-
Bishop Abraham grant's Crip
mt Coast of Africa.
SUUtlll IffllKfl
TO THE
REPORTED TO THE BISHOPS' COUNCIL
AT TAWAWA CHIMNEY CORNER,
WILBERFORCE, OHIO, JUNE 16th, 1899.
C. i
PUBLISH ED BY ORDER OF BISHOPS' COUNCIL, BY
Rev. H. B. Parks, D.D.,
secretary OF missions.
EDITED BY
Bishop Benj. W. Arnett, D.D., LL.D.
sei ketary if Bishops1 council
Addresses of Bishops and General Officers.
•«
Bishop H. M. Turner, 30 Young Street, Atlanta, Georgia.
Bishop W. J. Gaines, 360 Houston Street, Atlanta, Georgia.
Bishop B. W. Aenett, Wilberforce, Ohio.
Bishop B. T. Tanner, 614 Troup Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
Bishop A. Grant, 905 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bishop B. P. Lee, Wilberforce, Ohio.
Bishop M. B. Salter, 30 Vanderhorst Street, Charleston, S. C.
Bishop J. A. Handy, 1341 North Carey Street, Baltimore, Md.
Bishop W. B. Derrick, 97 Linden Avenue, Flushing, N. Y.
«•
GENERAL OFFICERS.
Rev. T. W. Henderson, D.D., Business Manager of the A. M. E.
Publishing Department. Business address, 631 Pine Street,
Philadelphia, Pa. Residence, 1511 Butler Street, Tioga, Phil¬
adelphia, Pa.
Rev. H. T. Johnson, D.D., Editor of the " Christian Recorder."
Business address, 631 Pine Street. Residence, 439 West Street,
Camden, N. J. -
Prof. H. T. Kealing, Editor of the " Review " 631 Pine Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev. H. B. Parks, Secretary of Missions, room 61 Bible House,
New York City.
Rev. C. S. Smith, Secretary of the Sunday School Union, Nash¬
ville, Tenn.
Rev. M. M. Moore, D.D., Financial Secretary, 1535 Fourteenth
Street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
Prof. J. R. Hawkins, Secretary of Education, Kittrell, N. C.
Rev. C. T. Shaffer, M.D., D.D., Secretary of Church Extension.
Business address, 631 Pine Street, Residence, 1S21 Camac Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev. R. M. Cheeks, Manager and Editor of " The Southern Chris¬
tian Recorder." 140 Howell Street, Atlanta, Ga.
Office, 61 Bible House, New York, N. Y.
Branch Office, 1908 N. 6th Street, Kansas City, Kansas.
Home and Foreign Missionary Department
of The African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bishop H. M. Turner, D.D., LL. D., D.C.L., President.
Rev. H. B. Parks, D.D., Secretary.
BOARD.
Rev. W. H. Thomas, D.D. Rev. L. Gardner.
Rev. W. T. Anderson, M.D.
Rev. J. M. Townsend, D.D.
Rev. G. D. Jimmerson.
Rev. S. J. Brown.
Rev. S. H. Coleman, D.D.
Rev. P. W. Wade, D.D.
Rev. W. A. Lewis.
Rev. R. Deal.
Rev. D. B. Jones.
« mission fields, •
Africa. West Indies.
Hatti.
Dofce of missions,
50 cents per year.
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT, D.D.,
President of the Board of Church Extension Society.
Second Bishop of the A. M. E. Church to visit Africa.
INTRODUCTION-
At the Bishops' Council which was held at the Tawawa Chimney
Corner, Wilberforce, Ohio, June 16th, 1897, Bishop Abraham Grant,
D. D., was unamiously appointed to visit the work of the A. M. E.
Church in Africa. He completed his arrangements and on the nth
day of January, 1899, he sailed on the ship Majestic.
Previous to his departure, the ministers and members of several
churches in the east gave him a farewell reception, and bade him God
speed on his mission of hope and love to the darker land. I attended
the ones given at Brooklyn and New York City; the attendance was
very good, the addresses were able, the redemption of the Dark Con¬
tinent and the mission of the darker races, was the general theme.
A large number of persons were present at dock when the Majestic
moved out on the bosom of the water in majesty; all tongues joined
in singing, " God be with you till we meet again," all hearts throbed
in sympathy, in all eyes was the crystal drop of sorrow mingled with
joy; sorrow for his absence and joy for his mission.
The following account of the farewell reception is from the
Defender.
Scenes at Bridge Street Church, Brooklyn, and Bethel Church, New York.
Farewell on Board of the Majestic. Mrs. Bishop Grant the object of
Greatest Solicitation. The Inspiring Hymn, "God Be With You Till
We Meet Again," Sung while the Majestic Sails Away. — From the
Bryn Mawr Defender.
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT SAILS FOR WEST AFRICA.
One of the greatest missionary demonstrations in connection with
the African Methodist Episcopal Church was the advent of the sailing
of Bishop Abraham Grant of the First Episcopal District of the A. M.
E. Church for West Africa. The ovation began last week at Bethel
Church in this city, and was continued in New Jersey. Bishop Grant
2
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
spoke at the Preachers' Meeting on Monday last, making a great im¬
pression upon the brethren as he bade them farewell for a time, and
left for New York in company with Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, D.D.,
LL. D., of the Fourth Episcopal District, Mrs. Bishop Grant and the
writer. He was met at the ferry in Jersey City by the successful and
popular preacher of Bridge Street Church, Rev. W. D. Cook, and
Rev. J. M. Henderson, of Bethel Church, New York. Bishop Grant
and Secretary Parks proceeded to the parsonage with Dr. Cook and
the editor of the Defender; Bishop Arnett accompanied Dr. Hender¬
son to his home. We were all met at the splendid residence of the
pastor by the affable and entertaining Mrs. Dr. Cook, who gave us
such a pleasant welcome and splendid supper that we forgot the sorrow
of parting for a time. Mrs. Grant who accompanied the Bishop,
became the special charge of the occasion. The amiable disposition
of Bishop Grant's wife has gained for her the affection of the
entire district, and everything was done that could be done for her
comfort. The Services at Bridge street began at 8 o'clock on Monday
night, and they were the most memorable within its annals as far as
missionary efforts are concerned. Dr. Cook seemed to have planned
everything so perfectly that there was not a jar. The church was
crowded both in the auditorium and the galleries; the splendid choir
was out in force and rendered delightful music and interest to the
occasion. Dr. Cook placed the meeting in charge of Missionary Sec¬
retary H. B. Parks, who, in an eloquent speech in behalf of missions
and eulogistic of the great life work of Bishap Grant, presented
Bishop Arnett as the speaker of the evening, who would introduce
Bishop Grant.
Bishop Arnett always speaks well and eloquently, but on this
occasion he seemed to have been inspired; his eagle eye never shown
brighter, and his pose at every eloquent outburst brought forth ap¬
plause from the audience. When Bishop Arnett turned to Bishop
Grant with his message for Africa, it was a scene long to be remem¬
bered. With a pathos that brought tears to the eyes of the entire
audience he delivered the message of Allen's Church and what was
contemplated for Africa's redemption. Bishop Grant bowed his head
in silent meditation and could not restrain the tears that voluntarily
flowed down his cheeks. It was a great effort. At the conclusion of
Bishop Arnett's eloquent and inspiring speech for the church, for Afri-
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA. 3
£
ca, for the missionary cause and for the race, the choir chanted
sweetly, "From Greenland's Icy Mountains," etc. The whole church
was now aglow with interest.
Secretary Parks then introduced Rev H. C. C. Astwood, former
Missionary Superintendent of Missions in Cuba; Rev. Astwood was,
like the others, greeted with applaus. He said that five minutes had
been alloted to the speakers; if he had an hour it would be impossible
to interest the audience after listening to the great speeehes of Bishop
Arnett and Secretary Parks. Looking over the immense audience it
reminded him of a Sunday morning just seventeen years ago, when
another such a crowd was assembled, when Bishop Brown, now in
heaven, beneath that same altar, upon the recommendation of Bishop
Cain, ordained him (Rev. Astwood) an elder in the African Method¬
ist Episcopal Church, and commissioned him to revive the standard of
African Methodism in San Domingo. The gathering, he said, seemed
to be auspicious. After giving a detailed account of the work in San
Domingo and briefly in Cuba, he spoke of the excellences of Bishop
Grant and the importance of his going to Africa. Rev. Astwood said
that the pulse of the Church was now strained; he was among those
who objected to the Bishop going before the next General Conference
but since it had been decreed by the Council for him to go, no better
selection could have been made, and it would be a proud day for
Africa when Bishop Grant would tread its shores. He concluded his
remarks in an affectionate appeal in behalf of Bishop Grant.
Dr. Parks then introduced -Dr. J. M. Henderson, pastor of
Bethel Church, New York, as the next speaker. Dr. Henderson,
always interesting and forceful, made a practical and eloquent mis¬
sionary speech, which had a telling effect upon the audience. He
spoke of the sacrifices to be made in behalf of our undertaking, and
impressed upon the church its duty in connection therewith. He
said that no one was making a greater sacrifice than the Bishop and
his beloved wife to give up the pleasant association of each other, to
brave the perils of the deep and the diseases of Africa. The speech
was impressive and well received. Now came the all-absorbing
scene of the evening, when Secretary Parks, in his eloquent way,
presented Bishop Grant to the audience. Bishop Arnett took the
stand and called for a Chautauqua; every handkerchief in the house
was in the air; it was a beautiful sight; ovation after ovation was given
4 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
to the chiftain of the hour, and Bishop Grant stood up like Saul of
Kish, above his fellows as the hero of the occasion. The audience
showed how well they loved him by the cordial greeting they gave
him, and it was not difficult for the Bishop to put himself in complete
sympathy with them. It would be useless to attempt to write his
speech ; it was a splendid inspiration. He spoke of the love of his
church and what it had done for him and the race. He was not a
pessimist, and he looked with pride upon the strides made by his people
along religious as well as material lines. That the walls of prejudice
were gradually giving away as we battle with the other fellow for
equality, we were doing well; we had a long way yet to go; we had
to follow him into the clouds, down into the bowels of the earth,
among the industries and the money getting power; with him along
the path of higher education as well as industrial and mechanical pur¬
suits, and then in material worth and character; challenge him at
every step, and American prejudice would be swept away and find no
place in our civilization. He said he was not among those who
advocated a wholsale emigration to Africa; the destiny of the race
was right here; we had a dearly bought heritage and we had a right
to stay and carve out our destiny in the land that God had given us a
place. We owed a duty to Africa and that we must perform. Per¬
sons who desire to go there had a right to go just as they would any¬
where else; but no one had a right to jostle them out of this country
or drive them away by persecution. The church should send its mis¬
sionaries and its educated young men and women, and help to redeem
Africa; he was going at the behest of his Church and Christian duty,
to do what he could to encourage our fatherland, and if he fell by the
way he had the glorious satisfaction of knowing that he would meet all
of his brethren at God's right hand. It was a ringing speech, and
when he concluded he stood like a giant transfixed, with head erect
and hand uplifted as he prayed for the care of the Church. The
church went wild with enthusiasm, and it was some time before quiet
could be restored. The magnificent choir calmed the troubled sea as
it pealed forth with the organ a splendid anthem in keeping with the
occasion. Secretary Parks stepped at once to the front, seemingly
enthused with what Bishop Grant had said, and in one of his most
eloquent appeals he wanted the church to show their appreciation of
Bishop Grant, and as they could not go with him in person, send with
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO APRlCA.
5
him their greetings to bleeding Africa. Secretary Parks never made
a more eloquent and enthusiastic speech. He wanted $75 as evidence
of good faith, and he wanted half of it before the choir sang. These
people must have been trained to give; they crowed to the table.
Dr. Henderson taking charge of the collection, and when the result
was announced, $70 had been laid upon the table. It was considered
a magnificent gift, and Dr. Cook was congratulated.
At this juncture Bishop Arnett capped the climax with the most
touching scene of the whole evening, bv bringing Mrs. Bishop Grant
to the front and upon the platform side by side with her husband, pre¬
sented her to the audience. He spoke splendidly of the virtues of
Mrs. Grant, and how earnestly she had toiled to make her husband
what he was, and they both had succeeded grandly.
The church always elevated both the man and the woman that
were spiritually united to the same level in the sight of God and the
hearts of the people. This brought tears and saddened the meeting
somewhat. Whilst they stood, the choir sang, "God Be With You
Till We Meet Again." The benediction was pronounced and then the
shaking of hands with the Bishop and his wife, which brought to a
close one of the greatest meetings in the history of Bridge Street
Church.
No person had greater cause for rejoicing than Dr. and Mrs.
Cook for the successful outcome of the meeting. The next day was
spent in getting ready for the trip. Bishop Grant met Bishop Arnett,
Bishop Benjamin F. Lee, D. D., of the Fourth Episcopal District, and
a number of the brethren at Secretary Park's office, 61 Bible House.
The entire day was taken up preparing for the voyage, securing the
berth and making financial preparations for the voyage. Secretary
Parks attended to every detail with the Bishop, seemingly with great
satisfaction. The watch-care of the Bishop's work was divided up as
follows: Philadelphia and New Jersey Conferences, Bishop Lee;
New York, New England and Bermuda, Bishop Derrick; South Caro¬
lina, Bishop Salters. The final meeting had been provided for at
Bethel Church, New York, on Tuesday night, by Dr. John M. Hen¬
derson, the pastor. A large number of the brethren whose names
will appear later, were on the platform as early as eight o'clock. The
services began.at half past eight. The meeting was not as large as the
one at Bridge Street Church, but a larger number of ministers were
6 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
upon the platform with the Bishop, which more than made up for the
audience. Dr. Henderson called the meeting to order and introduced
Secretary Parks, who in turn presented Bishop Arnett as the presiding
officer of the meeting. We cannot find space to write up this meeting
in all its details. Suffice it to say that it was a great and historic meet¬
ing. Bishop Arnett in his way introduced Bishop Lee, who made one of
the most learned and profound arguments in behalf of the Mission
cause and Bishop Grant that had yet been delivered. Bishop Lee
may be called one of the ablest and most profound pulpit orators of
his day. His address was thoughtful, learned and impassioned. He
brought out a knowledge of the church and missisonary work that
impressed the entire audience, and led the pace of the entire evening.
Dr. Levi J. Coppin was then introduced to represent the Philadelphia
Conference and made, as usual, a brilliant and thoughtful speech.
Brother Newton represented New Jersey, and made a brief but inter¬
esting speech bringing in an incident of the Pontoon Bridge that
caused some merriment. Rev. Proctor spoke for New Jersey and
Rev. D. P. Brown for New England. Rev. J. B. Stansberry led in a
fervent prayer, and Brother Seth Smith read the Scripture lesson.
The last speaker was Bishop Grant. He followed in the lofty strain
pitched by Bishop Lee. Bishop Grant may have spoken on other
occasions more enthusiastically, but was never more impressive,
eloquent and learned. He seemed to realize that he was going to
Africa, and all of the responsibilities it entailed, like one of the
apostles of old. Bishop Grant admonished the brethren as a father
would his children. Every eye was suffused with tears, and the scene
beggars description. The scene of presenting the Bishop's wife was
repeated by Bishop Arnett, but was more solemn. It was extremely
sad, and was not a pleasant picture. It looked like one long last
good-bye, and we were glad when it was over. The effect was sor¬
rowful in the extreme. Dr. Parks then made the appeal, but this
could not—or did not, come up to the Brooklyn people in
spontaneousness nor liberality. Less than $18.00 was the outcome of
the offering. At a late hour the meeting broke up to assemble at the
ship the next morning to bid the Bishop good-bye. Bishop Arnett,
Bishop Lee, the Missionary Secretary and.a number of brethren met
at Secretary Parks' office the next morning to accompany the Bishop
to the ship. He did not make his appearance but went direct to the
REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
7
vessel. At 10:45 the brethren started for the ship, at Pier 45, North
River. The magnificent greyhound looked like a thing of life, and
was boarded by the crowd. The Majestic is a beautiful ship. Like a
huge fish ready to plunge she laid life-like with a living bevy of
human souls rushing hither and thither, ready for her ocean march.
Bishop Grant and his friends held a reception in a large room upon
the upper deck. His room, No. 5, one of the best on board of the
ship, was shown to his friends. He was the centre of attraction, and
the most conspicuous figure on board. He was never more interest¬
ing, but a nervous look could be seen in the eye and a quiver in the
voice. The editor of' The Defender was requested to take down the
names of the company, and hand the same to the Bishop upon leaving.
We gathered the following list of persons : Bishop Benjamin W.
Arnett, D.D., Bishop B. F. Lee, D.D., Secretary H. B. Parks, D.D.,
Dr. C. T. Shaffer, D.D., Presiding Elder Proctor of New York,
ex-Presiding Elder William Davis, Revs. Levi J. Coppin, J. B. Stans-
berry, Presiding Elder W. H. Giles, Revs. F. T. M. Webster, S. D.
W. Smith, A. L. Sturgess, J. H. Accoo, E. M. Harper, Joseph H.
Morgan, W. S Crane, H. C. C. Astwood, Superintendent of Missions
for Cuba. A H. Newton, H. C. Ashley, W. D. Cook, D.D., Dr. J.
M. Henderson, Daniel Brown, T. E. Franklin, Elijah Byrd, W. H.
Edwards, J. D. Jacobs, Jacob P. James, Dr. D. P. Roberts, L. D.
Lankford, H. P. Anderson, Mrs Bishop Derrick, Mrs. Dr. Cook,
Mrs. E. E. Williams, Mrs. S. E. Hill, Mrs Bolden of Brooklyn, Mrs.
Modest and Brother Green of New Jersey, J. P. Sampson, W. H. Bryant,.
A. W. Ross, E. A. Johnson, Brother Bolden and Dr. Morris, Mrs. Grant
The scene was a very impressive one. The gong sounded when
the leave-taking was at an end. Mrs. Bishop Grant was the picture
of despair as she bade her loving husband good-bye, and became the
solicitious care of all. In the mad rush to clear the gang plank the
brethren assembled in front of the dock, and as the lines were cast off
the chorus broke out, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again,"
amidst the din of the whistle, of the boatswain and the steam whistles
of the ship, the hurrying on board of the mails.
The scene was a memorable and touching one. As the sound
reached the ears of Bishop Grant who stood like a prophet in the
midst of the great gathering, he rai ;ed his hat and wept. The Bishop
then broke completely down. The great and beloved man showed
8 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
the human side of his character, and amidst the waving of handker¬
chiefs and the sound of the hymn, he cried or wept bitterly. All of
the brethren were forced to shed tears. When the wail of Mrs. Grant
went out, " My all is'gone," There was not a dry eye in the crowd.
The stately ship backed out and Bishop Grant was gone, bound for
Africa's sunny shore, with six hundred thousand—nay, millions—of
loving hearts and prayers for his protection. Thus ended one of the
saddest events of the kind in the history of the church. Mrs. Grant
was taken care of by Dr. Shaffer and left for her home. The brethren
scattered for their destinations. Bishop Lee bade a pleasant good-bye
to all, and Bishop Derrick and Secretary Parks proceeded to the Bible
House to muse over the affair and wind up the business of the under¬
taking. We have given a hasty description of this important affair,
which must be interesting to all. Bishop Grant is one of the best
beloved prelates of the church, and his visit to Africa will be looked
upon with great interest. No one is more interested in this eventful
man than The Defender. He goes with our prayers, our honor and
our love, wishing him a pleasant and happy voyage and speedy return.
At the Bishops' Council held at the Tawawa Chimney Corner,
Wilberforce, Ohio, June 16th, 1899, Bishop Abraham Grant, D. D.,
made his report of his trip to Africa.
Bishop M. B. Salter, D. D., LL. D., moved that the report be
received and spread upon the minutes, and that a vote of thanks be
extended to Bishop Grant for the able manner in which he has per¬
formed the mission given him by the council.
Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, D.D., LL.D., moved that the report
be printed in pamphlet form. With the authority of the council I
present the following facts also connected with the voyage, without
them the report would not be complete, with them all is clear.
THE "SIERRA LEONE" CONFERENCE.
"Sierra Leone," a British cplony, was originally founded as an
asylum for Africans who were bought for rum and money or captured
by violence by white slave traders. The slave ships in which they
were imprisoned were caught on the high seas by British cruisers and
they were returned to their natural freedem in this colony. The
Church Missionary Society labored for the salvation of Africa; their
first mission was established in 1816. The Rev. J. R. Frederick, of
the New England Conference, was appointed to Africa by Bishop J.
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
9
A. Shorter in 1886. He sailed from New York the same year by way
of Liverpool and arrived in Freetown, January 2nd, 1887. He was
cordially received by members of the Countess of Huntington Connec¬
tion, who desired to be united with the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. A very large number of his congregation were the descen¬
dants of the Nova Scotians who landed on the coast March 28th, 1792.
After spending some time in completing the preliminary arrangements,
the members were transferred to the A. M. E. Church, -which has
given to us the first piece of property purchased in Africa for church
purposes. Thus Providence has given us a high honor and great
responsibilities as well, for we own the first land purchased for church
purposes in America, Hayti, San Domingo, Demerara and the Domin¬
ion of Canada. This work under the superintendence of the Rev. J.
R. Frederick has so grown that in 1895 we had nine (9) mission stations
five (5) ordained ministers, two (2) unordained, nineteen (19) local
preachers'" and exorters, and three (3) evangelists, six hundred and
seventeen (617) full members, two hundred and ten (210) probationers,
four hundred and eighty-seven (487) inquirers. Grand total 1314,
with total adherents other than members. Total 1811. Grand total
of 3125. Six churches, two school houses and two mission houses.
Total value of church, school and mission property $25,150. It is
impossible for us to convey to you the benefits that our organization
has been to individuals, families, Freetown and the surrounding coun¬
try. Sister Sarah Gorham, the consecrated and devoted missionary
labored in this field, did much good, laid her life upon the altar and
became a martyr for the redemption of Africa. The noble and heroic
women of our church are building a Memorial Church in Africa in
honor of this first Woman Evangelist of the A. M. E. Church, who
laid down her life for the sacred cause of Christian Missions. Sister
Gorham has become the Mother of Christian martyrs in Sierra Leone.
10 REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
THE REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA
TO THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS,'HELD AT WIL-
BERFORCE, OHIO, JUNE 16th, 1899.
To the Bishops' Council of the African M. E. Church, I beg to submit a
statement with reference to our work on West Coast Africa.
January nth, I sailed from New York on S. S. "Majestic"
reaching Liverpool January 17th, at 2 p. m., and January 21st we
left Liverpool for West Coast. Sunday, January 226, at 10:30 a. m., by
request I preached to the passengers and officers of the ship, text 2
Cor. 5:7. " For we walk by faith, not by sight." At 7 p. m. we
encountered a severe storm which continued over forty-eight hours,
during which the skylights overhead were broken in and at one time
the dining room and some of the state rooms were over three inches in
water, but through the mercies of God not a life was lost. Sunday,
January 29th, we reached Las Palmas, one of the Canary Islands,
where we tarried twenty hours and the ncontinued the voyage. Feb.
5th at 8 a. m. we anchored in the harbor at Freetown, Sierra Leone,
West Coast Africa, and at n a. m. I delivered my first gospel mes¬
sage, in Providence Church, Freetown. At this service eighteen per¬
sons professed saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. At 8 p. m.
Bishop J. C. Hartzell by request filled my appointment at New Zion.
His discourse was instructive and edifying. During our seventeen
days voyage he did much to make it pleasant for me.
In 1787 this colony passed from the hands of the Portuguese into
those of the English and was set apart by the English people for free
Africans with the hope of raising colonial produce without slave labor.
March 16th, 1792, eleven hundred and thirty-six people from Halifax,
Nova Scotia, landed at Freetown, and thus began the work of develop¬
ing this new country. At that time there was no modern civilization
known ; at present the population of Sierra Leone is one hundred
thousand and Freetown, the capital, thirty thousand, is a port of
entry for all nations.
REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
11
The different denominations represented in the colony are :
1. The Church of England.
2. Wesleyan?.
3. United Methodist Free Church.
4. African Methodist Episcopal Church.
5. United Brethren of Christ.
6. The Soudan Alliance Missions.
7. The Baptist Church.
8. The American Wesleyan.
9. Riopunga Missions.
10. The Lady Huntington Connection.
They penetrate as far as two hundred and fifty miles interior from
the coast. The school system is under the auspices of the different
denominations and a stipened allowed by the English government*
whose "Inspector of Schools" examines and passes upon the
teachers. There are sixty-seven of these common schools.
For normal or high school education they have :
1. The Fourah Bay College for Boys.
2. Annie Walsh School for Girls.
3. The Boys Grammar Schools, all of the church of England.
4. The Boys High School.
5. The Female Institute of the Wesleyan Connection.
6. Leopold Institute, and independent educational movement.
Then the African Methodist Episcopal Church has
1. Providence. 5. Sarah Gorham.
2. New Zion. 6. Bethel
3. Emmanuel. 7. Sen Dugo Schools.
4. Campbell.
Our ministers teach and have assistant and pupil teachers. The
aggregate number of pupils in the colony is boys, 4592; girls, 4032;
total, 8624, with 70 per cent, average attendance or near 5883. The
total expenditure for 1897 is about twenty five thousand and forty-
eight dollars. ($25,048.)
SIERRA LEONE CONFERENCE.
February 8th, the Sierra Leone Conference convened at 9 a. m.
Generally speaking the men are intelligent, well informed with regard
12 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO ApRlCA.
to the work of the A. M. E. Church, its methods and customs. The
reports were encouraging and of course interesting to me; and the
conference created as much enthusiasm and interest as anywhere in
cities of the same size.
with regard to rev. j. r. frederick, zion and st. john.
Elder Frederick called to see me Feb. 8th ; after an interview he
agreed to call again Feb. 9th, which he did, and left with the under¬
standing that he would try and arrange for me to see the officers in
these two congregations, but on Feb. 10th, I received a communi¬
cation from him a true copy of which, is hereby submitted.
Howe St., Freetown, February 10th, 1899.
The Right Rev. A. Grant, D.D.
Dear Bishop :— I am sorry to have to inform you that I can not
succeed to persuade the officers of Zion or St. John to meet with you for
an interview. They think nothing could be gained by such a meeting.
They request me to say to you for the information of the church in
America that they have connected themselves with the Wesleyan
Methodist Church where they are sure their inter&st will be better con¬
served. I hope to call to see you again before you leive for Liberia,
and I pray that the Lord will preserve your health while you travel on
the coast. I am,
Yours in Christ,
J. R. Frederick.
After gathering information from all accessible sources I think I
can safely say this communication is the ultimatum and that we need
not hope for the return of these two congregations.
There are tim :s when discordant elements appear in organizations
when it is necessary to pacify such elements by meeting the conditions,
when this can be done without compromising the organization or its
principles; and when it is apparent that there is no desire upon the
part of the disaffected to heal the breach, it may be best for all con¬
cerned for the organization to cease its efforts of adjustment and allow
these elements to go their way, so that peace and harmory may be
preserved and the principles of the main body perpetuated and the
majesty of the law upheld. In my opinion the latter is the course to
pursue in the case mentioned.
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
13
Nine of the members of the congregation known as Zion refused
to follow Rev. J. R. Frederick and the people in their departure from
the A. M. E. Church. Rev. H. M. Steady was appointed the pastor
of this number and for a time preached in the streets. He finally
leased a lot and through the assistance of the missionary department
with what he could raise from the people, erected a splendid house of
worship about 40x60 and now has eighty-one members and a magnifi¬
cent congregation. This brother deserves special commendation for
his spirit of sacrifice and loyalty to the principles of the A. M. E.
Church. I carried two hundred dollars ($200) from the Church
Extension Department to be divided between the Sierra Leone and
Liberia Conferences and finding this congregation had made such a
great sacrifice to secure the building and was still financially embarass-
ed I placed the whole amount upon New Zion. I am glad to say that
the pastor and trustees enjoy the confidence of their creditors.
When Rev. F. G. Snelson reached his field of labor there was a
strong feeling against him and the opposition well organized, even the
newspapers would not announce his arrival and it took him some time
to overcome the public sentiment, but he was cautious in his expres¬
sions and prudent in his actions with all the people with whom he had
to do and has at last annihilated all opposition and I am quite certain
that there are none in the ministerial ranks who stand higher generally
with the people of Sierra Leone. He was elected a " Fellow" of the
•'Royal Geographical Society" of London, January 23rd, 1899. This
will indicate to you how he stands with Englishmen.
The property used by the congregation of which Rev. J. R.
Frederick is pastor is in the name of the A. M. E. Church and a res¬
olution was passed by the Sierra Leone Conference authorizing the
Superintendent and other representatives of the said A. M. E. Church
to secure an attorney to dispossess those who have alienated them¬
selves from the connection of said property and secure the same to its
rightful owners.
We have two strong congregations in Freetown and one mission
church, with nine other congregations in the colony. February 12th
I ordained J. F. Gerber, J. H. W. Gooding, E. T. Martyn, deacons;
and Josiah J. Coker, elder; and sailed for Liberia at 8 p. m. the same
day, reaching Monrovia, February 22nd.
14
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
LIBERIA CONFERENCE.
Presiding Elder Curtis had organized the conference at 10 a. m.
and adjourned awaiting the arrival of the ship. The affairs of this
conference were conducted in a business like manner and made me
feel as if I were in one of the conferences of our own country. The
government of Liberia is modeled after that of America, there being
about twenty-five thousand Americans, or their descendants living in
the Republic. The lay membership of this conference is not as strong
as that in Sierra Leone, but our preaching places are more, there beifig
twenty-one.
President William David Coleman and his administration are in
strong sympathy with the A. M. E. Church and will do anything
reasonable to encourage our work. He was at the reception given to
the Bishop and delivered a strong address, also other officers of the
government.
The President entertained the conference at his mansion and
dined all present and gave us to understand that the A. M. E. Church
was prompted by the same spirit to organize as that of his government,
therefore our interests were one.
Friday, February 24th, in this conference I ordained deacons
James M. Gross, S. P. Gross, A. F. Holt, Geo. W. Payne. To the
eldership, Jeremiah T. Cole, Matthew T. Newland, Abraham L.
Brisbane, Ambrose Redd, W. H. Wright.
I received communications from other portions of Africa espec¬
ially the Gold Coast, from those desiring the A. M. E. Church, but as
the distance was too far for me to go and return to America in time
for the Spring Conferences in the First Episcopal District, I appointed
F. G. Snelson to superintend and organize the work anywhere on
West Coast except Liberia.
GENERAL.
We have a nucleus on West Coast Africa in these two confer¬
ences, if properly cared for, that will bring untold results, but in order
to accomplish this, great sacrifice must be made, I mean by this sac¬
rifice of human life and large expenditure of money, indeed the cost
should not enter into our minds.
There are forty missionary societies operating on West Coast,
spending millions annually; these are composed of organizations made
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
15
up of persons who claim no relation to the inhabitants so far as racial
distinctions are concerned, and since we make such a claim why not
be willing to make a greater sacrifice for the redemption of the conti¬
nent. People who have no experience in government, and entering
in "and opening up new countries, and making large outputs and nour¬
ishing the same until the harvest comes, cannot see the necessity of
waiting decades and centuries for the harvest, but rather look for
immediate results. However this is a lesson we must learn sooner or
later.
During the first fifty years of the Presbyterians in China they saw
no signs of fruit, now they have two hundred congregations, eighty
thousand members who pay two dollars and fifty cents each ($2.50)
per year for the Gospel and have all the preachers they need among
the natives. Major General Havelock said that each thousand dollars
England had spent on her missions had brought a hundred thousand
dollars through her commerce ; in summing up he continued :—
"Hitherto the interior of China has been closed to English mer¬
chants; to that dark land therefore England has sent two hundred
teachers whose homes are centres of life and inspiration, and when
fifty years have passed English fleets will be like sea birds on their
way to China as they are now to India, with her cotton and wool, with
presses and looms, sewing machines and her libraries. In giving her
wealth to found these schools, England will save it an hundred fold
and find new markets among three hundred millions of people."
History states that William Carey the English shoemaker who
founded for India an educational system now reaching millions of
children and youth, gave India Literature, made five grammars and
six dictionaries and so used his commercial genious through his indigo
plantation and factories that it made for him a million dollars in the
interest of christian missions.
Miss Douglass M. Thornton, an English author, furnishes us with
the following : Speaking of "Field and Force" she says further, the
following represents Africa's Maximum number of European and
American missionaries.
Northern Africa has one Protestant missionary to 125,000
Mohammedans.
The Sahara has one Protestant missionary to 2,500,000 Moham¬
medans.
16 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
The Soudan States have one Protestant missionary to 45,000,000
Mohammedans and Pagans.
West Africa has about one Protestant missionary to 50,000
Pagans.
Central Africa has one Protestant missionary to 80,000 Pagans.-
Southern Africa has one Protestant missionary to 14,000 Pagans.
These missionaries come from forty Protestant missionary societies.
A CONTRAST 1837 AND 1897.
There is much, however, to encourage us, on looking back.
When Queen Victoria ascended the throne, Krapf had not yet set out
either for Abyssinia or East Africa, nor had Tovvnsend thought of
entering Yoruba; and Livingstone had just completed his first session
at Glasgow in the study of medicine. Now every year adds color to
the map of Africa, and all the leading features of the Continent are
known.
BIBLE TRANSLATIONS.
An even deeper lesson is taught us by Bible translations. For
before the nineteenth century opened, only two New Testaments—
Koptic and Ethiopic—were to be found in Africa. By 1837 one Bible
version in Amharic was nearly ready for Abyssinia. And now sixty
years a wonderful change has taken place. Let us see how the work
has been distributed over the Continent.
In Northern Africa (not counting French and Italian) we have
the Arabic Bible which is understood in many parts of North Africa,
Egypt and the great desert. Abyssinia is well supplied with the Bible
in Amharic, the New Testament printed in Tigre and translated into
Tigrinja, and other Versions. Where ..translational work is most
needed is in Morocco. The great Soudan has only twenty-five ver¬
sions in 200 languages. Of these seven are complete New Testaments
and five are whole Bibles—two for the Gold Coast, one each for
Yoruba land, the Calabar country, and the Cameroons. The New
Testament in Hausa is fast being re-translated, and when it is done
will prove an influence through the whole Soudan.
South Africa and British Central Africa, however, give the best
results. In fact, the work of Bible translation there is nearly complete.
First, there are in all twenty-six versions to 10,000,000 people.
Secondly, not counting English and Dutch versions, there are thirteen
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
17
complete New Testaments in different tongues, and of these sixare whole
Bibles. They cover almost the entire number of races in Southern
Africa. The Zulu. Bible owes its existence to the American Bible
Society and Missionaries. The Sechuana was the life long work of
Robert Moffat, the Scotchman. French missionaries gave the Word
of Life to the Basuto. German missionaries have completed the Nama
(or Khio khio ) Bible for the Hottentots, and revised both the Sutoand
Kafir Bibles. Lastly, the Malagasi Scriptures are the work of the
L. M. S. in Madagascar. Turning to New Testaments, we find that
the words of Jesus and the Apostles can be taken to the heathen from
the Cape to Lake Nyasa, and from the land of Hereros to the
Matabele. It is of special interest that steps are being taken in
Nyasaland to form one Bible version and one language for the tribes
around. The Nyanza dialect has been selected, and should prove a
unifying force all over British Central Africa.
Lastly, in Central Africa the greatest present progress is being
made. Every year adds some new version to the list. There is no
Bible for West Central Africa below the Equator, but Swahili for the
East Coast and Luganda for the regions of Victoria Nyanza are Bible
languages of great importance. Then we have three New Testaments
— for the Gallas in the East, for Congoland, and for the Gaboon in
the West, while several others are nearing completion. Altogether
there are thirty-four Bible versions in Central Africa.
SUMMARY.
We have, then, the following important results at the close of a
hundred years of Bible-translation work :—12 African Bibles in use;
31 complete New Testaments; 98 Bible versions. The leading domi¬
nant languages of the continent are shown to be Arabic, Dutch, Eng¬
lish, French, Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba and Zulu. In all extept Hausa
can be found the Bible in the native language.
If these results have been reached in a hundred years by
European and American missionaries, certainly we ought to double
our efforts and out of the $400,000,000 that we are accredited with in
America, put at least $200,000 a year among the decendants of our
ancestry where idolatry, canibalism and slavery still exists.
Information reaches me from good authority that King Menelik
of Abyssinia has heard of the A. M. E. Church and is anxious to have it
18
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
established there and Rev. who is an Episcopalian rector advises
that said church form a commission and send the same to the King,
and the rector requests that he be placed upon this commission with
others of our own denomination to represent its principles and doc¬
trines; by taking this course we would have a new field containing
3,600,000 opened up to our church, with the influence of the govern¬
ment and its chief magistarte as our supporters; indeed the A. M. E.
Church is welcome everywhere in Africa.
As to our operation in the future I beg to submit further, that
there should be a' Bishop elected by the next General Conference
whose duty it will be to give his entire time to our African fields. He
could spend three months of the year at South Africa, three on West
Coast, acquaint himself thoroughly with the work and its needs, and
spend the other six months in England and the United States, using
this time to raise funds to help sustain the work as does Bishop Hart-
zell of the M. E. Church. He should be one of the wisest and ablest
men in the Connection, whose scholarly attainment would equal any
in that country. He should believe strongly in the future of that con¬
tinent and its inhabitants. He should have a thorough knowledge of
the practical working of the A. M. E. Church and some special train¬
ing for missionary work. His piety, devotion and loyalty to the con¬
nection should be beyond question.
EMIGRATION.
Since returning from Africa I have been requested to give some
expression touching emigration from the United States to Africa. The
larger number of the communications received indicate the desire of
the writers to emigrate to rid themselves of what they call the oppres¬
sions and discriminations in the U. S. Upon this point I would say
that the French own 1500 miles on West coast besides thousands of
miles of the interior. Great Britain owns almost every important key
to the interior upon the whole continent and is now building a railroad
from Cape Colony to Cairo a distance of 5,000 miles with 1,500 miles
of it already completed. Germany owns a large portion in East Africa,
South and West Africa; the Portuguese own a large territory in East
and South Africa with a smaller portion on West Coast. The Spanish
have a protectorate on West Coast and the Belgians own in Central
Africa the Congo State, So we see how impractical it would be to
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
19
attempt wholesale emigration from America to find the same class of
people in Africa that they leave behind, most of whom speaking a
foreign language.
In the second place all the labor desired can be secured for a
shilling a day as the natives can live on much less than persons reared
under a civilization as that of America and the laboring people of this
country could not compete with them.
In the third place the African diseases affect all people coming
from foreign countries alike, regardless of their nationality. If there
are persons who are well educated, imbued with the spirit of missions,
who desire to spend their life in that work, the fields are large and the
laborers are few. If there are business men who have capital desiring
to invest, opportunities are good. If a number of graduates from the
universities, colleges, seminaries and high schools of this country wish
to go out on an expedition, settle down in some portion of Africa and
establish institutions and help the people, they can find all the employ¬
ment desired and in the end the compensation would be satisfactory.
If there are medical doctors, who find themselves unemployed and
wish to be busy sixteen out of every twenty-four hours and who desire
to study the diseases also the native cures and become a blessing to
humanity in a country where they are best needed, then I say to them,,
" Go to Africa." But let them all bear in mind that they must be
subject to some one of the flags above mentioned, except in Abyssinia
and in Liberia; and important concessions have been lately granted
by both of these countries to either the English, German or French.
Since my return from Africa a cablegram from Liverpool, states
that Dr. Blydon is now on his way to America with authority from
the Liberian government to demand that the United States establish a
protectorate over that republic and if they refuse he is to appeal to
England. Should an opportunity be offered to the Americans they
ought to accept it without delay, for one hundred years from now they
will need it for more reasons than one.
If these things be true, in our opinion it will not be long before it
will be made a state and admitted to the Union with its governor, sen¬
ators and representatives. This would soon open up direct transpor¬
tation between New York and Monrovia and add to the possessions of
America one of the richest and most beautiful spots in West Africa and
350 miles of sea front with eight ports of entry.
20
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
After spending over thirty years in the Missionary fields of Africa
among the last words Livingstone said to the Africans, "I have
opened the door and it is your business to see that no one closes it."
And I beg to submit to the connection that Bishop H. M. Turner
has opened the door of the A. M. E. Church in Africa and it is our
business to see that no one closes it.
My prayer is that the Bishops, preachers and people of the
A. M. E. Church and our race generally may rise to the importance
of the occasion and discern the responsibility which is upon us,
embrace the opportunity and give the world to understand that the
white man has no burden in this world to bear that we have not and
has no right that we should not enjoy.
Yours for Christian Missions,
A. Grant.
SIERRA LEONE A. M. E. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sierra Leone has
just closed its most brilliant Annual Session. The history of the
Church in Sierra Leone marks a struggle; and its once feeble work has
grown so substantiality, so steadily, so successfully, and so hopefully,
that her friends may be numbered by the hundreds. The coming of
the Right Reverend Abram Grant, D. D., who is the seventeenth
Bishop of the Connectional Chrynology, who now presides over the
First Episcopal District, a man of wonderful zeal, marvelous eloquence
and christian piety, was a blessing not only to the A. M. E. Church,
but to the citizens of our entire community. His Lordship's introduc¬
tory sermon at Providence Church, Sabbath morning the 5th inst.,
his ordination sermon on Sabbath morning the 12th, were master¬
pieces of christian cheer, religious truth, sympathetic encouragement,
and divine hope and promise. Wilberforce Memorial Hall reverbe¬
rated with unusual historical references, marvelous metaphysics,
descriptive analysis, oratorical flowers, and rhetorical paintings, as on
the night of the 10th inst., at a most eloquent lecture "our past, pres¬
ent and future" by this our most distinguished guest. In America and
in.Europe, he sustains a reputation and fills a place among the noblest
and most sagacious leaders of his people; his soul flows with the
noblest impulses, and his life is filled with great achievements, so that
the happy "Welcome Reception" accorded his most distinguished
REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
Lordship at New Zion A. M. E. Church, Pademba-road, on the even¬
ing of the 6th inst., was perfectly proper, and was attended by
hundreds of our best citizens, irrespective of denomination. In
addition to the ministerial members of the A. M. E. Church
the following ministers were present:— Revs. C. Marke, J. C.
Thomas, J. B. Nicholls, Mr. M. T. G. Lawson, Rev. J. R.
King, Mr. J. A. L. Trice and others, and honored the Bishop with
fraternal greeting. I. Babmgton Johnson, Esq., Government Con¬
tractor, by reason of illness could not be present, but sent two guineas,
so that J. B. M'Carthy, Esq., J. P., V. J., a distinguished merchant
of this city, scored the honor of presiding over one of the most suc¬
cessful, most enthusiastic, and most beneficial and inspiring welcome
receptions ever inaugurated in Freetown. The people were there.
The introduction of the Bishop by Dr. Snelson, presiding elder and
general superintendent, was a charming literary banquet, masterly
diction, and oratorical beauty, and he appeared never so happy as
when uttering the following sentence:—
Ladies and Gentlemen.—I introduce to you to-night a distin¬
guished example of Afro-American citizenship, a matchless embodi¬
ment of Christian piety; a devoted advocate of African missions; an
unexcelled evangelistic revivalist, for the salvation of souls; a Christian
champion, whose sterling qualities as a Bishop, scatter roses of sun¬
shine and lilies of love, and whose noble characteristics as a tender
and loving father, bind up and heal wounds, and through his benign
government and fervency of soul, charm all men unto the Everlasting
Father, and the Prince of Peace.
Rev. H. M. Steady, spoke eloquent, sincere, and joyous words
of welcome on behalf of the Sierra Leone Conference, members and
people.
And Mr. I. Augustus Johnson, General Sunday-school Mission¬
ary, uttered genial greetings on behalf of the nursery of the Church.
His worship the Mayor, Sir Samuel Lewis, Kt., C. M. G., represented
the citizens of the Colony on this delightful programme of welcome,
and also presided at the lecture, assisted by Councillor C. E. Wright,
B.A., B. C.L., Deputy Mayor, the handsome chairman of the evening.
Among the supporters were the Rev. Principal J. C. May, of the
Wesleyan High School; the Hon. J. J. Thomas, Member Legislative
Council of Lagos; Dr. W. Runner, Assistant Colonial Surgeon; Dr.
22 REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRAtiTS VISIT TO APRICA.
J. Abayomi Cole; J. B. M'Carthy, J.P., V.J.; Jas. A. L. Trice,
U. S. Acting Consul; Councillor C. C. Nichols; J. V. Aubee, Esq.;
F. W. Dove, Esq.; Ex-Councillor J. S. Labor; Revs. M. W. Randall,
J. R. King, J. A. Evans, J. R. Frederick, Dr. E. J. Hayford, Prin¬
ces Christian Cottage Hospital, Rev. J. E. Cole and others. The
responses by Dr. Cole and the Deputy Mayor were commensurate
with the dignity of the occasion; and almost every oratorical period
by the Bishop, was cheered to the echo, by the unusual array of
native culture and scholarship, wealth and distinction; and the
occassion will long be remembered.
The Conference convened Wednesday, February 8th, and resulted
in the ordinations to the Diaconate of Rev. J. F. Gerber, Rev.
J. H. W. Gooding, Rev. E. T. Martyn, and to the Eldership the Rev.
J. J. Coker; the ordination text was " Giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temper¬
ance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to
gcdliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
The Bishop was assisted by Dr. Snelson, the General Superintendent
who presented the candidates, and Rev. Geo. D. Decker, Rev. H. M.
Steady, Rev. J. R. King, Rev. J. A. Evans.
The Rev. Dr. Mort, Rector Protestant Episcopal Church, Mon¬
rovia, Libera, pronounced the benediction.
The Allen Day Celebration by the young people, in honor of the
founder and first A. M. E. Bishop, was largely attended, and beautiful
in every particular, J. W. Labor, Esq., presided. In the Bishop's
farewell remarks to the people he expressed himself as being loathed to
leave so beautiful a city, and so generous a people as the Sierra
Leoneans, whom he had met; and urged them to meet him in heaven,
where parting is not known. He said that he had enjoyed the session
of the Sierra Leone Conference far more than any conference over
which he has presided in ten years; he commended the ministers very
highly for their fraternal co-operation and missionary zeal; and uttered
words of highest praise to Dr. Snelson for having so grandly lifted up
the standard of the church, and for having reaped many sheaves and
scored many achievements for God, the church and the people; and
announced the fact that the Royal Geographical Society of Great
Britain, Saville Row, London, had on the 23rd of January elected the
Rev. F. G. Snelson, M.A., Ph.D., a fellow of that most distinguished
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
23
order. The Bishop took his leave for Liberia 7 p. m. last Sabbath
evening, February 12. Rev. J. R. King, Superintendent of the United
occupied the pulpit of New Zion that evening, and preached a most
able and interesting sermon.
On Monday morning the General Superintendent continued the
business of the Conference, and the Annual Conference Love Feast
was a pentecostal occasion; many souls were converted and set at
peace with God and man. On Monday night the Annual Public Mis¬
sionary Meeting was held, T. Hamilton Leigh, Esq., in the chair—
the chairman's addresses as well as those by W. C. DeGraft Rosenoir,
Esq., Jas. A. L. Trice, U. S. Consul and the Rev. E. D. L. Thomp¬
son, were all very instructive and encouraging. The general mission¬
ary report was a magnificent presentation of the years work and
achiev ments, at all the Missions; and the financial report was a
revelation of tha zeal and earnestness with which the work has been
carried forward. The connectional disciplinary dollar had been
replaced by the annual missionary subscription, which amounted to
this year £66 14s. o^d, about 30 cents for every member in Sierra
Leone, numbering 929. The offering during the Conference amounted
to ^22 4s. 5^d.
For support of Missionaries the Parent M. M. Society has sent
^244 3s. iod; for Church buildings, New Zion ^51, Sarah Gorham
Mission £41, and for Providence ^5, Bethel Small Scarcies ^12.
The Sierra Leone Missions have assisted considerably toward the sup¬
port of their own Missionaries; Providence, ^36 19s, 8d, New Zion
^25 4s. 7^d, Campbell ^3, Emmanuel ^4 15s o^d, Allen 16s,
Bethel £4 15s, New Zion School for Teachers ,£10 7s. 2d, Sendugu
9s. 8^d, Rotumba ^3, Providence School £4. 15s, and the
General Days have yielded ^39 12s. The membership increased 174
during the year.
APPOINTMENTS.
Providence, Rev. George Dove Decker; New Zion, Rev. H. M.
Steady; Campbell, Rev. J. F.' Gerber; Emmanuel, Rev. E. T.
Martyn; Bethel Small Scarcies, Rev. J. J. Coker; Sarah Gorham
Mission, Rev. J. H. W. Gooding; Sendugu, Brother F. M. Stewart.
Local (Conference) member without assignment, Rev. L. G. Davies.
Teachers : Mrs. Gooding, Sarah Gorham School, Miss Carroll, New
24
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
Zion School, Mrs. Erskine, Providence School, Mrs. Coker, Bethel
School, Mrs. Martyn, Emmanuel School, Samuel Njie, Providence
School, Samuel G. Shower, New Zion School. All pastors are head¬
masters of their schools. Rev. F. G. Snelson, M.A., Ph.D.,
F.R.G.S., was re-appointed presiding elder, and commissioned the
West African General Superintendent, and has jurisdiction over every¬
thing on the West Coast, except Liberia.
The following were elected Missionary Students by the Annual
Conference:—Arthur George Decker and I. Augustus Johnson; and
upon the suggestion of the Bishop, these young men will sail for
America August ist, in time for the new scholastic year, in the Amer¬
ican colleges. Dr. Snelson will visit the south-west coast and estab¬
lish missions; and will also go to Europe in the interest of the work;
and in 1900 D. V., the Rev. H. M. Steady and Dr. Snelson will
represent Sierra Leone at the Connectional General Conference,
Columbus, Ohio, U. S. A. The Bishop and Dr. Snelson have gone
on to Liberia Annual Conference.
The third anniversary of the Sierra Leone District Conference
will be held at New Zion, April 20, 1899, and the Annual Conference
at Bethel Small Scarcies in February, 1900.
The highest praises for the noble manner in which the citizens of
this colony, rallied to the support and encouragement of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, were freely expressed by the Bishop,
General Superintendent and Ministers, and the names of every one
who contributed in any way toward its success are embalmed in the
sacred archives of the Church, both in Africa and in America. The
Bishop is expecting to pass in the s.s. " Axim" on his homeward
journey. Long may he live !
The following is the report of the reception given to Bishop Grant while
in Monrovia, Libera, West Coast Africa.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SESSION.
The session took the form of a general Welcome Reception in
honor of the Rt. Rev. Abraham Grant, D.D., the presiding Bishop of
the Liberia Conference, and was held in the Providence Baptist
Church by the kind courtesy of its pastor, the Rev. J. A. Johnson.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Thomas Cole, and ist chap. Joshua
report of bishop a. grants visit to aprica.
was read by Rev. F. G. Snelson, M.A., Ph.D., F. R. G. P., General
Superintendent at Sierra Leone.
Rev. Paulus Moort, M.D., rector of Trinity Protestant Episcopal
Church, presided with ease and dignity, whose introductory remarks
were felicitous and fraternal. It gave him great pleasure to accept
the honor of presiding on such an auspicious occasion to do honor for
such a distinguished representative of over ten million brethren in the
United States. Presiding Elder L. C. Curtis proceeded to deliver an
introduction of the Bishop " to the Conference and citizens of Liberia"
which recounted many tender reminiscences relative to the Bishop.
Rev. James M. Gross, delivered a most beautiful "welcome address
on the part of Liberia" and urged the good Bishop to come to the aid
of the Lone Star Republic by influence, speech and pen. As a noble
son of the soil, his words were assuring, beautiful and full ot hope.
The Hon. Arthur Barclay, Mayor of Monrovia and Secretary of
the Treasury of the Republic of Liberia in most elegant simplicity and
ease, spoke most cordial words of welcome on behalf of the citizens of
the city. Said he, " The words of Rev. Mr. Gross have been so com¬
plete, what can I, in the language of Paul, say more ? We are proud
as a race of the African Methodist Episcopal Church ; for she is the
first racial spiritual organization of the negro in the history of the
world. I repeat, because the A. M. E. Church is the first effort of
my race for racial spiritual equality with the nations of the earth. It
is the same principal that gave birth to the republic of Liberia, and we
now stand near the first spot of government ever set apart for the free
and independent citizenship of the negro. I say that it is the first
spot organized by civilized negroes for the free and untrammelled
exercise of their liberty. But we are supporting and building up this
nation, not for ourselves alone, but for the ten million of our brethren
in the United States. We welcome you, dear Bishop to our City and
trust that your stay will be both profitable and agreeable.
Welcome on behalf of the educational interests of Liberia were
spoken by Rev. J. C. Lawton, A.M., B.D., which was delivered in a
most humorous and interesting manner. Not many will forget his
three Irishmen and their endeavor to learn English.
The Rev. J. Thomas Cole delivered expressions of welcome on
behalf of the A. M. E. Church and Rev. M. T. Newland in the
interests of missions, and the latter spiced his speech by singing " Sow-
26
REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
ing in the Morning, sowing seeds of kindness" which was lustily sung
by the vast congregation.
Tne Right Rev. Abraham Grant, D.D., then proceeded to deliver
a magnificent response. "We feel grateful for these expressions of
cordial welcome, but not to me nor for me, but for the cause and
principles which we represent. We accept these expressions in the
name of the nine Bishops living and sixteen dead, in the name of
755,000 members, in the name of nine general officers, in the name
of the missionary department that laid $8,000 on the table for foreign
mission alone last.Easter day, in the name of a financial department
that collected last year about $100,000, in the name of the Church
Extension Department that has furnished money for the rescue 0^357
churches, about $80,000 and taken many of them from the Sheriff's
sale and mortgage blocks, in the name of the oldest Negro paper—
The Christian Recorder. I note the presence of President Coleman^
of the Republic of Liberia, here to-night. I recently had an inter¬
view with McKinley of the United States and to leave one President
and come into the presence of anoiher of my own race, is indeed
pleasant. I have been entertained by Congressmen in America and
statesmen of Europe, but I consider the honor to-night of the presence
of the President, the Mayor and the Secretary of State, Attorney
General and the other dignitaries of this Republic far more pleasing
than all courtesies and honors ever paid through me to my church.
We in America have not been idle. Thirty-four years ago we
started off without " boots or breeches " and to-day the Negro in the
United States pays taxes on four hundred million dollars worth of
property.
We have always been loyal to our flag and yet we cannot have
that flag to go to our homes and protect us. So that numbers may
come to Liberia and you should treat them with the kindest consider¬
ation when they enter your gates. Thousands of our people in Amer¬
ica will remain there, but many on account of the continued distur¬
bances and agitations will desire to come to your Libenan shores.
And you should do all you can to direct their common interests, so
that mean and irresponsible persons cannot take advantage of them.
It would pay the Liberian government to send an agent to America to
establish a Bureau of Information in the American Capital or in some
leading central Southern city, who should give information to the
report op bishop a. grants visit to aprica.
27
people there, and send out literature, answer correspondence under
your direction as a Government and prevent any furture continuance
of the ill treatment which many of the emigrants have been subject to.
While I am not an emigrationist nor an advocate of such a course,
if this is done I pledge myself to co-operate with you in organizing a
board of leading men to assist your agency in giving proper infor¬
mation to that class of people who desire'to come to Liberia. I met
one poor emigrant on the S. S. Cabenda last week, with a certificate
from the International Migration Society of Alabama, showing that
7,996 such certificates had been issued to our poor people aggregating
over a quarter of a million dollars received from them by that one
institution alone, and yet this poor man after paying in and holding a
receipt for $224 eg for himself and family did not get a single passage
nor a single cent for all he had put in.
I love Liberia and am as enthusiastic for your country—no for
our common country, as you are. God bless its President, a man like
myself who has come up all the way from the plow handles! God
bless its Cabinet and the Mayor of your city ! God bless your yeo¬
manry and may you build up a civilization, a government, a nation."
The address of the distinguished Bishop was cheered to the echo,
and the President and the members of the Cabinet were alike electri¬
fied. "From Greenland's Icy Mountains" was sung. The Bishop
then introduced His Excellency, President W. D. Coleman, of the
Republic of Liberia, who said that he was always a well-wisher and
servant of his race and of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
What we need most is confidence—confidence in ourselves, confi¬
dence in our government, confidence in our race.
We should exercise more vigilence for the good and protection of
our people. There are in the interior millions of our people who need
our help and civilizing influence, we desire to educate them. The
great work of the A. M. E. Church will greatly assist us in its accom¬
plishment. There is an indissoluble union between the Afro-Americar
and the Liberians. It is your duty to come among us. Many are
lynched in America and we welcome you to our blessed country when
lynching is not known. God intends that persecution there shal
teach the Afro-American that Africa is his home, where he shal
be no longer oppressed by the Caucasian. Our doors are open com
mercially and otherwise we welcome you one and all.
28 REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
The Bishop responded—"See that the emigrants are well treated.
Protect their interests, don't let organizations take advantage of them
and though we may not see the glorious development of this Republic
in our day our children will see it and give glory to the God of their
fathers."
The Rev. Dr. Moort's closing address was a beautiful finale to
the rich intellectual feast of the evening and inspired kindliest feeling
of fraternal good-will and sympathetic regards among all christians oper¬
ating in Liberian Churches and African missions. The Bishop then'
introduced Mrs. Dr. Moort who was formerly the very efficient matron
of the Old Folk's Home in Philadelphia and commending her to the
cordial consideration of Liberians as a most worthy accession to the
ranks of those laboring to evangelize the Repfublic.
Among those present was the wife of Hon. O. L. W. Smith,
D.D., U. S. Minister; President and Consul General and Secretary
Mrs. J. R. Spergeon; Col. A. D. Williams, Presidential candidate
and wife, President and Mrs. A. P. Camphor of the College of West
Africa; City Justice R. J. Clarke, Emigration Agent R. T. Sherman,
.Ex-Sec. of War and Navy A. D. Williams.
The occasion was historic and will doubtless bear fruit for the
good of the people, the prosperity of the Republic, unification of
Afro-American and Liberian-American interests and inspiring confi¬
dence in Negro ability in church, in state, in commerce, in revenue,
and in directing the future good of the people and the Republic of
Liberia.
February 22, 1899.
The following appeared in the paper named below published in Manches¬
ter, England, after Bishop Grant's arrival to Liverpool from West
Coast Africa. The same was cabled to New York, or the most of it.
A BISHOP'S VISIT TO WEST AFRICA.
THE FUTURE OF LIBERIA.
(PRESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL SERVICE.)
Bishop Abraham Grant, of Philadelphia, who has just returned
from the West Coast of Africa, has given Reuter's Liverpool repre¬
sentative a personal account of his experience in West Africa. Bishop
Grant, who belongs to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said
he held two conferences while he was in West Africa, one at Sierra
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA. 29
Leone and the other at Liberia. He was much pleased with the pro¬
gress of his race on the West Coast, and had no idea of meeting so
many educated people as he met in Sierra Leone. English civiliza¬
tion had done much for the country within the last hundred years.
The work of the Bishop's missionaries is highly gratifying. ' A good
increase of membership had been made within the last two years, and
the people are becoming more industrious and thoughtful. The
Bishop was also pleased with the work in Liberia. He met President
Coleman and his cabinet, and discussed the common interests of the
people of Liberia and the country generally. Liberia is, in Bishop
Grant's opinion, a choice spot on the West African Coast; and its re¬
sources have scarcely been touched. What the people need, he said,
was encouragement from stronger nations and wealth and experience
to develop their country. It was thought that there was plenty of
gold and silver, and there might be diamonds as well. The Bishop
was shown specimens. There are about 25,000 colored Americans
and their decendents in Liberia. These were following agricultural
pursuits generally, and the natives were learning a great deal from
them along that line. Liberia needed money, and therefore rulers
were sometimes forced to make concessions that they would not other¬
wise make. The late concession given to Germans by which Kroomen
could only engage to labor for a British firm with the permission of a
private German firm was, in the Bishop's opinion, a serious mistake.
It was distinctly sacrificing the independence and freedom of their
Kroomen subjects, who ought to have the option of hiring themselves
to whomsoever they pleased. Germany, said the Bishop, was watch¬
ing with vigilance Liberia's future, and the French, he was told, were
also giving considerable attention to the country. Of course, the
Americans established the colony and it was likely that the United States
would do all that was reasonable to protect Liberia. But this giving
of one concession after another might put that protection out of the
power of the United States. People of African decent throughout
the world were anxious to see the Liberian Government remain intact,
as it would be a great disaster to have it otherwise; and yet if such a
thing did occur it certainly never ought to have for protection a foreign
speaking people such as France or Germany. The Liberians are an
English speaking people, and would naturally favor the United States
or England if ever they were forced to give up their independence.
30
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
The Bishop was simply giving his personal views, as the Liberians
with whom he had spoken had never indicated such a contingency as
the breaking up of their country. On the contrary President Cole¬
man and his Cabinet were firm in their belief as to the future hopes
and prospects of Liberia.
March 18, 1899.
This interview with Bishop Grant appeared in the New York Daily Sun.
BISHOP GRANT ON AFRICA.
Opinions Formed After a Visit to the West Coast. Progress of Siberia
and Sierra Leone—Utilization by England of Native Ability—As
to an American and English Protectorate over Liberia — English
Love of Law.
Bishop Abraham Grant of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church left America for the West Coast of Africa on Jan. 11, last.
He visited Sierra Leone, where he held a conference with Methodist
missionaries at Konakry, a French colony about seventy miles distant;
Sherbro nearly a hundred miles from Freetown, on the Sherbro river,
a part of the English colony, and Cape Mount and Monrovia, in the
Republic of Liberia. He has now returned to this country. He re¬
ports that his reception abroad was cordial. In Sierra Leone the
English officers, merchants and leading men generally vied with each
other in showing "courtesies. In Liberia it was the same. He was
asked what his opinion was of English government in Sierra Leone.
" The government is the same " he said, " as English government
is elsewhere. The English as you know, have, as a general thing, a
profound regard for law and order; and the strongest proof of this,
in my opinion, was given in the course the government took with re¬
gard to the natives guilty of murder and mutilation of the missionaries,
some of them Americans, which took place nearly a year ago on the
Sherbro river. It began in the hut tax, which the natives refused to
pay. Notwithstanding the horrors of that massacre of the mission¬
aries, of the 254 Africans found guilty, 150 have been tried by the
legally constituted courts of Sierra Leone and hanged, and 104 more
are now under the sentence of death. Note this fact: Not one pris¬
oner of all these met his fate by violence or illegal mob action, as
would have happened for less provocation in some sections of our own
country."
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
31
''In the war that followed, colored soldiers chiefly were used—
West Indians and native Africans officered by Englishmen "
As to the ability of white men to develop Africa the Bishop said:
"The Anglo-Saxon has shown his ability to develop any country,
but I do not think that this is the same as saying that white communities
can be successfully and permanently established in Africa. What has
been done has been largely through utilizing the native agencies under
white capital and direction. The English officers and business men
on that coast find it necessary to return to England for three or four
months out of every eighteen or twenty-rour to recuperate from the
debilitating effects of the climate. But working through native forces
they have been able to accomplish much. In 1787 Sierra Leone
passed from the Portuguese to the English, and was made by them a
refuge for free Africans. Eleven hundred and thirty-six ©f these
landed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1792, and to-day the success of
this policy is seen in the flourishing city of 30,000 souls, merchants,
barristers and doctors, many of them educated in England. The
English appreciate these facts fully, for they are natural colonizers and
have never failed to utilize the native material found in the land they
occupy. As the success of this plan becomes more apparent it will
be adopted by all the European colonizing powers. In many instances
this fact is recognized by the use of Negroes as agents in their African
interests. On the Gold Coast and in the banks, warehouses and trad¬
ing establishments Negroes are either placed at the head or next to the
English manager, so as to be in charge during the enforced absence.
The Queen's Advocate on the Gold Coast is an African."
Being questioned as to the progressiveness and prospects of
Liberia the Bishop said :
"You will remember that Liberia was established in 1820, or
about one-third of a century after Sierra Leone became a British colony
the difference being that Liberia started as an independent govern¬
ment from the first. The object was doubtless to demonstrate whether
the Negro was capable of self-government. Sierra Leone has had the
benefit of English capital, enterprise and experience; Liberians have
been thrown upon their own resources, without money or experience,
and looking at what they have accomplished under all the adverse cir¬
cumstances, I think they have done well. On approaching Monrovia,
the capital, one gets a view not easily surpassed in beauty by any I
32 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
have ever seen in America or in Europe. The little city of 6,000
inhabitants nestled on the hillside with its brick and stone houses im¬
bedded in the patches of green, looks like some lovely panorama.
The coast line extends about 350 miles, with nine ports of entry. In-
teriorward the republic reaches about 250 miles. The civilized Americo-
Liberian population is 25,000 and the Aborigines about 1,500,000.
The people are engaged in all kinds of business, and some of them live
in luxury. The principal exports are coffee, cocoa, palm oil, ivory,
rubber, camwood, and every week a German steamer leaves laden.
It does seem to me that America is sleeping upon opportunities which
it will want when too late, for by all the sympathies of birth and asso¬
ciation Liberian trade should prefer the United States, but not a single
direct American line plies between the two. Africa is being rapidly
monopolized by the six European nations—England, France, Ger¬
many, Spain, Italy and Belgium. England has all the most important
keys and is reaching out after the Transvaal; France ownes 1,500
miles of seacoast, and the others are getting all they can."
The Bishop was asked if he had seen the dispatches stating that
his visit to Liberia was made with a political object.
"Yes," he replied "I saw the following statement in the Daily
Chronicle of London : ' Bishop Grant takes back with him to the'_States
the unanimously expressed desire that America should at once declare
a protectorate if it so pleases her. Failing American intervention the
Liberians would welcome a British protectorate.' This statement is
gratuitous, for I was intrusted with no such commission and did not
state so. My purpose in going was to visit our missionaries, survey
the field, find out the needs, hold the annual conferences and on
returning report the result of my observations to the Bishops' Council
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Liberian authorities
said nothing to me about wishing a protectorate; but I said in England
as I say here, and of my own motion, that if it is true that.Germany
and France are seeking to establish a protectorate over Liberia, it
would be far better for that country to come under the protection of
the United States or England because they are an English-speaking
people, having English ideas of government and civilization. I am
not quite sure whether it would not be better if England established
the protectorate rather than the United States, as, previous to expan¬
sion, we have had 9,000,000 of people and it is said that almost on
REV. H. B. PARKS, D.D.,
Secretary of Missions.
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
33
every ship that plies between England and Africa, Germany and
Africa, the cargo is rum, gunpowder and missionaries, and while all
agencies operating in Africa do their part in planting the idea of civi¬
lization in the minds of the natives they do not impress them with a
moral sentiment that ought to be carried to heathens.
"One of the strangest things to me is that all of the leading
countries of the world except America are trying to secure some terri¬
tory of that continent, and we are paying no attention to it except to
spend our money, energy and lives. There is no place on the West
Coast of Africa more beautiful than Liberia; this colony was estab¬
lished by Americans, and the Germans and French are nursing it.
This is done with the hope of having their flag hoisted over it some
time in the future.
"Now if it will pay the Germans to have their ships go in there
every week and the English every two weeks, and then go out laden
with the products of the country, why will it not also pay America ?
You can go from New York to Liberia as quick as you can go from
Liverpool or Hamburg to Liberia. The republic has a front along
the coast of 350 miles, and 250 miles interior. It is believed that
there is gold and even diamonds to be found in the country, besides
the coffee, cocoa, palm oil, ivory, rubber and camwood. Are any of
these used in America? If so, we may as well have them direct as to
go around by England or Germany to secure them. Then there are
more of the decendants of Africa in America than in any other country,
and of course strong sympathies exist between the descendants and
the country from which their forefathers came.
"There are many opportunities for young men of high character,
well educated, who desire to go there for the good they will accomplish
for the country as well as themselves, also for persons who have means
and desire to invest for the purpose of developing the resources of new
fields. Of the poor and ignorant they have an abundance, but the
continued agitation of this country and the unrest among our people
will cause numbers of them to go, or attempt to go, but there will be
nothing permanent about it.
"The State of Alabama ought to appoint a committee in the
legislature to investigate the operations and management of that asso¬
ciation in Birmingham, and find out whether or not they are dealing
justly and honestly with the people to whom they are continually hold-
34 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
ing out inducements to go to Africa, and if they have determined to con¬
tinue their operations, see that they do just what they promised or close
them out. I have promised the Liberians that if they would send a
representative to Washington that I would assist in organizing a bureau
of information, where the people can secure whatever information
they desire touching upon Africa. These agitations which stir the
poor and illiterate, coupled with the lynching, burning and disfran¬
chisement and threats as to the future will give us untold trouble if
they continue. Bear in mind that we have only been emancipated
about thirty-four years, and the friends of the race have not yet finished
their work. It will take a hundred years yet, but I have been asked
to furnish suggestions with reference to the future, which I shall do
later on."
BISHOP GRANT.
His Grace, Bishop Abraham Grant, D.D., has been royally
received since his return from Africa. A reception was tendered him
at Union A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. D. P. Roberts,
pastor, that would have been received as a complement by royalty
itself. The great representatives, not only from the A. M. E. Church,
but from the A. M. E. Zion Church, and the sister churches in gen¬
eral, and the distinguished men of the race was present. The silver
tongued Bishop Derrick, the brilliant H. T. Kealing, the logical Dr.
Coppin, the learned Bishop Petty, the chaste and polished Astwood,
the avalanching, rhetorical Parks, and others made speeches and
justly crowned the mighty Grant as hero. Thank God for Bishop
Grant's return! Another Bishop with an eloquent tongue can plead
the cause of Africa and present her claims to civilization, and refer to
the people he has seen with his eyes, and the land he has trodden with
his feet. Judging from a letter received from his Grace giving in detail
a report of his labors in Africa, we take pleasure in saying, as the
Primate of our African work, he exercised great discretion in the ad¬
justment of matters connected with our church in that country. But
hold on! What will the anti-African party do with their bandana hand¬
kerchiefs now? If whispers is true, some of them had their pockets,
hats and coat tails all stuffed with bandanas and other rags to wipe
gallons of tears from their eyes when the tidings of Bishop Grant's
death reached this country, but the poor fellows will not have a chance
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
35
to use them. Grant is here sound and hearty. Well, we are doomed
to disappointment in this world and they must share the same fate that
others have had to submit to.— Voice of Missions.
The following report of the reception given at Union A. M. E. Church in
honor of Bishop Grant on his return from Africa, appeared in The
Defender, April 8, 1899.
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S RECEPTION AT UNION
A. M. E. CHURCH.
Ably Introduced by Rev. D. P. Roberts, D.D., the Distinguished
Pastor of the Church—Speeches from Eminent Bishops, Clergy¬
men and Laymen—Bishop Grant's Description of His Voyage
and Experiences in Africa — The Unsurpassed Program and
the Magnificent and Well Furnished Refreshment Tables in the
Basement of the Church After the speeches and Praise Service.
Union A. M. E. Church was filled to overflowing on Tuesday
night last, with one of the most cultured audiences that ever assembled
within the noble edifice. The church is situated on Sixteenth street
near Fairmount avenue, and is the popular resort ot the cultured
element of the race in that section. Dr. Roberts, the pastor of the
church, is a man of culture, and one the ablest representatives of the
race. He is an M.D., as well as a D.D., whose learning and probity
have given him high standing with all classes of our people. He is a
man of national reputation, and was so prominent in the State of
Indiana as a pastor and citizen that he was chosen as the successor of Dr.
J. M. Townsend by President Harrison for the presidential appoint¬
ment of Secretary of the Land Office when Dr. Townsend resigned.
He filled the pulpit of the Metropolitan Church at Washington, D. C.,
and at the end of the Harrison administration he was called by Bishop
Tanner to the pastorate of Charles Street Church at Boston, the most
important charge in that city. After filling a term of five years in that
charge, which is the limit of the law, his work was so satisfactorily done,
and having gained the confidence of Bishop Grant, he was transferred
to Union Church in this conference. His acceptation was so wel*
thought of by the brethren that he was chosen President of the
Preachers' Meeting for two consecutive terms, an honor seldom given
to any pastor. Dr. Roberts is an up to date man in every sense of
the word, and with his congregation determined to entertain Bishop
36
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
Grant on his return from West Africa with a royal reception at his
church. The annoucement was made at the Preachers' Meeting
several weeks ago, prior to the Bishop's arrival; invitations were sent
out to every preacher in the city, and its immediate environment, as
well as to the Bishops of the Church and ministers of other denomi¬
nations and prominent laymen abroad. The newspapers spoke of it
in commendable terms, but no conception was had of the prominence
of the gathering that assembled on Tuesday evening. At the hour
appointed the church was crowded with people. The ministers were
assembled in a room below, and the Bishop with his cabinet was at
the parsonage. The Juvenile Cadets of the Church, dressed in military
style, were on guard at the entrance and presented a''unique military
spectacle. At the time appointed.a committee headed by the pastor
went to the parsonage and returned escorting the Bishop. He was
received at the door by the Cadets, who opened ranks, and the
Bishop entered, following the committee. The procession of ministers
filed in and advanced up the aisles of the overflowing church and
entered the platform and the seats that had been reserved for them.
The altar was profusely decorated with flowers and palms and ever¬
greens; it presented a delightful and pleasant view; the audience
was a superb one, pretty dresses and lovely faces greeted the Bishops
and the clergymen when they entered. No finer display could have been
gathered anywhere, and no race but ours could have presented such a
magnificent variety; from the blackest of the black to the whitest of
the white, with every other tint and shade known to colors; it was a
beautiful, magnificent, charming, lovely and unsurpassed picture.
Upon the platform with the Bishop and in and around the altar as far
as we can remember were the distinguished prelates and colleagues,
the dignified Bishop James A. Handy, D.D., of the Second Episcopal
District; the popular and distinguished high churchman, Bishop
William B. Derrick, of the Eighth Episcopal District; Rev. C. T.
Shaffer, Secretary of the Church Extension Board; Rev. H. T. John¬
son, editor of the Christian Recorder; Rev. T. W. Henderson, Gen¬
eral Manager of the Book Concern; Rev. H. B. Parks, the successful
and intrepid Missionary Secretary; Prof. H. T. Kealing, editor of the
A. M E. Review; Presiding Elders J. P. Sampson, D.D., Theodore
Gould, O. D. Robinson, N. D. Temple, P. E. Giles, of the New
Jersey Conference; ex-Presiding Elders J. C. Brock and William
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA. 37
Davis, Dr. W. A. Credit, of the Cherry Street Baptist Church; Dr.
H. Phillips of Shiloh Baptist Church ; Dr. O'Connell of the Bain-
bridge Street M. E. Church, and the following ministers of the A. M.
E. Church: Rev. Levi J. Coppin, D.D., W. D. Heath, Rev. New¬
ton, ofWoodbury; P. F. Loyd, Elijah Byrd, of Wayne; Rev. Cooper,
of the New Jersey Conference; Rev. Gibbs, Segeant-at-arms of the
Preachers' Meeting; Rev. J. B. Stansberry, Rev. Edwards, ofNorris-
town; Rev. Christopher Jones, Rev. Cooper, Secretary of the
Preachers' Meeting; Rev. H H. Pinckney, attached to the Christian
Recorder's office ; ex Presiding Elder Newcornb of New Jersey; Rev.
H. C. C- Astvvood, Superintendent of Mission to Cuba, and a number
of brethren whose names do not now occur.
A little after 8 o'clock an anthem was sung by the Bethel choir,
which had been provided for the occasion; the Rev. Theodore Gould
was then called upon to open the meeting with prayer. The venerable
presiding elder and prelate offered up an impressive and solemn invo¬
cation which prepared the meeting for the great occasion. Dr.
Roberts the pastor and master of ceremonies, in well chosen words,
announced the object of the gathering. He said the occasion was so
important that he could not find words worthy of it, that a well-chosen
program of speakers had been chosen which forced him to arrange the
time which he regretted to do by allowing but five minutes to each
speaker, and that that rule might not be violated, he has provided a little
reminder that he would lay upon the desk. He then introduced Rev.
C. T. Shaffer, Secretary of the Church Extension Board, to make the
first speech of welcome. Dr. Shaffer is always a pleasant speaker.
He is considered one of the very best representatives of our Church
and is prominently spoken of for one of the Bishops to be elected in
1900. But he never spoke more eloquently than he did upon this
occasion. He seemed to have measured up to the greatness of the
hour, and the splendid audience before him seemed to have inspired
the speaker. He turned to his Bishop and friend in an attitude almost
dramatic and in one of the most beautiful perorations possible, likened
the Bishop's return from Africa to that of Julius Caesar's triumphant
entry into Rome, when greeted by his soldiers with banners and mar¬
tial tread, in language like this:
" First sir, we have been brave; second, we are brave, and
thirdly we will be brave,"
38
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VlSlT TO APRICA.
" This is the greeting, Bishop, of your followers here to-night,
who pledge to you our loyalty and love for your splendid leadership.
We greet you back to your district, to your loved ones and to our
hearts and embrace." The speech was received with deafening
applause. The next speaker introduced was Dr. O'Connell, pastor
of Bainbridge Street M. E. Church. This brilliant young man, com¬
monly called the Demosthenes of the race, spoke in his usual eloquent
style and electrified the audience with his splendid oratory. He said
although he was not an African Methodist, he loved and honored
Bishop Grant, that his annual conference would sit at nine o'clock the
following morning at Baltimore. He hated to be late, but he could
not forego this coveted occasion, therefore he remained over to partic¬
ipate in this splendid gathering to help honor the great man of the
occasion. His speech was eloquent, sentimental and grand, and was
loudly applauded. Rev. W. B. Credit, the able and popular pastor
of Cherry Street Baptist Church was the next speaker. This brilliant
young man who is called the Cicero of the race, is without doubt one
of the most eloquent speakers of the nation. His tribute to Bishop
Grant on this occasion was considered by able critics to be one of the
finest outbursts of English eloquence ever pronounced by a speaker.
He could hardly proceed for the interrupting applauses. He said
that denominational lines disappeared when a man like Bishop Grant
was to be honored, whose leadership, character, worth and material
benefit to the race was so precious, and he came with the greeting not
only of Cherry Street Baptist Church, but with the greeting of more
than one million and a half of colored Baptist brethren of the country
welcoming Bishop Grant back to his fatherland, to his home, to his
church and his people.
It would be vain to attempt to report the speech ; he concluded
amidst deafening rounds of applause. The poetic and brilliant Prof. H.
T. Kealing editor of the A. M. E. Review, was the next speaker.
Prof. Kealing is one of the most learned and eloquent laymen of our
church and when his name was called a great treat was expected. In
a quaint manner instead of making a speech, he surprised the audi¬
ence with a remarkable piece of poetry, absolutely original, read from
a manuscript, entitled, "What is Meant by Traveling Six Thousand
Miles." It was so beautiful in its portrayal of Bishop Grant's voyage,
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
39
experiences and shifting scenes on board ship, in Africa, and what he
saw, ate and experienced, that it was considered one of the most en¬
tertaining and pleasant productions of the evening. Dr. L. J. Cop-
pin, pastor of Bethel Church was then introduced; Dr. Coppin who
is always interesting and jolly pleaded the time limit, and confined
himself to the reminiscenses of Bethel and the work and leadership of
Bishop Grant and wound up with the assurance that in the coming
annual conference, which would be the last over which Bishop Grant
would preside in this district the brethren would show their loyalty
and love for him by their reports. He was loudly applauded when
he left the stage. The surprise of the evening came when Secretary
Parks, the Boanerges of the church, and Secretary of Missions was
called, who had been sitting with bowed head, listening to the outbursts
of eloquence bestowed upon Bishop Grant, he awakened as a steed
startled for flight, and took the platform with a look of astonishment
and surprise; Dr. Parks is considered one of the most eloquent
speakers of the race; he surveyed his audience and seemed to catch
the inspiration of the hour, and was soon lost in the wild and enthus¬
iastic flights of enthusiasm. His dream is of Africa's redemption; his
whole soul is wrapped up in the results of Easter Day, to build the
Kaffir College, before the next General Conference. He looked upon
Bishop Grant's return from Africa as an inspiration to the church and
to the cause he represented, and poured out his whole soul in the
enthusiastic greeting offered him in connection with the Missionary
Department. His speech was applauded with enthusiasm by the
audience. Next came " el pico de oro," or the golden tongued
orator of the Bench, the dignified eloquent and popular Bishop of the
Eighth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. William B. Derrick. The
audience went wild when he stepped to the front. His pose was suf¬
ficient to electrify his audience had he never uttered a word, but
Dr. Derrick soared aloft and carried his audience with him, he turned
to Bishop Grant, his colleague of the hour, and paid him a tribute
seldom surpassed by a public speaker. Bishop Derrick's speech of
welcome was one of the most eloquent and enthusiastic of the evening.
At this juncture Rev. J. S. Caldwell, pastor of the A. M. E. Zion
Church in this city, whose name was previously called advanced to
take his place, and like a steed ready for the fray, nothing doubting,
but seemingly anxious, he faced his audience.
40
REPORT OP BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO APRlCA.
His face was lighted up as we had never seen it before, and
plunged at once into one of the most eloquent outbursts possible. He
said whilst he came late, yet he was here. Those who knew Rev.
Caldwell to be one of the ablest men of his church, never expected to
have to listen to snch a speech. He startled the entire congregation.
He said though late, he was here to welcome a man he loved, admired
and honored. That Bishop Grant, though a member of the A. M. E.
Church, belonged to the race and that churches and congregations
without denominational proclivities delighted to honor him. He came
with the greetings of five hundred thousand loyal members of the
A. M. E. Zion Church, in honor of Bishop Grant, who loved and
admired him with the intensity of the members of his own connection.
His speech was one of the best of the evening and was greeted with
tremendous applause. Regrets were then read from Bishop Tanner,
D.D., LL. D., of the Fifth Episcopal District, and Bishop Foster, of
the M. E. Church ; Dr. Phillips, of the Episcopal Church ; and others,
after which Bishop James A. Handy, D D., was introduced. Bishop
Handy is one of the noblest and best men of any race. To know him
is to love him. He has always been known by the sobriquet of
"Honest Jimmy Handy." He is one of the most charitable and
fatherly men in the world. The church is proud of him, his colleagues
honor him, and next to Bishop Turner, he is venerated as the pet of
the connection. Bishop Handy did not make a speech. He said he
did not come to talk, he came to honor his colleague, and after hear¬
ing so much, he did not care to speak, and if he did, he could not.
The Missionary Secretary had said that it was not a difficult thing to
go to Africa, but he considered it so difficult that he was going to stay
here and content himself to hear Bishops Turner and Grant tell about
it. He was going to do his best to help in raising funds to aid the
Missionary Secretary to carry on the work, but he was going to do his
best to help His speech, provoked more laughter than anything that
had been said during the evening.
Bishop Petty, D.D., of the A. M. E. Zion Church, was then
introduced. Bishop Petty who is always eloquent and picturesque,
said but for the lateness of the hour he would be delighted to make a
speech in honor of Bishop Grant, whom he had learned to honor and
admire. He had come, though late, to hear him tell of Africa, that
he was intently interested in the race and its grievances, he spoke of
report op bishop a. grants visit to africa. 4i
the persecution of the brown races in common with that of the Negro
and he was very solicitous about them. He was sure that Bishop
Grant's narrative would be important not only to the race but to the
nation. The Bishop paid a splendid tribute to Bishop Grant and
added largely to the fulsome praise of the splendid anthem, which
added to the inspiration of the occasion. At the conclusion of the
singing, Dr. Roberts, visibly affected with emotion, came to the front
and said words lailed to express his gratitude for the honor of this
grand and inspiring moment. So much had been said and so well
said, that he could add nothing to it. In behalf of the officers and
membership of his church, who had made it possible for him to con¬
tribute toward the success of this great reception, it was his pleasure
to introduce to the audience the hero of the occasion, Bishop Abraham
Grant, the beloved and revered Bishop of the First Episcopal District.
All eyes were turned to the altar; like Saul of Kish, the Bishop
towered above his fellows. As soon as he stepped to the front, the
ministers were upon their feet, followed by the audience, like snow
flakes a perfect sea of white handkerchiefs were waving in the air,
greeting the Bishop. A more enthusiastic ovation cannot be imagined.
When quiet was restored, Bishop Grant, standing erect like a magnifi¬
cent statue posed for the artist, trembled as he gazed upon his
audience. We never saw him so affected but upon one other occasion,
and that was when he stood upon the deck of the Majestic, waving his
adieu to his brethren upon the dock. It was a splendid picture. He
said that he did not know who was the prouder, the audience or him¬
self, he certainly felt sensibly affected by the great honor paid to him
by his colleagues, the representatives of other churches, the ministers
over which he presided and the large audience before him. He never
felt so keenly the sympathy for him, but on the occasion when the
brethren bade him good-bye upon the deck of the Majestic. He could
never forget that song, as it was sung then in which many of the pas¬
sengers on board joined, "God be with you till we meet again." It
would ever live in his memory. It cheered him up when upon the
deep. He gave a splendid description of his voyage and his exper¬
ience abroad. He said he would not speak of Africa now, it was not
opportune. The hour was too late and the inspiration of the hour
would not admit. He had planned at some future time, to speak
upon Africa and the condition of the people at some appropriate place in
42 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
the city, where he could devote an hour and a half to the subject.
He had a great many things to say in connection with it. He had
been able to measure distance heretofore. He had measured the dif¬
ferences between the races, the distance between the white and colored
man, who was fast catching up, even the distance between our con¬
dition from slavery up to the splendid achievements reached as
evidenced by the splendid and cultured audience before him, but he
never imaged the difference between the races, as it existed between
the American Negro of to-day and the African in his native state. He
did not speak of this disparingly, nor did it embrace all that he had
ever seen, because both in Liberia and Sierra Leone, he had met with
cultured native Africans, who were the peers of any before him. He
had met men in high official positions, he had listened to eminent
and eloquent preachers, he had visited splendid homes, as well fur¬
nished and administered as ours, but he met the masses.
He said that his visit was a pleasant one, and gave a bird's eye
view of Sierra Leone and Liberian life. He said that Germany,
France, England, Spain, Italy and Portugal were vying with each
other as to who would have the largest share in Africa. France was
longing for Liberia, but if it was to go, he would rather that it would
go to the United States or England. He would be in favor of Eng¬
land, because of her better treatment to the darker races. He spoke of
an incident where two hundred and fifty Africans were tried for mas-
sacreing foreign missionaries. The affair was horrible in the extreme.
The English government tried them and executed by law one hundred
and fifty, and one hundred more were awaiting the death sentence.
Notwithstanding this, not one of these men met their death by
violence. That was a stinging rebuke to our Southern civilization.
His short speech was interesting and instructive in the extreme. The
Bishop took his seat amid deafening rounds of applause. In all of
this audience sat a silent spectator, she was a women, with pleasure,
sadness and satisfaction upon her brow, a tear sometimes trickled
down her cheek. She is one of the most lovable and devoted women
of the nation. See is beloved by all who know her, she is honored as
few women are honored by the church. Mrs. Fanny Jackson Coppm
said of her last Sunday at Atlantic City, that this woman was one of
the best women she had ever met, that she was one of the most
devoted and loving wives she had ever known. Mrs. Coppin's words
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
43
are known to be not only truthful, but revered and believed by the
race the country over. This women sat there as meek and lowly as
the Madonna; it was Mrs. Bishop Grant, the wife that is a model of
all wives, looking upon the man she adored and had helped up to the
uppermost round of the ladder of fame. To the writer it was the
grandest picture of the whole scene. We felt happy, as well as proud
of, and for Mrs. Bishop Grant, the woman so much beloved by all of
us.
The pastor, who seemed dazed by success, could scarcely now
control himself. He announced to the audience that refreshments had
been prepared in the room below; he would invite the audience to
remain seated whilst the ministers and invited guests would file out,
every man with a lady upon his arm, and when they were seated at
the table then the audience would be invited in by a committee and
treated in the best manner possible under the circumstances. We had
no lady, but moved on with the procession. On reaching the room
below, we were greeted with a magnificent spread. Tables were
arranged in the shape of a cross, around them were seated more than
a hundred guests. They were laden with the choicest viands, salad,
frjed oysters, cakes, fruits and every delicacy of the season. The
other guests were seated and served by the committee, and a delight¬
ful time was the outcome. Bishop and Mrs. Grant were the honored
guests of the night. On his right were seated Bishops Handy and
Derrick, who never seemed happier. To his left Bishop and Mrs.
Petty. Presiding elders and ministers and their wives were seated
indicriminately around the table, and the scene for pleasure beggars
description. Space will not admit us writing it up more elaborately,
we were forced to leave before it was all over, to catch the 11:45 train
for Bryn Mawr, leaving Dr. Roberts the happiest man in all Philadel¬
phia. The reception was a grand success. We congratulate the
Doctor and the officers and members of his church, the Bishop and his
wife, the ministers and their wives, all who participated in the levity
and ourself, upon passing one of the most enjoyable evenings of our
lives and only left regretting that Mrs. Astwood was too indisposed to
enjoy this rare treat. Editorial Correspondent.
44 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANTS VISIT TO AFRICA.
The following' interview with Bishop Grant appeared in the Philadelphia
Inquirer (daily morning paper) Sunday, April 9. 1899.
NEW FIELD OPENING.
Bishop Grant Speaks of the Advantages of Liberia to This Country—
Other Nations Alert—England and Germany Realize What Is to
Be Gained in the Way of Commerce.
Bishop Abraham Grant was elected to the bishopric of the A. M.
E. Church, May, 1888. Daring the first four years after his election
he was placed in charge of Texas, Louisiana, California, Washington
and Oregon. Four years later he presided over Georgia, Alabama
and Florida. He is now Bishop of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rode Island, Massachusetts and
South Carolina, with <about seven hundred pastors and one hundred
thousand communicants in the diocese.
He was selected by the other eight Bishops of the Church in June,
1898, to visit the work of the Church on the West Coast of Africa.
Early in January of this year he left for that field and has but recently
returned. The Bishop is pleased with the work of the missionaries in
both the Sierra Leone and Liberia Conferences.
" We have," he said, " thirty missionaries on the West Coast and
we support them out of our own missionry fund in this country. The
General Conference of the A. M. E. Church will convene in
1900, in Columbus, Ohio, and it is expected of me to report the con¬
dition of the work out there, and make such recommendations as we
deem best for future operations."
"The influence of Christianity is better seen in Africa than in
any other portion of the world. There are forty missionary societies
of the world operating on the continent, and they are spending millions.
These are mostly from the United States and England. Think of it.
Men and women simply volunteer to go to a country away from
home, friends, acquaintances and labor among heathens where they
speak two hundred languages just as different as English is from
German. The black water fever in Africa when it takes one is almost
equal to the yellow fever in this country, yet the spirit of Christ in the
hearts of the missionaries keeps them there for humanity's sake, and
the spread of Christ's kingdom until they die.
"And yet it is said in Northern Africa there is one Protestant
missionary to every 125,000 Mohammedans. In the Sahara there is
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
45
one to every 2,500,000. In the Soudan States one to every 4,500,000
Mohammedans and Pagans. In Central Africa one to every 80,000
Pagans, and in Southern Africa one to every 14,000 Pagans; on the
West Coast one to every 50,000 Pagans. So you can see at once the
vast field and the amount of work to be done. But, bear in mind
that civilization carries with it its evil as well as its good, among and
of us whom we have shown ourselves unable to protect right at home,
and with the new problems coming with the additions of millions more
it was questionable whether the cause of humanity and of civilization
would gain as much Christian sentiment has a right to expect from an
American protectorate. Beside, England owns the colonies 011 both
sides of Liberia. Her flag waves over 400,000,000 people, and she
has shown her ability to protect her subjects anywhere on the face of
the earth."
In regard to the wisdom of Negro emigration from America to
Liberia, the Bishop said :
" They ought to go, if at all, in the same way that others do to
help develop the country and better the condition of the people and
acquire wealth. The needs of Liberia are a good educational system,
practical and sound, wealth energetically applied; the sympathy and
co-operation of stronger nations, and a line of steamers' between New
York and Liberia, touching at the principal points along the West
Coast."
"Plenty of capable colored men could be found in the United
States willing to act as trade agents for American firms engaging in
this trade. The best products of our schools are to be obtained for
that purpose. I would engage to furnish all the reliable men for that
class that were needed."
Editorial which appeared in the Christian Recorder April 6, 1899 after
Bishop Grant's Return from West Coast, Africa.
WELCOME FROM ABROAD.
On Wednesday, March 29th, at 5 p. m., Bishop Grant arrived in
New York from Africa, after an absence of ten weeks. The great
churchman looked the picture of health and cheerfulness, and bore
every evidence of a successful mission and royal treatment while
abroad. His easy air, manly gait and genial expression, as he was
met by cordial friends and anxious reporters at the crowed pier were
46 REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
the natural outflow of a pilgrimage which, though brief, was brilliant
and brimful of profit to the church and the traveler as well. To the
question, "How did you like the trip, Bishop?" The answer was
that a most delightful time was. had with the exception of the rough
voyage encountered. In reply to the query : " What is the condition
of the work in Africa!" the Bishop said : " It is good under the circum¬
stances. It has been my desire to go to Africa for some years, and,
of course, it was a great pleasure to hold the Sierra Leone and
Liberian Conference."
The work in the Liberia Conference he reported in splendid con¬
dition. In his "Notes by the Way" the Bishop gives an interesting
and detailed account of the fields covered by the two conferences and
embraced in his recent visit. His visits, labors and influence in the
West African field have inaugrated a new era in that territory, and
the returns to the church in consequence will be simply immense in
course of time. In the Rev. Dr. F. G. Snelson, our able and faithful
missionary, the Bishop has found an efficient workman, and to this
individual he has entrusted the development and expansion of the
work in Lagos and on the Gold Coast.
The church has every reason to be grateful to Bishop Grant and
to congratulate itself upon its undertakings and prospects in the
western and southern portions of Africa. Bishops Turner and Grant
will tower for ages as foundation stones and crowning columns in the
missionary enterprise of the church as no other two characters in all
our borders. Both men are southerners by birth, the one of South
Carolina and the other from Florida, but each has outgrown sectional
environments and by works and worth has broadened into a world
embracing character. The powers and usefulness of Bishop Grant
have been shared and valued bv the church at home and in general
for several years. By extending his labors and usefulness into Africa
he vindicates the wisdom of his brethren in elevating him to the post
of responsibility anagnitude which he fills with such grace, dignity and
credit.
The honors and attention shown the Bishop while in Africa and
in England highly merit the appreciation of his admirers and brethren
everywhere. In tendering him the royal reception they did, the
President and Liberian Cabinet honored themselves and the A. M. E.
Church as well as the episcopal guest thus favored. The rush of
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
47
newspaper reporters at Liverpool and New York for a sight of and
interview with the distinguished churchman as soon as he struck the
shores of the two worlds is genuine proof of the cosmopolitan value of
the man more than indicative of his popularity among his own people
or among his own churchmen.
Viewed in the light of an undiscriminating public judgment, Bishop
Grant ranks in the forefront of those broadgauged philanthropists
who labor unselfishly for the uplift of the human kind everywhere.
Considered in the light of a churchman and race leader his services
and influence will live long to bless untold posterity. The secret of
his success and sum of his influence may be recognized in his sound
judgment, his large sympathies, his practical genius and all crowned
by an untiring energy in the direction of whatever he undertakes to
accomplish. The prayers of the church have followed Bishop Grant
through a peril fraught journey and amid countless odds. Let us
all thank that Providence which has prospered his mission for return¬
ing him to the hearts of his brethren and home ties.
48
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
SIX THOUSAND MILiES.
H. T. KEALING.
Six thousand miles have you been, sir, and back
From the land of the White to the land of the Black,—
Space not to be measured by figures and days,
But by contrary customs, religions and ways.
Six thousands miles ! Let us figure awhile;
Let us weave in our heart-throbs with every long mile;
Let us bring in the purpose, the thought and the prayer,
The hopes and the tremblings that went with }rou there,
The faithful wife's anguish, flowing free in the tear,
The whisper monitions that fell on your ear;
Then let us again, as we pause in our smiles,
Ask, How far went the Bishop in six thousand miles ?
'Tis the distance of Christ from the wooden god, Joo-Joo,
'Tis the distance from faith to the heathenish vou-dou,
'Tis the distance from that which is false to the true,
'Tis the distance from dead souls to spirits like you.
'Tis the distance of idling from power to do,—
That is six thousand miles!
From the brightness of God to black superstition,
From clothing and house to a naked condition,
From our strong moral law to their weak intuition,
From highest soul flights to all lack of ambition,
From our Holy Ghost to their dread apparition,
From wisdom's disciple to cunning magician,
From national life to a tribe's coalition,
From doing great deeds to their entire omission,—
That is six thousand miles.
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA. 49
You exchange American wheat for cassava,
You give up your learned discourse for palaver,
A nation's concerns for a tribe's little bother,
You use the word " daddy " instead of our " father,"—
When you travel six thousand miles.
You leave all your loved ones to go among strangers,
You leave all life's comforts for jungles and dangers,
Get fevers and chiggers and other derangers ;
Ycu give up our beef for a bunch of bananas,
You see for our ladies' fine hats, red bandanas,
You see them chew roots where we smoke havanas,
They stick you with spears when you fail with your manners,
And they dine 011 a missionary singing hosannas,—
When you travel six thousand miles.
A stitch in time saves us nine other stitches,
But there 'tis not true, for they never wear breeches,
You offer them God but they ask for a present,
They have to be " dashed " before they'll be pleasant,
Their greatest of kings is no match for our peasant,
Their monkey meat won't compare with our pheasant,—
When you travel six thousand miles.
You go from a mansion and you find there a hut,
You dine here on sir-loin, there you shake down a nut,
Here life is a bee-hive, there it's only a rut;
If you talk of improvement, they answer, " Tut! tut! "
The rule of their eating is to feast till you glut,—
When you travel six thousand miles.
Six thousand miles into black pagan night,
Six thousand miles from Christianity's light,
Six thousand miles from all law and restrain,
Six thousand miles—where the slave's sad complaint
Is borne on the sweet-scented air like a taint;
Six thousand miles o'er the frothy mouthed sea,
50
REPORT OF BISHOP A. GRANT'S VISIT TO AFRICA.
That tumbles and struggles and howls to be free
To swallow your vessel in maniac glee,
And toss your cold bod)' amid the debris,
You get this in six thousand miles.
8ome ask, If this follows, then why do you go it?
To preach Jesus' love that all mankind may know it.
To hold up His cross and everywhere show it,
To bring back the image of God to the sinner,
To teach that His love is worth more than a dinner,
To beam 011 life's clouds till they grow thin and thinner,
To stop in his animal life the low feaster,
And point to the Lamb who became our dear Easter,
To showT to the world that we owe to our brother
To love him as Christ bids us love one another;
For this you left wife and sweet comfort and friends.
For this you have traveled to earth's furthest ends ;
And as we all loved you before you had left us,
And still would have loved you if death had bereft us,
So still do we love you, as 011 your returning
The glad grasp is tightening, the bright lights are burning.
While clergy jo;n hands 011 to night with the laity,
And warm hearts are leaping in unfettered gaiety,
We bid you thrice welcome once more to your own,
You who from the ox-cart have come to the throne,
You took your God with you, the God of our prayers ;
We learn, in returning you've come back with theirs,£
You've not left your own, though, your theology's growth
Enabled your Reverence to hold 011 to both ;
It's a way you have, Bishop, and we know it's all right,
Wherever you go, to take all that's in sight,
What a big six thousand miles !
1: Bishop Grant brought back with him one of the African Idols.