C
Subject : Reminiscences of the Pioneers.
i4
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
Singing Choir
Address Rev. A. Weston, pastor, Winnesboro Station
Subject : How African Methodism was Introduced in the Up-country.
Singing Choir
Benediction by Rev. J. G. Sampson.
Laying Corner-stone of New Emanuel.
FRIDAY NIGHT, 7.3O P. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. C. P. Nelson
Address Rev. J. E. Haynes
Subject: African Methodism, how Introduced in the Islands Adjacent to Charleston.
Singing Choir
Address Prof. J. W. Morris, A. M., President Allen
Subject: Rise and Progress of Education in South Carolina.
Singing Choir
Address Rev. M. B. Salter
Subject: Woman and Her Influence.
Singing Choir
Benediction by S. H. Jefferson.
SATURDAY MORNING, IO A. M.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. N. B. Sterrett
Local Preacher's and Exhorter's Organization Meeting.
The best methods of conducting Class Meetings discussed by Class Leaders.
Ministerial Support : Opened by , and discussed by the Stewards.
Church Finances and Property : Opened by Rev. C. M. Crosby, Columbia, S.C., and discussed by Trustees.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 3 P. M. WOMAN'S MEETING.
Devotional Exercises Conducted by Rev. Mrs. C. S. Riley
Address Miss Haliie Q. Brown, Lady Prin. Allen University
Subject : What shall we do with our Girls ? General discussion, assisted by ladies present.
Doxology and Benediction.
QUARTO-CENTENARY COMMITTEE.
Rev. R. E. Wall, D. D. Rev. F'. Y. Dendy.
Rev. C. M. Crosby, B. D. Rev. I. R. Miller.
Rev. N. Chiles. Rev. C. S. Bradley.
Rev. C. C. Dunlap, A. B. Rev. R. C. Irwin.
Rev. D. T. McDaniel, A. B.
SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
Rev. M. B. Salter, D. D. Rev. P. H. Johnson.
Rev. I. S. Lee. Rev. P. W. Jefferson.
Rev. Alexander Ransom. Prof. J. W. Morris.
PROGRAMME AT JACKSONVILLE.
*5
[CIRCULAR.]
PEOGEAMME OP QUAETO CENTENAEY AT JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
QUARTO CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF AFRICAN METHO- DISM IN THE SOUTH, MAY I 5, 1865, BY BISHOP DANIEL A. PAYNE, D. D., LL. D.
MAY 2 2, 1890.
' PRESIDING ELDERS. FLORIDA CONFERENCE. EAST FLORIDA CONFERENCE. ■
W. A. Bird. S. H. Coleman.
William G. Stewart. xM. M. Moore.
A. J. Kershaw. T. W. Long.
P. B. Braddock.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. EAST FLORIDA CONFERENCE. FLORIDA CONFERENCE.
S. H. Coleman. A. J. Kershaw.
M. M. Moore. W. G. Stewart.
D. W. Gillislee. W. A. Bird.
P. G. Gowens. Henry Call.
J. W. Dukes. T. Moores.
T. T. Gains. C. F. Brown.
B. W. Wiley. M, A. Trapp. J. R. Scott. J. T. Marks. J. H. Welch.
MT. ZION A. M. E. CHURCH, Jacksonville, Fla., May 22, 1890.
THURSDAY, 7.30 P. M.
Devotional Exercises Rev. W. A. Bird
Welcome Address Rev. J. H. Welch, B. D
Response Rev. T. W. Long, P. E
Introduction of African Methodism in East Florida . Rev. John R. Scott, B. D Benediction Rev. T. T. Gaines
FRIDAY, IO A. M.
Devotional Exercises Rev. W. G. Stewart, P. E
Introduction of African Methodism in West Florida . . . Rev. A. J. Kershaw Pioneer Workman Rev. J. J. Sawyer
FRIDAY, 3 P. M.
Pioneer Women in East Florida Mrs. M. E. C. Smith
Pioneer Women in West Florida Mrs. S. V. Stewart
Benediction Rev. Henry Call
l6 QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
FRIDAY, 7.3O P. M.
Devotional Exercises Rev. P. G. Gowens
Rise and Progress of our Educational Work in Florida . Rev. M. M. Moore, P. E
Remarks on Education by distinguished visitors ... .
Benediction . . Rev. B. W. Wiley
SATURDAY, IO A. M.
Trustees meeting
SATURDAY, 3 P. M.
Local Preacher's and Exhorter's Mass Meeting
SUNDAY, IO A. M.
Sermon Rev. S. H. Coleman
SUNDAY, 3 P. M.
Review of all our Sabbath Schools in the city, and addresses to parents, teachers
and pupils respectively
Revs. J. E. Lee, LL. B., R. B. Brookins, I). W. Gillislee Benediction Rev. P. B. Braddock, P. E
SUNDAY, 7.3O P. M.
Annual Sermon . . . Rt. Rev. Benj. W. Arnett, D. D
MONDAY, 7.3O P. M.
Annual Address Rev. J. A. Handy, D. D
TUESDAY, IO A. M.
Closing Exercises of Divinity High School .
TUESDAY, 7.3O P. M.
Grand Concert by said School
FOUNDERS OF SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
17
THE FIRST MISSIONARIES TO SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1863,
Rev. James Lynch Baltimore Conference
Rev. Tames D. S. Hall New York Conference
THE EOUNDRRS OE SOUTH CAROLINA CONEERENCE MAY 15, 186
EISHOP.
Daniel Alexander Payne.
SECRET ARY.
Rev. James A. Handy.
MINISTERS PRESENT.
Johnson. James H. A. Lynch, James Steward, Theopoms G.
THE FIRST NATIVE PREACHERS.
Bently, William Murphy, N. Yanderhorse, Richard
Bradwell, Charles L. Taylor, Robert
FIRST TRANSFERS.
Rev. Richard H. Cain New York
Rev. Anthony L. Stanford Xew England
Rev. George A. Rue Xew England
OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE FO R 1889.
Rt. Rev. B. WJ Arnett, D. D Presiding Bishop
Rev. Samuel Washington Secretary
Revs. P. W. Jefferson and C. W. McQueen Statistical Secretaries
Rev. W. R. Alston Recording Secretary
Revs. C. F. North and R. T. Bull Marshalls
Rev. W. R. Beamer Postmaster
General T. Morris Chester Stenographer, Reporter
Revs. SamT Washington, E. J. Gregg, L S. Lee... Publishing Committee
i8
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
TRUSTEES.
Allen University — Revs. L. R. Nichols, P. W. Jefferson, S. W. Bellamy, D. J. Lites, Samuel Washington, J. E. Hayne and M. B. Salter, D. D.
Wilberforce University — Revs. E. J. Gregg, P. H. Johnston and G. M. Holland.
Laymen — Messrs. A. J. Price and George Howard.
|
CONFERENCE ROLL. |
||
|
PRESIDING ELDERS. |
||
|
Bellamy, S. W. |
Flegler, S. F. |
Sterrett, N. B., D. D. |
|
Dart, James F. |
Nichols, L. R. |
Washington. S. |
|
ITINERANT ELDERS. |
||
|
Albright, J. W. |
Hale, H. McD. |
McCray, John |
|
Alston, W. R. |
Harper, J. E. |
Myers, M. M. |
|
Barnwell, T. B. |
Hamilton, R. R. |
Miller, S. S. |
|
Barksd.ile, J. D. |
Howard, S. Iv. |
North, Charles |
|
Beamer, W. R. |
Harrol, Aaron |
Primus R. E. |
|
Blake, Thomas |
Heyward, W. A. |
Randolph, G. P. |
|
Bowen, J. R. |
Hill, J. E. |
Ranson, Alexander |
|
Brown N P X J A W VV ±1 ^ 1. ^ • JL • |
Holland, G. M. . |
Rivers F. E. |
|
Rrown S T XJ 1 \J VV il^ KJ . 1 « |
Holland, W. A. |
Singleton, J. S. |
|
Thrown JL J L Vy TV 11« I- 1- |
Hazel, S. VV. |
Smnll Ceflsar |
|
Brvant E R J. J 1 V a 1 U , X J • J. v « |
Hunt, J. H. |
Salters M B |
|
Bull R T X ) LI 1 1 ^ IV. L. • |
Hill, G. W. |
Smcrlpf nn TVT;irrli |
|
CV^wforH T C * \_s i a VV I V_/ 1 VJ. ■ } * V y • |
Tefferson P W |
Sinkler R W |
|
Carson, L. L. |
Jenkins, P. |
Smith, Peter |
|
Chavis, P. J. |
Jenkins, D. L. |
Thomas, M. R. |
|
Cross, S. G. |
Johnston, P. H. |
Thompson, M. N. |
|
Denison, W. F. |
Ladson, S. W. |
Taylor, D. J. |
|
Evans, Andrew |
Lovely, J. C. |
Taylor, H. |
|
Gourdin, E. H. |
Lawerance, P. C. |
Williams, B. H. |
|
Gadsden, P. E. |
Lee, P. C. |
Woodward, Joseph |
|
Gillason, J. F. |
Lites, D. J. |
Williams, A. T. |
|
Greegs, E. J. |
Lee, I. S. |
Wright, Joseph |
|
Gordon, Abraham |
Mance, G. W. |
White, James W. |
|
Green, J. B. |
McQueen, C. W. |
Williams, R. |
|
Green, R. B. |
Mines, G. E. |
Whittike, J. W. |
|
Green, T. M. |
Montgomery, Jackson |
SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE ROLL.
!9
Barr, Jeremiah S. Bass, Stephen Boyd, Cain A. Brown, A. B. Carolina, Washington
Alston, J. P. Alford, F. C. Lavally, P. G.
Echols, William Grant, Ishmal Izard, D. M. Jenkins. W. H.
Alston, Elias Bartel, David Brown, Samuel Brown. E. J. Boykin, Phillip Bumtle, Mack Dollarson, William Frazier, Henry Freeman, Ishmal Grant, J. E. Gillison, William Garrett, S. B.
Boston, Andrew Green, Sabey Green. P.
ITINERANT DEACONS
Crawford, A. W. Gibbons, Jethro T. Graham, W. P. McHoney, Kilt P.
LICENTIATES.
Mazon, P. X. Saxon, J. W. Singleton, E. W.
LOCAL ELDERS.
Mattes, William McCray, Cival Murry, Carter Murrell, James D.
LOCAL DEACONS.
Hunter, Gilferd Jenkins, R. D. Martin, May M. Maxwell, Moses Misshew, John Mack, R. H. Polete. Edward Priouleau, S. C. Roberts, Bristow D. Robertson, Augustus Small, Adam H. Simmon, Herculus
SUPERANNUATED.
Hamson. W. H. Hartley, Phillip Haywood, Constant
Seals, J. A. Steel, William Talton, R. S. Williams. H. T.
Williams. B. H.. Jr. Wright, W. D.
Russell, J. F. Scott, R. G. Vening, J. W. Wilkerson, Wm. D.
Snipe, Charles E. Thomas, Ezekiel Washington, T. G. Wilson. T. Weston, Joseph Wright, Nathaniel White, Samuel Young, July Young, Robert Young, C. W. Yonng, A. S.
Murphy, Christian Smith, Abram Stevens, Jesse
Ford. W. P.
SUPRRNUMERARV.
Middleton. F. M.
20
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
MISSIONARY.
Riley, Mrs. C. S.
Presiding Elders 6
Traveling Elders 77
Traveling Deacons 13
Traveling Licentiates 8
Local Elders 12
Local Deacons 35
Superannuated Elders 9
Supernumerary Elders '. 2
General Missionary 1
Total 163
OFFICERS, BOARDS, TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA CONFERENCE
FOR 1889-1890.
OFFICERS OF THE CONFERENCE.
Rt. Rev. B. W. Arnett, D. D President
Rev. D. H. Johnson Secretary
Rev. D. T. McDaniel, A. B Recording Secretary
Rev. C. S. Bradley Statistical Secretary
Revs. W. H. Smith, G. W. Martin, A. J. Corde Marshals
Rev. D. H. Bowen Reporter for Christian Recorder
Rev. H. E. Lewis Reporter for Southern Christian Recorder
Gen. T. Morris Chester Stenographer
TRUSTEES OF WILBERFORCE.
Rev. C. C. Dunlap, A. B., Rev. R. C. Irvin, Rev. E. H. Wilson. Laymen— Prof. A. J. Jamison, A. B., LL. B., Prof. J. W. Morris, A. M., LL. B.
TRUSTEES OF ALLEN UNIVERSITY.
Rev. C. Pierce Nelson, Rev. H. Young, Rev. S. H. Jefferson, Rev. W. M. Thomas, Rev. R. E. Wall, D. D., Rev. J. W. Lykes, Rev. W. D. Chappelle, A. B.
LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Rev. B. J. Ramsey, Rev. R. H. Perrin, Rev. C. S. Bradley, Prof. T. A. Saxon, W. W. Fisher.
COLUMBIA CONFERENCE U OLL.
2 I
BOARD OF SUNDAY SCHOOL MANAGERS.
Rev. D. H. Johnson, Rev. F. Y. Dendy, Rev. A. J. Hunter, A. B.
TRUSTEES OF EPISCOPAL RESTDENCE.
Rev. H. Young, Rev. C. P. Nelson. Rev. J. G. Sampson, D. D., Rev. S. H. Jefferson, Rev. R. E. Wall, D. D., Rev. E. H. Wilson, Rev. Isaac R. Miller.
MISSIONARY COMMITTEEMAN.
Rev. W. D. Chappelle, A. B.
Chappelle,W.D.,A.B. Jefferson, S. H. Lykes, J. W.
Allen, D. H. Alexander, S.. H. Archy, C. L. Baker, J. T. Boston, H. M. Blake, Z. T. Brown, G. H. Brown, Thomas Burgess, W. T. Bradley, C. S. Boone, B. W. Brown, Francis Byrd, J. H. Bradford, A. Brogdon, C. F. Cantey, Samuel Childs, Nathaniel Cothrine, William Coleman, G. T. Crosby, C. M. Chavis, L. D. Campbell, R. S. Corde, A. J.
PRESIDING ELDERS.
Nelson, C. Pierce Thomas, W. M.
ITINERANT ELDERS.
Grant, Isaac S. Gregory, A. E. Hammitt, P. Harper, T. F. Hartwell, P. M. Howell, E. D. Harris, K. H. Harvin, Robert Hamilton, G. J. Hunter, A. J., A. B. Hampton, A. J. Irvin, R. C. Isaacs, A. Jackson, J. F. Jackson, James Jenkins, T. J. Johnson, Ivory W. Johnson, D. H. Johnson, William C. Johnson, W. E. Johnson, J. J. Johnson, A. J. C. Keitt, J. H.
Wall, R. E., D. D. Young, H.
McCasland, L. A. McGill, D. M. McGhee, C. R. Miller, Isaac R. Mintz, I. W. C. Moragne, I. Y. Moore, A. A. Nichols, C. J. Perrin, Edward D. Perrin., R. H. Perrin, J. S. Pinckney, A. W. Player, J. F. Pompey, P. E. Pyles, L. Ramsey, B. J. Reed, T. T. B., B. A. Rice, D. S.
Sampson, J. G., D. D. Shaw, C. J. Smith, W. H. Smith, D. E. Stewart, J. T.
22
QUARTO
CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
|
Calhoun, D. C. |
Lawrence, L. |
Strickland, G. T. |
|
Dunlap, C. C, A. E |
Latta, M. |
Spearman, E. D. |
|
Dozier, William |
Long, L. |
Trapp, A. E. |
|
Dendy, F. Y. |
Lewis, H. E. |
Williams, J. H. |
|
Devlin, T. C. |
Lyles, G K. |
Williams, E. |
|
Dicks, E. W. |
Marshall, G. W. |
Williams, A. J. |
|
Dorroh, H. D. |
Maxey, W. S. |
Williams, E. W. |
|
Edwards, D. R. |
Martin, J. R. |
Wilson, E. H. |
|
Ellington, H. |
Martin, M. M. |
Wideman, J. B. |
|
Fair, George I. |
Martin, G. W. |
Wimms, J. F. |
|
Foster, C. W. |
McCutchen, H. |
Weston, A. |
|
Freeman, T. M. |
McDaniel, D. T., A. T'VT "Ml? D A T\T T* T^T? A /^/^\TVTC IlIJN-kKAJN 1 JJiLACOJN b. |
B. |
|
Anderson, M. A. |
Gambold, M. S. |
McDuffie, W. |
|
Bower), D. H. |
Gregg, W. D. |
Owens, J. H. |
|
Burnett, L. A. |
Hayne, H. H. |
Reed, Thomas |
|
Copeland, W. H. |
Hurst, J. A. |
Thomas, H. |
|
i^aiaweii, ivi. vjr. |
Jennings, H. |
vv aney, vv . i . |
|
Coosey, A. |
James, S. W. |
Watson, Levi |
|
-H/ly, -tl. rl. |
Means, u. j. |
vvnite, l. ri. |
|
Frierson, R. H. |
LICENTIATES. |
|
|
Anderson, W. P. |
Howard, P. H. |
Richardson, A. |
|
Brown, D. J. |
Kinard, D. H. |
Spence, S. P. |
|
Christie, D. A. |
Lites, H. C. |
Simmons, J. R. |
|
Duckett, G. W. |
Lowery, C. B. |
Vance, L. F. |
|
Delaine, H. C. |
Mattry, F. M. |
Washington, Alex |
|
Fludd, J. C. |
Martin, S. P. |
Woods, B. W. |
|
Griffin, R. H. |
McEdy, J. C. |
Willis, M. W. |
|
Goudy, J. H. |
Makins, W. M. |
Young, F. G. |
|
Harrison, J. M. |
t nr a t m? a pa\tc |
|
|
Bradford, Samuel |
Miles, A. |
Smart, J. D. |
|
Blackman, M. L. |
Moore, Paul |
Sumpter, Mark |
|
Belton, W. A. |
Miller, Daniel |
Summers, T. M. |
|
Charlton, W. |
Odum, Powel |
Toney, Nero |
|
Gibbs, James |
Perry, Isaac |
Taylor, Jesse |
COLUMBIA CONFERENCE ROLL.
23
Gardner, J. H. Pickens, P. Welton, M.
Gathers, George Richbow, Robert Watson*, Dennis
Jackson, Joseph Romans, T. P. Washington, W. M.
Longshore, V. G. ■ Sumpter, Timothy White, W. S.
Lebrew, D. C. Strother, B. F.
SUPERANNUATED.
Bradford, Samuel Pressly, H. B. Williams, M.
Dickerson, Prince' Smothers, N. Williams, Alex
Jones, Ransom Wilson, S. R. White, James
Pickett, David
Presiding Elders 7
Itinerant Elders 104
Itinerant Deacons 22
Licentiates 25
Local Deacons 29
Superannuated 10
Total ... 197
24
QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
JOURNAL.
FIRST DAY.
MORNING SESSION.
Charleston, S. C, May 15, 1890.
The Quarto-Centennial celebration of African Methodism in the state of South Carolina assembled in Emanuel A. M. E. Church, Charleston, S. C, May 15, A. D. 1890, at 10 o'clock A. M. The choir of the church sang a chant, after which Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D. , announced that the opening services of the Centennial Conference would be conducted by Rev. L. R. Nichols, presiding elder of the Edisto District, South Carolina Conference, who read the 284th hymn " Glorious things of thee are spoken Zion city of our God."
After singing Bishop J. M. Brown of Washington, D. C, led in prayer. Chant by choir. Rev. C. P. Nelson, presiding elder of the Orangeburg District, Columbia Conference, read scripture lessons from the 4th chapter of the letter to the Ephesians and 76th Psalm. Rev. D. Johnson Lites of the Mount Pleasant station, South Carolina Conference, conducted the ritual services. Hymn No. 21 was an- nounced by Rev. L. R. Nichols ; the first three stanzas were sung by the choir and congregation. Bishop Arnett, presiding officer of the Centennial (Quarto) Conference, made some remarks, after which the conference was formally organized with the following secretaries, elected on motion of Rev. L. R. Nichols : Revs. Samuel Washington, J. D. Barksdale, D. J. Lites of the South Carolina Conference, and Revs. D. H. Johnson, C. S. Bradley, D. T. McDaniel of the Colum- bia Conference.
Rev. J. A. Handy, D. D., first secretary of the South Carolina Annual Conference, now financial secretary of the connection, called the original roll of the South Carolina Conference. It was shown that at the organization of the conference, there was only seven members, four present at that time and three absent. Rev. Samuel Washington, present secretary of the South Carolina Conference, called the present
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roll, and Rev. D. H. Johnson, secretary of the Columbia Conference, called the roll of that. It was shown that the net increase of the min- isterial rank has been 368 since the first conference in 1865.
Bishop Arnett stated in a very forcible manner the occasion that brought so many together. The important event in the history of African methodism. The going out of the M. E. Church, the organi- zation, the grand result : at the close of the civil war the church was in a position to take hold of the southern portion of our people. Re- ferred to the christian manhood of the immortal Allen. Bishop Morris Brown and Bishop Payne as Charlestonians. how it was that the former formed the A. M. E. Church in Charleston during slavery and the re- sult that followed, and that after the war Bishop Payne organized it. He traced it all to the providence of God. and we now meet to cele- brate the Quarto-Centennial of the A. M. E. Church in South Carolina to make a history that will go down to generations of untold worth.
All that the Bishop said was with a rapidity, clearness and accuracy that certainly made the impression on the minds of the hearers that in him Ave had a leader of whom the church in South Carolina was proud.
WELCOME ADDRESS BY REV. B. H. WILLIAMS. PASTOR EMANUEL CHURCH.
To the Bishop and Visiting Ministers.
It affords me great pleasure to face you here to-dav on this occasion. We stand on this historical spot. This church has done a noble work, and she has sent out her influence elsewhere and contrib- uted to the achievements and success of African methodism in this South land. It is not necessary for me to detain you with a lengthy speech. It is needless for me to say that Ave welcome you to Charles- ton, to our church, to our homes. I see here some of the heroes of the past Avhose untiring zeal and labors have made the A. M. E. Church what she is to-day. In behalf of the ministers of the South Carolina and Columbia Conferences I extend to you a cordial welcome. In behalf of Emanuel officers and members I bid you welcome.
Great has been the achievements in the twenty-five years of our history. We have grown like the olive tree and we have spread our branches like the cedars of Lebanon. The name of the late Bishop
R. H. Cain is so closely connected with African methodism in this
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state that we shall never forget him and his noble and extensive work. The people of our churchs in this city like to see their bishops and ministers in their pulpits. The African Methodist Church is the grandest Negro organization on this continent. The first colored member in the Congress of the United States came out of the A. M. E. Church. I desire that you understand that this church's heart and hand are opened to you. Bishop Brown, you are welcome by the ministers as one of the fathers who led us on, and you, Bishop Arnett, as our father, you are leading us on — we bid you a hearty welcome. The choir sang " Blest be the tie that binds, etc."
RESPONSE BY BISHOP BROWN.
I think it very unkind of Bishop Arnett to require me to speak at this stage. There is no place where I have so many sons as in South Carolina — those who have been received and ordained by me in the ministry. I hold myself as a citizen of South Carolina, having served eight years as bishop. I am unprepared to reply to Elder Williams's address of welcome, but as methodist preachers are always supposed to be ready I will do what I can. I thank you, Brother Williams, for your personal remarks. It is very pleasant to be here with you. I thank you for the kind remarks to the brethren. I believe you will take care of us. It is pleasant to meet with so many of my brethren who I met here when I came down at the instance of Bishop Cain to attend a missionary meeting. Bishop Cain was a great man and a thorough organizer. When the first conference was organized by Bishop Payne my heart was made glad and I was full of hope for the future. The bishop reviewed the growth of the church and ministry in South Carolina, he said that at the time of organization we had not a single church, now we own thousands of dollars worth of property ; not a school but now a university. In this very room the thought originated that led to the establishment of this university. I think the presiding elders ought to see that parochial schools are established throughout their districts. He spoke of Elder Campbell and his work in Africa and how glad he felt in what the conference had done by way of sending Elder Campbell back; of the interest manifested by Bishop Arnett even to the advancing of his own money to carry out the pledge of the conference. I like what Brother Nichols said to Dr. Blyden at your last conference session, " we are looking hopefully
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to Africa." We are compelling the respect of the American people. Brethren, don't be discouraged, we have done nobly in twenty-five years : Georgia with her three conferences, Florida and North Carolina, all doing a grand work. The A. M. E. Church gave the first colored senator to the United States. Stand together, God is helping us. God bless you.
Bishop Arnett announced that Bishop Payne was to have been present, but was detained from feebleness, but that he (Payne) sent a telegram saying that his written address had been forwarded.
Bishop Arnett desired all persons present who were at the first conference in 1865 to come up and give their names. Several persons came forward and had their names recorded. Bishop Arnett stated that Dr. J. H. A. Johnson would speak to-night. Collection taken up by passing basket. Doxology. Benediction by Rev. H. Young,, presiding elder o: the Newberry District, Columbia Conference.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Quarto-Centennial Conference reassembled at 4 P. M. Re- ligious service conducted by Rev. James F. Dart, presiding elder of the Charleston District, South Carolina Conference. Singing, hymn 297.
" How beautious are their feet Who stand on Zion's hill."
Rev. John S. Singleton prayed. Chant by choir. Calling and cor- recting roll. Dr. J. A. Handy offered resolution, which was passed, concerning liberation of slaves of Brazil, as follows :
Whereas, Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil did emancipate the slaves of his Dominion A. D. 1888; and
Whereas, The free citizens of the Republic of Brazil did on May 14, 1890, celebrate their second anniversary of emancipation;
Therefore, We, the members of the Quarto-Centennial Confer- ence of the A. M. E. Church assembled, -celebrating our own 25th anniversary in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, do join our brethren in our sister Republic in praising God from whom all blessings flow.
Rev. Mr. Dutton of Centenary M. E. Church, Charleston, intro- duced, Rev. S. W. Ladson, South Carolina Conference, who sung the following :
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QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
A. M. E. CHURCH RALLY SONG.
Words by L. J. COFFIN. Tune : "The Church is Moving On."
A song I'll sing to you, of men both good and true, Who labored battling for the right ;
With righteousness and truth, they started in their youth, And never fainted in the fight.
CHORUS.
" Oh ! the Church is moving on, the Church is moving on, From lowland and from valley, from mountain top they rally, The battle bow is strong, the banner is outflung, And giant wrong no more is strong for the Church is moving on."
'Twas Richard Allen brave, a legacy who gave, Of freedom, and of courage true ;
Then Brown and Waters came, with heart and mind the same, And laid down work for us to do.
Chorus — "Oh! the Church is moving on, etc."
The western, wor-k begun, by Quinn a noble son, Who labored, preaching night and day ; Then Nazrey took the field, and Payne with mighty zeal Did go forth, lighting up the way.
Chorus — " Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc."
Then Wayman entered in, and Campbell did begin, To set forth words of truth and might; And Shorter, Ward and Brown, did labor for the crown, And ceased not struggling for the right.
Chorus — ;' Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc."
Of Turner next we sing, a mighty host did bring Of royal men, and women too,
And Dickerson, and Cain, who did not long remain, Are resting with the tried and true.
Chorus — " Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc."
Then Disney from afar, with mighty men of war, Did cry out, from across the sea ;
Our only daughter came, and we with hearts aflame, Will help her good and true to be.
Chorus — " O.h ! the Church is moving on, etc."
With Gaine's and Arnett's force, we'll keep our steady course,
And millions bring into the fold ;
With Tanner and with Grant, we never will recant,
The landmarks set by men of old.
Chorus — " Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc."
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Bishop Arnett stated that Dr. J. H. A. Johnson would not speak this afternoon, as he desired a little more time to prepare, so we will have a Quarto-Centennial love feast. Rev. William M. Thomas, presiding elder of the Abbeville District, Columbia Conference, was introduced, and spoke concerning the way the church was established on the Edisto Island, as follows :
Class leaders were prominent in forming missions. In old times class leaders could not preach ; he could only hew ; but in summer during the visits of masters to the mountainous regions, the class leaders would go over to Edisto and preach. So when the church came the class leaders called their former congregations together and established the church. The first African church was torn down by the slave owners and the lumber sent over to Ashepoo. The old men and women were careful about their organization, so that when the war closed the people were ripe for a full harvest.
Elder Dart said Presiding Elder Thomas has said a great deal, but not enough — that is, about those on the other side of the flood — Graham and others were ever busy in the vineyard of the Lord, and many sinners were converted to God. Because of the cause of Christ my back was lacerated often with a red cowhide. We worked vigor- ously, we stood in the field till now. God moves mysteiiously. The time came when they fired on Fort Sumter and the Star of the West, and soon I was told I was free. Brother Graham told me right at old Bethel's door, we can worship God under our own vine and fig tree. Under his leadership James F. Dart, W. M. Thomas, Abner Scott and others marched out. I wis ordained deacon by Bishop Brown and received my first appointment from him. The work was hard. I have come home sometimes with only 15 cents in my pocket, slept on straw many times and had to raise an umbrella if a rain should come. I served under Elder Thomas, Bishop Cain and others and never had I asked once to be removed. Now see the contrast, instead of soup without meat, it is chicken, turkey or pig, and instead of a bench for a table we are served with these things on nice linen cloths, silver knives, etc. I have lived a model man for ail of these fifty years.
Brother Hazle said : 'Twas a day of gladness in my heart when God called me. It was before the war. Memory doesn't serve me as well as it does Brother Dart. In those dark days we could have no
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meeting without the presence of a white man. I started from Trinity Church and travelled John's Island, James's Island and Wadmalow. Often behind trees we had to hide from patrols. God was in the work then I believe. He is in the work now. Several of us went away from here on the eve of the war. I am one of those who took the Christian Recorder when it was but a small shoo fly. In this church once the people had to hold umbrellas over them. In times gone by it was not so hard to preach the gospel as it is now. Though sometimes you had to hide from the enemy, even though you couldn't speak plain, if you could but say Cesus for Jesus, some one would un- derstand you. In all of my ministry I never was called to account for any thing wrong. Have always got bread. I never expect to stop until God says, " Come up higher."
Elder Gibson said: In 1838 I joined the Trinity Church under Bishop Capers. Adam Brown was my leader. On this plat of ground all of the probationers met for prayer. I was able to write a little and of course used to write tickets for my friends. Suspicion rested often upon me, but I escaped all. We raised a society called the Cross. While we read the book we had a watchman, and if any one was ap- proaching the watchman whistled and the singing was stopped, etc. After the war I chose the African church. In building this church • women came here with boards on their shoulders, and some with three cents worth of nails. In 1872 I was elected a delegate to the General Conference. I have been through all the firey trials of the church and I expect to continue to the end.
Rev. M. B. Salter being introduced said : I feel myself honored in being one of the pioneers. I was associated with the older ones. My place was to keep watch for the patrol. I used these words when they were coming, " The buckra coming." I was the first to make my escape. I used to put my ear to the ground to hear the tramp of the horse. I first learned to row a boat under Brother Graham in crossing Cooper river. Brother Graham was a grand old man. On our way once I thought that we would all have been drowned. I saw the old father whipped. It was to our interest to get in favor with the overseer and bribe the driver so that we could have our meetings. It was death for three to five negroes to meet to pray in private. We used to pray that God would bless the Union, but in public for the
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Confederacy. I was in the marsh; as my name is Moses I sought the bulrushes. I saw Brother Gibson in the tree and said " Zacheas. come down." I made the 60th person who joined the A. M. E. Church; this was in 1865. Elder W. M. Thomas was the first man to help me to preach. Tnomas was bishop and Selters presiding elder. I really did not know what I preached. I learned the watchmaker's trade; after this I went to live with Bishop Cain, and was lisenced to preach. Was made presiding elder. Walked many Sabbaths thirty odd miles to preach, and preached thrice. With a membership of fifteen I returned with fifteen churches.
Singing : "A charge to keep I have A God to glorify."
led by Rev. Flegler, presiding elder of the Mt. Pleasant District, South Carolina Conference. Rev. J. F. Dart of the Charleston Dis- trict, South Carolina Conference, was next introduced who spoke on the same subject as did Elder Thomas. "Out of all the Lord, has brought us by his grace," was sung with great spirit, led by Rev. P. W. Jefferson of the South Carolina Conference. Remarks by Bishop Arnett. Rev. S. W. Hazel of the South Charleston Conference was next introduced, who spoke concerning the early period of the church in this and other states. "Come ye that love the Lord,''" was sung, led by Rev. S. H. Jefferson, presiding elder of the Sumpter District, Columbia Conference. Bishop Arnett next called on Rev. E. M. Gib- son of the South Carolina Conference, who also spoke as to the early history of the church in South Carolina. Remarks by Bishop Arnett. Dr. J. H. A. Johnson also made a few remarks. Resolution by Rev. I. S. Lee of the South Carolina Conference desiring telegram of greet- ings sent to Quarto-Centennial Conference now in session in the state of Georgia, which was as follows :
" The African Methodists of South Carolina send greetings to the African Methodists of Georgia, ' United we stand, divided we fall,' in behalf of the Quarto-Centennial Conference of South Carolina."
Motion that a telegram also be sent to the Philadelphia Con- ference now in session. Adopted. Doxology. Benediction by Rev. S. W. Bellamy.
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NIGHT SESSION.
The services began with chant by choir. Rev. S. F. Flegler opened with the 283d hymn :
" How did my heart rejoice, to hear My friends devoutly say," etc.
He also led in prayer. " O for a heart to praise my God," on the 491st page, was sung. A collection was taken up at this junction. Bishop Arnett then introduced Rev. Dr. Salter, who gave some inter- esting reminiscences of the early days of the church. The Bishop asked Brother Washington, one of the old members of Emanuel, to sing an old time hymn of his own selection; he sang "How tedious and tasteless the hour," etc. Bishop Arnett then introduced Rev. Dr. J. A. Handy of Washington, D. C, as one of the special speakers. He gave a splendid talk (quod vide). The congregation joined in singing, "Take the name of Jesus with you." A collection was then taken up. Rev. S. H. Jefferson of the Sumpter District, Columbia Conference, led in singing, "I long to go home to that mansion above,'' etc. Following this the congregation sang, "Come ye fhat love the Lord." Collection, $10.35. Bishop Arnett requested all the presiding elders to meet him at the parsonage of Emanuel to-mor- row morning at 10 o'clock; he also gave notice that the " Lord's Sup- per" would be given to the conference some time to-morrow at the request ot Bishop John M. Brown. Doxology. Benediction by Rt. Rev. John M. Brown, D. D., D. C. L., of Washington, D. C.
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SECOND DAY.
MORNING SESSION.
The conference opened at 10.30 o'clock A. M., Rt. Rev. B. W. Arnett, D. D., presiding. Devotional services were conducted by Rev. H. Young of the Columbia Conference. Singing, hymn 287, " Jesus from whom all blessings flow." Rev. James T. Baker of the Columbia Conference led in prayer. Organ chant. Rev. H. Young read scripture lesson from the 12th chapter of the letter to the Romans; he then led the ritual service. Bishop Arnett introduced Rev. D. T. McDaniel of St. Matthews, Columbia Conference, who discussed the subject, " How to save our young men." Bishop Arnett commended to the brethren the wholesale advice given by Brother McDaniel ; then followed Dr. J. H. A. Johnson who read an eminently fine paper on the subject of the early days of African Methodism in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. The eloquence of the doctor's speech was such that it wrought the house up to the highest tension, and often he was compelled to stop till the congregation gave vent to its feelings in many hearty amens. Rev. D. J. Lites of Mt. Pleasant, South Caro- lina Conference, led in singing, "Hold the fort," etc., which was sung with great spirit.
Bishop Arnett spoke of the minuteness with which Dr. John- son could speak of the important events of his life ; being able to speak of the things of twenty-five years ago as though they happened yesterday, being able not only to give day and date, but hour and minute as well. " See the importance of jotting down the things that transpire each day," said the Bishop. Bishop Arnett then in his inimitable happy manner, went on to show up the statistics of the church lor twenty-five years. Motion by Dr. J. H. A. Johnson that a fine Autograph Album be purchased, and the names of the members of this Quarto-Centennial Conference be written therein and the same be sent to Bishop Daniel A. Payne as a souvenir from this conference. Motion adopted. Motion that a telegram be sent to Bishop Payne out of the respect with which his memory is held by the
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members of this conference. Adopted. Rev. William M. Thomas of the Abbeville District, Columbia Conference, read a paper on the reminiscences of the church. By request of Bishop Brown, the brethren sang, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Rev. George C. Roe of the Congregational Church, Charleston, and Rev. Mr. Brown of the Protestant Methodist Church, Charleston, were in- troduced. Brother J. D. Price, one of the oldest members of the church, was introduced and made some remarks. Rev. B. H. Wil- liams asked that Brother Price be made conspicuous in the picture which is to be taken of the conference. Bishop Brown asked Elder Thomas to tell how they can come into possession of the first ground owned here. Rev. J. S. Mobly was introduced. Doxology. Bene- diction by Rev. P. W. Jefferson of Beauford, South Carolina Conference.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Bishop Arnett called the Conference to order at 4.30. Rev. L. L. Carson of the South Carolina Conference led in singing "In the shadow of the rock." Rev. P. W. Jefferson being introduced read the paper of Rev. A. Weston of Winnesboro, Columbia Confer- ence, on the subject, "How the A. M. E. Church was introduced in the Up Country." Bishop Arnett announced that it would soon be time to gu out and break ground for the " New Emanuel." The bishop stated that the president of the Charleston Recorder Publishing Company, Rev. D. J. Lites, desired him to say something concerning said paper. The bishop recommended the project very highly, say- ing that a local church paper would do much good.
The bishops and ministers then passed down the isle, while all united in singing, "Children of the heavenly king." Outside two* barrels had been prepared, into one the bishops and ministers put a piece of money, and in the other a bit of dirt. After the ministers returned the congregation followed in the same order. Bishop Arnett announced that Rev. S. G. Cross would read an original poem, dedi- cated to the new Emanuel. The poem by Rev. Cross was a beautiful composition.
Bishop Arnett said that the services for the night, and to-morrow, are so varied that I cannot tell it all, " for this thing has grown on my hands." To-night, he said, an interesting paper would be read by
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Rev. J. E. Hayne, B. D., and another by Rev. M. B. Salter, D. D., of the South Carolina Conference, besides speeches by other distin- guished brethren. To-morrow morning the officers (lay members) of the church would hold their meeting; and at 3 p. m. the women would hold theirs, Rev. Mrs. C. S. Riley conducting the religious ex- ercises of this meeting. Among its speakers to-morrow would be Miss Hallie Q. Brown, of Wilberforce, Ohio, besides others. Doxology. Benediction by Rev. Mr. Dutton, of Centenary M. E. Church, Charles- ton, S. C.
NIGHT SESSION.
The services were commenced by singing the hymn,
" forever here my rest shall be, Close to thy bleeding side," etc.,
read by Rev. C. P. Nelson of the Orangeburg District, Columbia Conference. Rev. William D. Chappelle, presiding elder of the Manning District, Columbia Conference, led in prayer. Bishop Arnett introduced Rev. J. E. Hayne, of the South Carolina Confer- ence, who read a paper on the subject, " How African Methodism was introduced on the Islands adjacent to Charleston." After the speech Bishop Arnett introduced Prof. Joseph W. Morris, A. B., LL.B., president of Allen University, Columbia, S. C, who read a highly c'assical paper on the subject of "The Educational interest of the Church in the State of South Carolina.''' When Prof. Morris was through, Bishop Brown said :
"Some years ago I voted, as trustee of Harvard University, Washington, D. C, to award a class of three young men diplomas; all have proven themselves worthy, and are doing much for the up- lifting of the race. One of them is a distinguished doctor of medi- cine, another is professor of mathematics, and the other, in the person of Prof. Morris, is a college president."
Bishop Arnett announced that Miss Hallie Q. Brown would speak to-morrow, etc. Rev. I. S. Lee read appointments for Sabbath. Col- lection taken up of $5.16. Rev. B. H. Williams said that all the ministers must go over to the parsonage immediately after service. Doxology. Benediction by Rev. S. H. Jefferson, Columbia Conference.
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THIRD DAY,
MORNING SESSION.
The Quarto-Centennial Conference assembled at 10.30 a. m., Bishop Arnett presiding. Devotional exercises conducted by Rev. N. B. Sterrett, D. D., presiding elder of Georgetown District, South Carolina Conference. Singing. Prayer by Rev. B. F. Witherspoon of "Old Bethel" M. E. Church, Charleston, S. C. Bishop Arnett then introduced Rev. C. M. Crosby, B. D., pastor of Bethel A. M. E. Church, Columbia Conference, Columbia, S. C, who read a paper on "Church Finance." Rev. I. S. Lee, of Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church, followed with the paper of Bishop Payne's. Next followed Rev. M. B. Salter, D. D., of Morris Brown Chappel, Charleston, who spoke from the subject, "Woman, her influence." Motion by Rev. B. H. Williams, that the following resolution by Rev. R. E. Wall,D.D., be adopted :
There being no funds in hand or collectable for the printing of the proceedings of the Quarto-Centenary meeting, as also the papers, essays, etc., incident thereto, therefore
Be it Resolved, That this meeting request Bishop B. W. Arnett to accept the compilation, and superintend the printing of the Minutes of this meeting, that its proceedings may be preserved to posterity.
Announcements for afternoon, etc., were then made by Bishop B.W. Arnett, D.D. Doxology. Benediction by Rev. J. H. A. Johnson, D. D.
AFTTRNOON SESSION.
Devotional services conducted by Rev. Mrs. C. S. Riley, South Carolina Conference. Hymn 859 was sung. Rev. D. J. Lites, of Mt. Pleasant, prayed. Bishop Arnett introduced Miss Hallie Q. Brown, of Wilber force, Ohio, who read a well prepared paper on the subject, " How to save our young girls." Bishop Arnett, after complimenting Miss Hallie on her finely prepared paper, introduced Rev. Mrs. C. S. Riley, who read a beautiful poem, prepared and dedicated to the oc- casion. Dr. J. H. A. Johnson read a poem which was prepared for
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and dedicated to the occrsion by Miss Josephine Prioleau, of St. Matthews, S. C.
Bishop Arnett said the time had arrived to adjourn. He thanked all for their presence and support. He spoke feelingly of the minis- ters who had held up the standard of the Lord in this city (Charleston), many of whom slept the eternal and happy sleep of the just. Miss Hallie Q. Brown sung the A. M. E. Church "Rally Song," "The world is moving on,': etc. Dr. J. H. A. Johnson moved that Miss Hallie Q. Brown be requested to recite a poem — motion prevailed, and a beautiful poem was read by this great elocutionist.
Bishop Arnett requested Bishop J. M. Brown to speak a few parting words, which he did with feeling and pathos. Said Bishop Brown : "I have just written a letter home expressing my gratitude in being in the city of Charleston, and in the meeting. At the Semi Centennial Conference we will not all meet : twenty-five years will bring many changes ; some glorious, and some sad. Many changes have taken place in the past twenty-five years; many of your girls and boys are now graduates of colleges and high schools. If we have done so well in the past, let us try and do better in the future, and may God bless you.''
"Praise God from whom ail blessings flow," etc.. was sung. Benediction by Bishop B. W. Arnett. D. D.
REV. JAS. D. BARKSDALE.
Secretary of Proceedings.
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ORGANIZATION ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS.
BISHOP DANIEL A. PAYNE, D. D. , LL. D. READ BY REV. I. S. LEE, B. D.
For Quarto- Centennial of African Methodism in the South.
The word Organization is generic and therefore may be applied to any body of men, or women, associated under a written constitu- tion for the accomplishment of some one or more specific purpose ; therefore any number of persons, who have agreed to co-operate for scientific pursuits, for the enlargement of the domains of human knowledge, may be called a Scientific Organization ; if for philosophi- cal pursuits to enlarge the empire of philosophy, it may be called a Philosophical Organization; or, if to promote the interests of merchants, it may be called a Commercial Organization ; but any number of men or women associated for religious purposes, may be called a Religious Organization. It may be such an association as the American Bible Society, or the Church Missionary Society. But whenever a number of men and woman associate for the public worship of the living God, in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the ground and pillar of the truth, it may be called an Ecclesiastical Organization, proven to every body and recognized by the common people as the Church.
But few, very few are they, who comprehend "the house of God," "the Church of the living God," as St. Paul designates her — for his term embraces every man, woman and child bearing the name of Christ, in every land and of every race, color or clime. The majority of people, who are religious, confine the application to their own denomination ; others still more narrow-minded, confine its ap- plication to a dedicated house, in which they meet to hear preaching, to sing, to pray and to get happy. The Church of the living God is his property which no one man can claim as he has the right to claim his own house, which he has built to shelter himself and his family, or his household. In his letter to the Ephesian christians St. Paul re- gards the church as the bride of Christ, Eph. v. 22-27. So also St. John " sees her coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband." The Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai is her sole lord and master, which he has purchased with the precious and purifying blood of His Beloved Son.
Originally "one unite," the pride, ambition and strife of men have split her outward form into many divisions which human device has called denominations. Therefore we have the Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Church of England, the British Wesleyan Methodist Church, the
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Methodist Episcopal Church, the Protestant Episcopal Church, the Baptist Church, the Unitarian and the Quakers, known also as the Society of the Friends. All these are of purely European origin, or- ganized by our white christian brethren and controlled entirely by them. Every one of these were small and insignificant in their be- ginnings, but Jehovah has enabled every one of them, excepting the Quakers, to develope themselves into numerous and powerful religious bodies, powerful on account of their learning, wealth, influence and resultant usefulness.
Many, if not all of these denominal organizations are the offsprings of internal troubles, quarrels and schisms. In like manner the African Methodist Episcopal Church was born into this world.
a. Her first appearance was in Philadelphia in 1816.
b. Her second appearance was in Charleston, S. C, in 1817-18.
c. In Philadelphia the movement was led by Richard Allen and Daniel Coker, of Baltimore, Md.
d. In Charleston the movement was led by Morris Brown and Henry Drayton, of Charleston, S. C. This organization embraced about one thousand persons (181 7). In 1822 it numbered about three thousand. The leaders of these three thousand were Morris Brown, Henry Drayton, Charles Carr, Amos Cunckshanks, Marcus Brown, Smart Simpson, Harry Bull, John B. Matthews, James Eden, Lon- don Turpin, and Aleck Houlston. This band, or little church, was well organized, and had acquired a building lot upon which a commo- dious but plain house of worship was built. They also owned their own burial ground, or field of graves. Happy among themselves, they were at peace and concord with one another up to 1822. When the contemplated insurrection led by Denmark Vesy, a slave man, was discovered, in destroying which, the civil authorities of the city and state deemed it wise to crush the little band of christians. None ot these religious leaders were implicated in the contemplated insur- rection. But the love of freedom and the right to worship God ac- cording to one's own conscience led Henry Drayton, Charles Carr, father of the gifted and devout Jost ph M. Carr; Marcus Brown, and Amos Cunckshanks to follow Morris Brown to Philadelphia. James Eden with a majority of the most intelligent united themselves with the Scotch Presbyterian Church, which was at that time located at the corner of Meeting and Tradd streets, next to the then princely mansion of Nathaniel Russell, esq. , the father-in-law of Bishop Theodore Dehone. James Eden, perhaps the most intelligent of those who became mem- bers of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, subsequently sailed with the first emmigrants from Charleston to Liberia, where he lived many years, and died respected and lamented by all who knew him. Thus was the African M. E. Church in South Carolina blotted from the pages of Ecclesiastical History. But after the lapse of sixty-eight
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years we are here assembled to celebrate the Quarto-Centenary of her Renaiscence in South Carolina, and of the expansion into Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.
When, how and by whom has her present condition been brought into existence? In the spring of 1863 the Rev. C. C. Leigh, a white preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church visited the Baltimore Annual Conference then in session in Baltimore, Md., and desired to know whether I could send two missionaries to take charge of the social, moral and religious interests of the Freedmen in South Carolina, who were like sheep without a shepherd. I told him I believed I could. Then said I to him, ' ' how soon do you want them ? " He said, " within ten days." In about ten days Rev. James Lynch, born in the city of Baltimore and a member of the Baltimore Conference, also Rev. James D. S. Hall of the New York Conference (then stationed in Sullivan street A. M. E. Church) were sent into these regions. They landed at Port Royal and immediately commenced operations on that island and at Beaufort, afterwards at Charleston, and after that James Lynch organized a little band at Savannah, Ga.
The two James were very unlike each other. James Lynch was always hopeful, James Hall was always fearful of coming evil ; Lynch was the bold lion, Hall the timid sheep ; Hall was the witty Irishman, Lynch the sagacious statesman ; Lynch was born to be the skillful or- ganizer, Hall the trembling follower, ready to run away from the ranks at the barking of a rat-tarrier, or the howling of a bull-dog. Each of these missionaries worked successfully, according to their heaven be- stowed ability, and made it possible for the organization of the South Carolina Conference on Monday morning, May 16, 1865. That took place in the Colored Presbyterian Church, Calhoun street. The two itinerant elders were James Lynch and James A. Handy; the two licentiates were James H. A. Johnson and Theophilus G. Stewart — these licentiates from the North were subsequently ordained deacons. A local preacher named William Bently constituted the five persons present at the opening of the South Carolina Conference. Subsequently Elder R. H. Cain from the New York Conference, Elder Anthony L. Stanford and George A. Rue from the New England Conference were added. The natives of the state who joined the South Carolina Con- ference were Charles L. Bradwell, N. Murphy, Robert Taylor and Richard Vanderhorse. The whole number of persons within the boundaries of the South Carolina Conference was supposed to be about 4000. That number embraced North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, along the coasts and all the islands. Reports on temperance, education and missions were discussed and adopted; an Historic and Literary Society was formed, also a Preachers' Aid Society. Thus equipped the South Carolina Conference, like an armed ship launched, was sent forth to conquer the lands of the South.
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The greater number of these 4000 people had been members of the M. E. Church South, others had been converted through the min- istry of Lynch and Hall. Here was a field broad, long and rich in its soil. But can any field take care of itself? Xo. Left to itself briers, brambles and weeds will soon over run it. To develope its possibilities there is need of stout, intelligent laborers, system and order ; also an overseer skilled in farming, to direct the movements of the laborers, to work out the system and to preserve the order of the whole, as regards time, place and manner. All these things are essen- tial for successful farming, and this is organization. Here was also a multitude of men and women who called themselves Soldiers of the Cross. But there was no one sufficiently trained to classify and ar- range them into an effective army. Therefore they needed an officer trained in the military school, who had experience in the battle field, to classify and arrange them into companies and regiments, then to put them under the drill of good Captains and Colonels, Brigadier-Gen- erals and Major-Generals, these all under one Commander-in-Chief to control their movements in time of peace, and especially in time of war. But from the Commander-in-Chief down to the Corpora] law and order must be respected voluntarily by all, if not compulsion must be used to maintain government. This is another illustration of organization. But the divine idea of organization is given by St Paul in the 2d epis- tle to the Corinthian Church, xii. 4-27. which is taken from the splen- did structure of the human body, in which we see the arms completed by the hands, and the legs by the feet ; two eyes are set in the face to see how to operate the hands and the feet ; there are two ears also to listen to the sounds which strike the tympanum, while the eyes look around to see whence, from whom and from what the sounds proceed. Then are all the parts dependent upon one another as related and necessary to the beauty and efficient operation of the entire person. But of what value are ail these related members if there were no intellect to direct and control their movements and operations, and no power to say, "I will or will not, you shall or you shall not? "
Now we see that the Apostle used this figure to indicate the ecclesiastical organization of his day, and to prove that organization of the whole church of the living God was essential to its existence, its expansion and its perpetuity. His metaphor also teaches us that while organization is essential to success, there are certain elements in which it must involve in order that it might be a living and perpetual force, generating life as the breath in the human being, and diffusing life through all its parts, purging itself of all that is injurious to its nature. What are these essential elements to the organism, essential to its vig- orous perpetuity. Harmony must be in it ; involve at its birth if pos- sible, if not before its birth. Harmony signifies concord or agreement in facts, opinions, manners or interests. So says Webster. Crabb
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says it means aptitude of minds to coalesce. It is mostly employed for those who are in close connection and obliged to co-operate. Con- flict is the opposite to harmony. Therefore if conflict obtains for any length of time it will develope into antagonism and endanger the exis- tence of the organization. If antagonism becomes fixed in its heart, disintegration will be the result. Harmony in regard to facts, opinions, sentiments and interests will bind the members together, and be ever invigorating and stimulating all to labor as one man for the i ttainment of the same end.
And another element of life in an organization is unity of motion, unity in planning and unity in executing the measures which have been approved and adopted. Unity regarding the character of the agents who are to be chosen from the candidates for official positions in the organism. If this kind of unity can be obtained, the organiza- tion will be preserved, strengthened, enlarged and perpetuated from ages to ages. The chief apostle doubtless had this principle in con- templation when he commanded and urged the church at Ephesus to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. Unity of the spirit is unity of judgment, affection and feeling among those who constitute the body of Christ. So says Dr. Scarff. On this sub- ject Dr Clarke says: ''By the unity of the spirit means to under- stand, not only a spiritual unity, but also a unity of sentimei ts, de- sires and affections, such as one worthy, and springs from the spirit of God," — what the infallible head of the church inspired St. Paul to write the church at Ephesus. He promisee by the pen of Jeremiah to bestow upon the Jewish church — Jeremiah xxxii, wmich ele- ment he emphasized in his sacerdotal prayer beseeching the Father that the whole church "may be one," as he is in the Father, and the Father in Him. That they all may be perfect in one, John xvii, 21, That all may be one. This oneness produces perfection through all nature. It produces both beauty and goodness in the church of the living God, every branch of it, in every twig of every branch.
We now call your attention to some evils which can break up an ecclesiastical organization, among every and any age.
The re vaulting ambition of a bold, restless man, whose tongue is full of fire, as ignorant people call it, but which educated and intelli- gent persons justly denounce as "flippant oratory and glittering rhetoric." The revaulting ambition of Absolum raised a revolt against the throne of his own father, and would have overthrown it if God had not pledged and used omnipotence to perpetuate it. Thus like Absolum the ambitious will employ deception, suppression and the lowest means, even murder, to obtain the goal, be it crown or Bishopric. It therefore becomes the duty of upright men to guard the ecclesiastical organiza- tion against the ambitious leaders of the people. So also envy may
THE FIELD AND THE WORKMAN.
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disturb the peace, break the harmony and disintegrate the ecclesiasti- cal organization.
Relationships as well as pretended friendships are sometimes em- ployed by envy to produce discord, antagonism and destruction to an ecclesastical organization. It was this infernal spirit that moved Aaron the brother and Miriam the sister of Moses against that chosen and faithful leader of Israel, and they doubtless would have succeeded in disorganizing the encampment if God himself had not defended his servant, Moses, and smitten Miriam with leprosy. See Numbers xii, 1-15. So also the envy Korah Dathan and Abiram would have disintegrated the church in the wilderness if Jehovah had not made the quaking earth open her mouth and swallow them up. But how great was the suffering of that consecrated hoast ? The result of these three envious rivals of Moses was the death of 14,240 persons. Therefore every ecclesiastical organization ought to guard itself against the envious church leader.
Ungodliness within the ecclesiastical organization can destroy it. This evil utterly destroyed the Jewish Church, and swept from the face of the earth the seven churches of Asia. Notwithstanding all these evils to which organization is exposed, it is essential to the suc- cess of both state and church. Because organization is government. Destroy that and the state falls into anarchy. Destroy that and the church disintegrates. Without organization the birth of any denomi- nation is impossible. Witfield went through this country publishing salvation in all places, but organizing no churches, and therefore his converts have no existence at the present hour. Wesley organized one in the city of New York, and that one has multiplied itself into tens of thousands, into millions, and thus the Conference organized at Charleston May 16, 1865, has produced eleven vigorous conferences, and the four thousand souls have multiplied themselves into more than a hundred thousand. To Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the lamb that was slain be all the glory, all the honor, all the wisdom, all the riches, all the praise forever and ever, amen.
THE FIELD AND THE WORKMAN.
REV. JAMES A. HANDY, D. D.
Bishops and Members of the Quarto- Centennial Conference, 1 greet you on this your natal day. You can to-day look back upon twenty-five years of work, work, progressive work. Elders, Deacons, Licentiates : You, with keen interest in the success of every movement, every step taken
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in the work of this organization can but take courage, and thank God, who has so blessed, preserved and brought us to this Conference — Afri- can Methodism — born in the storm, raised in adversity, it had to be. It came into being at the right time, possessed with the attributes of fixedness. It came to stay ; like the Ark of old, it came to rescue a race, scattered, peeled and scarred, from the flood of ignorance, moral and spiritual death. One of the brightest spots in Methodist history is its maternity of Richard Allen, and thus the mother of African Meth- odism. Wesley, Asbury, Allen. Methodism has her mission, a grand one it is ; African Methodism also has her mission to the world in gen- eral, and to the darker races in particular. We must co-operate with the darker race at home and in the West India Islands, South and Central America and Fatherland, we must go there with our Methodism ; it is the work, a part oi the work before us. The millions of the Hamatic race, wherever found located, are calling upon the A. M. E. Church for our Methodism, our organization.
First. Peace, good will to all mankind.
Secondly. Its mission as to the darker races of the world — the three Americas, Africa and the Islands of the Sea. It must go there in its very best form, young, strong in faith, in cultivated and refined christian developed man and womanhood, in possession of all the machinery of a well and complete organized christian body. It must go there with all the chances, humanly speaking, only secondarily considered, go ; the church of Allen must go, and as God gives the opening and the means to do her part of the grand work of assisting in bringing the world to Christ. Allen may have looked into the ages passed and seen the perfiguration of the work to be done by this church, and hence he laid the foundation of this organization broad, deep, strong. We sometimes say that men build wiser than they know ; this may or it may not apply to Richard Allen, but this much is true, he gives us a church broad enough and strong enough and with an adaptability suitable, not only for the three Americas, Africa and the Islands, but for ages.
WHAT HAS GOD WROUGHT.
May 14, 1865, brought Bishop D. A. Payne, James A. Handy, James H. A. Johnson, James Lynch and Theo. G. Steward. James Lynch had visited Charleston some days in advance of the Bishop and his three associates. Then and now, north of the Potomac, the A. M. E. Church numbered in her following not more than 100,000 persons. Then we had three departments, viz., Publication, Educa- tion and Missionary. Then we had four bishops, one educational — Wilberforce — preachers 203, supplies 19, total 222. Collection upon the old plan, nominal missionary money less than $1000. Publication Department's business less than $12,000. Educational interest was
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on crutches. Thus we were struggling up to 1 86 1-2-3-4. Nevertheless we were self-managing and self-supporting ; building, preaching and possessing ourselves of property; training our people in virtue, moral- ity, industry, economy, and preparing them for usefulness in the world, and when the war opened the A. M. E. Church had her son prepared and ready to fill the opening that providence set before the Afro-Americans of the country.
In 1865 the march of Sherman from the mountains to the sea opened the door that had long been closed; and in the grand old city, the home of Morris Brown, Joseph M. Carr, D. A. Payne and other noble heroes, who have gone to their reward. The 3000 African Methodist Episcopalians that Brown left in 1818 in Charleston had gone to swell the number over there. May 14, 1865, found the long closed door opened again and Daniel A. Payne, James Lynch, James A. Handy, James H. A. Johnson and T. G. Steward, came in through the door and on the 15th day of May, 1865, in the city of Charleston unfurled the banners of African Methodism. We organized the South Carolina Conference, embracing or including in its territorial limits the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The organ- ization was completed on that day, twenty-five years ago. The mem- bers present :
Bishop Presiding — Rt. Rev. Daniel A. Payne, D. D.
Elders — James A. Handy, Secretary ; James Lynch, James H. A. Johnson, T. G. Steward.
Preachers — C. L. Brandwell, John Graham, William Stewart.
Absent Elders— R. H. Cain, A. S. Stanford, G. A. Rue, G. W. Brodie.
The following appointments were made :
Elders — R. H. Cain, Charleston, S. C; A. L. Stanford, Savanah, Ga.; James A. Handy, Wilmington, N. C. ; James H. A. Johnson, Hilton Head, S. C; T. G. Steward, Beaufort, S. C.
Preachers — C. L. Bradwell, Edisto Island, S. C: John Graham, John Island, S. C; George W. Brodie, Raleigh, N. C.; George A. Rue, Newburn, N. C; William Stewart, Florida.
Then we had less than thirteen appointments and not one hundred members in these four states ; not one foot of ground or board, shing- les or brick in all this goodly land. But now — who can tell ? If Baalam could exclaim as he stood upon the high ground of Mohab and looked at Israel so beautifully encamped in the plains, the old prophet, as with inspiration, exclaimed: "Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the third part of Israel."
And, may I not conclude, that our great enumerator, Bishop B. W. Arnett, cannot number the numbers that to-day are being moulded and prepared and led on to grandeur and to greatness by Him that ruleth. I will not attempt to tell the numbers, or the wealth
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or work that you have done and are doing in lifting up the race up higher still. And thus this handful ol grain planted here by Payne and his co-adjutors in 1865 has yielded 30-60 and an hundred fold in the quarter century ended to-day. Who can tell what the harvest will be when the full round of one hundred years has come? (1965).
One word Mr. Chairman in relation to that great and good man, Rt. Rev. D. A. Payne, born in Charleston, S. C. It seems to us that God raised him up for a special purpose — the work of educating men for the christian ministry : truly may he be called the Apostle of an educated ministry in the A. M. E. Church. I think I am safe in making the remark, that forty years of his life has been given to this work, and that he, more than any one else, has done more to give an intellectual and scholastic training to our present strong and progres- sive ministry.
In South Carolina — John Graham, A. T. Carr, John Adams, Paul Wind, Saby Green, Abram Smith.
In Georgia — Andrew Brown, Mack Stewart, Harry Stubbs.
In North Carolina — James Galley, James Scull, David Jones.
In Virginia — Richard Parker, James Tines, David Owens.
In Florida — Charles H. Pearce, Robert Mechem, William Brad- well, William Stewart.
But time would fail me to tell of them all.
Men of work, men of God, men that stood and worked, dared and suffered and faltered not, but accomplished the work they found to do.
The history of the church is the aggregated history of individuals ; millions of men live and die like the flower that is " born to blush un- seen," but their influence is not like "sweetness wasted on the desert air." In human life the silent forces of character act and counteract upon mankind, as in the physical world, so in church work. Every individual, like the pebble dropped into the sea, starts a ripple that, though lost in the vastness of old ocean and in the fierceness of surging billows, never stops entirely, but rolls ever onward.
So with these men : their unwritten history of sermons, exhorta- tions, songs and prayer, tears and smugglings ; unnoticed and forgot- ten by many, will be stars in their crowns of rejoicing forever and forever.
The old blacksmith shop is gone, but Six and Lombard holds the grandest structure among the three thousand, four hundred and fifty- seven churches of our growing connection ; and from that starting point, influences have gone out that are belting the globe. Thus, the opening of Bethel A. M. E. by Allen, under Asbury, was the com- mencement of a work, the culmination of which will bring (as the in- strument) millions to rejoicing in God their salvation.
When this ship was launched, officers and members, all told,
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were less than three thousand persons ; to-day our communicants number five hundred thousand ; attendants upon our ministration number over one million ; our influence is being felt everywhere among our people.
Bishop and members of the Quarto-Centennial Conference of African Methodism in the South Land : Much has been acccomplished in our first twenty-five years of work under the government of our blessed Methodism. Millions of property has been accumulated to the race ; moral and intellectual training of the race, worth more than rubies, crown the labors of your twenty-five years of work. And now, sirs : Going out from this Conference, looking ahead, along the lines of our coming semi-centennial, 1915, you nor I may not be present, but the bishops, elders- and licentiates, with the church increased an hundred fold, wTill celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of African Methodism in this beautiful South Land.
THE FOUNDING- OF THE SOUTH CAKOLINA CONFEKENOE OF THE A. M. E. OHUEOH IN 1865.
REV. JAMES H. A. JOHNSON, D. D.
The transpiration of great events is something to be held as mem- orable in the annals of history. That which is done to'better the con- dition of society in a spiritual sense is worthy of the highest degree of commendation.
The organization of churches, the founding of ecclesiastical sys- tems of government, and the opening of new fields of labor that the light of salvation may be made to flow into the souls of men, are events of the greatest moment in the course of ages. No centennial period, nor semi-centennial, nor quarto-centennial should be permitted to come and go without a striking of harp-strings, a blowing of trumpets and a raising of voices in celebration of such events. It is mete and right to bring the participants in such events from every part of a land that they may offer praises.
It is for this reason that many have been called hither ward to-dav. Twenty-five years ago a little deed was done that has been the cause of a growth of wonderful proportions. In 1865 (April) Bishop Daniel A. Payne began to lay his hands on such men in the Baltimore An- nual Conference as he desired to go with him into the far South for the purpose of opening up a highway for the African Methodist Church. In doing this, he brought into his service the well known churchman,
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James A. Handy, regularly ordained elder, and your humble servant, an accepted licentiate in the Baltimore Conference. In obedience to the Bishop's transfer and command, I began to make preparation to lay down an established business that I might leave the city of Baltimore for the South. On Friday, May 5, 1865, entering a hack with my sick wife and youngest brother, I went to the President street depot, Baltimore, got my ticket and stepped on a train. I bade adieu to wife and brother, and at 8. 25 a. m. started for the city of New York. Rev. James A. Handy was in company with me. At 7 p. m. we ar- rived in New York City.
It was a greater undertaking to travel two hundred miles at that time than it is to-day. It took us ten hours and thirty-five minutes to make a journey then that is made now within five hours. When we arrived in New York we were received by that good man, Rev. R. P. Gibbs, and were soon in company with Bishop D. A. Payne and licen- tiate T. G. Steward. It was not long before I discovered that Brother Stewart was my superior in learning and education, as he is to this day. He was also one of the chosen ones to participate in founding the great Southern A. M. E. work.
We spent Saturday and Sunday in New York, and in this city on Sunday, May 7, I preached my first sermon as an itinerant preacher in the A. M. E. Sullivan street Church. The text was; "And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.'" — Gen. xi, 3.
On Monday, May 8, we went to the American Missionary. Bishop Payne went with us and had certificates prepared to enable us to work in the 'sight of the military authorities who were then control- ling every part of the destined field of labor. Thus commissioned by the energetic workings of Bishop Payne, in rain and storm we went, on Tuesday, May the 9th, to Pier 37, New York, and embarked on the steamer Arago for Hilton Plead and Charleston. Not being used to any such experience, it is now admitted that I was right down scared and considerably agitated. I started out sick and was sick from Tuesday until Thursday ; but was encouraged by a knowledge of the fact that we were on a mission for the Lord. I was not able to eat any more than two meals in three days, and as twelve dollars had to be paid for three days meals in advance, those two meals cost six dollars a piece, and have been tasting like green backs ever since.
We arrived at Hilton Head eighteen minutes past three, Friday afternoon, May 12, 1865.
Rev. James Lynch, our forerunner and our able missionary in the Department, met us and conducted us to the Military Headquarters that we might have our passes put in order. This being done we went and paid our respects to Brigadier-General Littlefield, and then went to Mitchellville, the colored settlement on Hilton Head, named I be-
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lieve, after General Mitchell. This settlement was controlled by an uneducated distinguished colored individual known as the Rev. Mr. Murchison, Judge, Mayor and Medical Doctor.
When night came on, we returned to the white people's settle- ment, called Hilton Head, the name of the island, and embarked for the bombarded city of Charleston. We went to the pier, I think, about 10 o'elock and went aboard of a little steamer named W. W. Coit; on this we heard the banjo sounding and colored jig-dancers dancing.
We 1 ft the pier about n o'clock and sailed all night. When twilight began to dawn on Saturday, May 13, the beauties of Charles- ton harbor appeared to view. When daylight had fully dawned, the ruins of Sumpter and Moultrie were conspicuous whilst the famous battery could be seen extending along the water's edge. At 7 o'clock we landed at the lonesome wharf.
Bishop Payne put himself at the head of his companions and led them up through the city. Charleston was then in a forlorn condi- tion. The streets were growing grass, and pastures were forming in the foundations of demolished houses. There was no necessity for cows to betake themselves to the meadows. The band of organizers proceeded through the city to the locality where the hospitality of the people awaited them. There they prepared for the inauguration of the great work that was before them: and there Western Howard, Sasportas and others did their best to make the advent of their clerical visitors memorable and pleasant.
One of the first steps taken for a consummation of the work, was the holding of a Quarterly Conference on Saturday night.
Rev. James Lynch busied himself in making preparations and all necessary arrangements for the organization of the Annual Conference, and held the Quarterly Conference to give more success in the organi- zation. The interest in this direction was increased on Sunday, May 14, by devotional exercises held in Zion Church. Bishop Payne at these services preached from Philippians ii, 5, lt Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus."'
The deepest interest was taken in the services and the people seemed to regard them as the most important events of their lives and were anxious for the succeeding ones.
Monday, May 15, came to satisfy them. On this day Bishop Payne and his ministerial aids assembled in Zion Church, the spacious and well known building of the Presbyterian denomination. The Bishop took the chair, called the house to order and conducted religious exercises. Afterward a motion was made for a secretary, committees were appointed and the South Carolina Conference was organized, composed of Bishop Daniel A. Payne : Elders James Lynch and James A. Handy ; Licentiates Theophilus G. Steward and James H. A. Johnson. Charles L. Bradwell, Richard Vanderhost
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and others were then admitted. This incipient organization starting under such favorable circumstances, directed by a native-born South Carolinian in the person of Bishop Payne, backed up by the American Missionary Society and the United States Government, attracted the attention of prominent men who were in the Military Department doing good work.
Mr. James Redpath, one of Old John Brown's right hand men, and Rev. Timothy Lewis, a missionary worker of the Methodist Episcopal Church, appeared at this session and delivered addresses.
Mr. Redpath took much interest in the success of the organiza- tion whilst Rev. Mr. Lewis was working as a counteracting influence. This session of the morning closed after substantial business had been done ; and then there was with the people and minister a great shak- ing of hands over this great movement that made the Son of Righteous- ness more refulgent in their eyes. This enthusiasm was increased in the afternoon when Conference reassembled and Rev. James A. Handy preached unto the people. Deacon's orders were voted to Theophilus G. Steward and James H. A. Johnson.
The second day's session, Tuesday, May 16, was burdened with important transactions. Applicants were examined for admission (I had the honor of being a member of the committee). T. G. Steward and I were examined for the Deacon's orders voted to us, and Rev. J. A. Handy presented us also for election to Elder's orders. The demands of the times were for rapid progress. The whole field was a missionary one — the harvest was ripe and the laborers were but few. There was no time for experiments, or for the observance of the tech- nical forms of law. The delicate work to be performed could not be enti usted to disqualified hands or restricted licentiates.
Necessity peremptorily commanded the Bishop to say : "Take thou authority to execute the office of a deacon in the church of God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." But it was conceded that by the nature of the case this alone was not sufficient. The relentless rule of slavery had trampled down the matrimonial ties and kept away the sacred blood of Jesus from the lips of humble subjects. Wrongs had to be righted, shattered columns had to be reconstructed and the church had to be built up for the good of society. Hence the Conference said :
" Let the Bishop and Elders lay their hands on the heads of those who have not been thus consecrated, and let the Bishop say: 'The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the office and work of an Elder in the Church of God now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of His holy sacraments in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.' "
And so the time was appointed for such an edict to be obeyed.
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Rev. R. H. Cain, at the conclusion of this hour, preached the word of God and the people went away with the benediction.
When Conference reassembled on the third day, Wednesday, May 17, it went to work on the subject of Temperance. Your hum- ble servant had the pleasure of writing the report and submitting it. He subsequently, according to the desire of the Bishop, made some remarks upon it, and also received instruction from the Bishop con- cerning the duties to be performed in the ministry. Being appointed to preach in the afternoon, I took the following text : Repe?it for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt, iv, 17.
On the fourth day of the Conference, Thursday, May 18, the temperance report was further discussed, and in the afternoon Theophilus G. Steward and James H. A. Johnson were ordained to the diaconate.
Whilst the Conference sessons were being held that distinguished individual, Major Martin R. Delany of the United States Army, ap- peared and made a commotion.
On Friday, May 19, the fifth day of the Conference session, in the afternoon, he appeared and lectured before the body on The Unity of the Races. Being a colored man of a marked type, he was an un- compromising advocate of his people's rights, and a persistent student of ethnological science. His address made a pleasant closing up of the arduous conference labors of the week.
On Saturday, May 20, there was freedom pro tempore from busi- ness obligations ; and so some went to one place and some went to another. Rev. R. Vanderhost in his wagon took some out to see the city of Charleston. The mam body of members, though, went in the evening to a sumptuous repast at the house of Mr. Samuel Weston. The kind treatment of that evening forms a part of our history. It was proved unto all in attendance that the bombs of Gilmore and the shot and shell of Sherman had not destroyed all the hospitality of Charleston.
The cessation from labor, and the pleasantries of this day put the minds of the members in a good frame for the dawn of the Sabbath, May 2i, the seventh day of the Conference session. All the living people and ministers of that time will bear testimony that that was a great day and all hearts were aglow.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, by its new Conference organization- — an accomplished fact — had made an inerasable impres- sion and had moulded the minds of the people for the solemn Sabbath services. There was a great gathering of people early in the morning at Zion Church to form the Conference Lovefeast. It proved to be more than a " feast of reason and a flow of soul. "' It was a feast of '•marrow and fat things," a flow of grace from "cloven tongues of
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fire." Many were the shouts of praises and happy were the Confer- ence members.
If any of that day and generation had ever sang in former times, " There'll be Lovefeast in Charleston bye and bye,"
their brightest anticipations were realized on that great day.
Succeeding events all combined, morning, noon and evening, made that day inexpressibly glorious. Bishop Payne preached at the 1 1 o'clock services. His text from the 33d chapter of Deuteronomy, 8th, 9th and 10th verses, was as follows:
' ' And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah ;
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him ; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children : for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.
They shall teach Jacob thy Judgments, and Israel thy law : they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifices upon thine altar."
The sermon on this text was preached in Trinity Church on Hazel Street, and after it the Bishop, assisted by Rev. James A. Handy and Rev. James Lynch, ordained to the Eldership, Deacon T. G. Steward and Deacon James H. A. Johnson.
Next to the intense interest of this memorable day came the closing scenes of the Conference session. Monday, May 22, was the eighth and last day. Business was finished up and the appointments were announced. T. G. Steward was sent to Beaufort and James H. A. Johnson to Mitchellvilie, Hilton Head. The appointments, although hard, were cheerfully received for the further advancement of the work.
A notable feature in the closing events of the day was a fine dinner given by Mr. Howard, on Anson street. The historic signifi- cance of this compliment was in the fact that the table was set in a hall that had been once occupied by Bishop Payne as his school room. This was something of great interest to all concerned, and was signally appreciated by them. The closing event of this day was at the house of Mr. J. Wilson, on Nassau street. The members of Confer- ence took tea with him in the evening.
The time was now at hand for the founders of the Conference to take their departure. They had completed their work, laid the foun- eation deep, wide and strong, so that others could build upon it and extend the work in every direction. And so the time was appointed to leave this field of great accomplishments. It was to be on Wednes- day, May 24. When this day came some unavoidable cause prevented the Bishop and his companions from leaving the city ; it
FOUNDING OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COXFERE>XE.
was then decided that they should leave at 4 p. m. on Thursday. May 25. At this time all were ready and started for the pier to take passage for Hilton Head. When they got to the pier they found nothing but a little insignificant propeller called The Loyalist, that was not suitable for either river or sea. And then the wind was blowing a perfect gale. But aboard this frail craft we had to go ; and so Bishop Payne, Lynch, Handy. Steward and I passed down the gang- way on to the contracted deck. There we awaited the signal for the casting loose of hawsers ; after- some delay it was given and we moved out towards the Atlantic. The trip we were to make required only seven or eight hours : but as we progressed and night came on. the blowing gale turned into a raging storm. The wind howled. With the down-pouring rain and billows rolling high, it was a fearful storm. In it that frail craft, groaning and creaking, careering and trembling, was beaten about by that angry, surging sea. from evening until morn- ing, and until almost every heart had given up in dispair. It seemed that nothing but a total wreck and a watery grave was to be the end. I said to Bishop Payne whilst he was lying on some freight. ,; Bishop, do you think there is any danger?" He calmly replied, " Nothing but God can save us." We all then silently prayed and waited for the result.
We should have been at the landing about 11 o'clock on Thurs- day night, but Friday morning, May 26, dawned and found us still being tossed about in that raging storm ; and we continued to be until the morning was pretty well spent.
Finally an abatement came and we were able to make headway towards land. As we were doing sc a steamer hove in sight and we found it to be one that had left Hilton Head to see what had become of us. Without her assistance The Loyalist made port at 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon. When we landed we felt as though we had escaped from the jaws of death, and that God himself had saved us.
On reaching this destination, the Bishop and ail of us began to make practically effective the work at Charleston. The Bishop turned his attention to Savannah, Ga.: Stewart his to Beaufort. S. C, and I mine to Mitchellville, Hilton Head. A great amount of work was to be done, especially on the islands.
The Sacramental Ceremony, by slavery made so strange to the people, had to be taught them as you would teach a lesson to a little child. They knew not how to take the bread : and so wide opened their mouths that the bread might be dropped into them. The domes- tic relationship was so debasing by an ignorance of connubial rites, that some remedy had to be supplied for it. Those who had been for a long time living together as man and woman were joined together as husband and wife.
Funerals had to be regulated to be characterized with that solem-
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nity due them. It was sad to see coffins nailed up with hammers and put into carts for mourners to be sitting on them, whilst others would be following on in huddles, and women among them would have their sleeves rolled up to their elbows.
The people had to be trained to sing as they sing in Charleston to-day ; for then they sang any kind of a composition that came into their minds, such as
" Come my Fader Handy, come and go along wid me, Come my Fader Johnson, come and go along wid me," and so on.
Society among the colored people at that time needed as much reconstruction as did the political machinery of the whole South. The movement that was made urider the illistrious Bishop, Daniel A. Payne, was made for the purpose of carrying on this reconstruction. It was designed to bring up South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and all, like phenixes from the smouldering ruins of slavery. The founders there- fore went to work immediately after the adjournment of the first South Carolina Conference. They went to different places to give encourage- ment by their presence.
I, with Steward, on Friday, June 2, 1865, took passage on the steamer Nelly Baker and went to Beaufort and spent the night with him and with Dr. A. T. Augusta, who is now a practicing physician in the city of Washington, D. C. I took the same steamer on Satur- day, June 3, and returned to Hilton Head and met Bishop Payne, James A. Handy and Charles L. Bradwell who had just returned from Savannah. This meeting at Hilton Head was for the purpose of having a glorious service on Sunday, June. 4.
When this day came Bishop Payne preached in the morning, ad- ministered the Sacrament and had me engaged in it for the first time in my life. He baptized children and married two persons. Rev. James A. Handy officiated in the afternoon.
The Bishop being desirious of utilizing all the time at his com- mand and of acquainting himself with the methods adopted for the promotion of public interests, secured an ambulance from the head- quarters of General Littlefield to go to Seabrook, on the island, on Monday June 5, and so at this time we all went and visited the schools to see how the educational work was being carried on by the white teachers from the North under the superintendency of Mr. Strieby, of New York. We made a full observation and then returned to Mitchellville. After this I was left alone; but on Sunday, June 18. the Bishop and Elder Handy returned from Charleston with the inten- tion of taking the steamer to New York. They were disappointed in this and had to remain thereiore at Mitchellville. This being the case the Bishop at once decided to make the prolonged time still more effectual for the good work. He saw a chance of increasing the effi-
FOUNDING OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.
55
ciency of the ministerial ranks, and said to me on Friday, June 23, whilst I was writing a letter, "I wart you to go to Savannah, Ga., and bring William Gaines to Hilton Head that I may ordain him to the diaconate." In obedience to orders, then. I went to the wharf in a hard storm and found the water very rough. The steamer Resolute was lying at the high pier receiving passengers. She kept on bouncing up and down at such a lively rate that I passed up the narrow gang- way and got aboard at considerable risk. I arrived at Savannah at half past four o'clock in the afternoon and went to Bro. Bradwell's house, and then to Mrs. Polly Boyd's where Rev. A. L. Stanford was stopping. It was necessary for me to go that night to Elder Stan- ford's church, and this I did, as the night was dark and the town was without lights, by plunging through water and mud to do it. I was paid by finding the object of my visit in the person of William Gaines. He and I left Savannah on Saturday, June 24, on the steamer Emily, bound for Hilton Head. We arrived there in a storm. The ordina- tion services were to be held in my church on Sunday, June 25, 1865.
When the. time had come and the people in the morning had con- vened, Bishop Payne preached the ordination sermon and afterward assisted by me and Elder Handy ordained Mr. Gaines to the deacon- ate. This was the last notable deed done at that time by those who had gone down to found the South Carolina Conference.
It was the finishing touch of their work, and so Bishop Payne and Rev. J. A. Handy went on Monday, June 26, to Hilton Head and departed on the steamer Fulton for the city of New York. Sick almost unto death I remained at my post.
On Sunday, July 9, the steamer Fulton again arrived and brought among her passengers R'ev. R. H. Cain and his wife. Up to this time I had grown to be exceedingly ill. I went to church on this Sunday, but at the concluson of the services was to sick to leave the building. Two benches were put together as a bed for me and then Elder Cain attended to me with a marked degree of brotherly kindness and advised me to get home as soon as possible. At the first oppor- tunity I left for New York ; arrived in Baltimore suffering from a vio- lent attack of the jaundice, remained in a critical condition for some time, and experienced the effects of it for near three years. This was the end of my service in the state of South Carolina.
Rev. James A. Handy, stationed nearer home, fought the battle through, although he, too, a goodly part of his time was exceedingly sick. It seemed at one time that he never would be restored to health. He came out, though, more than victorious and afterwards did much more in forwarding on the Southern work. He has been self-sacrific- ing, energetic and indispensable. He has hewed his way up to his present position, and is known as James A. Handy, D. I). Honor be unto him !
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Rev. Theophilus G. Steward was by kind providence permitted to remain in his field of labor. He married a Charleston lady, pioneered his way, organized societies and built churches until he made himself one of the most conspicuous of the founders of this Southern work. He has futhermore made himself distinguished in the literary world.
Rev. James Lynch, the leading pioneer in this work, after the Conference adjourned, concluded that he would see what were the prospects for the church in the interior of the South. And so disguis- ing himself as a contraband, he pushed his way through Georgia, al- though the whole country was excited by the pursuit and capture of Mr. Jefferson Davis. It was some time before he was heard from ; and it was thought that he had come to an untimely end, but he per- formed his daring feat and finally came to the North "right side up with care." He left the A. M. E. Church though and died Secretary of the state of Mississippi.
Bishop Daniel A. Payne has traveled from conference to confer- ence since the work has extended from the organization at Charleston, and now he lives a ripe octogenarian to look in satisfaction on it. His character is that in which should be the delight of all South Caro- linians. And now let me say, here we have before us all of those who pioneered an ecclesiastical movement that has grown to propor- tions beyond the accurate preconception of mortal man. It has grown and will continue to grow until it shall fully develope the moral beauty of the Negro in the South. It shall grow until this fair region is cau- terized and christianized to be free from all the ungodly differences ex- isting by complexions. It shall grow until all outrageous proceedings shall be overcome, and communities of every state shall realize that God formed this organization to make all men — white and black, rich and poor in the South, better by its existence. Then let this flag of religious freedom remain nailed. to the mast-head until the love of God in every heart, and good will to all men, shall be the ruling spirit of the South.
NOW AO THEN."
REV. T. G. STEWARD, D. D.
My Brethren in the Ministry, and Dear Sisters and Brethren of the State of Georgia:
As I stand in your midst to-day, my mind goes back to the 15th of May, 1865, twenty-five years ago, and I see again the South Caro- lina Conference, the mother of us all in these South Atlantic and Gulf
*Rev. T. G. Steward was prevented from attending the meeting on account of sickness. We give the address prepared for Georgia.
NOW AND THEN.
57
States, opening and organizing in the city of Charleston. The meet- ing takes place in what is known as the Zion Presbyterian Church, a large brick structure of rather awkward appearance. The venerable Bishop Payne presides, and Revs. James A. Handy and James Lynch are chosen secretaries. The crowd of spectators is large, including many prominent military officers.
The following brethren, transferred from other conferences, com- posed the new Conference, to-wit : A. L. Stanford and T. G. Steward, from the Philadelphia Conference; Geo. W. Brodie, from the British M, E. Church ; George A. Rue, from the New England Conference; and R. H. Cain, from the New York Conference; and James A. Handy and James H. A. Johnson, from the Baltimore Con- ference.
Of these only J. A. Handy, J. H. A. Johnson and T. G. Steward were present. It must be remarked here, that the first regularly com- missioned missionaries to the Freedmen of the South, as they were then termed, were Rev. J. D. S. Hall and James Lynch, and it was through the labors of Brother Lynch, that the South Carolina Confer- ence was brought into being. Brother Lynch was there with his clear black eye, his massive forehead, his hair black as the raven's wing, and his tongue oiled with that sweet, almost matchless eloquence that charmed and delighted us all. Rev. James Lynch was, by far, the most prominent figure of that Conference. He was, indeed, the cen- ter about which it turned, and the sun giving it light.
We must also include m the preparatory work, the quiet impres- sive visit of Bishop Way man, and the late Rev. Elisha Weaver, father of the Christian Recorder. Bishop Wayman describes their arrival in Savannah, as follows :
"Next morning we reached Savannah. Then we started out to look for our friend, Rev. James Lynch, but before doing so, we re- ported to the Provost Marshal.
' ' After walking some few squares looking at the destruction pro- duced by Sherman's men, we came to the house of a good christian Baptist minister, who took us in and gave us a good breakfast. We then went on our way, and soon were at the house of Rev. Charles L. Bradwell, and there we .found Rev. James Lynch. We spent a few days in Savannah, visiting the families, and also went out to see some of the colored regiments stationed there."
From Savannah they went to Hilton Head, and thence to Charles- ton, and in this same old Zion Presbyterian Church, where the first Conference we are describing assembled, on the 26th of March pre- ceeding the Conference session, Bishop Wayman preached his famous sermon from the text, " I seek my brethren."
To return to the Conference. The seven men who composed this Conference, had been selected to inaugurate this movement by
E
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Bishop Payne, and selected with great care. Whether the selection had been well made or not, the experiences of the quarter of a century just closed, must furnish the answer. It may be safely remarked, however, that both the men in their subsequent lives, as well as the work developed from that small beginning, have fully justified the timeliness of Bishop Payne's great movement. Rev. Geo. A. Rue, the sweet and inspiring singer, soon passed to his rest. Rev. James Lynch became editor of our only church organ, left us honorably, united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and subsequently closed a useful career; Rev. A. L. Stamford, the able and dashing man of both nerve and genius, after pursuing an erratic course, died in Africa. Profound in genius, earnest and zealous, we pay a tribute to his mem- ory, and drop a tear over his great mistakes. He once stood at the head of our Publishing interests. Rev. James A. Handy is our present efficient and acceptable Secretary ; Rev. J. H. A. Johnson, long since honored with the title of Doctor of Divinity, has occupied many places of importance in the church, while his name is known to stand for sterling integrity, fervent piety and careful scholarship; and your present speaker bows his head before you in grateful recognition of marks of honor received from the church of his choice and of his life.
To these seven men were added Charles L. Bradwell, William Bently, James HilL Gloucester Taylor, R. M. Taylor, Cornelius Mur- phy, William G. Steward, Richard Vanderhorst and John Graham. These nine men, associated with the seven transferred men, making sixteen in all, constituted our whole ministerial force.
It is worthy of note, that the General Convention, which met in Philadelphia in 1816, and gave birth to the African Methodist Church, was composed also of sixteen men. Sixteen men around Bishop Payne in Charleston in 1865.
Of these nine men who joined the Conference, however, only one entered the itinerant ranks. Rev. Charles L. Bradwell at once en- tered upon the regular work, and was appointed that year to Edisto Island. Hence, Rev. Charles L. Bradwell is to-day the oldest native itinerant preacher to be found in our South Atlantic work.
There went forth from the Conference of '65, eight regular itinei- ant preachers going to the following places : Rev. A. L. Stanford to Savannah, R. H. Cain to Charleston, James A. Handy to Wilming- ton, G. W. Brodie to Raleigh, T. G. Steward to Beaufort, J. H. A. Johnson to Hilton Head, G. A. Rue to Newburn, and C. L. Brad- well to Edisto.
One year from that date, the Conference met in Savannah, when thirty-eight new preachers were admitted on trial. This was the first meeting of African Methodist ministers held in the state. Bishop Tanner in his Apology speaks of this Conference, as follows : ' ' The sessions of this Conference will doubtless never be forgotten by those
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whose privilege it was to be present. The Bishop (Payne) spoke of i t in the most glowing terms. The progress we had made during the previous year, the large accession of members jand preachers, the num- bers presented by the Elders for the itinerant service, the number or- dained, all gave assurance that African Methodism was victorious, — that the prayer and the work, and the blood of our poverty-stricken missionaries had accomplished more than treasures of fine gold."
I shall never forget the solemn scene when Bishop Payne, with voice tremulous with emotion, and eyes overflowing with tears of grat- itude, set apart forty-six persons as Deacons and Elders. Among those who joined and were ordained at this Conference, were Henry Strickland, Andrew Brown, Robert Anderson, E. L. Bailey, S. B. Jones and W. J. Gaines.
On the 30th of March, 1867, the Conference met in Wilmington, N. C, and forty-six more ministers joined our traveling ranks, and ninety-eight ministers, including both Deacons and Elders, were or- dained. I take this to have been the largest number of ministers or- dained at any one time by any Methodist Conference in the world. The number of appointments had grown from twelve in 1865, whh only eight of these supplied, to one hundred and two with nearly all supplied. The membership was reported to be 47,891.
In 1866, fifty years after the organization of the church by the first sixteen, the membership of the whole church as given by Bishop Payne in his retrospection, not counting this new work, was 50,000. In 1S67, two years after the opening of this new work by the second sixteen, the membership of this New Conference amounted to about the same. "Here," said Dr. Tanner, "is to be the heart of our church, that is to throw through the whole body, the virilizing blood."
Up to this date, to-wit, March, 1867, the South Carolina Confer- ence included the work carried on in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Eastern Alabama ; but the Conference at Wilmington saw the necessity of dividing this work into several conferences.
Before we give attention to these separate conferences, permit a brief glance in review, and in doing so, I beg to emphasize two very important facts — two facts bearing directly and powerfully upon the question of domestic missions, if not on the whole problem of missions. They are these : First, the African Methodist Episcopal Church sent but very little money into all this great field. She did not send the money, simply because she did not have it to send; Second, she sent but few men into this field. She did not send the men, because she did not have them to send.
The wisdom of the world said, the African M. E. Church has neither the men nor the money to prosecute this work. The wisdom of God takes the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. Deficient
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in men, entirely lacking in money, we were indeed the weak things of the world, and were just in a condition for God to use us. We had the treasure of the gospel, not in golden vessels, not in silver vessels, but in the very cheapest of earthern vessels, and hence the excellency of the power by which we wrought, could not be accredited to learn- ing, to eloquence, to skill, or to money ; but to the gracious Lord of the harvests who alone can give substantial increase.
The General Conference of 1864 had decreed that there should be organized two new Conferences, to- wit : the South Carolina Con- ference and the Louisiana Conference ; but necessity required more than that, and hence the Florida Conference was organized in Tallahassee the 8th of the following June, the Georgia Conference on the 30th of May; and thus was gradually and grandly opened up this magnificent work.
So far, these Conferences were merely mission Conferences and our church constitution was such that there was no method according to law, by which they might be represented in the ensuing General Conference. The Constitution of the church then required that a man must have been for six years a traveling elder in order to be a member of the General Conference, and there were few men of this sort in all the South. In the Georgia Conference at its second session, which took place in Macon in March, 1868, there were but two men who were qualified for membership in the General Conference under the then existing laws. Bishop Wayman, who was presiding over the Conference, made the following statement and recommendation to the Conference.
' ' The Bishop remarked that as there were but two members of the Georgia Annual Conference who were legal members of the Gen- eral Conference, and as the laity were without legal representation also, not having any local preachers of four years standing in the church, it would be well to select a number of itinerant delegates, and trust their admission to the magnanimity of the General Conference."
The Conference, in accordance with this recommendation elected the following brethren : Andrew Brown, C. L. Bradwell, W. J. Gaines, W. H. Noble, T. G. Steward, H. Stubbs, H. Strickland, S. B. Jones, David Pickett and S. N. Drayton, with Robert Crumly, Peter McLane and Thomas R. Brown as reserves or alternates.
These brethren met the General Conference in Washington. Rev. H. M. Turner and Rev. R. P. Gibbs were members of the Gen- eral Conference under the laws which then obtained.
The question of admitting the delegates sent by the Georgia and other mission Conferences occasioned long and earnest discussion. On the one hand, it was plain that according to the constitution of the church as it had been construed for over fifty years, they had not the shadow of a claim to seats in that body ; on the other hand, it was
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equally clear that the interests of the church and the principles of brotherly love required that they should be seated. Hence, on the 1 2th of May, when the late Rev. William Moore, of the Philadelphia Conference, arose and offered a motion to admit all these delegates and accord them all the rights of membership, and supported his motion with a graceful, earnest and most thoroughly christian speech, the opposition yielded, the motion prevailed, the delegates were seated, the new Conferences recognized, and the Constitution of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was essentially changed.
It is worthy of note, that the most important change ever made in the constitution of our church, a change which affected, not only one part of the General Conference, or one class of its members, but a change which dissolved into absolute nothingness, the previous method of making up the General Conference and constituted that body there- after according to an entirely different plan, and upon an entirely dif- ferent principle — a change equivalent to a revolution was accomplished by an unwritten motion offered by the late William Moore, and adopted by the General Conference of 1868; and this revolution has been thoroughly concurred in for more than twenty years, though never for- mally-sanctioned by any congregation, Quarterly Conference or Annual Conference in the church. Nor indeed was it ever submitted to any such body for ratification or approval.
But to return to the history of the period and its instructive les- sons. The new Conferences, as we have seen, were recognized, and their boundaries were definitely fixed by the General Conference of 1868, and Bishop Brown, newly consecrated to that office, took charge of the work.
Amid the social and political throes incident to the reconstruction era — an era which calls to mind the consular era of France, in which society, almost totally overthrown by the sad fortunes of war, was seeking to regain its feet, the church went on its way of clearing the soil, and sowing its precious seed. Good houses of worship were erected in the principle cities, notably in Charleston, in Macon, and in Atlanta, while hundreds of cheap chapels and brush arbors were thrown up on plantations, and by country roadsides, and the glorious gospel was preached, if not with skill, certainly with earnestness, in hundreds of new places. In the enthusiastic words of the late Rev. Andrew Brown, "God having planted the batteries of the gospel on nearly every available spot throughout this newly opened South land, was in a limited sense, ' Shelling the world.'" Everywhere, on a bright Sabbath morning, or in the calm of a summer Sabbath evening, might be heard the hymns of God's children, and the clear ringing voice of the untutored but earnest African Methodist preacher.
The ministers of that period, braved dangers, and suffered hard- ships and persecutions, amounting in some instances to death itself,
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but they planted and watched the church. They did their work, and God blessed their labors, and added to his church.
From 1868 to 1872 pass, and in 1876 the General Conference of the whole church convenes in the city of Atlanta. The first Annual Conference is held in the state in 1866, and in 1876, just ten years later, the General Conference meets there. Nine years after the birth of the Georgia Conference, the church becomes strong enough in the state to entertain the General Conference.
The General Conference of i88q gave us two Bishops, Rev. R. H. Cain and Rev. H. M. Turner; both selected for this new work, and chosen with special reference to it. Fifteen years after opening the work in Charleston, that work gave the church two men for the Bishoprick. The General Conference of 1888 selected your own Gaines and his co-laborer Grant for the same high office, and thus brought squarely to the front those who were among the first in laying the foundation of our church work in the South.
The original South Carolina Conference has now grown into eight Conferences, any one of which is much larger than was the Confer- ence held in Charlestown in 1865. Our church is no longer a Northern church. Indeed it is rather becoming in a certain, that is in a purely geographical sense, a southern church, as it ought to be. It can no longer be said that it collects money to send North, nor that it is man- aged exclusively by Northern men. While all must accord respect to age and experience, and while age and experience are to some ex- tent on the side of the North, yet when numbers and work are con- sidered, all must also acknowledge that the men in whose hands the destiny of the African Methodist Episcopal Church rests to-day, are to be found, to a large extent, within the Conferences which have grown out of the old South Carolina Conference. To you Bishops and Itinerants ; to you brethren and sisters of the laity — the movement in- augurated by Allen nearly a century ago, a movement which had its second birth when Bishop Payne opened the South Carolina Confer- ence twenty-five years ago, is committed, accompanied with all the tears and prayers of our fathers, and all the hopes of our coming gen- erations. As one of the old Guard, which dies but ne'er surrenders, let me beseech you to receive this trust as from God's own hand, and guard it more sacredly than ever Levite guarded the ark of the Holy Covenant.
In this territory are now found our most important and most prosperous church schools, excepting, of course, our Mother Univer- sity, the modest but realy successful Wilberforce. In North Carolina we have the Kittrell Institute, in South Carolina Allen University, in Florida the Divinity and High School at Jacksonville, and in Georgia Morris Brown College. These schools are all fairly equipped and fairly prospering.
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It is not for me to attempt to sum up the total results of the labors of this first quarter century. They are great in many respects. Great in increase of members on earth, great in the number of those who have gone on to their rest ; great in the development of character among the thousands of men, women and children who are coming up under the influence of the church — great in acquisition of church and school property, and in the development of educational work. I say the results are great. Not so great, perhaps, in the absolute sense ; not so great when compared with what other denominations have done during the same period; but great indeed when comp. red with the condition of our people twenty-five years ago, and when kept in the light of social facts that have marked our pathway since. It is to be admitted that, the South taken as a whole, has not improved greatly during this period, yet the colored people have been able to build and furnish hundreds of churches, and also support a Christian ministry.
The work done by the African Methodists of the South I pro- nounce a great work when considered in the light of the facts of 1865, and up to 1890.
While upon this point, allow me further to say, that I do not hesi- tate to pronounce the progress made by the colored people since their emancipation, considering the many hinderances which have been placed in their way, as the marvel of the age. This fact of progress alone stamps the American Negro at least as a decidely superior race.
A learned and careful foreigner thus paints this fact as he sees it. "In my travels in this country, and my observations among the colored people, I have been struck with the marked improvement which they have made in the brief period since the fundamental laws of the land have recognized their manhood. The history of no modern people furnishes such evidences of Providential guidances and innate possibilities.
Twenty years of freedom find the Russian Serfs very little, if any, better off than they were when freed from their masters. The Ameri- can Negro, in view of his achievements in five and twenty years is a wonder of the world, and among the candid observers of his history, he inspires the hope and confidence in his capacity for the future." As an illustration of the progress made by our church, and also as a striking proof of the fact, <hat the church can no longer be regarded as a Northern church, I quote from Bishop Grant the following sum- mary of the "One Dollar Collection" in his district:
Total membership of district is 16,497; total dollar money $7999.10, lacking 90 cents of being $8000. This amount very nearly doubles any report ever made from the district.
You will see by this report that we have raised 48 cents per mem- ber of whole district. Of the amount collected we sent to the Finan- cial Secretary the sum of $4799.46, and the remainder, $3199.64, was
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distributed in our Conferences, using said amount to assist our widows, needy churches, ministers or poor charges, and in building up the educational work. We assisted fifty-seven churches.
The introduction of this quotation gives me the opportunity to call attention to the remarkable increase which has taken place in our connectional collections since the General Conference of 1888. The " One Dollar Collection " which is accepted as the financial gauge of our strength, has been nearly doubled throughout the entire South. The districts presided over by Bishop Arnett, Bishop Grant and your own Bishop Gaines have gone ahead almost one hundred per cent. While doubtless many causes have contributed to this general advance, yet in my opinion the one cause contributing more than all others combined, was the selection of the three men above named for the office of Bishops in the church. It is indeed a gratifying thing to me to be able to say to you here, as I stand in the midst of your success, that for years I have honestly and earnestly labored to this end. I believed years ago that the interests of our church demanded the election of some bo7ia fide Southern born and Southern reared men, not because I personally favored any sectional lines or prejudices, but because I believed such a thing necessary, in order to silence calumny on the one hand, and furnish inspiration on the other, and the marked results following the election of 1888 have fully justified the views I have held.
And now, brethren, let me close as I began, by bringing again before us the opening scene of our period; and this time I do it in order to contrast it with the closing scenes. To-day we look out over a field of eight Conferences with their numerous churches and minis- ters, their missions, circuits, and great stations ; their presiding elders, and District Conferences; their schools and their proiessors; their journals and their editors, and their distinguished bishops, and bring this rich and attractive field in contrast with the handful of men who twenty-five years ago unfurled the banner of our church in the city of Charleston, and with truly Wesleyan fervor, we may exclaim, what hath God wrought !
The last General Conference held before this new work was or- ganized, sat in Philadelphia in 1864. The first held after this new work was recognized met in Nashville in .1872, when the delegates from this new work outnumbered the General Conference of 1864. The membership of the whole church in 1866, not including this new work, was according to Bishop Payne 50,000. In 1867 the South Carolina Conference reported over 47,000 members, while to-day these eight Conferences number not less than 150,000 members.
While numbers are not always strength, and while I make no effort to arouse pride by referring to our host, I do point to these numbers with gratitude. I do not forget, however, that we have all
HOW TO SAVE OUR YOUNG MEN.
^5
come far short in our duty, and that our membership ought really to be much larger and much more efficient than it is. But in the light of these encouraging results, notwithstanding our inefficiency and un- faithfulness, we may lift our hearts to God in thankfulness for having owned and blessed our poor labors. Through Him we have planted the African Methodist Episcopal Church in these South Atlantic and Gulf States, and under Him it has nourished as the vineyards of Car- mel. Let us praise Him to-day for all the fruits of the Quarter Cen- tury. Let us devote ourselves anew to His service, and go on plant- ing and building. Let us cherish the memory of the heroes who have fallen in the noble work, and lifting our banner Heavenward, let us go on with invincible faith conquering and to conquer in His Name. Brethren, " quit you like men." And now may I ask you to join with me in singing our old doxology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
HOW TO SAVE OUR YOUNG- MEN.
REV. D. T. M'DANIEL, A. B.
I am like Aeneas when visiting the Temple of Jupiter, I am lost in wonder and ecstacy. I know not where to begin or how to sing peans of this grand old church. Every side I glance my eyes I see the errudite and profound thinkers of the church and race. I stand before D. D.'s, LL. D.'s and other high titles, and fathers of wide ex- perience and ripe with years of thought and study. The time has been so short since I knew what my subject was, that I have not had sufficient time to make the desired preparation for this ever historic occasion that shall ever be told in songs and poems to the unborn nations.
While I am but a youth of twenty-six brief summers, beset by many hinderances, yet I am glad that I was born when I was, and live in this great age of startling wonders and stirring events, when not but the brave can live ! *Let me thank the local committee for their remembrance of me in placing my name among others on the programme to be present at this Quarto-Centenary, and the laying of the corner-stone of the State Mother Church. I esteem it an honor to be present. Permit me to say if our mother be as prolific in the future as she has in the past, what " shall the harvest be ?" Her children will be as the stars of heaven for number and the sand on the seashore innumberable. With grateful hearts and love unspeakable, we cherish the memory of the heroes of Christian Manhood, viz. , Richard Allen
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in Philadelphia, Daniel Coker in Baltimore, Shederick Bassett in Maryland, John Boggs in Western Pennsylvania, Moses Freeman in Cincinnati, O., W. P. Quinn in St. Louis, Mo., the now venerable sire, Bishop John M. Brown, in New Orleans, John Wilkerson in Colorado, the firey Henry M. Turner in Georgia, the lion-chrouched voiced T. M. D. Ward on the Gold Coast, the immortal Richard Har- vin Cain in South Carolina. We can not forget, not never till our latest breath, the venerable Bishop Daniel A. Payne, D. D., LL. D., Drs. James A. Handy, and James H. A. Johnson. The imperisha- ble Carr, Thomas Gaines, with many brave women whom we style the nucleus and heroes of African Methodism in the South. They labored, fought, bled and died, but bid the sable sons of Ham unite and worship God under their own vine and fig tree. Let me stop, for my tongue would grow weary in the vain effort to lisp the names of the heroes of this great church. To the subject
HOW TO SAVE OUR YOUNG MEN.
Salvation implies peril, or some danger that should be shunned. Life's path lie thick with dangers, and none but the prudent can escape. The head must be well balanced, in order that the hands or feet may be guided aright. The parents are the heads or should be. It is becoming to them that they should be religious, sober, moral, brave, industrious and economical. The mother, which is the con- necting link between heaven and earth, should be religious, chase, virtuous, modest, playing well her part as the queen of household affairs.
The triumph of mind over matter is something grand to contem- plate. The greatest trouble of the day is that the family altar has been torn down and sacred rites abolished and scattered to the four winds of the heavens. Erect your altars and institute her sacred rites and we see at once the bud of promise, hope for our young men. Home influences commence with our birth, goes with us through life, clings to us in death, and then reaches forth their hands and grasp eternity. They strike their roots into the human heart and spread their branches wide over our whole being. The influence is felt as soon as the little child is able to take notice of the objects around. The child looks up in its mother's face and recognizes at once the mother's countenance. In joy or sorrow, in weal or woe, she is soon the first object of its thoughts. Give us good mother's and women and we have great and noble men ! Early impressions are not easily erased.
No one can tell the hour when the human mind is not in a condi- tion to receive impressions. The women have a great influence over the characters of individuals, over families and over the destinies of nations. It is a fact that some of our noblest patriots, most profound scholars and our holiest minister's were stimulated by their mother's untiring zeal and effort.
HOW TO SAVE OUR YOUNG MEN.
67
Woman's influence is the chief anchor of society, and the influ- ence of purifying the world. The work she has already done will last forever.
Costly stones yield to the corroding touch of time, but woman's influence reaches beyond. With educated and refined mother's, I see a salvation for our young men brighter than an unclouded summer's sun, fairer than than the moon, and more terrible than an army with banners. For as the flowers gather the sun beams in their bosom and convert them into beautiful colors, so will our young gather good im- pressions and character in their bosom and cherish the memory of their friends.
Let the fathers take their sons to heaven's altar and swear them eternal vengence against rum, immorality and vice, which degrades a nation, and sink an empire, and destroy the Church of God.
The age in which we live demands that we properly train our sons, least they be lost in the whirl of the great agitations, and stunned by the noise of conflicting elements. What a grand thing it is to live at such a time as this, with the noise of conflict of individuals, nations, parties and empires all around us. Let us grapple with the mysteries and think upon our responsibility we owe to our sons and the future.
There is a need of men with the courage of heroes and the faith of martyrs to hew down the thrones and temples of iniquity with the stroke of battle axes, and meet the armed forces of wrong on the bloody field. Teach our sons the lesson that they are not to expect an easy passage through life. Our path lies amid rocks and crags and not on lawns and among fragrant lilies. Many of us fail because we are expecting an easy passage through life. Some will say what is the use of so much preparation and care of our sons, they will never be anything in this country where Prejudice is rampant, Mob Law a tem- ple, Judge Lynch her shrine, before which so many of us are made to worship, always before '"'unknown parties." Permit me to say in reply, with a very few exceptions the worshipers at Judge Lynch's shrine have been chiefly among the sub-classes. When in reaches the other classes then comes the "Tug ot War."
We answer again that " of one blood had God made all the nations of the earth for to dwell upon the face of the earth." We are going to dwell upon the earth somewhere; if not in South Carolina, the South or West, we shall dwell somewhere ; not as dead men, but as living men, educated religiously, morally and economically, bearing aloft the torch of christian civilization wrapped in the mantle of faith in God and the possibilities of the race.
Again, if our fathers have accomplished so much with their limited graces, there remains to be accomplished a grander and nobler work by the young men, which eye has not seen, ear hath not heard, and neither has it been revealed what we shall accomplish with God at
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our head, and the righteous acts of the fathers as our examples, with our abundant graces.
It is needless to attempt to mention the immortals in church and state, for my tongue would grow weary in the effort to name them. Fatherly kindness finds its echo in the nobility and character of the son who comes to wear his father's mantle and fill his place. But it is none the less true that from unhappy, misgoverned and ill ordered homes go forth sons who will inevitably make other homes miserable, and continue the sorrow and sadness, the contentions and strife that made their own early life miserable. Never think any thing unimpor- tant that has to do with the training of home. Compared with home the school, the college, the government and general society sink into insignificance as means of spiritual life and growth. Thus homes which are nurseries of children who grow up into men and women will be good or bad according to the power that governs them.
Where the spirit of love and duty pervades home, where head and heart bear rule, where the life is honest and virtuous, where the government is sensible, kind and loving, then may we expect from such a home an issue of healthy, useful and happy children, capable as they gather the requisite strength, of following the footsteps of their parents, governing themselves wisely and contributing to the welfare of those about them. Sanctify the family altar and the whole work is accomplished.
Then let the fathers be faithful in the performance of their duty and sacred trust. And may life's short day glide on, peaceful and bright as can well be given mortals, with no more clouds than enough to glisten in the air and temper the beams of the sun, with no more rain than enough to fling across the arching heavens the man-hued bow. And when in the bosom of the West the weary sun sinks to rest, and darkness gathers about us, we will ' ' not like the Galley Slave scourged to his dungeon," but relying on the promises of the Infinite One, wrap the mantle of faith, hope and charity about us, "and lie down to pleasant dreams."
REMINISCENCE OF THE PIONEERS.
REV. WILLIAM M. THOMAS, P. E.
To you brethren and friends it has pleased Almighty God, in his miraculous arrangements in the governing of affairs of men, society and nations to convene us together after a lapse of twenty-five years to inspect the ranks of the volunteers as of yore.
REMINISCENCE OF THE PIONEERS.
69
Sad, passing sad is it to us to listen to the absentees, but inspires us with that zeal that endeared the act to venture, we can but look to them with pride and cherish their memories. God likes valor that has characterized their existence and departure. To release the past is but to open the wallet that time carries as a record of events, and from its moulded dusty sheets we paint for the minds of the youth that which he may cherish as a relic too old. His eyes must sparkle, his heart beats loud and fast as he thinks of the early days, and, like the "Pilgrim Fathers," they had to confront difficulties almost insur- mountable, wickedness, privations and hunger. But so dear was the cause, so unmindful of the grave responsibilities that were devolved upon them, that not one of these things moved them. It would be well to note that this army, like all others, was ill for the deserters though they at first were of the tried and few, in other words they were modern Gidianites.
If we could, with natural eyes, see. and with a natural mind con- ceive, the swadling bounty that these brethren, such as Charles Van- derhorst, Richard Vanderhorst, John Graham, Charles Cattle, James Johnson, Edward Roache, Anderson Smalls, Moses Adams and John Everett, James Nesbitt and Abner Scott. We have every reason to believe that these are sharing the glory of the upper world, for John says : ' ' His reward is with him, and to every man, as his work shall be. "
The Rev. James Lynch appeared in Charleston about March 1 and talked freely with the brethren of the M. E. Church before the smoke of battle had cleared away. At the house of Moses Vander- horst we held a meeting to perfect our arrangements. We decided then and there to go into the A. M. E. Church. All the brethren were Class Leaders and as they went their classes followed them. Shortly afterward Bishop A. W. Wayman, D. D., preached for us on Sabbath morning. He took his text from Genesis and were these words, " I seek my brethren and it had a wonderful effect."
One night a large number of people assembled at Zion Presbyter- ian Church and were addressed by Bishop Wayman and Revs. Lewis and Newcomb. Rev. Lewis claimed all the colored people were Methodists, and said that we should follow him. The house was filled to its utmost capacity. We took a vote and the majority decided to go with Bishop Wayman, and so we did.
About the 15th of May Bishop Payne came to Charleston to or- ganize a Conference. He brought Revs. Handy, Cain, Weaver, Stanford, Brandy, Johnson and Stewart. Revs. Stewart, Johnson and Bradwell were ordained. I must not forget to mention Rev. M. B. Salter, who was present at our organization. He was only a lad at that time.
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QUARTO CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE.
How African Methodism Was Introduced In The Up Country.
REV. A. WESTON.
To the President and Members of the Quarto- Centenary Celebration of African Methodism in South Carolina.
Dear Brothers : — My subject is, " How African Methodism was Introduced in the Up Country."
I was born at Monticelo, Fairfield county, in July, 1834, but was carried to Newberry, S. C, when but a boy, at which place I remained until I reached the years of maturity.
I was converted when quite young and became a member of the M. E. Church, and labored earnestly in the said church until 1865. Afterwards we, the colored people of the M. E. Church, commenced to wander like sheep without a shepherd. About the first part of 1866 we were visited by a minister named Hopkins, of the Zion Connection. He was permitted to preach for us in the M. E. Church South by standing in the altar. His text was Mark xiii, 33, " Take ye heed, watch and pray : for ye know not when the time is." It was the first visit we ever had from a colored minister, but we did not receive him so he passed us by.
We were still wondering what we should do about a church, and, in 1866, we sent two sisters to Columbia, S. C, to seek us a pastor. The names of the sisters were Winnie Simmons and Caroline Brown. They started on their journey like heroes. They went to Rev. W. H. Brown, who was then pastor of Bethel A. M. E. Church, Columbia, S. C, and told their errand. Then Brother Brown and his members presented to them Brother Simon Miller. They accepted of him and immediately returned to Newberry bringing Brother Miller with them, and presented him to us as our pastor, and he was gladly received. So the African M. E. Church was organized in Newberry, S. C, by Rev. Miller, of Columbia, S. C, in 1866. He (Brother Miller) ap- pointed a committee to wait on Rev. Black, the pastor of the M. E. Church, for' the purpose of getting the books and membership of the colored people. Rev. Black was perfectly willing for us to have the books, but the presiding elder who was present at the time said, " no, we will not let them have the books, because they will all come back some day." The following named persons comprised the committee : Robert Cannon, Jasper Williams and Abram Weston. We made our report and it was agreed that we purchase new books, which we did, and the names of the new members were recorded. After we got things in working order, we went out into a grove and had camp meet- ing. It was one of the largest gatherings the colored people of New- berry ever had, and a wonderful revival was started under the banner
AFRICAN METHODISM INTRODUCED IN THE UP COUNTRY. 7 I
of the A. M. E. Church. From then the A. M. E. Church com- menced to branch out in the country.
Rev. Miller would send his local preachers from ten to twelve miles in the country to organize churches and report to him. One Sunday he sent me about ten miles in the country to a place called Kitt Stand. I met with an old preacher, who was counted in those days as a great biblical preacher, but I had to do the preaching, and there was neither hymn book nor bible. I managed, however, to give out my hymns and text from memory, and it was one of the happiest days of my local administration.
In 1866 Rev. H. D. Edwards was appointed to Winnsboro, S. C, at which place he organized the A. M. E. Church.
In 1867 Rev. James T. Baker was sent to Greenwood, S. C, at which place he organized the A. M. E. Church, and remained there one year.
In 1868 I joined the Annual Conference in Columbia, S. C, Bishop A. W. Wayman presiding, and was appointed to the Green- wood Mission, where I remained one year and organized churches.
In 1868 Rev. David Glen was appointed to the Ninety-six Mis- sion, and remained there about two years.
In 1868 Rev. H. D. Edwards was appointed to the Abbeville Circuit, but the trouble was so great he had to flee to Columbia, S. C, for safety. So Abbeville was left alone that year.
In 1869 Rev. David Glen and myself were the only pastors that reported from that portion of the country.
In 1869 we had only two appointments in the country above Newberry, S. C. Ninety-six was one circuit, and Abbeville and Greenwood were united and called one circuit. I succeeded that year in organizing the A. M. E. Church at Cokesburg, S. C, and Rev. H. B. Presly came over to the A. M. E. Church with a congregation from Due West. Rev. Frank Brown came to me from nine miles above Abbeville C. H. from the C. M. E. Church with 1600 members. That year I had charge of Greenwood and Abbeville and was in- strumental in putting up the frame of the church at Abbeville ; also bought and paid for the lot and church at Greenwood, S. C.
In 1869 I had quite a number of preachers to carry to the Annual Conference which met at Charleston, S. C. Their names were as follows : H. B. Presly, Frank Brown, Edward Perrm, E. D. Spear- man, P. W. Jefferson and S. H. Jefferson. After that African Meth- odism was grandly introduced through Abbeville, Anderson and Greenville counties .
The first Presiding Elder on the work from Columbia up was Rev. William H. Brown, who presided two years (1866-67), and in 1869 Rev. David Pickett was transferred by Bishop Brown from Col- umbus, Ga., and presided one year, after which he h d to give it up
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on account of poor health. In 1879 your unworthy servant was ap- pointed by Bishop John M. Brown over the Columbia District, which extended from Columbia to Greenville.
On July 29, 1870, the Columbia District Conference met at New- berry, S. C. Rt. Rev. J. M. Brown was present. It was a meeting long to be remembered. Thousands of people gathered. We had to go out into a grove. The Bishop and Mrs. E. A. Williams had to stand in a wagon to speak. It was agreed at this meeting to purchase a place at Cokesburg, S. C. , for the purpose of establishing a school.
And now the grain of the least seed that was sown in Charleston, S. C. , in 1865 has germinated and grown up to be large and flourish- ing, so that thousands of souls are lodging in its branches, and the banner of the African M. E. Church is floating in the breeze, and her soldiers are singing, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
JOHN GRAHAM AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
REV. JOSEPH E. HAYNE, D. D.
Mr. Chairman, Brethren, Ladies and Gentlemen :
The part assigned to me at this historic gathering is quite a post of honor. It places me in the position to bring to light many impor- tant facts about the founding of our connection in these parts that were hot generally revealed, and consequently hardly known to the public. It is a task therefore that I enter upon and perform with unmeasured delight. How well the work will be accomplished I shall leave for you to judge and determine. I shall only do my duty in the matter. It is not often that such a grand and magnificent occasion as this brings us together.
To-night's scenes and joys connect us with the struggles and vicis- situdes of twenty-five years ago. At that time the road to these scenes and joys was indeed a royal one, but it was dark and gloomy. The thorns and briers incident to human disappointments fringed it on the right, and innumerable perils bordered it on the left. But for the incandescent lamp of faith, and the sun of hope to light and cheer those who entered that road, to-night's scenes and joys would be a blank page in the chapter of our history in these parts, but especially on the adjacent islands to Charleston. It took men of no small amount of courage and strong backbone to enter this road. And, again, it re- quired men of patience and self-sacrificing spirits to walk in it contin- ually and successfully up to this day.
JOHN GRAHAM AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
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EARLY METHODISM COMPARED.
I shall take great pleasure in mentioning some of the brethren who entered this road twenty-five years ago. But before doing so per- mit me to draw a few pictures by way of comparison. June 17, 1703, one hundred years before the birth of the sainted John Graham — who by the way will be the colossal figure in our laconic narration — John Wesley was born. Thirty-six years glided away softly like an evening into the night, and then on the 12th of May, 1739, he laid the founda- tion of a new christian sect that rivaled the Old Established Church of England. At first the work was regarded as untimely in the ex- treme, and its days of destruction was said to be only a question of time ; but to-day the Methodist family is so large that it extends from pole to pole, and from east to west — indeed the sun rises but never sets on the empire of Methodism.
REV. JOHN GRAHAM AND AFRICAN METHODISM IN CHARLESTON, S. C.
In 1865, one hundred years after the birth of Methodism in this country, sometime in the month of March, Rev. John Graham, a very prominent figure in church work appeared on the scenes of struggles for the establishment of African [Methodism on this soil.
He was a christian spiritual giant of many cubits, leading a mighty host of christian followers in and out of this "grand old city by the sea." In physique he was well proportioned : in moral courage and christian fortitude, he was a fac-swiile of St. Paul ; in natural ability and far sightedness into future developments as the results of well laid plans, he had few equals and certainly no superiors; in acquired liter- ary attainments, he ranked generally with the men of his day. This grand old man, and christian hero, at the time he entered the ministry of the A. M. E. Church, had passed his meridian life in the flesh by twenty-two years, yet his spiritual life was just in its zenith, hence, of all the galaxy of men who began this glorious church work in those days, the brightest among them was John Graham.
Rev. James Lynch, who came to Charleston in the interest of African Methodism, advocated the propriety of the colored Methodists of this city joining the A. M. E. Church. This timely declaration provoked many lively and heated discussions. The leading fathers of the Methodist family in this city took a lively part in them. Their places of discussion were often on the corner of the streets, in the Upper and Lower Markets, blacksmith shops, tailor and shoemaker shops, down on the wharfs, in society meetings, and in and about Trinity and Old Bethel Churches. Indeed the question was in the air, and everywhere, and in the mouth of every body. It was the topic of the day ; at least in the religious world.
It was the general discussion that brought the better thinking
F
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classes of the people closer together, and in this way we are able to get on the track of four regularly organized meetings in which the sub- ject now under contemplation was discussed ably and elaborately, and finally culminated into the birth of this grand organization in this city and state, May 15, 1865.
The leading spirit and figure in these meetings that were now in lull operation was the sainted John Graham. Being a man of great prudence, wide and extensive experience, profound judgment, a deep thinker, and an able debater, and above all, a great spiritual counselor, he was able to carry his point when and wherever it was made, hence his great or wonderful influence, which was used in the interest of the A. M. E. Church. So highly esteemed was he that whatever he ad- vised and did, his able colleagues accepted as both excellent and timely.
THE FOUNDERS OF AFRICAN METHODISM IN CHARLESTON AND THE ISLANDS ADJACENT THERETO.
Thomas Cochran, Moseau Adams, Richard Vanderhost, Thomas Perroneau, Charles Bethume, Robert Cattle, Archie Walker, Rev. Joseph White, Aberdine Friday and P. N. Davis. These ten brethren, with the sainted John Graham as chairman, held their first meeting at the residence of Judge Hugre, on Coming street, opposite Green street. Let it be remembered that it was then and there that African Metho- dism received its impulse in these parts. This was before the arrival of Rev. R. H. Cain. These men were brethren of deep christian piety, broad charity, extensive influence, both in and out of the city. What is remarkable, the meeting in question contained three itinerant preachers%and one Bishop ; that is to say, the materials out of which Bishops and preachers are commonly made or consecrated. These were the following preachers and Bishop : John Graham, Joseph White and Archie Walker. The two former entered the ministry of the A. M. E. Church, and the third of the M. E. Church. Richard Vanderhost left the ministry of the A. M. E. Church and joined that of the C. M. E. Church, and in 1872 was elected the first Bishop of that connection.
These four great christian heroes and Methodist pioneers have crossed the flood and are resting now on the shining shore in sweet Bulah Land.
The second meeting of equal importance was that held at the resi- dence of Rev. William Thomas, on Coming street. The brethren present at that meeting were Revs. James F. Dart, William M. Thomas, and James Nesbit; Brothers Anderson Smalls, Sipio Gourdine, Charles Vanderhost and Moses Vandross. The future itinerant preachers in that historic gathering were Revs. Dart, Thomas and Nesbit. Each one of these three brethren rendered Rev. John Graham great assis- tance in setting up the banner of African Methodism, both in and out of this city.
JOHN GRAHAM AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
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The third meeting of historic importance to the A. M. E. Church was at Brother J. D. Price's saddle shop, on Ratcliff street, one door east of Coming street. This meeting was called after Brother Price had seen Rev. James Lynch and held a conversation with him about the birth and future plans of the A. M. E. Church, and its work here. The persons attending this meeting were J. D. Price, Wm. M.Thomas, Charles Vanderhost, John Graham and J. S. Everett. The future itinerant preacher of that meeting Rev. J. S. Everett.
The fourth meeting of historic importance was called and held at Brother Moses Vandross' residence, on Morris street. The brethren present at that meeting were Rev. James Lynch, J. D. Price, Moses Vanderhost and Charles Vanderhost
The minutes of 1865 reveal this information : that P.ev. John Graham was admitted on trial as a traveling minister. He was at that same Conference, under the missionary rule, ordained Deacon in Trinity M. E. Church. The seat of the Conference of this new or- ganization was Zion Presbyterian Church, on Calhoun street. At that time the A. M. E. Church was just forming, and of course the mem- bers had no place of their own in which they could meet. The friendly and brotherly act of Rev. J. S. Gibbs, his elders and the members of that church will never be forgotten by the members and ministers of the A. M. E. Church.
The first Conference did not appoint Rev. John Graham any where that year. The old veteran was taken up in the interval of that session by Rev. R. H. Cain, who at this time was becoming the head and front of African Methodism in this city and state. The missionary field has never had on it a more earnestly devoted and successful field master and organizer than Father John Graham. Two better yoke- fellows in the early days of toil and labor foi African Methodism in South Carolina could not be found any where this side of heaven. They were divinely chosen for the work, as their remarkable success attests. Martin Luther and Zwingle, the great reformers, never laid a deeper, a broader and a more durable denominational foundation and superstructure than that laid by Revs. John Graham and R. H. Cain in South Carolina. No man, as a christian hero on the missionary field, did more to establish, build up and to perpetuate African Meth- odism in and about Charleston than Rev. John Graham. The services he rendered Rev. R. H. Cain in planting African Methodism in this state is beyond the province of mortal to estimate. It is information only to be had in eternity, furnished by Jesus Christ himself.
The circuits on James', John's and Wadmalow Islands, and on Christ Church Parish, St. Thomas and St. Dennis Parishes are the direct fruits of the labors of Rev. John Graham before he entered reg- ularly into the ministry. So marvelous was his success in 1865 on this difficult field, for it must be remembered that to reach and toil on this
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missionary field at that time was to run the risk of many great perils, which did not only endangered health, but even life itself. The work was truly the task of a christian hero.
The sublime christian character of the man shines out in its strong- est colors when I tell you that at the ripe age of 62 years, he began this good work. It was the Conference of 1866 that gave him charge of James' and John's Islands. This work spread very rapidly in his hands, until it encompassed the whole of St. Andrews Parish.
Just at this point permit me to call attention to one important fact, the man and brother who stood by this old christian soldier of many battle scars, and who was seen in his genial company many times on his rounds, was Rev. James F. Dart. Rev. John Graham re- mained in this field from 1865 to 1868 when he was appointed to take charge of the Mount Pleasant Circuit, which he held until the year 187 1, when he was elevated to the position of Presiding Elder over that district. He continued to fill this office up to the day of his death, which occured March 10, 1875. ^e A. M. E. Church will never know the value of the sainted John Graham, who was one of its truest and greatest pioneers in and about this city.
It was he who opened m this region the way for Rev. James Lynch, and it was he who made the way possible and comparatively easy for Rev. R. H. Cain, the man of all men who made by his in- vincibility impossibility possible, the crooked strait, and the rough smooth, and the ugly beautiful, say what you will or may against him.
These remarks bring us face to face with the work of a departed christian hero, which is so extensive and ponderous that every one of us is perfectly amazed over it, and hardly want to believe our own sight. With the working materials at hand, gathered by Rev. John Graham and his associates, he laid the corner stone of African Metho- dism deeper, broader and stronger, and from this old christian citadel and great tower of strength (Emanuel Church) many christian soldiers and charioteers have streamed through her perpetually opened gates. When this modern Chrysostom, the silver trumpeter of his day, had reached the first climax of his ministry here, for it was climatical, and that was after he had by his oratorical force drew around him great multitudes of people to hear him ; and they were of varigated colors, classes, ages and ranks. The storm of persecution burst upon him and culminated in his arest. But having his true and tried followers to pray and work for him, he obtained help from God and was released. He was a man of iron nerves and an indomitable will ; he never knew when he was defeated by friends or foes. I claim it was not the plan of God to establish the A. M. E. Church in South Carolina without using Richard Harvey Cain as one of the principal factors in this grand arrangement.
The part that this able but departed prelate played in establishing
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African Methodism in Charleston can never be perfectly narrated. His glory, achieved in this grand work, is like the immortal crown he now wears — ever bright with lustre. To him belongs more honor and laudation than mortals are able or even willing to give. Such a man as R. H. Cain was, to this great church, he should not be forgotten by old or young, rich or poor, North or South, East or West. Hence, the daughters of this grand old christian beehive (Morris Brown Church), led by a galaxy of noble christian ladies, will in a few months raise to his memory a tablet worthy of him. Every young man that entered the Conference under Rev. R. H. Cain, owes him a gratitude that will only be discharged when his life work in the ministry ends, and not before.
In closing my remarks, I would do so with the blessed memory of the sainted John Graham in view. This great and peerless pioneer of African Methodism in and about Charleston has his lifeless remains resting in Old Bethel church yard, with nothing to mark the spot that is rendered sacred by this sleeping prelate, save a flattened grave, over which the storms of fifteen years have swept, and nature's own decora- tions— the green grass and the beautiful wild flowers.
To change these rude and rustic scenes around this lonely grave in the city of the dead into lively ones, is the work of the Church and Conference. This duty the Edisto District Conference, held on John's Island, May 25, 1890, perceived, and projected plans by which suffi- cient means might be collected for the purchase of a monument that will tell the coming generations how much we appreciated our great men while living, by the shaft raised over them when dead.
EISE AND PROGRESS OP EDUCATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
PRES. JOSEPH W. MORRIS, A. M. , LL. B.
The Columbia District Meeting was held in Newberry, S. C, July 29, 1870. At this meeting it was agreed to secure a farm in the town of Cokesbury, S. C, containing one hundred and fifty acres of land, including buildings, for the sum of $2250 on time, or for $2000 for cash, the owner donating $100. That scholarly theologian and distinguished prelate, Bishop John M. Brown, the then presiding Bishop — who bears the eminent distinction of being the first negro col- lege president in America, was present and favored the project. On his return to Washington he wrote a circular concerning the property. The following committee was appointed at the District meeting to pur-
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chase the property: Revs. A. Weston, Chairman ; W. D. Harris, Secretary; Joseph Boston, Simon Miller and Scipio Blake. The committee was endorsed by Bishop John M. Brown and started out upon its work. The committee had circulars printed embodying their plans and purposes — with these circulars they collected money annually.
They had other plans in view but finally settled down on the farm in the historic town of Cokesbury — then in the meridian of its fame — the Athens of the up country — bearing the name of the distin- guished Bishop Coke. In this beautiful sylvan retreat, — dedicated to Methodism and learning, the fathers deprived of intellectual training and advantages, despising paternalism, imbued with the sentiment of Liberty; " If Heaven were to offer me truth in one hand, and the search after truth in the other I would prefer the latter," established the first institution of learning in the Commonwealth of South Carolina, consecrated to negro-self-activity and negro manhood. They were, undoubtedly, led to this place by the unmistakable hand of Deity. What more appropriate spot could have been chosen for the establish- ment of a seat of learning ? Soil fertile, climate sublime; health-giv- ing springs of various medical waters, just sufficiently sequestrated for classic grandeur and loveliness — "far from the maddening crowd, ignoble strife;" — dotted with groves — such as crowned the Academus filled with Socratic, Platonic and Aristolean wisdom.
At the Conference of this year the Columbia District was divided and the upper called the Abbeville District. Brother Simon Miller was appointed Presiding Elder of the last named district, and it is to his untiring zeal, race pride and faithfulness that we are indebted for the purchasing of the farm at Cokesbury, where Payne Institute was established, named for that worthy son of South Carolina, that brilliant exponent of her genius, culture and dignity, Bishop Daniel A. Payne, primus inter pares , teacher, scholar, theologian, author — the synonym of piety, learning and character.
There was also a meeting held at Greenwood, S. C, Oct. 6, 187 1, in furtherance of the same purpose. The Rev. James T. Baker pre- sided over this meeting, and Rev. Simon Miller was elected Secretary. After comparing views the meeting concluded to purchase the farm at Cokesbury. The Annual Conference of 1871 by a large vote, after speeches were made by Hons. Judge Wright and R. B. Elliott against having a school at Cokesbury, refused to have the school go into the upper portion of the state. But Elder Miller, notwithstanding the odds against him, was determined to have a high school for his people in the upper portion of the state. The Conference decided to purchase a place called Barhamville, near Columbia, S. C, but they failed to do so.
The Rev. Miller renewed his efforts to purchase the property at
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Cokesbury without the consent of the Conference. He brought the papers of the property to the next Conference and presented them as the work of the Abbeville District. The Conference was undecided as to what steps to take in respect to Elder Miller's action. He then arose and said, " If the Conference did not want the papers, they, the Abbeville District, would keep them as the papers of their property." At this juncture one of the brethren of the Conference arose and moved to receive the papers and it was agreed to.
The Presidents of Payne Institute have been as follows : Profs. Porter, Crogman, Scarborough and Morris.
The General Conference of 1880 having elected the Rt. Rev. W. F. Dickerson one of the bishops of the A. M. E. Church and ap- pointed him to this diocese ; through him a change was brought about in the educational work of the state. The unsettled social and politi- cal status of the state at that time, causing unrest among the people and the further cause to have the educational work located in the cen- tral part of the state, the Payne Institute was merged into the Allen Uriversity now situated in Columbia, S. C.
At the Annual Conference held in Sparksburg, S. C, Bishop Dickerson presiding, the following persons were elected a Board of Trustees: Rt. Rev. W. F. Dickerson, David Pickett, Bruce H. Wil- liams, Silas H. Jefferson, Montgomery M. Mance, Felix H. Torrence, Paul W. Jefferson, Samuel Washington, A. Thomas Carr, W. M: Thomas and Hiram Young, who procured a charter from the state. Approved December 24, 1880.
The property was purchased for $6000 and is pleasantly and con- veniently situated in the suburbs of the city of Columbia. The wisdom of the change was evidenced by the fact that the university rapidly grew in numbers and appreciation among the people. Much of the success and prosperity attending it was due to the devotion and zeal of its distinguished founder, the lamented Bishop Dickerson, — who was always willing to spend and be spent in anything looking to its complete development. It suffered a great loss in the death of this illustrious man. He was followed in the presidency of the Board of Trustees by Bishops Shorter, Campbell and Arnett, for whom it ap- pears it had been left to bring the university up to a degree of finan- cial excellence as to surpass our most sanguine expectation. The evi- dences of his Napoleonic genius and ability are all around us.
There are bright places on the earth where the general influence of liberty glows in peace — where song inspires the temple — where elo- quence thrills, where learning lingers — where the arts and sciences ex- pand into every form of beauty and magnificence — where learning gives to literature its inexpressible charms and graces.
A recent pamphlet entitled 11 A Descriptive sketch of Columbia, S, C.j its surroundings and advantages " has this to say of us : " The
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African Methodist Episcopal Church is deserving of credit for its com- mendable zeal in the education of the Negro race, and the Allen Uni- versity is an evidence of their ability to found and manage an institu- tion for the higher education entirely within their own people. Iudus- trial pursuits have also been introduced and will be added to from time to time, to meet the growing requirements. The course of study comprises a graded, intermediate, Normal, College and regular col- legiate course, including law, medicine and theology.
Any institution devoted to the education, requirement, refinement and moral culture of the citizens of the state should have due credit, and the success of Allen University under the tutorship, fostering care and finances of the colored people, is an achievement worthy of note and deserving of the sympathy and good will of all."
" The Charleston News and Courier" of Oct. 8, 1889, in its an- nual review of the history and progress of the educational institutions of the state, devoted considerable space in its columns — showing with commendable skill and conspicuous fairness the marked success attend- ing Alien University. "The Charleston World" with equal fairness and ability, through its distinguished Columbia correspondent, spoke with no uncertain sound of the excellence and progress of the university.
And what has been said of these two influential dailies, might be said of the Press of the state. Twice has the university been endorsed by two democratic governors and executive officers of the state. These evidences of sympathy, and respect, of recognized merit and mutual good will on the part of our brothers in white speak volumes for us ; and encourage us the more to go forward with renewed determination in the intellectual and moral elevation of the youth of the race.
Kepler, the aged astronomer, looking out in telescopic vision into the far unknown, upon the myriad of worlds as they move through the immensity of space, exclaimed, "O God, I think thy thoughts after Thee." We need men schooled to moral reflection and to the most complete control, — men who see sermons in tones, books in the running brooks — in every blade of grass — in every tiny dewdrop the unmistakable hands of Deity.
Education is the normal function of the church — she is mother and guardian. It is a historic fact that the Methodist Church sprang from the halls of learning, and is not only the patron but the founder and guardian of Seminaries, Colleges and Universities. The school house and church are in conjugal relation, God has joined them, let no man put them asunder. His right hand is upon the spire of one, and his left hand on the dome of the other. The grand work of the world's educators in its far reaching results, both for time and eternity, cannot be overestimated. There is no force so well calculated to lift mankind from the cesspool of vice, ignorance and superstition. It is
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the sentinel that guards out liberties. We thank God for the work that has been done and is being accomplished.
The number of graduates in nine short years is 75. From the Colle giate Department, 12; Law, 15; Normal, 48. A majority of the Normal graduates are engaged in teaching — of the Law graduates, in the practice of law within and outside of the state, of the College graduates, seven hold prominent stations in the church, one as Presid- ing Elder, two occupy chairs within the walls of their Alma Mater, one of whom also as the Dean of Law, three engaged in teaching.
Such is the commanding influence of the work that almost every county in the state has been represented, to say nothing of representa- tion from the states Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and the Islands of the West Indies.
I am reminded of the sentiment of Burke, " Enlightenment and its consequent improvements are the results of universal education." The youth is inspired by the examples of patriotism taught him in the school house. The school is the palladium of our liberties and its maintenance is of the highest importance. The public safety rests upon the virtue and intelligence of the citizen ; and every power should be exerted in extending our educational needs, that the public mind might be refined and enlightened, labor elevated, patriotism purified and the people blessed.
All now admit that education should involve the exercise of the heart, the head and the hand. Upon the systematic training of these depend the true development of the individual and his complete prep- aration for life. This is in full keeping with the principles and the teachings of Rabelias, Pestalozzi and Comenius. The great aim of education is the elevation of the people, which depends upon spiritual insight and intellectual activity.
Man distinguishes himself from the brute by giving. his attention to energies, forces, producing causes and principles.
Every community should be trained to good citizenship and self- help; to expound the principles of government; to harmonize and pro- mote agricultural, mechanical and commercial interest; to develope the reasoning faculties of our youth, enlarge their minds, cultivate their morals and instil in them the precepts of virtue and order; to enlighten them with mathematical and physical sciences, which advance the arts and administer to the health, the subsistence and comforts of life, and finally to form them to habits of reflection and correct actions, render- ing them examples of virtue to others. The education of posterity is necessary to the national and social welfare of the people. They should be educated in accordance with the spirit and genius of the in- stitutions which they are to maintain. Human development depends upon the right exercise of power, and occasions of this exercise are the subjects of thought. The education that improves the mind and mem-
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ory, but neglects the morals and religious training is imperfect and de- fective. " To educate is to instil into the mind principles of art, science, morals, religion and behavior." To educate in the arts is important, in religion indispensible. It is of prime importance that the intellect of our youth should be developed that they may go forth armed with a lever by which they may elevate themselves and become valuable members of society. It is not enough for the youth to have secular education, but they must receive a religious training. Religious knowledge is superior to human science — as far above it as the soul is above the body, the heavens above the earth, as eternity is above time. The youth who has been imbued with the precepts of Christianity has mastered the great problem of life ; he knows his origin, his sublime destiny and means of attaining it. We have a heart to be formed for virtue, a heart to be enlightened; we are to improve the mind and di- rect the heart.
Guizot of France says : "to make education truly good and social- ly useful, it must be fundamentally religious. The centripetal force of religion should counterbalance the centrifugal motion of free thought."
Pardon this digression. Above the name of Phocion, above the name of Brutus, above the name of Castellor, above the name of Gam- betta, above the name of our own Toussaint, we write the name of the philanthropist, humantarian, reformer, agitator and educator, Richard Allen, who gave to us and our posterity this religious, moral, intellect- ual temple wherein shall be celebrated with appropriate rites, even to the last generation, the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
WOMAN, HER INFLUENCE,
REV. MOSES B. SAULTER, D. D.
When woman possesses the right character, she exerts a powerful influence on society. Being the leading character of social life, she is in position to do a great good. She can make her influence felt, in words, actions, and general deportment. The community looks to her for a model of excellence in all that is pure and good. A young woman may exert much influence if possessed of the proper charac- ter, for on her are the eyes of the world, and when she walks in the path of virtue and rectitude, she is looked upon as the foundation of all good society. There is another important point from which her in- fluence radiates to bless the world of mankind wherever she moves. I mean a religious stand-point. Flow wonderful is her influence in
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this respect : the poor, the downcast and erring ones draw encourage- ment from her example. As a wife, in the true sense of this term, she exerts a powerful influence on her husband. The cares and re- sponsibilities of life press heavily upon him, nnd when it seems that he will give up in despair, the cheering voice of an affectionate wife causes him to take fresh courage, and push the battle of life on to victory and renown.
There is no influence in the home so great as the mother's. Hus- band, and children alike, look to her for direction in all its sacred de- partments. In a well ordered home the wife and mother is the sov- ereign. The children look up to her for protection, and all expect from her comfort, counsel and sympathy. " A mother as a mother is a mother still, the holiest thing alive." She shapes the character of the home for time and eternity. With the increase of her responsibil- ities is a corresponding increase of influence. All the hopes and as- pirations ot the young man are shaped by the influence of a faithful mother, — a loving sister. He looks to the mother for strength and en- couragement amidst the trials and temptations of this world. In the Church and Sunday School she may be a pattern of excellence and good works. The Church looks to her for its best fruits of spiritual labor. Though she is not permitted to hold the reigns of government, yet her very silence has an influence on all the movements of the Church. What would our Church be without the presence and sym- pathy of the woman? Her influence is greatly felt in the political world. She exerts an unseen power in the council of the nations. The destiny of mankind is largely held in woman's hand. Many a statesman has been crowned with glory and renown by listening to the words of his faithful wife. If our race would be great and noble, it must properly appreciate the influence of woman in Society, Church, and State.
When we look at woman filling the position of the minister's wife ; when we see that his success often depends upon the wisdom and gen- tle manners of his wife, we are led to believe that God sometimes calls a man to the ministry because He wants the services of his wife. We witness a beautiful exhibition of woman's influence and power in the prosecution of the cause of Temperance. Many a husband and son has been saved from a drunkard's grave by the timely exercise of the woman's influence. What wayward can successfully resist the pathet- ic appeals of a loving mother, even after she has gone to the land of light, "Where spirits blend, and friend holds fellowship with friend." The sound of her voice still lingers in his ear, and the influence of her great faith will touch his heart in some hour of solemn reflection.
Woman, the noblest creature of God's earthly handiwork, what would the world be without her ? Wilderness, waste, and immensity of nothing.
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FINANCE AND THE TENURE OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
REV. C. M. CROSBY, D. D.
Mr. President, Members of the Committee, Fellow Colleagues in the Gos- pel, Ladies and Gentlemen :
It has fallen to my lot to open the discussion of two very import- ant topics, as regards the well-being and prosperity of our beloved Zion. They are "Church Property" and "Church Finance."
The fact is self-evident that a basis is an indispensible requisite to the existence of all created things. To exist without a basis makes that existence independent; and not in all the sphere in which crea- tures move can such an existence be found, — No not so much as con- ceived of. If the creature is to be supported, its foundation must be adequate. The creature in whose interest we are now. to speak is the Church, an institution whose purpose it is to lift up a world deluged in sin, and to support it constantly in the favor of God.
Ey considering the world's inherited weakness you will readily discover the magnitude of the work. But, despite its greatness, God means to accomplish it through his Church. Hence the importance of a firm basis for this institution. Christ informs us that his Church is founded upon a rock and therefore secure. Against it not even the gates of hell shall prevail. But the Church has also a material side, and needs therefore a material foundation. It must stand, firmly root- ed, both in the hearts of its votaries and in "soil" held by honest and valid titles. Thus founded and secured, the first requisite necessary to good and lasting work is complied with. Great discretion should be used, not only in regard to the titles of church property, b^it in the location of such property as well. The mission of this institution is to catch men. The spider does not construct its web in a place unfre- quented by flies. Neither is the fisherman likely to drop his net in waters unshoaled by fish ; and with like caution in building churches, we should not erect them in places not easy of access to the masses. A disregard in this respect has given us already scores of churches, whose very location is a barrier to their success. They are, perhaps, in some alley or some other obscure place, where women may justly fear to go alone at night. The first site purchased by the Bethel con- gregation in Columbia, S. C, was a place after this sort. But by chance they discovered their mistake before building, and bought the site on which Bethel now stands — a location which for beauty and ac- cessibility, there is no superior place for a church in all that city. But unfortunate for our mission in Columbia, its location answers well the above description, and the result is, the congregation in constantly on the wane. I therefore suggest that a desirable sight, easy of access,
CHURCH PROPERTY AND CHURCH FINANCE.
be kept predominant among the considerations in securing property on which to build a church.