A. W. Wayman (Alexander Walker), 1821-1895. My Recollections of African M. E. Ministers, or Forty Years' Experience in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

My Recollections of African M. E. Ministers,
or Forty Years' Experience in the African Methodist Episcopal Church:
Electronic Edition.

Wayman, A. W. (Alexander Walker), 1821-1895

Funding from the Library of Congress/Ameritech National Digital Library Competition supported the electronic publication of this title.

Text scanned (OCR) by Andrew Leiter and Richard Gruss
Images scanned by Andrew Leiter
Text encoded by Richard Musselwhite and Jill Kuhn
First edition, 2000
ca. 450K
Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2000.

© This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.

Source Description:
(title page) My Recollections of African M. E. Ministers, or Forty Years' Experience in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. A. W. Wayman, D.D.
With an Introduction by Rev. B. T. Tanner, D.D.
xxi, 259 p
Philadelphia
A. M. E. Book Rooms
1881
Call number 287.8W (Florida State Library)

        The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South.
        Florida State Library provided the text for the publication of this electronic edition.
        The original title page of this copy had a label covering part of the title and this was edited out of the electronic image.
        All footnotes are inserted at the point of reference within paragraphs.
        Any hyphens occurring in line breaks have been removed, and the trailing part of a word has been joined to the preceding line.
        All quotation marks, em dashes and ampersand have been transcribed as entity references.
        All double right and left quotation marks are encoded as " and " respectively.
        All single right and left quotation marks are encoded as ' and ' respectively.
        All em dashes are encoded as --
        Indentation in lines has not been preserved.
        Running titles have not been preserved.
        Spell-check and verification made against printed text using Author/Editor (SoftQuad) and Microsoft Word spell check programs.

Library of Congress Subject Headings,

21st edition, 1998

Languages Used:

English
Latin

LC Subject Headings:

Revision History:

2001-02-09,
Celine Noel and Wanda Gunther
revised TEIHeader and created catalog record for the electronic edition.
2000-05-16,
Jill Kuhn, project manager,
finished TEI-conformant encoding and final proofing.
2000-05-13,
Richard Musselwhite
finished TEI/SGML encoding
2000-04-24,
Andrew Leiter
finished scanning (OCR) and proofing.

(frontispiece image)

Alexander W. Wayman

(title page image)

(verso image)

MY RECOLLECTIONS
OF
AFRICAN M. E. MINISTERS, OR
FORTY YEARS' EXPERIENCE
IN THE
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

REV. A. W. WAYMAN, D.D.,

ONE OF THE BISHOPS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY
REV. B. T. TANNER, D.D.

PHILADELPHIA:
A. M. E. BOOK ROOMS,

631 PINE STREET. 1881.

Page verso

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by
THEODORE GOULD,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress,
at Washington, D.C.

Page iii

PREFACE.

I HAVE been requested by some of the ministers of the Church, and also by the Editor of the Christian Recorder, to write out and give to the public, my Early Recollections of African M. E. Ministers, and also my forty years' experiences in the African M. E. Church. Being blessed with a vivid recollection of past events, I have ventured to comply with these requests, and shall present to the readers facts such as I can relate from memory, and such as I have had related to me by others.

Page v

INTRODUCTION.

HISTORY is defined: a) A written statement of what is known. b) An account of that which is known to exist.

Accepting either of these definitions, what a rare book of history is the one for which these brief words are to serve as an Introduction. Nor in making this declaration are we forgetful that the definitions above are supposed to recognize the well-known distinction between biography and history, biography being "the record of an individual's life." But "My Recollections" is in no sense the record of an individual's life, and therefore cannot be a biography, or rather an autobiography. Survey the production as we will, we still affirm it to be a rare book of history; a written statement of what is known; an account of that which is known to exist. And it is pre-eminently meritorious, from the fact that the good Bishop knows what he writes. No one enjoying his acquaintance can for

Page vi

a moment doubt what he says in the prefatory words: "Being blessed with a vivid recollection of past events." For years we have at times been startled by hearing him give the minutest details of incidents that happened a score of years before; and it is just possible that our words to him upon one of these occasions,--words that approached even to rudeness--may have stirred him up to this blessed work as he himself intimates. "Stop," said we, "Bishop, stop; if you are not going to put on paper what you are telling us now, don't tell us any more; for if you die without doing it, and we should live, we cannot respect your memory as we would like."

With no ordinary pleasure, then, do we greet this history. It is such as our Church needs, and has needed for years. It is such as the Church has demanded. Nor can any regard this demand as arbitrary or unreasonable. The Church, by an intuition born from above, knows she has a history. From the high standing ground of to-day she looks back and around, and, lo! Israel is seen to be abiding in his tents according to his tribes: "As valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of the lignaloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters." And with this vision of the Almighty upon her, with her eyes open, she has demanded of the men who led her--men like

Page vii

unto Moses and Aaron--that they teach these things diligently unto the children, and that they write them upon the posts of the house and upon the gates.

We not only justify the Church in this demand-- as must the world justify her--but we applaud her. With her we say these fathers have no right to die till they shall have unburdened themselves. The burdened camel, they must know, cannot pass through the needle's eye. The judgment is even more narrow than that small eye. The store of history these fathers have locked up in their minds is the common property of the Church they have served with such a show of heroism. Unwittingly this fact seems not to be sufficiently appreciated, and therefore too many of them are willing to pass away and take with them the story of the glorious things God has done for and in His Zion. The main object of writing this Introduction is not to commend this work, for it really needs no commendation; but it is to stir up the pure minds of our venerable sires to a duty they owe the generations to come. It is in the province of each of the older Bishops to do African Methodism similar service. The senior, the venerable historiographer of the Church, is already at work, and from his pen much is expected. But should we not have something from the pen of the equally venerable Bishops J. P. Campbell, D. D., and J. A. Shorter, and T. M.

Page viii

D. Ward, D. D., and J. M. Brown, D. D.? All these are the possessors of the richest possible Methodist experience, and of quite a half century in duration. One of them, at least, saw the Apostolic Allen, and if too youthful to draw inspiration from his lips, was brought up in the circle of his immediate friends and followers. What a symposium of African Methodist literature would we have if each of these fatherly episcopates would only give his recollections! None can ever write of us what Milton wrote:

"He wished, but not with hope."

Nor is it the senior Bishops alone who could write history as the author of "My Recollections" has written it. The junior Bishops, Revs. Dr. H. M. Turner, Wm. F. Dickerson, and R. H. Cain, could write quite as readily; for, though living fewer years, they have been years surfeited with great events,--events in which two of them, at least, played no unimportant part. The history of the first decade of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia is scarcely more than the history of what Dr. Turner did; and a similar history of South Carolina is but the history of what Dr. Cain did. And in the ranks of the Elders are brethren not a few who could keep their memories forever

Page ix

green by simply leaving behind them the story of their lives.

Let the interrogation, Will they? float out upon the kindly breeze, and let it be wafted to the fathers of the Conferences North and South. And all to the end that the African Methodist Episcopal Church may be acquainted with herself, and being thus acquainted, acquaint the world.

With wishes for the greater glory of the Church and the race and the world, I remain, my dear Bishop, your friend.

B. T. TANNER

(table of contents)

Page xi

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Rev. Shadrach Basset, first A. M. E. minister in Eastern Shore-- Samuel Todd joins him--Mrs. Anna Murray--Camp-meeting at Dick's old field--Kidnappers--My boy "Moses" . . . . . 1
CHAPTER II.
Rev. Peter D. W. Schureman--In prison--Relieved by Richard Morris Brown . . . . . 4
CHAPTER III.
Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon--A "dangerous man"--Arrested-- Disarmed--Escape--Searching his trunk--Arrested again--Rock of Wisdom--Rev. Anthony Campbell--His escape . . . . . 7
CHAPTER IV.
Church went down--The writer joins the M. E. Church, 19th June, 1837--Leaves home 1st May, 1840 --Family service--Sad farewells--Reaches Easton--Arrives in Baltimore--General Conference in Session--Sermons preached--Goes to Philadelphia-- Joins Big Bethel in June, 1840--Assigned to Levin Tillman's Class--Licensed to exhort, 16th October, 1840, by Richard Williams--Rebuilding Bethel--Corner-stone laid--The Quaker Family . . . . . 11
CHAPTER V.
A theological society--Visits Washington--Rev. Clayton Durham-- Father Robinson--W. H. Waters admitted April, 1842--Rev. J. P. Campbell called on to explain--Rev. D. A. Payne admitted --The writer sent to Princeton--Rev. H. C. Turner--Eloquent Sermon . . . . . 17
CHAPTER VI.
Philadelphia Conference, May, 1843--Rev. W. Nazrey ordained elder--Rev. D. A. Payne admitted into Conference--Local preachers--Joseph Cox dies--Minutes sent to West Chester-- "Millerites"--Albert Barnes--General Conference of '44--Rev. Wm. Paul Quinn elected Bishop--Visits home--Death of Richard Williams--Re-appointed to West Chester--Bishop Morris Brown paralyzed--Rev. Samuel Peters . . . . . 21
CHAPTER VII.
Baltimore Conference in 1845--Levin Lee, Secretary--Rev. M. M. Clark--Educational Convention called--Philadelphia Conference of '45--The writer ordained a deacon--Henry Davis--Union Church united with Bethel--Writer appointed there--His movements--Death of Rev. Henry C. Turner--The Educational Convention--The delegates . . . . . 25
CHAPTER VIII.
The writer goes to Washington--Revs. Jacob Matthews and John M. Brown--Bonds given--Sent to Salem Church, N. J.--Father Dickerson--Willis Nazrey in Philadelphia--Daniel Coker-- Theodore Gould--Baltimore Conference of '47--Bishop Waters improved--His appointments--His death--Rev. J. M. Nevin and his church accepted--Philadelphia Conference of '47--The writer and Henry Davis elected and ordained elders--That Episcopal Seal--(Where is it?)--Dr. Bias--Writer sent to Trenton, N. J. . . . . . 29
CHAPTER IX.
Revs. M. M. Clark and D. A. Payne start for England--The latter returns--Baltimore Conference of '48--James A. Shorter and John F. Thomas ordained deacons--W. D. W. Schureman and J. J. Herbert admitted--The General Conference of '48, in Philadelphia--The first Episcopal Quadrennial--Presiding Eldership attempted--Voted down--Darius Stokes--An able speech--The publication of "Christian Herald" ordered-- Another Bishop--Death of John Boggs--Defeats it--Rev. D. A. Payne appointed to write the history of the A. M. E. Church --Philadelphia Conference of '48--Members admitted--Deacons ordained--The writer transferred to Baltimore--Sent to Washington--Secretary Mason, John Y.--Bishop Quinn stabbed-- Writer visits home . . . . . 35
Page xiii
CHAPTER X.
President Taylor inaugurated--Baltimore Conference of '49-- Exciting session--Sent to Israel--Death of Bishop Brown--The cholera--Memorial sermon . . . . . 40
CHAPTER XI.
Baltimore Conference of '50--Revs. J. A. Shorter and John F. Thomas elected elders--Rev. D. A. Payne and the Ebenezer charge--John Cornish triumphant--Death of President Taylor-- Recognition at an M. E. Camp-meeting--The oldest preacher . . . . . 42
CHAPTER XII.
Baltimore Conference of '51--Ministers from Philadelphia--Rev. W. Nazrey chosen as assistant--Rev. D. A. Payne without an appointment Revs. W. D. W Schureman and J. R. V. Morgan ordained elders--Charles Sawyer and J. J. Herbert ordained deacons--The Philadelphia conference of '51--Rev. H. J. Young ordained an elder--Abigail Nugent--Death of Rev. Jeffrey Goulding . . . . . 45
CHAPTER XIII.
Baltimore Conference of '52--Death of Rev. John L. Armstrong-- Rev. W. H. Jones--Shall he be returned?--Off for Philadelphia-- Major Delany--General Conference of '52--Who shall preach? --Must not preach?--Election of bishops--Rev. W. Nazrey and D. A. Payne elected--Christian Herald changed to Christian Recorder--Rev. M. M. Clark elected editor--Rev. W. T. Catto General Book Steward--Rev. W. H. Jones Traveling Agent--Catto resigned, also Clark--Going West to secure a cage--"Ebenezer" in Georgetown, D. C., organized . . . . . 47
CHAPTER XIV.
Baltimore Conference of '53--Looked after by the officials--Bishop Nazrey a Steward--Writer learns phonography--Baltimore Conference of '54--Bishops only remained two years--Rev. J. P. Campbell succeeds to the editorship of the Recorder--An appeal Case . . . . . 52
CHAPTER XV.
Baltimore Conference of '55--Rev. John Turner--Act of Incorporation for the Book Concern--A Convention--Lays the cornerstone of Burlington Church--Tessier St., Baltimore--"Honest
Page xiv
John"--The last dollar--Repaid--Off for General Conference of '56--In the Queen city--Doings--Rev. J. P. Campbell elected Editor and General Book Steward--The Canada question--Return of Rev. A. S. Driver--Death of Rev. Charles Sawyer--Corner-stone of Ebenezer, Georgetown, D. C., laid . . . . . 56
CHAPTER XVI.
Baltimore Conference of '57--David Smith, the oldest living A. M. E. preacher, present--Rev. J. A. Shorter transferred to Ohio-- Death of Rev. John Miller--St. Paul organized--Black Swan in Washington--"Not a trustee"--Present to Hon. J. R. Giddings--Dr. Bailey of the National Era . . . . . 65
CHAPTER XVII.
Baltimore Conference of '58--Bishop Quinn assaulted--Rev. Elisha Weaver--Death of Rev. A. S. Driver--At Slaughter Neck, Delaware--Death of Levin Lee--H. M. Turner--Prize essay: "Hugh Miller" . . . . . 69
CHAPTER XVIII.
Baltimore Conference of '59--Death of Rev. Stephen Clark--Rev. D. V. Brown--John Brown's Raid--Rev. Thomas W. Henry-- Rev. Walter Proctor--Death of Mrs. Wayman--Two Sundays in twenty years--Allen Chapel, Good Hope . . . . . 72
CHAPTER XIX.
Baltimore Conference of '60--Revs. John M. Brown and James Lynch--Bishop Paine of the P. E. Church--W. H. Hunter sent to Wilberforce--General Conference of '60, at Pittsburgh-- Revs. John Tibbs and N. H. Turpin--The Conference--The Canada affair--Rev. Elisha Weaver elected General Book Steward--Election of Abraham Lincoln . . . . . 75
CHAPTER XX.
Baltimore Conference of '61-- No Conference--The President of the United States in disguise--Two bishops necessary to hold a Conference--Conference held--An address to the Church-- The Canada affair--Article from Rev. H. J. Young--Meeting in Philadelphia . . . . . 79
Page xv
CHAPTER XXI.
Baltimore Conference of '62--B. T. Tanner and J. A. Handy received--Hall and Nicholson from the M. E. Church--Owen Lovejoy--Bishop Nazrey's status--Death of Charles Dunn-- Death of Bishop Burns of the M. E. Church . . . . . 82
CHAPTER XXII.
Baltimore Conference of '63--Wilberforce obtained--Rev. Mr. Lee--Baltimore threatened--Its defense--"Fall in"--Death of Rev. W. H. Gilliard--Liberation of slaves--"Get in, boys" . . . . . 85
CHAPTER XXIII.
Rev. W. H. Hunter a Chaplain--"I seek my brethren!"--Bute St. Norfolk--"Let us vote, for I am all on fire for it"--A raid-- "Here comes the Bishop and his staff"--Rev. John M. Brown . . . . . 89
CHAPTER XXIV.
Death of Rev. Dennis Davis--Also Rev. John Jordan--M. M. Clark's "Mould"--Baltimore Conference of '64--General Conference of '64--The Canada Question--Revs. A. R. Green and W. H. Jones--A Trick--Fraternal Delegates from the M. E. Church--The Colored Members--Opposition . . . . . 94
CHAPTER XXV.
General Conference of '64 continued--Election of Bishops--John M. Brown elected Editor of Christian Recorder, resigned-- John U. Warren elected Business Manager, resigned--Finally, Rev. Elisha Weaver continued--Committee from the A. M. E. Zion--Bishop Nazrey takes leave--A. M. E. and A. M. E. Zion Convention--Visits Bishop Payne's Work--Corner-Stone of St. Paul's Chapel, Washington, D. C., laid--Emancipation in Maryland--The Governor's Proclamation--Thanksgiving--Drafted --Released . . . . . 99
CHAPTER XXVI.
Rev. James Lynch in South Carolina--Call for Bishops to go South --A Pass--Off--Revs. Gibbs, Cain, Williams--March 15, 1865 --Rev. Elisha Weaver--Hilton Head--Off to Savannah--Rev. C. L. Bradwell--Mitchellville--The Mayor . . . . . 104
Page xvi
CHAPTER XXVII.
Charleston, S. C.--Son of Morris Brown--"I seek my Brethren."-- Major M. R. Delany--Return--Preaches--A Jew . . . . . 108
CHAPTER XXVIII.
At New York--N. Y. East Conference M. E. Church--A Speech --A Bill of Sale--A Pair of Spectacles--Baltimore Conference --Good Friday--Assassination of President Lincoln--Burning of Wilberforce--Rev. J. H. A. Johnson transferred--Other transfers--Other Conferences--Providence, R. I.--Rev. J. H. W. Burley--Church Dedication at Clear Spring, Md. . . . . . 113
CHAPTER XXIX.
Rev. D. P. Seaton in Wilmington, Del.--Episcopal Meeting in Pittsburgh--An Address to the Colored People of the United States--Rev. James Lynch appointed Editor of Christian Recorder--Ohio Conference--Rev. John Tibbs--Rev. David Smith goes to Kentucky--Rev. J. A. Shorter Agent for Wilberforce-- Semi-centenary of the A. M. E. Church--Philadelphia leads-- Baltimore Conference--Rev. John M. Brown, Missionary Secretary--New Church at Millville, N. J.--Philadelphia Conference at Princeton--Great Time--Bishop Quinn present--Goes to N. E. Conference--Bishop Payne from the South--New York Conference--Wm. T. Catto re-admitted--In Cincinnati--Rev. Edward D. Davis--His Death--Rev. Philip Tolliver--In Louisville.--Dr. Revels--Return East--In Delaware--"Are You Ready to Die?"--"Capt." Caldwell--A Retreat--At Providence, R. I.--In New Haven--A Silver Cup--Baltimore Tournament . . . . . 117
CHAPTER XXX.
Tour through the South--Visit to Libby Prison--Castle Thunder-- Searching for Petersburg--Interview with a Farmer--On to Raleigh--A Colored Grand Jury--En route for Augusta in Company with Rev. W. H. Brown--Searching for Lodging--Dublin and Canaan--Macon, Ga--Rev. H. M. Turner--Kidnapping a Girl from Maryland--Rev. James Reed hears from and meets his Mother, who has been absent Forty Years--Return Home, passing through Savannah, Charleston, Columbia, Raleigh and Norfolk, Va. . . . . 130
Page xvii
CHAPTER XXXI.
South Carolina Conference--Wilmington, N. C.--One hundred and eighty Ministers praying for one hundred and eighty Converts --Laying Corner Stone of the Unfinished Church--Baltimore Conference--Bishop Payne taking Leave of Brethren for England--Organization of the Virginia Conference--United States Court in Session--Invitation to witness the Hearing of Jeff. Davis--Philadelphia Conference in Mother Church . . . . . 139
CHAPTER XXXII.
Organization of the Georgia Conference at Macon--Father and Son elected to Deacon's Orders--En route to Florida-- Contrast between Philadelphia and Florida--Organization of Florida Conference at Tallahassee . . . . . 143
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Mendota with a valise--All lost--Henry Davis Bishop Pro Tem.-- New York Conference--Frederick Douglass--Mr. Borton--A thousand dollars raised . . . . . 145
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Southward again, accompanied by B. T. Tanner and Elder Weaver Charleston, S. C.--The Constitutional Convention--Savannah, Ga.--Florida Conference, Tallahassee--Live Oak--"One dollar?"--Georgia Conference at Macon--South Carolina Conference--Virginia Conference, Richmond--Ebenezer, Baltimore, dedicated--Baltimore Conference of '68 . . . . . 149
CHAPTER XXXV.
General Conference of '68--B. T. Tanner, Secretary--Union with Zion--Stray telegram--Bishops elected, Campbell, Ward, and Brown--Missionary Secretary, J. A. Handy, General Book Steward, Joshua Woodlin, B, T. Tanner editor by acclamation . . . . . 154
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Phila. Conference of '68 in Wilmington, Del.--Joseph H. Smith-- Eyes shut--Grace M. E. Church--Wm. Lloyd Garrison-- Doings and transfers--Minus$25.00 . . . . . 158
Page xviii
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Dedication at Carlisle, Penn.--Off to Staunton, Va.--Southward-- Inauguration of General Grant, Vice President Colfax--Bishop Haven--Baltimore M. E. Conference of '69, in Washington-- Recognition--Political tricks--North Carolina--The "Swamp Angel"--Virginia Conference of '69 . . . . . 160
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Baltimore Conference of '69 in Frederick, Md.--A stir--Joshua Woodlin resigns--A. L. Stanford elected--Philadelphia Conference '69--Ex-President Roberts--Minister Bassett--New York Conference of '69 in Albany--M. F. Sluby couldn't stand it--A. M. E. Church in parts of Maryland--Wilberforce commenced--Rev. J. H. A. Johnson in Eastern Virginia . . . . . 165
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Mount Pisgah, Washington, D. C., dedicated--J. R. V. Thomas in Cambridge, Md.--In West Virginia--Union Bethel, Baltimore, dedicated--St. John Chapel, Norfolk Va., re-dedicated-- East Washington City mission, dedicated--North Carolina Conference . . . . . 169
CHAPTER XL.
Visit to the U. S. Senate--Hon. H. R. Revels--The Virginia Conference of '70 at Portsmouth--Doings--Fifteenth Amendment--Sermon by Bishop Payne--Baltimore Conference of '70 at Hagerstown--Doings--John A. Warren in Baltimore--His death--Dr. Revels--Philadelphia Conference of '70 at Trenton, N. J.--Rev. C. Woodyard returns--Fifteenth Amendment Celebrated in Baltimore--New York Conference of '70 in Brooklyn--In Virginia--At Wilberforce . . . . . 173
CHAPTER XLI.
Dr. Revels reached Baltimore--First National Camp-meeting-- North Carolina Conference of '70 at Newbern--G. W. Brodie --In the West--Baltimore Conference of '71 at Easton--Annual sermon by John F. Lane--Doings--Philadelphia Conference of '71--Death of Wm. Moore Death of Rev. W. H. G. Brown of Baltimore--Rev. A. L. Stanford--A. M. E. Church
Page xix
in Prince George, Md.--Death of the writer's mother--"Then began loads"--Virginia Conference of '72--Baltimore Conference of '72--Off for General Conference at Nashville--Doings --W. H. Hunter elected Business Manager--B. T. Tanner made Editor by acclamation--J. H. W. Burley Financial Secretary--W. J. Gaines, Temporary Secretary . . . . . 179
CHAPTER XLII.
Episcopal Districts--Off for California--Return--St. Paul's Chapel in St. Louis dedicated--On the go--Indiana Conference of '72--At Evansville--"The Little Giant"--The Missouri Conference--Smoking--Places visited--Death of Bishop Quinn . . . . . 187
CHAPTER XLIII.
The Virginia Conference--York (Pa.) Church dedicated--Off to Conference--At Salt Lake--Denver City--Church at St. Joseph (Mo.) dedicated--Church at St. Charles (Mo.) dedicated--Also Church at Muncietown, Ind.--Remarkable tour . . . . . 191
CHAPTER XLIV.
Missouri Conference of '73--Off for Indiana--Evangelical Alliance New York--Tour through the West--Funeral sermon of Rev. Henry Davis--Down to Denton in company with Bishop Campbell--Memorial sermon on Hon. Charles Sumner--Off for California Conference, '74--Sacramento City--Return--Dedication at Jacksonville, Ill.--Indiana Conference, '74--Terre Haute--Missouri Conference, '74, Kansas City--Homeward to Baltimore--Unveiling of Lincoln monument at Springfield, Ill.--Reopening of Sullivan St. Church, New York--Homeward via. Detroit, Iowa, Missouri--Visits to Virginia and New Jersey and Baltimore Conferences--Visit to the Governor of Maryland --Off for California--California Conference of '75--Oakland-- Return to the East--Indiana Conference, '75, Detroit--Death and burial of Bishop Nazrey--Return to Detroit--Illinois Conference, '75--Sparta--Visits on the way to Missouri Conference --Missouri Conference, '75--Glasgow--Visits to the M. E. Annual Conference at Quincy--Return to Baltimore--A visit to the B. M. E. General Conference Canada--Election of Bishop Disney--Homeward, through my work . . . . . 195
Page xx
CHAPTER XLV.
Tour through the West--Visit to the Ohio Conference--Xenia-- Meeting of the Delegates to the General Conference at Baltimore--General Conference, '76, Atlanta--The General Conference of '76 at Round Lake Camp-meeting--At work in his district--Dedicated the Church at Washington, Penn. . . . . 209
CHAPTER XLVI.
Kentucky Conference--R G. Mortimor returns--An interesting Conference--The great Church Builder--Rev. N. Mitchem-- "The minister seemed to mount"--Tennessee Conference at Pulaski, 21 Sept., 1876--Rev. J. W. Early--Rev. L. N. Merry --A request made--In Memphis--Rev. George H. Jackson from the P. E. Church--In Ohio--At a death-bed--The Presidential election--Church at Delphos--New Church at Zanesville --A summons--With Bishop Brown at Frederick, Md.--In Philadelphia with his brother--R. F. Wayman--Funeral of a grandson of Bishop Allen--Annual Conference of the U. B.--In Bethel, New York--"Give me your hand"--In New England --W. J. Laws--W. H. Hunter and the revival--The late J. H. Madison--The mother of John S. Rock, Esq.--Down the Ohio river--The late Joseph H. Nelson--At Wilberforce--"A son of Francis Wayman?"--Two hundred questions--Rev. R. A. Johnson--The Pittsburg Conference--Death of Father Henry--His funeral--Great temperance meeting--Mrs. F. W. Harper--Philadelphia Conference "Thinned the ranks"--Tour through middle Tennessee--Rev M. R. Johnston--Rev. G. H. Shaffer--In Kentucky--At Wilberforce Commencement--At Tuckahoe, Md. . . . . 212
CHAPTER XLVII.
In Baltimore--Corner-stone at Canton, Baltimore--Emory Grove --Rev. C. H. Fowler--Rev. Dr. G. T. Watkins--Ohio Conference at Urbana--J. B. Hamilton transferred--"Bright stars" --Kentucky Conference--Tennessee Conference--"St. Paul " dedicated--The Modus Operandi--West Tennessee Conference --B. L. Brooks--The "Mountain Angel"--The Pittsburg Conference--Short Year--At Trenton--Dr. Stevenson--The Missionary Board--"Tin wedding" of Dr. Dickerson--At Annapolis--Called on the Governor--Commenced his "Manual"
Page xxi
--Henry Braddicks the sweet singer--His death--Tour through the West--Baltimore Conference of '78--Camp-meetings attended--The two sermons--In Tennessee--C. O. H. Thomas-- In the South--Rev. D. W. Moore--Not afraid to die--The Pittsburg Conference at Salem, Ohio--President B. F. Lee--In Tennessee--The yellow fever . . . . . 228
CHAPTER XLVIII.
In the sick Chamber--Visit the Baltimore Conference of the M. E. Church--Goes to Washington to see President Hayes--At Tuckahoe--St. John (Cleveland) anniversary--The Ingersoll lecture--At Columbus, Ohio--Sees the Governor--Which? --Death of Bishop Ames--Attend the funeral--Dedicates the Washington Church--In St. Louis--Missionary meeting in Detroit--Bishop Dizney present--The Pittsburg Conference-- Sunday school in Bowling Green--Churches dedicated-- Conference held--In Boston--At Old St. George, Philadelphia-- General Conference of 1880--Objections to H. M. Turner-- Conclusion--What hath not God wrought! . . . . . 239

Page 1

MY RECOLLECTIONS.

CHAPTER I.

The first A. M. E. Minister, that I heard of, who visited the Eastern Shore of Maryland, was Rev. Shadrack Bassett. He came over from Baltimore and went to the town of Easton, in Talbot County, and preached under some trees, selecting for his pulpit a cart. He read for his opening hymn,

"Oh! tell me no more of this world's vain store."

And when he came to that verse:

"To dwell I'm determined on that happy ground,"

he pointed in a certain direction. The people thought that he intended to say, there was the place for him to build his Church. And upon that very spot the first A. M. E. Church of that region was built.

From Easton Rev. Shadrack Bassett passed up to Caroline County, and stopped at my father's house. Learning that there was a certain local preacher by

Page 2

the name of Samuel Todd, living in another part of the County, and if he could get him (Todd) to join his Church, he would have a strong man, my father gave him the direction where to find him. Mr. Bassett started, and after walking some miles he reached Todd's house, and inquired for him. His wife suspected what Mr. Bassett wanted with her husband. She reluctantly told him he was out in the field ploughing, and he moved off in that direction. When he drew near to Mr. Todd, he said, "Turn out those oxen;" and by the time he was up to where Mr. Todd was the oxen were unharnessed, and he was ready to go to the house.

Samuel Todd then and there agreed to unite with the African M. E. Church. He subsequently filled Baltimore City station, Washington, D. C., and New York.

When stationed in Baltimore City, on one New Year's Eve, while singing

"My soul would leave this heavy clay,
At that transporting word,"

I heard the late Rev. Robert Collins, of Philadelphia, say he was converted.

In the autumn of 1837 he died in Philadelphia. My father was on a visit to that city at the time, and when he returned home was speaking of being present at the funeral of his old friend and brother, Rev. Samuel Todd. How long Rev. Shadrack Bassett remained in that part of Maryland I have no means of knowing.

Page 3

The next minister that I recollect hearing them speak of was Rev. J. G. Bulaugh. How long he remained there I do not know. The first minister that I recollect seeing was Rev. William Richardson. He was very kind to children, and therefore they all loved him. During his stay he held a camp-meeting at a place called Dick's Old Field. Miss Anna Murray, now Mrs. Frederick Douglass, came and kept house for my mother while she was attending this camp-meeting.

There was one thing about this meeting that was very disagreeable, as I heard those who were there speaking of it. Several attempts were made to kidnap colored men; one man was seized by them, but he cut his way out.

This must have been about 1824 or 1825; for I recollect hearing the old people speaking about persons going to Hayti. There occurred one circumstance that makes me think it was about that date. A white man named George Calahan owned a slave who was called Moses. On account of bad treatment he ran away and went to the free country. After he was gone some time a colored woman went to Philadelphia, and when she returned home, Bamberry Murray, Mrs. Frederick Douglass' father, told Mr. Calahan that this woman was just from Philadelphia, and perhaps she had seen Moses. He made haste and rode up to her house and called to her, and said, "I hear you have been to Philadelphia?" She answered, "Yes, sir." Then she said, "I had a boy by the name of Moses, that went away for no cause

Page 4

Did you see him?" "Yes, sir, I saw him, and he had just gone on board of a ship to go to .Hayti!" "Well," said he, "I will light alongside of him in Hayti before he knows it."

The colored people composed a song about that circumstance, and I have heard them sing it often. It went thus:--

                         "Poor Moses, poor Moses,
                         Sailing on the ocean.
                         Bless the Lord,
                         I am on my way,
                         Farewell to Georgia.
                         Moses is gone to Hayti."

CHAPTER II.

IN 1826 or 1827, Rev. Peter D. W. Schureman, the father of Rev. W. D. W. Schureman, of the Virginia Conference, came to Eastern Shore of Maryland.

It had been announced that he was the greatest orator of any colored man that ever visited that part of Maryland. The people were much excited when they heard of his coming. Great preparations were made for his reception. I recollect hearing the people say, there was one peculiarity about him; and that was, he would not eat corn-bread.

The day before he was expected at our house, I heard my father say to mother, "Brother Schureman will be here to-morrow, and I must go to

Page 5

Nichol's Mill and get some flour" (for it was rather a scarce article in colored people's houses in those days). Early in the morning my father went to the mill, about two miles, and returned with his little sack of flour.

Some time in the afternoon, Rev. P. D. W. Schureman came. I think it must have been in the month of May, for when he came my father was away from the house shearing his sheep. I was there with him. When he returned to the house Mr. Schureman was sitting down smoking his pipe. It was rather a strange sight to me to see a man smoke a pipe, for I had never seen such a thing before in my life. Old ladies used to do it. The minister's horse was properly taken care of for the night. I do not remember anything else occurring of special interest until the next morning.

My father went away to work. Mother got the breakfast, and then invited the minister to take a seat. After standing up and saying grace, in which he used very eloquent language, he sat down. Mother had made some nice Maryland biscuit, out of the flour that father had brought from the mill. After they were seated at the table a younger brother who was called Bennie, went up by the side of mother's chair, as though he desired she would give him a piece of biscuit. She said to him, "Bennie, you had better go away; don't you see this gentleman looking at you?" The little fellow said, "I don't care for him." Then said Mr. Schureman, "Come, sir, none of your impudence."

Page 6

During that summer he appointed a camp-meeting to be held not very far from our house. The fame of Mr. Schureman had gone abroad, and it was said that he was the most eloquent speaker, white or colored, that ever preached in that county.

I heard the crowd was tremendous. When the hour arrived for preaching he read for his text Habakkuk ii. II: "For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it."

A white gentleman by the name of Nimrod Barwick rose up in the congregation and said, "Mr. Schureman, you will please announce your text again." He did so. And from what I heard those say who were there he astonished every person who heard him that day.

I remember that he was at my father's once more. It was in the winter. The white people were going to have prayer-meeting at a house in the neighborhood. Mr. Schureman and my father were getting ready to go. Father said to him, "You had better not go too soon, for they may want to put you to work." His answer, was, "I will keep in the dark, so they shall not see me."

From that part of the State of Maryland he went to Georgetown, Delaware, where he was arrested and put in jail. Rev. Moses Robinson and others went his bail. Bishop Morris Brown went there and took him up to Philadelphia. I never saw him any more until 1845, when I traveled West Chester Circuit, Pa. He came there and preached in the A. M. E. Church.

Page 7

He was then a minister in the Baptist Church. The next and last time I saw him was in the city of New York in 1852. He came in the General Conference to see his son, Rev. W. D. W. Schureman.

CHAPTER III.

THE next minister that came on our Circuit was Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon. I think he came from Baltimore to Easton, for my father went to Easton in his carriage and brought his trunk to our house. On his way home, some one asked him whose trunk that was he had, and my father answered, "It is Rev. N. C. W. Cannon's." They said, "He is rather a dangerous man." Brother Cannon came on the Circuit and commenced work, and was admired by all who heard him. He preached at Denton on Sunday, and was to preach at my father's out in the country during the ensuing week.

After preaching on Sunday night be retired to his stopping-place. There soon was a knock at the door, and when it was opened there was the constable of the town and several others who had come to arrest him. They inquired for Mr. Cannon, who answered, "I am he." They said, "Come and go with us." He got up and dressed, and went with them on their way to the Justice of the Peace. One of them asked him where he was from. His answer was, "I am from that place where the mare folded the fiddler."

Page 8

(This was said in order that he might not commit himself.) The man replied, "That is a strange answer to give." Cannon referred him to what Solomon said, which was, "to answer a fool according to his folly."

On reaching the office of the Justice of the Peace, Rev. Cannon inquired what was the charge against him. One man stated that "a few days ago there were several women and children assassinated at Cambridge, Md. The man who committed the deed was a bright mulatto, and he rode upon a bald-face horse, and that he (Cannon) must be the man." After the man was through with his statement, Cannon said to the Justice, "Look at me, sir; you will see I am no mulatto (for he was a very dark man), and the beast I ride is not a bald-face horse, for it is a mare." The Justice then dismissed him, and he returned to his lodging. But he did not rest well that night.

The next morning he thought it was about time for him to get out of that place (Denton, Md.). He saddled his beautiful animal and mounted her. After riding a few miles he saw before him in the woods several horses hitched to the trees, which made Cannon suspect that the riders were waiting for him. He was overtaken by a white man riding in the same direction. Cannon halted his horse and asked the man "if he saw a red silk handkerchief lying in the road;" his answer was "No." Then said Cannon, "I must go back and look for it." He turned his horse around and rode back.

Page 9

On coming to a swamp he plunged in and took the saddle from his horse. Then taking his saddle-bags for a pillow he laid down to await future events. He let his horse eat grass. After she had gone some distance from him she held up her head and neighed, and then came up to where her master was lying down and smelled him. He patted her on the side of the head and called her by name. She then left him and went to grazing.

Then said he to himself "This is the last of Noah C. W. Cannon, for the neighing of my horse is a sign that something is to befall me." He began to pray that the Lord would send rain to drive his pursuers in the house. Late in the afternoon it began to thunder, and soon the rain commenced to fall. He caught his horse, and putting the saddle on her he mounted; then hoisting his umbrella there he sat until the rain was over, when he would move on.

By this time the sun was down, and it was getting dark; he rode out of the swamp into the road and started on his journey. He had to cross over a mill-dam, where he feared they might meet him. He rode along slowly, and when he came in sight of the house he saw through the windows a large number of men moving around. They knew there was no other way for him but by that mill. A thought struck him to take down the fence, go behind the mill, and cross over the race, which he accordingly did. Just as he was about mounting his beast the dogs heard him and started out. He spoke to his horse, when she jumped into the water and soon bore her rider across.

Page 10

The dogs attempted to follow, but were carried down by the stream.

By the time the sun rose next morning he was at Rev. Moses Robinson's, in Georgetown, Delaware, feeling that the God whom he served had delivered him out of the hands of his enemies.

After Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon was gone, the officers came to my father's house and broke open his (Cannon's) trunk, thinking that as they failed to get him they might find something in it that would throw some light on the movements they supposed were going on among the colored people. They found nothing but some Masonic books and papers, which they could hardly read. They went away satisfied that they had not found as much as they expected. My father sent the trunk to Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon at Philadelphia.

Subsequently Cannon was appointed to the city of Washington, where he was arrested and went before the Justice, and on inquiring what he was going to do with him, the Justice said, "I am going to send you to jail." "What then?" "You will be sold out." Then said Cannon, "A Georgia man will buy me." The justice said, "I can't help that." Then Cannon burst out in a great laugh and said, "God never made a Georgia man that was fool enough to buy me." He sent a note to his lawyer, and he had him soon released. Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon died in Canada, September, 1850. He published a book called the "Rock of Wisdom."

The next minister I heard of was Rev. Jeremiah

Page 11

Miller. He went to Easton, Maryland, and was put in jail. He predicted that if he remained there the Lord would shake the town that day. It is said that a great storm arose that afternoon; the citizens became alarmed; the County Court was in session; the Judge ordered the Sheriff to let him out; it was done, and he left as quickly as Lot left Sodom. Rev. Jeremiah Miller died at Albany, New York, and was brought to Philadelphia and buried.

During these times of trouble Rev. Anthony Campbell, father of Bishop Campbell, was preaching at a place then called Cecil Cross Roads, but now Cecilton, Md., when the church was surrounded by some men who came to take him. He secured a lady's shawl and bonnet, and got out at the back window and walked away.

CHAPTER IV.

AFTER the ministers were driven away, the A. M. E. Church went down in that part of Maryland. Some that belonged to it joined other churches, and others went back to the world. From 1830 to 1868, about thirty-eight years, the A. M. E. Church had no existence in that part of the State of Maryland.

In 1868, at my request, Rev. A. L. Stanford organized the A. M. E. Church in Denton, Caroline county, Maryland, and it is now the leading Church among the colored people in the county.

Page 12

On the 19th day of March, 1837, I united with the M. E. Church, and remained in it until May 1st, 1840, when I left home for Baltimore city. It was a beautiful May morning. The birds were singing very sweetly, and nature appeared to rejoice at the return of another spring. I felt rather sad, for it was the first time in my life that I had ever left home to stay any length of time. When the time came for morning prayer, my father knelt down and gave out the hymn, commencing

"Once more before we part,
We'll bless the Saviour's name,"

and then offered prayer, in which he asked the Lord to go with his son that was about leaving home.

After breakfast my mother packed up what few pieces of clothing I had, and then I bade adieu to home, singing as I went through the woods and across the fields. Many were the tears I shed that day as friends and home were left behind. I went past the little log-house where I was born; but before reaching there I called to say farewell to an aged mother in Zion by the name of Murray. She knew my object for leaving home, and she gave me words of cheer. I reached the place of my birth; my oldest sister was living there, and was very ill; she died before I reached the end of that day's journey.

Late in the afternoon of that day I reached Easton, where I expected to rest that night; but meeting a gentleman, whose father-in-law I once lived with, I was invited to go a mile in the country and spend the

Page 13

night. Next morning I started for the steamboat "Maryland," that ran from Easton to Baltimore; but just as I got within a few feet of the wharf the steamer moved off. That taught me an important lesson, which I have never forgotten, and that is, always be in time.

Being disappointed, I returned to Easton and spent the day with some acquaintances. Late in the afternoon I walked two miles to another ferry, and spent the night with Rev. Thomas M. Cole, now a member of the Baltimore Conference. Sunday morning I took the packet for Baltimore, and reached there a little after sundown. I was anxious to go to church that night, for I had learned there was a Conference to commence in the city on Monday morning, and I wanted to see some of the A. M. E. Church ministers. As no one offered to accompany me I had to remain on board of the packet all night.

Monday morning, May 2, 1840, was a great day in Baltimore. The Whig Convention that nominated Gen. Harrison for the Presidency met that day. They had log-cabins and barrels of hard cider; the procession was very large, attracting a great deal of attention; but I wanted to see the ministers of the General Conference of the A. M. E. Church. I waited patiently until night, and then went to Union Bethel Church and heard Rev. G. W. Johnson, then from the West, preach. In order that the reader may know how much I was interested in the preaching of that week, I shall give the names of the ministers that preached and their texts. Monday night, Rev. G. W. Johnson; text, "The wages of sin is death,"

Page 14

Romans vi. 23. Tuesday night, Rev. Samuel Edwards, of New York; text, "Keep yourself in the love of God," Jude 21. Wednesday night, Rev. E. N. Hall, New York; text, "As you go preach," Matt. x. 7. Thursday night, Rev. J. G. Bulaugh; text, "Prepare you victuals, for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan," Joshua i. II. Friday night, Rev. Thos. W. Henry; text, "Ephraim, he has mixed himself among the people," Hosea vii. 8. This ended the first week in Baltimore.

I thought those were the greatest men I had ever seen. When Sunday arrived a new force was expected; and there came a large number of ministers. Rev. D. F. Davis from the West was the preacher; his text was, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," John i. 14.

It was Communion that morning, and it was administered by Bishop Morris Brown. It was the first time in my life that I ever took the Sacrament from the hands of A. M. E. Church ministers. The impression made on my mind was lasting.

Afternoon Rev. Richard Robinson preached; his text was, "What think ye of Christ?" Matt. xxii. 42. At night I visited Old Bethel. It was not quite dark when I went in, and when the time came to light up the church, there was one thing that attracted my attention, and that was the sexton appeared to be lighting iron rods, for I saw no lamps. I learned afterward that it was gas. Rev. N. C. W. Cannon preached; his text was, "Behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven," Malachi iv. 1.

Page 15

The General Conference met on Monday, May 2, 1840, as I learned from reading the minutes. Revs. George Hogarth, of Brooklyn, and David Ware, of Philadelphia, were the Secretaries. They were both local preachers. This Conference ordered the publication of a monthly magazine, which was published by Rev. George Hogarth. The General Conference of the M. E. Church met in Baltimore at the same time, but there were no delegates appointed to bear fraternal greeting then, as in these days. I heard Rev. M. J. Wilkerson preach at this Conference.

I understood that before the General Conference adjourned Rev. Richard Robinson was appointed to Bethel Church, Baltimore, and Rev. Wm. Moore to Israel Church, Washington, D. C. This may be considered rather strange for ministers to be appointed from a General Conference to stations.

I spent a few weeks in Baltimore, and then left for Philadelphia to see another Conference, and when I reached there went to old Bethel Church and heard Rev. Edmund Crosby preach; his text was, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the rightous are bold as a lion."

When the Conference adjourned the Rev. Richard Williams was appointed to Bethel Church, Philadelphia.

In June, 1840, I joined Bethel Church, and was assigned to Levin Tillman's class; and October 16, 1840, I was licensed to exhort by Rev. Richard Williams.

April, 1841, the Philadelphia Conference met, for

Page 16

the last time in old Bethel Church, as it was soon to be torn down, and therefore Conference met a month sooner. When the builder commenced tearing down the old church the walls fell, and several persons were killed. The foundation was soon dug out, and the corner-stone was laid; there was a great congregation present. Rev. Joseph Cox preached the sermon. Rev. Wm. Douglass of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Rev. Andrew Harris of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Perry Tillman of the M. E. Church, and Rev. D. A. Payne, now Bishop Payne, were present and took part in the exercises.

Bishop Morris Brown was detained from the New York Conference several days, waiting for the corner-stone laying in Philadelphia. Rev. John Boggs presided at the Conference until Bishop Brown arrived.

In June, 1841, I went to live with a Quaker family in the city of Philadelphia, and was very much assisted by the old gentleman when he found out that I was trying to improve in a literary direction. I had a great desire to write compositions. At night I would sit and write over several sheets of paper, leaving my manuscript on the table, not supposing any one would see it. The old gentleman had been a little indisposed one day, and leaving his room to look out into the lot (for we were then at his country seat), he had to pass through my room. The large manuscript attracted his attention, and he took it up and began to read it. He sent the waiting-girl to the stable for me, and when I went up into the room he said, "Alexander, I was passing through thy room, and seeing thy writing

Page 17

I thought it was no harm to read it. Now if thee will sit down I will give thee a lesson." He then read over my great manuscript, and marked the misspelled words and the grammatical errors; and there were a great many of those.

In the autumn of 1841 the basement of Bethel Church was ready for worship. Rev. Richard Williams preached the opening sermon in the morning, Rev. Joseph Cox preached in the afternoon, and Rev. Jeremiah Durham at night. It was a grand day. On December 25th (Christmas day) the new Bethel Church was dedicated; Rev. -- -- preached the sermon. The next Sunday after the dedication was a great day. Bishop Morris Brown preached in the morning, Rev. Richard Williams afternoon, and at night Rev. D. A. Payne.

Among the ministerial recruits this year in Bethel Church were Rev. Stephen Smith, from Columbia, Pa., and Rev. D. A. Payne. New Bethel Church became the centre of attraction. White and colored flocked there.

CHAPTER V.

IN the early part of 1842 there was organized in Bethel Church, Philadelphia, a Theological Society for the improvement of the local ministry. It awakened in the hearts of a good many of the local preachers a desire to improve.

In April, 1842, I took leave of my good old Quaker

Page 18

benefactor, and thought I would visit Baltimore city, and then go to Washington, D. C., to attend the Baltimore Annual Conference. I spent one Sunday in Baltimore, and then on Monday morning left for Washington, in company with Revs. W. H. Waters, Henry Brightman, and William Gaines. I was treated as kindly as if I had been a regular minister the whole time I was in Washington, D. C.

Bishops Morris Brown and Edward Waters were present. Elders: Richard Robinson, Wm. Moore, Thomas W. Henry, Levin Lee, Jeffrey Goulding, Clayton Durham, and S. Peters. Deacons: Willis Nazrey, Adam Herless and John L. Armstrong.

When they came to examine the characters of the members they retired. Rev. Clayton Durham had been appointed to Long Island, New York, but did not go, therefore he expected that some one would complain against him; and he said to some of the ministers as he was coming out, "Go in and help me, for that Brother is there who came from where people eat one another." He referred to Richard Robinson, who had been to Hayti.

There was but one ordination at this conference, and that was Henry Brightman; and one admitted on trial, and that was W. H. Waters.

There were only a few appointments made at this Conference. The Bishop said he could make no more until he got to Philadelphia.

After the Conference adjourned the Bishop and the ministers came to Baltimore, and spent a week, having preaching every afternoon and night.

Page 19

Then we left for Philadelphia. Some went by the cars, while Revs. Levin Lee and Willis Nazrey rode on horseback. The new Church in the city of Philadelphia brought a large number of laymen and preachers to see it, as well as attend the Conference.

The Conference opened on Saturday morning. There was nothing more done than to make the appointments for Sunday. Rev. Richard Robinson preached at 10 o'clock, A. M. Text: "What think ye of Christ?" Matt. xxii. 42. Rev. H. C. Turner preached at 3 o'clock, P. M. Text: "Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel," Amos iv. 12, and Rev. William Moore preached at night. Text: "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," Matt. xi. 30.

There was one amusing incident occurred at this Conference. Rev. J. Goulding preached one afternoon. Rev. J. P. Campbell was called to give an exhortation, in which he said that religion did not consist in feeling. Next morning, after the reading of the journal, Rev. Richard Robinson rose and said that he had vowed to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word. He then referred to the remarks made by Brother Campbell the day previous. After some considerable discussion it was agreed that he, Campbell, should have an appointment and explain what he had said previously.

Subsequently Bishop Brown gave him an appointment, at which time he delivered an eloquent sermon, and then explained what he had said a few days before. Next morning Rev. N. C. W. Cannon offered

Page 20

a resolution that the explanation given by Rev. J. P. Campbell be regarded as satisfactory. Some objection was raised to the resolution, simply because there was nothing in the action of the Conference requiring him to give satisfaction, but to explain. There the whole matter ended.

At this Conference Rev. D. A. Payne was admitted a local member of the Annual Conference. There were two deacons ordained, viz.: George Greenly and Thomas W. Jackson. A. S. Driver was admitted on trial and appointed to Columbia Circuit.

When this Conference adjourned, I was assigned by Bishop Morris Brown to Princeton, N. J., as an assistant to Rev. Henry C. Turner. I accordingly left Philadelphia, and went to New York, and spent a day or two there, and then went to New Jersey. There I met my Elder. He took me around and introduced me to the people.

The arrangements were, that I was to teach a little school in New Brunswick for three months, and then to take a part of his circuit. I gathered up a few children and went to work. At the end of the three months I was given a part of the work. Rev. H. C. Turner was a very hard student, and a laborious circuit rider. He would often preach every night in the week. One night he was preaching at a place called "The Mountain," a few miles from Princeton, New Jersey, from the text, "Escape for thy Life;" Gen. xix. 17, and while describing the dangerous condition of the wicked, a white man became so alarmed that he jumped out of the back window,

Page 21

which was several feet high; and what was remarkable he never injured himself in the least.

At the close of this Conference year, I was recommended by the quarterly Conference of Princeton, N. J., to the Philadelphia Conference.

CHAPTER VI.

MAY, 1843, the Philadelphia Conference met in Philadelphia. Bishop Waters not being present, Rev. J. G. Bulaugh was chosen to assist Bishop Brown. At this Conference I was received on trial, and Rev. Willis Nazrey was elected and ordained an Elder. At a later stage of the Conference Rev. D. A. Payne was admitted into the Conference. This being the Annual Conference previous to the General Conference, the local delegates were elected; and as Philadelphia city had more local preachers than any other charge, the most of them were elected therefrom. They consisted of Rev. Joseph Cox, Shadrach Bassett, D. Ware, Jeremiah Durham, Stephen Smith, Robert Collins. Rev. Joseph Cox died before the General Conference met.

When this Conference closed, Rev. H. C. Turner was transferred to the Baltimore Conference, and stationed at Bethel Church; Rev. D. A. Payne to the same Conference, and stationed at Washington, D. C., and I was appointed to West Chester, Pa., as the colleague of Rev. Israel Scott. I found him a father in the Gospel.

Page 22

Rev. H. C. Turner sold me his horse and sulky, and with this outfit I left Philadelphia for my new field of labor. Our Circuit commenced at West Philadelphia and ended at Pottsville. We had a pleasant Conference year; and as my Elder was a great man for camp-meeting, it was agreed to hold one at Chichester, Delaware county, Pa. It was a very large camp-meeting, and people came from Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. There were only a few itinerant ministers present, and four sermons were delivered. On Sunday, at 8 o'clock, Levin Tillman preached; text, "Bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh," Genesis ii. 23. At 10 o'clock Alexander Davis preached; text, "Behold how he loved him," John xi. 36. At night A. S. Driver preached; text, "And to reserve the unjust until the day of judgment to be punished," 2 Peter ii. 9. This camp-meeting was considered a grand success. There were a good many who professed to find peace with God.

During this year Bethel Church in Philadelphia sustained a great loss in the death of Rev. Joseph Cox, a local Elder. He was in my judgment one of the most intelligent local preachers I ever listened to. His funeral took place from Bethel Church in Philadelphia, and was attended by a large congregation. Revs. Stephen Smith, Walter Procter, and others attended the services. Bishop Brown was away at the time attending the Western Conference.

This year there was a great deal of excitement throughout the country on account of the doctrine of the Millerites; many people made their robes and went out to meet the Lord.

Page 23

April, 1844, the delegates from New York met those of Philadelphia in the latter city to start to General Conference, which was to meet in Pittsburg, Pa. Rev. Albert Barnes delivered a lecture in Bethel Church the night before the delegates left. His subject was "The Bible."

A large crowd of people went up to Market and Eleventh Streets to see them leave. They went in the cars to Harrisburg, and there took the canal boat to Johnstown and Pittsburg.

On the first Monday in May the General Conference assembled. Revs. M. M. Clark, George Hogarth, and David Ware were elected Secretaries. At this Conference a course of studies was prepared for candidates for the ministry. Rev. Wm. Paul Quinn was elected Bishop; Rev. Geo. Hogarth was elected General Book Steward, and Rev. M. M. Clark, traveling Agent.

The first part of June, 1844, my mother visited Philadelphia, and I concluded to go home with her and visit the scenes of my childhood. We took the steamboat at Philadelphia and went down the Delaware river until we reached Smyrna creek, then up that creek to Short's Landing, and there took the stage for Smyrna, Delaware. When we arrived at that place father met us, and after riding all night I reached home about sunrise on Sunday morning.

I saw that four years had made some few changes. My little brothers and sisters had grown larger, while grandmother had grown older. It was quite an unexpected visit, for no one was looking for me. After

Page 24

resting a while I concluded to visit the members of the old class, at the little school-house, which seven years previously I had joined. Some had died, while others had been sold South. The good, old Christian gentleman, James B. Hicks, the leader, was still at his post, leading on his little class.

I spent the week visiting my relatives and friends. On the next Sunday nearly the whole of our people came out to hear the young Eastern Shore man. I addressed them from Deut. vii. 12, "Then beware lest thou forget the Lord," etc. The next week I returned to Philadelphia to meet the Conference. This year Rev. Richard Williams died.

The Conference met in Bethel Church. Bishops Brown and Quinn were present. Rev. John L. Armstrong was transferred from the Baltimore to the Philadelphia Conference, and Rev. Henry Davis was admitted on trial. There were no ordinations this Conference. On the second Sunday of the Conference Rev. Clayton Durham preached a funeral discourse on the death of Rev. Joseph Cox, taking for his text, "Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him." Isa. iii. 10. On the afternoon of the same day a funeral discourse was delivered on the death of Rev. Richard Williams by Rev. R. Robinson.

When the appointments were announced I was reappointed to West Chester Circuit, having for my Elder Rev. Clayton Durham. This year political excitement ran high. It was Polk and Dallas in the morning, and Clay and Frelinghuysen at night.

This summer Bishop Morris Brown was paralyzed

Page 25

while attending the Conference in Canada, and was brought home to Philadelphia by Rev. N. C. W. Cannon. Rev. Samson Peters was granted a superannuate relation, and he died before the next Conference closed.

CHAPTER VII.

APRIL, 1845, I visited the Baltimore Annual Conference, which met in old Bethel Church, Baltimore city. Bishops Brown and Quinn were present. Rev. Levin Lee was the Secretary. I arrived there on Monday afternoon, just about the closing of the service. At night Rev. John Boggs preached; his text was, "And Joseph opened all the store-houses," Genesis xli. 56. The Conference was well attended. Rev. M. M. Clark paid his first visit to Baltimore. He did not preach during his stay, having received a severe wound from the kick of his horse. The first missionary meeting I ever attended was held during the session of this Conference. Bishop Quinn presided, and speeches were made by Revs. D. A. Payne, H. C. Turner, and J. Goulding.

This Conference ordered the calling of an Educational Convention to meet in Philadelphia in October, 1845. When the appointments were read, H. C. Turner was appointed to Israel Church, Washington, D. C., and Rev. D. A. Payne to Baltimore city.

After Conference adjourned I returned to Philadelphia

Page 26

in company with Revs. John Boggs, A. S. Driver and others.

May, 1845, the Philadelphia Conference met in Philadelphia. On the first Sunday morning, at 10 o'clock, Rev. M. M. Clark preached an excellent sermon from the text, "There is one God and one Mediator between God and men." 1 Tim. ii. 5. His sermon was spoken of as being very able. At this Conference I was elected Assistant Secretary, and also admitted into full connection and elected to deacon's orders, after being examined by Revs. N. C. W. Cannon, Levin Lee, and Eli N. Hall. Rev. Henry Davis was examined by the same committee, and elected to deacon's orders.

On the second Sunday morning of the Conference, Rev. Henry Davis and myself were ordained Deacons. Rev. M. M. Clark preached the sermon; text, 1 Tim. iii. 10, "And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless."

The Union Church on Coates Street, Philadelphia, was connected with Bethel Church, being under the same incorporation and the same Board of Trustees. The members petitioned the Conference to send them a separate minister; their request was granted by the Conference. When the appointments were read I was appointed to the Union and Little Wesley Churches. This greatly surprised me.

The Conference did not finally adjourn until next day. The Trustees of Bethel Church held a meeting that night, and next morning presented a request that

Page 27

the Conference would reconsider its action in granting the request of the members of Union Church, and asked the Bishops to change my appointment from there. The Conference refused to reconsider its action, and the Bishops did not change the appointment then. The Conference agreed, on account of Bishop Morris Brown's affliction, to relieve him from the duties of traveling. After Conference adjourned, Bishop Brown told me to go to Wesley Church, and he would see the Trustees of Bethel Church in reference to the matter; but Bishop Quinn told me to go there and take charge.

I went to West Chester and closed up my affairs, and returned to Philadelphia on Saturday to take the appointment on Sunday morning. Several persons inquired of me what I intended to do in the matter. I refused to answer them directly. When Sunday morning came I was on hand. The Trustees of Bethel Church came up to see and hear what I would say and do. I opened the service and then read for my text 1 Peter iv. 16, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."

When I was through with my discourse, the Clerk read a notice requesting all of the official members to meet at Bethel Church on the next Tuesday night. I never said a word about my appointment there, but gave out that there would be communion that afternoon administered by Rev. J. G. Bulaugh. The Trustees went home, and there was nothing more said then.

Page 28

After the close of the sacrament in the afternoon, when the people all appeared to be happy, I told them that I had been appointed there, but the Trustees were opposed to it; then, said I, if the Bishop does not change the appointment I shall stay. Now what say you to it? The people answered, "Stay."

Some persons called on Bishop Brown, and he said he did not send me there. Others called on Bishop Quinn, and he said he did not appoint me there. They were both correct, for Bishop Brown appointed me, while Bishop Quinn sent me there. There the matter rested until Bishop Quinn returned to the city the ensuing week.

The two Bishops met at the Book-store to consider the change. Bishop Quinn would not consent to the change, but said that Bishop Brown might do as he pleased. The appointment was changed, and I was assigned to Little Wesley, and had a pleasant year.

During the summer of this year, my first colleague, Rev. H. C. Turner, came to Philadelphia. I was holding an extra meeting, and he preached for me. His text was, "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found." Isaiah 1v. 6. At the close of his sermon a young man in the congregation cried out, "What must I do to be saved?"

Rev. H. C. Turner returned to Washington, D. C., and the next time I heard of him he was no more. He sent word to his brethren by Rev. A. S. Driver, that he was about to lay aside the Gospel trumpet, to blow it no more. He died in great peace, and was buried from Old Israel Church, Washington, D. C.

Page 29

Rev. M. M. Clark was appointed to succeed Rev. H. C. Turner.

The first of October the great Educational Convention met in Philadelphia. There were delegates from New York, New Jersey, Baltimore city, and Pennsylvania. It was a grand affair. Bishop Brown was the presiding officer, and I the secretary.

By request I used to go twice a week to assist Bishop Morris Brown to walk out to the Book-store and other places he wanted to go. One day he said to me he would like me to go to Washington next spring to the Conference, saying at the same time that he wanted a lively man for Union Bethel Church.

CHAPTER VIII.

APRIL, 1846. By special request I accompanied Bishop Morris Brown to the City of Washington, D. C., and as he was paralyzed, he was dependent on me for assistance to enable him to walk. We were accompanied by Revs. Jacob Matthews and John M. Brown. We reached Baltimore in the night, and found comfortable quarters, where we rested until morning.

Rev. D. A. Payne went with us next morning to the Washington Depot. After getting some gentleman to give bonds for us (such being required of free colored persons departing this city), we entered the train and moved on to Washington, D. C.

Page 30

On Saturday morning the Conference met. Bishops Morris Brown, Edward Waters and Wm. Paul Quinn were present. Revs. M. M. Clark and Levin Lee were elected Secretaries. James A. Shorter and John H. Thomas were admitted on trial. A. S. Driver, James Evans, and W. H. Waters were elected Elders.

Revs. H. C. Turner and William Gaines died during the Conference year. Rev. D. A. Payne preached a funeral discourse on the life and death of H. C. Turner. Text, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Num. xxiii. 10.

The impression made on my mind by Bishop Morris Brown was that he wanted me to go to Union Bethel Church, as the successor of Rev. A. S. Driver. But I learned that the older members of the Church thought I was entirely too young a man for that charge, and therefore an older man was appointed. After Conference adjourned, most of the members came to Baltimore City, and spent several days.

I returned to Philadelphia to get ready for the approaching Conference, which met in Philadelphia, May, 1846. Bishops Brown, Waters and Quinn were present. Rev. D. Ware and myself were the Secretaries. Revs. A. Massey and George Greenly were elected and ordained Elders. A. C. Crippin and H. J. Young were admitted into the traveling connection, and Dr. J.J. Gould Bias as a local member. When the appointments were read out I was assigned to Salem Circuit, New Jersey. A. C. Crippin was appointed my colleague.

I soon bade farewell to my former church, and

Page 31

started for the sands of New Jersey. The first place I reached was Woodbury. Stopped at the house of Rev. Henry Dickerson, the father of the present Bishop Dickerson. From there I went to Dutchtown, Bushtown, Salem, Springtown, Gouldtown, Bridgeton, Millville, Port Elizabeth, Eggharbor and Sea Shore, and then returned to Philadelphia for my colleague, A. C. Crippin; we then commenced our year's work.

Rev. Willis Nazrey was this year appointed to Bethel Church, Philadelphia. Then and there the great trouble commenced about the incorporation and the Discipline, which finally was settled by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in favor of the Discipline.

My stay on Salem Circuit was very pleasant, for there I met many warm-hearted Christian friends; some of them from Maryland, who had sought shelter among the pines of New Jersey. Among the many I may name Daniel Coker, a brother of the Daniel Coker who was a leading man in the organization of the A. M. E. Church. The Coker of whom I am now speaking, was known as Philip Wright, when he was a slave in Maryland. But when he reached New Jersey he changed his name and called himself Daniel Coker, after his brother Daniel. This father in Israel was one among the first pioneers of the A. M. E. Church on the Eastern Shore.

In the autumn of 1846 I was attending a quarterly meeting at Gouldtown, New Jersey. On Sunday morning I addressed a large congregation from the

Page 32

text, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark." Gen. vii. 1.

After closing my sermon I came into the altar and said, There is a deluge gathering, the Ark is prepared, who will be the first to come in this morning? I waited a moment or two, and there came a little flaxen-headed boy up the aisle, and said he desired to come in. I laid my hands upon his head and said, God bless this little boy. That little boy is now Rev. Theodore Gould, the very efficient Business Manager of the Publication Department of the A. M. E. Church. Rev. J. V. Pearce came in the same morning.

April, 1847. I visited Baltimore Conference, which met in Bethel Church, Baltimore City. Bishop Quinn was the only Bishop present. Bishop Brown was too feeble to leave his home in Philadelphia, and Bishop Waters had been severely injured by being run over by a carriage driven by some reckless young men.

He had been to his appointment on Sunday, and was returning late in the afternoon, and as he was walking along apparently meditating, those young men were racing, and either accidentally or intentionally ran against him. He was prostrated to the ground. How he reached his home I do not know.

There was a committee appointed by the Conference to go and see him, and inquire after the state of his health, and to ascertain whether he would be able to take an appointment the ensuing year; although a

Page 33

Bishop, he received his appointments every Conference, just as any other traveling preacher.

The committee reported through their chairman, Rev. Thomas W. Henry, that the old hero's work was almost done on earth, but that he enjoyed a brilliant hope of immortality beyond the grave. The Conference had not adjourned many days before the sad news reached them that Bishop Waters was no more. His funeral took place from old Bethel Church in Baltimore. His funeral sermon was preached by his long and tried friend, Rev. Nathaniel Peck.

At this session of the Baltimore Conference, Rev. J. M. Moore and his Church united with the Conference. After several days of excited discussion, led on by Rev. Darius Stokes on the one side, and Dr. Bias, of Philadelphia, on the other, the Conference finally accepted Rev. J. M. Moore and his Church. He had formerly belonged to the Zion Connection. Rev. Levin Lee was appointed at the close of the Conference to Zion Chapel, South Howard street. Rev. D. A. Payne was returned to Bethel Church, Baltimore, and Rev. W. H. Jones to Ebenezer Church.

After the adjournment of this Conference I returned to Philadelphia, and then to Salem, N. J., to wind up for Conference, which was to meet in Philadelphia, May, 1847. At this Conference Bishop Quinn presided, and I was elected the Secretary, with Rev. David Ware assistant.

Rev. Henry Davis and I were elected and ordained

Page 34

Elders. Rev. N. C. W. Cannon preached the sermon. Text, "Endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ." 2 Tim. vi. 3. The delegates to the General Conference for 1848, were elected at this annual Conference.

A committee had been appointed by the Baltimore Conference to prepare an Episcopal Seal; and a similar one had been appointed by the Philadelphia Conference to get a gold-headed Episcopal staff to present to Bishop Quinn, with the understanding that the staff was to be handed down to his successor in office. The day appointed for the presentation was the time when a funeral sermon was preached on the death of Bishop Waters, by Rev. Levin Lee of Baltimore, in which I recollect that he gave one or two Latin and Greek words. He said Deus and Theus. It was an able sermon, just such as he could deliver. After which Rev. D. A. Payne presented the gold seal to Bishop Quinn, making an eloquent speech. Then Dr. Bias presented the gold-headed cane. This was a grand effort. Rev. D. Stokes of Baltimore was requested to respond to the speeches of Drs. Payne and Bias, and his speech was an able one. He referred to the time of the organization of the Connection, when the waters of the Delaware met those of the Chesapeake, and when the foundation of the Connection was laid. Then he said those waters meet again to-day. While Philadelphia presented a gold-headed staff to the Bishop, Baltimore presented a gold-seal. To me it was a grand day. Dr. Bias and D. Stokes are both gone to their reward.

Page 35

My appointment this year was to the city of Trenton, the capital of New Jersey. After spending a few days in my station I visited New York Conference, where I had not been for some time. Bishop Quinn presided; Rev. George Hogarth and E. C. Africanus were the Secretaries. The Conference elected their local delegates to the ensuing General Conference. There were several ministers ordained elders, and deacons. The Elders were Levin Tillman and E. C. Africanus, and Deacon T. M. D. Ward. The cornerstone of the new church was laid at Weeksville during this Conference. Rev. Jacob Matthews preached the sermon.

CHAPTER IX.

IN 1848, Rev. M. M. Clark returned from England, where he went to attend the Evangelical Alliance. Rev. D. A. Payne started to go also, but something happened to the ship and he returned. In April I visited the Baltimore Annual Conference, which met in Israel Church, Washington, D. C. At this Conference Rev. Thomas W. Henry preached the funeral sermon of Bishop Waters; text, "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost." Acts vi. 5. Rev.W.A. Cornish, an able superannuated minister, died during the Conference year. Rev. A. S. Driver delivered the funeral discourse. The Conference was visited by Revs. A. R. Green and John M. Brown on their way from the West to the General Conference. James A. Shorter and John F. Thomas were ordained deacons.

Page 36

W. D. W. Schureman and J. J. Herbert were admitted on trial. Rev. Wm. Moore was appointed to Israel Church, Washington, D. C., and I was read out for the Union Bethel Church, Washington, D. C., and D. A. Payne to Baltimore.

After the Conference adjourned in Washington we came to Baltimore to see the new Bethel Church that was about finished, and then went to meet the General Conference in Philadelphia.

On the first Monday in May, 1848, the General Conference met in Philadelphia. There was a large number of ministers. The West was strongly represented by such men as W. R. Revels, Byrd Parker, A. R. Green, Baker Brown, A. McIntosh and others. Revs. M. M. Clark, A. W. Wayman, and E. D. Davis were elected Secretaries. Revs. R. Robinson and L. Lee were elected Assistants to the Bishop. Bishop Quinn presented for the first time a written Quadrennial Address, which was read by one of the Secretaries, and each recommendation referred to the appropriate committee.

The introduction of a resolution recommending the creation of the office of Presiding Elder produced a great deal of discussion. The friends of the measure were D. A. Payne, Dr. Bias, D. Stokes, J. M. Moore, A. S. Driver, W. Nazrey, and others. Those who opposed it were Richard Robinson, W. Moore, A. R. Green, and W. R. Revels. The motion was finally voted down. I heard a Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church say the ablest speech he ever heard delivered on any Conference floor was by Rev. Darius Stokes on

Page 37

that occasion. The General Conference ordered the publication of a weekly paper called the "Christian Herald." The Book Concern was removed from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Pittsburg, Pa., and Rev. A. R. Green was appointed Editor and General Book Steward.

The subject of the election of another Bishop was presented to the Conference, and the time was set to go into an election on Thursday at 11 o'clock. On Tuesday morning the death of Rev. John Boggs, one of the members of the General Conference, was announced. The Conference agreed to adjourn from Tuesday to Thursday. The funeral of Rev. John Boggs took place on Thursday afternoon from Bethel Church in Philadelphia. The sermon was preached by Rev. N. C. W. Cannon; text, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest," Exodus xxxiii. 14.

The question was discussed among a few of the delegates how the election of another Bishop could be prevented. A local delegate of Philadelphia, who professed to be a great parliamentarian, said there was one way by which the election could be defeated, and that was to meet early the next morning and pass a resolution to indefinitely postpone the election. He stated at the same time that Mr. Cushing said a matter indefinitely postponed could not be brought up any more that session. As good a parliamentarian as he was he made this mistake, for when a body agrees to do a thing at a certain time and place, that motion must be reconsidered first, and then the original motion

Page 38

may be indefinitely postponed. That was not so in this case. However, the Conference so understood it, and there was no more of it. Rev. D. A. Payne was appointed to write the history of the Church.

The Conference adjourned, and from Philadelphia a good many Eastern men were called to Trenton; and as I was still the pastor of that charge, it was my duty to get there as soon as possible and make ready for the Conference.

The number was large; yet every brother was well cared for. R. Barney, J. R. V. Morgan, John H. Henson, and A. Till were admitted on trial. A. C. Crippin, T. C. Oliver, W. T. Catto, and Dr. Bias were ordained deacons. E. E. Ganey was admitted into the Conference and transferred to Ohio Conference, and stationed at Cincinnati. Rev. John Cornish was stationed at Bethel Church, Philadelphia; and W. Nazrey at the Union Church.

Having been transferred to the Baltimore Conference, I bade the brethren of Philadelphia farewell, and left for Washington, D. C. On reaching there the people had almost given me up. The Baltimore Conference adjourned in April, and then the General Conference lasted nearly the month of May, and as the Philadelphia Conference lasted ten days, I did not get to Washington until about July 4th. But I went to work in earnest, and the Lord blessed my labors abundantly. Our increase was about two hundred. Among the number of the recent converts was a young woman who belonged to Hon. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy. Some evil-disposed person

Page 39

reported that Mr. Mason had become displeased because his servant had professed religion, and he was going to the Mayor of the city and have our meeting closed. I confess that at first it made me feel a little uneasy, for in those days in Washington they would do just what they pleased with us.

On the next Sunday morning I received a note from Mr. Mason, saying that he believed his servant was converted, and that I had his permission to take her in Church. I read the note in the Church, and that put the report at rest.

This year Bishop Quinn was stabbed at a camp-meeting and nearly killed.

In the month of October I concluded to go home to Eastern Shore and see my father and mother. Accordingly I left Washington for Baltimore; then took the steamboat for Easton, and reached there about 5 P. M. It was said to be about sixteen miles from Easton to my father's. There was no way to ride, so I took the same road that I traveled eight years before when I first left home, and by ten o'clock I was at father's. Before knocking at the door I went to the barn-yard to look at the cattle and see if I could recognize any of those that were there when I left, when I saw the ox that the boys called "Noble" Then I knocked at the door and said, "Who lives here?" Father answered by saying, "Who is that?" I said,

"Me." Then mother said, "That's Alexander"-- showing a mother never forgets her child. On the following Sunday I was invited to fill the pulpit of the M. E. Church in Denton, the very town from

Page 40

which eighteen years before Rev. N. C. W. Cannon had to run. As I rode along to and from Denton I looked for the old A. M. E. Church, but it was gone.

After spending a few days with my relatives I returned to Washington, D. C., and commenced my work. The winter was exceedingly pleasant.

CHAPTER X.

MARCH 4th, 1849, General Taylor took his seat as President of the United States, and there was a general breaking up. Several of my members that belonged to the cabinet officers of Mr. Polk, left and went home with their owners.

April, 1849, the Baltimore Annual Conference met in Bethel Church. Bishop Quinn presided. The session was rather an exciting one. A local elder and several laymen had seceded from Bethel Church, and had formed a new organization; Rev. A. S. Driver was suspended for one year for disloyalty to the African M. E. Church. He withdrew from the connection before the term of his suspension expired. At this Conference I was removed from Union Bethel Church, Washington, D. C., and appointed to Israel Church in the same city. This was something that had not happened in our Church before that time; a minister going from one church to another in the same city. Rev. W. Moore succeeded me at Union

Page 41

Bethel Church. I went to my new charge resolved to do the best I could in the name of the Lord.

After spending some few weeks at my new post, I went to Baltimore, and from there took the old Union line to Philadelphia, in company with Rev. D. A. Payne and others. When we reached New Castle, Delaware, we received the sad news that Bishop Morris Brown was no more, and when we got to Philadelphia we found it was so. Next day the Philadelphia Conference met, the death of Bishop Brown was announced and a committee was appointed to arrange for his funeral. Rev. D. A. Payne was appointed chairman. At the appointed time the funeral procession left the Bishop's late residence, Bainbridge street, above Eighth, and moved up to Ninth, then up Ninth to Spruce, then down Spruce to Sixth to Bethel Church. The Zion Conference was in session in Philadelphia at that time, and it adjourned to attend the funeral. The casket containing the remains of the Bishop was borne on the bier by a certain number of ministers. Bishops Quinn, Rush and Galbreath, of Zion Church, led the procession. The members of the two Annual Conferences followed, then came the Daughters of Conference. Bishop Quinn preached the sermon from the text, 2 Tim. iv. 7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The remains of Bishop Brown were deposited in a vault in front of Bethel Church, with those of Richard Allen, to await the resurrection morning. When the Philadelphia

Page 42

Conference adjourned I left for Washington, D. C., to resume my work at old Israel Church.

During the summer the country was visited with the cholera, and a great many people died. The President of the United States, General Taylor, issued a proclamation calling upon all Christians to meet on a certain day in all their churches to pray to the Lord to remove the scourge.

All the departments of the government were closed. We had a meeting at Israel Church all day, and the result was a gracious revival commenced, and many were added to the church.

In August of this year I was invited by Rev. D. Stokes, of Baltimore, to deliver a memorial sermon on the death of Bishop Morris Brown at Rider's Grove, nine miles from Baltimore, on the Northern Central Railroad. I accepted the invitation and went. For the sermon see Bishop Payne's Semi-Centenary and Retrospection, page --.

This was rather a pleasant year to me; for old Israel Church did a good part by me, and I tried to do the same by her. We lost several of our old members this year.

CHAPTER XI.

APRIL, 1850, the Baltimore Conference met in Israel Church, Washington, D. C. Bishop Quinn presided. I asked Bishop Quinn to give Rev. Jeffrey Goulding the appointment the first Sunday morning.

Page 43

The good old man said he had been a member of the Conference nearly twenty years, and never had an appointment to open the Conference before. (The sermon preached on the first Sunday morning was then the opening sermon). Rev. Bazil Simms, a local member of the Conference, died this Conference year. E. Chambers and E. T. Williams were admitted on trial; J. A. Shorter and John F. Thomas were elected and ordained elders.

When the Conference closed I was returned to Israel Church, Rev. W. Moore to Union Bethel, W. H. Jones to Bethel, Baltimore, D. A. Payne to Ebenezer. ^*

* D. A. Payne had requested Bishop Quinn to leave him without appointment, in order that he might be able to travel through the connection and gather material for the history, which the General Conference of 1848 had appointed him to write. Bishop Quinn believing that D.A. Payne could be pastor of Ebenezer and travel through the connection at the same time, appointed him to that station. But before D. A. Payne reached Ebenezer, a meeting of its members were called, and he was by them rejected, and, that too, for very frivolous reasons. Three weeks after this Bishop Quinn returned to Baltimore, and urged D. A. Payne to go and take the charge; whereupon D. A. Payne told the Bishop, that while he respected his authority to appoint, he felt in conscience bound not to force himself upon any people who had deliberately and formally rejected his services; therefore, Rev. J. R. V. Morgan was transferred, etc.

D. A. Payne declined to go to Ebenezer, and therefore Rev. J. R. V. Morgan was transferred from the Philadelphia Conference and stationed at Ebenezer.

This year the Philadelphia Conference met in Philadelphia. Rev. John Cornish had just come out of the great battle victorious. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania had decided in favor of the Discipline

Page 44

of the African M. E. Church. The loyal people were so much pleased with the way he (Cornish) had conducted the great battle that they asked for his return the third year. He was acccordingly returned, much to the gratification of the entire Church.

July, 1850. Washington City was one scene of mourning. General Taylor, the President of the United States, died. Every house from the White-house to the Capitol, was hung in mourning. And as the funeral procession moved down Pennsylvania Avenue, behind the hearse was the General's old war horse (Old Whitey, as he was called). He was draped in mourning also. Every man, woman and child appeared sad.

But as the dead are soon forgotten, the President was soon forgotten. After thirty days the city took off her mourning and put on her fashionable garments. This summer the M. E. Churches (colored) of this district held a camp-meeting; Rev. Wm. Moore and I attended, and it was the first time that ever the white ministers of that Church recognized us as ministers. When Brother Moore was about to preach one day, a certain white minister said to him, "Don't be alarmed, for the greatest preacher is the man that does the most good." His text was, "Turn ye to the stronghold ye prisoner of hope," Zech. ix. 12.

When this camp-meeting was over our churches were very much refreshed, and several were added thereto in Washington, D. C.

Page 45

CHAPTER XII.

APRIL, 1851, the Baltimore Annual Conference met in Baltimore City. Bishop Quinn presided. There was a large number of ministers from the Philadelphia Conference, viz.: Stephen Smith, W. T. Catto, Thos. C. Oliver, J. P. B. Eddy and W. Nazrey. The secretary offered a resolution that a funeral sermon be preached on the death of Rev. N. C. W. Cannon. Rev. J. G. Bulaugh was appointed, and preached the sermon. At this Conference Bishop Quinn chose Rev. W. Nazrey as his assistant, and next morning he was conducted to the chair, and installed as the Bishop's assistant. Rev. D. A. Payne was left without an appointment, and went west to gather up material for the history of the Church. Rev. W. H. Jones and W. Moore were stationed in Baltimore. I was removed from Israel Church to Union Bethel, to build a new church. Rev. J. A. Shorter succeeded me at Israel Church. W. D. W. Schureman and John R. V. Morgan were ordained elders, and Charles Sawyer a deacon. A few days after the Conference adjourned, Bishop Quinn, with several other ministers, visited Washington, D. C., and on Sunday morning Rev. John J. Herbert was ordained deacon. On the afternoon of that day the

Page 46

corner-stone for the new Union Bethel Church was laid, after an able discourse delivered by Rev. D. A. Payne, from Isaiah xxviii. 16. "I lay in Zion, for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

Most of the ministers of the Baltimore Annual Conference visited the Philadelphia Conference. It was a very pleasant visit to us. Rev. Henry J. Young was ordained an elder. Bishop Quinn removed Rev. W. Nazrey from Trenton to Philadelphia. At this Annual Conference the local delegates were elected to the ensuing General Conference, which was to meet in New York City.

After the adjournment of the Philadelphia Conference I returned to Washington, D. C., and bent all my energies toward the new church. During the summer the foundation was dug out, and then the walls began to go up. One sister, by the name of Abigail Nugent, was so much delighted that she took a hod of bricks and carried them to the building. This sister went to California, and the last time I was out there I saw her. But since then she has gone to her reward.

The members and friends were so much inspired, that every month I raised a hundred dollars for the new church. I was surrounded by an able set of officers. No grander men could be found in any church. The most of them have gone to sleep in death. The only two that are now living are S. E. Green and John Shorter, of Washington, D. C.

Page 47

In the autumn of this year the trustees sent me away to try and raise some means to help them. I raised twenty dollars in Baltimore, and some in Philadelphia, Trenton and Camden, New Jersey: how much in all I do not know. I think if I had remained at my post more might have been accomplished. When the winter began the work had to cease, for it was a very hard winter indeed.

Rev. Jeffrey Goulding died this year, and his funeral sermon was preached in Israel Church by Rev. W. Moore.

CHAPTER XIII.

APRIL, 1852, the Baltimore Annual Conference met in the Union Bethel Church, Washington, D. C. Rev. John L. Armstrong, formerly of the Baltimore Conference, died this year in Philadelphia.

The Conference in Washington, D. C., was very largely attended. We were disappointed, for we had hoped to have our new church ready. Bishop Quinn presided, assisted by Rev. W. Nazrey. As the General Conference was fast approaching, there was some preparation being made. At the close of the Conference the question arose as to whether Rev. W. H. Jones should be returned to Bethel Church, Baltimore, or not. There was a long petition presented for his return, while there were other influences brought to bear against his return.

A certain lawyer in Baltimore was employed to come

Page 48

to Washington to see Bishop Quinn, and while he and Rev. W. Nazrey were in council, and I was acting as their secretary, this gentleman drove up to the house and inquired for Mr. Quinn. The bishop went down to see him, and after talking awhile together the Bishop called us down to hear what the gentleman had to say. He said a great many fine things, and left. The result was Rev. W. H. Jones was returned to Bethel Church for four months. There were several deacons and elders elected and ordained at this Conference.

I was returned to Union Bethel Church to finish it. I went to work to have it done by the middle of June. Revs. Wm. Moore and John R. V. Morgan were transferred to the Philadelphia Conference. Saturday morning, before the first Monday in May, 1852, all the Baltimore delegates left for Philadelphia, to spend the Sunday there and then go on to New York.

There was one amusing incident occurred. There was a man in Baltimore who was opposed to Rev. W. H. Jones, and he was resolved that Jones should not accompany us to Philadelphia, so he engaged an officer to come down to the boat and arrest him. Jones saw the officer coming, and suspected what was the matter, so he went into a closet and remained until the boat got out in the stream, and then he came out laughing that they could not beat him.

We reached Philadelphia in good season. Sunday morning I was requested by the Pastor to address the congregation of Bethel Church, in the morning at 10 o'clock. I consented, and read for a text, "As

Page 49

the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." Isa. xxxii. 2. It was Sacrament day. While in Philadelphia I formed the acquaintance of Doctor, now Major Delaney. He was on a visit to his old friend, Dr. Bias.

After the close of the afternoon service we left Philadelphia for New York, so as to be there on Monday at the opening of the General Conference. We all reached the end of our journey about 10 o'clock at night, and were assigned to our respective quarters.

Monday morning the delegates began to assemble, and by 9 o'clock more than two-thirds were present. M. M. Clark, A. W. Wayman and E. C. Africanus were elected secretaries, and Revs. John Cornish and Levin Lee were chosen the Bishops' assistants. The committees were appointed. The Quadrennial address of the Bishop was read by me to the Conference, and the several suggestions made therein were referred to the proper committees. Near the close of the morning session Bishop Quinn asked me if there was not something said at the last Conference about having a special sermon preached to this Conference? I said, "Yes." "Well," said he, "Dr. Payne would be a good one to preach it, would he not?" I said, "Certainly." "Then," said he, "put him down for 4 o'clock this afternoon;" and then he said, "Put down Nazrey for to-night." I wrote as I was instructed, and then read out the names of the appointees.

The delegates had already commenced to take up the candidates for the Episcopal office. The most intellectual men had fixed upon D. A. Payne and A.

Page 50

R. Green. The former was recognized as a scholar and an educator, and the latter as an Editor and a legislator. The older men had settled upon W. Nazrey and Richard Robinson, believing them to be good, honest Christian men.

At 4 o'clock there was a large gathering of delegates, as well as the laymen of the Church, to hear the Quadrennial sermon. Rev. D. A. Payne read for his text, "Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Corinthians ii. 16. In his remarks he said, "I wish I was the most ignorant man in this General Conference knowing at the same time what I do." When he closed his sermon some of the young men who believed in educational advancement said, that sermon will elect him Bishop.

I sat in the pew with another candidate, and from what he said to me at the close of the sermon I think he felt that his stock had gone down a little. The delegates heard one of the candidates in the afternoon with a great deal of pleasure, and they were getting ready to hear another one at night. Rev. W. H. Jones, who was taking a very active part in the canvass, went to Rev. W. Nazrey and said, "You must not preach to-night." And he asked, why? Said Jones, "Never mind, I and others are your friends. Don't you preach." Rev. W. Nazrey took his advice and excused himself. The Rev. W. Johnson was substituted in his place.

The day was finally fixed for the election of Bishops. Some of the delegates were almost ceaseless in their efforts to elect certain candidates. The hour arrived

Page 51

for the election. Revs. Stephen Smith, E. N. Hall and John M. Brown were chosen the tellers. The Clerks reported that W. Nazrey and D. A. Payne were elected. The former smiled, while the latter cried.

The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. M. M. Clark. Revs. W. R. Revels and Levin Lee read the lessons. Bishop Quinn and five Elders laid hands on the newly elected Bishops' heads.

The Book Concern was removed from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. The name of the weekly paper was changed from Christian Herald to Christian Recorder. Rev. M. M. Clark was elected the Editor, Rev. W. T. Catto General Book Steward, and Rev. W. H. Jones Traveling Agent. W. T. Catto resigned in two weeks, and took a Circuit; and M. M. Clark in two years, saying in his letter of resignation, that he was going to leave East to go West, to secure a cage in which to place a bird to sing and cheer him in his declining years.

The General Conference adjourned; and the new Bishops went to their Districts and the delegates to their charges. I went home to Washington City to get the new church ready for the dedication, which took place on Sunday, June 7, 1852. Bishop Nazrey preached the dedication sermon. This year was a pleasant one with us in Washington. Rev. W. H. Jones being elected Traveling Agent, Rev. J. R. V. Morgan was sent to Bethel Church, Baltimore.

This year I organized the Ebenezer Church in Georgetown, D. C.

Page 52

CHAPTER XIV.

APRIL, 1853. I finished up my second year at Union Bethel Church, Washington, D. C., and went to meet the Baltimore Annual Conference, which met in Baltimore City. Bishop Nazrey presided for the first time over the Baltimore Conference. The members received him very cordially. The session was not a protracted one. J. R. Sterrett and John H. Gaines were admitted on trial. D. W. Moore, Jacob Brooks, M. F. Sluby, and Thomas H. Manning were ordained Deacons. Edward Chambers and John H. Henson were ordained Elders. At the close of this Conference I was appointed to Port Deposit Circuit. It went a little hard with me after having spent five years in succession in Washington City to take a country circuit. But as I had promised years before to obey as a son in the Gospel, I went and had a very pleasant year.

I was told by the authorities that the laws of the State were against my remaining there, as I came from the District of Columbia. I had four appointments, which I visited every two weeks. The present Bishop Dizney of the B. M. E. Church was my Steward at Port Deposit, and was one of the best I ever had in any church. The B. M. E. Church made a

Page 53

wise selection when they voted for him to fill the place of Bishop Nazrey.

I found the people on this circuit very kind indeed, which made me think that after all, in some respects, a country life is more to be desired than a city one.

During this winter there was a very deep snow, and I was bound up for several weeks at the house of Rev. Stephen P. Bayard. Having purchased two books on phonography, I resolved to learn how to write short-hand. On Monday morning I commenced, and Saturday night I was able to read the first lesson in the book without a teacher. I have never since doubted the capacity of a man to learn whatever he wishes to.

APRIL, 1854. The Baltimore Conference met this year in Israel Church, Washington City. Bishops Nazrey and Quinn were present. I had been appointed by Bishop Nazrey to preach the annual sermon at the opening of this Conference, which I tried to do from the text, "I am set for the defence of the Gospel." Phil. i. 17. At this Conference Rev. S. L. Hammond was admitted for Ebenezer Church, Baltimore, as the successor of Rev. Levin Lee. This being the first time I was ever stationed in Baltimore, I went to work earnestly to see what could be done in the name of the Lord. Rev. J. A. Shorter was at Bethel, and M. F. Sluby at the Union Bethel, on the Points.

This year Bishop Nazrey took leave of the Baltimore Conference; for then Bishops only remained

Page 54

two years on a district. Bishop Quinn then took charge of the district.

Several of the ministers of the Baltimore Conference visited the Philadelphia Conference. Then and there Rev. M. M. Clark resigned the editorship of the Christian Recorder, and he was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Campbell, who was transferred from the New York Conference and was also appointed to Union Church in Philadelphia. He commenced his work very energetically, visiting all the Conferences, lecturing, preaching, and presenting the claims of the Book Concern to the people. It is said that his editorials were very able.

Rev. J. A. Shorter succeeded in paying off the entire debt of Bethel Church, Baltimore, and in the autumn of the same year had a grand jubilee. Bishops Nazrey and Payne were both present on the occasion and preached during the day.

I attended the Baltimore Conference of the M. E. Church to hear an appeal case tried, so that I might have some idea in reference to such cases. A local deacon had been tried for some small offence by a Quarterly Conference, presided over by Rev. Dr. T. B. S. The deacon was expelled, and he took an appeal to the Annual Conference. He conducted his own case, making the opening speech; he was replied to by Dr. B--, now Bishop B. Then the appellant closed by saying, "Brethren, I once read of

My Recollections of African M. E. Ministers, or Forty Years' Experience in the African Methodist Episcopal Church: Electronic Edition.