Manuscript, Archives,
and Rare Book Library
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washington, D. C.
RELIGIOUS WORK
and
TRAVELS,
BY
ANNTE E. BROW3ST
THE
WORLD-RENO WNED
EVANGELIST.
She says she never rings the door bell of any
minister for opportunities to hold meetings, and
that the words of John Wesley are hers: "The
world is my parish and I have been blessed in my
efforts"
PKESS OF
OUN T. PANCOAST
CHESTER, PA.
Dkar Friends :
I have not aimed in the slightest degree at literary
merit in the preparation of this work ; therefore no
table is spread for the feasting of critics. As in every
effort of my Gospel meetings, so in every line of this
book, endeavor has been made to bless somebody with
spiritual blessings. I feel that I have but one life to
live and it, will soon be over.
A. E. B.
This little volume is published chiefly to circulate
facts as shown by the enclosed clippings from the press,
of much value to the public and especially to the
Christian world.
A much larger edition of this work will soon go to
press, which will give more full and accurate expressions
of the author.
The Gurtain Drawn on the Twentieth Gentury.
MRS. ANNIE E. BROWN, SOUL WINNER OF
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
THE GREATEST WOMAN EVANGELIST OF THE RACE.
"^ shai/ pass through this ivorid but once, therefore
a/i that ^ can do, or any kindness that S can show to
anj/ human being /et me do it noto. *£et me not defer
it or regret it, for S shali not pass this wag again. "
INTRODUCTION
It is impossible to convey the same impression to
the reader, that was enjoyed by those who heard the
sermons. For the presence of the speaker and the
atmosphere of Christian fellowship and prayer on those
occasions are lacking.
As a witness for Christ the Saviour of the world,
I began to study Christ when quite young and follow¬
ed through a course of years, and I feel after these
long years of study and prayer, that the great ocean of
truth, Jesus Christ, lies out before me, and I have
gathered here and there simply an occasional pebble
along the shore.
If your presence does not carry the magnetism of
Jesus Christ, if something in eye, or face or hand does
not reveal the transfigured Christ, those things you
say, the method you adopt, the machinery of your life
will count for little.
Let us keep this missionary passion constantly
glowing upon the altar of our hearts.
Let us continue in unceasing fellowship with
Christ in prayer, for if these things be in us and
abound, we shall find the way to be efficient servants
of our Lord in any and every field of service into
which He may be gracious enough to call us.
COMMENTS
Portsmouth, Va., News Says :
''She reminds her hearers that recently enacted laws have
so opsrat^d against them that they were ostracised by every¬
body bat God and they must return to the old Land-mark
fro.11 which they strayed while they have strength."
Suffolk, N. Y-, Bulletin says:
"Her sermons cut ou the right and on the left."
Brooklyn Times says :
"She's A Soldier of the Lord."
Pueblo News
" Tells of an offer of $400.00 by some worldly men to hold
a meeting and run an^excursion, which offer was emphati¬
cally refused.
Pueblo News says:
That the evangelist is best known by the spirit and the
letter of "Go ye into all the world and preach" rather
than by a certificate entitling the bearer to this or that
church."
New York Times says :
"Her quaint revivals cause many sinners to repent."
New York Times says :
"Sister Brown is here and sinners tremble."
New York Tribune says'.
She is founder of the Light House Rescue Mission of New
York City, for fallen women,—and speak in the highest
terms of Mother Browa, as she is affectionately called.
She is regarded by the leading Christian workers of the
Country as a wonderful woman—who has great magnitude
and drawing powers.''
Tampa, Florida, Bulletin says :
"Through God she has been the means of bringing more
people to Christ than any living woman of her day.
Dr. T. IV. E. Bozven, of Gammon Theological Seminary,
Atlanta, Georgia, javi /
"She has unspeakable gifts and great power with God.
She does not know her spiritual power."
Boston Globe
Terms her as the soul winner of the 20th Century.
The Baltimore Sun says :
She is a phenomenal woman and has created a re¬
ligious sensation never before known in Baltimore.
The Washington Star says :
"The noted evangelist is bringing untold numbers to
Christ and Washington is greatly indebted to the woman."
Endorsements by various newspapers and promi¬
nent ministers.
Giving their comments upon the work in different
parts of the United States.
Printed so as to retain the article direct from
Sermons and Lectures, and the personal appeals chat
accompanied them, when they were first delivered.
"Happiness is the memory of having
done right in serving God and helping
Man."
1
MRS. ANNIE E. BROWN
The Great Evangelist of Washington, 0. G., the
Wonderful Soul Winner.
Mrs. Brown is the only colored woman of the
Country who owns a Gospel Wagon, fit¬
ted out with all modern appliances
for Evangelistic Work.
Here are some of her great accomplishments:
For 900 souls converted in Baltimore, Md.
300 " " " Annapolis, "
1000 " " Virginia
500 " " " Delaware
500 " " " Philadelphia
500 " " " New York City
1200 " " " State of Maryland
Hundreds of souls brought to Christ in the West.
Sister Brown, has held hundreds of evangelistic ser¬
vices a: religious conferences and conventions
for both white and colored people in protestant
churches of all denominations.
She bears accredited testimonials from leading min¬
isters and laymen throughout the country.
She has come to Cambridge through the earnest
solicitation of the St. Paul's congregation
through pastor Tice.
Every christian of every church is invited to join
this mighty crusade against sin for the conver¬
sion of sinners.
2
Man is born to die, after death is the judgment,
where shall you who may read this revival not¬
ice, where shall you spend eternity ?
We appeal to every body; come and bring your un¬
converted friends each night to these meetings.
The pastors of our sister churches, the people of
Cambridge, Boston and surburban towns are
most cordially invited to join with us in the sal¬
vation of sinners.
■—From Cambridge, Mass., Paper.
SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL
Great Religious Enthusiasm Among the Col¬
ored People of Baltimore.
From Baltimore Evening Times, February 12, 1896.
Mrs. Brown, the noted evangelist of Washing¬
ton, D. C.5 who has been conducting a revival of re¬
ligion in the colored Metropolitan church, on De¬
catur street, for the past four weeks, is meeting with
wonderful success.
The church is nightly crowded with both white
and colored people, and the religious enthusiasm is
nightly spi ending. A large number have confessed
conversion, while the altar is still crowded with
seekers. Among the number who have been con¬
verted are some colored people who are sixty years
of age and over.
Mrs. Brown is a wonderful revivalist, and her
eloquent talks seem to make great impressions on
those who hear her, and there are few evangelists
who meet with more success than this wonderful
colored woman.
Airs. Annie E. Brown,the noted colored evano-el-
ist. preached an able sermon last evening at the
Metronolitan A. M. E. Church to a crowded house
from the words "How old are you?" Airs. Brown is a
3
wonderful revivalist, and those who heard her last
night were delighted with her splendid talk. She
will preach tonight, Sunday and Monday nights.
Great interest is being manifested in the revival
that is being held at the Metropolitan A. M. E.
Church on Decatur street by the well known evang¬
elist, Mrs. Annie E. Brown. All are invited to at¬
tend the services all day Sunday and at 8 o'clock
Sunday night, the subject will be, "The Marriage
Feast of the King's Son." All welcome.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the colored evangelist,
who was to have preached her farewell sermon at
the A. M. E. Metropolitan Church last Sunday night,
was disappointed in her arrangements and will there¬
fore preach tonight and tomorrow night. Mrs.
Brown has been very successful here and has done
much good.
RESULTS AT FREDERICK, MD.
From Afro-American, Baltimore, February, 1898.
The superintendent of Quinn A. M. E. Church,
was made to feel quite happy on last Sunday by see¬
ing so many in attendance at Sunday school.
The Allen Y. P. S. of C. E., feels to say—"We
are coming."
The arrival of Mrs. Anna E. Brown, the evan¬
gelist, of Washington, D. C., has added greatly to the
spiritual part of the church; for already she has
made herself felt among these people.
Ouinn A. M. E. Church is in the midst of a glor¬
ious 'revival. Twenty have already professed faith
in Christ and twenty seven are yet seeking. Mrs.
Annie E. Brown, of Washington preached to crowd¬
ed houses every night last week, and on Sunday
4
night standing room was at a premium. Her ser¬
mon on Sunday morning- from the text, ' Let ^ your
light shine," will long be remembered. _ She will con¬
tinue preaching special sermons during the week
and also Sunday.—Afro-American, Feb. 19, 1898.
Over fifty persons have been converted in the
Mt. Moriah A. M. E. Church Revival each evening
and afternoon. Great crowds throng these meetings
—many are happily converted. Sister Brown, the
Evangelist, is a wonderful woman.—Afro-American,
Balto., Feb., 1898.
A LADY EVANGELIST AND HER
GOSPEL WAGON.
From, Afro-American, Baltimore, October 8, 1898.
The Salvation Army, street preachers and even
women preachers are common to Baltimore, but the
latest addition to this line of work is Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, of Washington, D. C. Mrs. Brown is a
lady of commanding presence, good flow of lan¬
guage, an eloquent speaker and an untiring worker.
She has been preaching for a number of years in ail
parts of the State and thousands have listened to her
eloquent words. She numbers her converts up in
the hundreds. She has. however, felt that her work
no longer calls her in the churches, so the proposes
to equip a "gospel wagon," and carry the gospel to
the out of the way comers. She is in the city now
for that purpose and is calling on the charitably in¬
clined for help.
It should be given her and by this means the
gospel will reach many who otherwise would pos¬
sibly never hear it, in a church at least.
Rev. O. D. Robinson, Presiding Elder, preached
eloquent sermons at St. John's A. M. E. Church 011
last Sabbath. Mrs. A. E. Brown, an evangelist of
Washington, D. C., preached very acceptably in the
afternoon. The services were well attended during
the day, and at night the house was crowded. Bish¬
op and Mrs. Handy attended the morning services.
The Sunday school held its monthly prayer meeting
instead of the regular services. The junior choir,
under the leadership of Mr. J. W. Henson, is doing
nicely. Revival services are being held and Mrs. A.
E. Brown, the evangelist, preaches every night to
full houses. Several have been converted and many
are at the altar. Next Sunday is Gleaning Day and
Mrs. Brown will preach the sermon.
Nine hundred dollars was realized at the rally
and the captains say that it will be increased to
$iooo.co on next Sunday. As it is the trustees say
that it is the highest cash rally that has been taken
in the new church.
Rev. and Mrs. Robinson were the guests of Mrs.
Lvdia Barnes, Etting street.
Rev. L. M. Beckett, the pastor, was much elated
over the results.
AT ST. JOHN A. M. E. CHURCH.
Many Converts Brought into tlie Church, by
Mrs. Brown's Preaching.
From Afro-American, November 26, i8g8.
The rally at St. John's A. M. E. Church has been
increased and the amount is now over one thousand
dollars. The revival is still in progress and forty
have professed faith, and forty more are at the altar.
Mrs. A. E. Brown is conducting the services and
great crowds hang upon her words. Last Sabbath
Mrs. Brown preached morning and evening. Her
sermons were both eloquent and powerful. At the
evening services many were turned away, the
church" being taxed to its fullest capacity. Mrs.
6
Brown will preach again next Sunday. Come and
hear this wonderful woman. Rev. L. M. Beckett,
the pastor, is meeting with great success, and every
department of the church is in a flourishing condi¬
tion. Good preaching and singing all day next Sun¬
day.
The revival at St. John continues with unabat-
ing interest and up to this writing over 150 persons
have confessed to have been saved. Last Sabbath
the women took complete control of this service, and
evangelists filled the pulpit all day. At the evening
service hundreds were unable to get in the church,
Nearly forty joined the church at the evening ser¬
vices, and a goodly number will be taken in next
Sunday evening.
Seventy-five have united with St. John in the
past three weeks. Mrs. A. E. Brown, the evangelist,
it still conducting the revival, and many have con¬
sented to lead new lives through the power of her
persuasion. Mrs. Brown will preach a special ser¬
mon next Sunday evening. Come early and get a
seat, as a great crowd is expected.
Mrs. M. A. Robertson is at her post of duty
again in the Sunday school. The result of the rally
is considerably over a thousand dollars. The pastor,
Rev. L. M. Beckett, announced captains for another
rally last Sabbath.
Two hundred and fifteen converts up to this
writing is the result of the great revival that is now
in progress at St. John, and which is being conduct¬
ed by Mrs. A. E. Brown, the evangelist. Over one
hundred have joined the church, and some have gone
to other churches. It is said by some of the oldest
members that they never witnessed such an out¬
pouring of the spirit as is now being done at St.
John. Some remarkable reformations have taken
place. Last Sunday evening hundreds were turned
ft-om the ^oor and standing room was at a
7
premium. Mrs. Brown preached on "The Prodigal
Son," and several were convinced that there is
nothing beneficial in sinning and promised to lead
better lives. Next Sunday morning Mrs. Brown
will preach a special sermon to parents, and at night
she will preach a sermon on "The Handwriting on
the Wall."— Clipping from Saturday's Afro-Amer¬
ican. Converts 233 up to Friday Night.
A COLORED EVANGELIST.
Mrs. Annie IS. Brown, Preaching in Baltimore
From Afro-American, October 29, 1898.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, a colored evangelist, who
is holding nightly revivals in St. John's A. M. E.
Church, Lexington street, near Pine, was born in
Washington 36 years ago, and received a thorough
school education there. When 15 years of age she
married Henry F. Brown, who is in the Government
employ. Five years ago she took up her present
work. She started out in a two-horse Gospel-wagon,
and has since traveled over 10,000 miles in her evan¬
gelistic work. She was preaching in an alley in
Baltimore when she attracted the attention of the
Rev. L. M. Beckett, pastor of St. John A. M. E.
Church, who asked her to come and preach to his
reoole. This was some six weeks ago, and Mrs.
Brown has been holding services in the church ever
since.
Mrs. Brown has four sons. Two will shortly
graduate from the Princess Anne Industrial School,
and of the other two, one is studying to become a
lawyer, and one is to be a physician.—Afro-Amer¬
ican, Sat., Nov. 26, 1898.
From Baltimore News, November //, 1898.
This is the eighth week of the great revival at
St. John's A. M. E. Church, and up to date the con-
8
verts number two hundred and sixty, and about
thirty mourners at the altar. One hundred and forty
have joined St. John, up to last Sabbath. Mrs. A.
E. Brown, the evangelist, is still attracting large
crowds, and the meeting held last week especially
for the women was largely attended and many were
unable to get even into the vestibule of the church.
The good effects of that meeting have already been
seen,"and several who have been living with men
without being married to them have made them
take up their beds and walk. Some wonderful re¬
formations are being made by the plain and convinc¬
ing sermons of this woman of God. Come and hear
her. Probably the meetings will close next Sunday
evening, at which time Mrs. Brown will deliver
another one of her soul stirring sermons. She will
preach her "farewell" sermon next Monday night,
and a testimonial will be tendered her on Tuesday
evening.
MRS. BROWN WINS MANY FOR CHRIST
Her Wonderful Magnetism and Work Amongst
Her Race in Baltimore Bring Great Success.
More than nine weeks ago, there appeared upon
the streets and in the alleys of Baltimore, a Gospel
wagon, drown by two horses, from which was heard
nightly the magnetic voice of Mrs. Brown, calling
the ungodly to repentance. This work was kept up
until she was called to take charge of the meeting
opened in St. John's A. M. E. Church, about six
weeks ago, and which has been in progress ever
since and still continues Avith great results. Mrs.
Brown's prayer was when she took charge of the
meeting, that "God would bless her with 300 conver¬
sions." This prayer is almost realized. Up to the
present time, 296 have been converted.
9
The most of Mrs. Brown's work has been done
in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
While in Baltimore, she has conducted her meetings
in alleys and on the streets inhabited by people, who
never attend church or have any respect for the Sab¬
bath.
Mrs. Brown says she never rings the door bell
of any minister's door to ask for opportunities to
hold meetings, as she says the words of John Wes¬
ley are hers, "The world is my Parish," and I have
been blessed in all my efforts.
Mrs. Brown is a wife and mother. Her husband
and son are employed in the U. S. Government Ser¬
vice. They own a farm at Bladensburg, Md., and a
beautiful modern home on Maryland Avenue, North¬
east, Washington City.
Mrs. Brown feeling called to do Evangelistic
work, left her home and all in the Lord's hands and
went forth upon her Master's business. She will
leave the city in a few days for Cambridge, Md ,
where she will conduct a series of meetings for Rev.
J. G. Martin.—Guide, Dec. 3, 1898.
TESTIMONIAL TO MRS. BROWN.
Tuesday evening, December 6, 1898, about six
hundred persons gathered in St. John's A. M. E.
Church, Baltimore, to join in a testimonial in recog¬
nition of Mrs. Annie E. Brown, who has been labor¬
ing with the people of this city for more than eight
weeks. More than 310 souls have been converted
through her efforts. The young converts thought
it befitting to show their appreciation of her ser¬
vices, planned and carried to a successful finish this
enterprise.
The world is in need of just such persons; who
believe in encouraging those who make sacrifices for
humanity while living.
"We shall pass through this world but once,
io
and if we have any flowers to throw upon the graves
of the deserving when dead, let us give them to the
deserving while living; so they may enjoy their
sweet fragrance and be cheered along the uneven
path-way of life."
While this was an occasion of which Mrs,
Brown was the centre of attraction, yet the pastor,
Rev. L.M.Beckett was brought very prominently be¬
fore the people when Mrs. Brown arose and with a
very appropriate speech presented a beautiful library
desk, in the name of the male converts; in connect¬
ion with ^he desk, a desk chair was presented as the
compliments of Mrs. Brown. "Rev. Beckett said in
receiving the presents that this was the second time
in his hfe that he was really surprised. It was my
pleasure, said the Reverend to select this desk, but
I was r- rormed that it was to be sent out of the city,
and httle did I think that I should see it again, and
behold it is mine. I thank you; I thank you."
The female converts presented Mrs. Brown with
a handsome storm coat. About 150 or 200 persons
came forward and presented Mrs. Brown with pres¬
ents and their best wishes.
Just before the honored guests were ushered
down stairs, Mrs. Maggie Elliott and a committee ot
about twenty-five young converts marched up from
the front of the church to the altar, and Mrs. Elliott
said : "In the name of the 310 converts, I present
3'ou with $25.00, which amount is over the expenses
of the evening, and may God bless you," Naturally
Airs. Brown accepted the amount.
The basement of the church was beautifully
decorated and the tables laden with good things,
One special table was arranged and the following
was written upon a card: "This table is for Mrs.
Annie E. Brown and mother, Rev. Beckett and wife,
given by Lottie Jones, Grace Ridick, Minnie Full-
man and Eva Lee.
The evening was very pleasantly spent and will
never be forgotten.
11
MRS. ANNIE E. BROWN
Che Great Evangelist Still Holding a Great Re¬
vival at Mt. Moriata A. M. E. Cliurch, Annapo¬
lis, Md.,—over a Hundred Souls Converted.
Never was Annapolis aroused with such relig¬
ious fervor and enthusiasm as at this time. For four
weeks a great revival has been conducted in the Mt.
Moriah A. M. E. Church, of which the Rev. S. Tim¬
othy Tice, D. D., is pastor. Each evening the church
has been densely packed with people and the altar
crowded with mourners. Church fights and denomin¬
ational feelings have been put aside and the christ¬
ians of all churches are earnestly wrorking to gain
sinners for Christ.
Mrs. Brown is wonderfully popular and holds
her crowds with a masterful hand. Services are
being held each day and evening. A large number
have been added to the church. This meeting will
continue another week.—Negro Appeal.
COLORED FEMALE EVANGELIST.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the colored evangelist of
Washington, D. C., has been in our midst for 25
days and the church has been greatly benefitted by
her stay among us. Much good has been done,
many saints have been saved. Mrs. Brown is well-
known as an evangelist North, South, East and
West, and numbers the converts in the thousands
that have been brought to Christ through her in¬
strumentality. We regret that her stay was so
short among us, she preached her farewell sermon
last night to a crowded house and many shed tears
as they bid her "Goodby" and "God speed."
12
AT BETHEL CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
The Bethel A. M. E. Church, corner Fourth and
Dickinson streets, has taken on a new and higher life
since the arrival of the evangelist, Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, of Washington, D. C. Last Sabbath was a
glorious day for all who attended. At the evening
service twelve converts were taken into the church
and started on the road to lead better lives. At 3
p. m. a Mothers' Rescue society was organized, the
object of which is to save boys and girls from the
evils of alcohol and the low dens of the city. Mrs.
George Archibald and Mrs. Brown addressed the
large number of mothers who had assembled, and
laid oi'i Jhe principles upon which the work is to be
carried on. The mothers will continue their meet¬
ings for an indefinite time at 3.30 p. m. each day in
the chapel of the church. All mothers, regardless of
denomination, are requested, and especially invited, to
meet with them. Services today are as follows: 6
a. m., prayer meeting-; 10 a. m., general class; 11 a
m., preaching by pastor; 1 p. m.. Sabbath school; 3
p. m.. preaching at Baptist Church ; 7 p. m., song and
testimonial service: 8 p. m., preaching by evangelist
r-nd reception of new members. The revival will
continue.
HO AFRICAN BISHOP
Yet the Churches Recognize Negro Progress.
Philadelphia Dispatch, in Eltnira, A7. Y\ Telegram,
May 2j, 1 goo.
Philadelphia, Pa.—The negroes of America have
been largely Methodist. In the early history of the
Methodist Church, white and black members wor¬
shiped in the same congregation—the colored peo¬
ple occupying special scats. In 17S6, when the Wl-
13
lery was erected in St. George's church, of Philadel¬
phia, some difficulty arose about the seats, in conse¬
quence oi which there finally became a division of
white and black worshipers—the latter withdrawing",
and in 1816 organizing the African M. E. Church.
St. George's Church is of great historic interest.
It stands on Fourth street, near Vine, and was erect¬
ed in 1763 by members of a Dutch Reformed
church, who were imprisoned for debt, being unable
to pay for the building. The church was sold
in 1769, under order of the "Provincial As¬
sembly," and bought by a weak-minded young man
for 700 pounds. His father, mortified at the pur¬
chase, and unwilling to face public ridicule by pro¬
test, sold it November, 1769, to the Methodists for
650 pounds Pennsylvania currency. It had at this
time only bare walls—neither seating nor a floor.
The Methodists at once occupied it, furnishing it
with temporary seats to accommodate the congrega¬
tion. In 1772 the British took possession of it, and
used it as a riding school for their cavalry At the
end of the war a rough floor was made at the east
end, the other half being simply common earth.
Bishop Asbury worked earnestly for its improve¬
ment. In 1791 the galleries were finished—in 1798
the church was completed. In 1870 centennial ser¬
vices were held there, it being the oldest church in
America. From it directly or indirectly, have
sprung all the Methodist churches of Philadelphia.
As soon as trouble came in the matter of seats
in 1786 a few colored members left the church and
these, uniting with others, formed an association in
1787, which ultimately inclined toward the Protest¬
ant Episcopal Church. Some of these returned and
others, having united with the Episcopalians, the
colored membership of the independent society was,
in 1791, only sixty-six. This little company was led
by Richard Allen, who afterward became bishop.
Richard Allen was born in 1780, and was the
first colored preacher ordained deacon by a white
14
authority. He was a man of but little education
but of great energy of character, united with good
judgment. Under his direction a separate place of
worship for his race was provided by the purchase
of a blacksmith's shop. It was dedicated by Bishop
Asbury in Tune, 1794. The new congregation adopt¬
ed as a part of its platform, the following: ''We
consider every child of God a member of the myst¬
ical body of Christ * * but in the political govern¬
ment of our church we prohibit our white brethren
from electing or being elected into any office among
us, save that of a preacher or public speaker." Thus
they who had not been accorded equal privileges in
white congregations, made themselves masters of
their own organization.
Though they worshipped separately from 1786,
the colored church did not become an independent
body in control and policy until 18x6, when a con¬
vention of seventeen delegates from Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Attleborough, Salem, N. J., and Wilming¬
ton, Del., met and formed the "African Methodist
Episcopal church." Richard Allen was ordained
bishop on this occasion by Rev. Absalom Jones, a
priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and by
four other regularly ordained ministers. The his¬
tory of this first little convention is intensely inter¬
esting, but is omitted for want of space.
The first church having been named "Bethel,"
that is, "House of God," the name has clung until
this day to the people following after. However, in
1820, another company of colored people formed
another branch of the Methodist Church^ and called
themselves African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, the "Zion" being adopted from that of their
principal church in New York city. The "Zion"
congregation had been formed as early as in 1796,
and had remained in harmony with the white M. E.
organization until 1820, when from a fear that they
might lose control of church properties,, and from
15
other causes, they began the formation of independ¬
ent associations.
The history of this church is one of many
changes and dissatisfactions, of coalition with the
"Bethel" people, out of which latter movement
grew the "African M. E. Church in America." But
through much agitation at times and many exper¬
iences both the "Bethel" and the "Zion" churches
have enlarged their borders. They now each sup¬
port educational institutions, have their general con¬
ferences and publish most creditable literature. The
A. M. E. Publishing House, in Philadelphia carries
an excellent quarterly, "The Review." "The Re¬
corder" is a strong publication of the same house,
and other suitable enterprises engage the attention
of the publishers.
The balloting for a negro for bishop in the
general conference of the Methodist Church in Chi¬
cago has been notable. Dr. Bowen is a fine and able
nian, and was among the leading candidates, but
withdrew some days since. That he would have
failed of election is certain, though he received a
large number of votes. But the fact of his failure is
not to be thought of as an indication of prejudice,
since the strife of election has been particularly
fierce, and many of the ablest white candidates have
withdrawn in the interest of harmony.
The day has gone by when it is necessary for
the negro to prove that he is not capable, in a grat¬
ifying number of instances, to stand well in any
place desired by men of ability—white or black.
Representatives of his race have attained distinction
in ecclesiastical, educational, literary and political
places. The need of his people now is not so much
an example here and there of what exceptional ne¬
groes can do, as the steady advance of the rank and
file in the ways of industry, domestic virtue and
thrift. Many more of the children need education
for the better adjustment of their mental and moral
grasp of every day life, and instruction toward con-
1(3
tentment that means not apathy and carelessness,
but steady and faithful regularity of life.
A view of the really excellent work done by
negroes in literature is surprising to any not before
conversant with their activity. Of late Paul Dunbar
and Charles W. Chestnutt have been brought to the
attention of book readers, and have found ready
market for their wares in the field of poetry and fic¬
tion. Of these two men Chestnutt evinces the
stronger intellect, inasmuch as he has ability to cope
with questions as well as to embody sentiment in
expression. His stories deal with ethical and social
problems, and picture the complications that may
beset those of his own color. He has written a fine
brief biography of Frederick Douglass, published in
the series issued by Small,. Maynard & Co., of Bus-
ton.
The conference of the "Bethel'" Church will be
held in this city in June next—the date not yet fix¬
ed. It is an annual and state conference. The oc¬
casion will be an important one, and there will be
much resoonsibility on the Bethel people. Not all
the members of this church can care for delegates,
and it is proposed to rent a building, provide beds in
it and let the women of the church serve meals there.
Many white people will doubtless be interested to
aid in providing food. This will be cooked and
spread by a committee and its aids. The conference
will last about ten days.
After the conference Mrs. Annie E. Brown, who
was in Elmira last winter, is again exoected for a
two or three weeks' work. Mrs. Brown has been
almost constantly engaged since last winter in var¬
ious localities, and is about to undertake work in a
"Gosoel Wagon." At the Mt. Moriah A. M. E.
Church she saw 150 added as the result of her labors.
MRS. GEORGE ARCHIBALD PALMER.
17
WOMEN IN THE PULPITS.
Some who have served in Elmira.
From Elmira, N. Y., Telegram, January 28, 1900.
From August 24, to October 15, 1893, there was
held in the Art Institute, at Chicago, during the lat¬
ter weeks of the world's fair, a remarkable congress
of religions, addressed by a great number of men and
some women. Among the latter was one who has
since become conspicuous in Elmira, as pastor and
preacher—Rev. Annis Ford Eastman.
Mrs. Eastman was at that time preaching in
West Bloomfield, N. Y., from which place she came
to Elmira It was at West Bloomfield that she was
ordained, Rev. Thomas K. Beecher being one of the
clergymen officiating at that time. Mr. Beecher had
never been in any way active about introducing
women to the world as ministers of the people, and
he was a lirtle doubtful about going to the ordina¬
tion. The matter was brought up by him in a meet¬
ing where some of his most trusted advisers were
found, and it. was discussed pro and con. But the
outcome was, as usual, an entire willingness to let
Mr. Beecher do as he pleased without any embar¬
rassment of objection or disapproval from his
church. On his return, being questioned, Mr. Beech¬
er said: "I do not know whether I am in favor of
women as preachers. I cannot say whether I think
they are called to preach. But I know Mrs. East¬
man is."
That ordination was the incident—plus Mr.
Beecher in attendance—which opened the way for
the present arrangement of the pastorate of the Park
church. When Mr. Beecher felt the need of assist-
18
ance Rev. Samuel Eastman, and his wife, Mrs. Annis
Ford Kastman were called to the work, and since
that time the tv/o have served together, remarkably
catching the spirit that has for more than forty
years been growing in the famous church, extend¬
ing its membership and powerfully affecting every
other church of the city.
When Mrs. Eastman first came to Elmira there
was a diversity of local opinion as to the expediency
of the innovation. Her unusual work in West
Bloomfield, and elsewhere had made her an excel¬
lent reputation, and her lectures delivered here, prior
to her residence, had been highly commended, but a
lecture in the oulpit from a woman seemed a vastly
more proper thing—to some people—than a Sunday
sermon, and more and more Sunday sermons.
However, Mrs. Eastman began to preach, and
if any doubt that she has established her right to
pulpit authority—let them attend any public service
in the church where she officiates. Here her voice is
heard regularly and her sermons move her hearers
to the consideration of topics common to Christian
thought. And the moving is not less powerful nor
the influence less constant than that which results
from the usual preachers of foremost pulpits—the
men preachers.
A few extracts from Mrs. Eastman's Chicago
address wi1l show her perfect confidence in her right
to a clergyman's rights. She says: "You are famil¬
iar with the argument that the male bird sings loud¬
er and sweeter than the female; therefore, a woman
cannot be a poet. In most mammals the male is
larger, more beautiful, more sagacious than the fe¬
male, and is exempt from most of the unpleasant
labors connected with the rearing and defense of the
young; therefore, woman cannot understand poli¬
tics. You can easily find instances, if you like, in
19
natural history, of what we might call nature's favor¬
itism of the female. Why do you not speak of the
ostrich, the male of which sets on the eggs, hatches
out the young and takes principal care of them?
Why do you not instance that fine and beautiful
variety of spider of which the female invariably de¬
vours her consort when he is of no further use to
her? What if that custom should be'come prevalent
among women? The fact is, that these things prove
nothing. If we have made any progress, it is away
from nature. We are not spiders, nor lions, nor
birds. We are man—male and female—and we want
to be angels, or we used to when we went to Sunday
school. It is unworthy of us to go back to the con¬
duct of life among the lower animals to bolster up
any of the remaining abuses of human society. The
point is just here. We cannot trace the degraded
and subject position of women in ancient times to
the religious ideal of her nature and place in the
creation, but the reverse is true in a large measure.
"The fact is that men and women must rise or
sink together.* * * The letter killeth—the spirit
maketh to live. The letter of religion, as contained
in bodies of doctrine, in ceremonial laws, in all those
things pertaining to the religious life, which come
with observation, has in all ages been hampering
and hindering man's progress, male and female. But
the spirit cf religion which recognizes religion as
the spirit of man and bids it to the infinite spirit,
which recognized the obligation of God to man, and
to his fellows which brings man finally under spirit¬
ual attunement with Him who is neither man nor
woman—Christ of God—thus is at once the most
perfect flower of man's progress. Of the relations
of woman to religion as the interpreter of its pro-
foundest truth, there is no time to speak. Of the
growing dependence of organized Christianity upon
woman, there is no need to speak. Her works speak
for her."
20
These and her other fine words at the Great
World's Fair congress must command the enthus¬
iasm of those who follow her not only affectionately
but intellectually, and they must command the re¬
spectful attention of those who differ with her.
Certainly the ministry of her voice, and presence,
and hands, and heart, has been to a great number in
this city, and elsewhere a powerful argument in
favor of the cheer and consolation to be found for
Christian churches through the ecclesiatical offices
of women.
Elmira has for short periods known the work
of other women in the pulpits of the city. But this
has been the experience of special seasons. Among
them have been Mrs. Lydia Allen, mother of the late
Orville D. Allen, first pastor of Riverside; Mrs.
Boole, now president of the state organization of
the W. C. T. U.; Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing,
sister of Bishop Charles Fowler, and prominent
in philanthropic and reform work in New York
city; Miss Louise Shepherd, of Nyack, N. Y., an im¬
portant worker for the Missionary Alliance. Ail
these women, not of the ordained clergy with one
exception, speak with power and success to church
congregations a large part of the Sundays of each
year, and some do regular evangelistic work.
There is at present at Bethel church in this city
a woman pieacher who has not made much noise
abroad in the community, but who is doing strong
work among the people of her race. This is Mrs.
Annie Brown, of Washington, D. C., who for seven
years has been going from place to place, conducting
services in the interest of religion and social reform.
She is a woman of fine presence and force, and pos¬
sesses a voice and manner of thrilling quality. And
she has, apparently, at the foundation of her efforts
an excellent common sense, an acute observation,
21
a sweet and tender sympathy and devoted love for
the sinning people, who are constantly brought to
her notice. She completes her work today, but
since her advent she has awakened in many hearts
a resolution to live more decently and in fuller ac¬
cord with the laws that uplift man in body and in
soul.
MRS. GEORGE ARCHIBALD PALMER.
A PICTURESQUE PREACHER.
Something of Mrs. Brown who is at Bethel Church.
From Elmira, N. Y., News, December 2, igog.
Last January, the woman now in this city doing
evangelistic work at Bethel Church, left her home
in the city of Washington for a tour of service. In
the spring she came to Elmira and preached with
great power in the pulpit to which she has now re¬
turned. From the beginning of her itinerary until
now she has not spent more than two consecutive
weeks in her home, being constantly moving from
place to place, as called by that voice which she es¬
teems the voice of God—the voice of those who rep¬
resent in any locality the people of her race.
It is not really so strange a thing that an Afro-
American woman should preach. She has the gift
of religious fluency of speech if any woman has.
From the first days of the Christianized negro the
tongue of woman has been heard in the meetings,
praising God in song, with shout, and by ecstatic
stories of "experience." Before the "power" of her
fervent exhortations the brethren have held the'r
peace except as they were stirred to rapturous re¬
sponses and hearty approval.
22
However, in spite of the activity of the colored
woman in the appointed meetings of her congrega¬
tion, few have gone altogether into Christian work.
A name here and there of one of peculiar spirit,
such as that of Sojourner Truth, of Adaline Smith,
has possessed a power not easily explained since it
was not that of intellect in the usual sense nor of
moral and spiritual power in the usual sense. There
has been about the influence of such as these an
undercurrent of mystical fervor peculiar to the
African and far from unimpressive to the Caucasian.
Mrs. Brown may suggest something of this
thrilling quality of spiritual passion, but she has
further a thought of development, a hope of steady
moral growth and a sense of coming strength and
dignity for the negro. She is not satisfied with the
emotions of the "means of grace" nor of the camp-
meeting. She desires a plain principle of every-day
Christianity to guide the convert into the steadfast
ways of thrift, sobriety and godly living.
Mrs. Brown is a Virginian by birth, but early
removed to Washington, where she was educated
in the public schools and when a young girl, was
married to an employe in the patent office, a man
of thrift and stability, who still remains in his posi¬
tion after more than twenty-five years.
Mrs. Brown became the mother of ten boys, all
of whom, except four, died in infancy. Of those re¬
maining the eldest is 22, married, and has a good
government position. The second is in Howard Uni¬
versity, the third in high school and the youngest,
eleven years of age, in public school. Husband and
sons are all professing Christians and in sympathy
with the work of the wife and mother.
23
Eight years ago after a special season of de¬
vout seeking- after guidance, Mrs. Brown came to
feel that religious work called her to leave her home
and a life of comfort, for particular effort as an evan¬
gelist among the colored people. Against their con¬
viction, many arguments were set, but over-ruled,
and finally yielding, she formally gave herself to
the service.
Beginning at home, gradually she was called in¬
to other towns, and so from place to place, traveling
into Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio,
North Carolina and the Eastern States. As the
result of her labors 7,000 people from first to last
have professed conversion and of these a large pro¬
portion have remained faithful to the church in
which they received help toward better living. The
meetings south have been particularly fruitful, great
crowds flocking to hear the woman preacher. The
assemblies are by no means composed entirely of
colored people, but large numbers of whites attend
and become converts.
This year Mrs. Brown has entered upon a new
line of work—that of the gospel wagon. The idea
first came to her during the Spanish war when she
was moved to go to Camp Alger, riding there twen¬
ty-one miles in a wagon. Her reception and the
aoparent results of her meeting put into her mind
the thought that she could by wagon reach settle¬
ments and rural districts otherwise inaccessible.
However, she had no money for a wagon and wait¬
ed, certain that the "way would be opened" if she
was called to walk in it.
The way was opened. Last August, on the
ninth day—in Baltimore—Bishop James A. Handy,
of the African M. E. Church, dedicated the wagon.
It was not yet. entirely completed, but Mrs. Brown
entered upon her work, going to the east shore of
24
Maryland, and filling engagements at Cambridge,
Md.; Fruitland. Salisbury, Laurel, Del., Denton,
Easton, Md., and other points. On October 19 the
wagon was returned to the factory to be completed,
and later used for a warm weather campaign.
As completed, it will hold in its twelve feet ot
length and proportionate width, a bed hung on pul¬
leys to be lowered at night and raised during the
day. An organ costing $50 is built into the wagon
on one side. There is also room for supplies for
the table, and under the driver's seat two divisions
holding respectively the horse feed and cooking
utensils. The latter includes an oil stove. The wa¬
gon seats fifteen people, the seats being receptacles
for clothing, etc. It opens on either side, letting
down until it becomes an extension to the floor and
serves as a platform for the speaker and her aids.
Religious inscriptions of the wagon proclaim its
missions. Some of these are Scripture quotations,
others similar to these: "The World For Christ."
The first money for the wagon was contributed
by a white man, Governor Lowndes, of Maryland.
Senator Wellington, of Maryland and Hon. George
A. Pearre gave the second and third contributions.
Beyond these the amount necessary to put it into
condition for its first use was contributed in small
sums, much of it through the self-denials of the col¬
ored people. In Harwood county, Md., the Warfield
ladies, representatives of an old southern family,
contributed. The wagon was then on its way
through the country, and the influence of its owner
attracted the two ladies, who invited Mrs. Brown
to their home and entertained her. On her depart¬
ure they gave her a gift of money for the cause with¬
out solicitation.
Mrs. Brown is well indorsed by substantial
people of her own locality. She gives her services
25
without charge, making no complaint if she receives
only her expenses. In her wagon work the people
freely brought from their farms the food needed
for herself and her five helpers. But she made no
plans for such support, filling her little storehouse
with such things as modern invention provides for
overland trips of long duration.
"Sometimes," says Mrs. Brown, "I reach home
without more than twenty-five cents, after my rail¬
road fare is paid. I am not caring about that,
though. I only do what I do because I feel I must
work so long as there are sinners who need the gos¬
pel preached to them. In places where the people
can be liberal to me I get generous aid to help me,
but often i find others somewhere else who need
that I shall do for them. And so I do."
In the pulpit Mrs. Brown is impassioned, and
thrilling. She speaks with a suggestion of all the
fire that moves her race to fervid heights of excite¬
ment. But there is about her something more than
fascinating imagery of speech and the contagion of
mysterious agitation. She puts the plain needs of
everybody before her hearers, and never leaves them
unwarned of the truth that religion cannot live by
emotions alone. In personal conversation she is
quite direct and business-like, except when she
touches upon the subject of her call. Here she en¬
ters, with confident exultation, that debatable land
of divine guidance—so debatable that Eli sent Sam¬
uel back, until the third time assured the graver soul
of the heavenly character of the voice.
MRS. GEORGE ARCHIBALD PALMER.
20
Portsmouth Having a Great Revival.
KSrs. Annie E. Brown, Evangelist, oi the Washing¬
ton, D. C., M. E. Conference, the Leading Spirit.
Large Crowds Attend the North Street A. M. B.
ChuretL Nightly-A Brief Sketch of Her
Travels, Iiife, Family and Work, with
Cuts oi Her as She Appears in the
Pulpit—Her ''Gospel Wagon."
From " Lodge and Guide JournalFebruary 22,1902.
The great tidal wave of spirituality that is now
sweeping over the city of Portsmouth, is actuated
by the inspired stewardship of Mrs. Annie K.
Brown, the gifted Evangelist, whose manner of ser¬
vice and personal magnetism, draws the penitential
tear from the ungodly and throws him convicted
at the altar of mercy, crying: "Lord what shall 1
do to be saved ?"
A little personal history of this worthy and un¬
pretentious ambassador of Christ will serve to en¬
lighten our readers along the lines of a work, en¬
vironed with happy results for thousands who have
acknowledged through her exhortations, and en¬
couragement for her, until she receives her crown
from the Immaculate hand whom she serves.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, now a resident of Wash¬
ington, D. C., and who is the wife of Mr. H. F.
Brown, of the Interior Department was born in
Charlottsville, Va., 38 years ago, and is the mother
of three sons, the oldest of the trio being an employe
of the Post Office Department. Her parents were
products of Richmond, Va., but removed to Wash¬
ington early in the life of our subject, where she re-
27
reived through the public system of education in
that city, the base of requirements for her present
labors.
Knowledge of inspiration occurred to Mrs.
Brown 9 years ago and was followed by such prep¬
aration that has led her for the past seven years,
all through the United States and 7,000 souls to
Christ.
This her first trip to Virginia, has been fruitful
in the extreme and "Old Emmanuel" Church in the
city of Portsmouth, has been taxed beyond its ca¬
pacity to accommodate the anxious crowds that
gather nightly to rejoice or weep, for the 153 souls
already saved, and the 140 yet at the anxious seat.
From Portsmouth, Mrs. Brown will go to the
Washington Conference, by whom she is directed,
before entering upon any of the 52 engagements
ahead of her. The winter is spent in the churches
and the spring and summer aboard the "Gospel
Wagon."
Built according to the ideas of the "Lady Evan¬
gelist," the seven trained workers who follow her,
are provided with quarters for sleeping, cooking,
wardrobe and a place for the feed of the faithful
horses that serve a zealous mistress.
For divine services, the wagon is thrown open,
presenting a chancel, choir gallery and organ, the
whole being surrounded by an iron rail.
This brief sketch, is but a page torn from the
history of a great woman and her work, and to Rev.
Dr. L. M. Beckett, is the community grateful for so
acceptable an introduction.
Re-Opening of John Wesley M. E. Church.
The Courier, December 6, 1902.
The auditorium of John Wesley M. E. Church
which has undergone a thorough renovation will be
reopened Sunday, December 28th, 1902.
28
The pastors and congregations of our churches
are cordially invited to attend.
Order of services: Love feast, 9 a. m.; preach¬
ing, 10.30 a. m., 3 and 7.30 p. m.; Sunday School,
1.30 p. m.; Epworth League prayer and praise ser¬
vice, 6.45 p. m.
The sermon at 3 p. m., will be delivered by the
Rev. S. J. Smith, pastor, of the M. P. Church, of
Salisbury. Our many white friends are invited to
be present to hear, also to view the much needed
improvements their generous donations to this
church (coming through S. T. Houston and others
of our members who visited them when the work
began) have helped us to make. A week of prayer
will follow the reopening. Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
of Washington, D. C., the well known and noted
evangelist, will be present and conduct services Sun¬
day, Monday and Tuesday evenings.
J. E. A. JOHNS, Pastor.
DR. J. R. WATERS, P. E.
SHE'S A SOLDIER OF THE LORD.
Woman Evangelist Aroused Enthusiasm Amongst
Cleveland Colord People.
Crowd so Great that Chtirch. Doors Were Closed
The past week has seen a series of remarkable
meetings at the Calvary Baptist Church at No. 148
Scovill avenue. The speaker who has been address¬
ing the meetings is Mrs. Annie E. Brown, a colored
evangelist from Washington, D. C. Mrs. Brown
has been preaching for about three years. She has
traveled over a large part of the United States and
has won many converts. Part of the time the travels
in a gosnel wagon, built after ideas of her own. The
wagon is fitted with a rear platform, where she may
29
stand and address the congregation which she gath¬
ers together.
She has aroused no small degree of enthusiasm
among the colored Baptists of the city. During her
preaching at the Scovill Avenue Church she has call¬
ed together more than the church could accommo¬
date. Many have been turned away and on last
Thursday night the doors had to be closed, so great
was the crowd. All denominations of both races
have gathered to listen to her and the scenes at
some of the meetings have been striking. In many
instances the preaching has stirred her auditors to
the highest degree of enthusiasm and they have
broken forth into shouting and song and prayer.
Mrs. Brown presents a striking appearance on
the platform. She is garbed in a peculiar black robe
set off at the wrist with white cuffs. This quaint
costume lends particular force to the fiery and elo¬
quent sermons which she preaches.
The evangelist thinks that Cleveland is a beaut¬
iful but wicked city. She bitterly has denounced the
wine rooms which she declares to be the cause of
ruin of much innocent young manhood and woman¬
hood. After hearing of these things the evangelist
rays she cried out in the fullness of her heart: "Oh,
is this the way that people of Cleveland live?"
In the course of her Thursday night sermon
Mrs. Brown said: "I have been just twenty years
in this great work, trying to save human souls. It
is now my privilege to address a large gathering of
people in this beautiful but wicked city of Cleveland.
I am a soldier of the Lord of Hosts and I am con¬
fronted constantly with the trials and the perils of
the battle. I must be true to my Lord and ever on
the march, or ever in the engagement.
"Whoever you may be, whatever your pursuit
is, you also have a commission to engage in the
great work, to teach the ignorant, to strengthen the
helpless, to encourage the disconsolate, and by your
sympathy and your life, do something for the en-
30
couragement of these great truths to lift up the
world—the lowest of it—the holiness and happiness
and God, until the earth shall revolve on its golden
orbit about the throne of Him wTho made it and loved
it and redeemed it."—Cleveland Plain Dealer,
March 22, 1902.
HUNDREDS CONVERTED.
Colored Woman Evangelist Creates Very Great
Interest at Emmanuel Church.
Mrs. Annie Brown, a colored evangelist, has
set the colored people all agog with interest by her
preaching at Emmanuel A. M. E. Church, of which
Rev. L. M. Beckett is pastor, in North street. This
is the fourth week during which she has been
preaching nightly, with the result that there have
been 180 conversions and over 100 seekers.
Emmanuel Church is crowded to the doors at
every service and many white people have been
among those attracted to the place of worship by the
fluent and effective preaching of the woman evan¬
gelist. Those who have heard her say that she is
especially gifted for the work of revival, having a
persuasive and moving quality which has been ef¬
fective in filling the mourners' benches with those
who are seeking a change of heart.
The evangelist has been carrying on her relig¬
ious work for about nine years, during which per¬
iod it is claimed that she has converted 7,000 per¬
sons. During warm weather she usually travels in
a gospel wagon from which she preaches to outdoor
crowds. She comes from Washington, where her
husband has employment in the government service.
She will remain over next Sunday, which will be a
day of special service at North Street Church.
31
A SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL.
A great revival that has been in progress for
four weeks at Emmanuel A. M. E. Church, closed
Sunday evening, March 2. Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
the noted evangelist, of Washington, D. C., who as¬
sisted the pastor, Rev. L. M. Beckett, preached her
farewell sermon Sunday evening'. The crowds that
nightly throng the church showed the great interest
being manifested in the services. Two hundred and
twenty professed faith in Christ, and more than a
hundred seekers were left at the altar. This revival
has been noted for the union spirit of Christians.
Baptist, Methodist and all other denominations have
thrown aside everything like denominational spirit
and have come in as one army of Christians, and
with one object, and that is, the salvation of souls
of men and women. We produce a cut of Mrs.
Brown in her pulpit attire., and a cut of the "gospel
wagon," known as the church on wheels. It was
dedicated in the city of Baltimore, Md., August 9th.
1901, by Rt. Rev. James H. Handy, of the A. M. E.
Church. Wednesday night Mrs. Brown preached,
a special sermon to the converts—those that had
been converted in this revival—and promptly at
7.30 p. m. the converts that had met in the basement
of the church, marched up in the auditorium of the
church. The male converts were led by the evan¬
gelist, Mrs. Brown. While she marched in singing
"Hold the Fort," Rev. H. L. Gaines and Presiding
Elder L. M. Beckett, pastor of the church, marched
in with this throng, of young men. Following them
came Mr. Jeffrey T. Wilson, one of the faithful
workmen of God, leading the army of younger con¬
verts, and the host of women who have been con¬
verted. It was witnessed by a vast concourse of
people. It was a sight that never will be forgotten
by those that it was their good fortune to be at old
Emmanuel Wednesday night. Norfolk and adjoin-
32
ing villages have been represented each night m
large numbers, and especially we want to mention
those earnest workers that have come over in Mace¬
donia" from the A. U. M. P. Church, of Norfolk,
both pastor and laymen. Mrs. Brown left for Wash¬
ington Monday morning to attend the annual con¬
ference, which convenes in that city March 5th.—
Virginia Post,. Feb. 25, 1902.
MOURNERS FLOCK BEFORE THE ALTAR
Woman Colored Preacher is in Raleigh.
CONIZGRTS BY THOUSANDS
The Woman Preacher Wears a Ministerial Garb
at St. Paul's A. M. E., and her Sermons Pro¬
duce Results Among Raleigh's
Colored Population.
News and Observer, April 22, igo2.
Raleigh's colored population is having earnest
religion preached to it.
A colored woman is doing this, and for a week
she has beon preaching at St. Paul's A. M. E. Church
in Raleig'h.
Her congregations reach up into the thousands.
From every section of the city and from out in the
surrounding country, the colored people flock to
hear her.
In almost every home in Ralegh there has been
talk of the Woman Evangelist. The housemaids,
the butlers, the cooks the hotel waiters, the barbers,
the hack drivers, the porters, the colored people of
all occupations and of no occupation have been go¬
ing to her meetings.
The pastor of St. Paul's A. M. E. Church is
Rev. W. E. Walker, and he secured the services of
33
the colored Woman Evangelist. Her name is Annie
E. Brown and she is about forty years old. Her
husband is in the Patent Office of the Interior De¬
partment in Washington, D. C., one son is in the
post office there, another is studying law and a third
is studying medicine.
She is a member of the Northern Methodist
Episcopal Church and is authorized by it as an evan¬
gelist, making her reports direct to that body. She
was educated in the public schools of Washington
and obtained her Bible training by study of the
Scriptures, attending church meetings and confer¬
ences.
For twelve years she has been doing evangelis¬
tic work, this being as far South as she has gone.
In her work she has had 13,000 conversions and
these are being added to at each meeting she holds.
Though not using it here, she has a gospel tent, a
wagon and two -horses which she uses in her work,
these having cost $4,000.
Her meetings here are in St. Paul's Church, and
are being crowded. The church has a seating capa-
ity of 1,500, and with chairs and standing rooms
2,500 can get in the building. It has been taxed to
its utmost capacity and at the meetings many white
people have been interested spectators of her meth¬
ods. She sings well and her solos are full of melody.
In the pulpit she wears a ministerial gown, and em¬
phasizes the points she makes with appropriate
gestures.
Sunday was a record-breaking day at St. Paul's.
Three services were held, the afternoon service be¬
ing one for men. There were over 2,000 men present
and 150 were at the mourner's bench. This is said
to be the largest crowd of colored men ever present
here at a religious meeting. She gave them truths
red hot, telling them it was their duty to live right;
that they were their worst enemies, living lives of
riotousness, failing to give proper protection to their
homes, carousing, staying out nights and allowing
34
their daughters to roam about with any man who
had on decent clothes, whether culprit or not, and
thus inviting desolation to their firesides. She gave
their evils a terrific scoring.
At night fully 2,500 people were at church and
over 500 were turned away. Her remarks stirred
her congregation and there was shouting and pray¬
ing, though the congregation was at all times well
behaved. During the service 163 came forward to
be prayed for. The meetings go on each night this
week and early in the night the church is crowded.
The Woman Evangelist has just closed meet¬
ings in Baltimore, Norfolk and Portsmouth. In
Baltimore there were 604 conversions; in Norfolk,
280, and in Portsmouth 270. Her services are in de¬
mand and since being here there have been requests
for her to come to thirty other places. Last week
there were thirty conversions at St. Paul's, and the
outlook, is that there will be hundreds here who
will be influenced to better lives because of her com¬
ing, for she preaches of a better life here and urges
upon her hearers the truths of the gospel.
MRS. BROWN, COLORED EVANGELIST,
MEETING WITH MUCH SUCCESS
IN CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
Boston Post, May 20, 1902.
The Rev. Annie E. Brown, "the Washington
evangelist," who has been conducting" a series of
revival services in Greater New York during the
past week, addressed a large assemblage of Afro-
American women in the Bridge Street African M.
E. Church last evening.
Mrs. Brown announced for the opening hymn,
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." in which all
joined in singing. Mrs. L. P. Williams (Mother
35
Williams) offered an earnest prayer and then Mrs.
Brown talked for about thirty minutes, as only a
woman and mother could talk to women. .
She made an earnest appeal to the old and
young women, to the mothers and grown daughters
to be true followers of Christ and to cease doing the
things that hinder the Christ spirit, and striving
with them and hinder the progress of His people.
"With upright Christian mothers," she said,
"the world will be better for your having lived in it."
The colored woman evangelist lifted her eyes
to heaven and prayed.
Every voice was hushed and every ear was keen
as Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the famous colored evan¬
gelist, led the revival services at St. Paul's Methodist
Episcopal Church on Portland and Hastings streets,
Cambridge, last evening.
Every seat in the church was filled, many were
standing and not a few were turned away.
For over two weeks the revival services at the
church have been conducted. Already over 75 con¬
verts have been made and a number more came
forward last night to the altar to kneel for prayers.
"Let us sing Til Start for the Kingdom To¬
night,' " said Mrs. Brown, as, holding a book in her
hand, she announced the hymn. Mrs. Brown join¬
ed heartily in the hymn and the church fairly rung
with the volume of the tune.
Mrs. Brown was formerly one of the society
leaders among the colored residents of Washington.
Her husband and her son hold prominent govern¬
ment positions there. Some time ago Mrs. Brown
was converted and since has preached the gospel
with great success. Under her preaching there
were converted 900 souls in Baltimore, 300 in An¬
napolis, 1,000 in Virginia, 500 in Delaware, 500 in
Philadelphia, 500 in New York city and 1,200 in
Maryland.
36
EVANGELISTIC WORK AT CAMBRIDGE
St. Paul Social Settlement in tlie Midst of the
Greatest Religious Meeting ever
Held, in the City.
The Century, May 4, 1902.
Throngs of people fill every available space in
the St. Paul's A. AI. E. Church each evening, and
hundreds are being turned away unable to gain ad¬
mission. Never before in the history of any of the
colored churches in Cambridge has such a wonder¬
ful religious enthusiasm been felt. Airs. Annie E.
Brown, the noted evangelist of Washington, D. C.,
is conducting the services, assisted by the pastor,
clergymen and laymen of the other churches. There
have been a large number of conversions of both
white and colored. Airs. Brown has been induced
to spend another week in the city and continue the
services. She is a wonderful woman, both graceful
and dignified, able speaker and fine singer. She has
won the hearts of the Cambridge and Boston people.
The services are being conducted each afternoon and
evening".
St. Paul's Church has never been so active as
it is today.
Dr. Tice, moves everything before him like
clock work, and has built up one of the largest con¬
gregations of any colored pastor in Boston. He has
doubled the taxable valuation of the church property,
changed the entire structure from a lonely church
into a social settlement building, conveniently ar¬
ranged with all modern appliances, with a fine stone
attachment in which Air. J. J. Jordan of Pittsburg,
Pa., is conducting a fine mercantile business. There
is a fine men's forum hall, reading rooms, ladies'
parlors and reception rooms. Rev. Tice is not only
a pastor but a business man, and interests himself
in all the public affairs of the people and has won his
37
way into the hearts of the prominent colored and
white peopie of Cambridge and Boston and is very
popular with the masses. The revival meeting will
continue another week, and the pastor has arranged
to hold overflow meetings in the church vestry,
while the regular services are being conducted in
the auditorium.
THREE THOUSAND MEN LISTEN TO
MOTHER BROWN'S ADVICE
Mrs. Annie E. Brown so Designated Herself in a
Fireside Talk to Men.
Wonderful Concourse of Male Citizens at St.
John's Hear a Motherly Plea for Home,
Virtue and Safeguards for the Ri¬
sing Youth. Wonderful Pro¬
gress of the Great Revival.
More than 160 Converted.
Portsmouth, Virginia, Paper.
Having sought the 47th chapter of Genesis and
8th verse from whence the words "How old are you"
were selected for the fireside talk of a "mother," the
3,000 men there assembled were probably never be¬
fore faced with their daily deeds by a woman, who
was so nearly like a good and fond mother as she
styled herself to be, at St. John's A. M. E. Church
Sunday evening last.
It can be said by some that similar talks have
been the result of the moral vigilance of men, but
no man can plead like a woman and it was thus, that
the earnestness displayed by this gifted angel of
mercy caused tears to steal down the cheeks of men
whose heads were whitened with age as well as the
youth who is but a mere bud in the world of age
and experience.
38
Among the leading thoughts expressed were
those bearing on the relations of parents to their
children, questioning the propriety of mothers per¬
mitting 17 and 18 year old boys to be calling at their
house with the intention of courting, and well may
the speaker have asked, "What do they know about
courting."
The chastity of the home should be held sacred
was a well directed appeal and many victims of
broken homes and blighted hearts were so pictur¬
esquely described, that the weight of such sins fell
upon the heads of hundreds in that gathering.
Among other equally pointed remarks on the
safe and legitimate conduct of the home, Mrs. Brown
said: "I have been more surprised since I have
been here than I ever was in my life to see the gen¬
eral condition of things. I am surprised to see you
people working hard to send your little girls to
school to come here and sit in the gallery to hold
little boys hats, whose mothers are working for
them."
In conclusion, the speaker reminded her hearers
that recently enacted laws had so operated against
them that they were now ostracised by everybody
but God, and that they must return to the "old land¬
mark" from which they have strayed.
When the meeting was dismissed there was a
general confession that Mrs. Brown had preached
her crowning sermon, and that each man had had
his share of whipping.
The revival under Mrs. Brown's charge is still
in progress with more than a hundred penitents at
the altar; 160 have been converted.
Sunday at 3 p. m., she will preach to the con¬
verts. Revival services at night, and the grand rally
for the Trustees will continue all day.
30
WOMAN PREACHER'S FERVOR
It Stirs Colored Methodists and Makes Many
Earnest Converts in Brooklyn.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the woman evangelist,
of Washington, D. C., who has been conducting a
remarkable religious revival among colored people
of Brooklyn, has been ordered by her doctors to
close her preaching for a time and return home.
Mrs. Brown had a nervous collapse last week, and
yesterday morning her physicians ordered her to re¬
main in bed, but she preached two strong sermons
in the Bridge Street A. M. E. Church, which was
crowded to its limit. More than a hundred men and
women responded to her appeal and moved forward
to the pulpit seeking prayer.
In the afternoon Mrs. Brown held a meeting for
men only. Her remarks were directed particularly
to the married men, and she touched many tender
spots by the caustic manner in which she arraigned
some of them for their treatment of their wives and
families. When she concluded this talk fifty-three
men asked for prayers.
In the evening the evangelist preached a stirring
sermon and much religious enthusiasm prevailed
with plenty of "shouting" and singing. The officers
of the church had to bolt the doors at an early hour
to keep back the crowd, and several were overcome
inside.
Mrs. Brown selected as her text: Daniel v.:
27: "Thou art weighed in the balance and found
wanting." Her subject was, "The Handwriting on
the Wall."
In her discourse, Mrs. Brown told of the rich¬
ness and splendor of Belshazzar's kingdom, and of
the glory with which he was surrounded, and said:
"The same Gospel that saves in the hovel must
save in the palace. The same Gospel that rescues
40
and saves the outcast must be applied to the hearts
of Kings and Queens. All must bow to the sceptre
of His will. God is all and in all. My doctor in¬
structed me not to be here, but I am here by God's
will and propose to stay until God says, 'Go.'
"Belshazzar was like a great many men of to¬
day, he was steeped in serf and sin and disregarded
God. But all sin has a limit. God shall declare a
day that shall be the last for all sin. But with all
his sin and tyranny, Belshazzar had one good point.
He had his grand hanging gardens and other at¬
tractions made for his love for his wife. Oh for
thousands of Belshazzars in this respect. But the
great King had displeased God, he had taken the
golden vessels which had been used in Jerusalem for
sacred purpose, and he had permitted the drunken
mob to drink from them. In the midst of the great
feast a hand is seen to write upon the wall. There
is consternation among the guests. They had beeii
'having a good time.' The gospel is being preached
today, but men are still 'having a good time,' and
are going to hell. Stop! Stop having a good time.
I have left my home to tell you that. God is dis¬
pleased with you as he was with Belshazzar. I am
the last messenger unto you. Behind me is coming'
a reaper and his name is Death. You may spurn the
offer now, but like Belshazzar, in the hour of danger
and death you will send for some old servant of God,
as he sent for old Daniel, and the servant like Dan¬
iel will declare. 'Thou art weighed in the balance and
found wanting.' "
After Mrs. Brown had concluded her sermon,
she oassed through the congregation singing, "I
Will Start for the Kingdom Tonight," "Come on
Let's Go to Heaven," and other songs, and a throng
of people followed her and knelt around the altar.—
Brooklyn Times, Monday, Nov. 24, 1902.
41
SHARP STREET MEMORIAL CHURCH
A GREAT REVIVAL
Methodist Intelligencer, January ij, 1903.
Many of the members of Sharp Street Memorial
Church have been praying sometime for a gracious
revival and many hundreds are rejoicing that their
prayers are being answered. Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
the great evangelist, is stirring Baltimore. Hun¬
dreds are being saved and as many more are under
conviction. All classes of sinners are crying for
mercy. The church is filled to overflowing at each
service. Thousands of Christians are being revived
and strengthened as Jesus passes by. The Holy Spirit
is arresting the worst of sinners and they come run¬
ning to the altar for mercy. It seems that the re¬
vival has just begun. The people are praying and
rejoicing all over the city. The young and old are
telling the good news. Sister Brown is surely call¬
ed of God to this great and important work. The
revival fire is spreading in all the churches. No
weather keeps the people from coming.
A GREAT REVIVALIST
A Wonderful Woman
People Loath to Have Her Leave Them.
Hundreds Flock to her meetings.
Special to the Afro-American.
Cambridge, February 1st.—There are very few
persons who were interested in the improvement of
this town who were not sorry when the evangelist,
Mrs Annie E. Brown, preached her last sermon to
a crowded house on Monday night. Persons could
42
be seen shedding tears, and with anxious looks pray¬
ing her to remain one week longer, if possible, but
as before stated her time is limited, and at the com¬
mand of her guide she packed her things, offered a
fervent prayer for pastor and people then wended
her way to the station, while men and women stood
waving handkerchiefs declaring—good-bye.
Only of those who are near or have had her in
their midst can tell the amount of good that has been
accomplished by this noble woman.
Men who were afflicted seem to have gotten rid
of their diseases when they came to the knowledge
of Christ. Women who have been living in adultery
packed then things and moved out or demanded
the men to move. Men who were supposed to be
the worst gamblers of the town threw away their
dice and cards and fell at the feet of this wonderful
woman crying for mercy. What a sight! what
spiritual power—from whence did it come? Surely
it is not in her education, it is not in her wit, nor in
her oratory. From whence did it come?
Only one who has had such can tell of the close
communion and touch with God who gives this
power to those whose lives are consistant with His.
Evangelist Brown leaves Cambridge for the
District of Columbia, her home, where she will rest
for a few days and then go to Frederick to conduct
services for Rev. C. H. Murray.
After spending three weeks with us 153 souls
have been converted, and 125 united with the church.
This has been a month of spiritual interest to the
people of Cambridge, new life, new zeal, and right
along all lines which we hope will continue that an
improvement may be made in the conduct of the
colored people.—Afro-American.
43
GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
liemarkable Fervor Slxown In Enthusiastic
Meetings in Baltimore.
Advocate, February 12% 1903.
One of the greatest revival interests that has
occurred in Baltimore closed last night at Sharp
Street Memorial M. E. Church, corner Dolphin and
Etting streets.
The congregation has been praying for some
time for a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The people seem to have been of one accord and
were on the battle field afternoon and evening dur¬
ing the month of January.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washington, D. C.,
who conducted the services is one of the greatest
soul-winners for Christ of the present age. She
was supported by Dr. I. L. Thomas, the pastor, and
many consecrated laymen.
It seems as if the whole city was moved to
Sharp Street Church, a center of spiritual power.
Sinners of every condition surrendered themselves
to the Lord Jesus Christ, and were glad of the op¬
portunity to volunteer in this service. Nearly 600
persons professed faith in Christ. The spacious
building was filled every evening to its utmost capac¬
ity and many were turned away each night who
could not get in. Fully 15,000 persons came to hear
the noted evangelist.
The closing scene of the revival on Sunday was
simply indescribable. At 11 a.m. every seat in the
church was occupied. The Lord s Supper was ad¬
ministered to more than 900 communicants. Over
^00 new members have been added to the church.
At 430 p.m. Mrs. Brown spoke to 1,200 young
people on their present opportunities. At 6.45 Mrs.
Edith Brooks conducted the closing consecration
service Before 7 o'clock more than 500 converts
44
wearing white ribbon badges, assembled in the lect¬
ure room and at 7.20 followed the noted evangelist
up to the auditorium and took the seats provided
for them.
While they were taking their places the great
audience arose with the pastor and joined in the
song of welcome led by the choir.
At 7.45 Mrs. Brown delivered her farewell mes¬
sage to the converts and the people of Baltimore.
Resolutions of appreciation and God speed were
presented her by the officers and the congregation.
After the reception of new members 2,000 persons
made their way to the altar and shook the hand of
the evangelist. As the congregation sang, "God Be
With You Till We Meet Again," it seemed as if
every soul was strangely touched by the Holy Spirit.
Thus passed into history one of the greatest re¬
vivals that has been held in any church in Baltimore
city.
Two hundred and fifty of the converts joined
other churches.
A SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL
It was conducted by Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of
Washington, and Rev. I>r. I. L. Thomas.
Baltimore American, February 2, 1903.
One of the greatest revival interests that has
occured in Baltimore closed last night at Sharp
Street Memorial M. E. Church, corner Dolphin and
Etting streets. Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washing¬
ton, D. C., conducted the services. She was sup¬
ported by Rev. Dr. I. L. Thomas, the pastor, and
many laymen. Nearly 600 persons professed con¬
version Fully 15,000 persons heard the evangelist.
At 11 a.m. yesterday every seat in the church
was occupied. The Lord's Supper was administer¬
ed to more than goo communicants. Over 300 new
members have been added to the church.
45
4-3° P* ®-» Mrs. Brown spoke to 1,200 yonng
people on their present opportunities. At 6.45 Mrs.
Edith Brooks conducted the closing" consecration
service. Before 7 o'clock more than 500 converts,
wearing white ribbon badges, assembled in the lec¬
ture room, and, at 7.20, followed the evangelist up
to the auditorium and took the seats provided for
them. While they were taking their places the
great audience arose with the pastor and joined in
the song of welcome, led by the choir.
At 7.45 Mrs. Brown delivered her farewell mes¬
sage to the converts and the people of Baltimore.
Resolutions of appreciation were presented her
by the officers and the congregation. After the re¬
ception of new members, 2,000 persons made their
way to the altar and shook the hand of the evangel¬
ist. Two hundred and fifty of the converts joined
other churches.
A Woman Evangelist
Mrs. Annie E. Brown Holding a Successful
Series of Meetings.
News and Herald, Cleveland, Ohio, March 19, 1903*
Cleveland, O.—A series of remarkable revival
meetings are being held in the Calvary Baptist
Church, No. 148 Scovill avenue, by Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, a colored evangelist of note. The meetings
are proving a marked success and are causing a
spiritual awakening among those who attend. Mrs.
Brown is known all over the country as an evan¬
gelist. She is a resident of Washington, D. C., and
is on an evangelistic tour. Under the spell of her
eloquent pleas hundreds of persons throughout the
country have professed conversion.
46
Advice to Negroes by a Negress.
Mrs. Brown's Debut in New England.
She gives good Counsel to members of her
race in Boston.
Boston Post, June, 1903.
More than 800 citizens of Cambridge listened
yesterday to Airs. Annie E. Brown, the noted wo¬
man evangelist, who spoke on ihe "Negro Problem"
at St. Paul's Church social settlement, Portland and
Hastings streets.
This is the first time that Mrs. Brown has
spoken in this vicinity, and naturally many whites
went to hear her.
She is a very tall woman, and yesterday was
dressed in a long black robe. She walked up and
down the platform before her turn came to speak.
Expecting a woman with a small voice, the con¬
gregation heard instead one of tremendous force.
Every word was distinctly spoken and was heard
throughout the church.
The speaker said that for the last two years the
question had been put to her: '"Why can not the
negro question be solved?" She replied, "The ne¬
groes claim the white people are their enemies. They
are wrong. They are their own enemies.
"Now the negro is getting into politics.. I think
that a politician stands a very poor chance of ever
getting to heaven, taking politicians as a body. God
is not pleased with politicians. A pulpit is dead that
preaches politics.
"You negroes will go to work and elect a col¬
ored man to office. When he is elected he forgets
his race, and you, who elect him, cannot see him
after his election. Why haven't you got a little in¬
dependence? You have tried the Republicans, the
47
Socialists, the Democrats, and even sold your votes,
and have lost at all times.
You have first got to get God on your side,
and then you will win. Look at the days when you
colored men used to drive the teams; now the Irish¬
men drive them. You used to be the cab drivers;
now they have the Frenchmen. You used to be the
barbers; now the white man puts his sign out.
Everything is slowly slipping away from you, and
it is time ycu turned about.
"You haven't got the leading men of the country
with you now, like you had in days of yore. The
leading men of today have no church; they want
money. Dollars and cents are their religion. They
don't want you.
"You have got to do things yourself, and don't
think the white folks your enemies. If you do you
will remain as you are.
"Another thing which has hindered the praters
of the colored race is that they do not respect the
women. They do not know what love is. They only
think they do. First they will marry a woman, and
after the ceremony is over comes the change. Every
night in the week they go out, either to the lodge,
to see another girl, or to a barroom. Will a gentle¬
man do that? They say all men will be gentlemen.
That saying came from hell and is on the road back
again.
"When you are engaged and ready to be mar¬
ried you will jump a train to the next place and
marry a girl there and send your wife and the'other
girl you were engaged to an invitation. What do
you call that? I am not joking; I know.
"You must be careful of your vote.. Keep out
of politics and treat the fair sex right if you wish
your race to be successful."
When asked by a Post reporter what she
thought of the proposed importation of 5000 negroes
to New England, Mrs. Brown replied that she was
opposed to it.
48
Thousands Hear Woman
Colored Woman Evangelist Attracts Many People.
Preached a Sermon to Men.
Estimated that Sixteen Hundred Negroes beard
the Discourse. After Preaching in Durham
on Sunday she goes to Baltimore to Con¬
duct Meetings—Good Work: with a
Gospel Wagon.
Durham, N. C., Herald, July /j, /poj.
Rev. Annie E. Brown, the colored woman evan¬
gelist, who has been conducting a series of meetings
at St. Joseph's A. M. E. Church in this city, *vill
preach her last sermon here Sunday night. She will
go from here to Baltimore where she will begin a
series of meetings.
She has certainly stirred up much interest in
things religious among the colored population of the
city. Her name is discussed all day, and at night
great crowds flock to hear her.
Night before last she preached a special sermon
to men only and it is estimated that at least fifteen
or sixteen hundred men, most of them negroes, went
out to hear her. The sermon was evidently one of
great power because it was all the talk yesterday.
A highly intelligent colored man and one of the
leaders of his race in Durham, told the reporter yes¬
terday that he heard the sermon. It was an able ef¬
fort, he said. "Why she simply poured hot water
on that crowd of negroes," he continued, "and then
proceeded to pick them."
Sunday afternoon the colored woman evangelist
will preach at Lakewood park. The sermon will be
in the afternoon and it will be preached there so that
both the white and colored can hear. As soon as
the discourse has been finished the colored people
49
will leave the park to the white people. All who de¬
sire doing so can hear her then.
After leaving Durham she will go to Baltimore
and will conduct a meeting of one or two weeks
duration. She will then go out in a gospel wagon
that she had built several years ago. At the meet¬
ing last night, which was also very largely attended,
she told of how she came to have a gospel wagon
built. It was a sermon in which she reviewed the
work being done and told of the great good from a
gospel wagon where people can be reached who can¬
not be reached through the churches.
It is expected that there will be a tremendous
crowd out to hear her Sunday.
A Wonderful Preacher
Hundreds go to Hear Woman Evangelist.
She is Most Eloquent in Speech.—Last Sermon
on Sunday Night.
Daily Sun, Durham. N. C., July 77, /poj,
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the colored evangelist, is
still drawing immense crowds of people at St. Jo¬
seph's Church at every service.
On Thursday night she told something of her
conversion, call of God to preach and her work for
the salvation of sinners.
Before going into these things, she thanked
the people of Durham for their kind hospitality.
They had vied with each other in this respect; and
many were the good things they had loaded down
their tables with—chicken, ice cream, cake, and num¬
erous other things. She recited one instance where
she took dinner, and on the table was enough food
to feed fifty people, when only four sat down to it.
The speaker assured her hearers of her grateful ap-
50
preciation of the kind, cordial and hospitable manner
in which she had been received during her stay.
During the course of the evening's talk, the
evangelist told of her gospel wagon and tent. She
had the wagon constructed from plans drawn by
herself, and in reality it was nothing more than the
"church of God on wheels." With it she travelled
over the country, and when reaching any place that
she desired to hold services, all that was necessary
was to open either side of the wagon. She bought
her a large tent sometime ago, in which to hold ser¬
vices when necessary. The evangelist said she was
the only woman in the United States to own a Gos¬
pel wagon.
The meetings here are coming to a close so far
as Mrs. Brown is concerned. She will preach to¬
night at the usual hour, and on Sunday will preach
at St. Joseph's Church at n a.m., and at night. Sun¬
day afternoon she is to preach at Lakewood park,
thus giving all, both white and colored, an opportun¬
ity to hear her. The Sunday sermon will be her last.
Monday night the evangelist will deliver a
lecture to which 10 cents admission will be charged.
Tuesday morning she will leave Durham for
Baltimore, where she will conduct a meeting. She
will go over on the colored excursion as far as
Lynchburg, Va.
During her stay in Durham, the woman evan¬
gelist has impressed hundreds and hundreds of peo¬
ple as being a wonderful expounder of God's word
and a most impressive speaker. She has an easy
flow of language, a splendid voice and possesses
great oratorical powers. A great spiritual interest
has prevailed during her stay here, and there have
been quite a number of penitents and converts.
White people, as well as colored, are cordially
invited to go out and hear her. Those of the whites
who have hard her were carried away with her elo¬
quence and earnestness of purpose. She is doing a
great work.
51
GOD'S PRESENCE MANIFESTED.
Wonderful Meetings at Bethel Church in West
Chester.
Daily Local News, West Chester, December 23, 1903.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, evangelist, of Washing¬
ton, D. C., who for the past three weeks has been
assisting Rev. R. H. Shirley, at Bethel A. M. E.
Church, in this place has been eminently successful.
Crowds attended the meetings from the start, and
they were held with increased interest each time
they listened to her eloquent preaching. She was to
leave after spending Sunday, the 29th ultimo; but
the increased number of penitents at the altar caused
her to yield to solicitations of the pastor to stay and
continue the good work. The all day services on
Thursday were attended with signal manifestations
of God's presence and many were saved during the
day. Every night the altar has been crowded with
old men, young people and children. To the present
writing 105 persons have been converted and the
community is stirred.
Although a union revival effort was not planned.
Mrs. Brown's eloquence and magnetism soon drew
the several congregations and their pastors together
in a harmonious and successful effort to save the lost
and she often expressed her gratification at the
Christian union with which the pastors labored-to¬
gether.
Most revival efforts are suspended on Saturday
evenings, but Mrs. Brown uses Saturday night as
"the soldiers' watch meeting," and some of the most
notable conversions have taken place on those
nights On Sunday afternoon she assembled the
converts in the basement, and marched before them
to the audience room, all singing.
"I have anchored my soul in the haven of rest,
I will sail the wild seas no more."
At this service she preached a special sermon
to the converts that made a profound impression
upon the vast audience. She then, with Rev. R. H.
Shirley, of the Bethel Church, and Rev. J. C. King,
of the Baptist Church, received them into church.
Eight joined the Baptist Church, and about the same
number went to the Union Church, and between 65
and 70 joined Bethel.
Sunday night she preached her farewell sermon,
but there being ten persons at the altar, she decided
to remain over Monday night, to the great delight
of all. Mrs. Brown has endeavored herself to the peo¬
ple of all the churches, and the pastors say, "She is
a Jewel."
Several ministers have come here to secure her
services.
Mrs. Brown has not kissed the "Blarney Stone."
The secret of her power in the pulpit is that she ap¬
plies the truth to the direct need of life as she sees
it, whether she speaks to saints or sinners. She ap¬
plies plain ttuth which strikes the root of the matter
and ploughs up the fallow ground. She adheres
strictly to the injunction, "In whatsoever house ye
enter—there abide. Go not from house to house."
Her lecture is an unique feature of her revival
work. The subject is "Should Women Preach?"
She reconciles and explains all the words of Paul on
the subject of the women speaking during worship
by referring to the customs of the times, etc., and
succeeded without doing violence either to the text
or to reason.
At times she becomes a veritable volcano of
trenchant irony upon the head of those who think
that women should not preach, and venture to
say it.
During its delivery she moves the audience to
laughter and then to tears and wonder and admira¬
tion and passes into pathetic appeals to sinners,
53
and the call for penitents without any break. Etern¬
ity alone will reveal the blessings which have come
to the churches, the homes and the community, and
generations will feel the influence of her presence
and words for social purity. May heaven prolong
her life and preserve her health that she may win
many more from the path of sin.—West Chester,
Pa., Local News.
PENNSYLVANIA'S CAPITAL AROUSED
Showers of Blessings Follow an Appeal to
Christians to Make Full Surrender to God.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the Evangelist, is still
drawing large crowds at Bethel Church. Never
in the history of the capital city has there been such
a spiritual awakening as is being felt now.
The fourth week of the evangelistic meetings
was ushered in by large crowds of people, anx¬
ious to hear the word of God expounded by the
great Evangelist, which taxed the seating capacity
of our church. On Thursday morning at 10.30 o'clock
one might have seen men and women wending their
way to church as though it were Sunday. One could
hardly believe that people who must toil for daily
bread could be so absorbed in the things of the
spirit as to lay aside all other occupations and seek
the house of the Lord; but such was the case. This
meeting ended in the surrender of many who until
then were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel.
At three o'clock another Lord's gathering met us,
and the pastor spoke from the words, "Come now
and let us reason together, saith the Lord." Mrs.
Brown took charge of the meeting at this point and
with her usual forceful and inimitable manner help¬
ed several into a new life. At night, though the
weather was very inclement the house was packed
with the anxious souls. Christians seeking for a
5 4
knowledge of a life of entire consecration, and sin¬
ners seeking for pardon of sins.
Friday night the interest in the meetings was,
if anything, greater than at any time since begun.
Great was the religious fervor attendant upon this
meeting; and young and old alike declared that they
had never seen a parallel to this manifestation of the
Spirit's power.
Denominational lines were wiped out, and
Baptists and Methodists had all things in common
at the hands of the Lord.
And Saturday night was observed what is
known as soldiers' watch meeting, and Christians
of all shades of belief came to testify to the good¬
ness of God and renew their pledges of fidelity +o
God.
On Sunday the services were of a character that
will live in the memory of all who attended them.
At 10.30 A. M. the pastor, Dr. Smythe, though some¬
what indisposed, preached a soul-stirring sermon to
a large congregation and great were the showers of
blessing when Mrs. Brown followed with an appeal
to Christians for full surrender to Almighty God.
At three o'clock a large number of persons turn¬
ed out to attend the consecration service. Truly the
Lord was present with his people.
At 7.30 the large Auditorium was so crowded
there was not even standing room and numbers of
persons had to be turned away. Mrs. Brown-was at
her best while she swayed the multitude by her
eloquence. Her text was, "What meanest thou 0
sleeper?" This sermon proved the entrance, upon
a new life of many precious souls.
Meetings were held every night this week with
usual success. Tonight will be observed as the last
Soldiers' watch night. Tomorrow at three o'clock
all the converts will assemble in the lecture room
of the church and then march up stairs when Mrs.
Brown will preach a special sermon to them. At
7.30 she will preach her farewell sermon, and on
55
Monday night she will deliver her celebrated lecture,
"Should a woman preach."—Harrisburg, Pa., Voice
of the capitol, Jan. 6, 1903.
HARRISBURG HEARS GOD'S CALL
State Street Church Experiences a Revival.
Five Weeks of Service Bring1 One Hundred and
Twenty Converts, Many of whom are Men.
Voice of the Capital, January 12. /90J.
The revival which closed at the E. State Street
A. M. E. Church, Thursday night, was in many re¬
spects the most marvelous work of the kind accom¬
plished in the city for many years. Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, an evangelist from Washington, D. C.,
member of the M. E. Conference of Baltimore, and
perhaps the most remarkable and successful soul
winner of color in America, was the person under
God to lead this wonderful religious movement. The
conversions for the five weeks aggregate 120, and the
remarkable feature is that the bulk of this number
are persons above 20 years of age. and more than a
third of that number are men. Mrs. Brown has
shattered by this successful revival the theory so
long held that only women and children today ac¬
cept Christianity. The truth is made plain by the
results of her work in Harrisburg, that the Gospel
of Christ has as much power in reaching men and
women as at any time during its course on earth.
The reason perhaps that men are estranged from the
Gospel is because it is not presented in as acceptable
a form to them as it should be; too many preachers
surround the truth with such extraneous matter as
to place it without the pale of an acceptable teach¬
ing Mrs Brown having discovered this weakness
in many preachers has studied to correct this evil by
5G
giving the truth to the world in its simplicity and
in as acceptable a form as possible; as a result men
are fascinated by ^uih and its acceptance is d
logical sequence. Long will Mrs. Brown be re¬
membered by the oeo^le of Harrisburg, both the
colored and white, and the prayers of a great many
will follow her wherever she goes. On Monday
night her lecture, "Should women preach," was
given to a crowded house.
The other evenings of the week were as fruitful
in convictions and conversions as the previous ones.
On Sunday morning the pastor preached to a large
gathering from the words, "We will go with you, for
we have heard that God is with you." At 3 o'clock
the pastor preached to the women in the lecture
room from the text, "Come thou with us, and we
will do thee good; for God has promised good con¬
cerning Israel." At the same hour Mrs. Brown
preached to the men in the auditorium from the text,
"Zaccheus, make haste, and come down." The sight
beggars description. To see thirty-one young and
middle aged men around the altar at one time with
tears streaming down their cheeks and crying for
pardon is a scene over which the angels of God must
have rejoiced. Mothers and wives and sisters of
Harrisburg are pouring out their soul's gratitude
to God for the blessing which has come to them in
the conversion of their loved ones.
The Sunday night meeting will go down on the
pages of history as the greatest of the series so far.
Mrs. Brown preached from the text, "And they went
and told Jesus." The number who came to the altar
was so large that there wras no room to contain
them; the front seats had to be used for a tempor¬
ary altar, and even the space, reserved within the
chancel rail for the workers had to be given over to
the mourners. Oh, what a sight! And the most re¬
markable feature of Mrs. Brown's campaign against
the devil is that she reaches the men and women;
not children. She has fesked the parents to re-
57
member that God gave them children that they may
raise them to his honor and to his glory. The home
is the place to get children saved, and the Sunday
School the place to give them religious instructions.
Mrs. Brown't argument is this, "Let the mothers and
fathers do their duty, and the children will not need
to go to the mourners' bench." Many evangelists
count upon children to swell the number of converts
placed to their credit; but Mrs. Brown cares nothing
for numbers; she goes for genuine conversion, and
does not add among her converts those who ask for
prayers or those who say they would like to live a
different life.
On Monday night the lecture room was crowd¬
ed. Women forgot that it was wash day; men for¬
got that it was one of the coldest evenings of the
month; all turned their steps toward the church,
seeking for that which the world cannot give, the
peace of God. Black men and white men alike
crowded around the altar, and for the nonce all men
were brothers.
Mrs. Brown has introduced many new features
into the exangelistic work; she utilizes Saturday
nights as soldiers' watch night, and by this means
keeps the mourners away from the many tempta¬
tions which are so ready for the destruction of the
unwary. Another feature which she has introduced
is the all-day Thursday meeting. None can ade¬
quately describe the benefit of this meeting. Any
hour from n A. M. to 10.30 P. M. fpund the doors
open, and the services were a delight and an in¬
spiration to all.
Is Mrs. Brown never tired? This is the ques¬
tion which many persons are asking; and to such
queries she answers, "How can I be tired when there
are so many sinners to be saved? I am going to die
with my sword in my hand. The assistance being
rendered us in all these meetings by the Christians
of other denominations and churches is an assur¬
ance of the good will toward our church, and a sin-
6S
cere desire of all good men to see sinners saved.
We are pleased with this spirit of unity and fellow¬
ship, and are sure that it cannot fail to work for
good to all who so subordinate denominational lines
for the broad spirit of Him who said, "Ye are all
Religious Awakening in Bethel Church
Harrisburg Crowds hear Mrs. Brown the Great
Evangelist Preach.
Another week has gone into eternity with the
record of the mighty work of Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
the evangelist, and mighty woman of God. None
but those who have heard Mrs. Brown preach and
sing can form any adequate idea of her greatness.
Neither would people care to believe the things
which occur in her meetings, if they were printed in
a newspaper, unless those reading the paper saw and
heard for themselves. Seventy-five conversions and
about 50 pissons at the altar is the record for less
than three weeks; and so great is the interest in the
record for less than three weeks; and so great is the
interest in the meetings as well as a desire to hear
her expound the mysteries of God, that people are
being turned away from the church, on account of
our not being able to accommodate all who desire to
hear her. Some of the most remarkable conversions
we have ever seen occur almost every night. Men
past middle life and women who have spent many
years in sin are melted to tears, or driven to the al¬
tar as if their lives depended upon such exercises,
and amid all this wonderful woman remains calm*
unruffled, the admired of all. So potent is her in¬
fluence that men and women positively declare, after
listening to her for two or three hours sing, preach
and pray, that it seems to them she had just begun
59
to speak. The more they hear the more they want
to hear her. Her fund of anecdotes and illustrations,
founded upon real and personal experience, are so
numerous that they seem almost endless'. Last
Thursday she observed as fighting day. All day,
from 10.30 A. M., until 11.30 P. M„ services were
conducted, and at all of the services of the day,
crowds attended. At noon the working men around
about, both white and colored, cames in their work¬
ing clothes, and house wives found a welcome in
their aprons. About 9 P. M., she told the story of
how she came to build a Gospel Wagon, and we have
heard no more touching story of faith in God than
she gave to us. Surely God has called and qualified
this great woman to carry the tidings of salvation to
sinners in all parts of America.
Her admirers are as numerous among the white
friends as among those of the colored race, and one
of the wealthiest ladies of the city, after having
listened to her preach, and after visiting1 her at her
lodgings, requested of her the favor of allowing her
to be her hostess during the rest of her stay in Har-
risburg; but this she kindly but firmly declined. On
Saturday night she held "Soldiers' Watch Night,"
and so great was the crowd that they could scarcely
be accommodated. Men and women, who heretofore
did their marketing on Saturday night, either did
their buying earlier in the day or omitted to do so;
for there were house wives and fathers of families
who seemed as if they had only one desire on earth,
and that was to hear Mrs. Brown preach. The re¬
quests from ministers all through the State to have
her assist them are more numerous than she can
answer, and as these requests are followed by num¬
erous visits from pastors as far as 100 miles away,
it seems to us as if it would require about 50 Mrs.
Brown's to fill all these places for the next year.
Harrisburg has never witnessed in all of its history
such a visitation of God's holy spirit as we are now
havin- Brethren, pray for us. Pray that this may
60
sweep into the kingdom all those who should be
saved, but are, in spite of these wonderful meetings,
hardening their hearts toward God.—Harrisbfurg,
"Voice of the Capitol," Dec. 1903.
ANOTHER VISIT TO HARRISBURG
Meetings in Bethel Church are marked with
Religious Fervor and many Conversions.
Never in the history of Bethel Church has there
been such an outpouring of God's Spirit as during
the last two weeks. God has used Mrs. Brown to
the saving of souls in a manner almost incredible.
What is there in this woman that causes men and
women to fall at her words as if touched by electric¬
ity? This is the question upon the lips of many.
To answer this question we have only to say, be¬
cause she lives in close touch with God. More than
half of the day is given up to prayer and
meditation; and the matter of eating is an ex¬
ercise which is entirely secondary with this wo¬
man of God. We have been to her lodgings, time
and again, between the hours of 1 and 2 p. m., to be
told by the lady of the house, "She has not come
down to breakfast yet." She carries upon her heart
the many persons who are unsaved among her hear¬
ers, and so intense is her interest in their eternal
welfare that every other thought becomes subordin¬
ate to this one, "What can I do to save these young
men who haunt me by day and by night?"
Mrs. Brown arrived in the city on Thursday, the
7th inst., and preached that night from the words of
Jesus, "Marvel not that I said unto thee ye must be
born again." At the close of that sermon eight per¬
sons came to the penitent bench, and three of them
were saved. The next night, and each succeeding
night witnessed a repetition of the first. On Sunday
61
morning eight persons united with the church, and
on Sunday night the spacious auditorium was pack¬
ed to hear her preach upon the words, "Tekel." At
the close of that sermon the altar was crowded with
men and women.
The demonstration and religious fervor which
mark the meeting now being held in the Bethel
Church have but two parallels in the history of the
church. More than twenty years ago, when Rev.
Dr. Gould was pastor of the church, and two years
ago, when the present pastor, assisted by Rev. I. S.
Yemmans, had 106 conversions. Every section of
the community is stirred; from all parts of the city
men and women are leaving their work and other
engagements and flocking to the church. Before
the hour for opening the services, and before the
pastor and evangelist get there in the evening, the
church is crowded with men and women singing the
praises of God.
Mrs. Brown arrived in the city on Thursday, the
7th inst., and at the close of her open discourse eight
persons came to the altar, seeking pardon for their
sins. Friday night the altar was crowded, and on
Saturday night the people forgot every other con¬
sideration and came running to hear this woman of
God expound the words of life. Sunday morning
eight persons joined the churfch, and when the time
came to dismiss the service it was not possible to
get the crowd to leave, and many remained in the
church hoping to hear Mrs. Brown speak at the 3
o'clock service. At night the large auditorium was
crowded to its utmost capacity, and after preaching
from the words, "Thou art weighed in the balances,
and art found wanting," men and women were driv¬
en to the altar as if by an irresistible power.
On Monday night Mrs. Brown conducted the
ooenine exercises, and the pastor addressed the con¬
gregation from the words of the chorus of the hymn
that was sung: "And shall I turn back into the
G2
world? O, no, not I!" Mrs. Brown took up the
trend of thought advanced by the pastor, and led the
vast gathering into a wave of sorrow for sin most
pathetic to behold. Men wept and women moaned
as if their hearts would break, and in the midst of
it this mighty woman of God is seen going from one
sinner to another, comforting some with the pro¬
mises of God; warning others of the perilous condi¬
tion in which they are placed by the power of the
devil; a few moments more and she is heard at some
other part of the house singing, "I'll start for the
kingdom tonight." Who can resist her pleading??
Men, old and stricken in sin and almost given up by
all who have known them, fall headlong to the altar
as they listen to her soul-stirring song, "The angel
is going to write it down; tell me your name." On
Tuesday night, Mrs. Brown preached to the women
in the lecture room of the^church, while the pastor
preached to the men in the auditorium of the same.
These meetings, held simultaneously, were the most
remarkable which the writer has ever seen.
A successful adjunct to the preaching of the
word are the Prayer Stations established in all parts
of the city. These stations are open at 12 p. m., and
the persons seeking for salvation go to the station
nearest their residence or work for half an hour to
pray and be prayed for. Mrs. Brown's methods are
perfect, and she reminds one of D. L. Moody, J. Wil¬
bur Chapman, and B. Fay Mills, during the latter's
evangelistic tour through the country.
The men and women of God who comprise
the workers are doing noble work at the altar ser¬
vices. Those who pray and those who sing do so
with an unction which is nothing other than God
given. Eternity only will tell the good which Mrs.
Brown has done in one week. She has not yet in¬
dicated the time she will give to Harrisburg, but we
are all praying to God to let her remain for at least
five weeks, by which time many who have been con-
63
sidered hopeless will be drawn into the kingdom.
Brethren, pray for us. The work demands the pray¬
ers of all who love God and are in sympathy with
the mission of Christ to save lost men. Pray for
Sister Brown that God may continue to bless her,
and keep her as a chosen vessel to do his work for
many years to come.—"Voice of the Capitol."
THOUSANDS HEARD HER AT DURHAM
Mrs. Brown Preached to Large Throng at
Lakewood Park.
Rev. Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the renowned evan¬
gelist, preached at Lakewood Park Sunday after¬
noon to an audience variously estimated from 2,500
to 3,500 people, both whites and colored. The pavil¬
ion, where the services took place, was crowded to
its utmost, and hundreds of people were on the out¬
side in easy hearing distance. Nearly every street
car going in the direction of the park was packed
with passengers from about 1 o'clock up to and after
3 o'clock, the hour for preaching to begin.
The evangelist spoke on the subject of Christ's
visit to the home of Zaccheus, the text being drawn
from the latter part of the 5th verse of the 19th
chapter of Luke. From this subject she preached a
sermon of rare spiritual power, full of eloquence,
ornateness ?nd earnestness. In all of her sermons
she shows that she is a woman of deep thought and
spirituality, and with it all, she is an indefatigible
worker for'the salvation of souls. The vast crowd
of people who heard her on this occasion, many of
them for the first time, were very favorably impres¬
sed.
n„ Sunday nisrht the evangelist preached her
farewell sermon at St. Joseph's Chu«h. An in,-
0 4
mense congregation came out to hear her, and the
closing scenes were very impressive.
Tonight she will deliver an address at St. Jo¬
seph's Church, on the subject of "Should Women
Preach?" This is an exceedingly interesting sub¬
ject, and every one, both white and colored, should
go out and hear her. Ten cents is all the cost at¬
tached, which is much less than is charged in num¬
erous other places.
Tomorrow morning, Rev. Mrs. Brown will
leave on the excursion for Lynchburg, Va., on her
way home to- Washington and Baltimore. She will
preach in Lynchburg while there.—Durham Daily
Sun, July 20, 1903.
SHOULD WOMEN PREACH
Will be discussed by Rev. Annie E. Brown at
Lakewood Park.
A Wonderful Leader of her Race.
In Baltimore Recently There "Were Six Hun¬
dred Conversions Under Her Preaching—
Goes Back to Confirm a Class.
Tomorrow evening Evangelist Annie E. Brown,
colored, will deliver her last address in Durham and
will leave the following morning for Lynchburg,
then to Washington and on to Baltimore. This
afternoon she will preach at Lakewood park, this ser¬
mon begining at 3 o'clock.
During her stay here she ha's preached to many
thousand people and it is said that she has done
much good. Tomorrow night she will deliver an
address upon the subject: "Should Women
Preach?" This will be her last talk here.
fJ5
This afternoon she will preach to both the white
and colored people at Lakewood park. It will give
all an opportunity of hearing her and there will be
a large crowd at the park.
There is no doubt but that Rev. Annie Brown
is a wonderful woman in many respects—she is a
natural leader of the colored race. Wherever she
has been large crowds have flocked to hear her and
there have been conversions by the thousand. In
Baltimore at a recent meeting there were six hund¬
red conversions and when she leaves here she will
be on her way to that city to confirm the six hundred
new church members.—Durham, N. C., "Herald."
A PICTURESQUE PREACHER
Mrs. Brown conducts services at Portsmouth.,
Jj, I., and a Wave of Spirituality Sweeps
that city.
This name is applied to Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
the famous Woman Evangelist, of Washington, D.
C., by the Elmira News, and continues to say,
"Beginning at home, gradually she was called into
other towns and so from place to place, traveling
into Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, North
Carolina and the Eastern States. As the result of
her labors 7,000 people from first to last have pro¬
fessed conversion, and of these a large proportion
have remained faithful to the church in which they
received help toward better living. The meetings
south have been particularly fruitful, great crowds
flocking to hear the woman preacher. The assembl¬
ies are by no means composed entirely of colored
people but large numbers of whites attend and be¬
come converts." The Lodge and Guide Journal of
February 22, 1903, says: "The great tidal wave of
spirituality that is now sweeping over the city of
06
Portsmouth, is actuated by the inspired stewardship
of Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the gifted evangelist, whose
manner of service and personal magnetism, draws
the penitential tears, from the ungodly,, and throws
him convicted at the altar of Mercy, crying, 'LoiJ
what shall I do to be saved?' Also the Century, of
Boston, daced May 4, 1904, says, "Throngs of people
fill every available space in St. Paul's A. M. E.
Church each evening, and hundreds are being turn¬
ed away, unable to gain admission. Never before in
the history of any of the colored churches in Cam¬
bridge has such a wonderful religious enthusiasm
been felt; Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the noted evan¬
gelist, of Washington, D. C., is conducting the ser¬
vices. * * *" There have been a large number
of conversions of both white and colored. This is
the person the Rev. Dr. W. E. C, Gumbs, of Bethel
A. M. E. Church, has secured to conduct the camp-
meeting under the auspices of his church. Mrs.
Brown, who arrived here late Sunday afternoon, and
though somewhat tired after her long ride from
Washington, was introduced by Dr. Gumbs to an
audiertce of nearly 1,000 persons on the camp
ground las; Sunday evening- at 8 o'clock. Mr'.
Brown readily proved she possesses the qualities
above referred to, as she held her audience spell¬
bound, while she discoursed to them from the text,
"This day is salvation come to this house," Luke
xix. 9. Last Monday night Mrs. Brown, with her
heart searching address so captured her audience,
that several young men and women, who otherwise
were considered thoughtless asked for prayer. Dr.
Gumbs has secured a 100x50 feet tent, so as to bet¬
ter accommodate the audience. A great revival may
be looked for. Mrs. Brown has greatly impressed
the community.
67
Aggressive Work at Huntington, L. I.
Many Converts at Bethel Church During
Three weeks of Revival Services in
September, A. D., 1904.
Never since the days of the fathers, has Hunt¬
ington experienced such a spiritual outbreak among
the colored people as has been within the past three
weeks. Dr. Gumbs showed his highest aggressive
thought in his church work when he secured the
famous colored American evangelist Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, of Washington, D. C., who during the past
three weeks has held spellbound hundreds with her
eloquent and soul stirring sermons. Last Sunday
night broke the record. The 100 by 50 foot tent
which Bethel's aggressive pastor secured for the re¬
vival meetings on the camp ground, was merely able
to hold 1,500 persons while hundreds out side tould
not even find standing room, when this great Amer¬
ican evangelist delivered a sermon that cut on the
right and left from the text, "Thou art Weighed in
the Scale of the Balance and art found Wanting/'
subject, "Sleepers on Duty." Throughout the en¬
tire meetings the results of this evangelist's work
are the conversion of twenty-five souls, some from
among the most thoughtless of the community. Next
Sunday at 11 a. m., Mrs. Brown, aided by Dr.
Gumbs, will preach and administer the Love Feast,
In the 'afternoon at 2 o'clock the young converts
will be baptized in the Huntington Harbor in front
of Selleck's hotel. Evangelist Mrs. A. E. Brown
and Dr. Gumbs the baptisers, will be robed in white;
the female candidates will wear white gowns and the
male candidates will be dressed in black. From the
baptism the congregation will be invited to return to
the tent when Mrs. Brown will preach the afternoon
sermon Af 7.30 p m.. Mrs. Brown will prea;ch her
farewell sermon which ends the revival meetings.
68
On next Monday night Mrs. Brown will wind up
her labors here with a lecture a't the Opera House
entitled "Should Women Preach," This being a
question so much discussed in all ecclesiastical bod¬
ies it will certainly interest all Huntington. The ad¬
mission will be only 15 cents and it is certain none
will miss it.
The unanimous regret of the public is that Mrs.
Brown's time for departure is at hand for never m
this community ha!s any spoken like her.—Suffolk
L. I. Bulletin.
CROWD AT A PUBLIC IMMERSION
Many Converts at Huntington are baptised in
tlie Harbor.
Halesite, Sept. 12.—Not less than 1,500 people,
some place the number at more than 2,000, assembl¬
ed at this place yesterday afternoon to witness the
baptism, by immersion, in the waters of the harbor,
of twenty-one converts to the A. M. E. Church.
These (conversions were the result of the labors of
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the colored evangelist, who
has been laboring here at special camp meeting ser¬
vices. The pastor of the A. M. E. Church, Dr. W.
E. C. Gumbs, has assisted, and the Presiding Elder,
the Rev. Dr. S. Timothy Tice, of Brooklyn, has also
lent his aid at times.
Dr. Tice was present yesterday and officiated
at the baptism. The converts, the women robed in
white, the men dressed in bla,ck, accompanied by Mrs.
Brown, the Revs. Tice and Gumbs, each robed in
white, madv. a strikng appearance. They came from
the gospel tent in the village by trolley and long
before the car came in sight their songs of praise
could be heard. The crowd that had assembled to
witness the rite was for the most part quiet and or¬
derly. Archer's dock was black with them, the Edge-
69
water piazzas were full, the hotel grounds were
crowded and they stood fiftv deep along the shore.
It is sixteen years since a public immersion was
held here. The houseboat Nayr had 150 on board
and launches and rowboats completely choked the
space north of Archer's dock.
After a short service of prayer and song, held
on the lawn adjoining the shore, Dr. Tice and the
Rev. Gumbs took their place in the water, about
waist deep. Mrs. Annie Brown, singing good A. M.
E. hymns, took the converts out to the ministers,
who very quickly immersed them. Each ducking
called for a burst of "ahs" from the irreverent in
the crowd. After the ceremony a part of the big
crowd went to Huntington Village, where Mrs.
Brown preached in the big tent.
She closed her labors here last evening. To¬
night she lectures in the Opera House on "Should
Women Preach?" She goes from here to Port Jef¬
ferson. where she will conduct revival services.—
Brooklyn Times.
THANKFULNESS OF DR. GUMBS
Letter to the Long Islander tells of Appreci¬
ation for helpful work.
To the Editor of the Long-Islander:
Dear Sir: The undersigned begs to present his
heartfelt gratitude to the Suffolk Bulletin and the
LONG-ISLANDER for their loyal support in lay¬
ing before the publfc our camp meeting exercises.
He also feels words are inadequate to express his
gratefulness to the ladies and friends in g-eneral,
who by their liberal presents and kindly greetings
made glad the heart of our evangelist, Mrs. Annie
E Brown who so faithfully labored, in our midst,
bringing souls to Christ; also Messrs. Henry S.
Brush Douglass Conklin, and others interested in
TO
the Opera house, who kindly favored us with the
loan of chairs, together with Wilmot Sammis; also
Messrs. W. R. Selleck and Thomas Archer, who
granted us the use of their premises leading to the
harbor for our baptism; not forgetting the Rev.
George T. Eddy, who gave us an evening service.
God bless and prosper you.
Yours for God and humanity,
W. E. C. GUMBS.
Woman Evangelist Draws Big Crowd
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washington, the
Wonderful, Evangelist meets with
great success at A. M. E. Church,
Philadelphia.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the wonderful and suc¬
cessful evangelist of Washington, D. C., is meeting
with unprecedented success at Union A. M. E.
Church, Sixteenth street below Fairmount avenue,
Rev. Dr. Israel Derricks, pastor.
Mrs. Brown, who came to this city from Harris-
burg, Pa., where she spent several weeks' engage¬
ment with Rev. Dr. T. A. Smythe, at State Street
A. M. E, Church, has been successful in her meetings
here and has attracted large audiences each evening.
The meetings which have been in progress at
Union Church a little more than a week, conducted
by Mrs. Brown, have been instrumental in making
many additions to the membership of the church, and
a general revival has been manifested, a wide in¬
fluence for good among the residents of that com¬
munity. Great success has attended her efforts.
Mrs. Brown will close her engagement at Un¬
ion Church unless some of the other previous and
urgent calls she has to other cities can be cancelled
Monday.
Few, if any women, have proven so successful
71
in evangelistic endeavor as Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
who has been engaged in the work for a number of
years.
PORT JEFFERSON STIRRED UP
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the well-known American
evangelist, of Washington, D. C., has been conduct¬
ing divine services all the week in Athena Hall. The
meetings have been well patronized, and will be con¬
tinued every night this week and on the morning,
afternoon and evening of next Sunday. There is no
change for admission to these series and everybody
is welcome. Mrs. Brown has built a gospel wagon
and has traveled thousands of miles all over the
country and has won thousands of souls for Christ.
The work here is carried on under the auspices of
the Arnett A. M. E. Chapel, Rev. W. E. C. Gumbs,
pastor. Mrs. Brown is a woman of very pleasing
address, and is very enthusiastic in her work. She
is an excellent speaker, an earnest exhorter and a
sweet singer.—Port Jefferson, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1904.
• • '"
72
A GREAT RELIGIOUS AWAKENING
Eai'nest and Successful Meetings at Campbell
A. M. E. Cliurcli, Frankford, Under the
Auspices of Mrs. Annie E. Brown.
Frankford Current, January, 1905.
The Campbell A. M. E. Church, Frankford, of
which Rev. Doctor Smythe is pastor, is passing
through a great wave of religious awakening. Mrs.
Annie E. Brown, the noted evangelist of Washing¬
ton, is conducting the meetings for Doctor Smythe,
and great is the interest being manifested in the
preaching of the word of God.
Mrs. Brown arrived here Saturday in time to
conduct Watch-night service and before the meeting
closed nineteen persons were at the altar seeking
for salvation. On Sunday evening there was scarce¬
ly any room in the church for those who flocked to
hear this wonderful woman of God propound the
doctrine of Regeneration, and at her invitation 20
persons responded by promising to lead a new life.
Every night since has witnessed a similar outpouring
of God's spirit among his people and sinners are
flocking to the altar, seeking the way of life. The
Campbell church is really having a jubilee, and the
hearts of pastor and officers are rejoicing in the new
life that has come to the church. Mrs. Brown will
preach three times on Sunday, and all Christian
workers are invited to worship as well as assist in
persuading sinners to flee from the wrath to come.
Rev. Dr. Smythe is noted for his success in ad¬
ding to his membership. The largest number of
conversions ever witnessed in the Harrisburg church
since the tirrle Rev. Dr. Gould was pastor of the
church were brought into the church two successive
years under his pastorate. One year over 150 per-
73
sons were taken in on probation, and 150 the next
year.
Rev. Robert Bell, of Trinity A. M. E. Zion
Church, rendered acceptable help at the three o'clock
service, Sunday, preaching- a soul-stirring sermon,
which greatly strengthened the believers and con¬
vinced sinners of the error of their way.—Frankford
Courant.
WOMAN EVANGELIST'S WORK
The Rev. Annie E. Brown, of Washington,
wants to Remain In Brooklyn, that she
may induce Sinners to repent.
Brooklyn Times, May 2, 1905.
The Rev. Annie E. Brown, the woman evangel¬
ist, of Washington, D. C., who enjoys a national rep¬
utation and who has been instrumental in con¬
verting thousands in all parts of the country, con¬
cluded Sunday evening her two weeks of labor at
the St. John's A. M. E. Church, in Howard avenue
and Herkimer street. During her ministration
there many have been converted and scores have
come forward and asked to be prayed for.
Mrs. Brown is to remain in Brooklyn for some
time and will preach at various churches in this
borough and at various other points on Long Island.
She has been invited to preach at several of the
white churches, but will not do so until she has
completed her labors among her own people. In
her farewell sermon to the people of St. John's
Church, last evening, Mrs. Brown urged the unggdly
to repentance, and spoke of the necessrty of pro-
Darins- for eternity.
After she had concluded her sermon she passed
through the audience singing stirring hymns and
74
appealing to the sinners to come forward to be pray¬
ed for. When she returned to the altar many fol¬
lowed her and begged for prayer.
Mrs. Brown has a strong voice that can be
heard in all parts of the edifice, and her singing
creates much religious enthusiasm. She is tail and
of striking appearance, and is a regular ordained
preacher in the A. M. E. Church. Mrs. Brown has
traveled in all parts of the country ? and everywhere
that she has held services the revivals have been at¬
tended with abundant success. She now has letters
from all parts of the country requesting her ser¬
vices. In conversation with a "Citizen" reporter last
evening she said:
"I feel as if there is a great work for me to do
in Brooklyn. There are some hard sinners in this
town, and through the grace of God I want to get
at them. I have* had some wonderful experiences
in traveling about Brooklyn and I have seen some
people that caused my heart to ache. There are
thousands of women here that must be saved, and
as for the men, the devil seems to have them bound
hand and feet, but the love of God can free' them
and I am: anxious to help them to salvation."
While in Brooklyn Mrs. Brown is the guest of
Presiding Elder and Mrs. S. T. Tice, at No. 991 St.
Mark's avenue.—Brooklyn Times.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Life is not a holiday, but an education, and the
one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can
live. Do not quarrel with your lot in life; do not
resent temptation; do not be perplexed because it
seems to thicken round you more and more, and
ceases neither for effort, nor for agony, nor prayer.
That is the practice God appoints you, and it is hav¬
ing its work in making you patient and humble and
cenerous and unselfish and kind and courteous.
Therefore, keep in the midst of life.
75
Y. M. C. A. EVANGELISTIC MEETING
Mrs. Brown Talks to Young1 Men in Brooklyn
and Induces them to [Lead Better [Lives.
Rev. Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the successful evan¬
gelist, who has been for some weeks conducting a
series of revival services at the Abyssinian Baptist
Church, spoke some very plain words to a crowd of
men at the Young Men's Christian Association Sun¬
day afternoon at 4 o'clock. When the hour arrived
to open the meeting the room, with a seating capac¬
ity of 150, was crowded, and a few minutes later 50
more bad been packed into the social room adjoin¬
ing. More than 100 were turned away. Mrs. Brown
selected as a text the question of Pharoah to Jacob,
"How Old Art Thou?" In her remarks she spared
no one. The men seemed to like it. Among other
things Mrs. Brown said: "How old are you? If
twenty, thirty or fifty, how much of that time have
you spent in helpful service? Hew much sin and
evil? Men seem to have an idea that they can do
anything and it will be all right. They have no re¬
gard for other people's feelings. They think th'ev
can attend the barrooms, frequent clubs, gamble,
patronize the dens, dives and hell-holes and come
on away and be gentlemen just the same."
With these and other remarks Mrs. Brown en¬
tertained her audience for more than an hour. At
the close of the service an after-meeting was held,
numbers of men coming forward for prayers. It
was a splendid service. Five conversions followed,
and others expressed a desire to lead a better life.
Rev Dr W. H. Brooks and Rev, Charles L. Brown
were present and took an active part in the meeting.
Next Sunday afternoon the meeting will be held at
Abyssinian Baptist Church, and Mrs. Brown will
speak.—Brooklyn Times.
78
MRS. BROWN THE EVANGELIST
An Editor's Views on the Nature and Importance
of her Work.
The evangelistic work is indeed very uninviting
—to those especially that have stopped to consider
the thanklessness of the work from the human side
of it. The average human being is inclined to look
upon this important work as something to be car¬
ried on by visionary people or by persons that could
never attain to eminence save through this kind of
labor. Largely, this is true, though unwittingly ad¬
mitted; for, like poets and other geniuses, evan¬
gelists are born and not made. The soul that the
Muses visit is best known through poetry and not
through prose. The evangelist is best known by
the spirit and the letter of "go ye into all the world"
rather than by a certificate entitling tha bearer to
go to this or that church. In fact, "and greater
works shall ye do" is the sort that the evangelist
undertakes, and the one that thus undertakes and
succeeds, is indeed pre-eminent.
We have noticed that in a very large degreej
Mrs. Brown possesses the key to all evangelistic suc¬
cess—simple faith. One may through will power,
training or other means become a su' ~essful pastor,
or even a great preacher; but sim'ple faith—seem-
ingly possessed by so few—is the mustard seed by
which mountains of human burdens are removed.
Mrs. Brown's effort at St. Paul in this city is ot
the kind that tests the true evangelistic spirit.
While we do not presume to pull the mote out of
the eyes of the people, as mortals that are weak or
blind usually attempt to do, the conditions here, we
admit, are extremely adverse. Mrs. Brown's meet¬
ings work wonders in themselves. It would be vain
to predict or even desire that the result of her el-
77
forts be manifested in any certain way for we usual¬
ly desire results to be such as the world will point
to as proof of our success. Mrs. Brown proves her
merit as an evangelist by laboring on in simple faith,
and whatever the result may on the surface appear
to be, the real result will be in proportion to the faith
exhibited.
During this trip they visited Pikes Peak, Man-
ton, and many other resorts of the West.
Mrs. Brown and Hickman will end their en¬
gagement in our city Sunday, June 17, and will be
tendered a reception Monday evening, June i8fh,
leaving Tuesday for Colorado Springs, where they
will conduct a ten days meeting for Rev. Tillman,
thence on to Washington, D. C. Heaven bless and
guide them.—Pueblo, Col. Times, June 9, 1906.
HERALDING A REVIVAL
A Tampa Florida, Paper ask for a Great Religious
Awakening.
The Editor says : Mrs. Annie E. Brown, tlie
Greatest Soul Winner of the Age, Coming
to Tampa—The Mission Station of New
York, will Conduct Evangelistic
Meetings in St. Paul's A. M. E.
Church.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, the woman who through
God has been the means of winning more souls and
bringing more people to Christ than any living
woman of her day, accompanied by Mrs. Abbie W.
Lyons, the great singer and musician, are expected
to arrive in Tampa /the latter part of the week and
open up a series of revival services in St. Paul s
Church, Sunday.
78
Mrs. Brown is regarded by the leading Christ¬
ian workers of the country as a wonderful woman.
She has peculiar magnetic and drawing powers.
She and Mrs. Lyons are the women Moodys and
Sankeys.
Dr. J. E. W. Brown, President of Gannon The¬
ological Seminary and Atlanta University, says:
"Sister Annie E. Brown, of our Washington
Conference has unspeakable gifts, and great power
with God. She does not know her spiritual power."
The Boston Globe published: "Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, the noted evangelist now conducting the
wonderful revival at the St. Paul's Social Settle¬
ment, has stirred Boston as it has not been stirred
since the days of the lamented Philip Brooks.
Thousands have heard her gladly; hundreds have
been converted."
The Baltimore Sun stated: "There is a phenom¬
enal woman in this city, conducting a revival of
religion at St. John's colored Church. She has
created a sensation such as has never been witness¬
ed in the city of Baltimore. Over 600 souls have
been converted, and thousands of people flock to
hear her day and night. All classes go to these
meetings. In the day she preaches in the streets.
She is reaching the lowly and outcast of both races.
The peoole at night throng the church and hundreds
are turned away. This colored woman has an in¬
telligent bearing, well educated, eloquent in speech,
sweet in song; her voice has a pathos that will af¬
fect the most stubborn heart. The colored ministers
of the city, regardless of denomination, have united
with her in helping to save the negroes of Balti¬
more."
The Washington Star says: "Annie E. Brown,
the noted colored evangelist, with her gospel wagon
and religious band, is bringing untold numbers to
Christ. Washington is greatly indebted to this good
woman."
79
These are but a few of the many comments
upon Mrs. Brown's great work of soul-saving. Dr.
Tice has succeeded in getting the consent of Mrs.
Brown to come to Tampa for the express purpose
of awakening our people along- religious lines, and
to reach and save, if possible, the vast number of
colored people who do not attend any church and
who are crowding the road of destruction. Think
ot it! Out of the twelve thousand or more colored
peoole in Tampa, less than 3,000 are church-going
people. We call upon the Christian people of
Tampa, irrespective of church, to unite in a har¬
monious effort to save our people in this city. The
Bulletin feels quite sure that such a religious move¬
ment as has been planned will be a Godsend bless¬
ing to *he colored people in particular, and to the
citizens in general. Every minister, church and
Christian is cordially invited to unite with us in
this great religious movement.
One Hundred Converts at Washington
Washington Star, May 7, /905.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, who has been conducting
revival services at the Vermont Avenue Baptist
Church, colored, for the past three weeks, is to
preach her farewell sermon at the church this even¬
ing. The series of services of which these have been
a part began January 1. Rev. George W. Lee, pas¬
tor of the Vermont Avenue Church, has baptized
nearly 100 persons during the period named.
so
AN EDITOR'S TESTIMONIAL
The Pueblo, Col., ftews Telts of ftirs. Brown's
Call to do Evangelistic Work,
This city has never been visited by a more in¬
telligent and fluent speaker than Mrs. Annie E.
Brown, of Washington, D. C., who is now conduct¬
ing revival services at St. Paul A. M. E. Church.
The editor was permitted to hear the story of
how she was called from her palatial home in Wash¬
ington to go out into the world for lost sinners.
She told of how God called her to Camp Alger, near
thirty miles from Washington, and when there was
no visible means of transportation, he sent old
Brother Anderson, an expressman with a very poor,
aged horse and weather beaten wagon, down the
alley, and she hailed him and secured his services
to haul her to the camp. Then how the poor ani¬
mal which she named John the Baptist, would pause
and shake his head at the foot of every hill and they
were compelled to get out and walk. She told how
after the death of Father Anderson, John the Bap¬
tist was purchased by her son and cared for until
the end came to him.
When Mrs. Brown told of how God so wonder¬
fully led her in securing $800 to build her famous
gospel wagon and how she overcame every obstacle,
we found ourself staring with mouth wide open.
The story of their first trip was most interesting in¬
deed. How they met a man on the road, inquired
of him their course and then introduced Jesus whom
the man readily accepted and went on his way re¬
joicing. The next experience was in meeting an
aged man in the road who was a sinner and unto
whom they preached Jesus. He gladly bowed and
accepted Him as King and ran on before Mrs.
Brown and her band of workers in the wagon, cry-
81
ing as he ran, "There is a woman coming with a
wagon load of Jesus."
Mrs. Biown told of an offer of $400 by some
worldly men to hold a meeting" in a certain city in
order that they might run in an excursion, which
offer she emphatically refused.
Recently a great wind tore down and literally
destroyed her tent which seated five thousand peo¬
ple. And now she is asking God to open up ave¬
nues for her to collect $450.00 to secure another, and
God is wonderfully pouring in the money. Hun¬
dreds of men and women have been brought to God
through Mrs. Brown's ministry. Mrs. Brown came
to this city more than three weeks ago and has made
an impression on the hearts of the people for good
that only time can efface. Traveling with Mr?.
Brown is Mrs. Hickman, her life long friend of
Washington, D. C. Mrs. Hickman is peculiarly
fitted for the very desirable position of traveling
companion to this great evangelist. Congenial, in¬
telligent and consecrated, she is a blessing to all
with whom she comes in contact.
Pueblo owes Rev. Bray a debt of gratitude for
bringing such distinguished characters to our city.
PUEBLO GETS AN AWAKENING
St. Paul Church the Scene of a Very Enthusias¬
tic Series of Meetings.
Colorado Times, Saturday June 30,1906.
Perhaps Pueblo never was stirred in her history
with a greater religious awakening than now, un¬
der the direction of Mrs. A. E. Brown, of Washing¬
ton, D. C., who is conducting revival services at St.
Paul A. M. E. Church. Crowds are attending
nightly and many souls are being saved. We hope
82
to be able to give our 1,500 readers a sketch of this
great woman's life and labors next week.
ST. PAUL.
The revival fires continue to burn and souls are
coming home. Prayers are ascending all over the
city for lost souls and God is hearing and answering
them.
Mrs. Brown is the most powerful evangelist
this city has ever heard. Crowds are listening to
her wonderful sermons nightly and men are being
saved. The meetings will continue through next
week.
Women's service at 3 p. m. tomorrow.
Mrs. Hickman, traveling companion to Mrs.
Brown, is distributing good old time religion, com¬
mon sense and sunshine at the parsonage.—Colora¬
do Times.
NEW RESCUE HOME
Negro Women Found one with "Mother Brown "
as head.
Important Movement to Help Friendless Young
Negro Women, Started in New York City.
Alarmed by the fearful conditions which she
has found existing among the young Negro women
of New York, the Rev. Annie E. Brown, of Wash¬
ington, has decided to give up her evangelistic work
in other parts of the country and devote herself to
rescue work here. During her stay in this city,
where she has been 'conducting revivals, she has so
deeply interested the women of the Negro churches
in the gravity of the situation that a number of them
have clubbed together and secured the large eleven
room house at No. 25 West 134th street for a rescue
ft/other tftrown in Prayer with a Rescue Child.
Rescued from Port Tampa City, Florida, midnight, Satur¬
day, January 23, 1909. Picture made by "Traveler's tree"
West Palm Beach, Florida, March 3, /909.
j*he tree supplies water to thirsty travelers through the
desert.
83
home. The house has been remodelled and redec¬
orated and a chapel added.
^other" Brown, as she is affectionately
called by the young women of her race from one
end of the country to the other, and the organiza¬
tion that is backing her will have their headquar¬
ters. ,
Speaking of the new association, its aims and
the great necessity of the work she proposes to do,
Mrs. Brown said yesterday:
"I am frequently asked why we are"to open a
rescue home here. Most of the young women who
come to this ;city are girls who have had Christian
training in their homes, but they soon drift away
from their home training after coming here. Often
in my evangelistic work broken hearted girls have
come to me, and, throwing their arms about nty
neck, have cried: 'Oh, Mrs. Brown, I want to die.
I have no home. No one cares for me.'
"A girl goes to a social at a men's club or at¬
tends a ball, drinks and is tempted. From her
dream of happiness she too often awakes to a hor¬
rible reality, and unless God in His pity sends some
'mother' to rescue her, the world will soon point the
finger of scorn at her, and she will sink deeper and
deeper till the Potter's Field opens its arms for her
and she finds a nameless grave. To save such girls
from themselves—could there be a more glorious
way to finish my life's work?"
As soon as they can raise the money the wom¬
en will buy a home of their own. Mrs. Brown's
idea is to give the young women who come to her
"perfe'ct rest of body, a neat room, good, wholesome
food and above all love and counsel as to the value
of womanly purity and refined dignity."
Mrs Brown says that, as a great part of the
work of rescue will consist in training the girls to
lead industrious lives, any kind of work that women
can do such as sewing, typewriting, manicuring,
84
hairdressing, laundry work and mending of all kinds,
will be gladly undertaken. The home is located in
the centre of a large Negro colony, where Mrs.
Brown and her associates are convinced there is
great need cf the work they propose to do.—N. Y.
Tribune, Jan. 25, 1907.
FIFTY SINNERS RESPOND TO SISTER
BROWN'S CALL
Quaint Revival Meeting in a West Side f'egro
Church.
!Laug"hter and Tears Mixed.
One Girl Penitent Couldn't Stand the Emotion
and Quit Church Unsaved.
Sister Brown held a successful revival meeting
last night in Bethel M. E. Church, (colored,) at
Twenty-fiftl. street and Eighth avenue. Nearly
fifty obeyed her summons to come to the penitent
bench.
The sister wears a semi-ecclesiastical dress of
pale violet. It is cut severely and simply, with long
flowing sleeves, and is bound at her waist with a
cord, like a cassock. The cuffs and collar are of
stiff white linen, and around her neck is a chain
from which hangs a large silver cross.
She did not hold the regular service, a most in¬
teresting feature of which was the invitation to new
members to come up and join the church, but came
afterward. About twenty responded to the invita¬
tion to join the church. They were marshaled along
the rail by the stewards. To each the pastor, the
85
f"fiV* Ti' -W' Hend.erson, extended the right hand of
fellowship, proclaiming their names to the congre¬
gation with such comments as these:
"A brother who was converted last night, thank
God. We welcome you! Sister Louisa B. Moore,
of Charleston. God bless you, my daughter. Be
faithful unto death and all shall be well."
Then the stewardesses of the church passed
down the line and shook hands with each, while the
people sang a revival hymn.
The Communion was celebrated and then arose
Sister Brown and took charge of the meeting. She
spoke only for a few minutes, touching on the dan¬
gers of delay in being converted.
"Are you one of those who will report to God
in your sin this year?" she cried, "I plead with you.
It is so easy for God to take you in. I plead with
you, plead with you! Perhaps for the last time I
put this question to you. Let every sinner in this
house rise and stand!"
Perhaps twenty persons rose among the large
congregation.
"Some sinners are sitting still," declared the
sister. "I'm going to ask those who've made up
their minds to go to hell to sit still and take it easy.
I can't help you. Sing, brothers and sisters, and let
the sinners come up and shake my hand."
The congregation, led by a single voice, broke
into a revival hymn, and slowly those whom Sister
Brown had touched came forward. A few of them
were men snd women, more were young girls,
dressed in the height of fashion, and here and there
was a young man, half ashamed of his confession.
To all alike^the same welcome was given, and they
knelt in two long rows at the rail before the first
row of seats.
As 'hey came the singing went on. The emo¬
tion was too great for one girl in a large white
picture hat She came up reluctantly and then went
86
back. One of the stewardesses encouraged her, and
she came up again. But once more she arose from
her knees, hurried down the centre aisle, paused a
moment at the door with a lingering look at the
other penitents, and passed into the night.
The pastor called on a brother to lead in prayer.
As he poured forth his petitions, Dr. Hendersoti
took them up and repeated them after him, and from
every part of the church came the answers of those
who joined heart and voice in them.
"Brother John Green, sing!" called the pastor.
Once again a revival hymn rang out with the
rhythm which makes the music of the! ,South so
emotionally powerful. "Now I'm' happy all the
day!" sang the brother, and every one caught it up.
They swung themselves back and forth in time to
the air. They clapped their hands together and beat
time with their feet.
Then, as if by one impulse, the congregation
sank on their knees, and again some one led in
prayer. The music, the impassioned words, the re¬
ligious ecstacy were beginning to have their effect
upon the penitents.
"Christians, draw round our brethren!" cried
Sister Brown. The Stewards stood in a long line
before them. The congregation gathered and com¬
pleted the eifele of prayer, and in the middle the
evangelist moved back and forth, beating time to
the music, never allowing it to cease, and swinging
herself rhythmically backward and forward.
Suddenly she burst into the Glory song. One
of the penitents had seen the error of her ways.
She arose from her knees. She praised God aloud.
She threw her arms around the sister and kissed
her. She laughed and shouted for very joy.
"Sing again, brethren!" ordered the Sister. And
then the congregation took up a song of the regular
negro type. Its melody was simple, but the regular¬
ity of its swing carried everybody away with it.
87
Oh sinner man, how can you stand?
Save us Lord, save us!
You've built your house upon the sand!
Save us Lord, save us.
Over and over again the same words were re¬
peated, the long line of stewards beating time with
their hand swinging themselves as the regular cad¬
ences fell. A young girl, as she knelt, began to
weep, and in a moment one of the elders bent over
her and whispered words of good cheer.
An old woman suddenly began to pray aloud,
and the congregation fell on its knees. She swung
into a regular chant, strangely suggestive of Greg-
orians, and beat regularly upon the fchair at which
she knelt.
Another penitent arose converted, and there
was b,ughter and tears strangely mixed. As each
sinner openly confessed he had seen his faults the
congregation openly rejoiced, and so for nearly an
hour they strove with heart and voi'ce to bring all
who would to declare their intention to lead a better
life.—N. Y. Times.
88
New Soldiers for the King's Army
A Few Facts From Bethel Church, New York
Communication from Dr. T. IV. Henderson.
I am quite sure that many readers will be glad
to hear of the glorious revival that has been bless¬
ing the people of New York for the past four weeks.
We have had a sure enough revival. First of
all, the church itself has been revived and many who
had grown worldly-minded and careless have been
greatly warmed up and many of them have resumed
their church and class attendance and have told
their leaders that from henceforth they were deter¬
mined to be found at their post, and would not
grow careless any more. Then many others who
had attended their church and class meetings have
become even more enthusiastic in their work for
the Lord and Master. Nearly one hundred new
soldiers have united with the King's Army and have
promised to fight until the war is over. Among the
number of new converts are to be found quite a
crowd of men, many of whom being men of much
prominence in the community. Two of the men re¬
ferred to have been constant attendants at Bethel
for between twenty and thirty years, but never be¬
fore could be persuaded to give their heart to Jesus,
but they are among the happiest men in the whole
city toda}'. The church is all ablaze with religious
fervor, and I have never seen a happier people in all
my life. At our last Communion Service, the first
Sunday in this month, between six and seven hun¬
dred knelt at the table and partook of the broken
emblems of our Lord's Body and Blood.
I cannot find words too high to use in praise
of Sister Annie Brown, of Washington City, who as
an evangelist, gave us great service and made for
89
herself a name in Bethel Church that will live long
after she has closed her labors on earth and gone
home to rest. Sister Brown is a splendid speaker,
a good singer, a fine manager of meetings and a
Christian lady. I am glad I had her with me and
pray God to long spare her to labor in His cause.
As I know that many brethren will desire to write
her for dates. I will do them the favor to give her
New York address, which is 25 West 134th street.
Bethel people are all greatly pleased to learn
that the Bishops' Council has continued the old
Roman, Bishop Turner, in charge of this conference
until General Conference. We all very dearly love
the grand old warrior, and shall find pleasure in
honoring him.
We are very busy arranging for our 88th an¬
niversary, which takes place in the largest hall in
the city, Grand Central Palace, April nth. Last
year we realized at the same place within a few dol¬
lars of $1,500, but we expect to over-run that amount
this year. You see this is my fifth and last year,
and it must be my best.—Christian Recorder.
90
SISTER BROWN IS HERE AND SINNERS
TREMBLE.
Such a Stirring of Conscience Among the
Colored Folk!
"She'll Chase Satan Home or set the Woods
A-fire," she says. She Does Not Think
Much of City's Christianity.
The Rev. Annie E. Brown, of Washington, the
colored evangelist, has come here to stay a month,
and the colored population is properly excited. The
revival meetings for which "Sister Brown," as she
is called, is famous, and which the older negroes are
awaiting with such thrills of pleasure as they have
not experienced since the old camp meeting days in
the South, are looked forward to with no little anx¬
iety, however, by some of the younger members.
For "Sister Brown" has little use for the relig¬
ion of her race, as it is practiced in New York, and
threatens before she leaves to "set the woods afire
and chase Satan home."
"I wouldn't give two cents for all the religion
that some of you people who call yourselves Christ¬
ians have got," she declared at a meeting in the
Bethel A. M. E. Church, in Twenty-fifth street, near
Eighth avenue, on Thursday night. "You are get'
ting so high-toned that you talk about old-fashioned
religion and revival meetings making you nervous.
Well. I'll make you so nervous that you'll die of
prostration."
"Sister Brown" has come near to keeping her
word. She declared that the meeting on Thursday
night should be exclusively for women, and she had
her way. Even the pastor was barred from the
church. Then the meeting was held. "Sister
91
Brown has a powerful voice, and sings with a fer¬
vor which awakens her audiences to the highest
pitch of religious enthusiasm. But on Thursday
night she held herself in check. Listening males
were unable to hear a word of what went on, and
ever since anxious husbands have been trying to
find out what "Sister Brown" told their wives.
Mrs. Brown does not tolerate pipe organs,
orchestras, or cornet solos at her meeting, and the
good old brothers and sisters whom the orchestras
and string bands have driven from their accustomed
seats in the churches are flocking to Sister Brown's
meetings. These are remarkable, even among ne-
?ro meetings, for the enthusiasm aroused at them.
While $ister Brown sings revival songs the older
negroes pray and shout aloud.
"Lordy!" exclaimed a venerable woman at the
conclusion of one of the meetings, "dat do seem
eood. Dat's the first time Ah've had a chance to
shout good an' hard foh de last five years, and it
shuah done jes' stimilate mah relig'on."
It is upon this very ability of her rafce to be
easily stirred that "Sister.Brown" depends for re¬
sults. Her meetings are always marked by surpris¬
ing fervor and enthusiasm. She sweeps her audi¬
ence from its feet and sets it singing and shouting
in a sort of religious ecstacy.
The manner in which the services are conducted
is impressive. They are invariably opened by the
singing of a hymn, which Mrs. Brown starts in a
low solemn cadence. Its effect can quickly be noted
on her congregation, who join with her in the
music. A prayer and another hymn bring Mrs.
Brown to her sermon.
She believes in laying on her colors with a
broad brush and holds closely to the precepts of
Trmathan Edwards. In a moment her hearers are
worked up to a high pitch of excitement. Then the
evano-elist starts down among her audience exhort-
incr i? with prayers and songs to turn from its ways
92
if it hopes to escape future punishment and secure
the happiness of heaven.
As she walks back to the pulpit scores of young
men and women never fail to follow her. These are
made to kneel while the rest of the congregation
pray for their conversion. In a jubilee of shouts and
songs the meeting closes with a chorus of hearty
^'Hallelujahs" and "Amens."
"New York is one of the hardest propositions
I have tackled," says "Sister Brown," "but before
I leave it I shall cleanse it."—N. Y. Times, Jan. 6,
1907.
MRS. ANNIE E. BROWN
The Greatest Woman Evangelist of her Race
Conducting: Meetings at St. John's
Church, Orange, N. J.
Square Deal, Orange, N. JNovember 2, 1907.
The two weeks' meetings held in St. John's M.
E. Church closed last Sunday evening. Mrs. Annie
E. Brown, the evangelist, was at her best during
these meetings. There were seven conversions, and
we trust a real deepening of the spiritual life of the
people.
There is no doubt much good done the com¬
munity by the presence of such a woman as Mrs.
Brown in it, and it is to be hoped that the impres¬
sion will be lasting. If the church is to hold its own
in the minds of the people it is very plain that the
preaching in the future must be more on the evan¬
gelistic order than it has been in recent years. That
the mass of our people are not removed from the
old time methods was clearly demonstrated during
these two weeks. The pastor of that church gives
it as his deliberate judgment that no gospel is so
93
acceptable and indeed so effective among our peo¬
ple as that gospel which is presented with the idea
that death and judgment are near at hand. Our
people do not love the gospel that is presented with
the view to make men live like Christians. Their
desire is to serve God not because they love Him,
but because they fear His punishment. Mrs. Brown
knows the way to reach the people, and her own
dread of the judgment of God makes her wonder¬
fully adapted to presenting that phase of the gospel
message, and it is yet an open question whether or
not that phase of God is too little emphasized—
especially in these days.
REVIVAL BREAKS OUT
Prominent Evangelist Conducts Services at
Zion A. M, E. Church, Asbury Park.
Evening Press, Asbury Park, N. J. May 20, 1908.
A revival of large proportions has broken out a+
the Zion A. M. E. Church, Springwood avenue,
through the preaching and ministrations of the Rev.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washington, D. C. On
Sunday evening there were 16 persons at the church
altar and Monday night four more. The meeting
Monday night continued until midnight.
Mrs. Brown preached at the Sunday services,
the pastor, Rev. I. B. Walters, being in attendance
at the General conference of his church now in ses¬
sion at Philadelphia. So forcibly was the Word ex¬
pounded that results were at once evident at the
Sunday night service. t
Last night Mrs. Brown s topic was Midnight
Salvation tonight, "Prayer Meeting In Hell." On
Friday evening, from 8 to 9.30 the meeting will be
especially for women. After 9.30 others may attend.
94
The church lyceum will hold its meeting tomorrow
evening. The evangelist will remain about 10 days.
She is accompanied by her private secretary.
Mrs. Brown is a striking personage anywhere,
being tall and of large physique. In the pulpit she
wears a black gown with flowing sleeves and white
collar and cuffs. A large golden cross is conspic¬
uously worn. She is gifted with what might be
called a double voice. In preaching its tone is like
that of a man, and her appearance is somewhat mas¬
culine.
Mrs. Brown has traveled all over the. country
in her evangelistic work and is widely known. This
is her first appearance in this city. In six weeks'
meetings at Jacksonville, Fla., 600 persons professed
conversion. In Baltimore recently 12 weeks' meet¬
ings were concluded with a total of 850 conversions.
Two weeks' very successful meetings were lately
held at Red Bank. Mrs. Brown is the founder of
the Rescue Home for Fallen Women at 22 West
133d street, New York.
CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA, ALIVE
Mrs. Brown Assists in a Series of Meetings That
Dispel Discord and Cause Sinners to Repent
Southwestern Christian Advocate, Feb. 13, 1908.
A genuine revival of religion is the mightiest
force for the greatest activity of a local church in
a community. Simpson Methodist Episcopal
Church, West Virginia, one of the time-honored
stations of the Washington Conference, is in the
midst of the greatest revival known in the history
of the church. Already a hundred and fifty persons
have been converted and more than thirty souls now
at the altar, with a host of others who have been
slaves to sin ready to surrender to Christ. The
95
peculiar conditions of this church have caused the
congregation to pass through a serious ordeal. In¬
ternal contentions have brought the church under
the view of the conference and the hope has prevail¬
ed that peace and prosperity might be the happy
experience of dear old Simpson again. The Rev.
J. W. Waters, the pastor, and those who had not
lost hope and were still loyal to the church, after
looking at the conditions from every viewpoint de¬
cided that the only hope for the future prosperity
of the church was a gracious revival of religion.
The great enemy to the cause of Christ tried in
many ways to defeat the God inspired and God
directed plan, but he could not succeed. A goodly
number of the people had concentrated with the pas¬
tor to go in for a spiritual victory. To such an end
their trust was alone in God. The undertaking was
very discouraging in the beginning, but faith saw
success in the future. After a battle of a few weeks
twenty-seven souls were saved. The pastor was
reinforced by the services of Mrs. Annie E. Brown,
of Baltimore, the great evangelist. Her pleading
has been so wonderful and effective until the entire
City has been moved. White and colored believers
are united most gloriously in labor in the battle for
the King. From this small beginning a general re¬
vival is breaking out in all the churches in the city.
Where this great awakening will end no one can
tell. The things which have blocked the progress
of the church have been removed by the high tide
of the spiritual wave. Promising young men and
women are joining the church and the future out¬
look for Simpson seems p-lorious. We were booked
to speak at this place Thursday, February 6, on
Home Missions and Church Extension, but upon
our arrival we found the whole city stirred and
voupp- and old flocking to Christ. We went in the
battle for three nights and did what we could. God
has many ways to'bring peace out of confusion. We
96
trust that many other places may catch on fire from
this mighty flame at Charleston. White and colored
believe that God sent Sister Annie E. Brown at this
very time when the city was in such great need of
a spiritual awakening. I. L. THOMAS.
GREAT REVIVAL AT M. E. CHURCH
The Rev. Mrs. Annie E. Brown is holding a re¬
vival at the colored M. E. Church, in Avis. Great
crowds are in attendance and the altar is surround¬
ed with penitents. Mrs. Brown is known through¬
out this country as the greatest woman Evangelist
in Methodism. Her subjects are full of interest and
her earnest appeals to the people are having great
effect.—Hinton Daily Times, Feb. 25th, 1908.
97
A WOMAN OF WONDERS
Addressed Kight Hundred People at St. James'
Church, Atlantic City.
Seaside Press, July 8, igo8.
Over 800 people, held spellbound by an enthus¬
iastic address delivered by Mrs. A. E. Brown, of
Washington, D. C., on Wednesday evening, at St,
James Church, subject, "Negro and the Dollar."
This timely subject was beautifully illustrated
and interspersed with humor, that brought forth ap¬
plause and laughter during her two hours' discourse.
She severely scored the Negros for their negligence
to the history of the Negro, past, present, future.
She severely scored the Negros for their negligence
in supporting one another for betraying their trust
and in many instances playing the part of a heathen
'nstead of a civilized race.
She also spoke of the wives making their homes
unhappy by constantly jawing, throwing and kick¬
ing things around, making hom,e everything but a
place of happiness for their husbands, driving them
from home, depriving themselves of the financial
support that they should have, "Negro and the
Dollar." She also spoke of the young men and
women disowning their Southern homes after being
in the North twelve months.
She paid a glowing tribute to Southern Negro
men being the only recognized men of the public
life, such men as Lyons, former register of treasury;
Vernon, the present register of treasury, which
without his signature the United States currency is
worthless. Such are type of our Southern men.
She also mentioned many other interesting in¬
cidents Mrs. Brown will give a lecture to men only
au o m, Sunday at St. James Church.
98
ST. JAMES COUNCIL INSTITUTED
Mother Brown Participates in Institution of
Prosperous Council at Sea Shore.
St. Luke's Herald, September 26, 1908.
Monday night, 7th instant, Elks' Hall in Atlan¬
tic City presented a scene of light and animation.
The occasion was the initiation and consecration of
a new council into the organization.
The gathering of this splendid body of men and
women (44 in number) was the work of the Rev.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Washington^ D. C., and
covered a trifle more than two weeks in the gather¬
ing.
Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, R. W. G. Secretary,
had been most Cordially invited to handle the work
of the evening for the deputy and so thoroughly
and charmingly was it done that new and old mem¬
bers were alike, inspired for greater achievements.
Many hand shakes were given the Grand Secretary,
with compliments on the beauty of the sam'e, from
the new and thanks for greater insight and inspira¬
tion from the old members. Mrs. Walker was as¬
sisted in the work by Rev. Brown, Mrs. Maggie
Maclin Smith, Miss Lula B. AVatkins, Mrs. L. II.
Payne and members from Babe of Bethlehem
Council. After the work had been completed a com¬
mittee served a most palatable and refreshing colla¬
tion, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.
Following are the officers installed for the en¬
suing term. Rev. A. L. Murray. W. C.; Sarah A,
Palmer, V. C.; Cornelia G. Morris, R. S.; Carrie, E.
Paul, F. S.; Mamie Durbin, Treas.; Cora Cantie, S.
C.; Annie DeNaux, J, C.; Sarah A, Foreman, Chap¬
lain ; Mary Thomas, O. S.; Kate Bolton, I. S.; Alice
Jennings. K. of W,; Mary E, Thomas, C. A.; Ella
Taylor, W. M.
99
PUBLIC MEETING HELD
Mrs. Brown Assists in Creating Interest in the
Order of St. Luke.
St. Luke Herald, September 26, 1908.
During the Grand Secretary's stay in Atlantic
City, she had the very great pleasure of addressing
a large and enthusiastic gathering at St. James M.
E. Church, Arctic avenue, pastored by the Rev. Dr.
A. L. Murray,
Mrs. Walker was in her happiest mood and with
her usual wit, logi'c, tact and splendid facts at her
command, electrified the audience, holding the house
literally spellbound during the entire discourse
She talked St. Lukeism, its merits and its benefits,
until persons from the gathering walked forward
and gave names and moneys, almost unsolicited.
Rev. Brown in most complimentary terms, in¬
troduced the Grand Secretary and also sang several
very spiritual hymns which were joined in and en¬
joyed by those present. The gathering dispersed
with the name "St. Luke" on every tongue.
Thursday, the 10th inst., the Grand Secretary,
Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, initiated for Babe of Beth¬
lehem Council No. 672, 26 members and left this
comparatively new Babe pledged to bring its num¬
ber to the 100 mark in the very near future. This
council is it. the very excellent hands of Mrs. Sadie
Roberts, D. C., and was organized by Mrs. Georgie
Queen, of Newark, N. J.
100
A SERMON OF VIM
Spiritual Fervor in a Seaside Church.
Atlantic City Seaside Press, July 8, igoS
Those who attended the services at St. James
last Sunday were favored with two good sermons.
At 10.45 a- m-> Rev. H. H. Pinckney, D. D,, of New
York, preached in his usual manner a masterly ser¬
mon from St. John, 17-1. It is needless to say that
Dr. Pinckney is one of the noble preachers of the
connection and is aspiring to a higher calling. Sun¬
day school was well attended and was visited by the
district superintendent, Mrs. Cora Green Moore,
who read an excellent paper on the work of the
Sunday school. At 8.15 p. m., another over-flowing
congregation filled the auditorium to hear Mrs.
A-rriie E. Brown, who delivered a sermon that was
full of spiritual vim, soul-stirring and practical, and
during the whole time the spiritual fervor ran high.
Communion was administered to over two
hundred persons at both services.
There were ten accessions to the church last
Sunday.
The University Lyceum which holds meetings
in the church every Thursday evening, is progress¬
ing wonderfully under the efficient presidency of
Mr. G. T. Pinkett. So large is the audience that in
order to get a seat one must come at an early hour.
The papers read and the subjects for debate dis¬
cussed are of the highest type for instruction, and
something can be learned by everyone who attends.
All are welcome.
lOl
WOMAN EVANGELIST TO PREACH
St. Lukes Herald September 26, 1908.
The Reverend Mrs. Annie E. Brown, of Wash¬
ington, D. C., one of our great St. Luke workers,
and the best woman evangelist in the world, will
preach at the Leigh Street Methodist Church Sun¬
day night, Sept. 27th, at 8 o'clock.
Members of the organization and the general
public are cordially invited to be present and hear
this wonderful woman.
GREAT RELIGIOUS AWAKENING
And Jubilee at St. Paul Church, Jacksonville,
Florida.
Christian Record, August, 1907.
Beginning Tuesday night, August 6, 1907 and
continuing until September the second, the great
woman evangelist, Annie E. Brown, assisted by
Miss Abbie W. Lyons, of Washington, D. C., and
New York City, respectively conducted the highest
religious awakening ever witnessed at St. Paul A.
M. E. Church.
The Holy Ghost, like a storm of love centered
upon the church and hundreds of people came to¬
gether at St. Paul A. M. E. Church to hear, witness
and be blessed by this great meeting, and onward
sweep of Gospel feast. Many persons promised to
live better lives hereafter.
One hundred and twenty-one souls were con¬
verted and joined the heavenly band. Last Mon¬
day night in the midst of great rejoicing and praise
102
to God and commendation to Misses Annie E.
Brown and Abbie W. Lyons, they closed on account
of previous engagements. They could not be with
St. Paul A. M. E. Church any longer at this time.
A. JAMES BENNETT,
Pastor.
GREAT REVIVAL NOW GOING ON
Reiigious Interest Growing at St. Paul A. E.
Church.
Sunday a Great Day.
Bulletin, Tampa, Florida.
The revival meeting at St. Paul's Church is
growing in interest and attendance each night, and
a great spiritual awakening is eminent.
Everybody who is attending the meetings i^
heard to say, "Surely we are going to have an old-
fashioned, genuine revival."
The great evang'elist, Sister Anna E. Brown,
and Sister Abbie W. Lyons, the great singer, will
prove an untold blessing to Tampa.
We appeal to every Christian worker, regardless
of church denomination, to come out and help us
fight this gieat battle for the Lord.
We hope to kindle a fire in St. Paul's, Sunday,
that shall burn in the hearts of the people for years
to come in Tampa.
103
Coming:—The Great Woman Evangelist
Bulletin, Tampa, Florida, April 27, igo7.
Mrs. Annie E. Brown and Madam Abbie W.
Lyons, of New York, the great evangelist, will reach
Tampa Saturday evening and be on hand Sunday.
Mrs. Brown would have been here two weeks ago
but was unable to close her great meeting in New
York. She comes to take up the work of soul-sav¬
ing in Tampa. We anticipate a great meeting.
THE WASHINGTON EVANGELIST
The Rev. Annie E. Brown is Doing Revival
Work Among thie Afro-Americans.
New York World.
The Rev. Annie E. Brown, "the Washington
evangelist," who has been conducting a series of
revival services in Greater New York during the
past week, addressed a large assemblage of Afro-
American women in the Bridge Street African M. E.
Church last evening.
Mrs. Brown announced for the opening hymn,
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," in which
all joined in singing. Mrs. L. P. Williams (Mother
Williams) offered an earnest prayer and then Mrs.
Brown talked for about thirty minutes as only a
woman and mother could talk to women.
She made an earnest appeal to the old and
young women, to the mothers and grown daughters
to be true followers of Christ and to cease doing the
things that hinder the Christ spirit from striving
with them and hinder the progress of His people.
"With upright Christian mothers," she said,
"the world will be better for your having lived in
it."
104
Rev. Annie E. Brown and Her Evange¬
listic Work
Spent Six Weeks Laboring With. Peekskill
Sinners With. Success.
Peekskill, April 7, 1907.—Mrs. Annie E. Brown
has just finished six weeks' evangelistic work in
Peekskill. Mrs. Brown is a wonderful woman. We
cannot say too much for her. She has been in Peeks-
kill for the past few weeks, conducting evangelis¬
tic services at the A. M. E. Zion Church and gospel
mission. There have been sixty or more people con¬
verted and brought to Christ through her work.
White and colored have been converted of their sins.
She has also tried to bring our people together
by organizing a council of Independent Order of
St. Luke. It will be called Annie E. Brown Council,
No. 8, of Peekskill, N. Y,
Mrs. Brown has a good husband and sons, her
home being in Washington, D. C. One of her sons
is a prominent lawyer of the Washington and Balti¬
more bars; another is a prominent physician in
Washington; the youngest is studying theology at
Howard University. Mr. Brown has filled a posi¬
tion in the U. S. Patent office for thirty-seven years,
while Mrs. Brown has devoted her life to mission
work. She is now engaged in "Rescue Home," at
25 West 134th street, New York city, for fallen
women, and a great work is being carried on there
by her. W. H. HARRIS.
105
HERALDED AT TAMPA
Bulletin, Tampa, Florida.
Mrs. Armie E. Brown, the noted evangelist, and
Mrs. Abbie W. Lyons, of the Light House Rescue
Mission Home for Fallen Women, New York, are
the Negro Moody and Sankeys of America. Tampa
has never been favored with more consecrated
Christian workers. Persons who have made glad
the hearts of thousands, of both white and colored,
throughout the great cities of the North. Don't fail
to hear them preach and sing.
JOTS FROM THE FIELD
St. Luke's Journal, Richmond, July 21, 1907.
Rev. Annie E. Brown of Washington, D. C.,
while conducting evangelistic services at Denver,
Col., was successful in drawing around her a num¬
ber of men and women to that end, the first council
of our organization has been planted at Denver, Col.,
with a large membership; with Rev. J. S. Payne, as
worthy Chief and leader.
Mrs. Brown has been instrumental in bringing
into the organization, a council at Orange, N. J.,
known as Annie E. Brown Council, with a mem¬
bership of 80 and Ruth Morris Council, in New
York, with a membership of 90; and in the council,
we have the Rev. Chas. F. Morris as one of its mem¬
bers.
106
BEARING THE YOKE.
My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat
11-30.-
"Blest is the man whose shoulders take
"My yoke, and bear it with delight;
My yoke is easy to his neck,
My grace shall make the burden light.
A SENTIMENT.
"Whatever adds in even the smallest way to the
world's brightness and cheer is worth while. One
who says an encouraging word to a disheartened
neighbor, gives a look of love to a lonely one, or
speaks a sentence which may become strength, guid¬
ance and comfort to another, does something worth
while. It is always worth while to live nobly, vic¬
toriously, struggling to do right, showing the world
even the smallest fragments of divine beauty."
INDEX
Page
Mrs. Annie E. Brown i
Successful Revival at Baltimore.. ; 2
Results at Frederick, Maryland— 3
Lady Evangelist and Gospel Wagon 4
At St. John A. M. E. Church... 5
A Colored Evangelist in Baltimore 7
Mrs. Brown Wins Many for Christ 8
Testimonial to Mrs. Brown 9
Mrs. Annie E. Brown at Annapolis, Maryland 11
Colored Female Evangelist n
At Bethel Church, Philadelphia 12
No African Bishop 12
Women in the Pulpits 17
A Picturesque Preacher 21
Portsmoth Having a Great Revival 26
Re-Opening of John Wesley M. E. Church 27
She's a Soldier of the Lord 28
Hundreds Converted at Emmanuel Church 30
Successful Revival at Emmanuel Church. 31
Mourners Flock Before the Altar 32
Meeting With Much Success at Cambridge, Mass....34
Evangelistic Work at Cambridge 36
Three Thousand Men Listen to Mother Brown's
Advice 37
Woman Preacher's Fervor 39
Sharp Street Memorial Church 41
A Great Revivalist 41
Great Spiritual Awakening in Baltimore 43
Successful Revival Conducted by Mrs. Brown 44
A Woman Evangelist at Cleveland 45
Advice to Negroes by a Negress 46
Thousands Hear a Woman at Durham— 48
A Wonderful Preacher 49
God's Presence Manifested at West Chester 51
Pennsylvannia's Capitol Aroused 53
Harrisburg Hears God's Call --55
Religious Awakening in Bethel Church 58
Another Visit to Harrisburg 6°
Thousands Heard Her at Durham -^3-
Should Women Preach? 64
A Picturesque Preacher at Portsmouth 65
Aggressive Work at Huntington, I,. I... 67
Crowd at Public Immersion 68
Thankfulness of Dr. Gumbs 69
Woman Evangelist Draws Big Crowd 70
Port Jefferson, N. Y., Stirred Up 71
A Great Religious Awakening 72
Woman Evangelist's Work in Brooklyn 73
Something to Think About 74
Y. M. C. A. Evangelistic Meeting- 75
Mrs. Brown the Evangelist 76
Heralding a Florida Revival 77
One Hundred Converts at Washington 79
An Editor's Testimonial 80
Pueblo Gets an Awakening 81
Revival Fires at St. Paul 82
New Rescue Home Founded 82
Fifty Sinners Respond to Call 84
New Soldiers for the King's Army .....88
Sister Brown Here, Sinners Tremble 90
Mrs. Brown at Orange, N. J 92
Revival Breaks Out at Asbury Park 93
Charleston, West Virginia, Alive 94
Great Revival at M. E. Church 96
A Woman of Wonders 97
St. James Council Instituted 98
Public Meeting Held 99
A Sermon of Vim at Seaside 100
Woman Evangelist to Preach 101
Great Religious Awakening 101
Great Revival at Tampa 102
Coming—The Great Woman Evangelist 103
The Washington Evangelist 103
Rev. Annie E. Brown and Her Evangelistic Work, 104
Heralded at Tampa, Florida 105
Jots From the Field 105
Bearing the Master's Yoke 106
A Closing Sentiment 106
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Portrait of Mrs. Annie E. Brown Title Page
The Curtain Drawn on the Twentieth Century
Facing Introduction
Mrs, Brown's Gospel Wagon Page 4
Mrs. Brown and Rescued Girl Page 83