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WHY I AM A METHODIST!
WHY I AM AN AFRICAN METHODIST!
Our Motto is: "God-, Our Father; Christ, Our (Redeemer;
M an, Our (Brother."
HISTORICAL FACTS, REASONS'.WHY, AND ANSWERS, ETC.
REV M. R. VlbSON, B. D„
Author of "Our Fathers' Church," and a member of the
Macon Georgia Annua/ Conference,
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.—
I Peter; 3, 15.
3 n in i inn in i ii i mi i hum
M llllil UllMlMfiail
PRICE 2d GENTS.
WHY I All A METHODIST
WHY I AM AM AFRICAN METHODIST!
Our Motto is: "God, Our Father; Christ, Our fte°
deemer; Man, Our (Brother."
HISTORICAL FACTS, REASONS WHY, AND ANSWERS, ETC.,
BY
REV, M. R. VILiSON, B. D„
Author of '•''Our Fathers' Church," and a member of the
Macon Georgia Annual Conference,
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.—
I Peter; 3,15.
atlanta, ga.
Times Book Print.
1891.
PREFACE.
HE chief value of any book consists in its utility. We
may be surprised by what is new, amused by what is
entertaining, and dazzled by what is splendid, but we can
be benefited only by what is good. This little book has been
prepared for the good of its readers; and as an answer to
two of the most important questions, that have ever been
put to members and friends of the Methodist Church.
The things most needful among us as a people are to
read, think, and act; therefore to the Methodist family do
we dedicate this little book, with the fond hope that it will
be the means of doing much good.
Author.
J^o Compromise with Sin
or Ignorance.
Lo ! a mighty host is rising now,
See their banner is unfurled !
Its fair legend, Truth and Righteousness ;
Spread the tidings through the world.
Chorus—
No compromise ! No compromise !
No more yielding to the foe ;
No compromise ! No compromise !
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO !
See the mighty host advancing now !
Look ! the proud oppressors flee !
So our country breaks its fetters off,
And her captive sons are free.
Cho—No compromise, etc.
Weary watchers, cease your vigils now !
For the morning surely comes ;
Night is fleeing, joy is dawning now
On your hearts and on your homes.
Cho.—No compromise, etc.
Sing O Zion ! no more desolate,
Lift thine eyes, the brightness see !
Thy Redeemer makes thee glorious,
Thine oppressors bend to thee.
Clio.—No compromise, etc.
"Do'st thou love life, then do not squander time ;
For that is the stutf life is made of;
Plough deep, while others sleep."
EPH. IV, 7-13.
fHE Apostle Paul clearly sets before the mind's eyes of
the Ephesian Christians that they were to keep the
unity (or oneness) of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
They were not to divide and quarrel among themselves be¬
cause they saw Varieties of men and means employed in
the church of God, because, says he, there is but one Lord,
one faith and one baptism.
In the great plan of salvation, God has hut one end in
4
view, and that end is to enlighten, sancitify and save the
world. But to carry out this plan many agencies are em¬
ployed and set in operation. Like the human body which
has many members to subserve the purposes of the one life
of the one body, but all have not the same office, so the
Church of Christ, to accomplish the salvation of the world,
has a variety of branches and members, and employs various
agencies with but one purpose—that is, to save man, but all
dependent upon the same Lord, the same faith, the same
baptism, under the control of the same gracious and benefi-
cient "Father of us all."
Hence in God's plan for saving the world, as in Na¬
ture, there is unity in variety, and that so far from variety
opposing and retarding this plan, it is a special provision of
Divine wisdom to carry it out. Paul says, in Eph. 4: 7, 8,
and 11-13 : "But to every one of us is given grace accord¬
ing to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore, he
saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity cap¬
tive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some Apostles
and some prophets, and some evangelists and some pastors,
and some teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
till we all come in the Unity of the faith, and of the knowl¬
edge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meas¬
ure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." It would be
we/l, therefore, for those who stumble at the idea of the
various sects and denominations now upon the globe to
wisely consider the plans of God for the saving of the
world, and work with God as a co-worker to save man ; and
let this and that Denomination alone. The Roman Catho¬
lic, offers as a proof that his is the only true church, that
"they are one," they have no distinct branches, while many
other denominations are split up into several branches, as
the Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Baptists, and Methodists.
Paul argues that all these are one though they are many.
God knows that men cannot all think, nor act alike, we of¬
ten hear people say what is the use of a Northern Metho¬
dist Episcopal and Southern Methodist Episcopal church ?
Why have an African Methodist, an A. M. E. Zion church,
and a Colored Methodist Episcopal church in America?
Might they not all be one ? Yes, in purpose they may be.
But might not all become one organic Union? Perhaps
5
not, because 3,for the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," it is
more effective when a number of persons, engaged to do a
part of the same great work, yet entertaining different opin¬
ions as to the best means of doing it, to be separate and dis¬
tinct in order that there may be perfect freedom and indi¬
viduality.
^ In the light of these facts we see the necessity of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church in America as a branch
of the great Church of God.
He nee, I answer:
First—Why I am a Methodist?
Second—Why I am an African Methodist?
Some time in the seventeeth century there lived in
England, a celebrated school of physicians, noted for their
skill and success in the art of healing diseases. Their
manner of living was so strictly in accordance with the
laws of health that the people derisively called them Meth¬
odist. '-While John Wesley, the founder of Methodism,
was a teacher at Oxford, England, formed a religious Socie¬
ty, consisting of himself, his brother Charles, and a few oth¬
ers, for the purpose of moral and spiritual improvement."
They adopted rigorous rules for the government of their
lives. Visited and relieved the sick, circulated the Scrip¬
tures among the poor and needy. Sought those that need¬
ed their aid most, they fasted and prayed much, so as to
reach the highest spiritual attainment.
This course in college life, brought upon them scorn,
rebuke and insult. They were stigmatized with several un¬
kind names, such as "Holy Club," "Reforming Club," a
"Goodly Club," and "Metho dists," a reproachfid compari¬
son to those doctors who were derided for their upright¬
ness.
The word ''Methodist," though like the word "Chris¬
tian," reproachfully attached to the followers of Christ at
Antioch, has become the Symbol of the highest form of
manly virtue, and aggressive evangelical Christianity, and
hence we have the term Methodist given to that sect of
Christians who follow Christ according to that system of
Doctrines and form of church discipline tPught by John
Wesley. "Such a sect is none other than a company of
persons having the form and seeking the power of godliness.
6
Therefore, Methodison signifies a method of holy living."
A oneness in Doctrine, Order of faith, and government, in
all of which I concur, and believe.
THE CHURCH OF MY CHOICE AND WHY.
The Methodist, is the church of my choice, because of
her doctrine, which we believe to be strictly Scriptural and
evangelical, and that there is no one of which, says Dr.
Clark, that is not held in modified form by some one of the
other religious bodies.
THE METHODIST DOCTRINE.
(1) The Methodists believe in the existence of one Goo,
and that He is clearly revealed to us in the Bible under a
three-fold distinction or personality—the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost."
(2) The Methodists hold that man's nature is originally
depraved, and in need of supernatural recreation or regen¬
eration, and that this work is wrought by the direct agencv
of the Holy Spirit in the heart of every one who properly
trusts in Christ, as a personal Savior, through whose vicari¬
ous death alone remission of sin is granted.
(3) The Methodists maintain that Christ has made a full
atonement for the sins of all mankind, by virtue of which
all who die prior to the period of accountability are saved,
and that all others are in a salvable state.
(4) The Methodists insist that every accountable des¬
cendant of Adam is made absolutely free in the exercise of
his moral choice, that God holds him strictly responsible
for that choice, and subsequently to a general resurrection,
He will bring him to an account at a day of general judg¬
ment; that those who are then found wicked will go away
into everlasting punishment, and the righteous—who have
accepted the offers of salvation and endured to the end—
will go into life eternal.
(5) The Methodists believe that the provisions of the
Gospel are sufficient to remove all depravity from man's
nature, and to keep the nature free from all sin. "Unspotted
from the world"—and that it is his privilege to know be¬
yond any doubt, by a direct witness of the spirit, that he is
a child of God.
t
(6) The Methodists hold that there are two Sacraments,
and only two instituted by Divine authority—The Lord's
Supper, which is a remembrance of Christ, and is emble¬
matical of His vicarious death, and Baptism, which is the
ordinance of initiation into the visible church, and consists
of the application of water to the person in any manner
most convenient, by a duly authorized Minister of the Gos¬
pel, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Ghost. This sacrament has the nature and force of a
covenant on the part of the candidate himself, if he be of
responsible years, or of his sponsor, if he be an infant. It
being a sign of an inward grace, in infants pronounced by
Christ as fit subjects for the kingdom of heaven, are all en¬
titled to it as much as mature Christians, and for the same
reason moral fitness—and a proper guarantee for the relgi-
ous training of those of an irresponsible age, being the sole
conditions upon which, from its nature it should be adminis¬
tered. Both of these sacraments symbolize, but in no sense
whatever do they convey Divine grace. We have briefly
given the doctrinal bases of Methodism, which in substance,
are found in "The 25 Articles" of the faith of the Methodist
Church—the church of my choice. These are among the
chief reasons "Why I am a Methodist." Because I believe
in its Doctrine, Principles and Government.
I believe that the practical application made by the
Methodist church, of these views with her manner of treat¬
ing them, tends to develop a higher religious life and a
more aggressive oppositiou against sin than is the case with
some other religious denominations. First.—The Methodist
believe in a radical change of heart to enter the kingdom of
heaven. "Ye must be born again." Second.—A Divine
call to, and a spiritual qualification for, the Gospel Ministry.
"Study to show thy self a workman approved of God."
Third. And the missionary spirit running through the
itenerancy are the cardinal principles of this great system.
Methodism does not wait for the people to call the
preacher, but she sends the preacher to the people; her
command to her preachers is like that of Jesus ''Go ye into
all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."
Without purse or script, often where there is no church
house, or organization, her preachers, with Bible and Hymn
Book in hand, leave home and friends, to go to these 'people
8
that are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.'
the street corner, under the brush arbor, in the barns, or
open fields, sleeping in old boxes and under houses. He
proclaims a free and full salvation through faith in the
blood of Jesus.
The mind becomes enlighted, and by the truth of the
Gospel, which is to the soul a looking glass in which it sees
its moral deformity, the sinfulness of sin, it sees that the
law says, "The soul that sins it shall die," and that by the
deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified." Conviction
sets in, guilt lays hold of the soul. The soul cries out, "O
wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the
body of this death?" Till late from the depth of convict¬
ed despair it cries "God be merciful to me a sinner." The
answer is, -'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved."
He lets go every dependence, and lavs hold by faith
upon the merits of Christ, when the Holy Spirit regenerates
the soul and seals the evidence of pardon there.
Then he sings:
"Mv God is reconciled,
His pardoning voice I hear ;
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear "
Hence, through the operation of these agencies, the
soul is regenerated and born again, every power of the be¬
ing is quickened into new life and action, and now begins
a new development toward the highest type of man-hood—
a Christian.
Hence, Methodism is missionary in its operations, re¬
generative and revival in its spirit, evangelical in its organ¬
ism and economy. But the foregong only exhibits the ag¬
gressive power of Methodism in its unorganized form, yet
many of the chief benefits of Methodism are only to be seen
as the fruits of organized efforts; because in order to prop¬
agate and perpetuate this enlightening and enlivening force
it must be done through a complete system of organized
agencies. .Hence, the Methodist Church commends itself
as the church of my choice, because of her discipline.
When one has been thus enlightened as to the necessities
and blessings of a new life, he needs the proper means of
discipline to help him from falling from grace. Therefore
9
we Methodists," to test his sincerity, subject him to six
months trial, in class meeting under a leader.
See Discipline page 124, where six months are given
to a probationer, to evidence his desire of salvation, in or¬
der that he may learn the General and Particular Rules of
our church, as well as time enough to learn and love the
Methodist government and Doctrines. With all of this
time and the advantage of good leaders, hundreds are ta¬
ken into our church ignorant of our church and its General
Rules. This is the reason why we have so much trouble
with some of the members of our church. They do not
know the Law, hence, they do not keep it. They do not
know the Doctrines, wealth, worth, number, nor strength
of the church, hence they know not how to love, support,
and defend their church. Hundreds are asked :
1—Why are you a Methodist ?
2—What are your Doctrines ?
8—Why are you an African Methodist?
Hundreds of members and ministers do not know the
answer to these three important questions. Therefore,
they do not know how to protect the church of their choice,
nor its Doctrines, nor its government. At the expiration
of six months trial, by these principles the candidate is rec¬
ommended bv the leader to the pastor, who publicly exam¬
ines him—
1st.—As to the soundness of his views upon the leading
points of doctrine.
2nd.—As to his willingness to still walk by these rules,
andjto be governed by the laws of the church.
3rd.—As to his willingness to give a part of his money
and means to assist in sustaining the local and the general
interests of the Church. If he gives satisfaction on these
points, he is taken into full membership. Then and there,
he assumes an equal share of the privileges, profits and re¬
sponsibilities of the connection. Entering into the church
through this door he is brought into contact with influences
which will draw out and set in operation, every faculty of
the soul.
He has the eternal qualifications—being born again,
having a certainty that he is a child of God, with his own
free and open Bible, without another's note or comment, to
read for his guide through life to heaven. At the altar of
10
his own heart, in his closet, or in the bosom of his family,
he is his own high-priest who offers sacrifices of prayer and
praise of God. At the Church, in social prayer meeting,
with his brethren, he lifts up his soul to God in praise for
the past blessings, and asks deliverance, for himself and
others, against ills and evils to come. In the class meeting,
where he meets his leader once a week, to tell how his soul
prospers and receives comfort and encouragement from the
experience of others. Love Feast, where Christians meet
to break bread, sip water and shake hands in token of love,
one toward another.—Kevival meetings, where the church
puts on new strength, and times of refreshing come from
the presence of the Lord. Look at the vastness of these
fields into which one can enter and work for the Master and
the good of man. There is the Sunday-School, the Nursery
of the coming Church. The Missionary Society through
which he can reach thousands. The Daughters of Confer¬
ence, Literary Societies, Choir, &c., Church Aid Society,
all offering a field for the full and free exercise of every
gift and grace one possesses.
A Methodist Church is a type of the most benevolent
and a well regulated form of government. It is a sub-king¬
dom with its legislative or law-making department, with its
judicial or law interpreting department, and with its execu¬
tive or law enforcing department, having in operation,
within its bosom, agencies carrying on the sacred work of
reforming the world and saving man, which act like an in¬
geniously constructed machine.
The several parts are connected with each other, rising
m rank by beautiful gradations, as the interest each controls
increases in sacredness, till they reach the General Confer¬
ence. With its Board of Trustees, who manage the tempo¬
ral concerns of the Churches; Official Board of Stewards,
who assist the preacher, sick and poor, and class leaders,
the sub-pastors, who assist the preacher to guard well the
flocks of God. Exhorters who help to lead on the host of
God. Local preachers, who assist the pastor in his labor
of love. Deacons who assist in the Gospel and in the cere¬
mony of the sacrament. The elders, the shepherds of the
flocks of God, who watch over, feed and guard them as he
who is to give an account. The Presiding Elders, are to
see that every part of the law is enforced in all of the
u
charges in their districts, and that all the spiritual and tem¬
poral machinery of their districts, are kept in a healthy con¬
dition, and lay before the Bishops annually a detailed re¬
port of the whole. Then the Bishops the chief pastors of
all, and presidents of the Annual Conferences, report to the
General Conference once every four years. Lastly, we
reach the General Conference, whose chiefs and subjects
are all equal, where we make and revise laws for the gov¬
ernment of this vast reformatory, and disciplinatory ma¬
chinery, and while sitting at the foot-stool of the Lord, God
of host, looking down this beautiful ascent over the several
orders of agencies, used for the salvation of souls. We
wonder and admire the wisdom of the Great Head of His
church, Jesus Christ, who "gave some apostles and some
prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers,
for the perfecting of saints, for the work of the Ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into
the Unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ." Now, do you ask why I am a Metho¬
dist ? I am a Methodist, because I believe in the Doctrine
the Methodists set forth. I believe in their faith, order,
and principle.—"A Methodist is one who has the love of
God shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost, given un¬
to him; one who loves God with all his heart, and with all
his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength,
and his neighbor as himself." Thus we see that Methodism
means to be good and do good ; and to have a method,
mode or manner in thought, study and work ; to systemize
times for doing good to others.
Bishop Allen said, when asked why we were Metho¬
dists: "Because we have a method." I believe in the doc¬
trine, and worship of the Methodists. It is Christianity in
earnest. It embraces their doctrines, policies and modes
of worship. Other denominations have seen the effects
and felt the power of our organization for good ; that they
adopted some of our methods, drank in our spirit; they
have followed our examples, and had some of our success
in bringing souls to Christ, raising money, building fine
churches, having Children's Day, Dollar Money Day,
Missionary Day, Endowment Day; for General Benevolent
purposes. Methodism has kept pace with the advancing
12
columns of the world. The facts which I have stated in
the pages of this book that you have read, are some of the
reasons Why I am a Methodist.
II.
In the next place I wish to show Why I am,an African
Methodist. What I have so extensively said in commenda¬
tion of Methodism, of its doctrine and discipline, of the
moral qualifications of its members, of the orders of its
agencies, and their disciplinary power, does not take from
African Methodism, but adds to it, because both have these
things in common. The A. M. E. Church is a child of the
same parent, believing and teaching the same doctrines, us¬
ing a similar discipline, differing only in a few points to suit
our peculiar surroundings, with similar great and holy pur¬
poses, to glorify God and bless man, by enlightening, sancti¬
fying and saving him. African Methodism means simp¬
ly a method of iioly living with all the enlightening
AND REFORMING AGENCIES OF METHODISM, FORMED INTO A
SEPARATE, DISTINCT AND FREE CHUBCII ORGANIZATION,
WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT, being
peculiarly fitted by blood, temperament, experience and
sympathy to so use these agencies as to reach all classes of
their race, and to enlighten and rescue them from degrada¬
tion and death. Just at this point appears the remarkable
trait of Divine Wisdom manifesting itself in the develop¬
ment of Church history. We see that the representatives
of two branches of the human family, John Wesley and
Richard Allen, each the father of a gigantir reformatory
work. John Wesley conceives an idea by Divine impulse,
marks out and sets in operation a stupendous plan to
spread evangelical Christianity over the earth.
Richard Allen, inspired with a similar impulse by the
same God, takes up this same plan, with an additional idea,
sets it in operation in a particular direction, he applies it to
christianizing his own people, but in such way as to give
freedom and scope for complete development of Christian
manhood, and kindly virtues. History tells us that "In
November, 1788, The colored Christians in Philadelphia,
Pa., because of the unkind treatment at the hands of the'
white Christians ; and the desire for independence, and
13
manhood gave rise to the African Methodism and organ
ization of this Church in 181f>.
But at this critical period the hand of God interposed,
providing the African Methodist Episcopal Church as a
remedy through which millions of our race have been res¬
cued from heathenism, enlightened, sanctified and saved.
Thus to Wesley and to Richard Allen, through the grace
of God, the world will be ever indebted as the fathers
of these two great reformatory movements ; they will ever
be held in remembrance by their followers on both sides of
the great waters. Some people, more sentimental than log¬
ical, say to us, "Why do you call your Church African?
you are Americans—not Africans."—This argument is often
used to prejudice persons against us; and some, more
ashamed of their race than they are disposed to examine
facts or to reason logically, are influenced by it. They
say, we are no Africans; well, let us see.—The Germans of
this country are not ashamed of Germany, though born
here, because the}7 are of German descent, and have Ger¬
man blood in their veins.
The same is true of the Irishman, of Ireland. The
Englishman, Frenchman, and many other descendants of
the various peoples now composing this nation.—Why,
then, should the Negro of this country, with African blood
and of African parentage,be ashamed of Africa? No, nev¬
er, be ashamed of our Father Land. The seat of the ear¬
liest civilization, the cradle of arts and science ; the earliest
nursery of the Church of God. Ashamed of the place where
Abraham and Jesus went for refuge?
Ashamed of the land of the Pyramids and the Ptole-
meis ; the birthplace of science ar>d hf me of some of the
most eminent poets, Philosophers, and Apostolic Fathers !
Ashamed of Africa ?
"Just as soon let evening blush
To own her noon."
The American prejudice against the Negro, has called
into existence, The African Methodist Episcopal Church.
This name is a symbol of hope, an asylum and an inspira¬
tion to all, old and young. Who knows its meaning and
worth to our race.—In the bosom of this Church, are to be
trained the men who are to put in motion yet, as well as
keep in motion the agencies which shall do much to help
H
expel the darkness of ignorance from Our Father's Land,
which is yet to enrich the world with her material wealth,
as she has done in ancient learning.
That learned advocate of the rights of his race, Peter
H. Clark, of Cincinnati, O., in an address at the Semi-Cent¬
enary of African Methodism in that city, said that "manly
independence gave rise to the A. M. E. Church." Notice
here four facts:
1. This Church depends upon no other church, or de¬
nomination for help.
2. It does not get any help from any State fund or Sink
fund of any great estate, but depends upon God; and the
true manhood and womanhood of its loyal members, North,
South, East and West.
3. The broadness of its manhood, and womanhoud;
the clearness of its Doctrines, the vastness ot its power and
wealth, make it at once a Church of my choice.
4. The well arranged agencies, the well organized De¬
partments, with fields for usefulness; step by step, from
bottom to top, offering at once an inducement, to men and
women with liberal view-. This is again, a reason why I
am an African Methodist.
We are required to "Be ready always to give an an¬
swer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that
is in us with meekness and fear." So am I to be ready at
any time to answer Why I am an African Methodist.
And here appears another of those interesting coinci¬
dences of history: In the city of Philadelphia, in 1776, the
Fathers of the American Republic proclaimed the birth of
civil liberty, which for many years applied only to the white
man.—In the same city, in 1816, the Fathers of African
Methodism proclaimed the new birth of religious liberty for
the Black man. The former rang out in peals, by old {Libe-
tyBell," from the steeple of Independence Hall. The latter
was sung out in praise and prayers from the "Old Historic
Blacksmith Shop," on Sixth Street.
When fields of usefulness or development of talents
cannot be found anywhere else, the gateway of this great
Church is thrown open to the man or woman, boy or girl,
hunting for something to do for God and the race. Any
man, woman, boy, or girl,* entering the A. M. E. Church,
with all its varied machinery, the oneness of its government,
15'
with discipline so arranged that all are reached from bottom
to top can see the wide scope for the full development of
manhood, with space to rise. Rev. Sella Martin, says:
The A. M. E. Church is found fifty years in advance of the
race. This church simply considers that you are a man,
that you must be saved. The world is our field, and the
human family our parish. Indeed the A. M. E. Church has
always felt that under God she had a special mission to the
colored race, hence Africa has been and is yet, a field of in¬
creasing interest. She has planted missions in Africa, Hay-
ti, and San Domingo and other places on the coasts.
This A. M. E. Church, the Church of my choice, is the
greatest Negro organization on the American Continent.
It shows by the vastness of its territories, by the greatness
of iis wealth, and number of members, Church buildings,
Schools, Colleges, and Publishing Houses, that it is not only
the greatest Negro organization, but offers to Old and
Young, the greatest inducements; and the widest fields for
usefulness, of any other colored church organized. Says
Bishop B. W. Arnett,D. D.: We have 4009 A.M. E.
Churches, 4009 Trustee Boards. The estimated value of
these 4009 churches is $6,782,920, but tne true value is
not less than $10,391,577. We have 853 parsonages esti¬
mated at 1550,400. We have not less than 1200 organs,
ranging in value from $50 to $10,000. If these organs that
are owned by the A. M. E. Church were put in line, spacing
them 2i miles apart, they would reach from Boston, M:ifs ,
to San Francisco, Cal. We have 1500 bells, on our
churches, and if they were placed two miles apart they
would reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They would
be so close to each other that when the first bell sent out its
molten notes, it would be taken up by each succeeding bell
and borne from Ocean to Ocean," without breaking a sound
or losing a note, and the praise of God would be borne on
the wave sound over prarie and mountain until it was lost
in the depths of the Pacific.
My friends, have .you ever thought of this fact that the
A. M. E. Church has more bells, choirs and organs than all
of the other Negro churches put together. It requires
4009 sextons to care for the churches under this Banner.
Thus is seen that we have a thousand more than Peter re¬
ceived in the Church on the Day of Pentecost. If our Sex-
16
tons were stationed a mile a part,beginning with San Fran¬
cisco, they would measure the American Continent from
West to East, and be stationed a thousand miles on the
bosom of the Atlantic, or if we were to start them a mile
apart from London, they would span the Atlantic Ocean,
and reach to the city of Chicago on their way westward.
"Our Saviaur chose a pioneer,
Of humble soul and Godly fear,
And bade liim leave oppression's den,
Thenceforth to worship as free men.
As Moses, prompt to duty's call,
Led many from discomfort's hall,
So Richard Ailen led a flock,
To an historic black-smith shop.
This A. M. E. Church—is known,
In temperate, torrid, frigid zone ;
And though of species African,
With-holds from none its healing balm.
'Tis Methodist in pedigree,
Episcopal, with orders three,
'Tis primitive in fruitfulness,
And vitalized with truth and grace.
Come, now with me and you shall know
What a dear Saviour can bestow.
His love to me I can't express,
Although I'm called a Methodist.
A better church cannot be found—
Their doctrines are both pure and sound.
One reason which I give for this—
The devil hates the Methodist.
They are humble, loving and sincere,
They labor night and day in prayer.
I hope the Lord will them increE^se,
And turn the world to Methodist.
The world, the flesh, and satan's crew
Are up in arms against us, too.
They can't prevail ; the reason's this—
The Lord defends the Meihodist.
If we would perpetuate Our Fathers' Church, we must
read our own Literature first, then keep up with all others
as near as we can. If we will carry this Church on from
where they turned it over to us, we must know its doctrines,
and its law. We must both do them and keep them, and
be able by day and by night to tell Why we are African
Methodists.
17
The A. E. Chuf ch Rally¬
ing Song.
Tune and Chorus, "The Church is Moving On."
Words ey L. J. COPPIN.
A song I'll sing to you, of men both good and true,
Who labored battling for the light ;
With righteousness and truth, they started in their youth,
And never fainted in the fight.
chorus.
"Oh ! the Church is moving on, the Church is moving on,
From lowland and from valley, from mountain top they rally.
The battle bow is strung, the banner is outflung,
And giant wrong no more is strong for the Church is moving on."
'Twas Richard Allen brave, a legacy who gave,
Of freedom, and of courage true ;
Then Brown and W aters came, with heart and mind the same,
And laid down work for us to do.
Chorus—"Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
The western work begun, by Quinn a noble son,
Who labored, preaching night and day ;
Then Nazrey took the field, and Payne with mighty zeal
Did go forth lighting up the way.
Chorus—"Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
Then Wayman entered in, and Campbell did begin,
To send forth words of truth and might ;
And Shorter, Ward and Brown, did labor for the crown,
And ceased not struggling for the right.
Chorus—"Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
Of Turner next we sing, a mighty host did bring
Of Royal men and women too,
And Dickerson, and Cain, who did not long remain,
Are resting with the tried and true.
Chorus—"Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
Then Disney from afar, with mighty men of war,
Did cry out, from across the sea ;
Our only daughter came, and we with hearts aflame,
Will help her good and true to be.
Chorus—' 'Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
18
With Gaines and Arnett's force, we 11 keep oursteidy course,
And millions bring into the fold ;
With Tanner and with Grant, we never will recant,
The landmarks set by men of old.
Chorus—"Oh ! the Church is moving on, etc.
(IN CLOSING) LET US RECAPITULATE.
Let us tell the story of Allen, and the other fathers.
Tell how, because of color, they were given back seats in
the gallery. Thunder in the ears of your children that the
fiies of manhood so burned within their souls that, like all
oppressed people sooner or later have done, they set up a
kingdom of their own, in the name of God and for God, a
kingdom in which the Lord God alone reignetli and whose
motto is: "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer and
Man Our Brother." Dear reader—speak to my people and.
show them how, from the "Black-smith shop" the A. M. E.
Church has grown until now she is planted from Ocean to
Ocean, from the Gulf to the great lakes. Tell them she
has leaped the "mighty deep" and planted herself in the
Islands of the Sea, and thank God, blooms in Our Father
land.
WE NOW GIVE TO THE WORLD TIIE STATISTICS.
By Bishop B. W. Arnett, D. D. Showing that from noth¬
ing, pur Leaders have given us the following:
We have 4009 Churches, valued at $6,782,920. We
have 358 Parsonages, valued at $490,652. We have 4170
S. S. with 225,000 Scholars. We have 22 Schools and
Colleges with 3000 Students. We have 3 Church Organs,
with 12,000 readers. We have 2 Publishing houses doing
an annual business of $35,000.
we have :
Bishops 9
General Officers 7
Presiding Elders 203
Traveling Elders 1,693
Traveling Deacons 599
Traveling Preachers 600
Local Deacons 650
Local Elders 198
19
Superannuated Preachers 119
College Presidents 7
College Professors 75
Local Preachers 6,209
Exhorters 3,443
Stewards., 20,827
Stewardesses 20,256
Class Leaders 19,404
Probationers 56,680
Full members 307,792
Missionary Agent 1
Thus you see this Church is one ot Strength, Wealth
and Light, and extends a helping hand to all who sit in dark¬
ness. Seeing as we do, and knowing as we do, you need
not ask Why I am a Methodist, or Why I am an African
Methodist.
DECEASED BISHOPS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
Richard Allen. Morris Brown.
Edward Warters. Wm. P. Quinn.
Willis Nazery. Wm. F. Dickerson, D. D.
Richard H. Cain, D. D. James A. Shorter.
Richard R. Disney.
Jabez P. Campbell, D. D., L. L. D.
LIVING BISHOPS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
Daniel A. Payne, D. D., L. L. D.
Alexander W- Wayman, D, D.
Thomas M. D. Ward, D. D.
John M. Brown, D. D., D. C. L.
Henry M. Turner, D. D., L. L. D
Wesley J. Gaines, D. D.
Benjamin W. Arnett, D. D,
Benjamin T. Tanner, D. D.
Abram Grant, D. D.
GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
Revs. J. C. Embry, D. D., Publisher Christian Record,
er, Philadelphia, Pa.
B. F. Lee, D. D., Editor Christian Recorder, Philadel¬
phia, Pa.
20
W. B. Derrick, D. D., Cor. Sec. of Missions, Flushing,
L. I.
J. A. Handy, D. D., Sec. of Finance, Washington,
D. C.
W. D. Johnson, D. D., Sec. of Education, Athens, Ga.
C. S. Smith, D. D., Sec. S. S. Union, Nashville, Tenn.
L. J. Coppin, D. D. , Editor Quar. Keview, Philadel¬
phia, Pa.
C. L. Bradwell, Editor Southern Christian Recorder,
Atlanta, Ga.