ALL ABOUT
Bishop Abraham Grant's
TRIP TO THE
West Coast of Africa,
As told by Editorials, Communications, Interviews,
Receptions, Personal "Notes By the Way"
from jkn. 11, to Apr. 4, 1899.
■
This pamphlet is to be sold and the proceeds dedicated to
the technical and industrial school to be erected in Sierra
Leone, under the auspices of the A. M. E. Church, for the
youth of the country.
PHILADELPHIA.
A. M. E. PUBLISHING HOUSE,
631 PINE STREET.
I \ ' - • . • '
ABRAHAM GRANT, D.D.,
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALL ABOUT
Bishop Abraham Grant's
TRIP TO THE
West Coast of Africa,
As told by Editorials, Communications, Interviews,
Receptions, Personal "Notes By the Way"
from Jan. 11, to Apr. 4, 1899.
This pamphlet is to be sold and the proceeds dedicated to
the technical and industrial school to be erected in Sierra
Leone, under the auspices of the A. M. E. Church, for the
youth of the country.
PHILADELPHIA.
A. M. E. PUBLISHING HODS®,
631 PINE STREET.
INTRODUCTION.
.THIS pamphlet contains the editorials, commendations,
and interviews pertaining to Bishop Abraham Grant's visit to
the West Coast of Africa, begun January n, 1899, by order
of the A. M. E. Church, and concluded by his return to
Philadelphia* March 29, of the same year. Besides these,
his own 'Notes by the Way" will be found herein, and a
full account of the grand reception tendered him at Union
A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, April 4. 1899, celebrating
his return. The poem by Prof. H. T. Kealing, entitled,
"Six Thousand Miles," read at the reception and which
aroused so much interest and enthusiasm, is given in .full;
the whole covering the entire itinerary in the most complete
view possible.
The net proceeds arising from the sale of the pamphlet
will go to assist in building an institution of learning in
Sierra Leone, Africa.
In the hope that pleasure will follow profit to all who read
what is here set down I dedicate it to the
Church and the Nation,
to both of whom may the favors of a benignant God be <
vouchsafed
Faithfully,
Editorial iti the Christian Recorder issued after the departure of
Bishop Grant for West Coast of Africa, January 19, 1899.
BISHOP GRANT'S DEPARTURE FOR AFRICA.
In accordance with the decree of the Bishop's Council of
our Church, Bishop Abraham Grant, D. D., Bishop of
the First Episcopal District and part of the Seventh,
sailed from New York, Wednesday, January nth, on the
steamship "Majestic," for the West Coast of Africa.
It was an event in the history of the Church, and was
recognized as such by the ministry all over the connection.
It was the fostering of the work inaugurated by our intrepid
Senior, and an evidence of the fact that the Church in
America intends to take fast hold upon the beginning it has
made in Africa, and make an heroic effort to rise to the mag¬
nitude of the possibilities which are open to it in the Father¬
land. It selected as its representative on this occasion one
of its Episcopal Heads, who is in entire sympathy with the
movement to extend the borders of the Church, and who
possesses the personal qualifications to make the effort a sue
cess He goes away with the prayers of the whole Church
following him.
The fact that the Superintendent of our African work (a
native African) is now in this country, familiarizing himself
with the workings, makes it imperative that the Church here
should become more and more familiar with its missionary
fields Bishop Grant is the one man who, at this time, is
the proper person to send to far Africa to study the situation
and inaugurate the movement which will result in the fur¬
ther spread of the Church over there. He is in entire sym-
8
BISHOP ABRAHAM GKANT'S
pathy with the great missionary Bishop of the C urch.
Doubtless he shares the opinion of our Senior, that the day
will come when the head of the great A. M. E. Church will
not be in America, but in Africa. At least, his aim is to
take up the work where his predecessor left it and carry it
as far as time and opportunity will allow He must have felt
that he carries with him the heartfelt good wishes of all his
brethren. Two Bishops, Rt. Revs. Arnett and Lee, were
there to bid him God's speed Aside from them were Mis¬
sionary Secretary Parks; Secretary Shaffer, of the Church Ex
tension Department; Drs. Coppin, Sampson, Stansberry,
Astwood, Cook Henderson, Harper, Roberts; Revs S. 1)
W. Smith, D. P Brown, T. E Franklin, W. H Bryant, H.
P. Anderson, P E. Steward; Presiding Elders Proctor, of
New York, and Sturges and Giles, of New Jersey, and many
others whose names we have forgotten. There were also
present Mrs. Derrick, wife of our Bishop and Mrs Dr.
Cook. Of the Bishop's immediate family there were pres
ent his dear wife, and her inseparable companion, Miss
Clifton. They had gone there to bid him God's speed The
heroic wife was there to cheer with her presence the compan¬
ion who is her all in this world, but whom she willingly re¬
signed to the work the church had assigned him. The part
ing was affecting, but both parties bore the ordeal well and
our dear Bishop sailed away confident that those he leaves
behind will receive every care and attention which loving
friends can bestow upon them.
We look anxiously for the letters of the Bishop for they
will be interesting. It is a pity that no private secretary ac¬
companied him, but he will write and the whole church will
eagerly devour every word of his communications. God
bless him !
trip to west Africa
9
What Bishop Lee, D.D., has to say of Bishop Grant's departure to
West Coast Africa.
BISHOP GRANT'S SAILING.
I had never witnessed the departure from our shores of
one of our great itinerants; indeed, I had never been on one
of our great American ocean ships till I entered the great
liner ' Majestic" at pier 45 New York, January n, and
saw her at high noon bear away from our shores one of the
very best products of our church; one of the most potential
of the Afro-American arguments in establishing its claims to
some peculiar and essential excellence, and repelling all ar¬
gument in favor of its natural inferiority in line of American¬
ism. There was on that majestic ship no more majestic
character; there was among those refined passengers no
nobler spirit than Abraham Grant, D.D., Bishop. As he
stood against the rail of the ship, above all the circle of
which he was the immediate centre, throwing the greatness
of his whole soul down upon the centre of the other circle—
his churchmen, his wife and friends ashore, the great and
eternal chord of love that bound ship to shore and the seas
to the land—so far forth as he was concerned, anchored in
the heart of the one woman of all that crowd, to whom his
life was plighted many years ago—a cable to be broken by
no rocks nor storm, lengthened by no distance nor weakened
by any wear.
The churchmen—lay and minister—the cheer and bon
voyage, the prayer, the song, all helped to stay his mind,
and the voice of Him who speaks peace to the seas reassured
his soul, but nothing broke the stern face, nor prevented its
exposure of the deep sense of responsibility, nor the shadows
of uncertainty that flitted across the mind, nor yet the con¬
sciousness of Divine guidance and large results in respect to
the voyage.
Our race does not suffer nearly so much from want of
learning, as from want of wisdom^; nor from want of money
as from want of influence. Bishop Grant goes abroad to
10
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
increase our standing in both these respects; a man who
makes few mistakes, few retractions and few enemies; who is
never present but to be appreciated nor absent but to be
missed; whose utterances are usually discreet and his actions
impressive; whose physical greatness never eclipses his spir¬
itual grandeur, nor disappoints on personal acquaintance.
Such is the great American—the product of African Metho¬
dism—sent abroad to inspire the world with more Christian
patience with the unfortunate black race-variety, and to give
the world of black men a high conception of its powers, its
promise and its lofty origin and end—an object lesson to all
observers.
May we not expect God to do much for our race-variety
through this movement by our church? Going to Africa
now is vastly different from going to Africa twenty-five years
ago. There is a considerable degree of expectation, respon¬
siveness and sympathy there to meet us; civilization has
provided better accommodations and facilities for travel; has
overcome many of the climatic severities and linguistic diffi¬
culties. There is light above us and around us.
While the A. M. E. Church is at disadvantage from all
the misfortunes of slavery, poverty, lack of culture, want of
courage and co-operation, etc., it labors in Africa with the
advantages of common racial instincts and characteristics, to
a considerable extent. I modify, because it is blindness,
not to say foolishness, not to observe that the same causes
that have modified other human varieties are at work and
have accomplished much on this. This fact must be plain
to the most casual observer. It reflects no credit upon us
to affect indifference to it. The A. M. E. Church is not to
succeed upon its "African" title, nor its African at all, but
upon its Christian in character; its powers to adjust itself
to the conditions of humanity and the philosophy of Chris¬
tianity. It is the sheerest folly to count on Africa on other
grounds.
If we have not respectable men and women to represent
our Christian work in Africa, it is useless to try to succeed
using others; they will serve only to compromise us betray
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
11
our short-sightedness, accentuate our unfitness for the task.
It is equally useless to think of joining the great actors on
the African continent in words, words, words. Thirty
thousand ($30,000) dollars asked by Dr. Parks for our
Easter earnestness is but small proof of our ability to do a
great work for our variety and our God in Africa the present
year. If we have seven hundred thousand church commu¬
nicants, this is but four and one-third cents per member.
If we are unwilling to give this, Africa cannot have confi¬
dence in us; if we are incapable of organizing our church
and sustaining the organization in efforts of harmony and
co-operation sufficiently to reach this exceedingly small re¬
sult, Africa cannot respect us. In either case other church
bodies will not fear us, whatever the race-variety of their
members. As a matter of fact, it is nothing to our credit to
proselyte black members from other Christian denominations,
nor even to encourage such proselytism simply on social
grounds; particularly if we cannot do better by them than
the bodies with which they affiliated formerly.
Bishop Grant's is the fifth episcopal visit of our church to
Africa. Every such visit increases our responsibilities
greatly. If these visits and their consequent increase of
responsibilities do not create corresponding, indeed, superior
growth in our home-plant, the ultimate result is plain. Our
flattery and inteilaudation will be but mocked by our piteous
and unheeded pleadings for money and the wails of com¬
plaint and utterances of disgust that must come from those
who rightfully believe that a connection that can make so
great display, is morally responsible to them to the extent of
decent support. I earnestly appeal to our church in behalf
of our American responsibilities.
Bishop Grant's and Bishop Turner's visits bind us to raise,
at least, the $30,000 for Africa. This means arrangements
now, efforts now.
B. F. Lee.
Jan. 26, '99.
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANTS
An editorial that appeared in the Voice of Missions, Feb. I, 1899.
BISHOP GRANT'S TRIP TO AFRICA.
His Grace, Bishop Abraham Grant, D.D., who left for
West Africa, viz., Sierra Leone, Liberia and other points, is
now upon the high seas on his way to that great field of op¬
eration and possibility. We are sure he will be a welcome
guest, and that this great man will accomplish lasting good.
We are pleased beyond the power of expression that Bishop
Grant has gone to Africa, and we regret that owing to an
Annual Conference which met the same day of his depart¬
ure, we were not able to see him off on the ship; but gracious,
gracious, what we would have given to have gone with him !
We want to see Sierra Leone and Liberia again ; we want the
good rest that we can enjoy upon the ship, notwithstanding
a few stiff winds and angry billows; we want to rest from the
ceaseless incoming of thousands of letters and hundreds of
telegrams, and the bore of delegations, numberless interview-
seekers, persons wanting to borrow money or endorse notes
for them, running here and there to settle disturbances; the
whine and sigh of pastors who cannot live upon this or that
appointment, yet too lazy to seek other work or employment
which will give them a living, etc. etc. Bishop Grant needs
the invigorating sea air and ozone, but gracious, how we be¬
grudge it to him. The next General Conference should en¬
act a law to punish every Bishop who does not go to sea at
least three weeks in every year. They would live longer,
have clear brains, better lungs and broader views. When
Bishop Grant returns he will be a greater philosopher by far
than when he started. We doubt the wisdom of electing
any man a Bishop who has not been to sea
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
13
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 Whilst the
Majestic Sails Away.—From the Bryn Mawr Dejender.
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT SAILS FOR WEST AF¬
RICA.
One of the greatest missionary demonstrations in connec¬
tion 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 foi West Africa.
Tne ovation began last week at Bethel Church in this city,
and was continued in New Jersey. Bishop Grant 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 Benja¬
min W. Arnett, D.D., of the Fifth 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. Hender¬
son, of Bethel Church, New York. Bishop Grant and Sec¬
retary Parks proceeded to the parsonage with Dr. Cook and
the editor of the Defender-, Bishop Arnett accompanied Dr.
Henderson 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 all 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
u
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 Mis¬
sionary Secretary H. B. Parks, who, in an eloquent speech
in behalf of missions and eulogistic of the great life work of
Bishop 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 shone brighter, and his pose at every eloquent out¬
burst brought forth applause from the audience. When
Bishop Arnett turned to Bishop Grant with his message for
Africa, it was a scene long to be remembered. With a pa¬
thos that brought tears to the eyes of the entire audience he
delivered the message of Allen's Church and what was con¬
templated 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 ef¬
fort. At the conclusion of Bishop Arnett's eloquent and
inspiring speech for the Church, for Africa, for the mission
ary 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. K. C. C. Astwood,
former Missionary Superintendent of Missions in Cuba Rev.
Astwood was, like the others, greeted with applause. He
said that five minutes had been allotted to the speakers: if
he had an hour it would be impossible to interest the audi¬
ence after listening to the great speeches 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 Ast¬
wood) an elder in the African Methodist 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'acconni- 0f
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
15
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 missionary 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 e'oquent way, presented Bishop Grant to the audience.
Bishop Arnett took the stand and called for a Chautauqua;
every handkerchief in the house was in air; it was a beauti¬
ful sight; ovation after ovation was given to the chieftain
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 peo¬
ple along religious as well as material lines. That the walls
of prejudice were gradually giving away as we battled with the
other fellow for equality, we were doing well; we had a long
16
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT S
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 ed¬
ucation as well as industrial and mechanical pursuits, 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 wholesale emigratiom 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 des¬
tiny in the land that God had given us a place. We owed
a duty to Africa and that we must perform. Persons who
desired 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 missionaries and its educated young men and
women and help to redeem Africa; he was going at the be¬
hest of his Church and Christian duty, to do what he could
to encourage our fatherland, and if he fell by the way he
han the glorions 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 trans¬
fixed, with head erect and hand uplifted as he prayed for
the care of the Church. The church went wild with enthus¬
iasm, 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 him their greetings to
bleeding Africa. Secretary Parks never made a more elo¬
quent and enthusiastic speech. He wanted $7r as evirlenre
of good faith, and he wanted half of it before the choir
sang. These people must have been trained to ajve- they
crowded to the table. Dr. Henderson taking cha^ e ' f ^
collection, and when the result was announced $ ° h d
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
17
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, by bringing Mrs
Bishop Grant to the front and upon the platform side by
side with her husband, presented 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 skaking of
hand 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 breth¬
ren 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 Conterences, Bishop Lee; New York, New
England and Bermuda, Bishop Derrick; South Carolina,
Bishop Salters. The final meeting had been provided for at
Bethel Church, New York, on Tuesday night, by Dr. John
M. Henderson, the pastor. A large number of the brethren
whose names will appear later, were on the platform as early
as 8 o'clock. The services began at half past 8. The meet¬
ing was not as large as the one at Bridge Street Church,
but a larger number of ministers were upon the platform
18
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
with the Bishcm, 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 meeting. 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 pro¬
found pulpit orators of his day. His address was thoughtful,
learned and impassioned He brought out a knowledge of
the church and missionary 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 interesting 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 en
tailed, like one of the apostles of old. Bishop Grant ad¬
monished the brethren as a father would his children. Every
eye was suffused with tears, and the scene beggars descrip¬
tion. The scene of presenting the Bishop's wife was repeat*
ed by Bishop Arnett, but was more solemn. It was ex¬
tremely 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 sorrowful in the extreme. Dr Parks then
made the appeal, but this could not—or did not come ud to
the Brooklyn people in spontaneousness nor liberalitv Less
than $ 18.00 was the outcome of the offering At* j te
Trip to west Africa
19
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 accompa¬
ny the BishQp to the ship. He did not make his appearance
but went direct to the 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 interssting, 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 Benja¬
min 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. Stansberry. 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, Superintend¬
ent 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.
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
20 BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 tbe great gathering, he raised his
hat and wept. The Bishop then broke completely down.
The great and beloved man showed the human side of his
character, and amidst the waving of handkerchiefs 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 undertaking. We have
given a hasty description of this important affair, which must
be interesting to all. Bishop Grant is one of the best be¬
loved 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.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA.
21
What Rev. J. M. Henderson, M. D., has to say of Bishop Grant's
departure for West Coast Africa, which appeared in the South¬
ern Christtan Recorder, Jan. 25, 1899 and the Christian Re¬
corder, Feb. 2, 1899.
THE DEPARTURE OF BISHOP GRANT FOR AFRICA.
Said Richard Steele: "A man may bestow great sums on
the poor without being charitable, and may be charitable
when he is not able to bestow anything " "Charity is a
virtue of the heart and not of the hands,'' says an old writer.
Gifts and alms are the expressions not the essence of this
virtue.
Bishop Grant may not be able to take to Liberia with him
as much money to build churches, found schools and to pay
helpers, as are some of those who go forth to foreign lands
representing American churches, but there are none who
ever went forth with a heart more truly in sympathy with the
great cause of missions and more tenderly responsive to the
Master's command.
He may not promise to the people of Africa as much as
have some, and on his return he may not advise the church
to undertake projects as extravagant as have others; but he
will promise to the people of Africa all that he can reasona¬
bly hope to see fulfilled, and he will advise the church at
home to undertake all that there is in their power to carry
on properly.
It is the expectation that Bishop Grant's report will put
the church in possession of the plain, full and actual facts
and conditions of the work already under way, and the pros¬
pects for future work that gives to his visit to Africa in¬
terest and importance.
Over a cause so great and so truly given us by Divine com¬
mand as is the cause of missions it is not strange that we
should become enthusiastic, and in its advocacy sometimes
indulge hopes that are extravagant, and project enterprises
that are not practical and expedient. To have some one lay
aside enthusiasm both such as grows out of zeal for a cause,
22 BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
and out of ambition to make a success of official work, and
to calmly investigate and deliberately advise is the part of
wisdom, and the adoption of this course shows how wise and
sincerely desirous of doing their full duty to all concerned
are the Bishops of our church.
No better selection could have been made than that of
Bishop Grant, yet, there are few men whose departure to a
foreign land would require of them greater sacrifices. Bishop
Grant is the heart and soul of a thousand activities and en¬
terprises going on in his Episcopal District, and throughout
the country, and to abruptly and thoroughly separate himself
from all of this work in which he has been so deeply inter¬
ested and so earnestly engaged, and to enter upon a voyage
of six thousaud miles is an act requiring the most faithful de¬
votion to duty and the most potent decision of purpose.
This is only one feature of the sacrifice demanded.
Bishop Grant is a man of tender and strong domestic
affections, and to leave on the pier the delicate companion
of nearly thirty years of loving partnership with the feeling
that, perhaps, the fond caress and sad farewell in the seclu¬
sion of the ship were to be the last, and that, may be on
returning, his dear one would be sleeping in the grave, could
not fail to arouse such emotions as broke the flood gates and
allow the tears to stream down his cheeks as the great ship
began to move.
Then, again, there on the pier stood nearly two score of
preachers; old men with gray hair and seamed countenances
bowing beneath the weight of years, and showing beneath it
all the heroism that had led them so steadily along the
tedious and humble paths; men of middle age, sturdy, strong
clear-eyed men, ready at the word of command to under¬
take any task, to brave any danger, to perform any work;
and young men full of hope, thrilling with ardor and pent-up
zeal, eager and anxious to leap into the stern battle and win
laurels and save souls. There they stood, with every eye
fixed upon their Bishop, and with every heart filled with love
for him, and with every thought glowing with admiring ap¬
preciation of his towering heroism.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
28
Is it any wonder that as they stood upon the pier while
the majestic ocean queen glided away, and sang, ''God be
with you till we meet again," that he who must cross seas,
brave storms and disease, and accomplish his long voyage
ere ever again hoping to clasp these hands, should show his
manhood's affection by the dropping tear? Five hundred
people aboard the steamer and upon the pier saw the com¬
pact throng who stood weeping, and the magnificient object
of their thought and affection, and beheld the evidence of
the certain reward of nobility of life and soul. Did the
flowers and presents costing hundreds of dollars, which
filled the stateroom near that of the Bishop's represent as
much as did the presence and the glittering tears of the
humble men who stood around his companion and waved
farewell to their chieftain ?
But hawsers were cast loose, the screws of the sturdy tug
boats began to turn, the timbers of the pier creaked and
groaned, eyes of friends grew dim, and hearts were strained,
and ties of association were broken; but the steamer had
hardened her heart, and set her face toward the destination
far beyond the white-capped waves, where other eager
throngs were awaiting the arrival of loved ones. Away,
away, through the placid East river, through the gentle
waters of the bay, across the bar, past Sandy Hook, and the
gallant ship leaped with the embrace of the ocean waves and
began her steady battle, inch by inch, to move forward three
thousand miles.
At 12 o'clock, January u, 1899, Bishop Grant sailed
away on board the White Star Liner, "Majestic," occupying
stateroom No. 5 on the saloon deck. He goes to hold the
conferences of Sierra Leone and Liberia. Upon his report
will largely depend the views that will shape the plans and
endeavors of African Methodism in the missionary work of
the early decades of the dawning century. That he will
come back eloquently urging renewed and increased endeav¬
ors, none can doubt; and that he will be able to offer many
suggestions as to improved methods, all expect.
The splendid missionary meetings held at Philadelphia,
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
Trenton, Brooklyn and New York were not merely a tribute
of love for a splendid and hopeful leader, but were the man¬
ifestations of the deep and deepening interest of the people
in the cause of missions. The A. M E. Church is now
wide awake and will meet the new century with a brave and
hopeful heart
Bishop Arnett and Bishop Lee were at the pier to cheer
the last moments of Bishop Grant's stay in America. Bishop
Arnett had been present and made a rousing speech that
will never be forgotten; his views are conservative, but full
of hope and high courage.
It is quite evident that the missionary enterprises of the
church will from now on receive the benefit of the united
wisdom of the entire bench of Bishops, and that it has
become to be a well recognized part of our activities. The
church awaits Bishop Grant's return with deep interest. To
the desire to hear his opinion of the West African fields is
added concern for his safety, as he was not in the best of
health. His fidelity to duty touches the heroic.
J. M. Henderson.
New York, N. Y.
Bishop Grant's "Notes By the Way" from Liverpool, England.
"NOTES BY THE WAY."
Editor Christian Recorder:
The missionary meetings held in Philadelphia, Trenton,
Brooklyn and New York, prior to my leaving the United
States were to me indications of a future full of encourage¬
ment for this part of our church work. On January nth,
the following friends were at the ship to take leave of me:
Bishops B. W. Arnett and B. F. Lee; Drs H B Parks C
T. Shaffer, W. D. Cook, L. J. Coppin. D P koberts T
M. Henderson, J. P. Sampson, J. B. Stansberry H C C
Astwood; Revs. S. D. W. Smith, L. Sturges w' H riles'
E. M. Harper, J. M. Proctor, J. H. Morgan' H C Ashley'
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
25
W. H. Davis, A. H. Newton, T. E. Franklin, W. H. Bry¬
ant, D P. Brown, I. D. Jacobs, E. Byrd, H. P. Anderson,
W. S Kane, J. M. Accoe, L. D. Langford, W H. Edwards,
A. W. Ross, Jacob James, E. A. Johnson; Bro. Boulden
and modest Dr. Morris, of Boston, Mass ; Mrs. Bishop
Derrick, Mrs. W. D. Cook, Miss E. B Smiley, and Mrs.
Grant (my wife). As the ''Majestic" moved out from the
whaif, the crowd on the shore sung as I had never heard it
before, "God be with you till we meet again."
There was not a day passed during our voyage from New
York to Liverpool, that some one did not speak of the touch¬
ing song we had listened to in commencement of the jour¬
ney. Certainly I shall not forget that day; the fact is, I do
not wish to feel again as I did upon that occasion.
There were one hundred and fifty cabin passengers on
board, and a more pleasant parties of ladies and gentlemen
I ne^er met with. At times the sea was rough, but it seemed
to be fun for our magnificent ship.
To morrow morning (January 21st) we sail on the "Ba-
tanga" for Sierra Leone, hoping to reach there by February
3rd. I am not as well as I should like to be for such a voy¬
age, but thankful that is no worse. I have not seen a col¬
ored person since I left New York. I am getting rather
anxious.
A. Gbant.
Liverpool, Eng., January, 20, 1899.
Bishop Grant's Letter to Editor Johnson from Las Palmas, Ca¬
nary Islands.
BISHOP GRANT REPORTS PROGRESS.
Since his departure from the bosom of the church for his
far-off African appointments, the welfare of Bishop Grant
has been the anxiety, burden and prayer of his brethren
throughout the church. That he has been preserved and
favored in health and voyage amid sea perils and the vicissi¬
tudes of extensive travels is an assurance which our readers
26
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
will gratefully share. Writing from Las Palmas under date
January 30, the good Bishop says:
"Dr. H. T. Johnson,
Dear Brother: We reached here last night from Liver¬
pool after a nine day voyage. The sea is rough and the
weather unfavorable. On this account we are nearly three
days behind time. We hope to reach Sierra Leone Monday,
February t. These islands are under the Spanish flag and
they do not seem to have much for Americans to do yet
awhile. However, they are kind, and the Canary islands are
beautiful.
"Bishop Hartzell, of the M. E. Church, is on the ship
with us, and of course, makes it more pleasant for me, both
of us being from the same country.
'•Considering all things my health is as well as could be
expected. Faithfully,
A. Grant.
The church everywhere will pray for the continued health
and prosperity of Bishop Grant and invoke his safe return
to the embrace of his family and work, and home brethren.
Ed., Feb. 23.
Bishop Grant's "Notes by the Way" from Sierra Leone, West Coast
Africa.—Christian Recorder March 16, 1899.
FROM SIERRA LEONE, WEST COAST AFRICA.
We sailed from Liverpool, January 21st, on steamship
"Batauga," which is a very worthy seaboat belonging to the
British & African Steamship Navigation Company. This is
one of the fifty-three ships belonging to the fleet managed by
Mr. A. L. Jones, J. P., the whole of said fleet plying be¬
tween England and Africa.
There were about thirty-five cabin passengers on board,
and one not knowing the facts could scarcely appreciate the
different interests represented by this small number of per.
sons: some engineers, miners, traders, judges of districts,
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
27
governmental officials, military, bridge builders, railwaymen,
colonists, doctors, missionaries and millionaires. The mil¬
lionaire has come out to Africa to fish and hunt. Just be¬
fore leaving Philadelphia my attention was called to a squib
in some paper by a brother, whose name I do not recall,
which read about as follows: ' 'Bishop Grant says there are
white people members of the A. M. E. Church. Who ever
saw a white African?''
When I went on Castle Street, in Liverpool, and saw one
of the most magnificent buildings on that street, and over
the main entrance in large letters: "African Building,'' and
remembering these fifty-three ships with others belonging to
other companies marked "African Ships, " and every napkin
on the table, and every knife, fork, spoon and plate marked
"African," with all the sailors on the ship, from the captain
down, with caps on marked "African," I should have been
pleased to have had the above mentioned editor with me so
that he could have, with equal propriety, asked the same
question with reference to the building, steamships, napkins,
knives, forks, spoons, tablecloths, sailors, etc. But I am
getting away from my "Notes."
The first three days on the voyage the sea was rough and
waves high; so much so that on Sunday evening, 22nd,
while the passengers were at the table eating dinner, the
gale rushed over the upper deck of the ship, broke out the
skylights, came into the ship, washed the dishes off the table
wet the passengers and left some of the staterooms half-leg
deep in water. This, of course made some of the people
think of a watery grave; but after twenty-four hours making
only three to four knots an hour, things calmed down and
we moved out in earnest. The captain of the ship said that
he had not experienced such weather in four years. On
the Sunday during the storm, by request, I preached to as
many as could sit up.
Monday morning, the 30th, we reached Grand Canary
Islands the city being Las Palmas. This is one of the seven
islands of the group of the Canaries which are as follows:
Grand Canary, Teneriffe, Gomera, Palma, Hierro, Lanzorote
!28
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
Gracioso, Allegnanza; the last two being of minor import¬
ance. This group of islands belongs to the government of
Spain and now serves as winter resort tor the English peo¬
ple. In a book accredited to Augustus he describes them
as islands clothed in fire placed at the extreme limit of the
world. However, the Grand Canary is thirty-eight miles
long, thirty two miles broad and has 75,000 inhabitants in
three cities, three towns and one hundred and seventy eight
villages. They are situated near the coast of West Africa
and a little over a thousand miles from Sierra Leone.
Sunday morning, Feb. 5th, about 7 o'clock we anchored
in the harbor of Freetown. After the examining officer gave
us a clean bill of health, the boats came from every direction
to the steamship, and among which was a large sailboat with
the Stars and Stripes flying in the breeze, which brought
Rev. F. G. Snelson, Ph.D., and acting United States Con¬
sul Trice and a delegation composed of some of our ministers
and laymen.
If one can imagine himself for nearly thirty days on the
water, except a short stop in Liverpool, without meeting a
face with which they had come in contact previously, he may
fairly judge how I felt when this delegation reached the
steamship "Batauga." After being conveyed to Brother
Snelson's headquarter, refreshing ourselves, taking breakfast
we proceeded to "Providence A. M. E. Church'' of which
Elder G. D. Decker is pastor, where I occupied the pulpit
for the first time in Africa. Before the close ot the service
there were eighteen souls who experienced saving faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ. I feel that God has already set His
seal of approval on my visit to Africa.
The rushing winds and the surging waves between here
and home are faintly passing from my mind and will soon be
among the forgotten. However, I guess I will be reminded
of them on my return.
In my next I shall give an account of things in Siena
Leone as I see them.
February 6} 1899.
A. Grant.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
29
Bishop Grant's Second "Notes By the Way." from Sierra Iyeone,
West Coast, Africa.—Christian Recorder, Mar. 23, 1899.
"NOTES BY THE WAY." FROM SIERRA LEONE.
Mr. Editor:
As we approach Sierra Leone, beautiful mountains rise to
the view covered with green shrubbery reminding us very
much of the Bermuda Islands. The population of the col¬
ony is said to be about 100,000 at present, and that of
Freetown, 30,too.
It is a port of entry for all nations. The products of the
country are mainly rice, cassava, kola nuts, palm nuts and
oil; rubber, coffee, yams, sweet potatoes, oranges, pine ap¬
ples, bananas, plantains and benny seed; pepper, sugar
cane, okra and cocoa. All these grow with little cultivation.
The different denominations represented in the colonv
are:
1. Church of England.
2. Wesleyans.
3. United Methodist Free Church.
4. African Methodist Episcopal Church.
5. United Brethren in Christ.
6. The Soudan Alliance Missions.
7. The American Wesleyan.
8. The Baptist Church.
9. Riopunga Missions.
10. The Lady Huntington Connection.
. They penetrate as far as two hundred and fifty miles in¬
terior from the coast. The school system, I am informed,
is under the auspices of the different denominations, and a
stipend allowed by the English government, whose 4'Inspec¬
tor of Schools" examine and pass upon teachers. There
are sixty-seven of these common schools. For normal or
high school education we have the
1. Fourah Bay College for Boys.
2' Annie Walsh School for Girls.
30
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
3. The Boys' Grammar School, all of the Church of Eng.
land.
4. The Boys' High School.
5. The Female Institute of the Wesleyan Connection.
6. Leopold Institute, an independent educational move¬
ment.
Then the African Methodist Episcopal Church has the
(1) Providence, (2) New Zion, (3) Emmanuel, (4) Camp¬
bell, (5) the Sarah Allen Mission, (6) the Bethel, (7) the
Sen Dugo Schools. All our ministers teach and have assist¬
ants and pupil teachers.
The aggregate number of pupils in the colony is, boys,
4,592; girls, 4,032; total, 8,624, with 70 percent, average
attendance, or near 5883. The total expenditure for 1897
is ^5009 19s n^d. (about $25,048) twenty-five thousand
and forty-eight dollars.
Nearly all the merchants in the city are gentlemen of
color: N. E. Brown, J. P., J. B. McCarthy, J. P., V. J,
Thompson Brothers, H. J. Nelson, J. V. Aubee, T. J.
Sawyer, Roland May, J. H. Thomas, J. P.; S B. Thomas,
Galbo Bright, S. T. A. Buckle, J. P.; C. J. G. Barlatt, J.
G. Wright, E. T. McCormick, Nick Sawyer, N. G. Oldfield,
J. D. Oldfield, S. G. Jarrett and many others doing busi¬
ness on a somewhat smaller scale.
The government officials are: Sir F. Cardew Knt, C. M.
G., Governor; Lieut. Col. J. C. Gore, Colonial Secretary;
F. A. Miller, J. P., Confidential Clerk, and the Honorable
Sir Samuel Lewis Knt; C. M. G., Mayor of Freetown,Hon¬
orable A. S. Hebron, B. L,., Councellor; C. E. Wright, B.
A. B. C. L., Deputy Mayor: Councillors: C. C. Nickol,
James Taylor, J. P., V. J.; ex-Mayor J. C. Thomas, S. T.
A. Buckle, J. P , F. W. Hooke, F. W. Dove' F. C. Frazer,
and the Town Clerk, J. Wilfred Maxwell; Daken Davis,
Clerk; M. A. Potts, Treasurer; Master of Courts, S. A.
Metzgar, and numerous others of all ranks.
The trades are cabinet makers, goldsmiths, shoemakers,
blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers, masons, boat builders and
printers. Two weekly newspapers, The Weekly News, edi-j
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
31
tor, Cornelius May, Consul for Liberia, and the Sierra
Leone limes, editor Fitzjoen, give the movements of the
people. These papers are very(>creditable and sightly and
are very generally patronized by the government, the busi¬
ness firms and the merchants.
'There is the ''Band of British West Africa," managed by
a^European, and the "Coaling Company" and the "Post-
office Savings Bank,'' run entirely by European managers
with an entire corps of native cashiers, clerks and messen¬
gers. The Colonial Governor, Secretary, Bishop of the
English Church, Postmaster-General and the jailer are all
white men.
The session of the A. M. E. Conference^was interesting
and pleasant all through
On Friday evening, according to previous arrangement, I
lectured at Wilberforce Memorial Hall to an audience which,
for education and intelligence, could not be excelled in any
of our cities of the same size in America. The Mayor of
Freetown, the Hon. Sir Samuel Lewis, Knt., C. M. G., pre¬
sided, assisted by Councilor C. E. Wright, B. A., B. C. L.
Deputy Mayor, and a large number of distinguished gen¬
tlemen and officials, occupied the rostrum.
The annual sermon by Rev. H. M. Steady, and the mis¬
sionary sermon, by Rev. George Dove Decker, came fully
up to our expectations.
On Sabbath morning, at n o'clock, I delivered the ordi¬
nation sermon and ordained the following deacons: Revs.
J. F. Gerben, J. H. W. Gooding, E. T. Martyn, and to
the eldership: Josiah Coker. During the service eleven per¬
sons experienced saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
We had arranged for a general attack on Sunday night at
New Zion against sin and Satan, but the news came that the
ship was in and would leave at eight o'clock. This was re¬
gretted by all, and I do not remember when I have left a
place with so much reluctance.
The Allen Day Celebration on Sunday afternoon could
scarcely be improved upon anywhere. At five o'clock, at
the general office, I gave the ministers their appointments,
32
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
making no changes." Just*,before^ the ^conference closed a
communication irom London reached Rev. F. G. Snelson,
M. A., Ph. D., informing him that on the 23rd of January
he was elected a "Fellow of the Royal Geographical Sod-
ety," and he is invited to attend the anniversary in June in
the Theatre of the University of London, Burlington Gar¬
dens.
Some of us questioned Bishop Turner's judgment in ap¬
pointing Elder Snelson to work here in 1896, but since he
thought it best to make a change, the selection could not be
bettered. When he reached here the sentiment was strongly
against him, but by his judicious management and faithful¬
ness to duty that sentiment has been changed and the A. M.
E. Church stands high in the estimation of the people.
Rev. H M. Steady deserv-s special mention. He s arted
in the street with nine members and now numbers eighty-
seven persons, with a beautiful church edifice 38x60 feet.
Such men the A. M E Church will never forget.
I am informed that at the love-feast on Monday morning
at the conference twenty-four embraced a hope in Christ.
The brethren say they will keep the fire burning all the year.
A Grant.
Feb 17, 1899.
Bishop Grant's "Notes by the Way" from Monrovia, Liberia.—
Christian Recorder, March 30, 1899.
"NOTES BY THE WAY." MONROVIA, LIBERIA.
Mr Editor:
February 12th, at 8 p.m., I boarded the steamship "Ca-
benda" for Monrovia, Liberia. On the morning of the 13th
we reached Konakry, a town with a population of 3,000,
under the French flag It reminds the traveller of one of
our Western frontier towns. Several new stone buildings
were in course of erection, and it is quite certain that in a
few years it will be one of the most prosperous cities on the
West Coast of Africa. The French people are very strict
with the natives and will not allow one to leave on a ship
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
33
without a written pass from an officer designated for that
purpose. Rev. J. B. McEwen, rector of the Episcopal
Church is doing a splendid work among the people. He is
teaching them the lesson of self-help; hence they are not
depending upon missionary departments to put up a house
of worship, but of their own means they are building a beali-
tiful stone edifice. After spending a few hours lunching
with the rector, we returned to the ship. I met at this
place Brother John Wesley Tyler and wife who were mem¬
bers of our church in Mississippi before leaving America in
1896. They say that Presiding Elder Lampton- advised
them not to come, and they have had only one time to re¬
gret not taking his advice and that has been ever since they
have been in Africa. After spending four days at this place
and touching at Freetown again, we reached Sherbro, sixty
miles up the river. It is said that this is the first place at
which the emigrants landed who founded Liberia, and the
place where the Rev Floyd Snelson, the father of our pres¬
ent Presiding Elder had charge of a mission for several years.
We were forced to spend Sunday here and attended services
at the Wesleyan Mission.
Rev Paulus Moort, M.D., Rector of Trinity Protestant
Episcopal Church, Monrovia, Liberia, and Rev. F. G.
Snelson, Ph.D , are on the ship with me, and when the
young man in charge had taken one hour to open the ser¬
vice he then called upon us to say something. Each of us
made remarks and I am sure the people were ready for
dinner when the benediction was pronounced. The con¬
gregation looked intelligent and seemed to enjoy the service.
The church and school room are doing their work slowly
but surely.
Early Tuesday morning we reached Cape Mount, the
first outward port in the Republic of Liberia. At this place
there are an A M. E., an M. E , Baptist and an Episcopal
Church. It is an important trading point and yields large
quantities of coffee and other agricultural products.
At 5 p.m., we arrived at Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
Presiding Elder L. C. Curtis had proceeded to open the
84. BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
conference, announced committees and adjourned until
arrival of the ship. A few moments after the steamer an¬
chored, he, accompanied by a delegation, was on board to
escort me ashore We soon found ourselves located at the
splendid house of the late Gen. R A Sherman, whose widow
now presides over his mercantile business. At 7 p.m., the
presiding elder preached the annual sermon to a full house.
Wednesday morning 22nd, they got down solidly to busi¬
ness, continuing until Friday evening. The sessions were
interesting to me for various reasons, which are not necessary
to mention here.
The ministers ot the conference number twenty-one, but
the church lay membership in the Republic is only about a
third of that in Sierra Leone, but is spreading through the
Republic, and the outlook for the future growth of the
Church is good.
One brother charged that another had made a false report
of his work last year. In defense the second brother said
that the first had gone to his charge one month later and
that during those thirty days the African bugs ate the church
up. I made some inquiry as to what kind of bug it was,
and he said it is a bug that eats churches.
The ordination service took place on Friday at 11 a. m.,
and the service was very impressive. The following were or¬
dained deacons: Bros S. P. Gross, J. M. Gross, G. W.
Payne, A. F. L. Polt. Elders: M. T. Newland, J. Thos.
Cole, W. H. Wright, A. Redd The following were elected
delegates to the General Conference of 1900: Rev. L. C.
Curtis, Dr. W. H. Heard; the lay delegates are Walter P.
Hall, Philadelphia, Pa., U S. A., and Thomas W. Haines,
Monrovia.
I forgot to mention in mv last that the Revs. H. M.
Steady and F. G. Snelson, M. A., Ph.D., F. R. G. S.,
were elected from the Sierra Leone Conference; the lay del¬
egates are Dr. H. R. Butler, of Atlanta, and S. T. Shaw, of
Sierra Leone.
The welcome reception was largely attended, and addresses
were made by His Excellency the President; Rev. Dr.
Moort, of the Trinitv Protestant Et>iscot>al Church: Pregid-
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
85
ing Elder Curtis, Revs. J. M. Gross, M. T. Newland, Jv
Thomas Cole, and Honorable Arthur Barclay, Mayor and
Secretary of the Treasury. The reception was held in the
Baptist Church, the members and pastor, Rev. J. A. John¬
son, kindly tendering the same for the night sessions of the
conference.
Thursday night I delivered the message of truth to a
packed house. One man, above seventy years old, experi¬
enced saving faith in Christ, and thirty-two persons came to
the anxious seat for prayer.
On Friday, the 24th, at one o'clock, the conference called
at the President's mansion in a body, where Rev W. H.
Heard and L. C. Curtis, P. E., spoke for the conference.
They were responded to by ex - President H. E. R. Johnson,
now Postmaster General, and Hon. G. W. Gibson, Secre¬
tary of State, after which President Coleman and myself
made some closing observations. To our surprise, a feast
was spread in the dining room of the mansion, which the
brethren of the conference enjoyed very much.
At 8 p. m , we closed the conference with the usual exer¬
cises, and announced the following appointments:
Presiding Elder, L. C. Curtis. Eliza Anne Turner, C. J.
Lawton; Brewersville, J. M. Gross; Roysville, J. J. Wilson,
Arthington, A. H. Watson; White Plains, Clement Irons;
Robertsville, S A. Bailey; Bensonville. S C. Coker; Cape
Mount, A. L. Brisbane; Johnsonville, R. H. Hart: SchiefHin-
ville, H. W. White; Monrovia, A. J. Roberts; Lower Bu¬
chanan, E. T. Lewis pastoral presiding elder; H. M.Turner
Mission, A. F. Holt; Central Buchanan, G. W. Payne;
Upper Buchanan, C. A. White; Edina, Ambrose Webb;
Harrisville, S. P. Gross, Little Bassa, J. Thomas Cole;
Pleasant Valley, W. H. Wright; Sinoe, J. P. Lindsay; Qual-
len, A. J. Weathers M. T. Newland was transferred to
Sierra Leone and stationed at "Canadian," Rotumba.
The residences of Monrovia are far beyond my expecta¬
tions, and present a very inviting appearance from the har-
harbor- surely the people show an air of freedom and inde¬
pendence which we do not see elsewhere. I am indeed
36
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANTS
much better pleased in general with my visit to Africa than
I couid have imagined. Since I hear the whistle of the S.
S. "Axim" calling me, I must hurriedly and abruptly close
this letter.
Editorial published in the Weekly News of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
SIERRA LEONE A. M. E. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Leone has
just closed its most brilliant annual session. The history of
the Church in Sierra Leoue marks a struggle; and its once
feeble work has grown so substantially, so steadily, so suc¬
cessfully, 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
Connexional Chronology, who now presides over the first
Episcopal District, a man of wonderful zeal, marvelous elo¬
quence, and Christian piety, was a blessing not only to the
A. M. E. Church, but to the citizens of our entire commu¬
nity. His Lordship's introductory sermon at Providence
Church, Sabbath morning the 5 th in St., his Ordination Ser¬
mon on Sabbath morning the 12 th were master-pieces of
Christian cheer, religious truth, sympathetic encouragement,
and divine hope and promise. Wilberforce Memorial Hall
reverberated 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 Present, 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 Recep¬
tion" accorded his most distinguished Lordship at New Zion
A. M. E. Church, Pademba-road, on the evening of the 6th
inst., was perfectly proper, and was attended by hundreds of
our best citizens, irrespeciive of denomination. In addition
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
37
to the ministerial members of the A. M. E. Church the fol¬
lowing 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 greetings I Babington Johnson,
Esq . Government Contractor by reason of illness could not
be present, but sent two guineas so that J. B. M'Carthy,
J P , V.J., a distinguished merchant ot this city, scored the
honour of presiding over one of the most successful, most
enthusiastic, and most beneficial and inspiring welcome re¬
ceptions ever inaugurated in Freetown The people were
there The introduction of the Bishop by Dr. Snelson,
Presiding Elder and General Superintendent, was a charm¬
ing literary bouquet, masterly diction, and oratorical beauty
and he appeared never so happy as when uttering the follow¬
ing sentence:—
Ladies and Geutlemen:—I introduce to you to-night a distin¬
guished example of Afro-American citizenship; a matchless em¬
bodiment of Christian piety; a devoted advocate of African Mis¬
sions; an unexcelled evangelistic revivalist for the salvation of
souls; a Christian champion, whose sterling qualities as a Bishop,
scatter roses of sunshine and lillies of love, and whose noble char¬
acteristics 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 J. M. Steady spoke eloquent, sincere, and joyous
words of welcome on behalf of the Sierra Leone confer¬
ence, members and people.
And Mr. I. Augustus Johnson, general Sunday school
missionary, 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 rjroeramme of welcome, and also presided at
the lecture, assisted by Councellor C. E Wright, B. A ,
g q L Deputy Mayor, the handsome chairman of the
evening ' Among ihe supporters were the Rev. Principal J.
C May of the Wesleyan High School, the Hon. J. J.
Thomas Member Legislative Council of Lagos, D. W.
Benner'Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Dr. J. Abayomi Cole,
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANTS
J. B. McCarthy, J. P., V. J., James A. L. Trice, U. S.
Acting Consul, Councillor C. C. Nicols, J. V. Aubee, Esq.,
F. W. Dove, Esq.. ex-Councillor J. S. Labor, Rev. M. W.
Randall, Revs. J. R. King, J. A. Evans, J. R. Frederick,
Dr. E. J. Haytord, Princess 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 occasion will long be remembered.
The conference convened Wednesday the 8th inst., 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, temperance; and to
temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to god¬
liness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.''
The Bishop was assisted by Dr. Snelson, the General Super¬
intendent, who presented the candidates, and Rev. George
D. Decker, Rev. H. M. Steady, Rev. J. R. King, Rev. J.
A. Evans.
The Rev. Dr. Moort, Rector Protestant Episcopal Church,
Monrovia, Liberia, pronounced the benediction.
The Allen Day Celebration by the young people in honor
of the founder and first A. M. E. Bishop, was largely at¬
tended, and beautiful in every particular. J.W. Labor, Esq ,
presided. In the Bishop's farewell remarks to the people
he expressed himself as being loath 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 ses¬
sion of the Sierra Leone Conference far more than any con¬
ference over which he has presided in 10 years 5 he com¬
mended the ministers very highly for their fraternal co-oper¬
ation and missionary zeal} and uttered words of highest
praise to Dr. Snelson for having so grandly lifted up the
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
39
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 order. The
Bishop took his leave for Liberia at 7.30 p. m. Sabbath
evening last. Rev. J. R. King, Superintendent of the United
Brethren, occupied the pulpit of New Zion that evening, and
preached a most able and interesting sermon.
On Monday morning the General Superintendent con¬
tinued the business of the Conference, and the Annual Con¬
ference love-feast was a pentecostal occasion; many souls
were converted and set at peace with God and man. On
Monday night the Annual Public Missionary Meeting was
held; T. Hamilton Leigh, Esq., in the chair—the chair¬
man's addresses, as well as those by W. C. De Graft
Rosenoir, Esq., James A L. Trice, U S. Consul, and the
Rev E. D. L Thompson, were all very instructive and en¬
couraging. The General Missionary report was a magnifi¬
cent presentation of the year's work and achievements, at
all the Missions; and the financial report was a revelation
of the zeal and earnestness with which the work has been
carried forward. The Connexional 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 926. The offer¬
ings during the Conference amounted to £22 4s. 5j^d.
For support of Missionaries the Parent M. M. Society has
sent ^244 3s. iod. and for Church buildings;—New Zion
^5is., Sarah Gorham Mission^i, and for Providence £$,
Bethel Small Scarcies, £12. The Sierra Leone Missions
have assisted considerably toward the support of their Mis¬
sionaries:—Providence, £36 I9S* 8d. New Zion, £2$ 4s.
7}4d. Campbell £3, Emmanuel £4 15s. o^d., Allen, £1
16s Bethel £5 i5s-> New Zion School for Teachers, £10
7s, 2d., Sendugu, £3 9s. S^d., Rotumba, ^3, Providence
School £4 15s., and the General Days have yielded £39
40
BISHOP ABRAHAM GKANT'S
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. Cok-
er; Sarah Gorham Mission Rev. J. H. W. Gooding; Sendu-
gu, Brother F. M. Stewart. Local (Conference) member
without assignment, Rev. L. G. Davies; Teachers, Mrs.
Gooding, Sarah Gorham School, Miss Carroll, New Zion
School, Mrs. Erskine. Providence School, Mrs. Coker, Beth¬
el School, Mrs Martyn, Emmanual School, Samuel Njie,
Providence School, Samuel G. Shower, New Zion School.
All pastors are headmasters of their schools. Rev. F. G.
Snelson, M.A , Ph D , F.R.G S , was re-appointed Pre¬
siding Elder, and commissioned the West African General
Superintendent, and has jurisdiction over everything on the
West Coast, except Liberia.
The following were elected missionary students by the
Annual Conference: - Arthur George Decker, I.Augustus
Johnson: and upon the suggestion of the Bishop these young
men will sail for America August 1, in time for the new schol¬
astic year, in the America colleges. Dr. Snelson will visit
the Southwest coast and establish missions; and also will go
to Europe in the interest of the work; and in 1900, D.Y ,
the Rev. H. M. Steady and Dr Snelson will represent Sierra
Leone at the Connexional 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 Confer¬
ence will be held at New Zion_ April 20, 1899 and the An¬
nual Conference at Bethel Small Scarcies in February 1900,
The highest praises for the noble manner in which the cit¬
izens of this colony rallied to. the support and encourage¬
ment of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, were freely
expressed by the Bishop, General Superintendent, and min
isters, and the names of every one who contributed in any
way toward its success are embalmed in the sacred archives
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
U
of the Church both in Africa and in America. The Bishop
is expected to pass in the s. s. "Axim'7 on his homeward
journey Long may he live !
Feb. 18, 1899.
The following is the report of the reception given to Bishop Grant
while in Monrovia, Liberia, West Coast Africa.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SESSION.
This sessun took the form of a general Welcome Reception
in honor of the Rt. Rev. Abraham Grant, D. D., the presid¬
ing 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 1st chap. Joshua was read by Rev. F.
G. Snelson, M.A., Ph.D , F. R G. P., General Superin¬
tendent 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 citi¬
zens of Liberia'' which recounted many tender reminiscences
relative to the Bishop. Rev. James M Gross, delivered a
most beautiful 4'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 of
hope.
The Hon. Arthur Barclay, Mayor of Monrovia and Sec¬
retary 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 complete,
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 prin¬
ciple 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 wel
come 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 "Sowing in the Morning, sowing seeds
of kindness" which was lustily sung by the vast congrega¬
tion.
The Right Rev. Abraham Grant, D.D., then proceeded
to deliver a magnificent respone. <lWe 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 bish¬
ops living and sixteen dead, in the name of 755,000 mem¬
bers, in the name of nine general officers, in the name of
the missionary department that laid $8,000 on the table for
foreign missions alone, last Easter day, in the name ot 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 of 357 churches about
trip to west Africa
AS
$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 no e the presence of President
Coleman, of the Republic of Liberia, here to night I re¬
cently had an interview with McKinley of the United States
and to leave one President and come into the presence of
another 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 consideration when they enter your gates.
Thousands of our people in America will remain there, but
many on account of the continued disturbances and agita¬
tions will desire to come to your Liberian 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 people there, and
send out literature, answer correspondence under your di¬
rection as a Government, and prevent any future 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
vou in organizing a board of leading man to assist your
agency in giving proper information to that class of people
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 peo¬
ple 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 $224.09 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 Presi¬
dent, 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 yeomanry 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 Cabi¬
net were alike electrified. "From Greenland's Icy Moun¬
tains'' was sung The Bishop then introduced His Excel¬
lency, 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 con¬
fidence in our government, confidence in our race !
We should exercise more vigilance for the good and pro
tection of our people. There are in the interior millions of
our people here 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 accomplishment. There
is an indissoluble union between the Afro-American and the
Liberians. It is your duty to come among us. Many are
lynched in America and we |welcome you to our blessed
country where lynching is not known. God intends that
persecution there shall teach the Afro-American that Africa
is his home where he shall be no longer oppressed by the
Caucasian. Our doors are open commercially and otherwise
and we welcome you one and all.
The Bishop responded.—"See that the emigrants are
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
45
well treated. Protect their interests, don't let organizations
tyke advantage of them and though we may not see the
glorious development of this Republic in our day our chil¬
dren will see it and give glory to the God of their Fathers.7'
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 re¬
gards among all Christians operating 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
Republic.
Among those present were 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, uni¬
fication of Afro American and Liberian-American interests
and inspiring confidence 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.
46
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
The following appeared in the paper named below published in
Manchester, England after Bishop Grant's arrival to Liver¬
pool 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 re¬
turned from the West Coast of Africa, has given Reuter's
Liverpool representative 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 Leone and the
other in Liberia. He was much pleased with the progress of
his race on the West Coast, and had no idea of meeting so
many educated people as he met in Sierra Leone. English
civilization 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 Cole¬
man and his Cabinet, and discussed the common interests of
the people of Liberia and the country generally Liberia
is, in Bishop's Grant's opinion, a choice spot on the West
African Coast; and its resources 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 descendants 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 otherwise make.
^ TRIP TO WEST AFRICA ]±7
The late concession given to Germans by which Kroomen
cO^ld only engage to labour for a British firm with the per
mission ot a private German firm was, in the Bishop's opin¬
ion, a serious mistake. It was distinctly sacrificing the inde
pendenceand freedom of their Kroomen subjects, who ought
to have the option of hiring themselves to whomsoever they
pleased. Germany, said the Bishop, was watching with vig¬
ilance 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 prorect
Liberia. But this giving of one concession after another
might put that protection out of the power of the United
States People of African descent 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 Ger
many. The Liberians are an English speaking people, and
would naturally favour the United States or England if ever
they were forced to give up their independence The Bish •
op was simply giving his personal views, as the Liberians
with whom he had spoken had never indicated such a con¬
tingency as the breaking up their country. On the contrrry
President Coleman and his Cabinet were firm in their belief
as to the future hopes and prospects of Liberia.
March 18, 1899.
Thia interview with Bishop Grant appeared in the New York Daily
BISHOP GRANT ON AFRICA.
Opinions Formed After a Visit to the West Coast. Progress
of Liberia and Sierra Leone—Utilization by England of
Native Ability—As to an American and English Protec¬
torate over Liberia—English Love of Law.
Bishop Abraham Grant ol the Airican Methodist Episco-
pal Church left America for the West Coast of Africa on
48
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
Jan. ii last. He visited Sierra Leone, where he held a con
ference with Methodist missionaries at Konakry, a French
colony about seventy miles distant; Sherbro nearly a hun¬
dred 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 reports that his reception abroad was cordial. In Sierra
Leone the English officers, merchants and leading men gen¬
erally vied with each other in showing courtesies. In Libe¬
ria 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 gov¬
ernment 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 regard 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
the missionaries, 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 prisoner of all these met
his fate by violence or illegal mob action, as would have hap¬
pened for less provocation in some sections of our own
country.
"In the war that followed, colored soldiers chiefly were
used—West Indians and native Africans officered by Eng¬
lishmen. ''
As to the ability of white men to develop Africa the Bish¬
op 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
trip TO WEST AFRICA
cOast find it necessary to return to England for three or four
months out of every eighteen or twenty-four 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 of 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, bar¬
risters 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 Euro¬
pean colonizing powers. In many instances this fact is rec¬
ognized by the use of Negroes as agents in their African in¬
terests. On the Gold Coast and in the banks, warehouses
and trading establishments Negroes are either placed at the
bead 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 government 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 ex¬
perience, and looking at what they have accomplished under
all the adverse circumstances, I think they have done well
On approaching Monrovia, the capital, one gets a view not
easily surpassed in beauty by any I have ever seen in Amer-
ina 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 pano-
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANTS
rama. The coast line extends about 350 miles, with nine
ports of entry. Interiorward the republic reaches about 250
miles. The civilized Americo-Liberian population is 25,000
and the aborigines about 1,500.000. The people are en¬
gaged in all kinds of business, and some of them live in lux¬
ury. The principal exports are coffee, cocoa, palm oil, ivo¬
ry, rubber, camwood, and every week German steamer leave
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 association Liberian trade should
prefer the United States, but not a single direct American
line plies between the two. Africa is being rapidly monopo¬
lized by the six European nations—England, France, Ger¬
many, Spain, Italy and Belgium. England lias all the most
important keys and is reaching out after the Transvaal;
France owns 1.500 miles of seacoast, and the others are
getting all they can.''
The Bishop was asked if he had seen the despatches stat¬
ing 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 mis¬
sionaries, 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 Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church. The Liberian authorities said noth¬
ing to me about wishing a protectorate; but I said in
England as I say here, and of ray own motion, that if it is
true that Germany and France are seeking to establish a pro¬
tectorate 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
Note—On page 51, after reading to third line ending
with the word "people," turn to 65th page for connection,
beginning at 15th line with the word "among" and read to
end of page.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
51
quite sure whether it would not be better if England estab¬
lished the protectorate rather than the United States, as,
previous to expansion, we have had 9 000.000 of people and
it is said that almost on every ship that plies between Eng¬
land and Africa Germany and Africa, the cargo is rum, gun¬
powder and missionaries, and while all agencies operating
in Africa do their part in planting the idea of civilization 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 lead¬
ing countries of the world except America are trying to
secure some of the territory of that continent, and we are
paying no attention to it except to spend our money, energy
and lives. There is no place on West Coast of Africa more
beautiful than Liberia; this colony was established by
Americans, and the Germans and French are nursing it.
This is done with a 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 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
about 350 miles, and 250 miles interior It is believed that
there is gold and even diamonds to be lound in the country,
besides the coffee, cocoa, palm oil, ivory, rubber and cam¬
wood. Are any of these used in America? If so, we may
just as well have them direct as to go around by England
and Germany to secure them Then there are more of the
descendants of Africa in America than in any other country,
and of course strong sympathies exist between the descend¬
ants 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.
52
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 manage¬
ment of that association in Birmingham, and find out
whether or not they are deal ng justly and honestly with the
people to whom they are continually holding out induce¬
ments to go to Africa, and if they have determined to
continue 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 touch¬
ing 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 sug¬
gestions with reference to the future, which I shall do later
on.''
BISHOP GRANT.
His Grace, Bishop Abraham Grant, D D., has been roy¬
ally 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 compliment by royalty itself. The great rep¬
resentatives. 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. Keal-
ing, the logical Dr. Coppin, the learned Bishop Petty, the
chaste and polished Astwood, the avalanching, rhetorical
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA.
53
Parks, and others made speeches and justly crowned the
mighty Grant as a 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 civiliza¬
tion, 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 adjustment of matters connected with
our church in that country. But hold on ! What will the
anti-African party do with their bandana handkerchiefs 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 to use them. Grant is here,
sound and hearty. Well, we are doomed to disappoint¬
ments 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 Distin¬
guished Pastor of the Church—Speeches from Eminent
Bishops, Clergymen and Laymen—Bishop Grant's De¬
scription 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.
IT • a M E. Church was filled to overflowing on Tues
day night last with one of the most cultured audiences that
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
ever assembled within the noble edifice. The church is sit¬
uated on Sixteenth street near Fairmount avenue, and is the
popular resort of the cultured element of the race in that
section. Dr. Roberts, the pastor of the church, is a man of
culture, and one of the ablest representatives of the race.
He is an M. D., as well as a D D, whose 'earning and prob¬
ity have given him high standing with all classes of our peo¬
ple. He is a man of national reputation, and was so promi¬
nent in the State of Indiana as a pastor and citizen that he
was chosen as the successor of Dr. J. M. Townsend by Pres¬
ident Harrison for the presidential appointment 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
well 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 congrega¬
tion determined to entertain Bishop Grant on his return
from West Africa with a royal reception at his church The
announcement 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 environ¬
ment, as well as to the Bishops of the Church and ministers
of other denominations and prominent laymen abroad. The
newspapers spoke of it in commendable terms, but no con¬
ception 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 as¬
sembled 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
TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA
55
presented a unique military spectacle. At the time appoint-
e a commi ee headed by the pastor went to the parsonage
and returned escorting the Bishop. He was leceived at the
°j J11 G- ets> who opened ranks, and the Bishop en¬
tered, following the committee. The procession of minis¬
ters 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 evergreens; it presented a delightful
and pleasant view; the audience was a superb one, pretty
dresses and lovely faces greeted the Bishops and the clergy¬
men when they entered. No finer display could have been
gathered anywhere, and no race but ours could have pre¬
sented such a magnificent variety; from the Mackest 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 plat¬
form with the Bishop and in and around the altar as far as
we can remember were the distinguished prelates and col¬
leagues, 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. Johnson, editor of the
Christian Recorder; Rev. T. W. Henderson, General Man¬
ager of the Book Concern; Rev. H. B. Parks, the successful
and intrepid Missionary Secretary; Prof. H. T. Kealing,
editor of the A. M. H- 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-Pre¬
siding Elders J. C. Brock and William Davis, Dr. W. A.
Credit of the Cherry Street Baptist Church; Dr. H. Phillips
of Shiloh Baptist Church; Dr. O'Connell, of the Bainbridge
Street M. E. Church and the lollowing ministers of the A.
M. E. Church: Rev. Levi J. Coppin D.D W. D Heath
d ' xt ' of Woodbury; P. F. Lloyd, Elijah Byrd, of
Rev. Ne™ 'Cooper, of the New Jersey Conference; Rev.
Gibbse;S^rgeant-at-arms of the Preachers' Meeting; Rev. J.
56
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
B. Stansberry, Rev Edwards, of Norristown; Rev. Christo¬
pher Jones, Rev. Cooper, Secretary of the Preachers' Meet¬
ing; Rev. H. H Pinckney, attache to the Christian Record¬
er'% office; ex-Presiding Elder Newcomb of New Jersey;
Rev. H C. C Astwood, Superintendent of Missions 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, who had been provided for the occasion, and Rev.
Theodore Gould was called upon to open the meeting with
prayer The venerable presiding elder and prelate offered
up an impressive and solemn invocation 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 im¬
portant 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 =n 1900. But
he never spoke more eloquently than he did upon this acca-
sion 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."
"This is the greeting, Bishop, of your followers here to-
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
57
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 Bainbndge Street
M. E. Church 1 his brilliant young man, commonly 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 participate in this
splendid gathering to help honor the great man of the occa¬
sion. His speech was eloquent, sentimental and grand, and
was loudly applauded. Rev. W. B. Creditt, the able and
popular pastor of Cht rry 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 fin¬
est outbursts of English eloquence ever pronounced by a
speaker. He could hardly proceed for the interrupting ap
plauses. 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 con¬
cluded amidst deafening rounds of applause. The poetic
and brilliant Prof. H. T. KLealing, 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-
58
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
ence with a remarkable piece of poetry, absolutely original,
read from a manuscript, entitled, "What is Meant by Travel¬
ing Six Thousand Miles." It was so beautiful in its por¬
trayal of Bishop Grant's voyage, experiences and shifting
scenes on board ship, in Africa and what he saw, ate and
experienced, that it was considered one of the most enter¬
taining and pleasant productions of the evening. Dr. L. J.
Coppin, pastor of Bethel Church, was then introduced; Dr.
Coppin who is always interesting and jolly pleaded the time
limit, and confined h mself to the reminiscences 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 Sec¬
retary ot 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 plat orm with a look of astonishment
and surprise; Dr. Parks is considered one of the most elo¬
quent 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 enthusiastic 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
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 sufficient to electrify his audience had he never ut-
trip to west Africa
59
ei^- '+h u' ^errick soared aloft and carried his
*rJf v. W1 Jm' turned to Bishop Grant, his colleague
° ui,e an -d-3,1^ a ^bute 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 Dreviously called
advanced to take his place, and like a steed ready for the
fray, nothing doubting, but seemingly anxious, he faced his
audience.
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 such a
speech. He startled the entire congregation. He said
though late, he was here to welcome a man he loved, ad¬
mired 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 procliv¬
ities 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 ad¬
mired 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
is one of the most c ^ ^ ^ coUeagues honQr him> ^
The church i p r he is venerated as the pet of the
next to Bii3 ^-shop Handy did not make a speech. He
connection. come t0 talk, he came to honor his colleague^
60
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
and after hearing 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 con¬
sidered it so difficult that he was going to stay here and con¬
tent 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 even¬
ing.
Bishop Petty, D.D. of the A. M. E. Z. 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 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 failed to express his grattitude 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 contribute 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 follows.
As soon as he stepped to the front, the ministers were upon
their feet, followed by the audience, like snow flakes a per¬
fect sea of white handkerchiefs were waving in the air.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
61
greeting the Bishop. A more enthusiastic ovation cannot be
imagined. When quiet was restored, Bishop Grant, stand¬
ing erect like a magnificent 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 himself, 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 passengerson board joined "God be with you
till we meet again." It would ever live in his merfiory. It
cheered him up when upon the deep He gave a splendid
description of his voyage and his experience abroad He
said he would not speak of Africa now, it was not oppor¬
tune. 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 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 differences be¬
tween the races, the distance between the white and colored
man, who was fast catching up, even the distance between our
condition 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
62
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
listened to eminent and eloquent preachers, he had visited
splendid homes, as well furnished and administered as ours,
but he meant 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 and France and England and Spain and 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 Afri¬
cans were tried for massacreing 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. Not¬
withstanding this, not one of these men met their death by
violence. That was a stinging rebuke to our Southern civil¬
ization. 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 woman, with pleasure, sadness and sat¬
isfaction upon her brow, a tear sometimes trickled down her
cheek. She is one of the most lovable and devoted women
of the nation. She is beloved by all who know her, she is
honored as few women are honored by the church. Mrs.
Fanny Jackson Coppin said of her last Sunday at Atlantic
City, that this women 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 are known
to be not only truthful, but revered and believed by the race
the country over. This woman 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.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
63
»-pi
e Pastor, who seemed dazed by success, could scarcely
now control himself He announced to the audience that
rC r^l . ents been prepared in the room below; he
would invite the audience to remain seated whilst the minis
ter and the 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 belo jv, we were greeted with a magnifi
cent 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, salads, fried
oysters, cakes, fruits and every delicacy of the season. The'
other guests were seated and served by the committee, and a
delightful 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 indiscrimi
nately 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 Philadelphia. The reception was a
grand success. We congratulate the doctor and the officers
and members of his church, the B shop 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,
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
The following interview with Bishop Grant appeared in the Phila¬
delphia 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. During the first four years
after his election he was placed in charge of Texas, Louisi¬
ana 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, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and South Caro¬
lina, 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 missionary
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 condition 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, and acquaintances and labor among heathens where
they speak two hundred languages just as different as English
Note—At the end of the 14th line, on page 65, ending
with the word "good" turn to page 51, beginning at fourth
fine— "it is said,"—and read to end of chapter on page 52.
This transposition was inadvertently made by the printer.
TRIP TO WBST AFRICA
65
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 Prot¬
estant missionary to every 125,000 Mohammedans. In the
Sahara there is 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 South¬
ern 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 as Christian sentiment has a right 10 expect from an
American protectorate. Besides, England owns the colonies
on both sides of Liberia. Her flag waves over 400,000.000
>eople. 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 Amer¬
ica 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 Deople and acquire wealth. The needs of Liberia are a
good educational system, practical and sound, wealth ener¬
getically 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
^°,a<pierity 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 fur-
tn'ii all the reliable men of that class that were needed."
66
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
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 auxious reporters at the crowded pier were 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
Atrica !" 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 Conferences "
The work in the Liberia Conference he reported in splen¬
did condition. In lis "Notes by the Way" the Bishop
gives an interesting and detailed account of the fields cov¬
ered by the two conferences and embraced in his recent visit.
His visits, labors and influence in the West African field have
inaugurated a new era in that territory, and the returns to
the church in consevuence 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 work¬
man, and to this individual he has entrusted the develop¬
ment 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
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
67,
-r e church as no other two characters in all our borders.
oth men are Southerners by birth, the one of South Caro-
in a and the other from Florida, but each has outgrown sec¬
tional environments and by works and worth has broadened
into a world embracing character. The powers and useful¬
ness of Bishop Grant have been shared and valued by the
church at home and in general for several years. By extend'
ing his labors and useiulness into Africa he vindicates the
wisdom of his brethren in elevating him to the post of re¬
sponsibility anagnitude which he fills with such grace, dig¬
nity and credit.
The honors and attention shown the Bishop while in Af¬
rica and in Fngland highly merit the appreciation of his ad¬
mirers and brethren everywhere In tendering him the
royal reception they did, the President and Liberian Cabi¬
net honored themselves and the A M. E. Church as well as
the episcopal guest thus favored. The rush of newspaper
reporters at Liverpool and New York for a sight of and in¬
terview with the distinguished churchman as soon as he
struck the 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. His graphic interview as published in the New
York Sun of Sunday last will be given our readers in the
Recorder of next week.
Viewed in the light of an undiscriminating public judg¬
ment, Bishop Grant ranks in the forefront of those broad-
guaged 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 returning him to the
hearts of his brethren and home ties.
68
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
SIX THOUSAND MILES.
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 thousand 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 you there,
The faithful wife's anguish, flowing free in the tear,
The whispered 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.
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.
TRIP TO WEST AFRICA
69
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;
You 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,
rlhey stick you with spears when you fail with your manners,
■\nd they dine on a missionary singing hosannas,—-
L When you travel six thousand miles,
stitch in time saves us nine other stitches,
l&SJkgt true, for they never wear breeches,
You offer them God but they a«k for a present,
They have to be "dashed'' before they '11 be pleasant,
Their greatest ot 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 restraint,
Six thousand miles —where the slave's sad complaint
Is borne on the sweet-sceiited air like a taint;
Six thousand miles o'er the frothy mouthed sea,
That tumbles and struggles and howls to be free
To swallow your \essel in maniac glee,
And toss vour cold body amid the debris,
You get this in six thousand miles.
70
BISHOP ABRAHAM GRANT'S
Some 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 on 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 show 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 frifnL,>'
For this you have traveled to earth's furthest «
And as we all loved you before you had '■"h—'»
And still would have loved you if death had bereft us,
So still do we love you, as on your returning
The glad grasp is tightening, the bright lights are burning.
Wh ile clergy join hands on 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 on 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!
The Bishop desires to thank all those who have sent tele¬
grams and communications congratulating him on his sale
return to America, feeling that said telegrams and commu¬
nications are too numerous to publish.
JBishop Grant brought back with liim one of the African idols,