OF THE
JERSEY G0RFEREN6E
OF THE
E. CH13^C
• Rev. Joseph. H. Morgan.
MORGAN'S HISTORY
OF THE
HIV JERSEY CONFERENCE
OF THE
A. M. E). (jHU^H,
From 18j2 to 1887,
AND OF THE SEVERAL CHURCHES, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE,
FROM DATE OF ORGANIZATION,
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE.
CAMDEN, N. J. :
S. CHEW, PRINTER, FRONT AND MARKET STREETS.
1887.
To my beloved wife and children, to the New Jersey A. M. E.
Conference and to African Methodism in general this work is
respectfully dedicated by
The Author.
AUTHOR'S PREJFAGE.
TxYHILE serving as recording secretary of the conference, I was
requested by the Rev. B. W. Arnett, financial secretary, to give
certain information concerning conference matters, the collecting
of which suggested the idea of preparing a short account of the
doings of conference since its organization. But after commenc¬
ing I found it a difficult matter to tell where to stop, so I con¬
tinued gathering facts until I found myself at a loss to know what
to do with them and almost concluded to give the thing up, as I
had lost my original idea in the multiplicity of matter collected.
In my perplexity I held a consultation with Editor B. T. Tanner,
of the A. M. E. Review, who advised that I continue collecting
and present it in book form to the Conference and Church, which
I have attempted to do. At the commencement I had no idea of
the difficulties awaiting me. I have found but one Church,
organized prior to 1820, that could give a detailed account of its
history from organization to date. That one is at Salem, N. J.,
and the information came through Bro. William Wilson, who is 86
years old, of good memory, and who had early become acquainted
with its history, being one of its leading officers in the time of its
great trials, together with sister Hannah Crosbey. In all -cases 1
nevertheless, we had to depend upon tradition, except as regards
conference reports, and even these gave very meagre accounts
and often conflicting. All of the history prior to 1872 depends
upon the Philadelphia Conference records. I am under many
obligations to financial secretary B. W. Arnett for suggestions
and assistance; also to Editor B. T. Tanner and Bishop J. P.
Campbell, both of whom gave me the privilege of using their
valuable collection of Church notes for research, comparison and
6
PREFACE.
proof. Mj thanks are also due to Rev. B. F. Combash and the
members of the New Jersey Conference, who have so cheerfully
answered my queries, with two exceptions, and they may have
honest cause for not so doing. As regards the figures and state¬
ments from 1872 to 1887 they are taken from the Conference
Journal and verified, and whatever effect they may have upon
the Braggadocios they are nevertheless true. My desire is in
regard to the work—that it may stimulate the Churches to a
more perfect system of making and keeping their history, and
that the members of the conference may be more accurate in
their conference reports. All should report for history rather
than for self and at the same time give to the conference, the
whole Church and the public in general such information as may
be valuable to them and their's.
J. H. MORGAN.
INTRODUCTION.
TT was fully five hundred years after the liberation of Israel
from the bondage of Egypt, that one of their first men wrote :
" Of making many books, there is no end." In one-twentieth of
the time, the same in all verity may be said of the colored people,
the Israel of America. True as this is of our whole people, it is
especially true of the men of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. How grandly are they treading in the footsteps of the
men of their illustrious predecessor and of their spiritual mother,
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Just as they lead their sister
white churches of the country, if not of the world, in the pro¬
duction of christian literature in general, even so do the men of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church lead their sister colored
churches on the same line. Nor let any be surprised at this.
Why should the parallel between this mother and daughter cease
here ? Have we not always and in every way kept time to the
music of Methodism, American or English ? No one, in any way
acquainted with our history, can deny so patent as well as so
potent a fact. This being so, it is in no way surprising that we
have taken to writing books. No year now passes by without
the appearance in some quarter of our widely extended denomi¬
nation, and from the pen of our own men, some pamphlet or
book ; and so true is it that the words of Solomon may now be
fitly quoted: " Of making many books, there is in no end."
Among the latest and most valuable is this History of the New
Jersey Conference. We are quite sure that it is a work of which the
members of that conference should be proud, and which the
members of her sister conferences should strive to emulate.
8
introduction.
Enough is said in its praise when it is declared that no confer
ence in the connection has anything like it, or even to compel"0
with it, if we except Kealing's " History of African Methodism in
Texas." Nor has the industrious writer left any phase
of its
history untouched. It is in every sense complete. More than
once was it our pleasure to cheer the writer on in the perform¬
ance of his goodly work, as well as encourage his conference to
come to his help when the work was completed. And now the
joy we have is in writing this Introduction preparatory to the
work of giving it to the public. Our sincere wish is that it ifiay
have a large and rapid sale. With this work accomplished, it is
the proud privilege of this comparatively small conference to say
to its larger sisters : Come on.
B. T. TANNER.
Office of A. M. E. Church Review.
August, 1887.
CHAPTER I.
BIOGRAPHIGAL.SKETGHES
OP FORMER AND PRESENT MEMBERS OP THE NEW JERSEY CON¬
FERENCE.
REV. J. C. AYLOR
Was born on the ninth day of August, in Isle of Wight county,
Va. At the age of fourteen his father put him at the carpenter's
trade, which he served for five years. In the year 1873 he went
into the State of Louisiana, in which State, through the influence
of the preached Gospel, he felt the keen arrows of conviction.
On the fifth day of August, 1874, at about twelve o'clock, he
experienced a radical change of heart. In the year 1875, after
having returned to Yirginia, he united with the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, in Suffolk, Va., in which church he was steward
( and class leader. He was examined and licensed to preach by
the Rev. Wm. B. Derrick, who was then acting as Presiding
Elder. In 1878 he entered the annual conference of the A. M.
E. Church, at Farmville, Va., which was presided over by Bishop
J. M. Brown. By him he was assigned to a charge. In 1880 he
was ordained Deacon by Bishop J. M. Brown. In 1881 he was
ordained Elder by Bishop D. A. Payne. He has held three
appointments, two in Virginia and one in New Jersey.
He was sent to a public school by his father two weeks, which
is the only primary schooling he ever received. But by close ap¬
plication, he sustained an examination as public school teacher,
in orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and
10
HISTOBY. OF THE N. J.
United States history. He taught three years prior to entering
the ministry, and two years afterward. During the five years
that he taught he studied theology. In 1880 he read Latin and
Greek privately, under the Rev. Mr. Burn, an English theologian.
Consequently, the two weeks schooling and the one year's pri¬
vate instruction in Latin and Greek is all the educational train¬
ing he had received. But by much prayer and close application,
when he took charge of the New Brunswick station, he was able
to comply with the rules of admission to the academy and is able
to read Greek, Hebrew and other branches of the curriculum suc¬
cessfully. He is the only colored man in the institution, being
made to forget that he is a negro, as there is no sign of prejudice
manifested.
J. H. ACCOOE.
J. H. Accooe was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He was taken up
in the interval of Conference by Bishop J. M. Brown, November
18th, 1876 ; was sent to Winchester Circuit, which was under the
jurisdiction of the Virginia annual conference ; has served Win¬
chester Circuit; Farmville Station, Ya.; Columbia, Pa.; was
ordained Deacon at Winchester, Ya., and Elder at Portsmouth,
Ya., in 1880. Both ordinations by Bishop J. M. Brown.
DAVID S. BAYARD
Was born February 28, 1853, Near Odessa, Delaware, New
Castle county. He is the son of Samuel and Susan Bayard.
There were eleven children in the family, ten boys and one girl.
His parents belong to the Asbury M. E. Church, but both died
while he was quite young. In 1874 he went to Camden, N. J.,
and settled, and was converted in Macedonia A. M. E. Church
under the administration of Rev. F. J. Cooper, February 22,1877,
and joined the above church same year, Rev. M. F. Sl^iby, pastor
in charge. April 5, 1881, he was licensed to exhort, under Rev.
J. W. Cooper. He was licensed to preach in 1884 by P. E., S.
B. Williams, and was received into the itinerant service of the
New Jersey Conference in April, 1886, at Camden, N. J.
Rev. David Bayard.
Rev. J. Height Bean
V. M. E. CONFEEENCE.
11
WILLIS BOWMAN
Was born in Marlboro, Monmouth county, January 1st, 1845.
Entered the New England Conference in 1868 and was appointed
to Plymouth, Mass. In 1869 he was sent to Lee Mission, and in
1870 was transferred to the New York Conference, and appointed
to Lockport Mission. In 1872-3 he served Oswego Circuit; in
1874-5 served Huntondon Circuit, L. I.; 1876-7 served Malone
circuit; in 1878 was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference ;
was appointed to Mt. Friendship Circuit; served two years. In
1880 was transferred by request to the New York Conference.
During this year, Bishop Brown gave him three appointments—
Morris Brown Mission four months, Unionville Circuit, Pa., three
months and the balance of the year was used up in serving out
the term of Rev. E. B. Davis, deceased, at Huntondon, L. I. In
1881-2 served Setauket, L. I., N. Y. In 1883 was transferred to
the New Jersey Conference and stationed at Washington, N. J.
He was ordained Deacon in 1872 by Bishop J. P. Campbell and
ordained Elder in 1878 by Bishop D. A. Payne.
REV. J. H. BEAN
Was born in New York City, April 26, 1837. His parents
settled in Camden, N. J., in 1842. His mother's maiden name
was Sarah Height, daughter of Gomorrow Height, of Bermuda,
West Indies, and Rosanna Height, of Eastern Shore, Md. His
father's name was Soloman W. Bean, of Bermuda, son of Samuel
and Letitia Bean.
John received his schooling in the city of Philadelphia, Pa.,
his first teacher being Rev. D. A. Payne, now Senior Bishop of
the A. M. E. Church. His second teacher was Soloman Clarkson,
third James M. Bird and fourth Charles Reason. He was ap¬
prenticed to a Mr. W. H. Riley to learn the boot and shoe trade
and was married September 1st, 1859, to Miss Anna Matilda
Bailey, of Philadelphia. After finishing his trade, he conceived
the idea of doing business for himself, and so entered into co¬
partnership with Joseph Wilson, his part of the contract being
to purchase the findings. Having purchased them, and being
12
HISTORY OE THE N. J.
elated with the prospects of being a business man, he stopped at
several hydrants and drank freely, and being somewhat overcome
lost his findings. He arrived home much depressed at the sudden
termination of his business operations. He concluded to follow
the sea and ran from Boston to Liverpool and London, then
around the Horn, trading in Calcutta and China, etc. Was con¬
verted in 1867, under the administration of Rev. Theodore
Gould. Was admitted in the ministerial ranks in 1874, New
Jersey Conference. Ordained Deacon in April, 1875, by Bishop
James A. Shorter. Ordained Elder April, 1879, by Bishop D. A.
Payne. At present he is conference book steward.
A. H. BROWN
Was born July 4th, 1838, in. Chester county, Pa. Experienced
a change of heart in Meeting Street A. M. E. Church, Provi¬
dence, R. I., in 1855 ; was licensed to exhort March 13, 1869, in
the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Penningtonville Circuit
of the A. M. E. Churchy Penningtonville, Pa., Rev. T. A. Cuff
then Presiding Elder. He was licensed to preach February 17,
1874, in the Macedonia A. M. E. Church, Camden, N. J., Rev.
Frisby J. Cooper, then Elder ; joined the Itineracy in 1874,
under Bishop J. A. Shorter, at Mt. Moriah A. M. E. Church, Mt.
Holly, N. J. ; was ordained Deacon in 1881, April 27, in Mt.
Pisgah A. M. E. Church, Princeton, N. J.
REV. R. H. COLEMAN
Was born in North Carolina—does not remember the year.
He was sold at nine years of age and taken to Florida, where he
remained until 1862, when he ran away with the Union Army
and staid with them three years. In 1865 he came North and
went to work on a farm in 1868, then taking to himself a wife.
He was converted when quite a youth and joined the M. E.
Church South. He joined the Bethel A. M. E. Church at Pat¬
terson in 1866, under Rev. Wilson Peterson, and was licensed to
exhort by Rev. John H. Jones in 1868 and was licensed to preach
by Rev. Robert F. Wayman. In 1875 he was taken up by Elder
Rev. F. J. Cooper.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
13
G. A. Mills and sent to Fair Haven. He was transferred to the
Philadelphia Conference in 1879 and remained in it five years,
and was transferred back to New Jersey Conference.
REV. F. J. COOPER.
Rev. Frisby John Cooper was born near Churchill, Queen Anne
county, Eastern Shore, Md., February 23, 1828. His father's
name was Robert Cooper, who was born in Easton, Talbot county,
Md., and bis mother's maiden name was Judith Tilghman, who
was born in Queen Anne county, Md. They were both slaves for
a term of years and were married in 1811. They had eleven
children. Six were born slaves ; the rest free. Frisby was the
second free-born.
In 1829 his father moved to Wilmington, Del., and. settled;
there he reared his family, securing for himself a comfortable
home. He sent his children to school, being a lover of education.
Frisby was careful in his studies. A white maiden lady by the name
of Martha Shields became quite interested in Frisby and volun¬
teered to educate him, and did pay all bills, and furnished books,
&c. The school was under the control of the Friends, incorpor¬
ated the African School Society by the Legislature of Delaware.
He passed successfully through all the common English branch¬
es, viz: arithmetic, geography, grammar, natural philosophy,
astronomy, algebra, geometry, geology, physiology, &c., and was
preparing to go to Oberlin, but was interrupted by the death of
his father, October 25, 1841. This sad event changed the plans.
His mother felt that she needed his help to support the younger
children. Her wishes were complied with, but he continued his
studies. Isaac S. Flint (white), the teacher, employed him as an
assistant teacher, at a fair compensation, with the privilege of
being taught. He studied Latin and Greek urrjler competent
private instructors. He for a few years worked in the brick-yard
in summer and taught a day and evening school in winter until
1854, when he was selected by the school directors, after exami¬
nation, to take charge of the school, and continued to teach it
consecutively until 1867, when he resigned and joined the Phila¬
delphia Conference.
On September 11, 1851, he married Miss Rebecca Perkins.
14
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
They were school children together, and have lived for and with
each other ever since. Being unfortunate with their own issue,
they have raised two foster children to manhood and womanhood,
and are dearly attached to them, and they in turn respect them
as dear parents.
He and his wife are very economical, not stingy, and are able,
now and then, to contribute something to our worthy poor and
needy educational institutions.
He was a charter member of Star of Bethlehem Lodge, No.
897, G. U. O. of O. F., organized 1846, and is a P. G. M. of
Council No. 5. He joined the Star In East Lodge, No. 1, F. A.
A. Masons, December 11th, 1850, and for several years was Grand
Secretary and Grand Master of Hiram Grand Lodge, and is now
P. H. Priest of Mt. Zion Chapter and P. G. Prelate of Grand
Commandery of Pennsylvania. He is P. G. Chaplain of Grand
Division Sons of Temperance State of New Jersey. He was con¬
verted and joined the church January 9th, 1853, and was useful
in every department called to act; he was trustee, steward,
superintendent in Bethel A. M. E. Church when it'was small and
despised, laboring with others to build it up and was not ashamed.
He was called to preach the gospel and was licensed by Rev. M.
F. Sluby March 12th, 1868. He joined the Philadelphia Annual
Conference, May, 1867; was ordained a deacon by Bishop A. W.
Wayman, May 26th, 1868, in Bethel A. M. E. Church, Philadel¬
phia, Pa. He was elected a local delegate to the General Con¬
ference which met in Washington, D. C., 1868. He was ap¬
pointed by Bishop A. W. Wayman to half of West Chester Cir¬
cuit, including Westtown, Unionville, Lambertown, under Elder
John C. Cornish.
In June, 1868, he was appointed by Bishop A. W. Wayman to
Columbia Station, Pa., including Wrightsville ; had a great revival
in Columbia.
On May 16th, 1869, he was ordained elder by Bishop J. P.
Campbell, in Bethel A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, Pa., and by
Bishop Campbell re-appointed to Columbia, Pa. During that
year he was examined by the County Superintendent of Public
Schools, received his certificate and taught the public school in
addition to his church work.
In 1870 he was secretary of the conference and was appointed
Rev, T. A. Cuff.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
15
by Bishop J. P. Campbell to Salem Station, N. J., with, the over¬
sight of Woodbury Circuit. He was blessed with a revival, hav¬
ing one hundred and fifty-six converts in five weeks; one hundred
and forty-four of them joined his church. In 1871 he was re¬
appointed by Bishop J. P. Campbell to Salem Station, N. J. In
1872 he was secretary of the conference, which met at Carlisle, Pa.
Jn June, 1872, the New Jersey Conference was organized and
in accordance with the arrangement he was a member of the New
Jersey Conference and was elected secretary. He was re-ap¬
pointed by Bishop A. James Shorter to Salem Station, N. J. Efe
bought a lot 80x266 feet, for a new church and collected material,
since which time a fine church has been erected by Rev. R. M.
Turner. He taught the public school in Claysville, N. J., besides
his church duties. In 1873 he was secretary of the conference
and was appointed by Bishop J. A. Shorter to Camden Station.
In 1874 he was secretary of the conference and was re-appointed
by Bishop James A. Shorter to Camden Station. In 1875 he
was re-appointed by Bishop James A. Shorter to Camden Sta¬
tion. He purchased two lots with houses next to the church so
as to have room to build a new church, which since has been
accomplished. He was elected delegate to General Conference
which met in Atlanta, Ga., May, 1876, and served on inyportant
committees; chairman on committee to ascertain who were legal
members of the General Conference.
In 1876 he was appointed by Bishop D. A. Payne to Morris-
town Station, N. J., and although the church was sold by the
sheriff, yet through the agency of the Y. M. C. Association and
the liberality of the citizens, it has been secured to the A. M. E.
Church forever, by the incorporation of a board of trustees, one
from our own, and alike from the other evangelical churches. In
1877 he was re-appointed to Morristown Station, N. J., by Bishop
D. A. Payne. In 1878 he was transferred by Bishop D. A. Payne
to the New England Conference.
THOMAS A. CUFF
Was born in Salem county, Lower Creek Neck, in 1838. He
is the son of Jonathan and Mary Cuff, and grandson of Beuben
Cuff, one of the founders of African Methodism. He was raised
16
HISTOEY OF THE N. J.
to the life of a. farmer until twenty-one years of age. His
parents were not members of the Church but would not allow
him to keep rude company and he became a moralist. When
thirteen years of age, while at home in Elsinboro, he was con¬
victed of his sins and converted, which resulted in the conviction
and conversion of his father, mother and nine other children,
all of whom joined the Old Mt. Pisgah Church under Israel
Scott, from which a large revival sprang and over two hundred
souls were converted and added to the church. He felt the call
to preach at this time, which call was very clear, but he did not
heed it and finally became indifferent to everything pertaining to
religion, but finally, at the house of a friend who was seeking
salvation, the spirit of the Lord fell upon him and he found
himself preaching and heard a voice commanding him to go
preach the gospel. From that time the Bible became an open
book to him. He was licensed to exhort and preach under the
Rev. Joshua Woodlin and was taken up in the interval of the
conference by Rev. John Cornich and appointed to Stroudsburg
Mission in 1860, being received in the Philadelphia Conference
of 1861 and appointed to Bordentown Circuit, where he re¬
mained one yejir and had quite a season of revival on the
circuit. In 1862 he was appointed to Langhorn Circuit, Pa.,
remaining one year. In 1863 he was appointed to Reading,
Pa., remaining two years, during which quite a revival was
had. In 1865 he was appointed to Oxford, Pa., remaining
two years. Then he took advantage of the college at that
place and assisted in teaching the preparatory department.
•He made considerable progress in the study of Greek and Latin
and at the same time was instrumental in building up the mem¬
bership. In 1867 he was appointed to Lancaster, Pa., remaining
two years and was successful in a soul stirring revival, where al¬
most as many white as colored persons were converted , to God.
The four points on the charge were left in good condition. In
1869 he was appointed to Bridgeton, N. J., at which place he re¬
paired the church, teaching school at the same time and adding
over seventy souls to the church. He recfeived more support
here than at any other place. In 1871 he was appointed to
Orange, N. J., but while preparing to take charge his child died
and while laying it away to rest he received a dispatch that the
Rev. J. W. Cooper, P. E.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
17
church was about to be sold. He raised $100 and paid it on ac¬
count in one week and sank the debt that year from $1,700 to
$700 and made arrangements to raise by circulars the next year
$1000 but did not have time to collect circulars. In 1873 he was
appointed to Railway and paid $400 on the church debt. In
1874 he was appointed to Princeton, wh^ere a grand work was
done. He had the church rough coated and painted, bought a
house and lot for a parsonage, repaired it, paid a good portion of
the debt, leaving $100 in bank to meet the next payment, and
added one hundred and seventy odd members to the church. He
remained three years. In 1877 he was appointed to Morristown,
N. J., and another season of revival was had. In 1878 he was
appointed to New Brunswick,where he was successful in increas¬
ing the membership of the church, and succeeded in creating a
revival of the interest in behalf of the church, which was in great
danger of being sold, and organized a mission at Bound Brook.
In the spring of 1880 he was transferred to Philadelphia Con¬
ference.
J. W. COOPER, P. E.
Was born March 4,1840, in Burlington, Burlington county, N.J.
He entered the New York Conference in 1867, was appointed to
Oswego Mission and returned in 1868. In 1869 he was appointed
to Freehold, N. J., then in the New York Conference. He was
returned in 1870. In 1871 he was appointed to Buffalo, was
returned in 1872. In 1873 he was appointed to Melrose Circuit,
returned in 1874. In 1875 he was appointed to Coxsockie Cir¬
cuit, in 1876 to Albany, N. Y., being reappointed in 1877. In
1879 he was transferred to the New Jersey Conference and
stationed at Camden; was reappointed in 1880-81. He was
moved during his third year and sent to Salem, N. J., to fill a
vacancy, being returned in 1882. In 1883, at the session of con¬
ference, he was appointed by Bishop J. M. Brown to Presiding
Eldership over the Newark district.
2
18
HISTORY OP THE N. J.„
REV. DAVID R. CROSHON
Was born on Staten Island, N.' Y., February 15, 1834, and
embraced religion in bis native place. In 1855 be joined the
A. M. E. Zion Church, Edward Matthews then pastor. He
received license to exhort in same church by the same pastor.
He removed to Elizabeth in 1863, and joined the A. M. E. Church
of that place. He received local preacher's license under W. H.
Boss and joined the New York Conference as a local member in
1871. He became a member of the New Jersey Conference in its
setting off, by virtue of jurisdiction. In 1880 he was taken up
by Presiding Elder Faucett, and sent to Orange to fill out the.
unexpired term of Eev. Harper ; was returned the following year
and built the pregtent church. He was ordained Deacon at
JMorristown in 1882, by Bishop J. M. Brown.
REV. JORDAN H. CHRISTMAS
Was born at Farmville, Va., Prince Edwards Co., August 15,
1858. He was converted when fifteen years old in the A. M. E.
Church, in the above named place. He was licensed to exhort
by P. E., J. W. Cooper, at first quarterly conference at Orange, in
1885, and licensed to preach in 1886 by same P. E.
BURGOYNE FREEMONT CUFF
Was the grandson of Beuben Cuff, who was one of the founders
of the African Methodist Episcopal connection, and also one of
the founders of the A. M. E. Church in Salem, New Jersey. Bur-
goyne F. Cuff was born in Quinton, Salem county, New Jersey,
) August 30th, 1858, his parents being Burgoyne and Pru¬
dence Cuff. They did all that lay in their power toward giv¬
ing their son a good common school education, and also taught
him the holy scriptures. He was always seen in the church and
Sabbath-school whenever it was so that he could get there and
always took an active part in the printing of the lessons on the
board for the school. At the age of eighteen years he embraced
Rev. M. M. Dent.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
19
the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, under the administration of
Key. William Stiles, then pastor of the Mt. Pisgah A. M. E.
Church, York street, Salem, N. J. He then joined the church
and six months after was read in a full member by said pastor.
Three years afterward h« was called to the work of the ministry >
but he did not yield to the calling till seven years later, when he
said, " I feel to be a delinquent before God; that is, I feel that I
have not done what God intended for me to do as soon as I
should have." Then on Thursday evening, September 3rd, 1885,
he preached his trial sermon from Daniel, fifth chapter, part of
the eleventh verse, and on the following Monday,i September 7th,
1885, he was examined for local preacher's license, before the
Quarterly Conference, and by Rev. S. B. Williams, then P. E.
and pastor at Salem Station. Seven months later the New Jer¬
sey Annual Conference went into session at Camden, N. J., and
the members of the Quarterly Conference of Salem recommended
B. F. Cuff as a suitable person to be admitted on trial in
the traveling connection. At said conference held in Camden,
which was from April 22d to April 29fch, 1886, he received his
A first appointment from Bishop R. H. Cain to Beverly Mission,
Burlington county, N. J., where he went and stayed one year
and succeeded in paying off the debt on the church property. He
also organized a Sabbath-'schOol among them. Then at the next
conference, which was held in Trenton, from April 20th to April
26th, 1887, he received his second appointment from Bishop A.
W. Wayman to Elizabeth Station, N. J., and was also ordained
Deacon by said Bishop, on May 8, 1887, at Orange, N. J,
REV. M. M. DENT
Was born in Bushtown, N. J., September 10, 1840. He was
converted in Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church of the above named
place, in 1858, and received exhorter's license under Rev. Walter
Thompson, in 1870, and preacher's license by Rev. I. J. Hill, in
1872. He entered the New Jersey Conference at Bridgeton, N.
J., in 1883, and was ordained deacon in 1886, at Camden, by
Bishop J. P. Campbell.
20
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
REV. J. T. DIGGS,
PRESIDING ELDER OF NEWARK DISTRICT.
Rev. J. Thomas Diggs was born in King and Queen county,
Virginia, August 2d, 1847. In early childhood it was observed
that he was a bright, intellectual boy. He was sent North by
his father and was adopted in the family of J. C. Tiffany, of
Coxsackie, New York. In 1866 he was converted to God and
vjoined the A. M. E. Church at, the above named place. In '68
he was made sensible of his being called to preach the gospel.
In '71 he was licensed to preach by Revs. H. J. Rhodes and J,
G. Mobray. In '72 he was taken up by Elder T. A. Cuff, of
Orange, N. J., and was put on jnission work at Bloomfield, N. J.,
a short distance from Newark, which brought him into the New
Jersey Conference at its first regular session, which was held at
Bridgeton, N. J. He received his first appointment by Bishop
J. A. Shorter to Quinn Chapel, Navesink, N. J., the Rev. Joshua
Woodlin being Presiding Elder. He had a very successful
year. In '74 he was appointed to Pennington, N. J. In '75 he
was ordained deacon by said Bishop, at conference assembled at
Macedonia Church, Camden, and reappointed to Pennington
Circuit, during which time he attended the Pennington Methodist
Seminary. In '76 he was appointed by the above named Bishop
to Yorktown Station, at which place he labored two years suc¬
cessfully. In '78 he was appointed to Woodbury Circuit by
Bishop D. A. Payne and succeeded in relieving the A. M. E.
Church, at that place, of a heavy debt, which at the time of his
appointment was under the Sheriff's unmerciful hammer. In
'80 he was appointed by the same Bishop to Elizabeth Circuit,
where the church property had been lost and the congregation
scattered- He succeeded in gathering the people and securing a
place to worship. In '81 he was ordained Elder by Bishop J.
M. Browne in conference assembled at Princeton, N. J., and was
appointed to Cape May Circuit. There God blessed his efforts
in enlarging the church and freeing the property of debt and
also liquidating the debt of Cold Spring Ohurch. He also had
the pleasure of entertaining the Bishop's Council there in '82.
In '83 he was appointed by Bishop J. M. Browne to Morristown
Rev. John T. Diggs.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
21
Circuit, with Madison Mission attached. During the two years
of his stay there the membership was greatly increased at
Morristown and over double at Madison, at which place he
secured a lot on which a church was built the next year. In '85
he was appointed Presiding Elder of the New Brunswick district
by Bishop R. H. Cain and stationed at Fisk Chapel, Fair Haven,
N. J., where the church and Sabbath-school were much improved
and almost freed from debt. In '86 he was elected recording
secretary of the New Jersey Conference and appointed by said
Bishop, Presiding Elder of the Newark district and stationed at
Bethel Church, Newark, N. J. In '87 he was reappointed by
Bishop A. W. Wayman to the district and charge.
REV. ISRAEL DERRICKS
Was born in West Indies, in December, 1848, and was con¬
verted in 1865. He was called to the work of saving souls in
1875, and began to prepare for said work in 1875 at Greenwich.
He entered Boston University in 1876, and graduated number
nine in a class of twenty-seven in 1879. He was married to Miss
Georgie Bowser, of Boston, in March, 1880. He entered the
ministry in the New England Conference at Providence, R. I., in
1877, and was sent to Plymouth, Mass., where he staid two years.
He supplied Good Hope Station, Hot Springs, Arkansas, thirty
days and was in the South Arkansas Conference three years.
JAMES EVANS
Was licensed to preach in Washington, D. C., in 1879, while a
member of the S. M. E. Church. He left Washington and came
to Orange August 15, 1881, and joined the A. M. E. Church
there. He was taken up July 26, 1883, by Presiding Elder J. W.
Cooper, and sent to Paterson. Ther& he found that the A. M. E.
Church had been carried over to the M. E. connection by Eev.
W. Rodgers. Seven lady members were all he "could find cling¬
ing to the old connection. After a short stay he was sent to
Elizabeth, N. J., to fill out the unexpired term of Rev. E. P.
Grinage, who had left for the South.
22
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
REV. R. FAUCETT.
Redmon Faucett was born on Ooates street, (now Fairmount
avenue), in Philadelphia, Pa,, near where the old A. M. E. Union
Church was located, and almost within its shadows. His parents
were staunch lovers of the doctrines and teachings of the A. M.
E. Church, and it can be said of him that he nursed African
Methodism at the same time he received nutriment from hia
mother's breast. His earliest recollections are connected with
the Sabbath-school and church. At an early period he was sent
to public school; he has said that he has no recollection of
when he could not read. At ten years of age he was well posted
in the various branches then taught, viz ; reading, writing, arith¬
metic, grammar, geography and history. When his father died,,
which occurred before he was thirteen years of age, his mind
was well stored with useful knowledge. Indeed, so well pleased
was his teacher, Mr. Murray, that he presented him with a
treatise on geometry and a case of mathematical instruments.
Brother Faucett early gave himself up to the Sabbath-school
work. Many of his youthful years were spent as a scholar,
teacher and superintendent. The importance and benefit of
early Sabbath-school training is shown by an event that took
place in his life. At one of the meetings of teachers connected with
the A. M. E. Union Church, it was considered whether other than
Christians ought to be allowed to have classes and teach. Brother
Faucett argued that only such as were Christians should teach;
but the majority of his fellow teachers thought otherwise and it
was so decided. The result was, that he was retained in the
, school as a teacher, and often has he expressed thanks to God
and his fellow teachers for the conclusion. " For," said he," one
Sabbath, having gone through the lesson, I was as usual engaged
in applying it to my scholars, when, as if a voice^spoke, I was.
impressed in this-wise, "If the lesson is good for the scholar why
not for you." This impression never left him, though he did
not at once give heed to it.
Mr. I. C. Weir, as his friend and superintendent, interested
himself very much in his religious training, and often used to ex¬
press himself in writing to him. This, together with the minis-
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
23
trations of Elder, now Bishop, Jabez P. Campbell, who was ap¬
pointed to the charge of Union A. M. E. Church, won him over
to the cause of the Saviour. One Sabbath Elder Campbell
preached from Judges, fifth chapter and twenty-third verse:
" Curse ye Meroz, saith the angel of the Lord; curse ye bitterly
the inhabitants thereof; because they come not to the help of
the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty." This de¬
cided him; he could no longer be an enemy to God, who was so
good and gracious to him, no longer could he be indifferent. He
determined to go on the Lord's side. By the advice of his friend,
Mr. Weir, he attended class. Said Brother Faucett, when I en¬
tered the door of the church, I resolved that all my associates
and worldly interests that were contrary to the will of my Saviour
should be left on the outside. In a word, I consecrated myself to
God. Since then no desire have I had to again be entangled with
them. On the next Sunday, after Elder Campbell had finished
preaching Brother Faucett advanced to the altar and asked him
" If he could join the church." Of course he was gladly taken in,
and from that time became an active worker. Brother Faucett
was made a local preacher by Elder Campbell. At an annual
conference held in Salem, New Jersey, he was ordained local
deacon by Bishop Willis Nazarey. While in a local capacity,
under the Rev. A. L. Stanford, Bro. Faucett built up a fine con¬
gregation at Nineteenth and Spring Garden street. He attended
to it until he went into the itineracy. His first active appoint¬
ment was from Bishop Campbell, who appointed him to Burling-
1 ton Circuit; but prior to this he had received, at the hands of
Bishop A. W. Way man, who held conference at Princeton, N. J.,
the appointment to Bridgeton. The second year of his itinerant
life, he was at the session of the Philadelphia Conference, held
at Bethel Church, Philadelphia, and there was made Elder, to¬
gether with Revs. Frisby, J. Cooper and Joseph Nelson. He
served as Missionary Secretary of the Philadelphia Annual Con¬
ference until he asked to be one of the members selected to form
the New Jersey Annual Conference. From that time until the
present he hag been an active member of the New Jersey Annual
Conference, and has filled most of the important appointments.
He was a firm believer in the working of a practical Presiding
Eldership, which position he held for three years, then resigned,
24
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
as he and his superior officer, Bishop J. M. Brown, could not
agree about its relative duties and responsibilities. He was
married bj Bishop Campbell to Miss Annie E. Leambn, of Phil¬
adelphia, by whom a family of several children were born. He
held the position of Secretary of the New Jersey Conference
until he declined longer to serve. As a preacher he is plain and
practical, not given to much theorizing, but more desirous of
impressing the heart and conscience of his hearers. As a friend
and brother, it can be said that he never betrayed a friend nor
forsook a brother. He has been honored by being appointed
one of the fraternal delegates representing the A. M. E. Church
at the next general conference of the A. M. E. Zion Church.
CHARLES CRAWFORD GREEN
Was born in Caroline county, Eastern Shore, Md., March 14,
1832. He was licensed to exhort by Rev. Joseph H. Smith, at
the quarterly conference held at Springtown, N. J., December
18, 1860. In 1864 he was licensed to preach in the quarterly
conference held in Trinity A. M. E. Church, Gouldtown, by Rev.
Joshua Woodlin. He moved from Springtown to Orange in
1866. In 1868 he was taken up by the Rev. Joshua Woodlin
and sent to Sag Harbor, Long Island. There he served until
conference. At the New York Conference of 1868 he was re¬
ceived on trial and appointed to East Chester, N. Y., by Bishop
A. W. Wayman. In 1869, conference^ convened in Albany, N.
Y. From this he was reappointed to Sag Harbor. In 1870 he
was appointed to Lockport, N. Y., by the Right Rev. Bishop J.
P. Campbell. In 1871 he was ordained Deacon by Bishop
Campbell and appointed to Kinderhook Circuit, N. Y. In 1872
he was appointed to Amityville by Bishop Campbell. In 1873,
at the conference sitting in Fleet street, Brooklyn, he was trans¬
ferred to the New Jersey Conference, and stationed at Penning¬
ton, N. J. At the conference of 1877, held in Trenton, he was
left without work, notwithstanding his character passed and all
his reports were fair. In 1880, at the session of conference in
Salem, he was appointed to Washington, N. J., where he took
charge July 4th. He there completed the church which frame
had been put up during the previous year.
Rev. C. H. Green.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
25
CHARLES HENRY GREEN
Was born at Newark, New Castle county, Del., November 13,
1833. His parents were slaves, and owned at the time by Alex¬
ander Crawford. At the age of nine years he was sold with his
mother to a Mr. Yandegrift. He was sold by the pound, the
price being eleven dollars per pound. He remained with Mr.
Yandegrift until quite a large boy. He was then sold to Mr.
Eikels. This man being a poor man and deeply in debt, was
soon after sold out. Charles went back to Mr. Yandegrift, who
then hired him out until he was a young man. He was converted
and joined the M. E. Church. This so angered his master that
he sold him a second time. This time out of the State to a
trader, for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. While the trader
was waiting for the expiration of Charles's time, for which he had
been hired, Charles heard of the sale, and, to use a cant phrase,
took leg bail for security, and left for Canada by the " Under¬
ground Railroad." Stopping at the first station, Philadelphia,
he was directed to Dr. C. Bias, by whom he was married to his
present wife, then Miss Cathrine Grose, of Philadelphia, Prof.
Chas. L. Reason, now principal of the Forty-first Street Colored
School, New York, doing the honors as best man. From Phila¬
delphia he was sent to New York City, and from there to Albany,
N. Y., from there to Syracuse, N. Y. Here he was directed to
the Rev. J. W. Lognen, who sent him and his wife to the country,
where they remained until the following April, then left for
Canada. They remained there five years and connected
themselves with the A. M. E. Church. In 1859 he returned to
the United States and settled in Syracuse, New York.
There being no A. M. E. Church there, he joined the A. M. E.
Zion Church by certificate. He became a class-leader, and in
1863 was licensed to preach. He was a lay delegate to a number
of their conferences. In 1870 he united with the A. M. E.
Church at Auburn, N. Y., under Rev. J. G. Mowbry. In 1872 he
attended the A. M. E. Conference, at Weeksville, N. Y., where he
was taken up by Bishop James A. Shorter and sent to the
Rochester Mission. There being no church organization, he
organized a society of twelve members and a Sabbath-school of
26
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
thirty members. He was forced to work four days in the week
for the support of his family, and attend the Mission the best he
could. At the next conference he was brought before the com¬
mittee on examination but was left in the hands of the Bishop
who returned him to the Rochester Mission. During this year
he hired a hall to worship in at a cost of one hundred and
twenty-five dollars a year, and went out as agent for his church,
in the meantime selling books and the Christian Recorder. He
succeeded in placing one hundred dollars in the bank to the
credit of Rochester Mission Church, which still remains in
bank. At the next conference, held at Binghampton, he
was received on trial and sent to Flushing, L. I. There he
succeeded in paying three hundred and fifty dollars on a
debt of one thousand dollars : he also left one hundred and
; I
seventy-five dollars in bank for repairs on the Flushing Church.
At the following conference, held in Sullivan Street Church, N.
Y., he was recommended by the Rev. J. M. Williams, his elder,
for Deacon's orders, and was ordained and sent back to Flushing
with Weeksville attached. At the conference of 1876 he was
appointed to Glen Cove, L. I., and there remained a few months,
when at his own request he was removed by Bishop D. A. Payne.
He then became agent for the Melrose Church, which was about
to be sold. At the next conference, which was held in Oswego,
N. Y., he was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference and
appointed to Mount Friendship, Del., the State in which he
was formerly a slave. Here he found an old church which
had been built some twenty years but had never been com¬
pleted or dedicated. He completed the same at a cost of
three hundred and ten dollars, and had it dedicated by the
Rev. B. T. Tanner, editor of the Christian Recorder, in 1877.
The entire indebtedness was raised on that day, Dr. Tanner
officiating all day. A notable feature upon this occasion was that
of an old man between seventy-five and eighty years of age, who
united with the church. During this same year he built a church
at Blanco, Del., this church having been burned down during the
war. At the next conference he was ordained elder by Bishop
D. A. Payne, and sent to Smyrna, Del. Having the oversight of
two licenciates, he raised three hundred and twenty-nine dollars
for his own church, and assisted his licenciates to raise money
Rev. Theodore Gould.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
27
for their churches. At the next conference, held at Reading,
Pa., he was stationed at Reading, where he paid off the debt of
$1300. The church liere at this time was in the Sheriff's hands.
He was next transferred to the New Jersey Conference^ and
stationed at Burlington, N. J. He served part of two years
during which time he was appointed agent for Paul Quin Chapel.
REV. THEODORE GOULD.
Theodore Gould was born in Bridgeton, Cumberland county,
New Jersey, August 12, 1830. November, 1846, he was received
inj;o the A. M. E. Church, at Gouldtown, near Bridgeton, by
Deacon A. W. Way man, now Bishop. He did not express
saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ until the fall of 1850, but
during the four yeairs he was greatly exercised in mind land spent
much time in reading his bible and in solitude. He spent hours
upon his knees in prayer out in the woods, in the barn, in his
chamber, even until midnight, wrestling with God for that peace
which the world cannot give. " Baxter's Saint's Rest" was of
great comfort to him, and " Pilgrim's Progress " reflected much
light upon the promises of God, aided by the Holy Spirit.
While kneeling at a chair in his father's house, he witnessed the
change of heart. A short time after he sought and found the
witness of the spirit. He was exercised upon by the spirit to
hold meetings and exhort sinners to repent. His first meeting
was held in the same room where he was converted ; the next
was at Jonathan Gould's ; he gave out the hymn in the old A. M,
E. hymn book, page 302 :
"Come, ye that fear the Lord,
And listen while I tell
How narrowly my feet escaped
The snares of death and hell."
He read the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, " Who hath believed
our report," etc. A great revival broke out, the church was
opened and several weeks were spent in revival meetings. Dur¬
ing the meetings a number of young people from Salem came to
Gouldtown to visit; several were convicted and some converted,
and the fire was carried to their home. He went to Salem and
28
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
"worked several weeks in a revival meeting, where many souls
were blest.
In 1851 he was licensed to exhort; in 1853 was licensed to
preach ; in 1859 he was ordained a local deacon and was taken
up by Bishop Quinn and appointed to the Danville Circuit,
Pennsylvania, which comprised Danville, Bloomsburg, Wilkes-
barre, Abington Centre and Mt. Rose. This circuit was one hun¬
dred and twenty-five miles in distance, which had to be traveled
back and forth. This was a successful year and many souls were
added to the charge. It is now in the Pittsburg Conference
under three appointments.
In May, 1860, he was appointed to Princeton Circuit, which
comprised Princeton, Rocky Hill and the Mountain. He organ¬
ized a society at Millstone. The church at Princeton, 'whose
foundation had been laid by Rev. S. Logan, had its corner-stone
laid the week after conference and the work carried on to com¬
pletion. He served this circuit three years. At the close of this
term Bishop Nazery remarked that the A. M. E. Church, at
Princeton, had not been in so flourishing a condition since the
days of Henry Turner, who had twelve years previously been
pastor. In preparing for conference he was waited upon by one
of the elders of the colored Presbyterian Church, and asked to
serve them, and they made him very liberal offers. He said,
" No ; God forbid that I should tear down that which I built up."
In May, 1863, he was appointed to Burlington, New Jersey.
He served three years on this circuit. During his pastorate God
blessed his labors. Revival services were held at each point;
many souls professed faith in Christ and the membership was
nearly doubled. The new church at Mt. Hol^r, which was in the
course of erection and had been blown down by a tornado, was
rebuilt larger and more substantial. It was all paid for except a
few dollars. At Evesham the foundation and corner-stone of a
new church were laid. The lumber was nearly all on the ground
and paid for and the money in the treasury with which to pay
the carpenters. The debt which had hung over the Burlington
church like a pall was nearly lifted. A lot adjoining it, with two
houses, was purchased; one for the parsonage, the other to be
torn down and the space occupied to be added to the graveyard.
The work of an incendiary laid both houses in ashes, but the
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
29
lot has proven to be valuable church property. Transferred to
Philadelphia Conference.
REV. S. C. GOOSLEY
Was born at Liverpool, N. S., September 26, 1834. His father
was a Wesleyan minister, who died at the age of fifty-seven. He
spent three years in the common school of Liverpool, and five
years at the academy. He served a term of years at the paint¬
ers', grainers', glaziers' and paper-hangers' trade. He studied
navigation and pursued maratime pursuits several years as navi^
gator. In 1859 he was appointed to teach in the public school
at Port-de-La-Lour, Shelburn county, Nova Scotia. In the same
year he was licensed to preach in the British Methodist Episco¬
pal Church, at Liverpool. There, under the Zion A. M. E,
Church, he taught school and preached in Port-de-La-Lour until
November, 1864. He then attended and graduated from the
Normal Provincial College, at Liverpool. He accepted a call to
teach in the public school at Liverpool, his native town, where
he taught and preached three years. In the latter part of the
third year he corresponded with Bishop Willis Nazery, of Onta¬
rio, Upper Canada, and requested him to organize the British M.
E. Church, or the Nova Scotia Conference, and at the same time,
by proxy, receive the Demerara British West India Conference.
Rev. J. G. Urling and others, at this conference, which was held
in July, 1867, were ordained deacons by Bishop Nazery. Bro,
Goosley was ordained in 1868 by Bishop Nazery and appointed
to Halifax. In September he taught the colored grammar
school, and at the same time held the pastoral charge of the
Zion B. M. E. Church for three years. This church had only
fourteen members and was without a parsonage, but when he left
it it had a membership of ninety-five and a fine parsonage and
other improvements. In July, 1870, he was transferred, on
account of poor health, to the Ontario Conference, and was sta¬
tioned at Chatham, where he taught school and held the pastoral
charge for years, with much success. In this charge he also
built a parsonage. He was also appointed to the Hamilton
charge, Canada, where he remained two years. In July, 1874, he
BO
HISTORY 01? THE N. J.
went to South Carolina and supplied the M. E. Church, at Col¬
umbus, one year. In the same year he was admitted into the
South Carolina Conference of the A. M. E. Church by Bishop
Campbell, and was appointed to Winnsboro, there remaining two
years. He contracted and built a parsonage and was chosen
as Grand Worthy Chief Templar of Independent Order of Good
Templars of the world. Through his influence forty-five Lodges,
sixteen Juvenile temples, and six degree temples were instituted,
in all comprising nearly six thousand members. In 1878 he was
appointed pastor of the A. M. E. Church, at Aiken, S. C. In
1879-80 he was appointed Presiding Elder, by Bishop J. M.
Brown, over the Saulsbury District, with good success. In 1880
he was elected delegate to the General Conference, held in St.
Louis. After the session of said conference, by request, he was
transferred to the New England Conference, and was stationed at
New Haven. He was again transferred to the New Jersey Con¬
ference to supply Salem Station, which had been made vacant
by Rev. A. J. Chambers. In 1882, by request of Presiding Elder
Faucett, he supplied Bethel Church, Newark, until the session of
conference. In April, 1883, by request and ill health, he was
granted a partial rest. He supplied New York Mission, reorgan¬
ized Paterson Mission, and Long Branch Station, and at the
present time is the appointed pastor of Bordentown and Cross-
wicks, as the supply to Rev. Horace Talbert, who was transferred
to the New York Conference.
REV. W. W. GRIMES
Constituted a former member of the New Jersey Conference ;
was born in Alexandria, Fairfax county, Ya., September, 1824.
He entered the church in 1843, was licensed to exhort in 1853,
and licensed to preach in 1854. He joined the Baltimore Con¬
ference in 1855, and was appointed to Smyrna Circuit, being re¬
appointed in 1856. During these two years he built a church at
New Castle county, " Moses Chapel," rebuilt Mt. Friendship and
organized and built Grimes' Chapel. He organized Dixon Chapel,
bought and paid for the ground ; organized Paul's Church, near
Clark's Corners ; bought the ground for the church ; organized
St. James' Chapel, near Felton, and bought the church ; and laid
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
31
the corner-stone for a new church at Carlton Neck. In 1857 he
was appointed to the Eastern Circuit, and was put in jail for
being in Maryland. From there he was transported out of the
State as an abolitionist. In 1858 he was appointed to Frederica
Circuit, Del., and in 1859 to Lewistown, Pa. He built a large
church at Belfonie, Pa.; organized and built a church at Altoona,
and in 1860 was re-appointed. In 1861-62 he was appointed to
New Bedford, Mass. In 1863 he was appointed to New Haven,
Conn., and there paid over a thousand dollars on church debt.
In 1864 he was appointed to Albany, N. Y., and re-appointed in
1865 ; there he paid a floating debt of three hundred dollars. In
1866 he was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference, and was
appointed to the Woodbury Circuit, being re-appointed. In
1867 he was appointed to the Bordentown Circuit. In 1868 he
organized and built the church at Hightstown ; also organized
the society at Crosswicks and purchased the ground. In 1869-
70, he held charge, at Snow Hill Circuit. He built Hosanna
Church in East Camden, and paid off the debt of Snow Hill Cir¬
cuit. In 1871-72 he was appointed to Penningtonville Circuit. He
paid off the debt on Zion Church and commenced Bethel Church.
In 1873-74 he was appointed to Attleborough. In 1875 to Mt.
Pisgah. In 1877-78 he was appointed to Camden, Del. In 1880
he had no appointment. In 1881-82 he was appointed to Atglen
and re-appointed in 1882-83. He also built St. Paul's Chapel,
Coatesville.
REV. ALFRED C. GARRISON
Was born in Monmouth county, N. J., April 28, 1846. He
embraced religion in San Francisco, California, and joined the
A. M. E. Church in the same city, under the Rev. T. M. D. Ward,
(now Bishop) ; was baptized by him in the San Francisco Bay.
He received exhorter's license at Long Branch, N. J., in April,
1874, under the pastorate of the Rev. W. H. Rodgers. The same
year he received preacher's license under Rev. Redmon Faucett,
at Trenton, N. J. He entered the itinerancy at Camden, N. J.,
in 1875 ; was stationed on Millville Circuit. In 1877 he was sent
to Fair Haven Circuit. In 1878 he was transferred to the New
York Conference and was stationed at Melrose. In 1879 he held
32
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
charge at Coxsackie, N. Y.; there he remodeled the church at the
cost of four hundred dollars, and paid for the same. In 1880,
he was transferred to the New Jersey Conference and sent to
Long Branch, and built the church out of which he was buried.
He was transferred to Long Branch at his own request, so anx¬
ious was he for the cause of his Master and Ihe connection he
loved. There was then no organization at Long Branch, but on
the 29th of . , 1880, he organized ten persons into
church relationship. During the month of August of the same
year, ground was purchased and paid for in cash. On the nine¬
teenth of the same month the corner-stone was laid, the oration
being delivered by Rev. T. McCant, Steward, assisted by P. E.,
S. B. "Williams. It is 32x58, Gothic in style, with a belfry. The
first service was held in the church on Easter Sunday, 1881. He
was re-appointed the following year. In 1882 he was stationed
at Orange, N. J. ; staid but part of the year, and was then trans¬
ferred to Philadelphia Conference and stationed at Morris Brown
Mission. In the following year was again transferred to the
New Jersey Conference and stationed at Gouldtown. He was
ordained deacon by Bishop D. A. Payne, in 1878. Ordained
elder by Bishop J. M. Brown in 1881, at Princeton, N. J.
REV. W. H. HOPKINS
Was born in Talbert county, Md., December 15, 1820. He
was bound out at an early age as an apprentice to a carpenter,
but was'put out on a farm, so he did not get the promised trade.
His father was a slave, and his mother died soon after his inden¬
ture. He was converted at or about nineteen years of age, but
was in no hurry to join church. At that time the M. E. Church,
colored, was located in East Talbert county, but his preference
was the A. M. E. Church. On July 18, 1844, he took to himself
a wife in the person of Miss Tillman. In 1846 he joined the A.
M. E. Church, and in six months he became leader of a class. A
short time after he received a license to exhort under Rev. Jacob
Moore. Two years afterward he was licensed a local preacher.
There seemed to be a backwardness or bashfulness about him at
this time which prevented him doing his whole duty to God and
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 33
man. This, however, he overcame by fasting and prayer. He
was a member of a vocal musical association and sang in a choir,
but this was rather inconvenient for him as he was often called
from the gallery to the pulpit. In 1850 he moved to Baltimore,
Md., and joined Bethel Church, Saratoga street. Rev. W. H.
Jones was then pastor. Two years after, while visiting the
annual conference, it then being in want of members, he Was
recommended to the conference by the Bev. J. B. Y. Morgan, then
pastor of Bethel. At this conference he was appointed to
Cumberland Mission by Bishop W. Nazery. While there he
organized a society at Hancock, bought a lot and commenced to
build, but was succeeded by Bev. W. H. Bussell, who completed
the church. In 1855 he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Paul
Quinn and sent to Lewistown, Del. On account of his coming
frbm another State he had rather a hard time during the year,
as he was liable to be put in jail and unless five white citizens
would vouch for his good behavior he would be put up at auction
and sold to the highest bidder. So on September 18, he
attended the celebration of the book concern and returned to
Baltimore. Soon after Christmas of the same year he took
charge of a school at Port Deposit, and at the next annual con¬
ference he was appointed to Havre-de-Grace, where he staid two
years. He was next appointed to Washington Circuit and
remained there two years. He was appointed back to Havre-de-
Grace and served three years. He was next appointed to Port
Deposit and staid one year and was then sent to Chesapeake City,
Md., remaining two years. He was then sent to Chambersburgh
from the Baltimore Conference and served two years. From
there he was sent to Little Wesley Church, Philadelphia, remain¬
ing one year. He was then appointed to Attleborough, Pa.,
where he staid one year and was then appointed to Camden,
Del., by Bishop Shorter. After two years' stay there he was
appointed to Media and staid three years, when he was appointed
to Elizabeth, N. J., by transfer. He was ordained Deacon by
Bishop Paul Quinn, and Elder by Bishop D. A. Payne—both in
the city of Baltimore.
3
34
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
REV. ANTHONY LANE
Was born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 25, 1841. .He em¬
braced religion in Philadelphia in 1860 and joined the Union
A. M. E. Church. He received Exhorter's license under Rev. T.
Gould in 1872 ; received local preacher's license in 1874, under
Rev. Samuel Watts. He entered the Itineracy of the Philadel¬
phia Conference, at Chester, in 1876, and was appointed to
Camden, Del., in 1877-78. He was appointed to Laurel, Del.,
and transferred to New Jersey Conference in 1879 when he was
stationed at Navesiok.
PHILIP FRANCIS MATHEWS *
Was born in Charles county, Maryland, February 9, 1845.
His father's name was Bazzel Mathews, a carpenter by trade,
and his mother's name was Celia Mathews. He left Maryland
when quite a boy with his bank account in his pocket (which was -
seventy-five cents) and his wardrobe on his back (one suit of
clothing and that very poor.) With wardrobe and bank account
he walked thirty miles to the city of Washington, D. C. There
he obtained a situation as cook on a boat. This enabled him in
the different voyages to see a few of the great cities. Among
those that attracted his attention were Philadelphia and New
York, and when the way was opened in the army for colored
soldiers he enlisted February 24, 1864, and was assigned to the
Twenty-fifth U. S C. T. He remained in the army until the
close of the war when he returned to Philadelphia December 12,
1865, and was discharged at Camp Cadwallader. When he wtfent
into the army he could not read or write. He learned his letters
from the Christian Recorder—that is, the writing letters. The
first reading he learned was the Fourteenth Chapter of Revela- (
tions. So he thanks God for the Bible and the 11 Recorder" more j
than any other books. Six months after he returned from the i
war he made Philadelphia his home, where he learned to be a
waiter man, a coachman, a salt carrier, a barber, a brickmaker,,
an expressman, and last but not least a minister of God's word.
He was converted in Old Bethel Church, on South Sixth street,
Rev. William Middleton.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 35
April 2d, 1870, under the preaching of Rev. James Morris
Williams, and joined the same church on the first Sabbath in
May, 1870. He remained in the Church eight years until Septem¬
ber,* 1878. He was then sent to Wilberforce University by Bishop
Daniel A. Payne, where he remained four years. While there he
was licensed to preach by Rev. J. M. Rose, of the Ohio Confer¬
ence, and his first charge was given him by Bishop James A.
Shorter, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. Leaving Wilberforce he was
sent to Bishop H. M. Turner, at West Point, Mississippi,
and was received in the North Mississippi Conference and
ordained a Deacon by Bishop H. M. Turner February 14, 1882,
and was appointed to Port Gibson Station and served one year.
His next appointment was Jackson, Mississippi. From this
charge he was transferred to the Virginia Conference and sta¬
tioned at Martinsville, and remained two years. While in the
Virginia Conference he was ordained Elder by Bishop D. A.
Payne April 13,1884, in Portsmouth, Va. In 1886 he was trans¬
ferred by Bishop H. M. Turner to New Jersey Conference, and
stationed at Bushtown.
WILLIAM MIDDLETON
Was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and is now in the
thirty-seventh year of his age. He came to New Jersey in 1878
and joined the church at Bushtown, under Rev. Wm. Grimes.
He was licensed to exhort at Yorktown charge by the Rev.
Walter Thompson. He received local preacher's license at Cape
May charge under the Rev. Wm. Watson. He was taken up in
1879 by Rev. Walter Thompson and was sent to Sorrel Mountain
charge, where he only found eight members and the building in
a very poor condition. In about two months he raised one hun¬
dred and twenty-seven dollars and sixty-eight cents. He then
repaired the church and organized a Sunday-school numbering
twenty-eight scholars. In 1880 he joined the annual conference
-at Princeton, N. J., under Bishop Brown, and was sent back to
the same work. In 1881 he left the charge clear of debt, and
was sent to Bound Brook charge, under Presiding Elder Rev.
Redman Faucett. There he only found four members and no
36
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
church building. The first quarter his membership increased to
eighteen and a fine Sunday-school, numbering 12 scholars. He
purchased a building lot and paid on it the sum of twenty-five dol¬
lars. In 1882 he was sent to the Rocky Hill circuit, under -Rev.
J. W. Cooper, Presiding Elder. He found the church in a low
state but by the help of the Lord and skillful engineering the
church was worked up to a state of spiritual activity and finan¬
cially they paid off most of the indebtedness. In 1885 he was
under Rev. J. T. Diggs, Presiding Elder. That year he had a
pleasant time, and did much in the way of improvement, and
left the charge in a flourishing condition. In 1886 he was sent
to Madison, N. J., by Bishop Cain, under Presiding Elder J. W.
Cooper. He found here twenty-four members and a beautiful
church edifice, which was erected by Rev. W. A. S. Rice, indebt-
ness over three hundred dollars. That same year the member¬
ship increased to thirty-four and the church was free from debt.
He is also a member of the Drew Theological Seminary.
REV. RICHARD H. MILES
Was born at Staunton, Va., June 3, 1848. He embraced reli¬
gion in Annapolis, Md., in 1868, and joined the A. M. E. Church,
under Rev. Daniel A. Draper. He was licensed to preach in
March, 1876, by Rev. Jonathan B. Hamilton. He joined the
Baltimore Conference at Cambridge, Md., April, 1877, under
Bishop J. M. Brown, and was appointed to Camp Parole Circuit,
Md. In 1878 he was appointed to Unionville Station, Md. In
1879 he was sent to Darlington Station, where he staid six
months and was moved to Mt. Zion Station, Baltimore, there
remaining two years. By his own request he was transferred in
1882 to the New York Conference, and was appointed to Melrose,
N. Y., remaining one year and six months. On account of the
severe illness of the wife of Rev. T. A. Davis, then stationed at
Salem, N. J., the climate not agreeing with her health, it was
thought that a change to enable her to receive the salt air would
'be beneficial. He was, therefore, by the advice of Bishop J. M.
Brown, transferred to the New Jersey Conference and exchanged
with Elder Davis, at Salem, N. J. He was ordained Deacon by
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
37
Bishop J. M. Brown in April, 1880. Ordained Elder by the same
Bishop in 1883, at Elmira, N. Y.
JOSEPH H. MORGAN
Was born in Philadelphia, Pa., November 15, 1843. His
mother's maiden name was Mary Ann Harmon. After her death
he was adopted in the family of James T. Robinson, of Phila¬
delphia. Becoming dissatisfied at some fancied slight, he left
without authority, and settled in Bristol, Pa. There he embraced
religion in 1866, under Rev. Samuel David (a supply) Rev. i
Henry Davis, Elder. On February 14, 1867, he married Miss
Anna Elizabeth Fry, and was licensed to exhort October 12,
1867, by Rev. Edward Laws, then pastor, Rev. D. P. Seaton
having the oversight. He received local preacher's license July
11, 1868, from Thomas T. Pierce, then pastor, and was ordained
locJal deacon at the Phiadelphia Conference, at Harrisburg, in
1875, by Bishop J. A. Shorter. He attended the General Con¬
ference at Atlanta, Ga., as lay delegate from the Philadelphia
" Conference. He joined the itinerate work in the Philadelphia
Conference at Chester, in 1876, was transferred to the New York
Conference by Bishop Shorter and appointed to Coxsackie Cir¬
cuit, N. Y./ln conjunction with Rev. J. H. Nichols, by Bishop
A. W. Way man. He was returned the following year by Bishop
D. A. Payne. He organized a church that year in Poughkeepsie,
N. Y., was ordained Elder in Sullivan Street Church, New York
City, May 12, 1878, by Bishop D. A. Payne, and sent to
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. There he had some misunderstanding
with the people, which caused them to promise to cut his
bread and butter shott, which promise they faithfully carried
out. But being a child of our raising, he remained firm to
the church and connection. According to his own account,
one day, or part of it, they fed him and his family on wind pud¬
ding, air sauce and balloon trimmings. His time there was short.
A few days after, he received an appointment from Bishop Payne
to Albany, N. Y., and was reappointed the following year. In
1880 he was transferred to the New Jersey Conference, and
Rationed at Princeton, N. J. There he served two years. He
38
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
lias married to date twenty couples; baptized, children and
adults, fifty; received in church membership, including proba¬
tioners, two hundred and fifty, and attended the General Con¬
ference of 1880 as a delegate from the New Jersey Conference.
REV. B. F. MARTIN
Was born in Union Court House, S. C., in 1854 He joined
the M. E. Church in 1868. In 1868 he went to Chester, S. C.,
to school. Afterwards he apprenticed himself to learn the trade
of an artist, studied theology and was licensed an exhorter and
local preacher by Rev. George Dardis, in Bethel A. M. E. Church,
Columbia, S. C. He did not know one letter from another until
1866. He entered the ministry in Georgetown, S. C., in Feb¬
ruary, 1878. He has held the following appointments: Chester
Mission, S. C.; Double Spring Mission, S. C.; Metropolitan
Church, D. C.; Morris Brown Mission, Pa.; Mt. Calvery, Oxford,
Pa.; and Long Branch, N. J.
REV. WILLIAM H. MERRILL
Was born April 9, 1859, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was con¬
verted at the age of twelve years, but did not join the church
until seventeen years old, joining Crucifixion P. E. Churcht
Philadelphia. He joined the A. M. E. Church on Fleet street,
Brooklyn, L. I., by letter, in 1879, and was licensed to preach in
May, 1881. Ordained Deacon in New York Conference in 1884,
by Bishop R. H. Cain, and ordained Elder at Trenton in 188,7 by
Bishop A. W. Wayman.
REV. G. A. MILLS
Was born in Hantondon, L. I., Suffolk Co., N. Y., December
10, 1813. His grandmother and father were both slaves to
Wickim Mills, of Millspond. His mother was sold, with four
sons and three daughters, to Daniel Youngs, of Chester Bay,
a^out 1790. His father was a slave to Youngs until 1815, his
Rev. Alexander H. Newton
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
39
mother being a free woman, her mother having the luck to fall
into the hands of Quakers by the name of Jackson, near Amity -
1 ville, L. I. His father gave him a good common school educa¬
tion. He was converted in New York, in 1835, going soon after
to his native place. As there was no A. M. E. Church there, he
did not attach himself to any church until 1846. In that
year he attended the church under Rev. W. Moore. He
was licensed to exhort by Rev. E. C. Africanus in 1847.
He was made steward, trustee and class leader and for
three years he and his wife walked three miles $o afternoon
church and back to tea and return, carrying the child, win¬
ter and summer. He was licensed to preach by T. W. Jackson,
in 1854, and was ordained Deacon in 1855 by Revi A. W. Way-
man. He was chosen delegate to the General Conference three
times, in 1856 to Cincinnati; 1864 to Philadelphia; 1868 to
"Washington, D. C. In 1866 he joined the Itineracy and was sent
to Huntondon Circuit, then comprising Setauket and Amityville,
at which time he organized the Bay Shore Church, built an addi¬
tion to the church at Huntondon, and repaired the church at Am¬
ityville. v Here he remained two years. His next appointment was
a Binghampton, N. Y., and Oswego. That year lie organized the
congregation at Norwich, N. Y., and left thirty-five members,
bought land and made arrangements to build. His next appoint¬
ment was at Freehold, N. Y., by Bishop J. P. Campbell. Here
he remained two years ; he removed the church to Freehold, it
being situated between Freehold and Englishtown. The people
having a mind to work, he often raised from one hundred to one
hundred and twenty-five dollars a quarter, besides his salary and
other incidental expenses. His next appointment was at Salem,
N. J.
REV. A. H. NEWTON
Was born in Newbern, N. C., in 1837. His father was a slave,
his mother free Both were members of the Methodist Church.
He experienced the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, at an early
age ; but was not satisfied with his conversion until after he was
twenty-eight years of age. He then joined the A. M. E. Church.
40
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
He came north in 1857, and settled in New Haven, Conn., the
adopted home of his parents. He attended school in New York
City, Pennington Seminary, Pennington, N. J., and Lincoln Uni¬
versity, Oxford, Pa. He was taken into the conference by Bishop
Paul Quinn, at Philadelphia, in 1870, and sent to Palaska, Ten¬
nessee, by Bishop J. M. Brown, and was ordained Deacon, at
Nashville, Tenn., in 1873, and Elder at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, by the
above named Bishop. He was transferred to the Louisiana
Conference by Bishop T. M. D. Ward. Frorr^ the Louisiana
Conference he was transferred to the North Carolina Conference,
and stationed at Raleigh, N. C. From the North Carolina Con¬
ference he was transferred to the New Jersey Conference and
stationed at Morristown, by Bishop J. M. Brown, in 1880.
REV. JAMES V. PIERCE
Was born July 20, 1831, about one and a half miles west of
Bridgeton, N. J. He is the son of Richard and Millie Pierce,
who had always kept him under religious training, and was thus
early urged upon to embrace religion ; but he did not feel a full
assurance of faith in Christ until the year 1846, under the admin¬
istration of Rev. (now Bishop) A. W. Wayman. He was licensed
to exhort by Shepherd Holcomb in 1851 ; licensed to preach in
1853, and became a member of the Philadelphia Conference in
1863. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Willis Nazery May
17, and elected a local delegate to the General Conference in
Philadelphia in 1864. He received his first appointment from
the conference sitting at Salem, N. J., by Bishop W. Nazery, and
was appointed to Penningtonville ; was ordained Elder at Prince¬
ton, N. J., May 7, 1886, by Bishop A. W. Wayman. He ha&
filled the following appointments : West Chester, Pa., two years,
Lancaster, Pa.; New Brunswick, two years ; Bordento^n, N. J.^
two years ; Millville, N. J., two years ; Norristown, Pa., one year ;
Bristol, Pa., one year; Bergen and Jersey City, two years;
Jordantown, one year. He took a superannuate relationship at
the conference held in Bridgeton, N. J., 1883.
Rev. J. T. Rex.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
41
REV. J. H. PIERCE
Was born in the township of Bridgeton, Cumberland county,
N. J., in 1841, and was licensed to exhort April 12, 1873, by Rev.
W. M. Watson. In the spring of 1874, he was licensed to preach
by the same Elder at Gouldtown. December 20, 1874, he was
taken up by Bishop James A. Shorter, and appointed to Media
Circuit, Pa., to fill out the unexpired term of Rev. G. T. Waters.
He was received into the Philadelphia Conference, at Harrisburg,
in 1875, and transferred to the New Jersey Conference. Was
ordained Deacon at Princeton, April 24, 1881, by Bishop J. M.
Brown, and ordained Elder at Burlington, N. J., January 27,
1.884, by the same Bishop. In the interval of conference he
organized the society at Atlantic City, in 1875, in the old Union
Church. After which service was held in the dining room of the
Ocean House until conference.
REV. WILSON PETERSON
Was born in 1829 ; was converted at Ringwood and joined the
M. E. Church there whe^ quite young. He was licensed to
preach in 1855 at Sealsburgh, Rockland county, N. Y. In the
year 1862 he attended a camp-meeting at Morrow, where he met
Rev. Leonard Patterson. He formed an organization on the
camp-meeting ground, and then became a member of the A. M.
E. Church. In 1863 he joined the New York Conference, and was
appointed to Paterson city, where he remained until 1865. He
then was appointed to Kinderhook Circuit, N. Y., in 1866-67.
His next appointment was to Binghampton in 1868 ; Morristown
in 1869-70. In 1871 he was appointed to Jersey City, re¬
appointed in 1872. He was transferred to the New Jersey Con¬
ference, and ordained Deacon in 1865, Elder in 1867.
J. T. REX
Was born in Cecil county, Md., February 20, 1839. He em¬
braced religion in the same State in 1856 and joined the A. M.
42
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
E. Church. He served in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment
in front of Charleston, S. C., where he became disabled and re¬
ceived an honorable discharge. He was licensed to exhort, by
Rev. H. H. Lewis, at Penningtonville, Pa. In 1868 he moved to
Philadelphia and joined the Bethel A. M. E. Church by letter,
Rev. J. M. Williams then pastor. He was licensed local preacher
in 1870 by Rev. H. J. Young. The Mt. Holly Church having
seceded, and built a new church about six hundred yards from
the old one, on account of some misunderstanding between the
pastor and people, who nevertheless was highly esteemed by the
community as a pious and consistant christian gentleman, at the
next session of the conference the pastor of Burlington Church
was appointed the oversight of Mt. Holly, which added to rather
than diminished the trouble. The pastor sent to Elder Young
for a young man equal to the occasion. Bro. Rex was selected
in the following manner : " I will send you," said Elder Young.
Rex thought he was joking, but the next morning the Elder said,
" you are intended for a travelling preacher ; I want you to go to
Mt. Holly." He put in his excuses thick and fast, but to no pur¬
pose. He then made up his mind to trust God and go. On
leaving the cars at Mt. Holly, he met a steward of the church,
who of course gave him a history of the church, at the same
time remarking that our church at this place is done for and
that owing to the people and pastor not agreeing, he had left.
However, he invited him to his house, whete he met his wife,
who was every whit a christian. The steward introduced him &s
the new pastor, but when informed that he was only an assistant
he said, "then you will not do much here, as there is no one here
that belongs to the church !" "O, yes ; there is myself and a
dozen others," said the wife. He, on the strength of this, staid
a month, and the result was that under his administration there
was a glorious revival. The armies, of God and satan marshalled
their hosts for battle and over thirty souls were added to the
church. He was congratulated by the pastor of Burlington and
requested te attend the next session of conference. He accepted
the invitation but failed to reach there in time to become a
member. However, he was taken up by the Bishop and sent to
Bushtown, where there was quite a disturbance on account of
the " Free Gospel Church." This year he built the Yorktown
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
43
Church, at a cost of five thousand five hundred dollars. The
following year he repaired the church at Bushtown, at a cost
of four hundred and fifty dollars. The following year he
built the church at Marlsboro at a cost of $755.00, leaving a debt
of $50.75. At his next appointment he raised $475.84, on old
debts. He was next appointed to Fair Haven, where he sold the
old church and built a new one at a cost of $2,500.50, all of
which he paid. By the advice of P. E. Bedmon Faucett, and in
consideration of the valuable services rendered by General Fisk
and wife, he named the church Fisk Chapel.
REV. W. A. S. RICE
Is one of that portion of our race, who, until the year 1865,
had no record of their lives. He was brought from the South
by Lieut. Charles F. Lee, of Templeton, Mass., where he remained
for about three years, and attended the primary school, which
was his first schooling. After that he went to Newport, B. I.,
where, by the kindness of a Mr. Finch, a well-known Quaker
Friend, he got a situation on the Old Colony line of steamboats
as cabin boy. Here he was converted, having been convicted of
sin-in the meetings held in the Union Congregational Church,
under Bev. M. Yanhorn, who is still pastor. He joined this
church and was sent by them to the Lincoln University in 1870
to study for a Congregational minister. He remained only a
short time, then went South. While there he attracted the atten¬
tion of Bev. W. B. Carson and Bishop Ward, and was ordained
Deacon by the Bishop. Two years after he was ordained Elder
by Bishop Cain. Soon after he was transferred to the New Jer¬
sey Conference.
REV. J. W. ROSS
Was born at Eastern Shore, Md., Talbot Co., December 19,
1846. He embraced religion at Traptown, Md., joined the M. E.
Church at Traptown. He joined the A. M. E. Church at Camden
Macedonia, in 1874, and received exhorter's license under J. W.
Cooper in 1880 and preacher's license in 1881. He joined the
44
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
itinerant service at the conference of 1886 and was appointed to
Haley ville Mission in 1887 ; appointed to Swedesboro by P. E.,
J. H. Morgan.
REV. JOHN P. SAMPSON
Has been in public life for religious instruction and the general
improvement of the race for a number of years ; yet he has been
so indifferent about the credit of all his work, that he is unable
to give such data and particular facts, (except in a general way)
as asked for. He was born in Wilmington, N. C.,and experienced
religion when quite a boy. He was brought up a member of the
A. M. E. Church of that city and in which his father was for
many years a minister. The school work, &c., of the Freedman's
Bureau threw him among the Baptist brethren. He became
connected with them and was ordained Deacon by their association
in 1878. He graduated from Comer's College, Boston, Mass., and
went as far as the senior class in Alleghany Theological Seminary,
Pa., under Drs Hodge, Jacoby and Wilson, during which time (two
years) he had charge of the colored Baptist Church in Alleghany, a
large and prosperous congregation. On returning to N. C. he
organized several other churches near Saulsbury and in other
parts of the State, while preaching and teaching and being en¬
gaged in politics. After filling several political positions and
preaching at the same time, he was called to Washington, D. C.,
to fill two positions, viz : Police Justice and clerk in the Treas¬
ury Department. He found that in order to do his work intelli¬
gently he must know something about law. Hence he read and
graduated from the White National Law College in the District.
He recaived the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the Vice
Chancellor, ex-officio, General Grant, sanctioned by tfhe trustees
of the institution, and was admitted as a practicing member of the
District Supreme Court. He then commenced and officiated al¬
most every Sabbath with the Rev. J. W. Burleigh in the A. M.
E. Church Mission, near the city hall. He finally resumed his
literary work in the North, where he re-connected himself with
the A. M. E. Church and joined the N. J. Conference. He is now
an active pastor in the church of his choice.
Rev. J. P, Sampson.
A. M. E. CONFEKENCE.
45
REV. F. F. SMITH
Was born in April, 1851, at Sharon, Pa. He was converted
in tlie Congregational Church at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1865, and
received license to preach under Rev. H. W. Jolly, of the M.-
E. Church of Orange, in 1879. He joined the A. M. E. Church
under Rev. D. R. Crosher in 1881 and was admitted in the New
Jersey Conference at Newark, N. J., in 1881, being appointed
to Bound Brook, under Rev. J. W. Cooper, P. E. He was
ordained Deacon by Bishop J. P. Campbell, April 25, 1886.
EMILY CALKINS STEVENS.
Sister Emily Stevens was born in 'Freehold, Green county, N.
Y., April 1, 1839, and was converted at the age of twelve, being
sanctified at fourteen, having- been led into this grace by the
teachings of the Holy Spirit alone. At the age of nineteen she
was married to Rev. J. W. Stevens, a graduate of Oberlin College,
Ohio. She resided in Durham, N. Y., until April, 1866, then
moved to Yineland, N. J. In September, 1867, she was left a
widow with three children, whose ages were five, seven and
nine—two sons and a daughter. January 2, 1868, she received
the baptism of the Holy Ghost and with it the first call, " Go
preach the Word," but she entreated the Lord to let her
remain with her children. He permitted it for two years.
In the meantime she held consecration in her house. In 1875
she was called the second time to " Go preach the Wotd,"
but refused. She did not want to leave her home. The
Lord was long-suffering and allowed her to remain in Vine-
land, retaining her membership in the Presbyterian Church
until October 15, 1882. She received the third call to preach,
and then unitfed with the A. M. E. Church at Yineland. She
then and there made a public consecration of herself and all that
she possessed, and was baptized by the Holy Ghost. Her fields
of labor were shown to be North and South Carolina. In 1883
she was licensed to preach by Bishop J. M. Brown, at the New
Jersey Conference, in session in Bridgeton ; is now a member of
the conference, and during the major part of the year has been
46
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
engaged in evangelistic labors in the South. Her labors among
the brethren of the conference since her return have been very
successful.
W. D. W. SHUREMAN
Was born at Washington, D. 0., April 29, 1825. His parents
were among those faithful few who in the midst of derision
organized the A. M. E. Church. His mother was a godly woman,
and able to read. She acted as teacher to her children. His
mother taught him that when men die it is by a visitation of the
Lord. This left on his mind the impression that the Lord was a
giant going about killing people. Thinking thus he concluded
that all those who died must have been cowards and he felt like
kicking their coffins. He made up his mind when the Lord came
to his house that he would fight him. In order to do battle, as
he thought, successfully, he kept piled up in the yard all the
stones, pices of brick, broken glass and such other missiles as he
would pick up in the street. His mother would often inquire of
William, " what are you going to do"? Understanding that the
Lord came down, he would often look up to the sky and with a
stone in his hand he would exclaim, shaking his fist, "just you
come down." His father having charge of Salem Circuit, "N. J.,
took him thither that he might enjoy the advantages of a school,
and he was so advanced in books that he always appeared to no
serious disadvantage. He joined the Baltimore Conference in
1848 and was appointed to Lancaster Circuit, Pa., (which was a
part of the Baltimore Conference) under W. H. Waters. In
1849-50 he was appointed to Chambersburg; 1851 to Frederick
Md., but because he was not born out of the State he had to
leave for Philadelphia and was appointed to Camden, N. J.,
remaining two years. In 1853 he was appointed to Wilmington,
Del.; in 1854 to Salem, N. J.; in 1855-6 to Trenton, N. J.; in 1857
to Union Church, Philadelphia; in 1858-9 to Bethel, Philadel¬
phia ; in 1860 back to Union Church, Philadelphia; in 1861 to
Bordentown, N. J.; in 1862 to Zion Mission, Philadelphia; in
1863 to Zion Mission and Bethel, Philadelphia; in 1864 trans¬
ferred to Baltimore Conference. For seven years he acted as
Secretary of the Publication Department while serving the
flev. Walter Thompson.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
47
appointments in and around Philadelphia. While at Wilmington,
Del., he bought a lot and built a church which laid the founda¬
tion for the present grand structure. At the present writing he
is doing a grand work at Ebenezer, in Baltimore.
REV. LITTLETON STURGES
Was born in Maryland, Washington county, October 12, 1842,
and was received into the church by Rev. Peter Loper. He
received exhorter's license in September, 1875, and entered the
New Jersey Conference, at Trenton, in 1877. He was ordained
Deacon at Morristown, N. J., by Bishop J. M. Brown, in 1882.
WALTER THOMPSON
Was born January 21, 1844, in Adams Co., Pa., near Gettys¬
burg. His father and mother both served out their time in pri¬
vate families until twenty-eight years of age. The father in a
, family by the name of Cabeans, of Scotch descent, and the mothei;
in a family by the name of McCessons. He attended county
school three months a year for six years, was converted in 1860
and united with the A. M. E. Zion Church at Gettysburg. He
was licensed to exhort in 1861 by Rev. Thomas Carter, and re¬
ceived preacher's license in 1862 under Rev. Abraham Cole. He
removed from Gettysburg to Reading, Pa., in 186 , and there
unitied with .the A. M. E. Church under Rev. William R. Norris.
He entered the Philadelphia Conference in 1867 and was ap¬
pointed to Pennington in 1868. He was appointed to assist Rev.
J. C. Cornish, on the West Chester Circuit, and was assigned by
Elder Cornish to that part of the circuit that included Media,
Westtown, Unionville and Lamberton. He erected a church at
Media, in 1868, at a cost of $2,000, and served two years, when he
was appointed to Woodbury Circuit in 1871. In 1872 he organ¬
ized a mission at Mt. Clair and in 1873 was appointed to Port
Republic. He organized a Mission at Atlantic City and in Octo¬
ber of that year was appointed to Cape May Circuit and served
there until conference. The pastor having been removed he
48
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
served both circuits and was ordained Deacon at the conference
of 1874, at Mt. Holly, by Bishop James A. Shorter, and was ap¬
pointed to Paterson, N. J. He served there two years an$ built
a church. He was ordained Elder by the conference of 1876,
April 17, by Bishop James A. Shorter, and was appointed to Jer¬
sey City where he served one year, and was appointed by Bishop
Payne to Cape Station, where he served three years. In 1880 he
was appointed to Pennington, serving one year. In 1881 he was
appointed to Freehold by Bishop Brown and on account of wife's <
ill health was transferred to Philadelphia and stationed at Colum¬
bia. He stayed two years, and was changed in interval of con¬
ference to N. Y. Conference and stationed at Maspeth, L. I., by
Bishop R. H. Cain. He served part of the year, and was trans¬
ferred to N. J. Conference to fill a vacancy at Navesink, in 1885.
REV. G. M. WHITTEN
Was born in Perry county, Pa., April 25, 1833. He entered
the ministry in 1864, in the Baltimore Conference, and was
appointed to Eastern City, Eastern Shore, Md. He was next
appointed to Chambersburgh, Pa., by Bishop D. A. Payne. The
church there had been burned down by the rebel invasion. In
1868 he was appointed to Baltimore city, Md., and next to Port
Deposit, Md. Three years after, he was appointed to Frederick
City, and was then by his own request transferred to the Phila¬
delphia Conference by Bishop J. P. Campbell. He was appointed
by Bishop J. A. Shorter to Allen Chapel;' was its first stationed
pastor. After two years successful labor, receiving ninety-seven
members, he was appointed by Bishop Shorter to Columbia, Pa.
He was next appointed to Harrisburg, Pa., by Bishop D. A.
Payne. His next appointment was at Burlington, N. J., by
Bishop J. M. Brown.
REV. WILLIAM M. WATSON
Was born in Cedar Creek, Sussex county, Del., in May, 1822.
His father's name was Robert J. Watson, and his mother's
maiden name Araminta Campbell. The result of this union was
Rev. G. M. Whitten.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
49
fourteen children. His father was a slave until twenty-eight
years of age. When free he entered into a contract to purchase
his wife, who was a slave for life. By his industry and self-
sacrificing efforts all the children were saved from slavery save
two. One of them died while quite young. The other is Jiving
m New York City, and goes by the name of Joshua W. Jenkins
and is a local deacon of the Sullivan Street A. M. E. Church.
His father was a trustee in the first Allenite Church or meeting
house built at a place called Church Branch, Sussex county, Del.
William was the youngest son and was taken to Frankford,
Phila., in 1835, where he made his home with his brother, James
C. Watson. He was converted at Frankford, and joined the A.
M. E. Church there, under Bev. Israel Scott, in October, 1842.
He was appointed Secretary of the Trustee Board, and also of
the Board of Stewards, before he had stood out his probation.
He remained in these positions until 1848, when he moved to
New York and entered the A. M. E. Church, located on Second
street, where he remained, filling the office of Steward and
Sunday-school Superintendent until 1853, when he was taken up
by Bishop Nazery when only six months an exhorter and was
licensed to preach by Israel Scott, in his first quarterly confer¬
ence at Bethel Church, N. Y. He was appointed by the Bishop
to Lockport, N. Y., where he remained one year; was then
transferred to the New England Conference and stationed at
Boston City charge, where he remained one year, being very
successful. He was ordained Deacon in 1855 by Bishop Naz¬
ery and transferred to the New York Conference, and stationed
in the Melrose Circuit, consisting of Melrose, Abington Center
and Wilkesboro, Pa. He remained two years and built his first
church. In 1857 he was ordained Elder by Bishop Paul
Quinn, in old Bethel Church, Second street, New York City.
He •was then appointed to the New York Circuit, which
consisted of Second Bethel, N. Y., Bergen, N. J., and Harlem,
N. Y. After remaining one year, in 1858, he was appointed
to Hunterdon Circuit and was very successful. In 1859
he was appointed to Weeksville Circuit where he remained
one year, and was sent back to the New York Circuit and
remained two years. He was then appointed to Kinderhook
Circuit, and from there sent to Morristown Station, where he
4
50
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
succeeded in purchasing a good building with several rooms for
$200.00, and moved it on the church grounds, also repaired it at
a cost of $500.00, all of which was paid in one year. Again he
was sent to the N. Y. Circuit, and remained one year. He was
then transferred to the Philadelphia Conference and appointed
to Bridgeton Circuit, which consisted of Millville, Gouldtown and
Back Neck. This year he build the church at Millville. The
following year he was stationed at Little Wesley Church, Hurst
street, Philadelphia. He remained one year and was then trans¬
ferred to the N. Y. Conference and appointed to Newark in 1867.
There he remained one year. He was then transferred by Bishop
A. W. Way man to the Indiana Conference and appointed by
Bishop Campbell to Lafayette Circuit, where he remained one
year and was transferred back to the Philadelphia Conference
and stationed at Macedonia Church, Camden, where he remained
nearly two years. In the interval of conference was transferred
to the N. Y. Conference and stationed at Albany, N. Y., where he
remained until the sitting of conference. He was then transferred
to the New England Conference and stationed at Newport, R. I.
In 1871 he was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference and
stationed at New Brunswick. At the setting off of the N. J. Con¬
ference, he was very unwillingly appointed Presiding Elder, when,
after two years acting as such, he resigned in the spring of 1874.
During his appointment at Cape May, he purchased a church
building at Cold Spring, for the members of that point, for $252
in cash. He also purchased a lot for $25.00, and moved the
building over one mile, at a cost of over $300.00. In 1880 he
built a fine parsonage at Woodbury, at a cost of $800.00, and
paid of it $200.00.
REV. J. H. WHITTAKER
Was born in Kent county, Del., May 10, 1840. He embraced
religion February 18, 1867, in Philadelphia, Pa., and joined the
Union A. M. E. Church in the same city, under Rev. R. P. Gibbs.
He was appointed class leader by Rev. T. Gould, and was
licensed to exhort by Rev. Samuel Watts, April 28, 1874, filling
the office of class leader at the same time. In 1875 he was
licensed to preach by Samuel Watts. In March, 1876, he was
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
51
recommended bj his pastor, Rev. H. H. Lewis, to Key. Frisby J.
Cooper, then pastor of Macedonia Church, Camden, who ap¬
pointed him, in the interval of conference, to Bordentown. In
the following year he was received in the conference and appoint¬
ed to Allentown.
MRS. MARGARET WILSON
Was born in Baltimore, Md., January 11, 1839. She entered
the Sunday-school of Bethel A. M. E. Church, at the age of nine
years, Bishop Payne then the pastor. She was converted the
toe year, and gave herself to the Lord at the age of nine¬
teen, Bishop J. M. Brown, then pastor. She was married, on
April 30, 1861. She was called to the ministry in 1870, and
labored in the field as missionary until the sitting of the New
Jersey Conference, at Bridgeton, in 1883, when she was taken up
by Bishop Brown and appointed to Haleyville Mission. Through
God she has been able to purchase a lot and a building and paid
for the same. She proposes to move the building upon the lot
and make necessary repairs in the spring. Many souls have
been brought to Christ through her efforts.
REV. G. T. WATERS
Joined the Ebenezer A. M. E. Church, Baltimore, in 1851, Rev.
W. Moore then pastor. He received local preacher's license
under Rev. A. W. Wayman and joined the Baltimore Conference
in "Washington, in December, 1864. He was ordained Deacon on
April 24th, of the same year, and appointed to Smyrna, Del., by
Bishop D. A. Payne. At this place the Lord blessed his labors
and seventy-five souls were converted and added to the church.
He was reappointed in 1865. In 1866 he was ordained Elder by
Bishop A. W. Wayman and sent to Camden, Del. Here he had
some trouble with the church, and it was locked against him on
his first Sabbath. On the following night he tried the rebellious
parties, and on Tuesday turned them ov^r to the civil authorities.
After this he had no more trouble in Camden. He was returned in
1867-8. These were three happy years, and many souls were con-
52
HISTOBY OF THE N. J.
verted and added to the circuit. In May, 1869, he was appointed
to the Bristol Circuit, Pa. There he was successful in clearing the
church at Bristol, of debt. In May, 1870, he was returned.
This year was the commencement of trouble and sorrow. Here
he lost his first wife. In June, 1871, he was appointed to Chester
Circuit. This year thirty souls were added to the churchy
He built a brick church in South Chester, at a cost of $2,100.00,
and paid $1,100.00. This year he married his second wife, Au¬
gust 17, and lost her in March, 1872. He was returned to Ches¬
ter in 1872-3. In 1$74 he was appointed to Media Circuit. Here
everything went well until the following December, when he was
suspended from church work. At the sitting of conference, in
Harrisburg, June, 1875, he was expelled from the connection. In
June of this year he joined Allen Chapel, Philadelphia, Pa., Rev.
G. M. Whitten then pastor. He remained until he became a full
member, and then joined the Union A. M. E. Church, then situ¬
ated on Fairmount avenue, Rev. H. H. Lewis then pastor. Find¬
ing his enemies were seeking his hurt, and (simply to avoid their
persecutions) he joined the M. E. Church in October, 1876,
and remained until March, 1870, when he joined the A. M. E.
Church, Camden, N. J., Rev. R. J. M. Long then pastor. He
entered the N. J. Conference in Trenton, N. J., under Bishop D.
A. Pa^ne. In 1879 he married his third and present wife.
REV. S. B. WILLIAMS.
Was born in Columbia, Pa., November 27, 1827. He first
entered, the ministry in April, 1862, in Canada West. He was
ordained Deacon in September, 1862, and Elder in 1864, by
Bishop A. R. Green, of the B. M. E. Church, of British North
America. He was sent to Colchester Circuit, Canada West, in
April, 1862, and was reappointed in September of the same year.
In September, 1863, at the Conference at Windsor, he was ap¬
pointed to Roundeal and reappointed in 1864. In April, 1865,
he was transferred to the Ohio Conference and left in the hands
of Rev. H. J. Young, (and in his hands was left the work of
Michigan until the sitting of the Incfiana Conference). Wil¬
liams was by Rev. H. J. Young appointed to Ypsilanti Circuit.
At the sitting of the Indiana Conference, at Springfield, he was
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
53
transferred to the South Carolina Conference and appointed by
Rev. G. W. Brodie to Greensboro, where he remained until May,
1866. He attended the South Carolina Conference, at Savannah,
Ga., and was appointed to Wilmington, N. C. He was re-ap¬
pointed in 1867. In 1868 he was appointed to Wilmington Mis¬
sion, which embraced a little church in the suburbs of the city,
and the work on the Sound. In 1869 he was appointed to Hills-
boro. In April, 1870, he was appointed to Morgantown and
there served three years. In 1873 he was transferred to the
Philadelphia Conference. A vacancy occurring in the New Jer¬
sey Conference, caused by the death of Rev. Henry Davis, he
was appointed to fill out the unexpired term.
REV. C. WOODYARD
Was born in Baltimore, Md. He was bound out at the age of
six years. His parents died soon after. The parties to whom
he was bound claimed him as their slave. He entered the
ininistry in 1846, and was taken up in the interval of the confer¬
ence by Bishop Waters to assist him on the Baltimore Circuit.
The following year he was received in the conference and ap¬
pointed to the Baltimore Circuit. He served two years. He
was ordained Deacon in Israel Church, Washington, D. C., in
1851, and Elder in Bethel Church, Philadelphia, in 1853, and has
served the following churches : Columbia Circuit, Chester Cir¬
cuit, Williamsport, Pennington, Frankford, Trenton, Little Wes¬
ley, Springtown, Elizabeth, Oswego, Norwich, Melrose, George¬
town, Binghampton, Buffalo, Glencoe and Bergen. While in the
Baptist church, he seved the Berean Church, West Philadelphia,
Providence and New Bedford. He purchased ground for the church
at Bristol, Pa., organized a congregation at Bridgeton and built
the church. He received Cold Spring and Goshen in the connec¬
tion. Rebuilt the church at Trenton, in 1868; also Elizabeth,
Oswego and Williamsport; assisted Rev. T. Franklin to build at
Lockport, N. J.; finished the churches at Lewistown and George¬
town, Del., and dedicated them to the Lord. He bought the
church at Binghampton, N. Y., and presented it to the N. Y. Con¬
ference. He also built a church for the Baptists in Washington.
54
HISTOEY OF THE N. J.
REV. IRA S. YEMMANS
Was born in Frankford, Pa., January 19, 1857. He embraced
religion at the age of fourteen, and joined the A. M. E. Church
in 1871. In 1878 he applied for and received an exhorter's li¬
cense, under the Rev. S. B. Williams. The following year he ap¬
plied for and received local preacher's license from Rev. R. Fau-
cett. At the death of Elder Stiles he was sent by Rev. R. Faucett
to fill out the unexpired term of Rev. Stiles, at Bordentown,
but finding that the Bishop had sent the Rev. E. W. Taylor, and
he being an Elder, he returned home and reported the same.
At the death of the Rev. G. E. Boyer he was sent by Rev. J. W.
Cooper to hold said charge (Burlington) until conference. But
on going there he found the officers of the church in receipt of a
communication from the Bishop, informing them that a pastor
was on his way to fill the charge. He labored on Sunday and
returned home reporting the same. In 1881 he was impressed
that his calling was to the active work. At the conference sitting
in Princeton, N. J., he made application to the same for work
and was appointed to Rocky Hill Circuit and was returned the
following year. This year he learned from experience that the
Christian ministry has its clouds and its sunshine. Yet through
God he held his own and reported at the next conference at
Bridgeton, in 1883, and was appointed to Millville Circuit.
REV. WILLIAM. H. YOECUM, B. D.,
Was born a slave near the town of Springfield, Ky., in 1848.
Between the ages of ten and twelve years he was happily convert¬
ed to God. He attributes thi^ to the blessed influence of a
Christian father, he being a minister (Methodist). In his
seventeenth year, in 1864, he enlisted as a soldier in the army
during the late war, in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment
of Kentucky, and remained nearly three years.' His dear father
died in 1865, at the age of eighty-five. His mother died at the
age of seventy-five. Although he was divinely impressed to
enter the ministry in early boyhood yet hei could not do so until
his sainted mother was taken from labor to reward. He was her
Rev. William H. Yeoeum.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
55
only support after the war. During this time he made Danville,
Ky., his home. There he joined the A. M. E. Church. He then
applied for a license to preach but failed. This was the latter
part of 1869. The same year he went to Louisville, Ky., and
joined Old Asbury Chapel, A. M. E. Church, at Ninth and
Walnut streets, Rev. R. G. Mortimor, pastor. He applied again
for a license to preach in 1870, and soon after receiving it he
was taken up in the interval of the conference and appointed
to the Owensburg Mission, Ky., by Eev. G. H. Graham,
pastor of Quinn Chapel, A. M. E. Church, Louisville, Ky.,
where he bought a lot and commenced to build a fine church. On
leaving Owensburgh to meet his first conference at Harrodsburgh,
N. Y., he saw and felt the need of an education. However,
Bishop Payne sent him back to Owensburgh. In 1872, he met
the conference at Shelbyville, N. Y. There he made known his
great thirst for an education. The conference passed a resolu¬
tion, to give him $100.00 a year until he graduated at Wilberforce,
Ohio, but they did not give him one cent. But with $25.00 in
hand he went to Wilberforce in October, 1872, being transferred
to the Ohio Conference. In 1873 his $25.00 gave out and Bishop
Wayman got Bishop Payne, the president, to let him go to Rich¬
mond, Indiana, to fill a short term. Afterwards the Bishop ap¬
pointed him to the Harveysburgh and Mainville Mission, Ohio.
Here he remained three years, and built a fine church at Main¬
ville and put the people in a good house of worship at Harveys¬
burgh. To these he would go and preach on Sunday and return
to school every Monday, at the same time keeping up with his
class in school. This was his first schooling. After three years
at the above named places he was sent to Lebanon, Ohio. There1
he remained four years, and graduated in 1879 from Wilberforce.
Thus in seven years, although he commenced school in the
second reader and spelling book, he went through the Theologi¬
cal course. On leaving school, in 1879, Bishop Wayman trans¬
ferred him to the New England Conference, and Bishop Payne
<appointed him to the Second A. M. E. Church, Providence, R. I.,
at which church he remained three years, and was then appointed
to the First Bethel A. M. E. Church, in the same city, but on
account of some unpleasantness he did not remain but three
months. He was then transferred to the New Jersey Conference
56
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
by Bishop J. M. Brown and stationed at Camden, N. J. He was
ordained deacon by Bishop Payne at Xenia, Ohio, in 1874, and
was ordained elder in Urbanna, O., in 1877, by Bishop A. W.
Wayman.
Rev. J. R. V. Morgan.
A. Mi E. CONFERENCE.
57
CHAPTER II.
HISTORlGALy SKETGHES
OP THE CHURCHES COMPRISING THE CONFERENCE.
The following sketches of the A. M. E, Churches in New
Jersey will give some idea of the work that has been done in
this State toward the advancement of African Methodism.
They are incomplete in many instances owing to the absence of
data from which to make up a full record, but the facts given
have been fully substantiated and can safely be relied upon. It
is unfortunate that complete records of all the churches have not
been kept, and it is to be hoped, now that the importance of the
omission has been demonstrated, that the error will be corrected
in the future.
RAHWAY.
"We have not been able to get any information regarding organ¬
ization and members of this church. The pastors who have
served them are as follows : 1836, Israel Scott; 1837, William
Moore ; 1838, J. Beulah ; 1839, John Boggs ; 1840, Henry 0.
Turner; 1841, H. Turner and G. Grinley ; 1842, W. Nazery ; 1845,
G. Grinley; 1846, William Moore; 1847, Israel Scott; 1848-9,
Israel Scott, Shepherd Holcomb ; 1850, Thomas Oliver; 1851, A. C.
Crippin and Andrew Till; 1852, A. C. Crippin ; 1853-4, J. G.
58
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Beulali; 1856, W. H. Ross; 1857, Moses Hall; 1859, G. Weir;
1861, A. C. Crippin ; 1862, J. R. V. Thomas; 1864-65, W. H.
Ross; 1866, E. T.Thompson; 1867, Robert Wayman ; 1868, J.
Hyet ; 1869, R. Titus ; 1870, B. Lynch ; 1871, A. J. Dudley.
MILFORD.
Pastors serving—1848, Clayton Durham and John Henson;
1850, G. Grinly and Andrew Till; 1851-2, J. B. Parker; 1853-4,
S. Holcomb ; 1855, G. W. Johnson; 1856, J. Butler ; 1857-8, S.
Holcomb; 1859, J. Woodlin; 1860, H. Davis; 1861-2, J. H.
Smith; 1863, T. Gould ; 1865-6, A. Till;. 1867-8, J. W. Steven¬
son ; 1871, Solomon Truit.
SNOW HILL CHURCH
Was organized in 1803. The meeting house was built between
the whites and colored. In 1815 the whites withdrew, leaving
the colored people in full possession. The following are some of
the pastors: 1831-2, Noah Cannon; 1833-4, John Cornish;
1835-6, William Moore; 1837, John Boggs; 1838-9-40, J. C.
Spence; 1841-2, Israel Scott; 1843, John Boggs ; 1844, Henry
Davis ; 1845, Israel Scott; 1846, Israel Scott and Thomas Oliver;
1847, George Grinly ; 1848, Clayton Durham and John Henson ;
1849, Clayton Durham ; 1850, George Grinly and Andrew Till;
1851-2, J. B. Parker; 1853-4, S. Holcomb ; 1855, G. W. Johnson;
1856, J. Butler; 1857-8, S. Holcomb; 1859, Joshua Woodlin;
1860, H. H. Davis ; 1861-2, J. H. Smith ; 1863, Joseph Long;
1867-8, J. W. Stevenson ; 1869, R. Faucet.
Present Trustees.—Joshua Arthur, Isaac Jackson, Peter Smiley,
Henry Thomas, Spencer C. Moore.
Local Preachers.—Stephen Thomas, Charles Arthur, Joseph
Butler, James Arthur.
Leaders.—Lebis Moore, Peter Smiley, Warner Gibbs.
Stewards.—Benjamin Griffin, George Ward, John H. Jackson,
Joseph E. Moore, John Goodin.
Superintendent of Sunday-school.—J. H. Jackson ; Assistant,
Emeline Jackson.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
59
Aaron F. Thomas, Treasurer / John Goodin, Secretary; George
Thomas, Librarian ; Laura Anderson, Organist.
Stewardesses.—Emeline Jackson, May B. Jackson, Mary Ander¬
son, Francis Polk, Elizabeth Tillman, Anna Grey.
Arrangements are now being made to build a parsonage and
put a bell on the church.
PAUL QUINN CHAPEL, NAVESINK,
Organized by the Rev. J. R. V. Morgan, in 1855. The first
pastor was Moses Hall, a local deacon of the Second Street A. M.
E. Church, New York City. The church was built in 1854, Eli
Hall, pastor.
Some of the founders:—Elijah Stillwell, leader ; Thomas Still-
well, exhorter; Moses Yerow, Isaac Whales, Elias Stillwell,
Susan Yerow, Charlotte Carney, Elizabeth Stillwell, Jane Whales,
Sally Stillwell, Amanda Stillwell, May A. Stillwell, Elizabeth
Stillwell.
Pastors having charge:—1857, Eli M. Hall; 1858-9, E. J.
Hawkins, two years ; J. P. Shreeves, one and one-half year;
CyruS Boger, two years; John A. Jones, two years; John R.
Robinson, two years; W. A. Winder, three years; Henderson
Davis, Sr., two years ; E. B. Laws, one year.
Trustees.—Isaac Whaler, George Brown, Elias Brown, Lewis
Jones, Franklin Johnson.
Stewards.—Joseph Green, Elias Brown, Franklin Johnson,
Thomas Westbrook, William Schenck.
Local Preacher, Joseph Green; Superintendent of Sunday-
school, Joseph Green; Assistant, Sophia A. Brown ; Secretary and
Assistant, Augusta Whales, Anna E. Stillwell; Treasurer, Eliza¬
beth Stillwell ; Librarian, Lucinda Thompson; Teachers, Joseph
A. Bowman, Jane E. Stillwell, Lucinda Thompson, Sophia A.
Bowman.
CAMDEN MACEDONIA.
In 1832 Mrs. Ann George, a resident of South Camden, began
a series of prayer meetings in different houses on Spruce street
60
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
below Third, and at a meeting in the house of Benjaman Wilson
resolutions were adopted for the building of a small church. In
1833 the corner stone was laid for a one-storj frame church. It
was the first colored church in Camden county. It was destroyed
by fire in 1837, and a brick one built on the same site in 1840,
the building committee being Joseph Warfield, Benjamin "Wilson,
John Durham. It was rebuilt in 1850. - In 1882 the land adjoin¬
ing was purchased and the present large and commodious build¬
ing erected. It was started and enclosed under the pastorate of
Hey. "W. H. Yeocum, and completed by Rev. A. H. Newton.
Some of the founders were Joseph Warfield, Benjamin Wilson
John Durham, Elizabeth A. Mitchfield, Perry Wilson, Sheppard
Sample.
Pastors.—1833, Joseph Core; 1834, Cornish; 1836, W.
Moore ; 1837, John Boggs ; 1838, J. C. Spence; 1841-42, Israel
Scott; 1843, John Boggs; 1844, Henry Davis; 1845, I. Scott;
1846, I. Scott and T. Oliver; 1847, G. Grinly ; 1848, Clayton
Durham and John Henson ; 1850, G. Grinly and A. Till; 1851,
J. B. Parker ; 1852, W. D. W. Schureman ; 1853, W. G. Fuller;
1854-5, A. C. Crippin ; 1856-7, C. Sawyer; 1858, P. Gardner;
1859-60, J. T. Jackson ; 1861, T. H. Cooper ; 1862, Peter Gard¬
ner ; 1863, H. Davis ; 1865, H. Lewis ; 1866, G. E. Boyer ; 1867,
J. Hamilton ; 1868, T. Gould ; 1869, W. M. Watson ; 1870, W. M.
Watson and J. H. Turpin ; 1871, L. Paterson.
Trustees—Sheppard Sample, C. N. Robinson, James Martin,
James Hunt, W. Carter, W. S. Darr, J. Stevenson, Thomas Bell,
Russell Elliott.
Local Elder, L. Nelson ; local preachers, A. Manly, Joseph
Byard; exhorter, Samuel Hunt.
Stewards.—Rice Green, George Johnson, William Stevenson,
Joseph Brisco, Charles Cox, Ezekiel Wallace, G. H. Roberts,
Norman Simons.
Leaders.—Perry Wilson, G. M. Rice, W. Stevenson, James
Hirst, Sheppard Sample, N. Morely.
Stewardesses.—Mary Morely, Lizzie R. Daniels, Sarah Pitts,
Margaret Hack, May Stevens.
Superintendent of Sunday-school, Thomas Jessup ;• assistant,
May Lockum ; Daniel Carter, secretary; Harriet Louie, treasurer ;
Daniel Thomas, librarian ; Ella Pitts, assistant librarian ; A. L.
Dorsey, Corresponding Secretary.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
61
Teachers.—Charles Robinson, George M. Rice, Mary E.
Lockum, Hannah E. Lovitt, Ida E. Lovitt, W. H. H. Carter,
Lemuel T. Hunt, Mrs. A. L. Wright, Maggie E. Lockum, Sarah
E. Parker, Florence Gillen, Helena Carter, Frank Chapman,
Joseph Merrell, Margeretta Lowbuck, Clementina Rice, Annie
Moore, Mr. A. L. Dorsey.
BRIDGETON CHURCH
Was organized October 24, 1854, by Rev. Caleb Woodyard, in
the house of Edward Willetts. The meetings prior to the building
of the church were held in different houses. Elder T. Gould,
then a member of Gouldtown, acted as class leader, and finally
received his recommendation to conference from that quarterly
conference. When the ground was purchased, through the efforts
of some of the men and some of the sisters who traveled through
wet and cold soliciting money for the purpose, there were no
trustees elected, and Lawyer Crane, of whom the lot was pur¬
chased, deeded it to Anthony Cannon, Charles Yalentine, Thomas
Almond and Edward Willitts, in trust, to be conveyed by them
to the trustees when elected, for the use of an African Methodist
Episcopal Church, according to their rules and usages. In a few
months afterward another deed was given direct to the trustees
elected, signed by Lawyer Crane and wife. The church was
dedicated April 15,1855. Founders.—Charles Yalentine and wife
Libby, Anthony Cannon and wife Emeretta, Thomas Almond
and wife Mary, Edward Willetts and wife Mary, Elizabeth Teats.
Pastors.—1854, Caleb Woodyard; 1855, Henry Davis ; 1856,
J. T. Jackson and E. J. Hawkins ; 1858, A. Till; 1859-60, J. H.
Smith ; 1861, J. H. Henson ; 1862-3-4, J. Woodlin ; 1865-6-7, D.
Draper; 1868, L. C. Chambers ; 1870, J. Hollon ; 1871, T. A.
Cuff; 1872, J. Young.
Local Preachers—William Pembelton, Harrison Barkus.
Leaders.—James Winder, Edward Winder, Francis Wallace.
Stewards.—Thomas Wright, John Wright, Morris Tudas, J. H.
Brown, G. D. Long, Edward Tudas, E. Y. Wright.
Stewardesses.—Emeline Wright, Ruth Ann Tudas, Susan Green,
Susie J. Wright, Mary Tudas.
62
HISTOKY OF THE N. J.
Sabbath School Superintendent, E. V. Wright; Teachers and
Offictrs, Jennie Bond, Eva Tudas, Sarah Fletcher, Louisa Wal¬
lace, Libby Cato, Julia Winder, S. J. Wright, Clara Morgan
Pierce, who is also organist.
" The deed of Mt. Zion church, at Bridgeton, and property con¬
nected with it, is now in proper form, and in fact was not defec¬
tive in the start. The trouble grew out of the fact that one of
the original trustees, and he the only one now living, laid claim
to the church, basing it upon the simple statement that the four
original trustees had paid for the ground with their own money—
given as a loan—and the deed was not to be conveyed until the
same had been paid ; and as the money had not been paid, the
property fell to him and his heirs, all of which proved untrue.
The deed being submitted to Lawyer Mitchell, of Bridgeton, was
found to be properly conveyed. The perfecting of the title caused
quite a commotion in the church, as some of the members believed,
or claimed to believe, that the fellow's story was true. Another
bad feature in connection with the affair was that the counselor
for the bogus party, and who fought it with all the zeal of a Paul,
was one of the committee appointed with me on deeds. Still
another bad feature in the case is that some of the clergy, in one
case the ex-pastor, in another the neighboring pastor, who was
called in to act as chairman, and two others who by their preach¬
ing tactics threw their influence against us ; whether intended or
not the fact remains the same. But notwithstanding the prom¬
ises of the Lord have again been verified. Victory is won and
peace reigns supreme."
ATLANTIC CITY CHURCH
Was organized in 1875, by Rev. J. H. Pierce, in the old Union
Church, after which services were held in the dining room of the
Ocean House until conference. During the administration of
Rev. J. T. Rex, the very fine and commodious church was
erected.
Present Trustees.-—-Benjamin Shorter, John Romer, Charles
Harris, L. H. Thomas, David Corse.
Stewards.—B. Shorter, Alexander Smith, J. Romer, H. Corse,
S. Winder.
A. M, E. CONFERENCE. 63
Local Preachers.—-B. Shorter, S. Winder, H. Corse, L. H.
Winder.
ALLENTOWN
Was organized in 1835 by Rev. John Boggs and Willis Nazery.
Founders.—Stacy Woby, John Woby, John Limbo, Edward
Conner, Ellen Dillion, Anna Woby. Bro. Stacy Woby placed
the first stick of wood in the First Church.
Present Board of Trustees.—Alfred Bock, Henry Saxton, Wil¬
liam Still, Charles Still, Edward Fisher.
Stewards.—W. Still, C. Still, Henry Saxton, M. Jones, E. C.
Fisher.
, Stewardesses.—Angie Saxton, H. Bock, Alice A. Yandromby,
Cora Stout, H. A. Jones, Catharine Yincent, Martha Williams.
Georgie Johnson.
Sabbath-school Superintendent.—Joseph Yincent ; Secretary,
Harriet Jones ; Treasurer, Anna Accooe.
The following have been pastors : 1836, Israel Scott; 1837,
William Moore ; 1838, Jeremiah Bulagh, 1840-1, H. C. Turner
and George Grinly ; 1842, Willis Nazery ; also 1843-4, George
Grinly; 1845-6, Henry Davis; 1847-8, T. C. Oliver; 1850-1,
John Butler ; 1852-3, W. T. Catto ; 1854-5, C. Sawyer; 1856-7,
James Holland ; 1858-9, Henry Davis ; 1860-1, T. W. Henry ;
1862, J. Young ; 1863, T. A. Cuff; 1864-5, James Holland ; 1867,
P. Gardner ; 1868-9, W. W. Grimes ; 1870-1, J. Y. Pierce.
In 1835 Allentown was in the Princeton Circuit; 1842, in the
Trejiton Circuit; 1849 in the Bordentown Circuit; 1881 was
changed to a station.
ASBURY PARK
Was organized in 1878, by Rev. J. C. Cornish. Church built
in 1882, by the same Elder.
Founders.—Joseph Dickerson, G. S. Downing, Nicholas Boston,
John Smith, James Brown, J. Carrie.
64
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Present Trustees.—G. Downing, J. Brown, N. Boston, J. Smith,
Casper Carlisle.
Stewards.—G. S. Downing, J. Brown and John Smith. ,■
Leaders.—William Hopkins and John Smith.
Sunday-School Superintendent.—Rev. A. G. Lane ; Librarian,
Alexander Cole ; Secretary, Miss C. Williams.
Teachers.—Miss Clara Williams, Alexander Cole.
For list of pastors see table.
BURLINGTON.
The people of this place formerly worshipped with the M. E.
Church, but on account of insults and limited privileges, with¬
drew. In 1831 an organization was prompted by James Still, a
local preacher, who was guided by Robert Evans. After organ¬
izing, the class meetings were held at different houses, the first
quarterly meeting being held in a tent. Gilbert Conn, their first
leader, having gathered about him a little number, they agreed
to build for themselves a church. The first step taken was to
purchase a piece of ground. James Still, who was foremost in the
effort, applied to Benjamin Jackson, he then being termed Uncle
Bennie, Jr., as he is the father of the present local preacher,
Benjamin Jackson. Uncle Bennie was a Catholic and lived op¬
posite the present church site. He also rentecl and used the
ground for a truck patch. • This, however, was the most desirable
spot, both as to price and location. So thought Uncle Ben, and
he so stated to Mr. Still. He therefore offered to give up
his claim as renter, and buy it himself, for them, which offer was
accepted, and a deed was drawn to the legal trustees for the
church organization, to be known as the A. M. E. Church of
Burlington, 1831. Their efforts were further crowned by the aid
of a prominent citizen, a Friend or Quaker as they were then
known. He was principal of a boarding school for young men.
He gave them a frame building that had been used as a lecture
room for the school. It was about fifty feet long, and was di¬
vided. One-half was formed into a church, 1832, the other half
was made into a dwelling, which still stands on Broad street.
The present church was built in 1855 by Rev. G. W. Johnson ;
remodeled by Rev. I. W. Stevenson in 1873. All of the founders
A. M. E. CHUECH.
65
are dead, among whom were George Huggs, Mary Huggs, Eliza
Jackson, Asha Conn, Rachel Conn, William Still, James Still,
Oeorge Woodlin, Emanuel Congo, Gilbert Conn.
Present Trustees.—James H. Lake, James Huggs, Thomas
Abrams, Charles M. Cornish, William Robinson.
Stewards.—Samuel W. Chase, William Shields, William Jack¬
son, Richard Huggs, Lewis Britton.
Stewardesses.—Lydia A. Thomas, Hannah Yincent, Martha
Stockton, Anna Wise, Jane A. Lake, Rachel Chase, Mary Stiles,
Lydia Britton, Hannah Geda.
Local Preacher.—Benjamin Jackson.
Exhorter.—Lewis Britton.
Leaders.—James H. Lake, James Huggs.
Sunday-School Superintendent.—S. W. Chase ; Secretary, Mary
McBride and Gertrude Pierce; Treasurer, Hannah Yincent;
Librarian, Samuel Smith; Teachers, H. F. Geda, M. Stiles, R.
Ohase, H. A. Pierce, H. Metcalf, J. W. Stockton, H. Yincent.
Sunday-school Missionary Officers.—Rev. J. H. Pierce, Presi¬
dent ; Hannah F. Geda, Vice President; Mary McBride, Sec¬
retary ; Mary Stiles, Treasurer.
The following . have been Pastors.—1831-2, Noah Cannon ;
1833-4, John Cornish ; 1835, William Moore was pastor of Bur¬
lington and Salem Circuit this year; 1836, William Moore ; 1837,
John Boggs ; 1.838-9-40, J. C. Spence ; 1841-2, Israel Scott; 1843,
John Boggs; 1844, H. Davis; 1845, Israel Scott; 1846, Israel
Scott and Thomas Oliver; 1847, George Grinley ; 1848, C. Dur¬
ham and John Henson; 1849, C. Durham; 1850, G. Grinley and
Andrew Till; 1851-2, J. B. Parker ; 1853-4, S. Holcomb; 1855,
G. W. Johnson; 1856, J. Butler; 1857-8, S. Holcomb; 1859,
J. Woodlin ; 1860, H. H. Davis ; 1861-2, J. H. Smith ; 1863 4-5,
T. Gould; 1866-7, J. H. Mitchell; 1868, R. Faucett; 1869,
Samuel Watts ; 1870-1, J. Young.
BUSHTOWN
Was founded in 1807, and formerly belonged to the M. E.
Church came over to the A. M. E. Church at the organization
of the A. M. E. Connection. Was rebuilt in 1857. It was form-
5
66
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
ally a log churcli and stood about two miles from where it now
Stands.
The following pastors have served there : 1817, Clayton Dur¬
ham ; 1818-19, Jeremiah Miller; 1820, Paul Quinn ; 1821-2,
Samuel Ridley ; 1823, J. P. B. Eddy ; 1824, Thomas A. Dorsey
and Joseph Harper; 1825-6, Joseph Harper; 1827-8, Richard
Williams ; 1829, J. Cornish and Israel Scott; 1830, Lewis Cork
and Samuel Entee; 1831, J. Boggs ; 1832, J. C. Spence ; 1833-4,
P. D. W. Schureman ; 1835-6, W. Moore and Leven Tillman ; 1837,
J. Bulauh ; 1838-9, J. Cornish; 1840, H. C.Turner; 1841, J.
Bulauh ; 1842-3, G. Grinley ; 1844-5, J. L. Armstrong ; 1846, A.
W. Way man and A. C. Crippen; 1847, J. B. Parker and J. R. Y.
Morgan; 1848, G. Grinley; 1849-50, Israel Scott; 1851, Richard
Barney ; 1852, John Butler ; 1853, E. M. Ferris ; 1854, W. D. W.
Schureman ; 1855-6, Shepherd Holcomb ; 1857-8, JoshuaWoodlin ;
1859, I. J. Hill; 1860, Peter Gardner ; 1861, T. W. Henry ; 1862,
James Hollen ; 1863, Jacob Jay ; 1864-5, Richard Barney ; 1866,
A. C. Crippen; 1867, W. W. Grimes ; 1868-9 Peter Loper ; 1870,
Walter Thompson; 1871, I. J. Hill.
Present Trustees.—Jenkins Shorter, John Sullivan, Charles
Miller, Charles Sullivan, George Ringle, N. Brown, Jesse John¬
son.
Stewards.—Jenkins Shorter, J. Shorter, N. Brown, C. Sullivan,
Zachariah Lively.
Leaders.—J. Shorter, H. Shorter, P. Shorter.
Stewardesses.—M. Shorter, M. Ringle, R. Ringle, A. Lye, A.
Sullivan and Anna Howard.
Exhorters.—Samuel Smith, George Ringle.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—Jenkins Shorter ; Lewis Pur-
nell, Secretary.
Teachers.—David Standly, Lewis Purnell, Jane Watson and
Emeline Chancy.
BORDENTOWN
Was organized October 30, 1841.
Founders.—William Middleton, Joseph Green, Edward Conover,
Robert Evans, Kitty, Gansey, Mary Benson, James Benson,
Albert Yanderzee.
a. m. e. church.
67
Present Board of Trustees.—Levi Johnson, James Dean and
Thomas Dillon.
Local Preachers.—Robert Evans, Levi Johnson and James
Osborne.
Class Leaders. —Perry Frisby and William Middleton.
Stewards.—William Jackson, Robert Yanderveer and John
Thomas.
JExhorter.—Samuel Johnson.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—William Jackson ; Secretary,
Robert Yanderveer ; Librarian, Harry Jackson; Treasurer, Stella
Thomas; Teachers, S. C. Goosley, Kesiah Clayton, Stella Thomas,
Samuel Johnson, Joseph Williams and Martha Percey.
The following have been pastors-: 1841-2, Israel Scott; 1843,
John Boggs; 1844, Henry Davis; 1845, Israel Scott; 1846,1.
Scott and Thomas Oliver; 1847-8, Thomas Oliver ; 1850-1, John
Butler; 1852-3, W. C. Catto ; 1854-5, C. Sawyer; 1856-7, James
Hollon; 1858-9, Henry Davis; 1860-1, T. W. Henry; 1862, J.
Young ; 1863, Thomas Cuff; 1864-5, J. Hollen ; 1866-7, Peter
Gardner; 1868-9, W. W. Grimes; 1870-1, J. Y. Pierce.
Note.—When this church was organized the class was led for
sometime by a christian female.—(See Wayman's Cyclopedia.)
Bordentown was in the Burlington circuit from 1841 to 1848.
Then it was placed in the Allentown circuit until 1855; after
which it became the head of the circuit.
CAPE MAY POINT
Was organized December 16, 1883, by Rev. G. T. Waters.
Founders.—Charles Turner, Annie Turner, Susan Turner, Sarah
Trusty.
Sun day-school Superintendent.— Charles Turner; Assistant,
Annie Turner; Secretary, Susan Turner ; Tachers, Jacob Trusty,
Lewis Margen, Hester Allen and Sarah Trusty.
COLD SPRING
Was bought from the M. E. church, its date of organization
not being* known. It was known in early records as Coling or
Gloucester Coling ; was found in the Salem circuit in 1841.
68
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Present Board of Trustees.—Samuel Trusty, Benjamin Baptist,
William Green, Jacob Trusty and Samuel Lee.
Local Preachers.—Edward Turner and Henry Turner.
Stewards.—Samuel Trusty and Jacob Trusty.
Class Leader.—Alexander Windlock.
Stewardesses.—Kesiali Turner and Eliza Green.
f f
Sunday-school Superiniendent.—Edward Turner ; Assistant,
E. Windlock ; Secretary, Albert Green ; Teachers, Eliza Windlock,
Eliza Green, Samuel Lee and Elizabeth Green.
The following have been pastors.—1841, J. G. Bulaugh ; 1842-3,
G. Grinley ; 1844-5, J. L. Armstrong ; 1846, A. W. Wayman ;
1847, I. Parker and J. R. Y. Morgan ; 1848, G. Grinley ; 1850, I.
Scott; 1852, S. Holomb ; 1853, D. Dorell; 1854, C. Woodyard ;
1855, H. Davis and J. T. Jackson ; 1856, E. J. Hawkins, J. T.
Jackson ; 1857-8, I. J. Hill; 1859, William Fuller; 1860-1, Andrew
Till; 1862-3, R. Barney ; 1864, J. Jay; 1865, J. C. Cornish;
1866-7, T. Pierce ; 1868, G. Washington ; 1869-70-71, J. C. Corn¬
ish. In 1851 it was put in the Greenwich circuit; in 1857 in the'
Cape May circuit; 1866 Yineland circuit; 1868 was made a mis¬
sion ; 1871 again put in the Cape May circuit.
LITTLE BETHEL—CENTREVILLE.
*The congregation was organized from a small Sunday-school
and a series of prayer meetings, which were held in the house of
John Morris, on South street, in 1863. A tent was put up on the
site upon which the present church was built, in 1864, dedicated
by Bishop Campbell. G. E. Boyer is said to have been their
first pastor.
CENTREVILLE
*Was organized by Rev. J. H. Turpin, Jr., in 1870, while he was
pastor of Macedonia Church, at Camden. It remained jinder
the care of the Camden church until placed with Woodbury cir¬
cuit. The building was erected under the direction of one Wil¬
liam Macky, simply for Sabbath-school purposes, the deed being
made out to that effect. The Rev. A. C. Crippen having been
♦Double statement, both 6aid to be correct, not knowing how to reconcile the matter I
insert both.—[Ed.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 69
appointed the oversight, found the people worshipping in it, with¬
out any claim to the building. He therefore entered into an in¬
vestigation, and after a hard^fight succeeded in taking it out of
the hands of individuals and made it over to the A. M. E.
Church.
Present Board of Trustees.—Daniel Yemmons, Henry S. Hall,
James Scotten, Henry Langston, Samuel Branson, John Smith
and Thomas Dorsey.
Stewards.—D. Yemmons, I. Dorsey and H. S. Hall.
Stewardesses.—Anna Dorsey, Jane Salter, Mary E. Brown.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—D. Yemmons ; Teachers, John
Fussell, H. S. Hall and Maria Johnson.
CAPE MAY
"Was bought from the M. E. Church, date not known. Was
known in early years as Shore and Sea Shore.
Present Trustees.—William White, Mark Williams, Joseph
Vance, Charles Cox, Lewis Magee.
Stewards.—C. Cox and L. Magee.
Class Leader.—John Obechin.
Stewardesses.—Sallie Yance, Martha Adams, Rachel Griffin.
\
Sunday-school Superintendent.—Henry Wilkins; Directress,
Elizabeth James ; Secretary, Hannah Wilkins ; Treasurer, Rachel
Gibson ; Teachers, R. Griffin, M. B. Feelers, J. Oberchin, Miss F.
B. Woodson, Bessie Washington, Mark Williams, J. Vance and
Charles Cox.
It has had the following Pastors.—1843, G. Grinley; 1844-5,
J. L. Armstrong ; 1846, A. W. Way man and A. C. Crippen ; 1847,
I. B. Parker and J. R. V. Morgan ; 1848, G. Grinley; 1849-50,
Scott; 1851-2, S. Holcomb; 1853, G. Stanford and P. Gardner ;
1854, C. Woodyard; 1855-6, E. Hawkins and T. Jackson ; 1857-8,
I. J. Hill; 1859, W. F. Fuller; 1860-1, A. Till; 1862-3, R. Bar¬
ney ; 1864, J. Jay; 1865-6, J. Cornish; 1867, J. Henson ; 1868,
G. Washington ; 1869, J. Nelson; 1870-], J. C. Cornish.
70
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
CROSSWICKS
Was organized In 1868, the church being built in 1879 by Rev.
William E. Styles.
Founders.—Thomas King, John Mount, Henry Duncan, Mary
Mount, Elizabeth Johnson, Miss Doulby and Theodore Harper.
Local Preachers.—H. Duncan, Benjamin Johnson.
Class Leaders—Thomas King, Theodore Harper.
Stewards.—Theodore Harper, H. Binn.
Trustees.—Thomas King, O. Harvey and Henry Binn.
For pastors see table.
EASTON.
This church was organized in 187 , by Rev. I. J. Hill, and was
short lived. It was reorganized by Rev. W. H. Hopkins and was
more successful; he served them two years, which resulted in
forming the Washington circuit. In 1885 Rev. Willis N. Bow¬
man reorganized it again.
Local Elder—James S. Ray.
Stewardesses.—MayJWilliamson, Jane Wilson, Henrietta Cham-
berland, Anna F. Roberson, Hannah Anderson.
EVESHAM.
Mt. Laurel, or Evesham, was organized about 1826 through
the instrumentality of Robert Evans, assisted by Mrs. Deliah
JoTanson, an evangelist of the A. M. E. Church.
The f Mowing have been Pastors.—1827-28-29-30, ; 1831-2,
Noah Cannon ; 1833-4, J >lm Cornish; 1835-6, William Moore ;
1837, John Boggs; 1838-9-40, J. C. Spence; 1841-2, Israel
Scott; 1843, John Boggs; 1844, H. Davis; 1845, Israel Scott ;
1846, I. Scott and T. Oliver ; 1847, G. Grinly ; 1848, Clayton
Durham and John Henson ; 1849, C. Durham ; 1850, G. Grinly
and Andrew Till; 1851-2, I. B. Parker ; 1853-4, S. Holcomb ;
1855, G. W. Johnson ; 1856, J. Butler ; 1857-8, S. Holcomb ; 1859,'
J. WoodJin ; 1860, H. Davis ; 1861-2, J. H. Smith ; 1863-4-5, T
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
71
Gould ; 1866-7, J. Mitchel; 1868, R. Faucett; 1869, S. Watts;
1870-1, J. Young.
Present. Trustees.—William Pecoe, James Anderson, G. Am¬
brose, E. Fisher and C. Chambers.
Stewards.—D. Thomas, C. Chambers, G.Ambrose, D. Fountain.
Exhorters.—D. Thomas, J. Still and G. Ambrose.
Leaders.—J. Anderson, J. Still and D. Thomas.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—J. Bowers ; Directress, Cordelia
Gaines ; Treasurer, Susan Tillman ; Secretary, G. Ambrose ;
Teachers, Miss C. Gaines, A. Moses, R. Hopkins, Mrs. Gaskin
and J. Lopeman.
LITTLE HOSANNA, EAST CAMDEN,
Originated from a series of meetings held in the house of Miss
Hettie Waples, in 1862, under Peter Gardner, and later on in
the houses of John Collins, Peter Walters and Caleb Walters, Sr.
The church was enlarged in 1871 by Rev. G. W. Grimes and
•claims the following
Pastors.—P. Gardner, Henry Davis, Joseph Stewart, G. E.
Boyer, Francis Hamilton, T. Gould, J. Turpin, J. Watson, W. W.
Grimes, J. Cornish, I. J. Hill, Isaac Murray, J. H. Pierce, Robert
Dunn, G. Othella, B. W. Timothy, L. Sturges.
Reorganized in 1864 by Rev. T. G. Steward. Church built by
the same. The church building was bought in Camden and
moved out on the ground. The money collected on the day of
the corner-stone laying was stolen.
Present Trustees are.—John Collins, Caleb Laws, G. H. Price,
J. Carpenter and S. Carpenter.
Stewards.—E. Davis, J. Collins and C. Laws.
Stewardesses.—Jane Davis, Sophia Briggs and Emma Laws.
Sunday-school Teachers.—J. Anderson, Wilson Watson, Sophia
Waples, Mary Laws, Mary Ingraham and Sophia Watts.
ELIZABETH.
Organized in 1860 by Rev. A. C. Crippen. The church
formerly belonged to the A. M. E. Zion connection. This place
is mentioned in the minutes of the Philadelphia Conference of
72
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
1833, Rev. R. Robinson then pastor. It is possible that it was
captured by the Zion connection and recaptured in 1860. It is
said that the church was once free of debt, but by building addi¬
tions and bad management in 1872-3, two mortgages were given,
one for $300.00 and another for $1,200.00, which finally culminat¬
ed in the church being sold in 1878.
The following pastors have served the church—1860-1-2, A. C,
Crippen; 1863, J. R. V. Thomas and Jonathan Hamilton ; 1864-
5, W. H. Ross; 1866, E. T. Thompson; 1867, R. F. Wayman;
1868, J. Hyet; 1869, W. H. Rodgers ; 1870, W. F. Dickerson;
1871, E. T. Williams.
Present Trustees.—W. Brown, G. Coleman, J. Stevens.
Stewards.—T. Sisco, W. Ado and J. Searms.
Stewardesses.—Mrs. S. Sisco, Mrs. Searms and Mrs. H-
Freeman.
FREEHOLD.
Date of organization not known ; neither is it known by whom
the church was built. It was formerly situated about two miles
out in the country at Englishtown, but was moved to Freehold
under the pastorate of Rev. G. A. Mills.
The following have been pastors of the Church.—1840, H. C.
Turner; 1841, H. C. Turner and G. Grinly; 1842 3, Willis
Nazery; 1844-5, G. Grinley ; 1846-7-8-9, — ; 1850-1, John
Butler ; 1852-3, W. C. Catto ; 1854-5, 0. Sawyer ; 1856-7, Jame&
Hollen; 1858, H. Davis; 1859-60, ; 1861-2, W. EL
Winder; 1863-4, J. W. Stevenson; 1865, A. C. Crippen; 1866r
L. I. Conover; 1867, Charles Kenard; 1868, S. Laws and J. W.
Cooper ; 1870-1, G. A. Mills.
Trustees.— Charles Hendrickson, Gilford Jones, Henry Gattain.
Stewards.—W. Hendrickson, P. Ludlo,w and Jacob Reeves.
Stewardesses.—Mrs. A. Hawton, C. Jones, A. M. Williams, S.
Yanclief, A. Yanclief and L. Johnson.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—Miss H. Jones ; Secretary, M.
Smith ; Treasurer, M. Logan; Teachers, E. J ones, R. Williams,
Miss Reed, A. Baker and C. Jones.
A, M. E. CONFERENCE.
73
GOULDTOWN
Was organized in 1818, by Rev. Jeremiah Miller. Meetings
were held in different houses, the Quarterly Conference being
held in the barn of Furman Gould. The founders were Furman
Gould, Aaron Gould, Christian Gould, Hannah Gould, Benjamin
Gould, Phebe Gould, Richard Pierce, Charlotte Gould, Adrian
Pierce, Rachel Pierce, Elizabeth Steward, Pierce Gould, Sarah
Gould, Elijah Gould, Sarah Hicks, Ruth Henson, Anthony
Pierce, Sarah Pierce, David Murray, Sarah Murray, Richard Pierce,
Milla Pierce.
The first church was built in 1825, the ground being given,
and a school house built, which served for both church and
school. The second church was built in 1836 by Rev. William
Moore, church and school house together. In 1837 a split oc¬
curred in the church which grew out of a question of authority.
One party refused to receive the appointed pastor, Rev. Jeremiah
Bulaugh. Quite a contest was entered into before the arrival of
the pastor, in which " barring of church doors," " bleating of
sheep," " battering rams," and tearing of clothes were prominent
features. So when the minister came, he was rather timid in
entering. The party that favored the minister had to take him
in by force, he (the minister) doing his best to keep from enter¬
ing. The beaten party organized a church for themselves in
another connection. The present church was built in 1860 by
the Rev. Joseph H. Smith. This makes the third church. The
year 1851 was a season of a great revival, during which thirty-
four souls were added to the church, Bro. Jonathan Gould and
wife being among the number. Springtown and Bridgeton were
organized from previous members of this church.
Oouldtown has had the following pastors.—1819, Jeremiah
Miller ; 1820, Paul Quinn ; 1821-2, Samuel Ridley ; 1823, J. P. B.
Eddy ; 1824, T. A. Dorsey and J. Harper ; 1825-6, Joseph Har¬
per ; 1827-8, Richard Williams ; 1829, William Richardson, J-
Cornish and Israel Scott; 1830, Lewis Cork and Samuel Entee ;
1831, John Boggs ; 1832, J. C. Spence ; 1833-4, P. D. W. Schure-
man ; 1835-6, W. Moore ; 1837, J. Bulaugh ; 1838-9, John Cor¬
nish ; 1840, Clayton Durham; 1841, J. Bulauh; 1842-3, G.
74
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Grinlej; 1844-5, J. L. Armstrong ; 1846, A. W. Wayman and A.
C. Crippen; 1847, I. Parker and J. R. V. Morgan; 1848-9, R.
Barney ; 1850, I. J. Parker ; 1851-2, S. Holcomb (107); 1853, G.
Stanford and Peter Gardner; 1854, Caleb Woodyard; 1855-6,
Henry Davis and J. T. Jackson ; 1857, E. J. Hawkins and T.
Jackson ; 1858, Andrew Till; 1859-60, J. H. Smith ; 1861, J. H.
Henson; 1862-3-4, J. Woodlin; 1865, Joseph Nelson ; 1866, D.
Draper; 1867-8-9, Benjamin Darks; 1870, Leonard Patterson;
1871, J. H. Smith.
Present Trustees.—Stephen Steward, Eli Gould, Jessie Gould,
William Cuff and John O. Langston.
. Stewards.—R. D. Steward, S. S. Steward, Robert Dunn, John
Gould, Jonathan Gould, Gideon Pierce, Lorenzo Gould, William
Cuff and Eli Gould.
Local Preachers.—Robert Dunn and Aaron Paul Gould, R. D.
Stewart, E. Pasmore Wilson.
Leaders.—Jonathan Gould, John Gould, Alfred Gould, Augus¬
tus Gould, Robert Dunn, Robert Steward and Menon Pierce.
Stewardesses.—Anna Wright, Prudence Pierce, Georgiana
Dunn, Mary Pierce, Elizabeth Steward and Mary Gould.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—Stephen Steward ; Directress,
Georgiana Dunn ; Librarian, Lizzie Gould ; Treasurer, Alice
Dunn ; Organist, E. Pasmore Wilson.
Teachers.—Mrs. Gideon Pierce, Georgiana Dunn, Mary E.
Gould, Sophia Pierce, Mrs. Menon Pierce, Anna M. Garrison,
Mamie Lawson, Anna Lloyd, Eli Gould, Jessie Gould, Isaac
Gould, Rev. A. C. Garrison, R. I)unn.
HIGHTSTOWN.
This church was founded in 1868 by Rev. W. W. Grimes. The
church was also built by the same Elder. The names of the
founders in part are George Martin, Stephen Branaugh and
James Augusta.
Present Trustees.—George Martin, Stephen Branaugh and
Jacob Simbo.
Stewards.—George Martin and Jacob Simbo.
Stewardesses.—Martha Gibson, Elizabeth Betts and Mary Bra¬
naugh.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
75
Local Preacher.—Stephen Branaugh.
Exhorters.—John Fisher and George Martin.
H ALEYVILLE
Was organized November 14, 1882, by Key. E. P. Grinage. A
lot has been purchased and a building bought. The building of
the church will be commenced in the spring of 1884. Everything
up to the present has been paid for.
The founders were.—Alfred Green, George Price, Margaret
Price, Prudence Green, Alfred Green, Jr., and Ella T. Lagraves.
Trustees.—Alfred Green, G. Price and Alfred Green, Jr.
Stewards.—Henry Tillman, John Crawford, Alfred Green, Jr.
Stewardesses.—Isabella Tillmaij, Margaret Price and Prudence
Green.
Leader.—Alfred Green.
Sunday-school Teachers.—Ella F. Legraves and Prudence
Green. .
JORDANTOWN.
The history of this church is somewhat obscure, hence the
editor is unable to give anything like a full detail. It is said to
have been organized about 1820 ; but is first noticed in the
minutes of the Philadelphia Conference of 1850.
The following have been pastors.—1850, George Grinly and
Andrew Till; 1851-2, I. B. Parker; 1853-4, S. Holcomb ; 1855,
G. W. Johnson ; 1856, J. Butler ; 1857-8 ; S. Holcomb ; 1859, J.
Woodlin; 1860, Henry Davis ; 1861-2, J. H. Smith ; 1863, Joseph
Long ; 1864, T. W. Henry; 1865-6, A. Till; 1867-8, J. W.
Stevenson.
Present Trustees.—George Smiley, J. W. Brown, Hiram Polk,
Daniel Anderson and Henry Butler.
Stewards.—G. Smiley, D. Butler and H. Butler.
Stewardesses.—Mary Anderson, Elizabeth Polk, and Lizzie
Smiley.
C lass J.eaders.—Hiram Polk, Daniel Anderson and D. Davis.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—S. Jordan.
76 HISTOEY OP THE N. J.
Teachers.—Henry Butler, G. Smiley, Mrs. Wallace and Miss
Polk.
Jordantown is now in the East Camden Circuit.
LONG BRANCH
Was organized in 1873 by Rev. W. Bodgers, then pastor at
Fair Haven, negotiating for property and securing it to the trus¬
tees at Fair Haven. This was opposed by the newly organized
society, which resulted finally in a change of title. The trustees
were elected at Long Branch, and the property made over to
them in trust. John Smith, A. C. Garrison and Henry Larkins,
trustees. Garrison was trustee, leader and superintendent.
Bev. W. Bodgers was reappointed. Through bad management
the property was lost, the clainl being made that considerable
more money was raised than was paid upon the church, two
hundred dollars having been paid. It was sold by the sheriff.
Bev. G. A. Miller succeeded Bev. Bodgers; but nothing re¬
mained of the old church. Thus ended the first attempt. Two
years later the Bev. A. C. Garrison, then having charge at Fair
Haven, attempted to resurrect the old church by organizing a
Sabbath-school. This was managed for some time with a con¬
siderable degree of success by Mrs. James Sherns, whose house
was used for a time. Finally it ceased to be, and thus ended the
second attempt.
The present church was organized by Bev. A. C. Garrison, who
received a transfer from the New York Conference in 1880 by re¬
quest. The church was built by the same.
Founders.—W. L. Shreves, Alfred Jameson, Samuel Handy,
Edward Handy, Caleb Hurdle, Annie M. Garrison, Julia T.
Bowles, Martin Handy and Mrs. Crawford Shreves.
Trustees.—Jamerson, Handy and Bowles and C. Hurdle. S.
Handy was steward and leader ; Shreves and Jamerson stewards.
On the 10th of August, 1880, the ground w;is purchased and
paid for in cash, and was deeded as per discipline, and recorded
in the clerk's office in Freehold, N. J., in Book 330, page 76.
The foundation was built 32x58 and paid for. On August 19th
the corner stone was laid by Bev. T. McCant, steward, being
assisted by Bev. S. B. Williams and Bev. C. J. Young, of the
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
77
Reformed Dutch Church. The structure is Gothic, with belfry.
The success of this undertaking was largely due, under God, to
two very much esteemed lady members of the Episcopal Church—
Mrs. Hugh Hastings and Mrs. N. B. Hughs. Many were the
donations of liberal friends. Mr. W. Mariham gave the laths.
Mr. R. Breece the lime, Mr. James Deem the labor for plastering
the entire church, Mr. Barham the bell, the Reformed Church
the communion set, Mrs. Hughs the pulpit bible, the ladies of
the Episcopal Church the carpet, the firm of Weed & Laft the
moulding for the entire building, and many others contributed to
the completion of the edifice. The church was dedicated by
Bishop J. K Campbell, August, 1882.
Present Trustees.—S. H. Handy, 5- Handy and James Coleman.
Stewardesses.—Mary A. Polk, Martha Harris and Elizabeth
Hurdle.
Leaders.—E. Handy and B. F. Martin.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—C. L. Alston ; Secretary, Fred-
rica Murray; Treasurer,Allred Jewell; Librarian, E. Courney ;
Teachers.—C. L. Alston, B. F. Martin, Miss Ella Withington
and Emma J. Cromwell.
LAWRENCEVILLE.
History lost and the editor can give but the date of a few of
the pastors who have served—1841, H. C. Turner and Rev.
Grinly; 1842-3, W. Nazery; 1844-5, G. Grinly; 1846, Henry
Davis; 1847-8, T. C. Oliver; 1849-50, W. Nazery; 1851, H. J.
Young; 1852-8, J. Holland ; 1854, G. W. Johnson; 1855-6, W.
D. W. Schureman ; 1857, J. Young ; 1858-9, C. Woodyard ; 1860-1,
J. P. Campbell; 1862-3, W. Moore ; 1864-5, F. "W. Cooper ; 1866-
7, Walter Thompson.
MARLBORO
Was organized in 1847, by Rev. J. R. V. Morgan. The church
was built by Rev. Isaac Parker.
Founders.—John Sharkley, David Shockley, James Shockley,
John Francis, John Wesley, Charles Green and John Green.
78
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
The following Pastors have served the clmrch.—1848, G. Grinly ;
1849-50, J. Scott; 1851, R. Barney ; 1852, John Butler ; 1853, E.
M. Farris; 1854, W. D. W. Schureman; 1855-6, S. Holcomb ; 1857-
8, J. Woodlin; 1859, I. J. Hill; 1860, Peter Gardner; 1861, T.
W. Henry; 1862-3, James Hollan; 1864, James Frisby and
Joseph Long (local); 1865-6, N. H. Turpin ; 1867, B. Lynch;
1868-9, L. S. Lewis; 1870-1, F. J. Cooper.
Present Trustees.—L. S. Auderson, Charles Ceason.
Leaders.—L. S. Anderson and Charles Gibson.
Stewards.—Alfred Marshall, L. J. Moore and David Newton.
MILLVILLE.
Corse Chapel was organized by Rev. W. M. Watson. The
church was built by Joshua Woodlin in 1864. The church takes
its name from Bro. William Corse, in whose house worship was
held after the organization until the building of the church. He
was very influential and the many white friends who attended
the meetings encouraged him to build a church. So they drew
up for him a subscription list, signing their own names as large
subscribers. His influence in the community made him success¬
ful in securing several hundred dollars, by which means the
church was built complete. All this was accomplished at the ad¬
vanced age of seventy-three. He was full of race and church
pride.
Founders.—Wilson Corse, Rhoda Corse, Annie E. Wright,
Henry Corse, Eliza Tillman, John Corse, Mary Corse and Ezekiel
Cookne.
The following have been pastors.—1865, J. Nelson ; 1866, D.
Draper ; 1867-8-9, B. Darks; 1870, L. Patterson ; 1871-2, J. H.
Smith.
Present Trustees.—B. F. Lee, J. W. Corse and J. R. Wilson.
Stewards.—B. F. Lee, J. Brown and J. W. Corse.
Stewardesses.—Mary Corse, Elizabeth Cardaro and Annie Lyle.
Local Preacher.—B. F. Lee ; Exhorter, Edward Wilson.
Leaders.—J. Brown and J. Corse.
Sunday-school Officers.—Tacob Jeff, Caselia Sheppard and,
Hester Jeff; Teachers, J. R. Wilson, Cascelia Sheppard, Hester
Jeff, James Brown and Adelaide Lee!
a. m. e. conference.
79
MORRISTOWN.
Organized in 1847 by Christian Yorhuco, a local deacon. It
.was first called the " Bethel Mite Society." Mrs. Fannie Ray
was president and Rebecca Mocassin (now Huff) vice president,
Miss Emma Willigman, secretary, and Emeline Demond treas¬
urer. Eliza Johnson, Rachel Ader, Dinah Halsey, Eliza Alfort,
Mary Adams, Mary Emmons, Richard Ray, George Tuat and
Charles Thompson were members. These persons worked with a
will. They first worshipped in an old blacksmith shop and after¬
wards in a hall. They labored hard to get ground upon which
to erect a building to the Lord. Finally they succeeded, and in
1849 it was built and dedicated, Bishop Paul Quinn officiating,
assisted by Thomas Oliver. This building was erected by the
combined efforts of the ladies, the men doing the purchasing,
and that under protest. In the time of Elder Boyer, a very
wealthy lady by the name of Cobb, a member of the M. E.
Church, bought the old M. E. Church, in which she had formerly
worshipped (they having built a new one) and gave it to our
people, together with a fine parsonage. The church instead of
being moved was torn down and remodelled, which, caused an
indebtedness of four thousand dollars. The old church was sold
for public school purposes. This caused quite a consternation
among the members, and they allowed the new church to be sold
by the sheriff for three thousand dollars. It was bought in by
the Young Men's Christian Association for the use of the A. M.
Church, they holding virtual possession to keep the people from
running themselves in debt.
"While 1847 is given as the date of organization there must
have been a previous organization, as it is noticed in conference
minutes two years prior to date given, having been in the Prince¬
ton Circuit, organized in 1842 by Rev. H. C. Turner. The claim
made by him in an article disputing the same claim made by
Rev. Charles Burch." Bishop A. W. Wayman.
The following pastors have served.—1845, Willis Nazery ; 1846,
William Moore ; 1847-8, Israel Scott and Shepherd Holcomb ;
1849.50, Thomas Oliver (102); 1851, Richard Barney. In 1852,
Morristown was placed in the Now York Confeie:ce; in 1852
80
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Rev. J. Elsmore served as pastor ; 1853-4-5-6-7, J. B. Y. Mor¬
gan ; 1858-9, J Hamilton; I860, Thomas Legg ; 1861-2, E. T.
Thompson ; 1863, W. M. Watson ; 1864, D. P. Seaton; 1865-6,
W. H. Winder; 1867, Leonard Patterson; 1868, B. Lynch;
1869-70; W. Peterson ; 1871, W. T. Catto.
Present Trustees.—G. W. Yates, L. Freenan, Jacob West and
Henry Ada.
Stewards.—Henry Ada, Preston Garland, Malachi Adams,
Bobert A. Gales and Jacob Bay.
Stewardesses.—Caroline Freeman, Catharine Beynolds, Fannie
Henry, Catharine Huff, Fannie Freenan, Mary Jackson and
Harriet Salters.
Local Preachers.—G. W. Yates and L. Furman.
Leaders.—Jacob West and Lawrence Freeman.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—G. W. Yates ; assistant, Miss
Alice Dare ; secretary, Elizabeth Miller; librarian, Miss A. E.
Kingsland ; organist, Nicholas Miller; teachers, Judge Whitehead,
Mrs. Sulphur, Miss Alexander, Mrs. C. A. Fluff, Miss Levina
Freeman and Mrs. J. T. Diggs.
MIDDLEBUSH.
Organized in 1873 by Bev. Joshua Woodlin. Church was
built by Bev. Bedmon Faucett, in 1877. This station was at¬
tached to New Brunswick until 1881, and was served by the
same pastor.
Present Trustees.—Charles Young, Siscom Baddies, George
Timbrook, Lewis Schenck and Silas Yandina.
Stewards.—Bobert Franklin, Francis Yandyke.
Leader.—Thomas Iraman.
Stewardesses.—Julia Franklin, Sarah Yandyke, Bosanna Yan¬
dyke, Emma Sulphur, Josephine Timbrook, Anna Skillman, Mary
Beekman, Mary Skillman and Mrs. A. Thompson.
Local Preacher.—Samuel Garrison.
Exhorters.—Charles Mulford, Charles Young.
Sabbath-school Teachers.—Mary Higgins, Clayton Middleton
and Sarah Yandyke.
A. M. E. CONFEKENCE.
81
moorestown.
Organized in 1879 by Rev. J. H. Bean. The church was built
in 1883 by Rev. G. M. Wliitten.
Founders.—Charles Chambers, Daniel Fountain, George Am¬
brose, Andrew Pecoe, Shadrach Aldridge and wife, Elizabeth
Fountain, Agnes Pecoe and Thomas Taylor.
mAnalapan.
Woodville A. M. E. Church was founded on the 23d of July,
1843, by Lewis Conover, a local deacon. The first trustees were
Jeremiah Johnson, James Trufton, Benjamin Parker. It will be
seen by the following report that some mistake has been made,
as Manalapin is noticed in the minutes of 1841.
In 1841 Rev. H. C. Turner and G. Grinly were pastors ; 1842-3,
W. Nazery ; 1844-5, G. Grinly ; 1846, Henry Davis ; 1847-8, T.
C. Oliver ; 1849, ; 1850-1, John Butler ; 1852-3, W. C.
Catto; 1854-5, C. Sawyer; 1856-7, James Hollon; 1858,
Henry Davis ; 1859 60, ; 1861-2, W. H. Winder ; 1863-4,
J. W. Stevenson ; 1865, A. C. Crippen; 1866, L. Conover; 1867,
Peter Loper ; 1868, E. Laws.
Present Trustees.—H. B. Vincent, Samuel Vincent, Daniel
Logan.
Stewards.—H. B. Vincent and J. J. Conover.
Stewardesses.—Catherine Limehouse, Charlotte Vincent and
Mary J. Hampton.
madison.
Organized in 1875 by Rev. G. H. Jones. There is no church
service being held in the Academy building.
Founders.—Dennis Hogans, Edward Carpenter, Charles Brad-
low Mrs. Pollie Jackson, Sarah Williams, Mary Melborn, Mary
A Hogans, Charlotte White and Annie Kyzon.
Present Trustees.—S. C. Melborn, Dennis Hogans and M.
Mills.
6
82
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
Stewardesses.— Mrs. M. Melborn, Mary Jackson, Mary Hogans,
Eliza Williams, Charlotte White
Church Organist.—Miss Jackson.
The Sunday-school is under the charge of the Presbyterian
Cliurcli. In 1846 Madison had an organization and was in* the
Princeton Circuit, and had the following pastors : 1846, W.
Moore ; 1847, Israel Scott. The first mentioned organization
must therefore be the second.
MT. HOLLY.
This church was organized through the combined efforts of
Mr. Robert Evans and Mrs. Delia Johnson, Mrs. Johnson being
an evangelist in our connection. The names of two of the foun¬
ders are, Wardel Parker and C. Green.
Pastors have been as fallows:—1826-7-8-9-30-1-2, Noah Can¬
non ; 1833-4, John Cornish ; 1835-6, William-Moore; 1837, John
Boggs; 183S 9 40, J. C. Spence; 1841-2, Israel Scott; 1843, J.
Bogies; 1844, Henry Davis; 1845, Israel Scott; 1846, Israel
Scott and Thomas Oliver; 1847, G. Grinly; 1848, Clayton Dur¬
ham and John Henson ; 1849, C. Durham; 1850, G. Grinly and
Andrew Till; 1851-2, J. 13. Parker; 1853-4, S. Holcomb; 1855,
G. W. Johnson; 1856, J. Butler; 1857-8, S. Holcomb; 1859, J.
Woodlin ; 1860, H. Davis ; 1861-2, J. H. Smith ; 1863-4 5, T.
Gould; 1866-7, J. Mitchel; 1868, E. Fausett; 1869, S. Watts;
1870 1, J. Young.
Present Trustees.—Edward Waterman, J. C. Spence, I. Gaines
and Joseph Gray.
Stewards.—Edward Stevens and and Isaac Gaines.
Exhorter.—Reason Conover.
Leaders.—Isaac Gaines, Thomas Cooper and J. C. Spence.
Sunday school Superintendent.—J. W. Marklin ; Director, Mary
Buck; Secretary, Nelson Quan; Treasurer, Emma Reeves;
Te 'chers, Martha Marklin, May Stevens, Mamie Quan, Sarah
Hollon, Ellen Cooper, J. W. Mackie, May Buck and Amanda
Waterman.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
83
NEWARK.
Organized about 1842 or 1845. The present church was pro¬
jected by Rev. J. W. Johnson and finished by Rev. R. Way man.
Founders in part and present Trustees.—Thomas Legg, Jacob
D. King, James Francis, Thomas Jackson. Mrs. Jane Giles was
also a founder.
Newark has always been in the New York Conference, and for
some time was connected with the New York charge, until the
setting off of the New Jersey Conference.
The following have been Pastors.—1845, Richard Robinson ;
1846, John Boggs ; 1847, C. Burch ; same date, E. C. Africanus;
1848-9, E. C. Africanus; 1850, L§wis S. Lewis ; 1851, R. Robin¬
son ; 1852-3, H. Johnson ; 1854-5, D. Dorrell; 185G, J. R. V.
Morgan; 1857-8-9-60-1-2-3, J. Hamilton; 1864, L. Patterson;
1865-6, G. W. Johnson ; 1867, W. M. Watson ; 1868, R. Way-
man ; 1869, E. Weaver ; 1870, W. T. Cat-to ; 1871, G. E. Boyer.
Present Trustees.—Joshua Prudence, McGrinda Jones, George
Baptist, B. M. Firman and F. S. Cox.
Stewards.—W. H. Harris, Henry Ell, F. S. Cox, George Curtis
and Robert Pennington.
Through their present energetic pastor, Rev. Israel Derrick,
the church is the first in New Jersey to issue a church papeif,
"The Bugle."
Stewardesses.—Annie Lane, Mary Baptist, Lizzie Williams,
Louisa Ell, Alice Jackson, Rhoda Curtis, Melinda Jones, Lucy
George and Elizabeth Prudence.
Sunday-school Superintendent, F. S. Cox; Assistant, Richard
Miller ; Secretary, Alexander Hnggs ; Treasurer, Louisa Ell ;
librarian, Henrietta Williams ; Teachers, Lizzie Williams, Rachel
Williams, Carrie Knox, Mrs. Smith, Sarah R. Williams, Alice
Jackson, Henry Williams and Mr. RoWinson.
The records of the church reports thn church to have had an
organization in 1848, by Rev. C. Burch, but by conference records
it was known in 1845.
84
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
NEW BRUNSWICK.
Organized in 1827, tlie only known founder being Mrs. Jane
Hoaglon. As far as is known the following have been, the
pastors : 1832-3, Richard Robinson ; 1834 5, William Moore ;
1836, Israel Scott; 1837, William Moore ; 1838, J. Bulaugh ;
1839, John Boggs ; 1840, Henry C. Turner ; 1841, H. C. Turner
and G. Grinly ; 1842, H. C. Turner and A. W. Way man ; 1843,
C. Durham; 1844-5, Willis Nazery ; 1846, William Moore;
1847-8, Israel Scott and Shepherd Holcomb ; 1849-50, Thomas
Oliver ; 1851, A. C. Crippen and Andrew Till; 1852, A. C. Crip-
pen ; 1853-4, J. Bulaugh; 1855, J. Young; 1856, Spencer
Logan; 1857-8-9-60, G. W. Jolmson; 1861, Peter Gardner;
1862-3-4, William Offer; 1865-6, B. Lynch ; 1867-8, W. H.
Williams ; 1869-70, J. V. Pierce ; 1871, W. M. Watson.
Present Trustees.—James Baker, Josiah Henson, George
Martin, John Martin, Benjamin Hagaman, Primus Sclienck and
Abner Lee.
Stewards.—The same as trustees.
Stewardesses.—Hannah Clark, Celia Conover, Hannah Henson,-
Catharine Saunderson, Martha Vanhorn, Martha Marst, Eliza¬
beth Baker and Ellen Lupton.
Leaders.—James Baker, Josiah Henson and Benjamin Haga¬
man.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—J. Henson ; other officers, Jacob
Anderson, Charles Schenck, John Martin, Harriet Henson,
Bertha Hagaman and Catharine Anderson.
ORANGE MT. ZION
Was organized in 1866 by William Rodgers. The church was
built by the same. In 1880 the church was sold from the peo¬
ple. The present one was built by Rev. D. R. Croshon, in 1881.
In 1863, W. Peterson served as pastor ; 1861-, J. H. Jones ; 1865,
W. Rodgers ; 1866, W. Rodgers ; 1867, E. B. Davis ; 1868-9, W.
T. Catto ; 1870-1, W. Rodgers. In 1865 Orange was placed with
Bergen and called Bergen circuit until 1868, and was in the New
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
85
York Conference until the organization of the New Jersey Con¬
ference.
Present Trustees.—Edward Pendleton, Charles Wallace, Daniel
G. Rde, Caleb Cragg and Charles Chase.
Stewards.— b\ F. Smith, Charles Wallace and James Bray.
Stewardesses.—May Bryant, Jane Yanderslack and Sarah Paul¬
son.
Sunday-school officers.—F. F. Smith, C. Wallace, F. Smith, C.
Scott, L. Thomas.
It will be seen that Rev. W. Peterson is mentioned in the
minutes before the date of organization. There must therefore
be same mistake in date of said organization.
PRINCETON
Was organized in 1832 by Samson Peters, then a local preacher
of Trenton A. M. «E. Church. The first church was built by Bev.
William Moore in 1835, the corner stone being purchased by
Bev. Richard Robinson, and paid for afterwards by the church.
The present church was built by Bev. T. Gould in 1860, the foun¬
dation having been laid under the jurisdiction of Bev. Spencer
Logan. The first official and trustee board was composed of G.
Mille'r, Philip Hart, George Baddies, Ishmael Beiry, Richard
Long, Shepherd Holcomb, P. Biddle and Samuel Onque, the
last the only one now living. A short time after the church was
built, some designing person reported that the rowdies intended
to stop the colored people from worshipping in their church ; in
consequence, the people of the church and friends became very
much excited—so much so that the members stood outside of the
church, afraid to enter. Brother Samuel Onque, having made
his appearance, inquired the cause of their standing outside.
When informed as to the cause, he commanded the people to
enter, and Brother Biddle to preach to them. Said Brother
Onque, " I will stand guard, and if they come they can only get
in over my dead body, then you will have sufficient warning to
fight or run away, as it may please you." Brother Biddle opened
the meeting, but in the excitement made a terrible fist of it. He
said everything and almost anything, until the old gentleman
86
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
finally declare \ he did not know what he was saying. In the
meantime three white men came in and took seats ; every eye
was on them, preacher's inclu led. Brother Biddle suggested a w;iy
out of tli9 difficulty. " Brother 0 lqu ask tlie gentlemen to prav,"'
which was done, and after a couple of verses were sung the
brethren prayed in turn, and a grand spiritual feast was the
result.
" Behold he prayeth." It is said that Bro. Phillip Hart often
walked from Princeton to Philadelphia to attend the Quarterly
Conference, a distance of forty-seven miles.
Princeton belonged to Trenton Circuit until 1842, and has had
the following pastors :—18 J2-3, Richard Robinson; 1834-5, Wil¬
liam Moore; 1836, Israel Scott; 1837, W. Moore; 1838, J. Bul-
augh; 1839, John Boggs; 1840-1, J. C.Turner and G. Grinly;
1842, H. C. Turner and A. W. Wayman; 1843, Clayton Durham;
1844-5, Willis Naz^ry; 1846, William M >ore; 1847-8, Israel
Scott and Shepherd Holcomb; 1849-50, Thomas Oliver;
1851, Richard Barney ; 1852, A. C. Crippen; 1853-4, J.
G. Bulaugli; 1855-6, H. J. Young; 1857, Andrew Till;
1858-9, Spencer Logan ; 1860-1-2, Theodore Gould ; 18(53,
Peter Gardner; 1864, Henry Davis; 1865-6, J. B. Hamilton;
1867-8, J. H. A. Johnson; 1869, Isaiah Taylor; 1871, Samuel
Watts. For further appointments see table of decade.
In 1845, Princeton Circuit contained eleven points : Morris-
town, Elizabeth, Rahway, Mountain, Mechanicsville, North
Rocky Hill, East Rocky Hill, Madison, Clinton and New Bruns¬
wick. «
The present Trustees are.—Philip Scudder, Harper Hagimon,
John Richmond, Addison Jordan, W. H. Washington, Samuel
Thompson and Jesse Williams.
Class Leaders.—Philip Scudder and J >hn Richmond.
Sunday-school Officers.—A. P. Denny, Miss L. Br izi^r, Mre.
Franklin, Mrs. Jennings, C. Taylor, C. Davis, Mrs. A. P. Denny.
Three of the ex-p tstors of this church have since become
Bishops—Bishops Nazery, Wayman and Campbell—and one a
general officer as general book manager ; this is the Rev. T.
Gould.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
87
PENNINGTON
Was organized about 1840. Church was built by the Rev. J.
B. Parker in 1847.
The first Board of Trustees were.— Stephen. Welling, Thomas
Denite and Samuel Blackwood.
The church was rebuilt in 1876 by Rev. Elijah Hanett.
The following have been pastors.—1840, H. 0. Turner ; 1841,
H. C. Turner and G. Grinly ; 1842-3, Willis Nazery ; 1844 5, G.
Grinly ; 1846, Henry Davis ; 1847, A. W. Wayman ; 1848, A. C.
Crippen; 1849, W. T. Catto ; 1850*, W. Nazery; 1851, H. J.
Young ; 1852-3, James Holland ; 1851, G. W. Johnson; 1855 6,
W. D. W. Schuman.
PATERSON.
Organization is said to have been made by three different
persons—Rav. Deaton Dorrell, Rev. Wilson Peterson and Walter
Thompson. It may be that each one did organize it at different
times.
The founders were.—Diana Harper, Eliza Jeron, Cator Jeron,
Thomas Harper, Hannah Anthony, Sarah Schuyler, Mary E.
Anthony, James Watson, Betsy Watson, Annie Moore and Mr.
Jackson.
The last organization was effected through P. E., J. W. Cooper
and Jordan Christmas, a local from Orange Station. It bids fair
to be a success. The meetings were held in the house of a Mrs.
Berry, on Water street.
The following pastors have served them.—1864-5, Wilson Peter¬
son ; 1866-7, A. J. Dudley; 1868, J. H. Jones; 1869, Juhn
Robeson ; 1870-1, Henry Matthews.
Present Trustees.—Harvey Quiller, Francis Thompson, J. W.
Williams.
Stewards.-—Charles Schuyler, David Sullivan, Charles S. Berry.
Superintendent of Sunday-schools.—E. W. Schuyler ; Secretary,
Cora Riley; Treasurer, Sarah Schuyler; Librarian, George
Pascoe.
This church seems to have had a hard time all through. In-
88
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
formation says that at one time the pastor having charge sold the
church, or took the money for which it was sold (and with which
they intended to buy elsewhere) and went off with it, leaving
them with nothing.
PORT ELIZABETH.
Organized 1836 by Noah Cannon. The meetings were first
held ia the house of Edward Wright, and when the house got
too small to accommodate them Edward and his son Thomas
made a movable platform for the minister to put a Bible upon*
and placed it in front of the house. The prime movers in build¬
ing the first church were William Wallace and Edward Wright.
They purchased an old frame building and moved it upon the
present site. The present church was built under the pastorate
of Rev. I. J. Hill, in 1851. «
Founders and old 31embers.—Edward Wright, William Wallace,
John Grey, Thomas Miller, Ezekiel Cooper, Silby Woodlin, Amy
Cooper, Harriet Patrick, Levina Dixon, Mary A. Chase, Rhoda
Corse, Henrietta Wright, Maria Wilmore, Mary Wright.
Present Trustees.—John Crawford and Henry Tillman.
Sunday-school Officers and Teachers.—Henry Tillman, Emaline
Davis, Lillie Tillman.
The following Pastors have served them.—1836, William Moore ;
1837, J. Bulaugh ; 1838, Noah Cannon ; 1839, J. C. Cornish ; 1840,
Henry C. Turner; 1841, J. Bulaugh; 1842-3,George Grinley; 1846,
A. W. Wayman and A. C. Crippin ; 1847, I. B. Parker and J.
R. Y. Morgan; 1848, G. Grinley ; 1850, J. B. Parker ; 1851-2,.
Sheppard Holcomb ; 1853, D. Dorrell; 1854, C. Woodyard ; 1855,
H. D ivis and J. T. Ja-kson ; 18 ">6, E. J. Hawkins, T. J. Jackson
1857-8, I. J. Hill; 1859, W. F. Fuller ; 1860, Andrew. Till; 1862-3,
Richard Barney; 1864, J. Jay; 1867, T. Pierce; 1871, G. John¬
son. It was with the Cape May Circuit from 1875 to 1882, and
with Millville in 1883.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
89
ROCKY HILL.
This chnrch was organized about 1832, by Ishmael Berry, with
Princeton church. It is not known by whom the church was
built. It remained in the Princeton ciicuit pome time. In 1881
it and Middlebush were placed together, and called the Rocky
Hill circuit. The pastors of Piinceton were those of Rocky
Hill, (exceptions found in the table). The names of founders
not known.
The Present Trustees are—Joseph Doughty, John Raddles,
Henry Slater, John Simmons. The same compose the board of
stewards.
Stewardesses.-- Gertrude Raddles, Catharine Martin, Sarah
Simons, Jane Conover, Margaret Satters, Isabella Doughty,
Sarah Buermentt, Caroline Andoson and Anna Grum.
Said ly-school Teachers.—Ellen Berry, William Berry and
Elizabeth Dougherty.
BOUND BROOK
Was organized in 1880 by Rev. T. A. Caff. There is no church
building up to present time.
Stewards.—E. Kelly, E. Degroop.
Trustees.—William Johnson and others.
- SPRINGTOWN
Has had the following pastors :—1817, Clayton Durham ; 1818-
19, Jeremiah Miller; 1820, Paul Quiun; 1821 2, Samuel Ridley;
1S23, J. P. B. Eddie ; 1824, T. A. Dorsey and J. Harper; 1825-6,
J. Harper; 1827-8, Richard Williams ; 1829, William Richardson,
J. Cornish and I. Scott; 1830, Lewis Cork and Samuel Entec;
1831, J. Boggs; .1832, J. C. Spence ; 1833-4, P. W. D. Schumon;
1835-6, W. Moore ; 1837, J. Bulaugli; 1838 Noah Cannon ; 1839, J.
Cornish ; 1840, C. Durham ; 1841, J. Bulaugli; 1842-3, G. Grinly;
1844 5, J. L. ArmstroDg ; 1846, A. W. Wayman and A. C. Crippin;
1847, J. Parker and J. R. V. Morgan; 1848-9, R. Barney; 1850, J. B.
90
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Parker; 1851-2, Shepherd Holcomb; 1853, G. Stanford and P.
Gardner; 1854, C. Woodyard; 1855-6, Henry Davis and J. T.
Jackson ; 1857, E. J. Hawkins and J. T. Jackson ; 1858, Andrew
Ti]l; 1859-60, J. H. Smith; 1861, J. H. Ilenson ; 1862-3-4, J.
Woodlin ; 1865, J. Nelson; 1866-7, D. Draper; 1868, A. C. Crip-
pen ; 1869-70 71, B. Darks.
IWseht Trustees.—Jacob Bryant, H. L. Johnson, W. Price,
William Bryant, J. Gaddis, Steven Demby and John Cooper.
Stewards.—Jacob and William Bryant, Ezekiel Jones, Philip
Johnson, John Cooper, J. T. Walker and J. Gaddis.
Local Preacher.—John Walker; exhorters, Henry L. Johnson
and James H. Gaddis.
Stewardesses.—Angeline Demby, Sarah Price, Emma Bryant,
Elizabeth Miller, Annie Berry, Mary R. Gaddis, Eliza Winchester,
May A. Grinage and Henrietta Williams.
Sunday-school Superintendent.— E. J. Staten; Din c'ress, Emily
Miller; Teachers, Sarah Price, Jacob Bryant, Wm, Bryant,
J. T. Walker, Elizabeth Miller and M. J. Demby.
SWEDESBORO.
Datchtown, Small Gloucester or Swedesboro was organized
about 1831. An addition was built to the house, it having been
a frame of one story, and was moved on the present site in 1837
by J. Bulaugli.
Founders.—Jacob Reed, David Wilson, William James, Tobias
Callendrr, Miranda Wilson, Jane Reed, Hester Fry, Emaline
Yanemman, May White, W. Jones, Elizabeth Huggs, Dorcas
Ware.
It has always been associated with Woodbury and has had the
same pastors.
The present Board of Trustees are.—Moses White, D. Money,
Peter Evans, Charles Giiffin and William Bond.
Stewards.—Peter Grillin, Jr., Moses White, Virgil Williams
and Joshua Smith.
Local Preachers.—Peter Griffin, Sr., and Virgil Williams.
Exhoiters.—John Benton, William Bond and Henrietta Benton.
Leaders.—Moses White, Virgil Williams, Charles Griffin.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
91
Stewardesses.—Maria J. Griffin, Jane Morris, Elizabeth Moore,
Anna Farmer and Anna Hammond.
The members created a building fund. It is about a mile and
a quarter from Swedesboro and is sometimes call Small Glouces¬
ter, Dutchtown and Swedesboro.
The pastors have been the follo wing.—1831, John Boggs; 1832,
J. C. Spence ; 1833-4, P. W. Schureman ; 1835-6, William Moore
and Leven Tillman ; 1837, J. Beulah ; 1838-9, John Cornish ;
1840, Henry C. Turner ; 1841, J. Beulah ; 1842-3, G. Griuly ;
1844-5, J. L. Armstrong; 1846, A. W. Way man and A. C. Crip-
pin ; 1847, Isaac Parker and J. R. Y. Morgan ; 1848, G. Grinly ;
1849-50, Israel Scott; 1851, Richard Barney ; 1852, J. Butler;
1853, E. M. Ferris ; 1854, W. D. W. Schureman ; 1855 6, Sheppard
Holcomb; 1857-8, Joshua Woodlin; 1859, I. J. Hill; I860,
Peter Gardner ; 1861, T. W. Henry ; 1862, James Hollen ; 1863,
Jacob Jay; 1864-5, Richard Barney; 1866, Nelson H. Turpin ;
1867, Benjamin Lynch; 1868-9, Peter Loper; 1870, Walter
Thompson ; 1871, I. J. Hill.
SALEM
Was organized as a united society in 1800. Colored and white
worshipped together for a few years.
Founders.—Reuben Cuff ( he grandfather of Rev. T. A. Cuff
and Rev. Burgoyne F. Cuff, the wife of the Rev. T. Gould, May
Wilson, Leonard and Margaret Cuff.) Chauncey Moore, Cuffie
Miller, Hester Howard, Rachel Ringle, Jesse Emery, Rachel
Oliver, Rachel Davis, Millie Brown, Annie Cuff, May Chase,
Nancy Price, Rosana Augusta, Grace Valentine, Nancy Jackson,
Dinah Major, Rachel Jones, Mintie Cornelius, Rebecca Miles,
S. Grant, Martha Cuff, Anna Davis, Elizabeth Smith, William
Wilson, Risdon Cresbery.
The first three named purchased the ground upon which the
first church was built; they also acted as agents for the people in
building the church in 1802.
This church was never completed, although worshipped in until
1839, when it was burned down by an incendiary who confessed
the same on his dying bed. In the organization of the A. M. E.
history op the n. j.
Connection in 1816. [Reuben Cuff was one of the original
sixteen who composed the first general conference] ministers
were sent by Richard Allen to serve them. The deed not being
in conformity with the A. M. E. discipline there was a desire to
have it changed. This created two factions and a church fight.
The Richard Allen party were called the Allenites. After several
law suits, it was determined by advice of counsel that whichever
party arrived at the church first should have possession for
church purposes. So both parties prepared for an early start.
Sister Hannah Crosby set up all night cooking for the men, that
they might start early. Nevertheless, the other side were too
sharp for them. For when our men reached there some of the
sisters on the other side were cooking meat and cabbage on the
church stove for the brethren. For a time both parties would
hold service at the same time, the preachers speaking alternately
while the brethren walked the aisles with clubs to keep peace
or crack heads as occasion should require. In 1825, under
Rev. Joseph Harper, they partially withdrew from the old church
and an old log cabin was purchased, and a piece of ground was
loaned them by John Davis to put it on for twenty years. It
had to be propped up on the gable end ; planks and trussles were
utilized for seats, and a chair, now in the possession of Sister
Hannah Crosby, was used as a pulpit. It was called the Taber
nacle. To reach it they were compelled to cr<3ss several ditcl e .
and through a fifty acre woods. They still claimed their right
in the old church, worshipping one Sabbath in it and the next in
the Tabernacle. The young men of the church tired of this con¬
tinual warfare. Led on by James Hollon (now an itinerant min¬
ister) they concluded to build themselves a church. The old
men favored, then opposed, and for two years they held the
ground and had the stone ready for building, waiting for an elec¬
tion of trustees, which was opposed by the older men, as they
de sired to obtain the old church. Finally the old church burned
down, when the Hollon and Cuff parties joined hands and built
the old Mt. Pisgali Church in what was then called Bethelville,
then situated in Salem city, but now in the township called
Elsinboro. The church foundation was laid under Rev. J. G.
Beulah in 1841, and built by Rev. G. Grinley. The ground for
the present churchy was purchased and plans laid under the ad-
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
93
ministration of Rev. F. J. Cooper. The church was built and
enclosed bj Rev. Robert M. Turner, in 1878, and finished by Rev.
R. H. Miles in 1883-4.
The following have been Pastors.—1817, Clayton Durham;
1818-19, Jeremiah Miller ; 1820, William Paul Quinn; 1821-2,
Samuel Ridley ; 1823, J. P. B. Eddy; 1824, Thomas A. Dorsey
and Joseph Casper; 1825-6, Joseph Harper; 1827-8, Richard
Williams; 1829, William Richardson, J. Cornish and Israel Lott;
1830, L^wis Cork and Samuel Entee ; 1831, John Boggs ; 1832, J.
C.. Spence ; 1833-4, P. W. Schureman ; 1835 6, William Moore and
Leven Tillman ; 1837, J. Beulah ; 1838-9, John Cornish ; 1840,
Henry C. Turner; 1841, J/ Beulah; 1842 3, George Grinly;
1844 5, J. L. Armstrong ; 1846, A. W. Wayman and A. C. Crip-
pin ; 1847, Isaac Parker and J. R. V. Morgan; 1848, G. Grinly;
1849 50, Israel Scott; 1851, Richard Barney; 1852, John Butler;
1853, Edward Ferris; 1854, W. D. W. Schureman; 1855-6,
Sheppard Holcomb ; 1857-8, Joshua Woodlin ; 1859, I. J. Hill;
1860, Peter Gardner ; 1861, T. W. Henry ; 1862-3, James Hollon;
1864, Joseph Long and James Frisby [Locals] ; 1865-6, N. H.
Turpin ; 1867, Benjamin Lynch ; 1868-9, Lewis S. Lewis ; 1870-1,
Frisby J. Cooper.
Trustees.—Burgoyne C. Cuff, Absalom Wilson, George W.
Craig, Hiram Cuff, Gabriel Bond, Henry Frisby, Eli Lee.
Leaders.—Perry Thomas, Leven Nichols, Gabriel Bond.
Stewards.—Samuel D. Nickens, Leven Nichols, Thomas Lee,
Henry Hector, Perry Thomas, Henry Gould, Francis Cuff.
Stewardesses.—Catharine Duck, Julia Wilson, Henrietta Harris,
May E. Lee, Julia Yates, Clara Preston, Rachel Hammond,
Margaret Cuff, Serena Bond.
Sabbath-school Superintendent.—T. W. Harris ; Secretary, Sadie
L. Morgan ; Treasurer, Lydia Miller; Librarian. Hibert Larken;
Organist, Davis D. Turner; Teach rs, Jane Crosby, Julia Wilson,
Lydia Miller, G. W. Gibbs, Hester Cuff.
Choir.—Traders, T. W. Harris, Lydia Harris, Mamie Turner,
Matilda Turner, Cornelius Wilson, David Embry, Elias Cuff.
[I am indebted for this history to William Wilson, Hannah
Crosby and James Hollon.—Editor.]
94
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
TRENTON.
At this place the people formerly worshipped with the whites
but they severed their relations when Richard Allen's church was
organized. The church proper was re-organized in 1817 by
Bishop Allen, who was assisted by Rev. J. G. Bulaugh and
Sampson Peters, in a cooper shop that belonged to Mr. Peters,
who was a cooper by trade. They worshipped in this shop until
the church was built in 1819. The first deed bears the date of
May 6th, 1818.
The second was conveyed to the trustees of Mount Zion A. M.
E. Church, in trust, by a Mr. Elias Stockton, for the sum of one
dollar, payment received in 1834. The first church was built by
Rev. Walter Proctor, in 1819, and when finished the members
formed in line of procession and marched from the old cooper
shop to the new church, with much rejoicing. This building was
an old-fashioned stone structure. It was enlarged by Rev. C.
Woodyard in 1858. In 1876 it was torn down to the foundation
and rebuilt by Rev. J. W. Stevenson. For adaptability and
beauty it is considered the cathedral of the New Jersey Confer¬
ence. Sister Ruth Hutchinson, one of the old members, and a
relative of Sampson Peters, made the first tent for Bishop Allen's
camp-meeting, which was held for the benefit of Mt. Zion in
1827. She is still living and an active member in the church.
The following Pastors have served:—Bishop Allen ; 1818-19,
W. Procter; 1828, John Boggs ; 1832-3, R. Robinson; 1834-5,
William Moore; 1836, Israel Scott; 1837, William Moore;
1838 9, J. Beulah ; 1840, H. C. Turner; 1841, H. C. Turner and
G. Grinly ; 1842-3, Willis Nazery ; 1844 5, G. Grinly ; 1846, Henry
Davis ; 1847, A. W. Wayman ; 1848, A. C. Crippin; 1849, W. C.
Catto; 1850, W. Nazery; 1851, H. J. Young; 1852-3, J. Hollon ;
1854, G. W. Johnson; 1855-6, W. D. W. Schuman; 1857,
J. Young; 1858 9, C. Woodyard; 1860-1, J. P. Campbell;
1862-3, W. Moore: 1864-5, F. W. Cooper; 1866, W. Moore;
1867, J. M. Williams and Walter Thompson; 1868, J. M.
Williams; 1869-70, Joshua Woodlin.
Present Trustees.—Jacob Fisher, Amos H. Johnson, A. D.
Clark, John Charmer, Isaac Hauk, George Harmer, Reuben
Transon, Henry Stevens and John Brooks.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
95
Local Deacon.— Joseph Long.
Local Preachers.—F. P. Ayers and P. A. Thompson.
Exhorter.—A. Reed.
Leaders.—A. B. Jones, John Charmer, Benj. Jones and Peter
Perrine.
Stewards.—Joseph Long, A. Fisher, A. Sernby, Jacob Apple-
gate, James Crusen, W. H. Tolson, Benj. Jones, Folmen Ayers.
Sunday-school Superintendent.—P. A. Thompson ; Secretary,
Mrs. Ella Johnson. •
Treasurer.—M. A. Long.
Librarian.—Mary Johnson.
Teachers.—Miss Eliza Thompson, Mrs. M. J. Emons, Sarah
Allen, M. A. Long, Mrs. Howard, Miss M. Ellsbery; Organist,
Mr. A. Crippen.
VINELAND
Allen Chapel, Yineland, the exact date of organization not
known. The church was built by A. C. Garrison in 1875. This
was a frame building, and was torn down in 1878 and was rebuilt
with brick by Be v. Wilson Peterson.
Founders.—Solomon Royal, Martin Woodlin and Charles
Grey.
Local Preacher.—Thomas Liggins.
Trustees.—G. Harrison, P. Hall and D. Thompson.
Stewards.—C. B. Bryant, Alexander Crawford and Andrew B.
Grey.
Stewardesses.—Rebecca Harrison, Rachel Squirrell, Elizabeth
Author.
Local Preacher.-r-Charles Grey. „
Exhorters.—A. Crawford, Nathan P. Marvel, C. Grey and G.
Harrison.
Sunday-school Oflicers.^-G. B. Bryant, Annie Marvel, Annie
Wilson.
Teachers.—N. P. Marvel, A. Wilson, R. Harrison, A. Marvel
and Charles Bryant.
96
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
WASHINGTON.
Organized in 1870 by Jackson R. Davis. Built in 1875 by
John Hammond; then one account says in 1878 by James
Turner.
Founders.—Daniel Clarkson, Charles Kelsey, George Washing¬
ton, James Miller, A. L. Solomon, Nancy Clarkson, Sallie Kelsey,
Emma J. Washington, Nancy Miller and Abraham Anderson.
Trustees.—George Lidy, Andrew Hartman, J. Miller.
Stewards.—G. Washington, A. Andrews, Benj. Campbell, A.
Hartman.
Stewardesses.—Sallie McClery, Elizabeth Peaker, Elizabeth
Simons, Hannah Kelsey, Harriet Anders, Nancy Miller.
Class Leader.—A. S. Anders.
Sunday-school Ojjicers.—David Miller, Richard Yanhorn, Sallie
Miller and Hester Thompson.
Teachers.—Elizabeth Peco, Mary Fox, George Lidy, Sallie
Miller, Benjamin Campbell, Ida Huff, F. Washington and A.
McClery.
COOK'S MILLS.
Pastors.—1843, W. Nazery ; 1844-5, Grinley ; 1846, Henry
Davis; 1847-8, T. C. Oliver; 1849-50-51, John Butler; 1852 3,
W. C. Catto ; 1854-5, C. Sawyer; 1856-7, James Hollon ; 1858,
Henry Davis ; 1859-60, T. W. Henry ; 1861-62, J. Young ; 1863,
T. Cuff; 1865, J. Hollon; 1867, P. Gardner; 1868, W. W.
Grimes.
YORKTOWN.
Organized in 1863. Church built in 1872 by R. Boston.
Founders.—John Wesley, William Middleton, David Shockley
and John Shockley.
The following have served, as Pastors.—1864-5, R. Barney;
1866, A. C. Crippen; 1867, W. W. Grimes; 1868-9, Peter Loper j
1870, W. Thompson; 1871, I. J. Hill.
A. M. E. CONFEKENCE.
97
Trustees.—James Young, George Scott, Thomas Demby, Moses
Young and Seth DeShields.
Local Preacher.—W. W. Johnson.
Leaders.—John Wesley and J. Young.
Stewards.—Thomas Demby, W. W. Johnson and Seth
DeShields.
Stewardesses.—L. J. Collengit, S. M. Johnson, M. M. Shockley,
Y. Tillman and M. E. Scott.
Sunday-school Officers.—W. W. Johnson, Chas. Sullivan, Phillis
Thomas, Jonah Selsey ; Teachers.—AnnaBardean, H. C. Hendly,
L. J. Moore, M. E. Moore, Laura Jones, M. E. Scott and Thomas
Demby.
YARDLEYVILLE.
Church built by Rev. J. W. Stevenson in11877, while he was
pastor of Mt. Zion Church, Trenton. The church properly be¬
longs to the Philadelphia Conference, but is so situated that it is
more convenient for the pastor of the Pennington Church than
for the pastor of Attleboro, which is in the Philadelphia Confer¬
ence. It is therefore attached to the Pennington Circuit.
Trustees.—Henry Brown, Theodore Rogers and Elwood Brown.
Local Preachers.—George Hufford, William Ayres and Richard
Cummings.
Leader.—Moses Journal.
Stewards.—David Crusen, George Hufford and Benjamin
Wharler.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS WHAT WERE THE POSITIONS OF THE
CHURCHES IN 1872 :
Trenton, Freehold and Manalapan,
Princeton and Rocky Hill, Riceville and Fairhaven,
New Brunswick, Bordentown and Crosswicks,
Rahway, Allentown and Hightstown,
Elizabeth and Plainfield, Springtown and Back Neck,
Newark, Bergen and Hack- Burlington and Mt. Holly,
ensack, Evesham and Shamong,
7
98
history of the n. j.
Snow Hill and Jordantown,
Milford, Da Costa, Egg Harbor,
Port Republic and English. Creek,
Woodbury and Dutchtown,
Bushtown, Yorketown, Marlboro,
Cape May, Cold Spring, Port Eliza¬
beth, Yineland and Franklin.
Patterson Mission.
1873—Changes.
Springtown and Back Neck.
Millville, Yineland, Franklin and Hopewell.
Cape May, Cold Spring and Port Elizabeth.
Snow Hill, Milford and East Camden.
Mount Laurel and Jordantown.
Port Republic, DaCosta, Gravelly Run and Atlantic City
Mission.
Allentown and Shamong.
Bloomfield, Mt. Clair and Newark Mission.
Elizabeth and Plainfield.
1874.
East Camden, Milford and Wrightsville.
Mt. Holly and Mt. Laurel.
Fairhaven, Long Branch and Pine Brook.
Riceville, Colts Neck and Middletown.
Orange and Bloomfield.
Bergen and Mt. Clair.
Woodbury, Center ville and Dutchtown.
Spiingtown and Back Neck.
1875-6.
Paterson.
Millville and Port Elizabeth.
Orange and Mt. Clair.
Riceville'and Long Branch.
Milford, East Camden and Port Republic.
Bergen.
Orange,
Morristown,
Camden,
Salem,
Bridgeton,
Gouldtown,
Springtown,
Pennington and
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
1877.
Jersey City and Bergen.
Mt. Clair and Madison.
Orange.
Yorktown and Bushtown.
Riceville, Fairhaven and Pine Brook.
Gouldtown and Back Neck.
Springtown.
Pennington, Washington and Sorrel Mt.
1878.
Springtown and Back Neck.
Millville, Cold Spring and Port Elizabeth.
Freehold and Piney Brook.
Madison, Washington, Mt. Clair and Bloomfield.
Paterson and Ringwood.
1879.
Pennington and Rocky Hill.
Manalapan, Pine Brook and Ocean Grove.
Hightstown and Allentown.
1880.
Washington, Madison and Stroudsburgh.
Burlington and Beverly.
Mt. Holly and Moorestown.
Asbnry and Manalapan.
Cape May and Cold Spring.
Millville, Vineland and Port Elizabeth.
1881.
Rocky Hill and Middlebush.
1882. .
Jersey City and Bergen.
Orange and South Orange.
Hightstown, Manalapan and Cooperstown.
Pennington, Sorrel Mt. and Yardleyville.
100
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Bound Brook and Mechanic.
Snow Hill.
Jordantown and Milford.
1883.
Rocky Hill, Middlebush and Bound Brook.
East Camden, Jordanyille and Centerville.
Haleysville and Port Elizabeth.
LAST WORK OR NAME CHANGED.
This gives the names of places where organizations have been
perfected, the circuit to which they belonged, and the number of
members reported. The date of such organizations appears in
the conference records.
1833. Brumagen—Trenton Circuit.
" Pemberton—Burlington
1843. Cirmaminson, (*7) ) Burlington
" Fettsville, (87) 5
" ?ui?to°' Tr , I Salem...
" Little Egg Harbor, 5
'1846. Clinton, J princeton
" East Rocky Hill, )
1848. Froggtown, ) ga,em
" Back Neck, )
" Morrisville—Burlington ....
1850. Brumagen—Trenton
" Bullock Ridge, (18)—Allentown.
1851. Torrens, (14) Trenton ....
1853. Cranbury, (23) Allentown
1855. Goshen, (25) Greenwich
1855. Hensontown, (11) Greenwich
1855. Yincentown, (19) Greenwich
1855. Green Bank, (11) Greenwich
1857. Great Egg Harbor, (25)—Cape May
1857. Buena Yista, (12)—Cape May
1859. Cedar Bridge, (25)—Cape May
1859. Ferris Grove, (12)—Cape May.
* Number of members.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
1863. Deep Cut, (8)—Camden
1863. Englishtown, (13)—Freehold
1863. Griggstown, (18)—Princeton
1863. Kainsyille—Camden
1863. Claysville—Salem
1863. Deerstown
1863. Gravelly Run—Egg Harbor
1863. Ringwood
Rocky Hall
Menaham—Morristowr
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION AND WORK
of the conference.
"What is now known as the New Jersey A. M. E. Conference
-was formerly a part of the Philadelphia and New York Confer¬
ences, but the church extension having increased so rapidly it
was decided in 1872 by those who had most experience in such
matters that the good work would be best promoted by setting
off New Jersey as a separate conference. Accordingly, at the
•General Conference of the year in question the following resolu¬
tion was offered by the Rev. Joshua Woodlin and adopted :
Resolved, That the State of New Jersey become a conference
district,
Which resolution was referred to the Committee on Boundaries.
The committee reported as follows under " New Conferences " :
" The New Jersey Conference shall include the entire State of
New Jersey."
It was in conformity with this resolution that the State was
set apart as a conference district.
The following are the minutes of the conference proceedings •
FIRST SESSION.
Trenton, N. J., June 25,1882.
In accordance with the legal arrangements of the late General
Conference, the following ministers met for the organization of
the New Jersey Annual Conference : Bishop J. A. Shorter,
104
HISTOBY OF THE N. J.
presiding, assisted by Bishop J. P. Campbell, D. D. Religious
exercises were conducted by Bishop James A. Shorter, with
singing on page 207, "Ashamed of Christ my soul disdains," etc.,
followed/ by prayer and reading of 90th Psalm, after which they
sang the hymn on page 268, "Lo, what an entertaining sight,"
etc. Prayer by Bishop Campbell, reading of part of 54th
chapter of Ephesians. Rev. F. J. Cooper was chosen secre¬
tary of the conference and Rev. Leonard Patterson reporter
for the Christian Record.
Bishop J. A. Shorter made a very neat and terse speech pre¬
liminary to the organization of the Conference, followed by
Bishop J. P. Campbell and others, after which the roll was called
with the following result: Bishop J. A Shorter, Jabez B. Camp¬
bell, D. D., L.L. D.
Traveling Elders.—Harry Davis, Joseph H. Smith, Leonard
Patterson, Joshua Woodlin, Jeremiah Young, J. C. Cornish,
Edward Laws, Thos. Cuff, J. V. Pierce, Redmond Faucet, Frisby
J. Cooper, Caleb Woodyard, W. M. Watson, I. J. Hill, Nelson
Turpen, Abram Crippen, G. E. Boyer, Wm. Rodgers, Lewis S-
Lewis, Ebenezer Williams, G. A. Mills, J. W. Stevenson.
Traveling Deacons.—John Robinson, Henderson Davis, Jr.
Preacher.—Henry Matthews.
Local Elders.—Isaac Parker, George Johnson, J. H. Jones.
Local Deacons.—Ezekiel Cooper, Henry Dickerson, Elisha.
Sockum, Ebenezer Trian, James Schenck, Caesar Coakenine,
James Williams, Steven Barrel, John B. Scott, David Croshon.
Visitors.—James M. Williams, L. C. Chambers, James Hol¬
land, J. W. Burley, Henry J. Young, Stephen Smith, Josiah.
Eddy.
A resolution was passed that the New Jersey Conference b&
divided into two presiding elder districts. A committee was
appointed, consisting of Rev. J. Woodlin, Henry Davis and L.
Patterson, to make the division.
On motion, the elder of Trenton station was made the District
Book Steward.
On motion, the Conference resolved into a Missionary Society.
OJicers.—James A. Shorter, president; Joshua Woodlin, vice-
president ; Henry Davis, treasurer ; Redmond Faucet, secretary*
Directors.—N. H. Turpen, A. C. Crippin, J. V. Pierce.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
105
On motion, all the moneys in the hands of the brethren of the
]ate Philadelphia and New York Conference was paid oyer into
the hands of the present treasurer, the amount being $85.00
from the Philadelphia, and $62.16 from New York Conference.
Total, $147.16.
On motion, the Missionary Society resolved itself back into
Conference.
On motion, Conference took a recess until 3 P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Conference met at 3 P. M. The committee on division of Con¬
ference into presiding elder districts reported, which report was
adopted.
On motion the Secretary was instructed to purchase a Confer¬
ence journal, and that the sum of $5.00 be appropriated from the
Missionary fund for the same.
Bridgeton, N. J*, was selected for the meeting of the next
Annual Conference on the second Thursday in May, 1873, at 9
A. M.
\ Elders G. E. Boyer, N. H. Turpin and F. J. Cooper were ap¬
pointed a committee to draft a code of laws for the formation of
a Preachers' Aid Society.
Bishop Campbell made some very interesting and instructive
remarks to the Conference, followed by Elders Stevens and
Smith, after which Conference joined in solemn prayer, led by
Rev. Joshua Woodlin.
The Conference appropriated two-thirds of the Missionery
fund, to be paid to the financial secretary, to be used for Bishops'
salary, and credited to the Conference the balance, to remain in
the hands of treasurer.
On motion, Conference adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
Conference convened at eight P. M. to hear a sermon from Rev.
Wm. M. Watson, it being the first sermon in the organization of
106
histoby op the n. j.
the New Jersey Conference. Rev. William Watson opened ser¬
vices with singing. Prayer by Rev. N. H. Turpin. Text, 84th
Psalm, 11th verse. He discussed the text according to the fol¬
lowing arrangement: First, the characters who walk uprightly;
second, what he'll do for them and is to them; third, what he
will not withhold from them. The sermon was practical and com¬
mended itself to all. During the delivery of the sermon Bishop
J. M. Brown came in, looking cheerful and healthy. After the
sermon a public collection was taken of $10.10. A vote of thanks
was tendered to the members of the Mt. Zion Church and friends
for hospitality. On motion the business manager was requested
to publish advance sheets of the new law governing presiding
elders.
On motion, a committee was appointed to draft laws for the
Preachers' Aid Society, also for Total Abstinence Society.
On motion, Rev. J. W. Stevenson was appointed to write an
essay on the destructive use of tobacco.
Bishop J. M. Brown was introduced "to the Conference.
The minutes were read and approved. Bishop J. A- Shorter
read out the appointments, and then gave out hymn on page
309, " Blessed be the dear uniting love." Prayer by Bishop J. M.
Brown, after which Conference«adjourned by singing the doxology.
Benediction by Rev. J. H. Young.
Adjourned.
F. J. COOPER,
Secretary.
West District.—W. M. Watson, Presiding Elder.
Camden
Salem .
. Leonard Patterson.
.F. J. Cooper.
.Jeremiah Young.
. Joseph H. Smith.
. George Johnson.
.J. Y. Pierce.
• A. C. Crippin.
.J. W. Stevenson.
. Edward Laws.
.J. C. Cornish.
Bridgeton ..
Gouldtown .
Springtown.
Bordentown
Allentown ..
Burlington..
Evesham ...
Snow Hill.
J&Lm -Stm .£*
107
Milford I. J. Hill.
Woodbury .William Rogers.
Bushtown Robert Boston.
Cape May D. D. Brown.
East District.—Joshua Woodlin, Presiding Elder.
Trenton N. H. Turpin.
Princeton E. T. Williams.
New Brunswick .Henry Davis.
Railway R. J. M. Long.
Elizabeth Caleb Woodyard.
Newark G. E. Boyer.
Bergen L. S. Lewis.
Orange T. A. Cuff.
Morristowh/ R. Faucet.
Freehold George A. Mills.
Riceville J. Robinson.
Paterson H. Matthews.
Pennington :... H. Davis, Jr.
The following schedule gives a list of the Presiding Elders
from date of organization, showing the years in which the office,
was discontinued :
PRESIDING ELDERS.
western district. eastern district.
1872 .... William M. Watson Joshua Wood.
1873 .... " "
1874 .... The office discontinued.
1875 .... No Presiding Elders.
1876 ....
1877 ....""
1878 .... " , "
1879 .... Rev. R. Faucett. J. W. Stevenson.
With appointments.
western district. eastern district.
1880 Rev. R. M. Turner Rev. R. Faucett.
north-east district. south district.
.... T. A. Cuff !... J. W. Cooper.
1881 .... Redmond Faucett, one conference district.
108
history op the n. j.
camden district.
newark district.
Redmond Faucett.
J. W. Cooper.
1882 .... Samuel B. Williams
1883 ....
1884
the trials and tribulations of the office.
At the organization of the conference, by motion it was
divided into Presiding Elder Districts, Rev. Joshua Woodlin,
Henry Davis and Leonard Patterson being the committee.
There were two districts constituted, namely, the Eastern and
Western Districts. Rev. Joshua Woodlin was appointed over
the Eastern and Elder William M. Watson over the Western
District. In 1874 the following resolution was adopted :
Whereas, Rev. William M. Watson has resigned, and as the
members generally of the A. M. E. Church of the New Jersey
Conference are opposed to the Presiding Elder office ;
Resolved, That we discontinue the office of presiding eldership.
I. J. Hill, J. W. Stevenson.
The office was discontinued until 1879, when it came in force
again under this resolution :
Whereas, The true mission of the Lord Jesus Christ is ag¬
gressive, in the carrying ouj; of which victory is assured by him
who saith " As I have overcome so shall ye," etc;
And Whereas, We may and ought to be concerned as to the
Redeemer's kingdom, since for a series of years there is found to
be almost a stagnation if not spiritual death ;
And Whereas, For some reason yet unknown, the history of
the New Jersey Annual Conference shows that since the setting
off of the State to itself as a distinct conference there has been
little or no spiritual heading, as we njay judge from the statistical
reports of members annually made ;
And Whereas, It is evident that the churches composing the
Conference need more critical supervision than they have re¬
ceived since the abrogation of the resolution creating presiding
elders ;
And Whereas, We sincerely believe that the situation has
operated against the growth and progress of the church, there¬
fore be it
Resolved, That we, the members of the New Jersey Conference,
in session, argue that presiding elders are beneficial and neces¬
sary ;
A. M. e. conference. 109
Resolved, That we have two presiding elders, one for the East
and one for the West District;
Resolved, That we do now, at this session, elect two brethren
among the travelling elders of the Conference to perform the
duties of the office.
B. Faucett,
B. M. Turner.
In 1880 the following resolution was offered:
Whereas, The electoral college in the bounds of this confer¬
ence did pray the conference to do away with the office of pre¬
siding elder in the same, and also asked the conference to peti¬
tion to the General Conference to allow the law to remain as it is
on the subject of presiding elders, therefore,
Resolved, That the request be granted.
G. E. Boyer,
S. B. Williams.
Bishop D. A. Payne ruled the motion out of order, on the
ground that the petition to which it relates has not been pre¬
sented to this conference.
Eesolution No. 2.
Whereas, The majority of the churches in the conference are
opposed to the office of presiding elder, therefore,
Resolved, That the office be abolished in the conference.
G. E. Boyer.
Eev. T. McCants [Stewart raised the point that the motion to
abolish the presiding elder system was out of order, inasmuch as
the discipline on page 106, in answer to question six, provides that
each presiding elder shall remain on his district four years, unless
in the judgment of the Presiding Bishop it appear best to remove
him at an earlier time. The conference, by a two-thirds vote,
having established the office, gave to the Bishop the appoint¬
ment of an office four years, and to abolish the office in less time
would limit and abridge the appointing power over whicih the
conference has no jurisdiction.
The Bishop declared the point well taken, after which a motion
was made to have but one presiding elder district, which by
amendment one was stricken out and four inserted, which motion
was carried. The Conference was then divided into East
Northeast, West and Southwest Districts.
Also by resolution the presiding elders were given their
110
history of the n. j.
stations, and whatever their respective charges failed to make up
toward their support should be made up by the district.
Presiding Elder Faucett objected greatly to the arrangement
and desired to be placed on record as opposing it. The Bishop
ruled that under the above arrangement, the presiding elders
would have the oversight of all the licentiates, probationers and
all the brothers not in full orders, Elders to be exempt.
* In 1881 the following resolution by Elder Faucett prevailed.
Be it resolved, By the members of the New Jersey Annual
Conference now assembled, that inasmuch as the present system
of presiding elders is not satisfactory, the same is hereby re¬
pealed ;
Be it further resolved, That we do now form the New Jersey
Annual Conference into one presiding elder district, and further,
that we do now authorize the appointment of one presiding elder
over the full power, as per discipline.
R. Faucett,
J. H. Bean.
A motion was made to reconsider so much of the resolution as
related to one presiding elder, by Rev. S. C. Goosley, following
which motion Rev. J. H. Bean offered one abolishing the office
entirely.
A question was raised as to the legality of the motion, and the
Bishop ruled it out of order.
The following motion then prevailed, that the motion creating
one presiding elder be reconsidered, and that the motion lay on
the table.
In 1882 a motion was offered by Rev. J. H. Bean to abolish the
office. Bishop J. M. Brown would not entertain the motion. At
this conference a new district was formed without any action
of conference, and another presiding elder appointed. (It is but
just to say that excuse is made on the ground that conference
had taken action, but the secretary failed to report it.) In 1883
a resolution was offered by Rev. E. W. Taylor and W. H. Yeo-
cum to discontinue the office. The Bishop ruled that the resolu¬
tion was out of place, and that having found presiding elders here
when he came they should continue during his administration.
Rev. R. Faucett having resigned the office of presiding elder of
the Newark District, Rev. J. W. Cooper was appointed in his
place.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
Ill
After a full and fair trial, it is evident that the presiding elder
system has not stood out her probation.
In the Conference of 1885, to meet the requirements of the
law for universal presiding elders, the following was offered by
Elder J. H. Bean and adopted:
Resolved, That the New Jersey Conference be laid off into seven
presiding elder districts, and that there be presiding elders over
each district and each P. E. have an appointment; the districts
shall be as follows :
1st District—Morristown, "Washington, Orange, Stroudsburgh.
2d District—Newark, Jersey City Paterson, Elizabeth, Rail¬
way.
3d District—New Brunswick, Fair Haven, Long Branch, Asbury
Park, Freehold, Rocky Hill.
4th District—Trenton, Princeton, Allentown, Hightstown.
5th District—Camden, East Camden, Mt. Holly, Burlington,
Woodbury, Bordentown.
Salem, Bridgeton, Springtown, Yorktown, Bushtown.
1st District—J. W. Cooper, Presiding Elder.
2d District—Israel Derricks, " "
3d District—J. T. Diggs, " "
4th District—W. H. Yeocum, " "
5th District—G. A. Mills,
6th District—S. B. Williams, " "
7th District—J. T. Rex, " "
1886.
1st District—J. W. Cooper, Presiding Elder.
2d District—J. T. Diggs, " "
3d District—G. M. Whitten, "
4th District—W. H. Yeocum, " "
5th District—G. A. Mills, " "
6th District—J. H. Morgan, " "
7th District—J. T. Rex, " "
1887.
1st District—G. A. Mills, Presiding Elder.
2d District—J. T. Diggs, " "
3d District—W. A. S. Rice, " "
4th District—W. H. Yeocum, " "
5th District—G. M. Whitten, " "
6th District—J. H. Morgan, " "
i7AI. T XT "
112
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
BISHOP'S RULING AND SAYINGS.
Some of these remarks were delivered under trying circum¬
stances, especially those delivered just before the giving out of
the appointments. While the remarks were of a grandeur to be ap¬
preciated, much of their force was lost from the fact that the good
appointments were so few and the poor ones so many, that the
brethren listened whilst sitting on the ragged edge of expecta¬
tion. The fact that so many more of the sayings and rulings
are given in Bishop Payne's administration, does not grow out
of the fact that other Bishops have not said much upon the
subjects at issue, but to the secretaries of Bishop Payne's Con¬
ference is due the credit of reporting them. Bishop Shorter
made some very pertinent remarks in regard to presiding elders,
also in regard to young men entering the ministry, requiring
them to get such books as the discipline requires without fail,
and that they be strictly examined in the same. Inquiry being
made as to what would be done to those pastors who did not raise
one-third of their dollar money, the Bishop said he intended to
enforce the law in every case. The certificate and credentials of
Jenkins Williams from the M. E. Church were read, he stating
that his intention was to join the Conference. Bishop ruled that
he should have joined one of our churches in the Conference
first. Therefore his papers were returned.
1876.
Query—If a brother is rejected at the Conference can he be
taken up and used in the interval ? Ans. No.
Bishop James A. Shorter : Kev. W.W.Williams, of the Quarterly
Conference, Providence, Rhode Island, presented a letter of
recommendation from Bishop A. W. Way man to said New Jersey
African Conference, recommending the bearer to membership of
the annual conference. The document was arrested by T. G.
Stewart as being irregular. Bishop Shorter so ruled and that the
papers be returned.
. 1877.
In a pledge made by the Conference of $100.00 for
the support of Dallas Turner, some of the jbrethren ex-
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
113
pressed fear as to their ability to' carry out the pledge,
which drew out' the following statement from Bishop Payne:
I was teaching in a school in Charleston, South Carolina,
when the black laws were passed and my school was taken
from me. I came North, having letters of recommendation
from Bishop Gadshen to Rev. Peter Williamson, New York City.
I called upon that gentleman and while sitting in his parlor a
young man entered soliciting aid in his studies. His face was
black, his eyes shone and you could see interest in his face. Mr.
Williamson gave him a ten dollar U. S. bank bill, saying at the
same time, "I am sorry I have no more to give you." I instantly
thought, " Can't I do something." I had forty dollars in my
pocket, a stranger hundreds of miles from home, but I gave him
"two Spanish silver dollars. Ten days after, I went to Philadel¬
phia on my way to Gettysburg. Dr. Denny, the Lutheran
minister, welcomed me very cordially and when I left him he
gave me a ten dollar bill. Here I was paid five tim^s over for
the two dollars I had given. While at Gettysburg a .young
woman was pushed for money, to whom I gave two dollars.
Shortly afterward a lady said: " I have been thinking to
make you a present and now I give you this," handing me five
dollars. The Bishop then remarked, " when we help Christ, he
will help us."
ON MARKING BRETHREN.
* If any brother knows of a charge against another, he can im¬
peach him when question fifteenth is asked. But should he hold
his tongue and say nothing, he cannot reach him after passing
from the consideration of that question.
NAMING CHURCHES AFTER THE LIVING.
In reference to a church named in the honor of the Bishop,
the following remarks were made : " I deprecate the naming of
r„ny church after any living person. Men sometimes do wrong
and bring disgrace upon the church ; therefore, no church should
be so named while the person lives.
8
114
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
CHARGE PRIOR TO APPOINTMENTS.
He spoke of the solemnity of the hour—hope, expectation;
and disappointments—and then proceeded to instruct the young
preachers: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," said the
psalmist, and this is scientifically true. Do thyself no harm ; do
not break the strength that God has given you; do not chew or
smoke tobacco. Physicians who use it themselves may say
differently, but experience tells us otherwise. Bishop Shorter
was brought almost to the brink of the grave. He vowed to use
it no more, and has become finally a developed man. Dr.
Revels, thirty years ago, had my protestation against the use of
tobacco, but continued until sickness laid hold of him. Do well,
young men ; some will not. I once read in a book, " Wise men
learn by reason, brutes by instinct, fools never." Use no strong
drink; it breaks down the system and leads to untimely graves. I
could name colored men of brains, one of whom graduated from a
German College, at which he took a first degree. He was third
moderator of the Presbyterian church ; he had one of the finest
libraries, composed of selections made in France, England and
Germany ; but strong, drink took him to an untimely grave. I
have seen him in New York City with red, glaring eyes, slip-shod
and ragged. He became a frequenter of taverns, and from a
minister of the gospel he became a porter-house politician.
Shun intoxicating drink. Throw down the glass and shiver it
into a thousand pieces. In the South the ministers drink
whiskey ; the people drink whiskey just like them. The word of
God says, "like priest like people." The testimony of those that
have been among them is, that rum is the ruin of thousands. If
you will be secure against its influence shun it. Some preachers
keep in class and board meetings until eleven o'clock at night.
This should not be; ten o'clock is late enough. If we rise with
the* sun, we must go to bed in time. Late meetings are damaging
to the people. God wants the hearts, he does not require such
late meetings. If you want to progress you must preserve body
and health that you may be useful in God's vineyard. The
mind, what shall we say of it? High above all things, far above
the brute, the equal of angels in the better and brighter world.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
115
The minds are given to us that we may knbw God; that we
may be ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our' minds should
be cultivated as high as it is possible for them to be cultivated ;
they are symbols of the divine nature, the better to live and
serve him. We therefore expect you, brethren, to improve—
study hard daily and systematically. The Book of Books, mas¬
ter it. The better we have it, the better we can impart its
knowledge to others. History comes next to the word of God
itself; study ancient and modern history. These help to make
the teachers and preachers. No well informed man can be
ignorant of secular and sacred history. Study that you may not
be ashamed in the presence of those that criticise you. I advise
you to consecrate all the morning to study. Don't let the people
intrude upon you. There are some who are loungers, who come
just to take up your time. Don't suffer it. Tell it from your
pulpit. Ta£e the afternoon to instruct mothers how to make
their homes households of God. Such a man has tenfold more
power than the most eloquent preacher. You may preach as an
Appolas, yet if not a pastor you will fail in your work. Be sure
»ot to have left the house *until you shall have bent the knee in
prayer, asking blessings for your labors. I would rather be a
common preacher and a pastor than the most eloquent one, and
not the pastor. The heart, what about it ? Because of the
wickedness in it the first men were swept away. Brethren, if we
want to obey the word of God we must keep it in the heart—
make every book subservient to the word of God. There is
power in the book, power to save individuals, God's power. The
whole Bible will teach us how to save ourselves and to save
others. Let every book be studied, that we may study more
•learly the Bible. I have tried to please all; some may be dis¬
appointed. I strove to do as well as I could.
ADDRESS OF BISHOP T. M. D. WARD, AT THE MEET¬
ING, 1877.
After being introduced he said. We have more need just now
of greenbacks than eloquence. The outlook at present is very
glowing. But let us talk of home. We number in the United
116
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
States about five millions (5,000,000) and on the continent of
America eleven millions (11,000,000). We need for our people
twenty-five thousand teachers (25,000) three hundred ministers
for denomination and fifteen schools of highest grade. During
the last four years I have had charge of five hundred preachers,
not twenty-five of whom were able to keep a journal or record
correctly. The people have no knowledge such as you men and
women of culture have, no idea of the doctrine of God as ex¬
hibited in Revelation. We have no means, no money. Some of
the preachers had nothing to eat but corn, no meat, no bread.
Those are our people—not the Patagonians nor Hindoostanees,
but the American negroes. We have no schools, no seminaries,
all seems to be impenetrable darkness. In the South not only
colored but white men would be unable to tell an A if it were as
big as the end of a house. The northern people have no idea of
the condition of the people in the South. Had we fyept up our
missionaries as the M. E. Church^lid, we might have had semi¬
naries and places of learning in every State. It is the lamented
truth that men and women who have every advantage spend
annually ten times as much for tobacco and rum as would sup¬
port the missions in the South. In the South $3,000,000 are
thus spent. In the city of New York $15,000,000 are expended
for church purposes, and $50,000,000 for rum and tobacco. The
world spends $1,500,000,000 for churches and $2,000,000,000 for
rum and tobacco. God will hasten his incoming reign. I have
preached from the Sierra Nevadas to Sacramento Yalley, from
the head of the Columbia river to the valley of the Mississippi at
Denver, in Colorado, Jesus' rights.
Not the Republican or Democratic parties, but the Gospel is
the lever to raise up our people. I am down among the bull¬
dozers ; no doubt they would like to get a clip at me, but I hear
a voice through the clouds saying, " fear not! lo, I am with you
always." One soul cost the blood of Jesus Christ. Men and
women of the New Jersey Conference, consecrate yourself to the
wark.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
117
1878—D. A. PAYNE.
I have something to say to the Conference for its benefit.
Brethern, if you would post yourselves on what is going on yon¬
der in the South, among five millions of our people, it would
make your heart tremble. The M. E. Church is dotting the
South over with colleges and institutes of learning and are edu¬
cating four hundred colored men to the work. What are they ?
Five hundred disciplined men will whip one thousand undis¬
ciplined men. We have fifteen hundred preachers in the South,
of whom not more than one hundred have a fair English edu¬
cation.
The thought is appaling. One educated man can do more than
one thousand ignorant men. Bishop Ward one year ago said
that among two hundred preachers in his charge not more than
twenty-five intelligent men can read the Bible, hymn book and
book of discipline There are four million five hundred thousand
(4,500,000) of our people in the South, of whom not more than
one million five hundred thousand are under Christian influence.
What is to become of these people, to say nothing of Africa ? I
remember the remark of a slave-holder in Baltimore city.
With clenched fist he said, " Dr. Payne, I do not know what will
become of the colored people of this country. If they do not
educate themselves they will never be able to live among us."
Many gentlemen whose hearts are right, but under the domi¬
nant influence of slavery have asked me, " Mr. Payne, how are
you getting along with your school," and when I have told them
they have said, " God bless you." Prejudices are of slow re¬
moval, but education will remove them. I can give you a thous¬
and instances. Let me state one. When a boy, leaving my
native city, Dr. Bacham, a very learned man, took my album and
wrote these words, " Seek knowledge wherever you go like the
air you breathe." A slaveholder once desired me to go with him
as body servant. Said he, " If you will travel with me twelve
months, the knowledge you will acquire of men and of things
will be of more value to you than the three hundred dollars I
will give. Do you know the difference between the master and
the slave? 'Tis that between knowledge and ignorance. Knowl-
118
history of the n. j.
edge makes the master, ignorance the slave." I then thought to
myself, if that is so I will nover, Mr. Smith, go with you.
These are stubborn facts. Knowledge is designed by God to
rule the world. With it ignorance cannot cope. A committee
having been appointed, a suitable candidate was chosen to be
sent to Wilberforce as ward of the Conference. Bishop Payne
gave the committee the following instructions as to the mode of
selection. Be said the mother church sent a young man to
Wilberforce, who, when I saw him I said inwardly, if he fails it
will be only because his brain is too small for his body. This
young man died insane for the reason that, as I first thought, his
brain was too small.
Another was sent from Lincoln University, but he did not suc¬
ceed. Another was sent but his brain could not take in his
studies and he was therefore sent home. In these cases money
was lost, and why ? Because those who selected them knew
nothing about the manner of so doing. God must give him
natural endowments. He must be clear headed and have good
natural powers. But a man must have grace as well as gifts.
He must have, first, humility. Had he the gift of an angel and
be without humility he would at last be dashed against the rock,
even though he might have the diploma of the University in his
hand. Even in the person of the Redeemer, humility is neces¬
sary. But he must be a good man and one of good report, one
against whom nothing affecting the peace and purity of society
can be brought. If a preacher or exhorter he must have fruits.
Souls must have been awakened, though not sanctified yet
awakened. If these three abound, gift, graces and fruits, then
he is called ; if one is wanting then he is not called. Therefore
'tis best to get advice of an educator to assist you to make the
selection.
1879.
On a motion being made, that those taken up in the interval
of the conference be added to the roll, an objection was raised.
A ruling was made in favor of the motion.
Attention was called to the same, and a desire to have the
ruling placed on record, which was granted. D. A. Payne.
On a motion that two local preachers be the marshals of Con-
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
119
ference, objections were raised, that there were reasons why none
but members of Conference be chosen. Bishop Payne being
called upon to state the reason for strict objection, stated that
these same brethren were here a few years ago and applied for
admission in the itinerant work. They had large families and
were over thirty-five years of age. He believed that God calling
men to enter his service would do so when they were in their
prime of youth, and not after they had been advanced in years.
He therefore was not willing that they should be used.
Query.—How does it happen that men are brought from other
places and given work, when our own men are left without work ?
Bishop replied, saying, that he had been desirous of sending a
man to take charge of Madison, but because of the facilities of
Drew Seminary he would send none but a man qualified to enter
said institution. Before Conference closes I will read an exposi¬
tion of the question discussed this morning, relating to leaving
the brethren of this Conference without appointments and giving
work to brothers of other Conferences.
An Elder reported and desired to wait until Monday before
reporting further, as he expected to receive more money that was
due him.
Bishop Payne stated that a better way was, in case of a church
being in debt to the minister at the end of the year, to get a note
from said church for indebtedness.
Query. What could be done if the church refused to pay it?
I will give my understanding of the moral teachings of the
Scripture. If I did work for a man and he could not pay me
my money, I would ask him to give me a note, and after suffi¬
cient time if he did not pay I'd make him, and in this I think I
would do right before God and man. And vice versa, if I owed
jou I should be compelled to pay. In my opinion you would
have the moral as well as the civil right to compel the church to
keep its obligations.
A christian's promise should be mightier than gold. A church
has no more right to cheat a man than a man has to cheat
a church. There is a case of the widow of a traveling
preacher, who was refused payment by the church which
he served. After waiting one or two years and the church
not paying I said, you shall not have a minister until
120
history of the n. j.
you pay. The consequence was that they paid her. What
did I do in the last four months, at a certain church
where the people demanded the removal of the pastor, alleg¬
ing him to be incompetent to teach? A young man who
gave a single utterance made by him, compelled me to hang my
head and blush. There could be no reconciliation. I told them
I would not remove him until they had paid him the last penny,
which they did. I then removed him. Another case I have
where a man behaved himself illy and his conduct caused the
church to ask for his removal. I wrote back, " I will remove
him when you pay him the last cent you owe him," which was
done. In reporting for committee a brother was made an excep¬
tion. Explanations being desired Bishop Payne made the fol¬
lowing ruling: When a brother is engaged in a full course of
studies in the Theological Seminary as in the case of Brother
it is not required of him to study the works laid down
in the course of studies prescribed by the discipline.
D. A. Payne.
The committee on admissions and holy orders, having made an
adverse report upon several gentlemen, a motion was offered to
accept them in the adoption of the report, which provoked much
discussion. Bishop then gave his opinion of the matter. I will
give the Methodist history, for he considered that harm might be
done the brethren, also the church, if they would force on them
the order of deacons and elders. Mr. Asbury, who labored so
effectually in the cause of Methodism, and was the first of Amer¬
ican Bishops, labored fourteen years without having been or¬
dained. There is also Richard Cain, who is a man of varied
talents, but was kept back by me several years, and he thanks
God that he was so treated. Conference should act upon the
same principle that judicious parents would toward their chil¬
dren—sacrifice their present for their future.
) D. A. Payne.
Query. What is the status of a brother who had been at the
last Conference elected to the office of deacon, but had not been
ordained ? Ans. Must prosecute or receive the second year's
studies. D. A. Payne.
A letter was read charging Elder with maladministra¬
tion. Bishop ruled the letter out with the following statement
a. m. e. conference.
121
As far back as 1843, '44 and '45 this course was pursued and was
damaging to the reputation and characters of the members. A
regular system of blackmailing was practiced. I, your presiding
Bishop, drew up and presented to the Conference the rule of
sending these letters to the proper committees. Had I received
this letter I would have torn it up and burned it. Every member
"has a right to write to the Bishop during the interval of the
Conference. D. A. Payne.
Bro. , from another denomination, after a trial in the
itinerant work, resigned, on the ground of not being adapted to.
the work. He came, asking to be reinstated.
Bishop Payne asked him why he thought he was any better
adapted now than before he tendered his resignation.
" I attribute it in main to a change in my belief in certain
doctrines, etc."
Bishop. Simply a change in belief is not sufficient to make
you an efficient itinerant worker. I once knew a man who was a
perfect philosopher by the natural cast of his mind, and a lover
of the bible, but he put off entering the ministry until he was
fifty years of age. He never succeeded, because he was not
adapted for the work. A man to succeed must have tact and
pluck, adaptability to reach the people.
Bro. said that the succesful man is not the man edu¬
cated for but in the ministry.
Bishop in reply: The founder of Methodism, Mr. Wesley,
was not originally a Methodist, yet he was educated for the min¬
istry. We don't know his superior as an evangelist, yet he was
not converted in heart for a number of years afterward. So we
must be careful not to allow ourselves to be drawn into error by
such teaching.
Query. If a church organization assumes another name, is
that church responsible ?
Bishop. It will still be responsible. What is meant by the
Bethel in this connection is its local relation. As long as you
hold to the general name you are responsible.
Query. What is the standing of certain brethren that Confer¬
ence have by vote admitted to relationship ?
Bishop. When a man has been expelled from the annual con¬
ference for gross immorality he- cannot be used, again until the
122
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
annual conference expelling him shall pass his moral character.
If a young man comes to you and informs you of his call to
preach, you should have a vote of congregation. Such a vote
expresses the confidence the people have in his moral virtue®.
But now put him on trial, that his qualifications may be
tested. First, has he gifts; that is, the natural powers to take
in and pour out. After having used him for a period of six
months, you should find out secondly if he has graces. That is,
does he possess meekness, sobriety, holiness. Third, are any
souls awakened under his preaching ? After he has been thus
tried for twelve months, let him be brought before the quarterly
conference, and after passing through the necessary examination
let him be licensed.
REMARKS JUST BEFORE THE GIVING OUT OF APPOINTMENTS—1879.
Pastors are the exponents of the law, and are to see that it is
faithfully carried out. If trustees are disposed to violate the dis¬
cipline, tell them they ought not, but if they persist tell them
they shall not, and take the consequences. And so in the quar¬
terly conference, if brethren are disposed to act contrary to the
laws tell them they can not, and if they persist tell them they
shall not, and take the consequences.
The office of a class leader is one of serious importance. If
you appoint a class leader, he should.be a man of sound judg¬
ment and a man of God. Should a man be appointed who is
not, the pastor is responsible. Should the leader need removing
he should remove him, and if he retains one disqualified, the
mischief done may be exceedingly great, and God will hold the
pastor responsible for it. Now if the pastor must not allow
trustees and leaders to expound the law and rule them, you can
see at once the relationship of the annual conference and the
presiding Bishop. The annual conference may select A., B. or
C. He must have the right tact and pluck ; if they are not' in the
man he cannot succeed. There are two other things he should
have. They are grace and knowledge. These he can attain by
prayer and study.
He who prays and studies the most shall be the most success¬
ful. He , who does the least will be the least successful.
A. should not be envious of. B. because he is successful.
a. m. e. conference.
123
God gives to each, man as he thinks best. Each has his endow¬
ment according to the will of the Infinite Being. Be faithful and
you shall be rewarded. If you have tact and pluck let it be
sanctified by grace. If faithful, God will take care of us and our
wives and children. I was greatly pleased to hear from a brother
that his people would take care of him as long as he lived. My
own impressions are in my old age I have beggared my household
in his service. Be faithful and God will be faithful to you.
"Hunger and thirst after righteousness, never rest till you are
filled." In darkness of midnight be as circumspect as in noon¬
day. You cannot get too much of the grace of God. If you are
holy men your usefulness will be enlarged by the sphere of
knowledge. Bishop Payne.
A letter was read by one of the stewards of church, the
pastor being sick, and contained the following :
"We have tried to discharge our duty to the best of our ability.
Bishop and brethren, we realize the fact that the people of our
church are not able to support the presiding eldership. We are
not prepared for it. We have not been able to collect anything
but dollar money," which brought out the following remarks from
the Bishop:
Brethren, let us take a lesson from what we have heard and
seen in this brother's report. The condition we are in, concern¬
ing this report, might have happened in any conference, white or
colored. It is not because the man is black, but on account of
his ignorance. In many places we are trampling the discipline
under foot. This is a steward. The discipline says that a stew¬
ard should both know and love the Methodist doctrine and dis¬
cipline. Here is a man that does not know the law, because he
cannot read.
We had better appoint women who can read and know the law,
- as the Wesleyans do. They often appoint competent women.
A motion was made that brother be received in the
work. Objections were raised on the ground that he had two
wives. The brother stated that he had a divorce from one. The
Bishop informed «the brother that he could not be received, and
made the following remarks: If any man has been called to the
christi?qi ministry and he should be mistaken in a women he has
chosen for a wife, as our apostle, Father Wesley, was, for he
124
history of the n. j.
married a woman in whom he was mistaken—this women he mis¬
took left his house without cause—let him do as he did. He
would not take her back, but he lived a spotless life until the day
of his death, which was in his eighty-sixth year. If I were a
member among the laity, I should not listen to any man who had
two living wives, especially a christian minister.
I knew a similar case that happened in 1868 at the Missouri
Conference.
Dr. Revels brought to this conference a man who had passed
his quarterly conference. The man was given an appointment to
preach before the conference, and by his eloquence the whole
conference was carried away, and he even took me with
him. In eloquence even Dr. Turner was not his equal. I asked
him was he married ; he said no. A member of the conference
asked him to think awhile. He then replied, he supposed he
had been married when a boy abont twelve years of age to a girl
of about ten years, but his father would not allow him to live
with her and made him leave her. He was then asked if he had
not been married several times. He became dignified and
denied the assertion and said he could prove himself clear. His
case was laid over until the next conference, to give him time to
produce the evidence of his innocence. During the interval ha
seut me documents under seal to prove his innocence. But after
readiDg them through I was impressed that they were false and
when the facts were known, he had served a term in New York
State Prison for bigamy.
Bishop Payne.
On a motion to abolish the office of presiding elder (see pre¬
siding elder notes) attention being called to the delegates elected
to the general conference at the previous session, the Bishop re¬
marked that the law governing the election of delegates where it
is said that they should be elected at the conference preceding
the general conference, means that they shall be elected twelve
months prior to the general conference, in order that they may
have time to study the discipline, so as to be prepared to legis¬
late.
A motion was offered to confirm the delegates elected las^year
and a division of the house was called for.
a. m. e. conference.
Query—What will become of the delegates if not confirmed by
conference ?
Ans. If the conference refuse to confirm, they will have no
delegates. The motion was not entertained.
1882.
On education and studying books laid down in the discipline.
Elder Gould has books of our church and our young men must
buy them and not be allowed to go where they please to buy
books to please themselves to complete their studies.
Bishop Brown.
1883.
The committee on Sunday-schools in making their report
questioned the legality of the organization of the Sunday-school
union, which brought out the following remarks by the Bishop:
The Bishop or board of Bishops has a perfect right to inaugurate
plans for the advancement and upbuilding of the church, and re¬
quested that the report be sent back and the objectional feature
expunged, which was done. J. M. Brown.
METROPOLITAN CHURCH.
The Bishop made some wholesome remarks as to the elements
of success in the christian ministry, also as to the influence ex¬
erted by our church in the city of Washington and other com¬
munities, and urged the brethren to exert their influence in be¬
half of the Metropolitan Church, of Washington.
RULING ON PRESIDING ELDER OFFICE.
(See Presiding Elder notes.)
1876.
complimentary resolutions.
Whereas, Rev. James A. Shorter, Bishop of the First Episco¬
pal District, has presided over this, the New Jersey Annual Con-
126
history of the n. j.
ference, since its organization with marked attention, showing his
equal regard for the brethren ;
And whereas, the time of his departure is now at hand, who
has, during his administration, left an impression on our minds
not to be forgotten in time ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in his departure he bears with him the respect
of every member of the conference, and we shall ever pray that
God, our Heavenly Father, may ever guide him by his counsel
amid all the mutations of life, and when it shall come to its close
may he be transmitted from the church below to the triumphant
church above.
R. M. Turner,
R. Faucett.
1880.
complimentary resolution.
Whereas, Rt. Rev. D. A. Payne, D. D., Senior Bishop of the
A. M. E. Church, has with marked ability for the last four years
diffused wholesome instruction, in so much that there has been a
visible improvement in the above named conference under his
administration ; therefore,
Resolved, That the members of this conference recognize with
regret that they have to part with his great instructions and pray
that the divine benediction may be ever upon him.
J. H. Bean,
W. M. Watson,
T. McCants Stewart.
Resolution of Welcome.—The following resolution was then
read and placed upon the minutes of conference of 1885 :
Whereas, The general conference, in its wisdom, assigned to
the First Episcopal District and the New Jersey Conference, be¬
ing one of the component parts of the above-named district, this
being the first time of its convening since the rise of the general
conference, and therefore the first opportunity for his Reverence
to preside in this conference when assembled ;
Resolved, We extend to our beloved Bishop, R. H. Cain, a
hearty welcome, and ever pray that he may be blessed with health,
and that success may attend him as ever, Laus Deo. (Praise
God.) J. Height Bean,
A. H. Newton.
a. m. e. conference.
127
1881.
complimentary resolutions.
Whereas, This is the first session of the General Conference ;
And whereas, We meet at this session our venerable father in
God, our present Bishop, the Rt. Rev. J. M. Brown ;
And whereas, This is his first session among us ; be it
Resolved, That we, the N. J. A. M. E. Annual Conference, hail
him with a hearty welcome and that we meet him as our father
and regard him as such, and that we will do all that within us
lies to make this one of the most pleasant quadrennial terms he
has ever witnessed.
Humbly submitted,
J. W. Cooper,
E. W. Taylor.
ORANGE.
'report of committee on condition of orange church and re¬
port of church trustees.
To the Bishop and brethren of the N. J. Annual Conference of the
A. M. E. Church, now in session at Trenton, N. J., April 16,
1879.
We, the members and trustees who were formerly members of
the A. M. E. Church of Orange, do hereby certify, that we have
organized a Colored Methodist Episcopal Bethel Church of the
State of New Jersey. On account of our church being sold for
debt, which was contracted by the minister before this year, and
having raised moneys at different times to pay off those debts,
we, the members, together with our other churches of Orange,
and the several clergy of the white churches, thinking that the
moneys raised were appropriated for the debts of said church,
and finding out the moneys had been used for other purposes by
the former minister, the people of this city, and of the A. M. E.
Church at large, have become discouraged and will not help us
under the title of A. M. E. connection, but said that if we would
again reorganize they would help us in getting a church, as ours
128
history of the n. j.
has been sold from us. We, the trustees of said A. M. E.
Church, consulted a lawyer and the clergy of this city, and their
advice to us was to reorganize in order to get another church.
Now we are Methodists, and still wishing to be Methodists, and
not being willing to come under the Methodist Episcopal, we
have, by the advice of many people, been incorporated under the
title of " Colored Methodist Episcopal Bethel Church of the
State of New Jersey," until such time as we can do better,
unless the Bishop and conference can advise some other way
wherein we can be saved.
The entire indebtedness against the church is one thousand
eight hundred dollars and we, the undersigned trustees, beg leave
to submit this to the Bishop and conference for their approval
or disapproval.
his *
Daniel Cuff, Daniel M G. Eoe,
mark
his
Hamilton M Frazier, C. W. Quace,
mark
William R. Tillman, P. Br ad well,
E. Groves, C. Skinner,
E. Pendleton.
We, your committee on the Orange Church, having consulted
with Bro. J. M. Williams, pastor of Newark Church, under whose
care the Orange Church was left at the rise of the last session of
conference, have gleaned the following facts: The A. M. E.
Church has no property in Orange, save a lot valued at $600.00,
on which $300.00 has been paid. There are thirty-eight members,
one local preacher and five probationers. They are organized
under the name of the "Colored Bethel Connection" and are
now worshiping in a hall at a cost of eight dollars ($8.00) a month.
They desire to remain under Newark Church as stated. Your
committee having learned these facts so report them and leave
the conference to act as may seem most advisable to them.
R Faucett,
J. W. Stevenson,
R. J. M. Long.
There have been several churches lost from our work in the
New Jersey Conference, and strange to say, this is the only piece
of history left on record concerning any of them.—[Editor. J
A. M. e. conference.
129
CHRISTIAN RECORDER.
conference of 1874.
Whereas, It is required that the ministers of N. J. A. Confer¬
ence shall subscribe to the Christian Recorder ;
And Whereas, It is the expression of the Conference that a
just discrimination is not made concerning communications sent
to be published; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the members of the N. J. A. Conference,
think that official reports of meetings of preachers when sent
should be printed, for we believe by such a course the people
and members of the church would be more likely to be interested
in the paper.
conference of 1875.
Resolved, That each member of the N. J. A. Conference be and
are authorized agents for the Christian Recorder, and that they
are requested to obtain subscriptions and forward the same to
the business manager as soon as they shall enter their field of
labor.
F. J. Cooper,
R. Faucett.
9
Names of Places where Con¬
ference has been held since
its formation.
Trenton
Bridgeton ...
Mount Holly.
Camden
Newark
Trenton
Newark
Trenton
Salem
Princeton
Morristown..
Bridgeton ...
Newark
Burlington ...
CamdeD
Trenton
Dates.
...June 20,
1872.
... May S,
1873.
.. .April 22,
1874.
.. .April 22,
1875.
. .April 13,
1876.
...April 19,
1877.
... April 18,
1878.
...April 16,
1879.
... April 14,
1880.
... April 20,
1881.
... April 19,
1882.
... April 18,
1883.
...April 2,
1884.
... April 23,
1885.
...April 22,
1886.
.April 20, 1887.
Bishops Presiding. *
Bishops Visiting.
* James A. Shorter )
Jabez Campbell j
* James A. Shorter
* James A. Shorter )
J. P. Campbell j
* James A. Shorter [
A. W. Wayman j
* James A. Shorter
* Daniel A. Payne ;..)
James A. Shorter f
* Daniel A. Payne
* Daniel A. Payne
A. W. Wayman
* Daniel Payne
* John M. Brown |
A. W". Wayman f
* John M. Brown
* John M. Brown
* John M. Brown
* R. H. Cain
J. P. Campbell
* R. H. Cain, A. W. Wayman... )
T. M. D. Ward, J. M. Brown.. V
J. P.Campbell )
* A. W. Wayman )
R. M. Turner J
Amounts
paid to
Secretaries.
i 5 00...
5 00...
5 00...
12 00...
Not stated.
Not stated
. 15 00...
. 10 00...
. 15 00...
. 5 00...
. 15 00...
. 15 00...
. 8 00...
00...
00...
00..
00..
50..
50..
CO
o
Secretaries.
7
7
5
3
7
7
10 00.
10 00.
10 00.
5 00.
10 00.
7 00.
20 00.
I Frisby J. Cooper,
j Reporter, C. R. L. Patterson.
Frisby J. Cooper,
Thomas A. Cuff.
(Frisby J. Cooper,
j Thomas A. Cuff,
j Samuel B. Williams,
(Thomas A. Cuff.
1 Redmond Faucet,
j J. Hieght Bean.
I Redmond Faucet,
[ J. Hieght Bean.
I Redmond Faucet,
j J. Hieght Bean.
Redmond Faucet,
J. Hieght Bean.
(Walter Thompson,
(B. W. Timothy.
(E. Winston Taylor,
| Walter Thompson.
E. W. Taylor,
J. W. Cooper.
Israel Derricks,
J. Henri Morgan,
Horace Talbot.
Israel Derricks,
J. H. Morgan.
J. P. Sampson,
J. H. Morgan.
J. H. Morgan,
J. T. Diggs.
J. H. Morgan,
J. C. Nayler,
T. M. Chester.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
131
VISITORS TO CONFERENCE.
1872.
Elders—James M. "Williams, L. C. Chambers, James Hollon,
J. H. W. Burleigh, Henry J. Young, Stephen Smith and Josiah
Eddy, of Philadelphia Conference.
1873.
Rev. William Moffit, of M. E. Church, C. H. Hartranft and R.
Rich, of M. E. Church, Rev. Morris, of Baptist Church, H. J.
Young. W. H. Hunter, Business Manager.
1874.
Rev. J. B. Graw, Presiding Elder M. E. Church ; Bishops, J.
P. Campbell and A. W. "Wayman; Revs. T. Gould, Samuel
Watts, L. C. Chambers, Philadelphia Conference; Rev. W. H.
Hunter, Business Manager; J. W. Burleigh, F. S., Rev. G. S.
Sheldon, Bible agent of Princeton, N. J.
1875.
Rev. R. Barney, T. Gould, A. Wilson, R. Wayman, S. Watts,
J. P. B. Eddy, Josiah Eddy, J. W. Davis and Editor B. T.
Tanner, of Philadelphia Conference; Rev. J. B. Tructee, J. P.
Price and R. Dickerson, of Z. A. M. E. Church; Revs. R. S.
Arnett, A. R. Street and J. H. F. Striker, Sunday S. U. of M. E.
Church; Rev. Moses Wilcox, of Seventh Baptist Church, Camden,
N. J.; Rev. R. J. Lew, of M. E. C.
1876.
Revs. J. W. Cooper, Father Thompson, J. M. Williams, J.
Green, T. G. Stuart, of New York Conference; Rev. J. C.
Obanyon, B. M. E. C.
1877.
Rev. M. Thorn, William Walters, E. C. Hancock, J. S. Beble,
Rev. Sheldon, M. Larall, Mr. Fisher and wife and R. Yander-
132 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
grift, P. E. of M. E. 0.; L. M. Letterford, Presbyterian Church ;
Rev. A. Carr, F. J. Cooper, R, F. Wayman, R. M. Turner ; Bishops,
J. A. Shorter, T. M. D. Ward and J. P. Campbell; Charles Bur¬
leigh, Revs. Lovejoy and Wood, of M. E. C. ; Dr. Brown,
Dickerson, J. C. Embry^J. H. Morgan, R. M. Bond, of Lutheran
Church.
1878.
Rev. Gilbert L W. Smith, J. W. Davenport, Dr. Sheldon, B.
A., of M. E. Church; Rev. J. W. Cooper and D. Dorrell.
1879.
J. C. Embry, F. St. Gould, L. C. Chambers, C. C. Fetts, W. F.
Dickerson, Rev. Mr. Stiles, Rev. Riley Green and McGown, of
M. E. Church.
1880.
Rev. Mr. Tillman, M. R. Westwood and Lippincott, of M. E. C. •
Rev. R. Barney, C. W. Bradly, F. J. Hazley, W. H. Davis, L. C.
Coppin, J. P. Thompson, C. H". Green, W. R. Norris, of Phila¬
delphia Conference, Rev. M. Scott, of A. U. C.; A. C. Garrison,
of N. Y.
1881.
W. D. Roberson, Presbyterian Church; Rev. A. C. Garrison,
T. McCants Stuart, J. B. Stansbury, S. C. Goosely, T. A. Davis,.
J. W. Mowby, T. E. Franklin, of N. Y. C.; Rev. J. A. M. Johyis,
J. Pollard, S. C. C.; Rev. M. F. Sluby, B. F. Combast, L. J. Cop-
pin, C. C. Fetts, A. Wilson, T. G. Stewart, C. Woodyard, T.
Gould, Business Manager of Philadelphia Conference ; Bishop A.
W Wayman, B. W. Arnett, F. S., W. W. Counselor, M. A. S.,
Thomas Johnson, A. M. E. U. C.
1882.
Rev. Howard Griffiths, Bishop J. P. Campbell, Rev. T. Gould
Rev. L. Patterson, Rev. D. Eardman, Presbyterian Church.
Rev. L. Corning, Congregational Church; Rev. W. H. McCor-
mick, E. W. Hall, Dr. Furman, of M. E. C.; A. J. Chambers M.
E. Church; B. W. Arnett, F. S.; Rev. T. McCants Stuart.
M. E. CONFERENCE.
133
1883.
Rev. Ridout, M. E. C.; Rev. James Trinity, M. E. C.'; Rev.
Styles, of Commerce Street M. E. C.; C. S. Smith, Sect. S. U.;
M. F. Sluby, A. C. Garrison, B. F. Cornbash, C. C. Felts, of Phila¬
delphia C.; Rev. J. H. Handy, D. D., B. C.; B. W. Arnett, F. S.
1884.
Rev. J^G. Mitchel, agent for Wilberforce; T. Gould, B. M.,
Rev. W. H. Coffey, Rev. J. H. Johnson, Revs. W. B. Derrick,
James Peyton, Tillman Jeda, B. W. Allen, W. H. Thomas, G.
Dardis, J. M. Townsend, J. N. Davenport, W. H. Hill, T. G.
Stewart, Isaac Bolden, G. W. Bailey.
CHAPTER IV.
EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION
UPON EDUCATIONAL TOPICS, NATIONAL MATTERS AND OTHER SUBJECTS
OF INTEREST AS BROUGHT BEFORE THE CONFERENCE.
By the following expressions, it will be observed that the A.
M. E. Conference of New Jersey has always been alive to the
religious, intellectual and political interests of its people. It has
been the object of Conference to take advanced ground on all
the important questions of the day and the expressions of opin¬
ion will show that an absorbing interest is taken in everything
that pertains to the advancement of the African race. This
chapter covers a wide field but we trust it will be found to con¬
tain many matters of interest to those who vouchsafe it a pe¬
rusal.
CONCERNING EDUCATION.
The Committee on Education beg leave to indulge in some re¬
flections on the momentous questions submitted to them, before
presenting certain recommendations for your earnest consid¬
eration.
It is a fact of much significance that, in the first Methodist
Conference, the subject of education was a prominent feature,
and it was carefully considered. We are told that the question
was asked, " Can we have a seminary for laborers ?" and the
136
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
matter was pressed until it gave birth to distinctive educational
efforts. Methodism, like its elder sister, the Reformation
under Luther, was born within the sacred confines of classic en¬
closures, and Methodism is, therefore, bound by natural ties to
general education. Conceived in an educational atmosphere,
born amidst educational surroundings, matured by educational
influences, it is only true to its nature when it points to Kings-
ford, Wilberforce and Drew and cries aloud for an educated
people, as" well as an educated ministry. It is only true to its
nature in recognizing the fact that knowledge is power. The in¬
fluence which it yields and the wonderful progress that marks its
history, are due to the fact that its voice is heard everywhere
crying, " get wisdom, and, with all thy getting, get understands
ing." Yes, Methodism earnestly pleads for that wisdom which
has its seat in both the mind and the heart, and which enables a
man to worship and serve God with the understanding as well as
the spirit.
The committee use the term education in its primar}* mean¬
ing. Derived as it is from the Latin roots e and duco—it ex¬
presses the idea of leading out the powers of the human body
and soul as well as mind, and in its operation it is restricted to
no one of these. Fleming, in his vocabulary of philosophy, thus
defines education, " By education is generally meant the using of
those means of development which one man or generation of men
may employ in favor of another. These means are chiefly in¬
structions or communications of knowledge to enlighten and
strengthen the mind and discipline, or the formation of manners
and habits. Instruction and discipline may be physical or moral,
that is, may refer to the body or the mind. Both,when employed"
in all their extent, go to make up education, which is the aid
given to assist the development and advance the progress of the
human being as an individual and as a member of a family, a
community and a race." If this definition is correct, then the
object of education is the perfection of the human being, and
Montesquier stood as an exponent of universal knowledge and
experience when he declared that " It makes the man." Yes, it
has in view the development of the whole man. Sampson, the
very personification of physical strength, was not necessarily an
educated man. Solomon, the idolator, with head knowledge that
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
137
excites even now the wonder of the world, was not necessarily
educated. The nuns and friars of the middle ages, whose piety
found peculiar expression in lacerations of the flesh and starva¬
tion of the body, were not necessarily educated. Only he who,
like the God man, is developed in body £nd heart and mind can
be said to be educated. The influence of education on a nation
—on the race—is as marked as its effect on the individual.
Castelar, the silver-tongued orator of Europe, remarked that
Switzerland is stronger in her liberties, stronger in the individ¬
ual rights and privileges of her citizens, stronger in her religious
and moral development, than she is on the granite of her Alps,
because of the general intelligence of her inhabitants, growing out
of the attention given to education.
Sixteen and a half years ago the world was startled as by a
blast from the trumpet that will proclaim the final desolation of
all things. When, on September 21st, 1862, the bright sun rose
to run his course, he lighted a race of slaves, and when he set,
his last beam fell on four millions of slaves—slaves either to
caste and proscription, or to law—slaves whose groans and
prayers went up to Heaven, mingled with the clash of arms,
which resounded through the nation. But when, on September
the 22d, the king of day rose up from behind the eastern hills,
he looked upon a people leaping for joy, and exclaiming " What
hath God wrought ?" and singing like Miriam of old, a song
of deliver ance, inspired by the immortal proclamation of
emancipation. That historic paper brought duties and respon¬
sibilities, as well as rights and privileges, but we shall not
measure up to the one nor come into absolute possession of
the other until we shall be able to exert an influence that comes
only through education. Because of this fact, and because of
the greater truth, it is written : " If the light in them be dark¬
ness, how great is that darkness."
We as Christian ministers, called and commissioned by the
Triune God, should constantly seek to lead ourselves and our
people into an appreciation of those instrumentalities which
elevate and dignify. We must by precept and example seek to
have our people appreciate, in the first place, the school-house.
Let us show them that New England is the pride of the country,
because she believes in putting the school-house by the side of
138
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
the church. Do not let them falter in their duty to their chil¬
dren because they themselves have been deprived of the benefits
of an education in their youth. Do not let them say without a
word of rebuke and exortation from us, I have got along without
any book learning and he must. Such a spirit is sinful in the
extreme. It is none of that Christianity that is taught in the
word of God. The Caucasian is not thus inspired. He believes
in the primary school, the intermediate school, the grammar
school, the academy, the college, the professional school, semi¬
nary and often travel abroad, and we stand awe struck in the
presence of his achievements. Look at his educational build¬
ings, at once magnificent and costly. See his home and mark
his comforts and culture and " take courage," for it has not
always been thus. Progress has been to him a law.
In the middle ages, the Russians, Germans, the French and
English, groped in intellectual darkness, greater than ours of to¬
day. Kings and Emperors signed their names with a cross. But
the darkness of those years fled before the light which went
forth from the school-house. What minister of the Lord Jesus
can entertain a single doubt as concerns his duty, when he looks
at our race in this country almost everywhere. Marks of degra¬
dation dwell upon the shadows which covers us almost like the
pall that covers the earth by the midnight blackness. Aye, who
can for a moment doubt that the Master, viewing this sad specta¬
cle, does not lay stress on the "Teach all Nations," as he hands
to us our great commission.
Our future as a church will certainly be sad and uninteresting.
Indeed we shall have comparatively no future, unless there be
sound mental strength, as well as spiritual power in our growing
youth. The young are the hope of our race, just as " the school
is the nursery of the church." Why are we not then doing more
for education ? Why are not the professors and teachers kept
from embarrassment and paid their small but well earned salaries
with regularity so as to allow them by the purchase of books and
other facilities to increase their possibilities of usefulness ?
Why are we not found discussing and maturing plans for the
endowment of professorships and the purchase of apparatus and
specimens for the study of the physical sciences and geology,
mineralogy and natural history? Why is there not a gen-
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
139
Bral response to the call of the Senior Bishop for aid in purchas¬
ing a museum of Natural History for Wilberforce, offered by
Professor H. A. Ward for the small sum of $1,400, when its real
value is $2,000 ? Because indifference and lethargy possess our
people. While your committee can report some improvement
among IJie churches in past years, yet we feel alarmed and sad
in having to say to-day that ignorance is still widespread. In our
churches are trustees who have to sign their name with a cross,
class and choir leaders who cannot read the bible and hymn
book out of which they are supposed to teach and sing; and
what is worse even, where the light of the lamp of learning has
been for years within reach of all men there are young persons,
male and female, in our churches, with excellent vocal power,
whose voices cannot be employed in the Master's service because
they have not acquired the elements of the most limited educa¬
tion. They do not even know the letters of the alphabet. Im¬
possible ? No, not impossible! These are sad and undeniable
facts.
The committee respectfully but earnestly say that we are not
sufficiently interested in the subject of education. We need to
save our children, our youth, from the iron grasp of wasted op¬
portunities, of indolence, of crime, of death, of hell itself. As
ministers we should interest ourselves in the public schools in
our respective charges. If we go to a new appointment, first
make an inspection of our church work; then go to the school,
whether it be " mixed " or whether it be " colored," and see what
is there doing for the elevation of our people. From observa¬
tion, as well as information, the committee can say there is much
to be done in the bounds of our conference in this direction. At
some points our children and our youth are crowded into places
called school houses, but the term is a misnomer, " grave yard "
would more fitly describe the work that goes on within them—
the teacher the grave digger and the pupils so many stones that are
being properly located. Let us as shepherds and leaders demand
justice in this direction—better school houses, better school facili¬
ties, from the powers that rule over us," and thus we shall, as Dr.
Tanner once put it, " Begin at the beginning," and the clouds and
darkness will disappear in time before the sunlight.
The committee further report, that it is our duty to preach to
140
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
our people as to the importance of home influences. The school
will do our children very little good unless we supplemen^
with a neat, cheerful home. Throw its inspiring influence
around our youth. Let them see in their homes pictures, flow¬
ers, birds. Surround them with music, with books, with papers,
and they will grow to give strength to our church, to make it the
pride of the race and the chief glory of the angels. And this
leads the committee to ask, are we alive to the importance of sus¬
taining our church organ, The Christian Recorder ? Oh, that it could
be found in every household. It ought to be sustained ; it ought to
be put and kept beyond embarrassment. The ability with whicli
it is edited, and the wisdom with which it is managed, deserve
our enthusiastic commendation and support. Who can measure
the influence of the press ? Who can estimate what it has ac¬
complished in the sacred cause of civil and religious liberty ?
To-day its protection is the bulwark of human freedom. It
stands around our church and guards it like Argus with an hun¬
dred eyes, as we worship under our own vine and fig tree. The
committee can suggest nothing better in the interest of the Publica¬
tion Department than a hearty co-operation in what is generally
known as the " Bishop's plan," and constant efforts to sell copies
of the Recorder weekly, and to increase the number of subscribers,
and out of the spread of general education, the improvement of
our homes, the sustenance of our literary and institutions of
learning will necessarily grow a class of persons in our church for
the elevation of our ministerial standard.
What are we doing to meet this demand? We must provide
an educated ministry or lose our hold on the growing youth of
both sexes and pass into other churches by the slow process of
absorption, and out of history by the inevitable laws of decay and
death. Every station in the conference ought to be represented
by one student at least at Wilberforce. This annual conference
ought not write its history without putting squarely on the record
the fact that year after year finds it cheerfully educating a young
man for the ministry.
Education is necessary to the life of our church, and the spirit
of education must be infused into the warp and woof of the en¬
tire connection. As important as is this matter there may be some
in our church, and even in our ministry, who are either indifferent
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
141
or hostile to the spread of general intelligence. Whenever an op¬
portunity presents itself, whenever the sunlight of intelligence is
obscured by the dark cloud of ignorance, facts are unveiled, the
finger is lifted, and in whisper tones is heard, " Too much educa¬
tion," "Don't believe it," " All head religion," " Old time reli¬
gion good enough for me." But in spite of this gloomy and dis¬
heartening fact, the sacred cause of Christian education is sus¬
tained, and experience demonstrates the fact that one could
more easily pull up the oak of centuries by its roots, or dam up
the waters of the Delaware at its mouth, then he could stem the
influence of advancement of general intelligence. The man or the
church that attempts to clog the wheels of the car of progress
will find by a bitter experience that disorganization and destruc¬
tion are the fruits of such attempts.
One of the most prominent bishops of the M. E. Church said
to a part of your committee: "We do not want the A. M. E.
Church to unite with us. We have no proposals to make that
could lay the foundation of your return to the paternal mansion.
We propose to absorb you." He pointed to the educational
efforts of the mother church, particularly in the South, and asked
what are we doing in the same direction, and then said with
peculiar force, "Ours is a policy of absorption through the
agency of education." As was remarked a year ago by one of
our bishops, whose foresight is enlarged by extensive and pro¬
found learning, " The M. E. Church is dotting the South over
with colleges and institutes of learning, and are educating four
hundred colored men as preachers. In three years the four hun¬
dred educated colored men will drive the fifteen hundred ignor¬
ant men (of our church) to the walland this, brethren, will be
absorption with a vengeance. Yes, the M. E. Church in the
South alone has five chartered institutes with theological depart¬
ments, and from fourteen to fifteen unchartered academies. Over
six hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars ($662,000) have been
spent in the last ten years among our race there. Over three
thousand students attend these schools, and about four hundred
of them are being educated for the ministry. We tremble for
our future as we read, " It is estimated that over sixty thousand
children are taught by teachers trained in these schools, and
thousands of adults, youth and children are influenced by the
preaching of the four hundred young men."
142
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
With what do we, as a church, offset this picture? And let us
bear in mind that Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational and
Episcopal Churches are following in the wake of their great
pioneer. The committee note with pride and pleasure the fact
that there is some interest felt and manifested in our own con¬
ventional schools. That at Wilberforce, for example, enjoys an
unusual amount of prosperity in point of numbers, her halls
being crowded as never before in her history. But we feel it to
be our duty to give the alarm, sound the bugle blast, and call the
conference of church to arms, so that we may " gather up the
loins of our minds," " and storm the fort," not hold iti Let us
educate or prepare to surrender. Let us rather be true to the
spirit of religious liberty given us by our fathers. Let us be
alive to the demands of the hour. Let us as a church sesek wis¬
dom and understanding, and in God's own time every Methodist
negro shall be enrolled under the banner of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church. The committee beg leave to submit the
following recommendations :
(1.) That the conference enforce such laws as now exist in ref¬
erence to the cause of education.
(2.) That every year a Sabbath in September be set aside,,
throughout the bounds of the Conference, for educational pur¬
poses ; that each minister preach upon the subject of education,,
and that the collections lifted during the day be wholly applied
to the Conference educational fund.
(3.) That each minister, whenever practical, form an educa¬
tional society, and either sustain a student from his charge at
Wilberforce, or through the said societies increase the educa¬
tional moneys for Conference.
(4.) That the Conference annually sustain a student at Wilber¬
force.
(5.) That each minister take a personal interest in the public
school work in the the place in which his charge may be located.
(6.) That in order to relieve and sustain the Publication De¬
partment let there be a hearty co-operation in the " Bishop's
Plan." Let each minister sell copies of the Recorder, weekly,
and try to increase its circulation.
(7.) That every year a special sermon be preached and a col-
a. m. e. conference.
143
lection lifted at Conference in the interest of the cause of edu¬
cation. f
T. McCant Stuart,
J. W. Stevenson,
B. W. Timothy.
president hayes' policy.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Dear Brethren :—" That eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty," is in the history of nations so clearly evidenced that no
more is required than to state it, and as a part of a people whose
civil and political rights have been so grossly ignored for more
than three hundred years, we are sensitive respecting every
movement in our country that affects our condition.
Hence whereas, as one of* the branches of that religious body
whidi more than any other has much to do with the moulding
and shaping of the colored people in these United States, and
therefore is in a measure responsible for their well being, we can¬
not close our eyes to the movements that have and are being
made upon the political board, without giving an expression to
our views, so that the people may know where we stand in this
important period of our country's history ; therefore,
Resolved, first, that the New Jersey Conference of the A. M. E.
Church views with much apprehension the course taken and
thus far carried out by President Hayes in relation to the States
of South Carolina and Louisiana;
Resolved, second, that we fully believe the so call Hayes Policy
is wrong in principle and practice, ignoring the great moral and
political truth that governments are established for the benefit,
not of the few, but the many ;
Resolved, third, that we believe it to be unrepublican and con¬
trary to the principles enunciated by the constitution of the
United States to organize in any manner the so-called govern¬
ments of Wade Hampton and Nichols, though called so to do by
men whose great social, political and pecuniary standing rest
upon the accident that they were once holders and whippers of
the bodies of men and women (as human in the sight of God as
themselves) even though there has been a promise made of the
most solemn character;
Resolved, That we consider that President Hayes by his policy
has done more to dig up and destroy the party that elected him
(therefore practically giving those who supported him, bound
hand and foot, to their political opponents) than any one who lias
144
history of the n. j.
preceded him, and we do close our mouths to its enormity be¬
cause he means well. A barn is burned, a man.is killed and
people destroyed, and the destructionist may say he means well,
but the deed accomplished cannot be undone by meaning well.
Human rights are too high and sacred relating to time and eter¬
nity to allow of being experimented upon by meaning well. We
think the Father of Methodism (Wesley) said at one time : "The
road to hell is paved with good intentions
Resolved, That we consider the endorsement of the Hayes
Policy on the part of the people to be nothing less than practi¬
cally upbuilding the pseudo White Man's party, particularly in
the South, where the protection of our people from rapine and
violence depends upon their future adherence to those men who
carry out the shot-gun policy in Mississippi and Georgia, and
who perpetrated the Hamburg murder of South Carolina, the
Mechanic Hall massacre at New Orleans, and the like atrocities
in other parts of the South ;
Resolved, That we do not find cause to greatly rejoice by the
appointment of Mr Douglass to position, regarding such to be
only a " Sop " thrown out to quiet our people, while the work
of practical disfranchisement of thousands of their fellows has
been effected ;
1 Resolved, That we earnestly, in view of these facts, call upon
the people to utterly ignore political hacks and tricksters and in
the future, knowing no party, to vote for those men and meas¬
ures calculated to raise us to a higher plane of moral and political
civilization;
Resolved, That our thanks are given to those faithful and true
men who, unswerved by gifts of office, appeals to personal preju¬
dice, business derangement, or the thousand and one reasons of¬
fered by time servers and trimmers, remained firm to their alle¬
giance to the sacred cause of God and humanity. In conclusion,
Resolved, That we earnestly ask our sister branches of the
Christian Church to join with as in an appeal to the American
people to be no longer practical infidels, but to place the name
of God in the fundamental laws, and acknowledge him in the re¬
lations and concerns of the country.
Redmond Faucet,
F. J. Cooper,
G. E. Boyer.
african emigration.
1o the Bishop and Conference :
Dear Father and Brethren—We, your Committee, beg leave
to submit the following report in the interest of our race in this
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
145
■country, one of a very peculiar nature religiously, intellectually,
morally and politically, owing to the condition that we have been
caused involuntarily to occupy for a number of years—a condi¬
tion that had the tendency to destroy those God-given noble
qualities of manhood, and to reduce to an unenviable brutish
state, a state to which even death itself would even be preferable.
Our intellectual training was neglected and forbidden by legisla¬
tion, our women intentionally corrupted and very little attention
given our religious improvement, further than to serve the hellish
purposes of the oppressor, while the spiritual guides would give
such interpretations of the Scriptures as would justify their
wicked members and congregations in their ungodly and unjusti¬
fiable acts.
These guides themselves were bowing down and worshipping
th© God of oppression and tyranny. Hence, being deprived of
practical knowledge of the grand elements indispensable to man¬
hood and good society, it was next to an impossibility for us to
obtain a practical training or political one, for indeed very few
of the dominant class knew much political economy, though as¬
suming to govern. Being in a state of servitude, we were subject
to all the indignities and many abuses that a people greedy of
gain were capable of inflicting, such as the deprivation of food,
shelter, raiment, education and religious advantages, worked ex¬
cessively without remuneration, bought and sold as goods and
chattels, marital obligations disregarded, families divided, chil¬
dren scattered, women corrupted, men murdered, the common
right denied us—and this, too, by Christian (?) people. And
those who became free could not enjoy freedom with comfort in
the land that gave them birth, and which they by submissive
toil had helped to enrich. Therefore they desired to escape per¬
secution, and any place from persecution was considered. an
asylum, a place of rest. Many, therefore, went to Canada, and
others were induced to emigrate to Liberia and Africa, where
they could build up a nationality, so said.
Hence, ships were bought at great outlay in money to colonize
the free people, who were considered a dangerous element. Yery
many went to Liberia, and more than seventy per cent, of them
perished, the climate, water, food, dwellings and habits of the
people militating against them. All must pass through the fever
10
146
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
and but few ever survive its ravages. For this and many other
reasons the colonization scheme was looked upon by the most
intelligent humanitarians as mischievous, and as one that threat¬
ened the extermination of our race in this country, it being the
policy of many that if we did live here it should be in a state of
vassalage. However, through the interposition of an over-ruling
Providence and as the result of a war waged for the preservation
of the Union and not for the freedom of our race, very many
legislative enactments have been passed, abolishing those op¬
pressive laws in letter, but not much in spirit, thereby rendering
our situation more pleasant. In the reconstruction of the States
in rebellion, our race had a fair representation and wielded a
power which might have been retained had they not been be¬
guiled by the false promises of pretended friends coalescing with
them. Like Ephraim of old they mixed themselves among the
people, and strangers devoured their strength, and therefore in
many places we are the sufferers, and more so since President
Hayes' reconciliation policy, which encourages our enemies to
use every means to trample and bind us down where we were
before the emancipation.
And now as a remedy some of our leading men [or would be
leaders] in the persons of Hon. R. H. Cain, Rev. H. M. Turner,
Rev. B. F. Porter and others, have organized a Liberian Exodua
Association, or a Liberian Joint Stock Steamship Company, in
South Carolina, having for its object the transportation of our
people to Liberia. They have their agents in the field agitating
this question, who attempt to tell the people the propriety of
our leaving this country and many of our people have been in¬
duced to sell at a sacrifice what effects they had and invest in
this company, that claims to issue thirty thousand shares of
stock at $10.00 a share. Those who take shares only are entitled
to transportation, provided they have means to support them¬
selves in Liberia for six months without assistance. How much
damage the would be leaders have done. Many of our peopj.0
have been deterred from cultivating the soil and producing an
honest livelihood for themselves and families, and rising to re¬
spectability and honor in the community, simply because they
have been unsettled, through the chicanary of these leaders,
upon whom we fear the curse of God will rest. We see no cause
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
147
why our people should emigrate anywhere, especially to Liberia.
We are citizens, can own real estate, have the rights of franchise,
can testify in the courts against white men, can sit as jurors,
plead at the bar of the Supreme Court, &c. All these avenues
are open to us. Let us prepare to fill them with becoming
dignity equal to other citizens.
We should not emigrate, for battles have been fought, lives
lost, positions filled, and it is useless for us to step down and out
tp make room for the Irishman, German, Italian, Chinamen and
others. No! No! We were born here, toiled here, suffered
here, multiplied here, enriched this nation, and here will we live
and die, and be buried and go to heaven from here. We have no
particular objection to those leaders of the Liberian Exodus As¬
sociation emigrating if they so desire, for it may be that they
are the class that is most needed there—educated, refined and
shrewd business men such as can instruct the natives. But we do
have objections to their persuading the ignorant and poor to go,
for they would be blind leaders of the blind, and both would re¬
main in darkness. We should not emigrate to Liberia, because the
climate on the sea coast is very dangerous to all but the natives.
Horses, mules and donkeys cannot live there. Horses are found
in the interior, but when brought to the seacoast they
sicken and die. Constant summer prevails, yet miasmatic
influences, the result of the heavy rains, alternating with the
hot sunshine, causes sickness during six months of the year,
and the remaining six months the power of the sun is such that
it is almost impossible for any but natives to work.
We should not emigrate because Liberia has never produced
sufficient food for her own consumption. Hence, a great deal is
imported from England and other countries. Rice is sold at $4
a bushel, flour at $14 a barrel, butter a dollar a pound, hams
from $5 to $18, and other provisions proportionally high. There
are no public schools. The emigrant must compete with the na¬
tive laborer, the natives are strong and healthy and one of them
will do the work of a horse at fifty cents a day. The back hilly
country is said to be fine and healthy, but is penetrable only by
the foot paths which have been cut by the natives through al¬
most impenetrable forests, and everything must be borne on the
heads or backs of, the native carriers, as there are no roads. The
148 history of the n. j.
fact is, that the settlers cannot go to the high hills and undula¬
ting plains, said to be in the interior of Africa, without means to
provide themselves with robes and without treaties of commerce
and friendship with the numerous petty kings who are in many
instances either openly or covertly hostile. It would frequently
be necessary to enforce such treaties by force of arms,' as Eng¬
land and other European powers which have African possessions
have found from experience. For these and many other reasons,
we should oppose emigration. Therefore we recommend the fol¬
lowing resolutions :
Resolved, That the African emigration scheme, known as the
Liberian Joint Stock Steamship Companies, is wicked in its
inception and damnable in its execution.
Resolved, That the originators of the African emigration
scheme are unworthy of our confidence and should be detested
by all good and honest men of every race.
Resolved, That we, a part of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, hereby pledge ourselves to discourage by all honorable
means African emigration.
Respectfully Submitted,
F. J. Cooper,
M. F. Sluby,
J. W. Stevenson,
S. B. William,
George A. Mills.
condition and wants of freedmen.
To the Bishop and Conference :
We, your committee appointed on the condition &nd wants of
the Freedmen, submit the following for your Christian con¬
sideration :
This is a subject that is now agitating the minds of the friends
of liberty and humanity throughout the civilized world. Its con¬
sideration demands our most careful, serious and prayerful
thought, to arrive at a correct conclusion. The observer should
not only have a theoretical knowledge of the subject, but it is
highly necessary that he should have a practical knowledge of
the present state of freedmen, such as only can be gained by one
a. m. e. conference.
149
that is or has been an eye-witness and a close observer of the
the signs of the times.
And Whereas, we, your committee, to whom has been assigned
the duty of preparing a report on the above subject, have not
had the advantage of associating with the freedmen at their
homes and making a personal observation ; we therefore plead
our inability to do justice to the subject committed to our trust.
Our conclusions are such as we have been able to arrive at from
observation, taken at the disadvantage of our remote residence
from them. When we consider that only about fourteen years
have passed since the lamented Lincoln issued his proclamation
of emancipation, thereby knocking off the galling fetters from
the limbs of four millions of human beings, yet in this almost
incredibly short space of time there have come from the ranks of
the freedmen lustrous stars, that have with credit to the freedman
and to themselves occupied positions of power and trust in our
general government, among whom are to be found the Hons. J.
Hamalson, of Selma, Alabama ; J. A. Hyman, of Warren county,
N. C.; J. H. Raihey, of Georgetown, S'. C.; J. R. Lynch, of
Natchez, Miss. These are only a few of the many that fill the
illustrious roll. But yet it is very evident that the masses are
still in an illiterate condition. It is a fact that cannot be denied,
that the masses have not received the training that was calcu¬
lated to teach them that all important lesson of self-reliance.
For this cause many are living without a shadow of a purpose,
while others pursue unreal objects, which prove a delusion and a
snare. These are the classes of people that hinder the advance¬
ment of the freedmen. They must be aroused from their leth¬
argy and enlightened to the present need. To elevate manhood,
every man must be made to feel his personal responsibility to
God and posterity. Their high aim should be liberal education,
thiB knowledge, of law, modern science, and the establishment of
the sacred principles of justice and moral dignity of the family
circle.
The freedmen owe it to themselves, their families, their coun¬
try and their God, to seek knowledge and raise themselves
higher in the scale of manhood. Paramount to all other wants
is that one essential want—a necessity for a general education of
the masses of the freedman, a proper course of intellectual cul¬
ture and development of the mind. This will do more to raise
the freedmen to a higher standard of manhood than all other
systems. The fact becomes evident to the observer that the
freedman must become educated, for in this eighth decade of the
nineteenth century education has become the passport to society,
150
history of the n. j.
the road to fame and the gateway to wealth and happiness.
Education is the forerunner to civilization and a safeguard to
Christianity. Education does not only comprise a knowledge
of the classics or to be well versed in law ; it also comprises
a good moral training and a practical knowledge of the
higher order of moral virtues. We, yOur committee, feel
conscious of the fact that it is no small portion of this
moral training that has been committed to the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church. Our late General Conference has
very wisely instituted the educational department to increase
the facilities for educating and bringing them within the
reach of the masses of the people. We believe that this depart¬
ment will be a grahd lever in the hands of the A. M. E. Church,
in its efforts to educate the freedmen and the race, and as the
moral training of the freedmen rests more particularly with the
ministers, it is highly necessary that the ministers should be pre¬
pared for this great work. They should be educated in order to
enable them to meet the wise emissaries of satan, for of such are
the doctrines of infidelity, atheism, Spiritualism and Romanism
that are now looming up among the freedmen, scoffing at the
true principles of Christianity, professing to shield themselves
behind the fortress of logic, science and revelation. To the
rescue, then, ye. ministers of Christ. Clothe yourselves with the
garments of education ; arm yourselves with the sword of tlje
spirit; ride upon the swift wings of truth ; attack the citadel of
lies ; rout the enemy from his entrenchments; turn the guns of
logic, science and revelation upon them, and upon their ramparts
unfurl to the breeze the blood-stained banner of King Emanuel.
Walter Thompson, R. J. Long,
John T. Diggs, J. T. Rex,
George A. Mills.
the century of america.
Whereas, the century of American Independence, on the fourth
of July, 1876, should be appropriately celebrated by all of our
churches and people by devout thanksgiving to Almighty God by
special religious services and liberal offerings ; therefore be it
Resolved, That the thanksgiving service commence on the first
day of July, 1876, and close on the fourth day, to be celebrated
a. m. e. conference.
151
at such times and places as may best suit the convenience of the
societies and churches;
Resolved, That the primary object shall be the spiritual im¬
provement of our people, especially reviewing what God has done
for our church and people, and by cultivating feelings of gratitude
to him for the benefits of civil and religious liberty ;
Resolved. That this gratitude shall have an appropriate expres¬
sion of pecuniary consideration from our people, according to the
measure of their ability, the same to be appropriated so as to in¬
crease the efficiency of the church treasury or promoting the
general welfare of our financial department;
Resolved, That the contributions given by the people shall be
sent to the financial secretary by the ministers having charge of
different charges and circuits ;
Resolved, That th" Board of Bishops desire a programme of
religious services in fitting commemoration of the event, and pre¬
pare a commemorative address and give the necessary directions
to secure in all our churches a strict observance of these special
services of thanksgiving, wjbich shall be the most appropriate
and fervent expressions of gratitude to Almighty God, the Su¬
preme ruler of the universe. Committee.
Education.—Conference of 1877.
To the Bishop and Conference:
Dear Father and Brethren :—Your Committee on Educa¬
tion beg leave to submit the following report:
The education of our race is something that will interest all
oijr people in all enlightened nations of the earth, more especially
the Anglo-saxons of this country. The main cause of our
people being so destitute of literary attainments is to be traced
retrospectively to that which the father of Methodism, Rev-
John Wesley, denominated the "sum of all villainy." That sys¬
tem for more than two hundred years wielded a powerful in¬
fluence over the masses in this country, even to the extent of secur¬
ing legislation in most of the States. Legalizing and protecting
the system, entrenching itself behind the power of the general
government, notwithstanding the growth of religious infiuences)
for indeed many of the religious denominations were earnestly
engaged in denouncing the foul system, while others defended it
by their church discipline and taught their worshipers the pro-
152
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
prietj of keeping our race in ignorance, stupidity and wicked¬
ness. One of the high standards of morality taught was, " ye.
all are not your own; you belong to another; you must and shall
obey even unto death." Hence it was a penal offence for our
race to attempt to learn to read, or for others to dare to teach us.
Under the reign of terriorism and injustice we were cradled
and bred, and it is not at all surprising that there is so much
illiteracy among us as a people. But thank God within the last
decade there have been some changes in human affairs, wrought
out by the Almighty, and the general government has taken an
advanced step towards God's suffering humanity, correct morality
and liberal education, especially in regard to our race, thereby
rendering those State enactments which where so detrimental to
our progress inoperative.
And now in many places it is a penal offence if we neglect or
refuse to educate our children. A compulsory educational
law has been passed, even in the State of New Jersey,
and many of our people are using the provisions to much
advantage, and many more might if parents and guardians
would exercise that prompt, indispensable control over their chil¬
dren necessary to keep them in school the full time during the
year, as the law requires. Failing to do this entails a great loss
upon the children, parents and community, fof society demands
all the intelligence that can be acquired in youth, manhood or
old age. Therefore, we must be elevated and stand the peer of
our neighbors in religion, morality, science, literature and civil
government. We should be more deeply interested in our edu¬
cation than any one else, for the purpose of assisting us to form
a better idea of our great need of education. We submit a few
excerpts from the compendium of the ninth census of the United
States for 1870.
According to the exhibit given in that work of our race, we
find the following figures, namely : The number in the United
States and Territories, 2,393,268 males ; 2,486,746 females ; total,
4,880,009. The number in the State of New Jersey, is, males,
15,064 ; females, 15,594 ; total, 30,658. The number of scholars
from five to eighteen years of age in the United States and Ter¬
ritories is—females, 806,402 ; males, 814,576 ; total, 1,620,978.
The number attending school is—males, 88,594 ; females, 91,778;
A. m E. CONFERENCE.
153
total, 180,372. The number of scholars from five to eighteen in
New Jersey is—males, 4,336 ; females, 4,291; total, 8,626. Num¬
ber attending school—males, 1,784 ; females, 1,553 ; total, 3,337,
a fraction of less than f at proper school age.
But again, the number in the State that cannot write, from
fifteen to twenty-one years of age, is:—males, 481; females, 551;
total, 1,152. From twenty-one and over, males, 2,881; females,
3,509 ; total, 6,390—a grand total of 8,297.
Thus it does appear that there is much for our A. M. E. C. to
do in educating our people, forming as we do at least one-
twelfth of the population of our race in this country. God has
assigned the burden of this work principally to our church,
which even in the State of New Jersey comprises one-tenth of
our people. We feel proud in saying that the A. M. E. Church
was first, in the day dawn of freedom, to begin the work, and
have pushed forward through much opposition to success. And
still it marches onward to the work, which will not be completed
until all our people are intellectually, morally, religiously and
socially trained for higher spheres of usefulness. Therefore
our institutions of learning must be more carefully fostered by
us, and every minister and layman and friend must feel his per¬
sonal obligation to build up and sustain our schools of learning,
especially Wilberforce University, our college, where young men
and women can obtain an education equal to that given in any
other university. It should be the motto of the A. M. E.
Church to never rest until Wilberforce has an endowment fund
of not less than $100,000 and then not to rest. We com¬
mend the late General Conference held at Atlanta, Georgia,
for establishing a bureau of education and appointing Eev. J.
C. Embry Commissioner of Education, who has already
begun the work in earnest, judging from the circular is¬
sued in the Christian Recorder. We recommend that this con¬
ference do all in its power to sustain creditably the Bureau of
Education, and that in all our charges a special collection be
taken for educational purposes during the year upon some Sun¬
day designated by the conference, as per General Conference.
We further suggest that all our pastors shall interest themselves
in regard to the public, private and secular schools for our peo¬
ple, wherever they may be stationed, and as far as may be prac-
154
history of the n. j.
ticable report the condition of ttiem at the annual conference.
We further recommend that our ministers, members and friends
do all they can in circulating the literature of our church and the
Christian Recorder, the organ of our church, the defender of the
race and the educator of the people. Our people must be edu¬
cated. We feel the importance of it in our Sunday-schools and
official boards as well as in other associations. We must have
an educated ministry and educated people, then we shall have a
refined system of worship and an intellectual class of worshippers,
for God requires such to worship him in the spirit as well as in
the truth.
Respectfully Submitted,
F. J. Cooper,
G. E. Boyer,
M. F. Sluby.
Education.—Conference of 1880.
The Committee on Education are rejoiced at the fact that all
controversies as to the importance and value of the subject to
them are numbered with the things that were. The world was
dominated by civil and ecclesiastical despotism. Austria stood
as the representative of a general political sentiment in teaching
that " subjects ought to conduct themselves as faithful slaves
towards their masters whose power extends over all their goods
as well as their persons." Formerly the Roman Catholic Church
only echoed the feeling, declarations and conduct of the entire
ecclesiastical world in locking out the peasant from the Bible.
But to-day, thank God, the Protestant Church and State are
putting themselves on record as enthusiastically favoring general
education. And the feeling is so strong that he who puts himself
in opposition is regarded as a traitor to mankind and a con¬
spirator against human happiness and progress. Knowledge,
like the Angel of the Apocalypse, has now clothed itself with
wings and is seen flying in the Heavens and proclaiming its
truths to all the nations, kindreds and tribes and people of the
earth. Its voice is the universal press, its .carrier the illimitable
power of steam, and its messengers the wind—for good or evil,
for weal or woe, free and unshackled as the air we breath.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
155
The committee rejoice that such is the fact, and particularly
because the church which we represent is not a whit behind the
chiefest in her devotion to the cause of sacred education, even
though that devotion does not show itself in grand and magnifi¬
cent deeds. As a church we are poor. Millions are not in our
coffers. Our members do not count their cattle, on a thousand
hills, nor " their farm lands out-spreading far and wide." But
this does not prevent us from feeling and expressing a sentiment
of intense devotion to the cause around whose banner even the
heathen in his blindness is now assembled. Bacon, who deliver¬
ed philosophy from the tyranny of scholasticism, has given us
the proverb, "Scientia et potentia humana in idem coincidunt quid
ignoratia causae destituit effectium" "Knowledge and human
power are the same, since the ignorance of the cause frustrates
the effect. Scientia potentia est, (knowledge is power). This truth
we see strikingly exemplified in all history—individual, national,
civic, political and religious. Without education man is like the
God of Grecian Mythology, chained to a rock—a rock of an ig¬
noble destiny, while vultures, the vultures of crime and death,
prey upon his vitals. With it he like the other God of classic
fable and song who brought down intellectual fire from heaven to
earth. It is said of Michael Angelo, the prince of sculptors,
that walking with a friend through a back street in the city of
Florence he discovered a block of marble lying in a yard
buried in a heap of dust and rubbish. Regardless of the fact that
he was dressed in his best clothes, he seized and immediately
began to clean from it the filth and dust with which it was
covered. His friend remonstrated and asked him what he wanted
with that worthless piece of rock, " O, there is an angel in the
the stone, and I must get it out," was the answer.
Without education man is the rough stone in the quarry ; with
it he is " only a little lower than the angels." Indeed, we might
ask, in contemplating the grandeur of the subject, what could
man, what could the church do, without education. Without it
there would be no culture, no civilization. Without it, we would
be still gazing upon the outspread heavens bespangled with its
myriads of stars, not being able to rise to a comprehension of
the grandeur and the beauty above us—to an appreciation of the
music of the spheres. Without it, nature would be still lying
156
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
unstudied and unanalyzed. Chemistry, electricity, magnetism,
with their various methods of specializations and differentialisms,
would not have been thrown open to discovery of their hidden
uses and suspected beauties. Without it we would not be
elevated and inspired by the sublime conception of Homer,
the burning rhapsodies of Pindar, the entrancing eloquence
of Demosthenes, the simple poetry of Virgil, the matchless
dramas of Shakspeare and Racine, the profound philosophy
of Bacon and Kent, the subtle investigations of Cousin*
and Mill, and the broad elevating stream of general truth
which flows to us fast from the Throne of God. Educa¬
tion taken in its broadest sense has been the salvation of the
church, the promoter of head as well as heart culture, has
enabled the organization of which Christ is the great head and
founder to survive, as one eloquently says, the conflict of eigh¬
teen centuries, and to take up in each age something of that
higher element which each age has to give it. It has enabled
the church to survive the corruptions and superstitions it in¬
herited from the Roman Empire, and yet to carry off in the
struggle the strong points in Roman civilization. It has brought
the church out of the mystifying controversies of the early cen¬
turies, out of the barbarities and cruelties of the middle ages,
out of the fierce conflict of the Reformation, into the light
thrown around it by the freedom of conscience and the €>asy
access to God through Christ. It was a broad, liberal head to
heart culture that enabled the church to stand the shock of the
French Revolution, and to take a stronger hold on the rock
eternal, even after the attacks made upon it by science and phil¬
osophy (so called).
Two inquiries confront the committee in the consideration of
this question, namely : (1st.) The end to which education is di¬
rected ; (2d.) The means for its development and maintenance.
(1.) The end is to render the individual an instrument of hap¬
piness to himself and to his fellows—to develop the whole man,
to make his speculative inference coincide with his practical con¬
victions.
(2.) The means are (A) the home, (B) the school, (C) literature,
and (D) the church.
(A) " The Home." The family is the integer of the State.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
157
Home influence is absolutely essential to proper development.
The foundation, the germ, of a good or bad character is here laid,
and the committee must here remark on the necessity of having
good wives and intelligent mothers in our homes. It is said that
the great Napoleon once asked that gifted woman, Madam
De Stael, what he should do for the general elevation of the
French people. The philosophic reply was, " Sir, educate the
women." The committee heartily endorse the necessity, the
truth and the philosophy of this answer. We would impress
upon the conference—upon our church—the necessity of edu¬
cating our girls. Emerson stood the oracle of truth when he
said, "Men are what their mothers make them." Woman is the
Archimedean lever that moves the world. In her keeping is the
future of our church and race. As a mother she shapes the
course of races and controls the destiny of continents. Every
man who elevates his fellows, who leaves behind " foot-prints on
the sands of time," an example worthy of the emulation of the
growing youth, receives his first impulse from his mother. Bul-
wer bespeaks the result of universal experience when he says,
" It is to the early lessons of a mother that men of genius owe
their earliest inspiration." Let us then see to it that the sun,
the centre of the home's influence, gives forth a strong, invigor¬
ating light. To that end let us educate the girls of our church
and race.
(B.) The school. The second instrumentality in the develop¬
ment and maintenance of education is the school, and of course
the committee use that term in its generic sense to include col¬
lege, seminary and university. A church that is not friendly to
these, that does not foster them, is yearly writing its own epitaph,
and producing its own death. We ought to see to it that our
children are well supplied with educational facilities, especially
in the common schools of our respective charges. Where the
foundation of their intellectual character is laid we should do all in
our power to see that there is not indifferent or incompetent
teaching by those whose only interest in work is the stipend they
draw. We are glad to be able to report that our connection
seems to bo growing in interest is the work of education. We
only hope that our increase of zeal won't lead us to attempt too
much. We are glad to report that Wilberforce is more pros-
158
HISTOEY OF THE N. J.
perous in point of numbers than it is has been for years ; that
Bishop Payne has had encouraging success in his laudable effort
to give a museum to the university of which the connection may
be proud, but still there is room for improvement and work.
Our professors are not promptly paid. All of the departments
need additional instructors. Indeed, $200,000 could be
poured upon the spot from which so many of our able
and distinguished co laborers have come and then Wilberforce
would be in a condition to do proper work, work of a first class
university. We are glad that our brothers of the South are
aroused to the necessity of doing more for education in that sec¬
tion. Unless our church shall educate its ministers who labor in
the Southern field, we are as certain to be supplanted as that
" knowledge is power" The work conducted there by the
mother church both challenges our admiration and excites our
fears. It has planted in the South six charted institutions situ¬
ated in Nashville, Atlanta, Orangeburg, Holly Springs, Marshal,
Texas. It has three theological schools in Baltimore, Orangeburg
and New Orleans. It has one medical school in Nashville, and
has ten seminaries and academies, of which two are in Georgia,
two each in Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi and
Arkansas, and in Texas and Louisiana one each. What a power¬
ful intellectual force must these machines germinate. What a
legion of trained ministers must they send forth, to do what?
To capture the masses and to undermine our church. Not by
the unchristian process of opposition, but by the enevitable law
of gradual absorption. The committee earnestly hope that our
delegates to the General Conference may do their utmost toward
leading the brethren to wise and deliberate conclusions as to the
cause of christian education.
The last two means by which general education is developed
and maintained are literature and the church. The committee
will only say what they said last year. Surround our children,
with music, books and papers, and they will grow to give strength
to our church, to make it the pride of the race and the glory o£
the angels. Let us educate those whom we commission to sacri¬
fice at the altar, so that our connection may grow as to its influ¬
ence and enlarge as to its borders. Because of our poverty and
comparative ignorance, our educational efferts are limited and
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
159
feeble, but let us faint not in our minds. Let us say to them,
" Despise not the day of small things." Let us remember that
Switzerland once lay bleeding under the feet of her foreign foe
that counted thousands of soldiers, but one man, Arnold of
Winklereid, rushed upon Austrian guns and Austrian bayonets,
and his " make way for Liberty " gave birth to Republican prin¬
ciples in Europe, and led to the establishment of at least one re¬
public. Single handed and alone one man contended against vast
numbers, vast learning, vast influence. But that courageous, de¬
termined, faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ who cried,
" If all the tiles on the house tops were devils I would go,"
became the father of not only the Lutheran but of the whole
Protestant church. Then let us, in spite of our difficulties,
" Work though the enemies laughter,
Over the valley may sweep;
For God's patient workers hereafter,
Shall laugh when their enemies weep.
Work though the world defeat you,
Heed not its slander and scorn,
Nor weary till angels shall greet you,
With smiles through the gates of the morn."
The committee, in conclusion recommend :
(1.) That at each annual conference special effort be made to
increase the love of our ministers for the sacred cause of educa¬
tion.
(2.) That each minister preach at least three sermons in the
conference year on education, taking as a subject (a) The Home ;
(b) The school and literature, including papers and magazines,
<fcc.; (c) The church, showing the influenqe of these respective
instrumentalities on the development of a race and the progress
of a church.
(3.) That at each of these services above recommended a
special collection be taken in the interest of education. That
the delegates to the General Conference use their influence to
put the Bureau of Education on a sound basis, by making the
salary of the commissioner as certain and his duties as
binding as that of any other general officer. That our
delegates use their influence to make some changes in an
addition to the course of studies laid down in our discip-
160
histoky of the n. j.
line. That our young brethren be exhorted not to neglect
philosophical and scientific studies, so that they may be pre¬
pared to combat and defeat the growing skepticism and infidelity
of the age, and in all things to study to show thyself a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
That we shall do all in our power to circulate the Christian
Recorder, in which we recognize a power for good that we should
not allow to fail, because we cannot replace it. That we shall, to
the extent of our ability, sustain the publication department and
patronize our own literature, as it shall come to us through this
channel. That we shall continue to aid Bishop Payne in the
laudable efforts which he is putting forth to increase the facilities
and extend the usefulness of Wilberforce.
T. McCants Stuart,
J. W. Cooper,
B. W. Timothy.
education.—1883.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Dear Father and Brethren :—We, your committee, to whom
was committed the subject of education, ask leave to submit the
following as the results of our labor. As knowledge is power
and ignorance, weakness, the duty of an educated ministry need
not be enforced. In fact it is a duty with which we cannot dis¬
pense without moral hurt to ourselves—an advantage which in
our condition we need as a defense around the interests of our
people. Our children are having gates opened to them which
were denied to their parents, but with the multiplication of
books, comes a multiplication of errors. We need a ministry train¬
ed to deal honestly with the Bible and not to handle the word of
God deceitfully, men who will consecrate their minds faithfully
to investigation so that they may be able to meet error with
sound doctrine, ignorance with knowledge and every form of evil
with cultured hearts and developed brains. We commend to our
people generally any amount of self denial rather than that their
children should grow up in ignorance ; that they should not con¬
sider the education of the school or even the instruction of the
A. M. e. conference.
161
pulpit all that is necessary to fit them for useful citizenship on
earth and holy companionship in heaven; but that the home, the
school and the church should be in union in the glorious work
of fitting out a human soul with mental and moral equipments
for the battle of life.
While we earnestly recommend that our people should avail
themselves of giving a good secular education to their children,
we would say that more than the mere culture of the intellectual
faculties is needed. We need also the education of their moral
natures. That we recommend the formation of literary societies
in all our charges where they do not exist, and that the ministers
of this conference be urged to greater activity in behalf of the
all important claims of education.
B. Faucet,
E. Winsten Taylor,
Joseph Miller.
education.—conference 1881.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Whereas, Education is the watchword of the day, the need of
the age, and one of those levers by which the race must be
elevated;
Resolved, That this noble cause be advocated from our pulpits
annually;
Resolved, That we hail with pleasure the act of the New Jer¬
sey Legislature, approved March 27, 1881, enacting (1) That no
child between the ages of five #nd eighteen years shall be ex¬
cluded from any public school in this State on account of his or
her religion, nationality or color; (2) That any member of any
board of trustees of any school district, or any member of any
board of education in this State who shall vote to exclude from
any public school of this State any child between the ages of five
and eighteen years, on account of his or her religion, nationality
or color, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor
more than $250.00, or by imprisonment in the jail or workhouse
or penitentiary of the county in which the offence is committed
not less than thirty days or more than six months, or both fine
and imprisonment may be imposed in the discretion of the court;
(3) That this act shall lake effect immediately.
' 11
162
history of the n. j.
Resolved, That a theological institute be established in thi»
State at any point the conference may designate, in which lec¬
tures or biblical interpretations and systematic divinity b«
delivered periodically to candidates for the ministry who have
not had a college training. #
Resolved, That the committee on education be and is hereby
authorized to co-operate with the presiding bishop and a com¬
mittee to be appointed by the Philadelphia Conference to secure
if possible such a property.
Resolved, That the thanks of this conference be and are hereby
tendered to Hon. J. 0. Youngblood as the author of the school
bill abolishing distinction between children on account of race,
color, &c.
Resolved, That as the representative of the foremost church
among our people, we should exhibit in a marked manner an ap¬
preciation for such services in our behalf, and therefore that we
do as a conference order a committee of three brethren to be
appointed, who shall have prepared certain resolutions commem¬
orative of the event, and have them engrossed and presented to
the Honorable Senator, the expenses of the same te be borne by
the conference.
E. Faucet,
A. H. Newton,
S. C. Goosley.
chinese immigration and american prejudice.
lo the Bishop and Conference :
We, your committee to whom was referred the cause of Chinese
Immigration and American prejudice, beg leave to submit the
following as our report: „
Whereas, the President, by his vested power of veto, haa
throttled this monstrous bill,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this conference that the stand
taken by the President on the Chinese question is one that
exalts him in the estimation of all lovers of justice, and by such
action has endeared himself to the hearts of all philantrophists
and we feel safe in thinking that the present bill passed will meet
with the same justice.
In the case of Bishops R. H. Cain and D. A. Payne, of our
beloved church, whose manhood has been outraged by the pre¬
judice of cast in being denied the right accorded to others of
an opposite hue on the railways of Southern and Western roads ;
a. m. e. conference.
163
Bishop B. H. Cain and his beloved wife in Texas, and Bishop D.
A. Payne, our Senior Bishop, in Florida,—in these cases as well
as that of the Chinese question, we see the spirit of intolerance
and race prejudice which are at variance with spirit of the age.
We heartily condemn that feeling which pervades the minds of
some in authority, that barters away their better feelings of right
by catering to the prejudices of the people for their suffrages.
In it we seem to hear the crack of the whip, the clanking of the
slave chains, the baying of the blood hounds.
Unsolved, That it is the duty of this and all other conferences
of our widespread connection to protest against the outrages
with all the influence that can be brought to bear upon it.
Furthermore, it is not only a matter affecting our church as re¬
gards the Bishops, but all colored churches, and the race in
general. Therefore, a hearty co-operation should come from all
^classes of our people to assist in doing away with this hydra-
headed monster of predudice and cast;
Resolved, That this conference will assist any uniform action to
further the cause of equal rights to all.
J. H. Morgan,
C. H. Green,
Walter Thompson,
A. H. Brown,
J. T. Diggs.
State or the Country—1884.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Your committee, to whom was referred the very important sub¬
ject, " The State of the Country," respectfully submit the follow¬
ing as our production:
The nineteenth century, with its glorious events and deeds, so
important to the improvements and history of the human family,
is slowly but surely passing away. Since the world had being, in
no period of its life has the march of progress and the develop¬
ment of humanity been so marked and rapid. Nations remote,
separated by distances of land and water, and unlike in habits
and custom—the enlightened, the civilized and savage—have been
touched by the wand golden of the genius of this century, and
with accelerated pulsation have gladly responded. Security of
164 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
life and liberty of expression are more fully understood ajid
guaranteed, and among enlightened nations the principles of the
Magna Charta (great charter) wrung by the Barons of England
from King John, form the basis of her constitution and agree¬
ments among people and rulers. In no part of the world has the
growth of liberal ideas and acts been more striking and practical
than in our country, the United States of America, and in no
nation has the conflict between right and wrong, liberty and op¬
pression, freedom and tryanny, been so deadly and the victory so
complete. The century at its birth found the United States the
main hope and sheet anchor of the basest form of human servi¬
tude. The handiwork of God, as was exhibited in the face and
persons of a large portion of mankind, was denied, and the
human nondescript, as seen in the person of the negro, was a
source of annoyance and trouble. Long as the trouble between
light and darkness, between ideas and practices, which prevailed
in the days of Pharaoh, and by which entire nations were en¬
slaved, and the progressive and advanced ideas and practices
taught and handed down by those who earnestly fought and gave
up life, though not always successful, the latter represented by
L'Overture in Hayti, the former by Crispus Athetucks, Warren,
Washington and their compatriots—surrounded as we are with
all the glorious development of the strength and maturity of the
nineteenth century—we may say "How happy are our ears
that hear the joyful sound which kings and prophets
waited for—sought but never found. How blessed are our
eyes that see this heavenly light. Prophets and kings de¬
sired it long, but died without the sight. Various and
many are the means employed by the Almighty Father
to carry out and accomplish his great work. As the giant
oak is produced from the tiny acorn, as the result of laws
put into operation by the Creator, so from seemingly insignificant
beginnings great and marvelous results are brought about. The
fathers, with all the life light and hope in the future of their
people, and inspired by their trust and reliance in the truths of
God, could not realize how great they were as instruments in the
hands of the divine Father. But it was so, and from the little
number gathered in the old blacksmith shop, there has gone out
an influence which is recognized as doing more for the woe or
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 165
weal of our people than does any other force. As a part of the
magnificent machinery which God has put into operation to
assist in working out man's destiny, the New Jersey Conference
forms no insignificant part. The majority of the colored people
in this State are directly or indirectly brought within a radius of
its influence. To its ministers is entrusted in a great measure
the sounding in the ears of the people of the gladdening notes of
religious and political freedom, and on them rests the great
responsibility of leading and teaching the people to properly ap¬
preciate these invaluable blessings. Great has been the headway
within a few years up to the present time. In 1881, Hon. James
C. Youngblood, Senator from Morris county, introduced into the
Senate a bill forbidding, with penalties, any discriminations in
the public schools, because of the race, color, or previous condi¬
tion. The joy of all true lovers of huinanity was great at this
bill becoming a law. Expectations have been somewhat damp¬
ened because of the determined opposition of the enemies of
right. Notably has this been the case as shown when Jeremiah
H. Pierce, an esteemed member of this conference, attempted to
have his children admitted to the privileges of the common
schools of Burlington city. Stern has been the conflict, and
though under the able generalship of Mr. Adrian S. Applegate, a
victory has been won, based on the decision of Justice Dixon, of
the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the enemy, though in full re¬
treat, is still striking back defiantly, and it requires continued
watchfulness and a hearty determination on our part to keep him
from reforming his shattered ranks. It becomes the members of
the New Jersey Annual Conference to unmistakably place them¬
selves on record, that it may be known where in this great strug¬
gle they stand, and in order to give encouragement to the friends
of the oppressed everywhere. "With this view your committee
submit the following resolutions :
Resolved, That we offer sincere thanks to Almighty God for his
protection and Care bestowed upon us as a people ;
Resolved, That we rejoice that we live in this day of onward
moral, religious and political improvement ;
Resolved, That we recognize the great truth that in the gigantic
struggle now going on, we are not to be idlers, but workers for
the improvement of a common humanity ;
Resolved, That we renew our thanks to Hon. Jas. C. Young-
166
history of the n. j.
blood for his past action in our behalf, and we acknowledge our
joy to find he is jet neither weary nor tired in his efforts as
witnessed in his recent bill forbidding, under penalty, any dis¬
crimination in burial of white and colored persons in cemeteries
chartered by legislature;
Resolved, That we thank His Excellency, Governor Abbett, for
his manly protest against such inhuman and unchristianlike con¬
duct as made discrimination in the burial of white and colored
persons. Further we thank him for his suggestions in reference
to such acts ;
Resolved, That we thank Hon. A. S. Applegate for his persistent
and successful course in pressing the case of Rev. J. H. Pierce
to its present conclusion. We shall be glad when we can give
him a more practical evidence of our regard;
Resolved, That we tender thanks to His Honor, Judge Dixon
and his associates, Justices Magie and Knapp, for the righteous
decision rendered in said case;
Resolved, That we properly value the advantages and benefits
of having with us so staunch a friend of humanity and so vigor¬
ous a foe of oppression as Rev. J. H. Pierce, and recognize that
in the fight for his children's rights he fought for the rights of all;
Resolved, That we seek to impress upon the people, and urge
upon them, the fact that the expenses incurred in this case should
be borne by all;
Resolved, That we call upon the various denominations com¬
posing the christian community, that they protest and preach
against the unchristian spirit of caste which so largely prevails
among the American people ;
Resolved, That the committee be discharged.
Eev. Redmond Faucet, Chairman.
J. Height Bean,
J. Henri Morgan.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
167
GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES.
1876.
Joshua Woodlin, F. J. Cooper, Eedmond Faucet, G. E. Boyer,
ALTERNATES.
Thomas A. Cuff, J. W. Stevenson, S. B. "Williams, G. H. Mills.
LAY.
Mitchel Lewis, J. Johnson.
1880.
J. M. Williams, R. M. Turner, Redmond Faucet, J. W. Stev-»
enson.
ALTERNATES.
R. J. M. Long, G. E. Boyer, J. H. Bean, W. M. Watson.
1884.
A. H. Newton, J. H. Bean, W. M. Watson.
ALTERNATES.
J. H. Morgan, W. H. Yeocum, Israel Dericks.
LAY.
— Baker.
CHAPTER V.
AN EPITOME
of sabbath-school, temperance and missionary work, as
embodied in reports presented to conference.
The importance of the work which properly comes unc^er this
head cannot be overestimated, embracing as it does the moral
and spiritual training of our youth, the present and future well
being of our entire people, and the emancipation from the fetters
of ignorance of those unnumbered masses whom as yet the light
of Christian religion has failed to reach. As our church gains
power and strength in its onward march of progress, there ought
and doubtless will be an ever increasing interest taken in these
important departments of Christian labor.
sabbath-school work—1876.
To the Bishop and Members of Conference :
We, your committee, to whom was submitted the subject of
Sabbath-schools, beg leave to submit the following for your
consideration :
Whereas, we realize the great importance of the Sabbath-
school cause and the incalculable benefit that the church may
derive by the careful cultivation and the proper development of
the morals of the youth ;
And whereas, Christ said to Peter, (John 21-15,) "Feed my
Lambs," we believe it is enjoined upon the ministers of Christ to
faithfully instruct the children and administer to their spiritual
wants ; therefore be it
Resolved, That all our ministers be requested to hold special
religious services one Sabbath in each quarter, consisting of
©xhortation, prayer and song;
170
history of the n. j.
Resolved, That we recommend that the annual conference
call a State Convention of Sabbath-school workers for the pro¬
motion of the Sabbath-school cause in the State ;
Resolved, That we use the Berean System as a valuable aid in
Sunday-school work;
Resolved, That we renew the previous recommendations, that
all our pastors do accept the international system ;
Resolved, That all our ministers be requested to organize
juvenile missionary societies in tJtieir Sabbath-schools.
R. M. Turner,
"Walter Thompson,
W. E. Stiles.
sabbath school work 1878.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Dear Father and Brethren—We, your committee on Sab¬
bath-schools, beg leave to report the following for your christian
consideration :
It is a time honored custom that a committee be appointed to
report upon Sabbath-schools, and at every conference good sug¬
gestions, beautifully framed, go forth to the world, the result of
which makes up our history, to be read and known of all men.
As a conference we are young in organization, having started out
in 1872, and making our first report in 1873, as follows : Twenty-
nine Sabbath-schools with 1243 scholars, taught by 164 teachers.
In 1874 we reported—scholars, 1290; schools, 28: teachers, 164.
" 1875 " " 1459 " 29 " 169.
" 1876 " " 1525 " 29 " 166.
" 1877 " " 2516 " 45 " 310.
Within five years sixteen schools have been added to our num¬
ber, with an increase of 1273 scholars and 246 teachers. This is
a very creditable ingathering, and as our blessed Saviour says,
" The harvest is truly great." Can we not, before the seventh
decade closes, enter the four counties of Hunterdon, Morris,
Ocean and Warren and raise the standard there ? The cry
comes to us from the young and the old, " Help us, help us !" and
shall it not be attended to ? The well-spring of wisdom is a
a. m. e. conference.
171
flowing brook, and is not to be kept merely in a cistern, but to
flow abroad as from a fountain.
Then onward let us march. Ten years hence those who are
our scholars, should life last will have grown up, filling up the
places of stewards, leaders, teachers and ministers. Therefore,
as ministers and leaders of our race and church, we should with
all earnestness concentrate all our efforts, not only in planting
our church but upholding it as well, fully explaining its uses and
progress. For after all we have suffered and done we are but
little known in this State. The question is asked everywhere,
" As a church who are you ?" Then let us publish ourselves,
that we may be known of all men. Let us teach our faith. Let
us explain our baptismal vows, particularly to parents. Then we
shall the better be prepared to keep our children at home. Let
us be more energetic in organizing missionary societies in all our
Sabbath-schools, thereby instructing the young to give liberally
in assisting in the spreading of the Gospel of life and light even
to those who are now grovelling in darkness. As laborers let us look
forward expectantly as the field is large, adopting the General
Conference plan of holding annual Sabbath-school conventions
or anniversaries of this conference, and if we can attract the at¬
tention of the masses and they see the work at hand soon they
will say to us, " We will go with you, for we have heard that God
is with you."
J. W. Stevenson,
R. M. Turner,
B. W. Timothy.
sabbath-school work.
Tour Committee on Sunday-schools beg leave to submit the
following as their report of the work:
This is a subject of vast importance and cannot be over esti¬
mated. It is a subject too often neglected or thought to be of
minor moment. Cotton Mather nicely remarks, " the Lord hath
not set up churches that old christians may keep one another
warm while they live and then carry away the church with them
when they die ; no, but that they might with due care nurse it till
there successively follows another generation of subjects to the
172
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Lord, that they may stand up in his kingdom when they are
gone." The Sunday-school is the medium by which the pulpits,
the choir, the vacant pews of the church are to be filled. Yes,
the Sunday-school is the nursery of the church, and how much
patient labor must be expended. Every little plant must be
watched, and the keeper of the vineyard, with the eye and hand
of vigilance, must adopt these measures which give health to root
and vigor to the branches. Let our labor then, dear brethren,
be unremitting in support of the Sunday-school cause—a
cause which is blessed to an extent which cannot be reached,
even by the eye of an angel. The happiness now and forever
of the children of our great connection, and of the children
of the whole earth, is at stake. Sin, like the avenger of blood
pursuing the man slayer, follows after us with every step of
our being. But under God, the Sunday-school points to the city
of refuge. Iniquity, like a mighty flood, is sweeping down over
our land, but the Sunday-school is our Holy Ark, whose walls
are salvation and whose gates are praise. Already we can see
that the Sunday-school labors have been crowned with much suc¬
cess. In every department of life are to be found men and
women who once were children of the Sunday-school. The so¬
ciety of the redeemed on high is receiving its accessions from
among those children, who through the instrumentality of this
institution were brought to " the knowledge of the truth as it is
in Christ Jesus." "They brought young children to Christ that
he might touch them, and His disciples rebuked them that
brought them, but when Jesus saw them He was much displeased
and said unto them : suffer little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."—Mark,
X-13, 14.
Therefore we recommend (1) a hearty cooperation of the
pastors in charge with the superintendents and teachers.
(2.) That special sermons be preached on the work of the
Sunday-school.
(3.) That instrumental music be placed in our schools wherever
practicable.
(4.) That every pastor see to it that the Berean lesson is
taught in his Sunday-school.
(5.) That Turner's catechism be used.
a. m. e. conference.
173
(6.) The financial interest of the Sunday-school being impor-
iant must not be overlooked nor neglected. It is the grand
assistant in the spread of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, the church cannot afford to have teachers in the
Sunday-school ignorant of the Bible, yet we have many in some
af our churches. Let the bible be studied by all who would in-
atruct the young. There is in this book a breadth and beauty
that is only unveiled by hard study. We urge upon all the im¬
portance of unremitting diligence in promoting in every possible
manner the prosperity of this cause.
J. H. Bean,
J. H. Turner,
J. T. Diggs.
sabbath-school work.
"We, your committee to whom was referred the subject of Sab¬
bath-schools, beg leave to submit the following :
The subject of Sabbath-schools is one that should engage the
attention, not only of the conference, but of the whole world.
To demonstrate this assertion we class this subject under the
five following headings :
(1.) It's missionary bearing, for it is noteworthy that in many
of our well regulated Sabbath-schools there is more accomplished
by their missionary committee in the way of bringing in the scat¬
tered lambs of the lost sheep of Israel from the streets, lanes,
hedges and highways, than by any other department of the
church.
(2.) The singing department. While it is the duty and ought
to be the pleasure and privilege of a Christian to sing, and while
it is necessary that they should sing spiritedly and understand¬
ing^, yet you may attend the opening services of the official and
trustee boards and their song of praise is often lazy, dragging
and dull, or neglected altogether. You witness the same painful
sight at every important meeting, quarterly conference or any
other business meeting, and more lamentable is the fact, that at
the class, prayer and preaching meetings the singing is but little
better. And thus, in every department, you may go and fail to
hear a real systematic soul-reviving song of praise, unless you at-
174
history of the n. j.
tend the Stabbath-school in some of our churches. There you
will meet young and unimpaired voices, full of life, chanting the
songs of Zion as none but they can chant them. This blessed
truth is worthy of our attention.
(3.) The financial bearing. It has been contended that Sab¬
bath-schools have been more expensive than profitable, but thi»
fallacy is its own refutation, seeing that they can carry on a grand
missionary work for the church, attend to the juvenile singing
department, and by the instrumentality of concerts and exhibi¬
tions help to support the preacher, church and poor. Will this
not pay ?
(4.) The lesson department. The Sabbath-schools are not
content to gather in, clothe the naked and teach them to sing,
but they teach God's word. Yes, Heaven's will to earth is taught
in the christian Sabbath-scliool. Let all the friends of the Bible
say amen and amen, and let them act accordingly. They teach
God's word in his Holy Temple. They teach it after cheerful
song and solerrfn prayer. They teach it, superintended by the
Lord's holy ministers. They teach on the Lord's holy day. Thus,
they do their work of bringing on the millenium.
(5.) Sabbath-schools are christian in character, for the work of
gathering the lost was the work of Christ; the work of paying
our bills, or paying the taxation and helping others, was a work
of Christ ;*the work of comforting and consoling those already-
gathered was a work of Christ; the work of teaching the holy-
scriptures was a work of Christ. We therefore repeat the asser¬
tion that the Sunday-school is christian in character.
Therefore, whereas, our last year's report showed an increase
of forty 9ver the preceding year, revealing the fact that we have
gathered by tens ;
Resolved, That we do all in our power the present year to
s\yell the numbers by hundreds and by thousands.
In order to encourage this noble cause we would recommend
that each pastor hold special religious Sunday-school service at
regular preaching hour once every quarter.
G. E. Boyer,
G. A. Mills.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
175
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK—1883.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Tour committee on Sunday-schools beg leave to submit the
following as the result of their labors :
We regard the Sunday-school as the efficient auxiliary of the
church, and deem it essential for the benefit of the present and
future of our church that the pastors impress upon our member?
and the friends of our church the necessity of more earnest work
and thorough preparation for the promising field of christian en¬
terprise. We greatly deplore the fact that our membership, with
few exceptions, are so indifferent towards this important branch
of our church. Indeed, many of our members send or allow
their children to attend other Sabbath-schools than that of their
own church, thereby destroying the bone and sinew of the church
by neglect of the child church of to-day, of which much is ex¬
pected in the future.
The Sunday-school of to-day may be likened unto an acorn
planted in the soil that eventually becomes the strong, sturdy oak.
Cotton Mather is said to have made the wise remark, "The Lord
hath not set up churches that old christians might keep one
another warm while they live and carry the church with them when
they die; no, but that they might with all care nurse till success¬
ively another generation of subjects of our Lord may stand up in
his kingdom when they are gone." Our children should be taught
that they have a church of which they need not be ashamed.
Our pastors should diligently seek such officers to superintend
our Sunday-schools as are not only intelligent but as love and
and are loyal to our church. We also regret that a vast amount
of our financial strength coming from Sunday-schools is spent in
a manner that enriches others and makes us poor indeed; and in
consideration of this fact we pledge ourselves as pastors to
patronize our own department of the Sunday-school literature
ourselves, and endeavor to solicit others to do the same. We
earnestly plead for a more united and earnest effort in behalf
of the Sunday-school missionary organizations. Much could be
done with a little effort, but how little is done we will show by
illustration.
176
history of the n. j.
We had in our connection at the last general conference in
1880, of teachers and officers, 15,544; pupils, 154,554, making a
total of officers, teachers and pupils of 170,193, which at one cent
per capita each Sunday, for missionary purposes, would give us
the sum of $88,503.36 ; whereas, all the moneys paid in from all
sources from June 1st, 1880, to June, 1881, was $796.07, which
was $87,704.23 less than what the Sunday-schools alone could do
at one cent per week. Now as regards our own Conference in
1881, there is this showing: Teachers and officers, 442 ; pupils,
2,403 ; total officers, teachers and pupils, 2,845, which at one
cent, per week would give us the sum of $1,479.40, whereas the
whole amount of missionary money turned in for that year, as
Sunday-school missionary money, was $14.26, and as church
missionary and otherwise, $97.30; total turned in, $111.56, which
was $1,367.84 less than the Sunday-schools alone could do at one
cent per capita per week. In conclusion, we beg leave to sub¬
mit for the consideration of the Conference the plan proposed
for the organization of a connectional Sunday-School Union, the
object of which, if successfully accomplished, must inure to the
present and future good of the church, the promise of which has
been given in what it has already accomplished. We particularly
look with favor on the literature it has produced, which has largely
tended to awaken a more lively interest in our Sunday-
school work.
In view of this we recommend, first, the approval of the plan ;
second, the observance of " Children's Day " ; and third, that we
pledge our united efforts to make the work of the Union a success
so long as it seeks to accomplish the object set forth in its con¬
stitution.
J. H. Morgan,
J. H. Pierce,
W. Middleton.
sunday-school work—1884.
1o the Bishop and Conference :
We, your committee to whom was referred the interest of Sun¬
day-schools, beg leave to submit the following as the result of
our labors.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 177
The Sunday-school is an indispensable organization of the
■church. While it is possible to have a good Sunday-school with¬
out a church, it is rare to find good churches, without a good
Sunday-school. We are sorry that so little attention is paid
practically to the reports from time to time that are offered and
accepted at the conference. The committee in last year's report
labored to show by figures, and by plain statements, the lack of
interest shown to this branch of the church as a whole (though
there are individual exceptions.) We fear that the interest shown
in previous years in the Sunday-school Missionary Society is
falling off. The work of consoling and comforting children was a
part of the work of the Saviour. We cannot be too zealous in the
protection of our young. We deplore the widespread influence
for evil the trashy literature of the day is having upon the
morals of t>ur children, and we do earnestly request, that every
member of our church, or others who would save their children
to the church and to God, guard well the doors of their homes
against this enemy of morals and ungodliness. We also view
with pleasure the fefforts of our church to give to our people
home literature ; that is to say, thoughts from the brains of our
people through the Sunday-school. We have read with profit
and pleasure the work of Editor Tanner entitled, "The Outlines
of Church History," and earnestly request that as soon as prac¬
ticable the author give us a cheap edition for the Sunday-school,
and we pledge ourselves to see to it that every Sunday-school
library have copies of the same, that the future church may be
trained in her polity. Quite a number of Sunday-school children
have been reported converted, and we are sorry to say that
there are some in our churches who hold the opinion (which no
doubt is the creature of ignorance) that children are incapable of
understanding conversipn. Therefore we assert that the conver¬
sion of children is possible. We7do not reflect on the power and
extent of grace, but we only inquire whether the child is capable
of those exercises which are the condition and proof of con¬
version.
Can they understand ? Yes; while the truths to be known in
order to secure conversion are immense and incomprehensible,
yet they have a simple side, patent even to childish thought,
and they find an echo in the young heart. It is so plain " that a
12
178
history of the n. j.
wayfaring man, though a fool, may not err therein." There is
not a truth underlying our salvation, the force of which a child
cannot feel. Obedience is what God demands. Can they obey ?
If they can be taught to obey the creature why not the Creator ?
It is the mission of childhood to obey. Why not learn then in
the school of the Great Teacher? Are there not fewer hin¬
drances in them to obedience than in the older ones ? We therefore
declare the possibility and the necessity of the conversion of our
children. On running over the reports of the last four years we
find the following results :
Missionary Money. Sunday-School Expenses. Sunday-Schools. Superintendents.
1881—115.26 $902.20 50 , 62
1882— 64.70 832.50 49 ' 59
1883— 79.55 831.09 51 . 67
1884— 63.25 966.63 52 ia^g 193
Teachers. Scholars. Volumes in Library.
1881—280 2,333 11,453
1882—173 2,228 10,978
1883—289 2,240 10,874
1884—243 1,940 9,745
Totals—Missionary money, $20,094 ; Sunday-school expenses,
$3,660.51 ; superintendents, 52; teachers, 997 ; scholars, 2,021 ;
volumes in library, 9,845; given to Hayti, $1,370; benevolence,
$20.00 ; education, $13.25 ; conversions, 100. (Some of these
reports have heretofore not been separate, hence their meager ap¬
pearance.)
Since making the report we have received a communication
from the Secretary of Sunday-school Union, and appreciate and
concur in the expressions therein contained.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. Morgan,
J. H. Pierce,
W. M. Middleton.
temperance—1873.
To the Bishop and Conference :
We, your committee to whom was referred the subject of
temperance, report the following :
a. :j. e. conference.
179
Whereas, We learn from scientific certainty, that the use of
alcoholic liquors as a beverage is deleterious to the human system,
and brings forth disease, death and distress to thousands of
families, and makes the home of the widow dark and gloomy
during life ;
And whereas, Alcohol cannot supply anything which is essen¬
tial to the due nutrition of the tissues, is a poison to our organi¬
zation, and is never digested and converted into nourishment;
And Whereas, Beer, wine, spirits, &c., furnish no element
capable of entering into the composition of blood, muscular fibre
or any part which is the seat of vital life; but on the contrary
diminishes man's capacity to endure mental, physical and spirit¬
ual labor, increases his predisposition to disease, and shortens
the average duration of life, and inasmuch as the scripture saith,
" that no drunkard hath everlasting life abiding in him there¬
fore,
Resolved, That inasmuch as temperance habits are enjoined of
God upon all men as a duty essential to their present and future
good on earth and everlasting salvation in heaven, that we un¬
qualifiedly condemn the evil of intemperance ;
Resolved, That we, the members of the New Jersey Annual
Conference, and as ministers of the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ, will preach and co-operate with the temperance move¬
ment throughout the land, and by example discourage the use of
all intoxicating liquors, and that each pastor preach one sermon
on this subject io his congregation twice a year ;
Resolved, That the use of tobacco and snuff be disapproved of
by this annual conference as a useless and o»ffensive habit among
ministers, and that all pastors and members of this conference
who are in good standing be required not to use it in any form.
Submitted Respectfully,
A. C. Crippen,
J. W. Stevenson,
C. Wood yard.
temperance.
We, your committee on temperance, have had this important
subject under serious consideration, and beg leave to submit the
following :
The evil of the liquor traffic is no new theme before this con¬
ference. The question what shall be done has lost none of its
180 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
importance. We are conscious that the epoch has arrived when
some decided action must be taken to check the progress of this
evil. Year after year it spreads its ravages wider and yet wider,
until everything that is good and holy is threatened by its bane¬
ful influence. We recognize intemperance as a great national
evil, and regard the liquor traffic as a crime against God and
humanity. In the United States we have more than one hun¬
dred and fifty thousand places where spirituous liquors are sold.
These schools of sin and death are opened constantly, and send¬
ing yearly to drunkard's graves not less than one for each place,
and reducing to want and beggary two hundred thousand
children. This evil is costing the people of our land more than
one million every year. In many instances ministers, doctors,
lawyers and statesmen have destroyed their usefulness by be¬
coming slaves to this atrocious habit, and a host of others
too tedious to mention are victimized daily by its hellish
power. The principles underlying the temperence move¬
ment—total abstinence and prohibition—have been estab¬
lished. We accept them as correct. In advocating the cause of
temperance we are advocating the cause of God and humanity.
Let the church rise up in her strength and use every means pos¬
sible to overthrow this growing evil. Your committee also feel
that the use of tobacco, either by smoking, chewing or snuffing,
is a filthy and unnecessary habit, and recommend that any can¬
didate for the ministry who shall be known on inquiry to be in¬
dulging the habit shall, on being reported, be reprimanded by
the bishop.
And your committee are conscious that lying in bed until nine
and ten o'clock in the morning is not only needless self indul¬
gence but a lazy habit and unbecoming a minister of Christ.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the ministers of the New Jersey Annual
Conference, denounce the sluggish habit;
Resolved, That we, the ministers of the New Jersey Annual
Conference, do also hereby pledge ourselves to have, organized in
our respective charges, whereever practicable, temperance lodges
in connection with the "Independent Order of Good Templars
of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World."
Resolved, That it is the duty of the church and minister, by
lectures, temperance meetings, &c., to lead in the advocacy of
a. m. e. conference.
18
temperance principles, in order to secure the formation of a
healthy and intelligent temperance sentiment, and also to secure
general temperance reform ;
*Resolved, That we, the ministers of New Jersey Annual Con¬
ference, will endeavor to procure for sacramental purposes the
pure, unadulturated juice of the grape ; and furthermore
Unsolved, That all the churches belonging to the New Jersey
Annual Conference be instructed to use unfermented wine,
manufactured by Mr. Lacy, of Vineland, N. J., to be had at our
book store, 631 Pine street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Bi. J. M. Long, Chairman,
Henderson Davis, Jr.,
B. W. Timothy.
temperance.
To the Bishop and Conference:
Your committee appointed to write on the subject of temper¬
ance, beg leave to submit the following, as the result of our
labors on that momentous question.
During the pressure of business, we have not had time to ma¬
ture our thoughts upon so great a subject. We will therefore
illustrate the evil of intemperance by the narrative of a sad inci¬
dent given of a minister of the gospel, which we hope and pray
will be a sufficient warning, not only to us as ministers, but to all
who may read our report, that they may watch and guard against
the bites and stings of the hydra-headed monster.
One of the committee was acquainted with a minister who re¬
cently died drunk in a place called Elkhart, Ind., who said, " I
had a position high and holy. The demon tore from around me
the robe of my sacred office and sent me forth churchless and
Godless. Afterwards my voice was heard in the courts, but the
dust gathered on my open books and no foot crossed the thresh-
hold of my drunkard's office. I had money, ample for necessities,
but it went to feed the coffers of devils who possessed me. I had
a home adorned with all that wealth could make it, but the
tyrant crossed the threshold and the light faded from its cham¬
bers. And thus I stand, a clergyman without a church, a barrister
without a brief, a man without scarcely a friend, and a soul with-
182 history of the n. j.
out a hope, all swallowed up in the maelstrom of drink.' So
much for the want of temperance.
Intemperance is a great evil in this land. The liquor traffic
we regard as a sin, and it should not be recognized by christians.
Intemperance not only makes widows and orphans, but brings
about poverty and misery. It destroys the vital powers of
morality and paralyzes the brain, and wherever it is practiced
we can see the once happy firesides turned into hades instead of
heaven.
We also see another evil—the use of tobacco, even among
our ministers, who are the light of the world. We narrate the
following story told of a woman professing Christianity. She
seldom had time to go to church, and never had any money for
collections. Her pastor visited her one day and found her sit¬
ting in her house smoking her pipe. She told a pitiful story
about neglect of duty and pleaded poverty. The pastor asked
her how much tobacco she used in a week ? She told him. The
pastor calculated the amount and that she had used $12.65 worth
of tobacco a year—enough money wasted to have paid her dues
in church, and meet other enterprises, also to have purchased a
new dress. Diogenes, the early philosopher, met a young man
who was on his way to a bacchanalian feast. He stopped him and
carried him back to his friends to keep him ont of danger. Pre¬
vention is the work of the hour.
Whereas, A great number of our people are guilty of this un¬
necessary and expensive habit; therefore, be it
Resolved, That every pastor having charge of a circuit, station
or mission should do all he can to discountenance the use of
tobacco;
Resolved, That no candidate shall be admitted to the itinerant
ranks who indulges in the use of tobacco, and that the Bishop
enforce vigorously this part of the law ;
Resolved, That we, the members of the New Jersey Annual
Conference, do all that lies in our power to prohibit the traffic in
intoxicating spirits.
All of which we respectfully submit,
J. W. Cooper,
A. H. Brown,
James H. Turner.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
183
TEMPERANCE.
We, your committee on temperance, take pleasure in reporting
the following as the result of our consideration, and we feel happy
to say that we discover a grand revival in the working agencies
of this important cause. Yea, never at any stage of our history
did success seem more certain and victory surer than now. In¬
temperance is a mighty destroyer. It is a foe to the State, a foe
to the church, a foe to every home circle, and a foe to every in¬
dividual upon the globe. Its march is onward, invading every
place. Its tread, soft and subtle, is heard in the Senate chamber,
in the justice hall, and serpent-like it drags its slow length up
the church aisle, enters the pew and pulpit, and one by one we
see the mighty fallen.
Therefore as this intemperence is a mighty worker, so all
temperance workers should be mighty and tireless workers. We
need more organizations in this undertaking. In organization
there is power. Oar greatest commercial, mercantile and rail¬
road enterprises are carried on by incorporated organizations.
United strength, when rightly directed, is the power that wins.
Therefore wo as a holy church of God, gifted with grace and
sanctified unto eternal righteousness, should seize this advantage
to wield against this terrible destroyer which is spreading desola¬
tion throughout the land.
As a church we should do something, and as a christian com¬
munity we should do something. Every Sabbath-school should
do something to overthrow its power. The cry for help is daily
falling upon our ears. The flowerless grave, the widowed mother
in her untimely grief, the weeping orphans, the wrecked mer¬
chant, the fallen statesman, all, all appeal to us in accents louder
than that voice that burst from the storm cloud, to enter into im¬
mediate action in this cause.
We stand wonderstruck and amazed when comparing a few
figures, as the following : Great Britain alone spends $700,000,-
000 annually for intoxicating beverages ; the United States spends
$600,000,000 annually for the same, while all the money spent in
the support of foreign missions by all the Protestant churches
put together does not exceed $6,000,000 annually. Then is it to
184 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
be wondered at that the progress of Christianity is so slow whea
its opposing forces are so great ? The most destructive battery
that was ever wielded against the cause of slavery was the pulpitr
and unless this same gigantic power is turned upon intemperance
the church will suffer. We hail with joy the successful blow the
temperance people of Kansas have made through the Legislature
of that State, setting forth that no intoxicating liquors shall be
bought, sold or' used. This is a grand and very encouraging
step. We also see the same movement progressing in the legis¬
latures of the States of Indiana and Connecticut, and we are
proud to announce that in the States of New Jersey and Penn¬
sylvania the society known as the Independent Order of Good
Templars is doing a good work in this cause.
Now let us pray, but prayer without action is not prayer.
Therefore let us lay hold with all our heart and hand and wield
every agency to make the temperance cause a success, and there¬
by destroy this terrible monster which is destroying both souls
and bodies of men.
To this report on temperance we also add an appendix allud¬
ing to another great prevailing evil, and that is the use of tabacco
in its various forms. Tobacco and rum generally go together.
Therefore, while speaking of the one we cannot possibly be mute
in regard to the other. This evil to which we now allude w6 find
to be on the increase. We observe the tobacco trade offering
every inducement to invite custom. We need to put in active
work against this evil, and let the work commence right here.
Let each minister, as he goes out from this place, go with the
fixed resolve to be himself a total abstainer from the use of to¬
bacco in every form, and proclaim against it from the pulpit.
We ministers are the leaders and the guiding stars of our people.
Being such we must keep ourselves pure from all such demoraliz¬
ing evils. It is time that we became earnest in this work, and if
there be any who are in the habit of indulging in the habit and
find it hard to put aside, let such choose it as one of their crosses,
and as Christ bore his cross up Calvery's hill so let us bear our
cross up the hill of Zion, and receive the crown of everlasting life.
Now in view of these facts set forth in our report, let us re¬
solve,
1st. That we, worthy members of the New Jersey Conference,
a. m. e. conference.
186
hoiforable servants of God, proclaim the glorious gospel^of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Touch not, taste not, handle not, of intoxi¬
cating beverages or tobacco in any form, and let us make this
resolve a conscientious, covenant with ourselves and with God.
2d. That we press the temperance and tobacco cause upon our
people, both old and young, male and female, persuading and
urging them to follow in our footsteps in this reformation of
moral and Christian purity, and that each of us report our efforts
and success in this wOrk at the next annual conference.
E. V. N. Ten Eyck,
I. J. Hell,
J". G. Howell.
missions—1877.
To the Bishop and Conference:
Dear Father and Brethren :—Tour committee, to whom
was referred the cause of missions, beg leave to submit the fol¬
lowing report:
After careful consideration upon the subject of missions, we
are thoroughly convinced that it is the imperative duty of all
«hristian people to labor earnestly and zealously for the dissem¬
ination of the truths of Christianity or the doctrine of religion as
taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. Through sin the whole world
of mankind became alienated from God—from light, glory and
righteousness—and consequently became affianced with satan,
darkness, disgrace and wickedness, with an outgrowth of weak¬
ness and ignorance. Such a relationship was offensive to the
Divine Being, who had intended man for a more noble and
holier purpose. But alas ! poor man was unable to change his
condition for the better. Hence God, who is infinitely good and
wise, instituted a plan by which he might be reinstated in the
favor of his Maker.
This plan was consummated in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ,
who in due time came to the earth, lived, taught, worked,
preached, suffered, died and was buried, burst the bonds of death
and ascended to Heaven and fulfilled the promise made to his
followers, by sending the Holy Ghost, which spirit filled them
with the spirit of missions, and that same spirit actuates the
186
HISTORY OF THE ,N. J.
cliurch to-day in its missionary labors. We pray that God
may give us more of that spirit. The work of the church militant
is a mission work, and God has called, qualified and sent his
evangelist, saying, " go ye into all the world and preach the gos¬
pel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptiz¬
ed shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be
damned." Mark, XVI—15, 16. Hence the imperative command
io the ministry Go teach all nations, disciples and all peoples.
Visit the forlorn and outcast and tell them about the common
salvation and common Savior. Go into the hedges and highways
and to the islands of the sea and persuade men to be reconciled
to God, through the grace of reconciliation by His Son, Jesus
Christ. Also those who become evangelized, and christianized,
they are equally bound according the measure of grace given, to
forward on the blessed cause of missions—the cause of Christ,
and we rejoice that the African Methodist Episcopal Church
is not unmindful of the work of missions, both home and
foreign.
For all our labor from the date of the organization of our
beloved Zion to the present, in the States, has been a missionary
work, especially the southern portion of the church, the fields of
which are more ripe for the harvest.' Indeed, for some time to
come yet the work must be carried on in the true missionary
style. There is some important history relative to our mission¬
ary work in the island of Hayti, which we take pleasure in
stating : Between the years of 1824 and 1826, our A. M. E. Church
elected and ordained Scipio Bean and commissioned him to go
to Hayti and open or establish a church or society in that
island, which he, by divine guidance, was successful in doing,
and he labored faithfully with and for them until discharged by
death, leaving his bones in that field. Subsequently the Rev.
Richard Robinson was sent to the island and labored for some
time and then returned home. We obtained this information
from our Senior Bishop, Daniel A. Payne, D. D. That was
about the year 1829. The society in Hayti elected and sent Isaac
Miller and Jacob Roberts as delegates to the Baltimore Conference
of 1830, to report their condition as a church and to obtain ad¬
mission to holy orders. The propriety of this was agreed to
after proper examination and they were ordained. Thus our
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
187
church has been engaged in proclaiming the tidings of salvation to
our brethren in the island of Hayti, the stronghold of Catholicism.
It was in 1873 Rev. T. G. Stewart visited the island, inspected
the work, remained a short time and returned, and now already
has Rev. C. W. Morrell, the appointed missionary, sailed for that
distant island for the purpose of infusing new life into that im¬
portant mission. In answer to the repeated calls " Come over to
Hayti and help us," the whole church is called upon to giwake,
arise, buckle on the armor of sanctified intelligence and onward
to battle against the powers of darkness. Let the word be
passed along the line, " fall in! fall in!" There is much to be
done in this country by our church, and much more might be
done than is done if the entire church, ministers and laymen,
would rally to the work, determined to conquer through
Christ. The mission work in the New Jersey Conference
demands special attention, and more might be accomplished
with an active missionary in the field, untrammelled in
his support, going forward gathering in the people, organiz¬
ing societies, rendering them proper attention and thereby
firmly establishing their conference in the mission work of our
church. Therefore we heartily endorse the action of the Gen¬
era! Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, in appointing Rev. R.
H. Cain, D. D., corresponding secretary of the Missionary Socie¬
ty—a man they judged competent to fill the position with credit.
But inasmuch as eleven months have passed away and we have
not heard from or of the corresponding secretary in any form
relating to his duties, we therefore recommend the propriety of
this conference asking the appointing power to request Rev. R.
H. Cain, D. D., to resign and another proper selection be made
immediately, so that the work may not be hindered. "For the
people had a mind to work " and still have.
We further recommend our pastors and laymen to organize
missionary societies in all our churches and Sunday-schools, and
during the year the anniversary of such society shall be cele¬
brated and collection raised for the missions, home and foreign.
Further, we recommend the mite mission society, also the em¬
ployment of females, who are sanctified with a spirit of missions,
to assist in this mighty work, believing that they will in the pre¬
sent, as in the future, render great service in building up the
188
history of the N. j.
Kingdom of Christ. May the entire church be baptized witli
the spirit of missions.
Respectfully submitted,
F. J. Cooper,
J. H. Bean,
J. T. Diggs,
C. C. Green.
missionary—1878.
To the Bishop and Conference :
We, your committee to whom was referred the cause of mis¬
sions, do most respectively report the following as the result of
our labor.
After a strict examination into the subject of missions, we are
satisfied that it is the duty of every christian in the land to go to
work with hand and heart for the purpose of diffusing the glorious
truths of the religion of Jesus Christ.
"Let us go fortb, 'tis God's command,
Let us make haste away;
Offer to Christ our hearts and hands,
We work for Christ to-day."
The grand injunction given to the first ministers of the Metho¬
dist Church was a missionary one : " Go ye into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall be
damned."
The command to the ministry to go to all nations and teach
them the way of salvation is full of missionary thought. Our
attention is turned to the importance of our Rev. C. Morsell, who
we believe is doing a great work. May the blessing of God rest
upon him and his family. The whole church is called upon to
work in this great cause of missions, through the influence of a
concentrated ministry and an holy intelligence, and finally let the
motto of the church be "Onward" till the earth's remotest nation
has learned Messiah's name.
The New Jersey Conference has a mission work demanding
our attention and prayers, that souls may be brought into the
fold. It is our duty to speak in the highest terms of the Mit©
a. m. e. conference.
189
Missionary Society. Composed of ladies they have done and are
still doing a good work. May the Lord bless them in their labors
and may he send into their ranks females imbued with the great
spirit of missions. We recommend that auxiliary societies be
formed in every charge in the New Jersey Conference.
We further recommend that our pastors and laymen organize
missionary societies in the bosom of the Sabbath-schools, and
during the year the anniversary of each society shall be cele¬
brated and collections raised for missions, home and foreign.
Respectfully,
M. F. Sluby,
John H. Bean,
J. T. Diggs.
missionary.
In view of the fact that in six counties of the State, viz : Sus¬
sex, Warren, Bergen, Hunterdon, Somerset and Ocean, we have
no church organization, and that in several of the other counties
the church has not that hold upon our people that it should
have, in consideration of the fact that it is the great lever by
which we are to be raised to all that belongs to true social, intel¬
lectual, moral and religious manhood; therefore, be it
Resolved, That at this session there be a suitable person ap¬
pointed to be missionary-at-large through the State, whose duty
it shall be to seek out the people, and wherever it is possible to
organize them into religious societies to be attached to the A. M.
E. Church ;
Resolved, That because one of the great hindrances to the suc¬
cessful establishment of our church among such classes will be
that of a monetary or financial character ; therefore, we the
pastors pledge ourselves to raise from our several charges the
sum of one cent per month from each and all of the members
thereof, the same to be given to the support of said missionary;
Resolved, That the missionary cause may feel assured of our
hearty co-operation ; that we authorize the secretary of the con¬
ference missionary society to draw on the treasury for the sum of
thirty dollars for the payment for the first month's salary, to be
paid him monthly ;
Resolved, That the missionary shall give or send a report of his
labors, at least once a quarter, to the secretary of the Conference
Missionary Society;
190
history of the n. J.
Resolved, That whenever the missionary shall organize and
properly put in operation such a religious society, he shall at the
earliest practicable time turn the same over to the presiding el¬
der or preacher having nearest charge to such point;
Resolved, That should the missionary be guilty, of any viola¬
tion of the laws of the book of discipline, he shall be liable to be
arraigned and tried before the presiding elder, within whose
boundary or the one nearest where the crime or violation of law
or misdemeanor shall have occurred ;
Resolved, That the missionary is forbidden to engage in pic¬
nics, cake walks or other such entertainments with his people,
but his duty shall be to educate them up to the highest standard
of Christianity;
Resolved, That the several pastors of the New Jersey Con¬
ference shall at once collect the sum of one cent, and send the
same immediately to the secretary of the Conference Missionary
Society, to be by him paid out to the missionary;
Resolved, That in case any pastor refuses to or neglects to
collect his assessments, the secretary shall at once direct his
attention to such omission and if he still neglects or refuses, he,
the secretary, shall prefer a charge against him, at the following
session of the annual conference, to- be dealt with as shall be
judged best;
Resolved, That each pastor be held responsible personally for
the amount of his assessment.
On motion of R. Faucet and J. W. Stevenson, the following
additional resolutions were added :
Resolved, That inasmuch as it has been said that Methodism is
Christianity in earnest, being missionary in its character, and
therefore if it would do its duty to the coming generation it must
send the gospel to the heathen, that it is the duty of every pastor
to impress upon his membership and congregation their obliga¬
tion to God and humanity to do what they can to further the
cause of missions;
Resolved, That it is the duty of every christian community to
aid by its money, its influence, as well as its prayers in this
glorious work.
M. F. Sluby,
A. C. Garrison.
missionary-at-large.
By resolution of conference in 1878, an office of missionary -
at-large was made and Rev. S. B. Williams appointed to fill the
A. M. e. conference.
191
same. The office was discontinued in 1879. The missionary
made the following report of his labors :
I was appointed by Bishop Payne in December, but did not
get at work until February. I have been to work, therefore, two
months and a half. I have received during that time forty-three
dollars and thirty-five cents. I labored a greater portion of the
time among the brethren. I also labored at Wrightsville, where
there was a prospect of success.
S. B. Williams.
articles of confederation between the a. m. e. and b. m.
churches—conference of 1881.
Bishop J. M. Brown made a statement as regards the articles
of agreement between the A. M. E. and B. M. E. Churches.
Rev. John W. Cooper moved that the New Jersey Annual Con¬
ference ratify the articles of agreement. After considerable dis¬
cussion, Rev. R. Faucet moved that the matter be postponed.
This motion was voted down, and on motion that the question be
taken without further debate, the articles were agreed to. Yeas,
15 ; nays, 13.
temporal economy—1873.
Whereas, We, the itinerant ministers of the New Jersey Con¬
ference of the A. M. E. Church, have by an experience of years
(at times painfully personal) concluded that the system by which
we have been receiving our salaries and other moneys is not best
adapted to the present condition of the itinerant work ;
And Whereas, It is evident to every fair and unprejudiced
mind and Christian observer, that he who leaveth all to engage
in a work of laboring for the best temporal and spiritual interests
of our people should of right receive from the membership of
the church to which- he may be appointed all the moneys agreed
upon between himself and the proper officers thereof; there¬
fore, be it
Resolved, That there shall be a uniformity of operation in our
plans ;
Resolved, That an agreement having been entered into by a
church and its pastor, every member of the same shall be held
accountable to assist to raise the amount, as per discipline on
192
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
the reception of members—Chapter III, Section 1, question and
answer 6th; and any member wilfully neglecting or refusing to
comply therewith shall be dealt with as per discipline—Chapter
II, last clause of question and answer 1, and first clause of an¬
swer 7.
Resolved, That the judgment of the itinerant members of this
annual conference is, that the first Sabbath of every month shall
be selected to raise money for the minister, and every member
shall be notified by the leader two weeks in advance to prepare
for said collection ;
Resolved, That we will comply with the new law in organizing
the Board of Stewardesses as per discipline of last General Con¬
ference, whose duty it shall be to assist the stewards in the work
of the church. They shall hold regular monthly meetings, with
a president and secretary, and a regular account of their meet¬
ings shall be kept;
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of every itinerant minister
(whether regular or taken up by the bishop) to cause a written
agreement to be entered into between the church, or its repre¬
sentatives, and himself, a copy of which the minister shall keep ;
Resolved, That there shall be a meeting of the ministers of the
eastern and western districts once every three months, at such
places as shall be determined on, at which meeting every minister
shall be required to render up a faithful account of the financial
condition existing between himself and his church, and every
minister neglecting or refusing to comply with these require¬
ments shall be discountenanced;
Resolved, That every minister, on entering upon his charge,
shall call the members together, and inform them of the sum each
is to pay the presiding elder per month or per quarter, and he
(the minister) shall see that it is collected and paid over to the
presiding elder;
Resolved, That when a brother shall at such a meeting, as is
before stated, give notice of delinquency or failure on the part of
the church to keep up his moneys, it shall be the duty of the
presiding elder to visit the charge of said brother at once, or as
soon as possible, ascertain the cause, and give such counsel and
assistance as the case may require, and if in his judgment it is
thought necessary, a brother may be sent who shall assist as
above ;
Resolved, That each minister shall impress his people with the
idea that as Methodists should cultivate the principle to do their
whole duty in the church from a christian spirit of enlighten¬
ment (which is true religion) and not from impulse, passion nor
compulsion ;
a. m. e. confebence.
193
Resolved, That every minister is required to meet the preachers
and Sabbath-school associations at their monthly and quarterly
meetings, and he is also required to give special attention to the
Sabbath-schools, as they are recognized as being the nursery of
the church and the hope of the people ;
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of every minister on taking
charge to learn if the church is properly incorporated, and if
not to have it done as soon as possible. He shall be required to
report from time to time at the quarterly district meeting ;
Resolved, That we organize ourselves into an association to be
known as the Itinerant Mutual Progressive Association of the
New Jersey Annual Conference.
W. M. Watson,
R. Faucet,
J. W. Stevenson.
wilberforce university—1878.
Whereas, During this conference year now ending, many of
the ministers and their respective circuits and stations have con¬
tributed sums of money to the completion and furnishing (with
proper school furniture) of Wilberforce University, located at
Xenia, Greene county, Ohio;
And Whereas, This noble work accomplished by the New Jer¬
sey Conference constitutes an important fact in the history of the
A. M. E. Church, that should be transmitted to our successors in
eoming ages; therefore,
Resolved, That a column be added to the financial table to
record in the minutes of this conference the amount paid by each
minister and his circuit or station to Wilberforce University,
separately;
Resolved, That we recommend the propriety of recording in
the minutes all special contributions to Wilberforce University
by ministers, their charges or friends, in the New Jersey
Conference ;
Resolved, That we do hereby pledge ourselves to do more in
the future for Wilberforce University than we have done in the
past, by the help of the Lord.
Frisby Cooper.
missions—1888.
To the Bishop and Conference:
We, your committee to whom was referred the great and im-
194
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
portant subject of mission work of our conference, beg leave to
report the following :
Having considered the great missionary movement as the basia
of the church, and the spirit thereof as the great lever by which
the glorious cause of Christ is perpetuated, we cannot urge too
great an interest therein. It can be seen by our statistics that
through the indefatigable efforts of those who are deeply inter¬
ested in this great cause, there has been a gradual growthof the
church year by year.
We are pleased with the earnest efforts that have been put
forth by our pastors' wives, and the ladies of their^ several
charges, in the mite missionary work. We pray the blessings of
Almighty God upon them, that they may continue to labor on
for the Master, with much of the spirit of missions in their
hearts.
We are sorry so many of our pastors have reported nothing
for the "Iron Church" in Hayti. The last conference provided
by resolution for $104, to be raised by them at five cents per
member. We trust that the Bishop and conference will urge
compliance therewith, and that we double our diligence in the in¬
terest of our brother missionaries in Hayti and Africa.
Resolved, therefore, that Hayti Mission is commendable in
itself, and we therefore recommend that this New Jersey A. M.
E. Conference request each and every pastor to bring a collection
to the next conference and give himself not less than twenty-five
cents to aid Brother Mossell in Hayti and Bro. Fledger in
Africa.
We find our home mission work on the gradual advance.
Haleyville Mission, by the earnest labor of Sister Margaret
Wilson, our conference missionary, through God has done a
noble work. We therefore recommend that Sister Wilson be
requested to confine her labors more closely to the]°work in tthis
conference, and that she receive aid from our conference mission¬
ary funds.
We also find a large missionary field extending from
Madison to Orange, which should be provided for by this confer¬
ence. We fear that we are not earnest enough about the mission¬
ary cause. We trust that our future diligence will surpass that
of the past. We can encourage our ladies in their work, train
a. m. e. conference.
195
our churches and give liberally ourselves. May God infuse in us
more of the missionary spirit.
Tour committee,
Thomas A. Davis,
W. H. Yoecum,
J. T. Diggs.
on state op the church—1884.
To the Bishop and Conference:
We, your committee appointed to- report on the state of the
Church, respectfully submit the following, sketching with a
hurried glance from the profusely clustered facts that arise
through the steady progress of the cause of Christ, as sustained
by the A. M. E. Church. We regret that we are only able to
offer partially the condition of our church throughout its wide
extent.
We will first speak of its vital piety. This never was better.
Living deeds bear undisputed testimony to .this fact, and this
last year has been marked for great revival throughout our
entire Church. And among the most important auspicious
features has been the conversion of children to the love of Christ, >
which in itself heralds the fast approaching elevation of our
long down trodden race. Our missionary work, though scarcely
begun, yet by a creditable increase of receipts during th^ last
year a grand devolopment in its operations is strongly indicated.
It has already planted its cause in Hayti with our worthy Bro.
Mossell at itp head, while to-day the beautiful and wonderful Iron
Church which is to be erected there is now on its way, under the
direction of Secretary Townsend, floating with the breeze upon the
waves of the ocean to its place of destination.
To be a good Christian people it is necessary to be a missionary
people, and now as we see our church standing with her feet
upon the American soil, with one hand extended upon Hayti and
the other upon Africa, with the watch-word " go forward," let us
praise God that she may continue to go forward. The educa¬
tional outlook is encouraging. Its advocates are coming to the
front, and with fearless cry are calling the people to lay hold and
support this lever, by which in association with the gospel our
people must be lifted up.
19G
history of the n. j.
And we can express with some degree of satisfaction that our
people are beginning to appreciate education more and more,
and are manifesting the same by their efforts in educating their
children in public schools and charitable institutions. And
again, one of the brightest signs that indicate the success, great¬
ness and grandeur of the A. M. E. Church in the near future, is
the stern demand for an educated pulpit. This is essential, as
when we educate our pulpit we shall then have a pulpit of in¬
fluence, dignity and power. When this becomes the fact, our
people will rise to the standard of the same.
We also observe the christian people of our church are making
rapid improvement in their manner of worship. They are begin¬
ning to learn that the glorifying of God consists not in lung explo¬
sions, spasmodic ecstacies, produced by fancy, accompanied by
gymnastic caperings, all of which are of forms borrowed from
heathen worshipers. We rejoice that this state of things is
ending.
The increasing interest devoted to our Sabbath-schools is
praiseworthy. Our leaders are beginning to show earnestness in
the matter. Sad is it that it was so long neglected. Hence we
hail with delight that new born child, the radiance of whose face
lias just fallen upon us, namely, the Sabbath-school Union of the
church. May it live to do what we hope it shall. Hence there
is nothing to fear, for so long as our church has God on her side,
and she with all her powers working for God, prevail she may and
jprevail she must.
We also speak with great favor and hail with gladness the cele¬
bration of the centennial of American Methodism, during the
coming autumn, in the city of Baltimore, where our church with
others will be represented. Taking the Methodists as a whole, no
church has made greater developments, and taking our church
alone, her growth and development have been equally as great and
rapid. Brethren, we are sure of the past, but let us be more
zealous for the future. Lrt us note the ground left us by Richard
Allen and his successors, and we shall be the means of revolu¬
tionizing the world through the Master, Jesus Christ.
Israel Derricks,
E. V. N. TenEyck,
J. H. Accooe.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
197
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO CONFERENCE, 1884, BY REV. MRS.
S. C. WATSON.
To the Bishop and Conference :
I am here to represent the "Ladies' Mite Missionary Society"
in this conference. ' I am aware, dear friends, that there is a class
of people who, when they hear a sermon, if the speaker does not
use a great deal of fluent language, go up as it were and count
the stars and fix their places; they think they have not heard any
preaching. But I have long since learned that preaching is the
plain and simple expounding of the word of God, so plain that
the unlearned may not go astray, that all may be benefitted. I
make these remarks that you may not expect to hear a very
flowery address from me, who have but a limited educa¬
tion. , What do you suppose would constrain me to stand be¬
fore this large and intelligent audience to expose my limit¬
ed education? Nothing, dear friends, but love—the love I
have for the church and its connection. I am here to
represent the Ladies' Mite Missionary work. I am sorry to
say the work has decreased instead of increasing. I do not
blame the ladies for this. The fault is with the ministers. They
do not like to have the society organized in their charges. I
often ask the brethren, have you a society of the mite mission¬
ary in your charge ? No, my wife has been sick. Another says,
my wife don't care to do any such things. I think any lady that
is a Methodist minister's wife ought to do all she can to work up
her husband's charge, and to push forward the cause of the
Redeemer's Kingdom. I never let my husband's charge want for
anything I can do. I do all I can to encourage and help to
build up, both spiritually and temporally. I attend morning
service, work in the Sabbath-school and lead prayer meetings,
and when temporal work is heeded for the church I throw myself
in with the people. If there is no one to get up a fair or an
entertainment I do it. I do anything to forward on the work.
I was almost sick last year and when it was asked the brethren,
"how much for Ladies Mite Missionary Society ?" "Fifty cents."
Answer again, "seventy-five cents." The highest amount brought
by any one was two dollars and fifty cents, and that was by one
198
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
of the oldest members of conference, namely, Father John
Cornish. I hope, brethren, you will get out of the ladies' way
and let them work. It will do you no harm, the few cents given
in this way. Perhaps you would .not get all, but it will gather
around you a circle of ladies that would come to your assistance
in time of need. I have a noble set of ladies in my charge, and
in behalf of them I present here to the conference $16.17. If I
can do this, from a small charge, what could be done from those
large charges where they have two hundred and three hundred
members, &c.? I do hope the Bishop will make it binding that
every minister shall be compelled to see to it that this society is
organized in his charge. I do not think there is any lady that
would refuse to give from three to five cents a month to support
the gospel. I do hope that next year the work will be largely
represented. Remember, ladies, kind words never die. I thank
you for your kind attention.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
199
CHAPTER VI.
OBITUARIES.
The following obituary notices were, with two exceptions,
passed upon in open conference, and fittingly express the feelings
of the members concerning the merits and virtues of those
devoted ministers who died in the harness.
QUINN—COAKENIE.—1873.
In behalf of the New Jersey Conference, the following tribute
is presented in memory of the departed worth of the Right Rev.
William Paul Quinn, late Senior Bishop of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church, who in the providence of God's tender
mercies departed this life on the 21st day of February, 1873, in
hdpe of a blest immortality in heaven.
The band of our ministerial phalanx has been broken by
death's invisible hand. The stroke ; oh, the * stroke, that smote
our hearts; but in humble submission to the infinite wisdom of
the Lord, who doeth right, we bow, praying that the bands broken
may be knitted around our church, and that the example of his
life and manner iriay inspire us to follow his upward and onward
course to the rest that remains for the faithful. Know ye not
that there is a great man fallen this day or year in Israel ?
Therefore,
Resolved, That we, the members of this N. J. A. Conference,
and its pastors, have all its churches draped in the memory of
our sainted Bishop for the space of one year, or until the next
annual conference ;
200
history of the n. j.
.Resolved, That we condole with the afflicted and bereft widow
of our lamented father and Bishop, and we hope her loss is hia
everlasting gain.
Brother 0. Coakenie was a very pious man and a deacon m
the A. M. E. Church at Milford, N. J. The time and place of
his birth is blank for want of the necessary information, He de¬
parted this life on Monday, the eleventh day of November, A. D.
1872, after a protracted illness of two years, dying in hope of &
blessed immortality, in the sixtieth year of his age. " Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord; yea, saith the spirit, for they
rest from their labors and their works do follow."
T. A. Cuff,
G. E. Boyer,
H. Davis,
A. C. Crippin,
J. woodlin.
HENRY DAVIS—HENRY RHODES.—1874.
Your committee appointed on memorials beg leave to report
the Rev. Henry Davis, an elder and member of this Annual Con¬
ference, in the wise disposition of God's providence, departed
this life on the fifteenth day of January 1874, at his home in
Burlington, N. J., in full and blessed hope of immortality.
The invisible hand of death hath broken the bands of our
ministerial phalanx and in submission we bow.
Elder Davis was born July 15, 1810, in the city of Philadel¬
phia, Pa. He was licensed to preach in 1840, and joined the
itinerant ranks in "1844, and died January 15, 1874, leaving to
mourn his loss a wife and several children. " Help, Lord, for the
good man falls." May the life of the worthy inspire us in the
upward course to the rest of the faithful.
Resolved, That we condole with the bereft family. We hope
her loss will be his gain in heaven.
Also Rev. Henry J. Rhodes, who was born in the city of Phila¬
delphia, in the year 1832, and died in the borough of Morristown,
in the »year 1873. The early life of Brother Rhodes was not
marked by any unusual event. He was recognized by his friends
and acquaintances as a person even and gentle in his disposition.
a. m. e. conference. 2U1
He was an itinerant preacher for the period of twelve or thirteen
years, during which time his labors were owned and blessed of
God. Bro. Rhodes, by his christian deportment, made and re¬
tained the love of them with whom he became acquainted. After
the rise of the annual conference of New Jersey, in 1874, he was
transferred from the New York Conference to the New Jersey
Conference and stationed at Bridgeton, N. J., where he labored
until stricken down by disease, when he was removed to his home
in Norristown, Pa., where, in the bosom of his friends, he
breathed his last, in the full triumph of Christian experience.
As a member of this conference we mourn this sad berevement,
and pray that our heavenly father will strengthen and console
his sorrowful family.
Resolved, That these reports be spread upon the pages of the
Conference Record.
Thomas A. Cuff,
A. C. Ciippen,
R. Faucet.
JOSHUA WOODLIN—EZEKIEL COOPER—J. B. SCOTT.
1886.
Your committee who were appointed on memorials beg leave
to report the following :
It has pleased Almighty God, in his all wise providence, to
remove from the work of the ministry, by death, the Rev. Joshua
Woodlin, who was born in the town of Attleborough, Bucks
county, February 15, 1813, and died in the hope of immortality,
January 8, 1876, aged sixty-two years, ten months and twenty-
six days.
The New Jersey Conference sadly feel his loss. He was a
powerful preacher, a faithful minister, an earnest christian. He
was converted in 1832 and received into church by Rev. J. G.
Bulaugh, who bade him God speed. He filled every station in
the church, from a grave-digger and sexton to a presiding elder.
He was ordained deacon in 1853 by Rev. Bishop Nazery, and
was ordained elder in 1858 by Right Rev. Bishop Paul Quinn.
The New Jersey Annual Conference deeply feel his loss. He was
in a great measure instrumental in working it up to its present
standard among the other conferences.
202
history of the n. j.
Also, Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, of Millville, N. J., a local deacon,
a man of good report among his brethren, a christian in deed
and in truth, one beloved, who died in great peace.
Also, Rev. John B. Scott, a local deacon, of Springtown, N. J.,
who died full of faith and the Holy Ghost.
All of which we most respectfully submit,
A. C. Crippen,
W. M. Watson,
G. A. Mills.
HENRY DICKERSON—1877.
To the Bishop and Conference:
We, your committee on memorials, by leave to report the
following:
Whereas, by the inscrutable providence of God, Rev. Henry
Dickerson, a local deacon of the A. M. E. Church of Woodbury,
N. J., has been removed from our ranks by death, we do hereby
express our sorrow and bow in humble recognition to the will of
the great disposer of all good. He was born in Talbot county,
Md., March 15, 1793, and departed this life in the full triumph
of faith, on the 16th of March, 1877, at the ripe old age of eighty-
four years. For more than sixty years he was indentified with'
the church of Christ, and when the standard of African Metho¬
dism was raised up, he was among the first to embrace it. For
more than half a century he was an active member and minister
of our beloved Bethel. The labor of love of Father Dickerson in
planting the standard of Jesus and the church of our choice in
the western district of this conference can never be forgotten.
Can that man be dead whose spiritual influence is upon his kind?
He lives in glory and his speaking dust has more of life than half
the breathing mortals.
Rev. A. C. Garrison,
R. H. Turner,
A. C. Crippen.
REY. G. A. OTHELLO—1878.
To the Bishop and Conference :
Dear Father and Brethren.—We, your committee appointed
on memorials, beg leave to respectfully submit the following
statement relative to Rev. G. A. Othello :
He was a native of the island of St. Yincent, one of tha
British West India Islands, and was born in the year 1848. He
A. m. e. conference.
203
was of pious parents, who were members of the Protestant Epis¬
copal Church. He embraced religion at the age of seventeen,
and for several years was connected with the church of which
his parents were members. He became a member of the British
Methodist Episcopal Church of Canada, in the year 1875, and
was licensed and discharged the duties of a local preacher of
said church—first under the pastoral oversight of Rev. R. R.
Morris, and subsequently under that of Rev. Josephus Olanger,
two of the elders of said church, about the year 1876—and sub¬
sequently entered the itinerant service, and was assigned to the
pastoral charge of Milford circuit, West Jersey, under the super¬
vision of Elder M. F. Sluby. On the 19th of October, 1877,
whilst going to fill his appointment at Milford circuit, he met
with an accident by the cars crushing his ankle, which necessa¬
rily caused amputation, after which he was conveyed to the Penn¬
sylvania Hospital, at Philadelphia, where he lived several days"
in the most excruciating pain, which he bore with christian for¬
titude, of which many of the brethren can testify. He quietly
fell asleep in Jesus on the 31st day of last October, in the full
triumph of faith.
M. F. Sluby,
S. B. Williams,
B. W. Timothy.
Resolutions in addition to the memorial presented by the
Committee :
Resolved. That we, the members of the New Jersey Conference,
having been officially informed of the death of our late fellow-
workman, Rev. G. A. Othello, sincerely express our hearty
sympathy with the church of which he was the pastor, as also
the elder having the oversight;
Resolved, That in his death, we acknowledge the mysterious
providence of that Being who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the
ground without his notice ;
Resolved, That by this we are indeed forcibly impressed that in
the midst of life we are in death ;
Resolved, That to exhibit our respect towards the memory of
so good and pious a brother, we have his name enrolled among
the travelling preachers of this conference.
R. Faucet,
J. W. Stevenson.
204
history of the n. j.
SARAH H. BEAN—1879.
Whereas, This annual conference has learned with regret of
the death of sister Sarah H. Bean, the sister-in-law of Rev.
Scipio Bfean, one of the first missionaries to Hayti, and also the
mother of J. H. Bean, assistant secretary of this conference;
therefore, ,
Resolved, That we extend our humble condolance and sympathy
to Rev. J. H. Bean in his hour of affliction.
G. E. Boyer,
Walter Thompson.
REY. E. T. WILLIAMS AND WILLIAM E. STILES—1880.
To the Bishop and Conference: * ■.
We, your committee on obituaries, beg leave to submit the fol¬
lowing :
A dark and inexplicable providence has taken from the bosom
of the church Rev. E. T. Williams and Rev. William E. Stiles,
soldiers of the cross and earnest workers of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church. They were acceptable preachers, but
they have gone from labor to great reward—to the Church
Triumphant, which is without fault, before the presence of God.
Rev. E. T. Williams was transferred to the New England Con¬
ference in 1859, and was transferred from the New England Con¬
ference in 1878 to the New Jersey Conference, and was appointed
to Snow Hill Circuit, from whence he passed away, in hope of a
glorious immortality, March 3d, 1880.
Rev. William E. Stiles departed this life Feb. 25, 1880, at
Bordentown, in full assurance of a home in heaven, aged 35. He
was born in Virginia in 1845.
Servants of God, well done ;
Rest from your loved employ.
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter your Master's joy.
J. H. Bean,
I. J. Hill,
J. C. Cornish.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
BEY. GEORGE E. B OYER—JAMES M. WILLIAMS—
ALFRED J. DUDLEY.—1881.
The committee on obituaries beg leave to report the following
as the result of their labors:
By the dispensation of a wise providence, Revs. George E.
Boyer, Alfred Dudley and James Morris Williams, co-workers
with us and earnest laborers for the upbuilding of the A. M. E.
Church, have gone from the church militant to the church
triumphant.
- Rev. George Emory Boyer was born a slave and was sold when
an infant, his mother standing in a cart body holding him up, in
Smyrna, Delaware. He was bid in or bought by a Quaker, whose
name was Michael Laugliley, and by him raised. He was con¬
verted at the age of fifteen in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He was the first to make a move to come out of the mother
chiirch and assist in the organization of the A. M. E. Church.
He was a brick moulder by trade, and made the bricks to build
the first A. M. E. Church in Smyrna, Delaware. He was taken
up by our present Presiding Bishop (then Elder J. M. Brown)
in June, 1858, and appointed to Lewistown, Delaware. He
labored in the Baltimore Conference until 1868, when he
was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference and stationed
at Camden, New Jersey. He served several charges in
the Philadelphia Conference, and was transferred in May, 1871,
to the New York Conference and stationed at Newark, N. J., and
Morristown, where he served for three years. He was next ap¬
pointed to Bridgeton. After remaining there two years he was
appointed to Burlington, where he had just entered on* his third
year. He was taken sick on the 11th of May and departed this
life on the 15 th of the same month. He worked very earnestly
for the upbuilding of the church wherever he went. He said to
his wife that he saw many children over yonder. " The gospel
I preached saves me now." Then said to his wife, " stand Jirm
on the rock."
Rev. J. M. Williams, an elder and member of the New Jersey
Conference of the A. M. E. Church, departed this life in the wise
dispensation of God's providence, oh the 10th of July, 1880, at
206
history op the n. j.
his home in Newark, N. J., in the full triumph of faith. The
invisible hand of death has broken the bands of our ministerial
phalanx, and in humble submission we bow. Elder Williams was
born in West Chester, N. Y., in 1822. He entered the itinerant
ranks in 1840, and was sent to Coxsackie, N. T. From that time
until the day of his death he served his church and his God,
laboring as a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ for many
years, filling with dignity all of the most prominent churches in
the Philadelphia, New York, New England and New Jersey Con¬
ferences, until stricken down with disease, which resulted in death.
A light has gone out in Israel. May his life inspire us to faithful¬
ness and our end be peace.
Alfred J. Dudley was transferred from the New York Con¬
ference by Bishop D. A. Payne and appointed to Manalapan
Mission, in 1879, at which place he labored one year, and met
the New Jersey Conference in 1880 and made the last report of
his itinerant labors. He returned back to his former boarding
place at Manalapan, without taking work. He was taken sick so
that he remained at Manalapan and was cared for by Brother
Samuel Cary and wife. During his illness he was visited by the
pastor of the church, Rev. J. H. Pierce, on the 19th of June, and
found very sick and destitute. He wished to be remembered to
the members of the preachers' meeting, and stated that he had
no fear of death; yet he would like to have lived longer to do
good for the Lord, if it had been his will for him so to do. He
died in great peace June 26, 1880, and was buried at Manalapan.
His funeral services were conducted by Presiding Elder J. W.
Cooper, assisted by Rev. J. T. Rexand, J. H. Pierce.
T. A. Cuff,
J. H. Pierce,
S. B. Williams.
GEORGE HENRY JONES—JAMES GEORGE HOWELL
1882.
1 o the Bishop and Conference :
Ypur committee on memorials beg leave to submit the fol¬
lowing :
By the dispensation of an allwise and inscrutable providence,
A. M. E. CONFEEENCE.
207
the Rev. George Henry Jones and James George Howell, co¬
workers with us and earnest laborers in the A. M. E. Church,
have been removed from their sphere of ministerial activity to
their rest and reward on high.
Rev. G. H. Jones was born in April, 1842, in Trenton, N. J.
In the days of his youth he was like many of his age giddy and
wild, following the bent of his depraved nature, but God, who is
rich in mercy, arrested him in his sinful course and converted
him under the administration of Rev. Peter Gardner, at Borden-
town, N. J. Having laid himself as a living sacrifice on the
christian altar, his next step was to consecrate all the faculties
and power of his mind to the proclamation of the gospel of peace
and salvation to his fellow men. He therefore offered his services
for the ministry of the A. M. E. Church. He was taken up in
1876 in the interval of conference by Rev. R. M. Turner and
stationed at Madison Mission until the conference. And in the
following year, 1877, he was admitted on trial at Trenton, and
returned to said mission. At the conference at Newark, in 1878,
he received an appointment to Atlantic City, where he con¬
tinued to labor until the spring of 1880, where he received
h^is ordination to deacon's orders, at Salem, by Bishop Payne,
and was sent to Cape May. He entered with renewed
zeal on his work, but had to stop in consequence of the
complete failure of his health. Yet submissive to the will of
God he lingered on in Trenton until November 19, when he was
removed to Woodbury, where he ended his days December 23,
1881. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. J. H. Bean,
from the text " If a man die shall he live again "—Job, 14-xiv.
Brother Jones has left a widow to mourn his loss.
Rev. James G. Howell was born in Bushtown, N. J. No record
of his early days prior to his entering the ministry has come to
us. He was converted at the A. M. E. Church, Bushtown, and
was licensed October, 1878, at Camden. In 1878 our brother
was appointed to Moorestown and Beverly mission by Presiding
Elder R. Faucet. After successful labor as pastor he died on
the 16th day of April. On the following Tuesday he was taken
to Bushtown, his former residence, for interment. Brother Lit¬
tleton Sturges and J. T. Diggs conducted the services. A widow
208 history of the n. j.
and six children are left to mourn his loss. He died in the faith
of God's promises.
William M. Watson,
G. T. Waters.
report of the committee on memoirs. 1883.
lo the Bishop and Conference:
Your committee on memorials beg leave to submit the following
report:
Whereas, in the dispensation of an all-wise Providence, the
Rev. I. J. Hill, a regular itinerant preacher, and Stephen Burrel,
a local deacon, laborers in the A. M. E. Church, have been re¬
moved from their sphere of ministerial activity to their rest and
reward on high. Rev. I. J. Hill was born in April, 1826, and de¬
parted this life October 18, 1882, haying a hope of faith and im¬
mortality. He was a good preacher and a grand workman, having
done much work in the New Jersey Conference. In April, 1882,
Bro. Hill was appointed to the Millville Circuit and fell in the
pulpit with paralysis while he was attempting to read his hymn,
"O God, our help in ages past," for his inaugural discourse; and
in consequence of the complete failure of his health and com¬
plete physical prostration, yet, submissive and resigned to God's
will he was removed from Millville to his home in Woodbury,
where he ended his days. We have no record of his early life,
so all that we can say is that he worked very earnestly for the
upbuilding of the church wherever he went, and it was his de¬
light to regard with veneration the great, sublime behest, " feed
my lambs." He endeavored by all possible means to carry out
the injunction of Him who laid down his life for the world. We
have witnessed the falling tear emanating from the eyes of those
whose hearts had been touched with the precious words of
eternal truth uttered by the shepherd. "A light has gone out in
Israel." May his life inspire us to faithfulness and our end be
peace. He was buried at Woodbury. A number of ministers
were present. His funeral service was preached by the Rev. J.
H. Bean ; text, 1 Cor. Chap. 15 : 54: "Death is swallowed up in
victory."
William M. Watson,
G. T. Waters,
J. H. Morgan.
A. M. e. conference.
209
1885.
Burlington, N. J., April 25th, 1885.
To the Bishop and Conference:
Dear Father and Brethren:—We, your committee to
"whom was referred the subject of memorials, beg leave to make
the following report: In His all wise providence, God has per¬
mitted a severe affliction to fall upon our connection, the A. M.
E. Church, in the death of Bishop William F. Dickerson, D. D.,
and
.Whereas, We recognize, in our late brother and Bishop, a
man worthy of our ardent love and constant emulation : and
Whereas, As a son of New Jersey his loss comes upon the
New Jersey Conference the more severely; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we do deeply lament our departed Bishop, and
further that we bow in submission to Him whose judgments are
right judgments, and whose ways are just; and further that we
sympathize with the grief-stricken widow and other relatives;
and further, that we take the instance as another warning that
neither youthfulness nor position is any guarantee against the
hand of death; and further, that these resolutions be inscribed
on the minutes of our session and that a copy be transmitted to
•our beloved sister, Mrs. Isabella Dickerson.
A. H. Newton,
William H. Yeocum,
J. H. Morgan.
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in his infinite wisdom
to remove from our midst by death our highly esteemed and
worthy brother, Rev. A. C. Garrison, a member of this New
Jersey Annual Conference,
Therefore be it resolved, That we submissively bow to the dis¬
pensation of Divine Providence and recognize our loss to be his
eternal gain.
Resolved, That we recognize his worth and work in this annual
conference, a faithful and earnest minister of the Lord Jesus
Christ, striving ever for the upbuilding of the Master's Kingdom.
Resolved, further, That we extend to his bereaved widow our
heartfelt sympathy, and pray that He who has promised to be a
Father to the fatherless, and husband to the widow, will ever be
her stay and support in this, her hour of bereavement.
Resolved, f urther, That a copy of these resolutions be presented
to the widow of our deceased brother.
A. H. Newton,
14 Israel Derrick.
210 history of the n. j.
MEMORIAL SERVICES OF BISHOP R. H. CAIN.
Bishop Richard Harvey Cain, D. D.,
Late Presiding Bishop of First Episcopal District A. M. E. Church.
Died January 18th, 1887.
At twelve o'clock, the hour appointed for memorial services in
respect to the death of Bishop Richard Harvej Cain, late pre¬
siding officer of the New Jersey Conference, the church was
crowded by a sorrowing congregation. The solemn services
were begun by Rev. W. M. Watson, of Bushtown, lining the
hymn, " Servant of God well done," which was sung in mournful
melody. Rev. C. H. Green, of Long Branch, addressed the
throne of grace in an appropriate prayer. Under the lead of
Elders J. H. Bean and T. A. V. Henry, the congregation sang
with impressive effect, " Is my name written there."
Prof. J. P. Sampson, of Orange, was introduced and delivered
a very fine eulogy upon the life and character of the deceased
Bishop, tracing his career from the humble walks of life, through
the Senate of South Carolina, as a member of Congress, as a
Bishop in the church, as an inspiration of the people to a higher
a. m. e. conference.
211
sphere, as the idol of the people of South Carolina. The eulogy
was fine and the delivery effective. Eev. A. H. Newton, of Cam¬
den, introduced the following resolutions :
Whereas, Since the last Annual Conference, Bishop R. H.
Cain, D. D., the Presiding Bishop of the First Episcopal District,
departed this life during the interim; it is with feelings of the
most profound sorrow we avail ourselves of this opportunity,
now in conference assembled, to express the deep sympathy we
feel for the church's affliction. The mighty dead has fallen and
we mourn his loss. To us, the members of the New Jersey Con¬
ference, he was not only an earnest worker as a presiding bishop,
but the embodiment and representative of the principles we
endorse and love to cherish. But alas! Bishop Richard Harvey
Cain is no more! The hand of Divine Providence has removed
him from us. He has left the scene of his temporal labors, and
the conference and congregations that sat under his ministry and
profited by his example, with sadness testify their respect for his
memory. We regret his removal from our midst, and mourn for
one who was in every way worthy of our respect and regard.
We submissively and humbly bow to Him who doeth all things
well; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we tenderly condole with the bereaved family
of our deceased bishop in their hour of trial and affliction, and
we devoutly commend them to the keeping of Him who looks
with pitying eye upon the widow and the fatherless.
Resolved, That in the person of R. H. Cain, whose loss we
mourn, the ministers of the New Jersey Conference always found
one who was ever willing and ready to administer to the necessi¬
ties of the people, and render satisfaction to his brethren ; he
was kind, genial, affable and approachable.
Resolved, That in the death of Bishop R. H. Cain the church
has lost a worthy member, a strong and willing pioneer; the
Christian religion, a firm and staunch friend; the pulpit a
polished orator, and the race a firm and persistent representative.
And with our worthy brothers, Revs. Littleton Sturges and
J. C. Mowbry, we drop the sympathetic tear over the graves of
their beloved companies. Sister Lydia Tighlman, late consort of
Rev. Benjamin Tighlman, deceased, has recently departed this
life. To the family we extend our condolance, and commend
them to the care of Him who will guide them by his counsel and
afterwards receive them into glory.
A. H. Newton,
J. H. Bean,
J. P. Sampson.
212
history of the n. j.
MEMORIAL ADDRESS.
by j. p. sampson.
Brethren of the New Jersey Conference and Rev. Bishop A.
W. Wayman, presiding Bishop over the New Jersey Conference
of the First Episcopal District, Sirs :—
In obedience to your request, and in behalf of the New Jersey
Conference, in Annual Conference assembled at Trenton, N. J.,
I have come reverentially to bring a memorial garland wreath to
lay upon the bier of the late Rev. Bishop R. H. Cain, your former
colleague and distinguished predecessor, in the great and respon¬
sible office, as one of the late Bishops of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church; and in doing so, I am fully sensible of the
fact, that whilst the living, however great or small, is a dependent
creature, the dead is independent of anything that the living can
say—good or evil, for the spirit is free at last; it is with the God
who gave it, hence we are not here as fawning sycophants, to
please the living by fulsome praise, at the expense of the dead,
without care or respect for the deceased; not the well rounded
sentences nor the honeyed words of the average euloaist that ap¬
peal to passions, but we have come with stern, truthful lessons,
drawn from every phase of a remarkable life, as a memorial, not
a eulogy for the benefit of the living.
Richard Harvey Cain, clergyman, political reformer, Congress¬
man, Bishop, was born in Greenbriar county, Va., in 1825; hence
he was, at the time of his death, only about sixty-two years of
age, barely beyond the meridian of life.
If not a slave himself, he evidently began life as a colored boy
in a slave state, coming from the rank and file of the common
people, the poorest of the poor, at the very bottom of society,
yet, by nature, he was a lad richly endowed, not only with a pre¬
cocious mentality, but with an improvable mind, quick to learn,
ambitious and full of that spirit which characterized him in
later years.
His progress from the time that his parents moved from Vir¬
ginia to Portsmouth, Ohio, as if a child of destiny, was steadily
onward and upward. As a man he was theoretical, speculative
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
213
and visionary, yet, like some of the strongest men in church and
State of to-day, he was self-making up to the time of his death,
constantly learning by his mistakes, and learning more from
actual conflict on the field than from any acquirement made
within the walls of college schools, attested by titles of parch¬
ment, which are often sham-proofs of what we know little or
nothing about. He was a man of the nervo-sanguine and
encephali® temperment, which is active, always over-worked, im¬
petuous and destructive to the physical organization ; teaching
all brain-workers by his death that they should husband their
mental resources in keeping with their temperament, and hence
the greater longevity. He often acted as if by intuition and
upon first impression, but whatever deformity of disposition he
may have possessed was but an evidence that he was kin to
earth; far above them all he had characteristics which well de¬
serve our highest emulation, inspiring every one with a noble
purpose, pointing to a higher destiny, and like our exemplar, as
a man among men, and a self-made scholar among scholars,
enabling him to rise, pluck a branch from the laurel, and write
his name high in the temple of fame.
He was converted in 1841, and in 1844, when only nineteen
years of age, he was licensed to preach in the M. E. Church, but
in 1857 he joined the Indiana Conference of the A. M. E. Church,
and was received into the itineracy by Bishop D. A. Payne, at
Albany, Ind., entering upon his first charge at Muscatine, Iowa.
In 1859 he was ordained a Deacon by Bishop W. P. Quinn, and
notwithstanding he was in the active ministry, anxious to better
qualify himself, in 1860 he matriculated as a regular student at
Wilberforce University, remaining probably not more than one
year. In 1861 he was transferred to the New York Conference,'
Bridge street, Brooklyn, where he subsequently did a great work
in organizing and building up the Fleet Street Church, which
was the second organization of the denomination at that time in
the great city of churches. In 1862 he was ordained an Elder
by Bishop D. A. Payne, in Washington, D. C., and in 1865 he
was transferred to the South Carolina Conference, and stationed
at Charleston, where he organized and built the Emanuel A. M.
E. Church, and also the Morris Brown chapel, both of which are
still large and flourishing congregations.
214
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
He not only filled leading stations in the North and West with
great acceptability, but in the South all along the towns and cities
bordering the Northeastern 'and Savannah Railroad, he or¬
ganized churches and planted our standard at Summerville, Lin-
colnville, Georgetown, Marion, Sumpter, and upon all the ad¬
jacent islands around the city of Charleston.
Probably no man in the country ever rose from obscurity, step
by step, with more rapidity, to greater prominence than he,
for about the close of the war, not more than twenty-three years
ago, he was my deputy in the secretaryship of the Colored
Solders' Convention, at Syracuse, N. Y., which was the occasion
of the success of our arms at Fort Wagner, then a man of only
average parts, for he could barely codify the resolutions; but
when the stars and stripes, tattered and torn, matted together by
the blood of colored soldiers, was borne aloft and carried to the
platform amidst the shouts of the multitude in that convention
by a delegation of soldiers from Fort Wagner, as one of the
trophies of the war, he probably, for the first time, came " to the
front" in a political gathering, and greatly inspired by the occa¬
sion made a most remarkable speech, which showed not only
foresight in regard to public affairs, but promised leadership
among the people of his race. Subsequently, acting under the
auspices of the Washington Committee, we were associated
politically in the Carolinas as canvassers in the work of recon¬
struction ; and here his powers were called into full play, assum¬
ing many responsibilities, as pastor, organizer in church and
State, politician, legislator, educator and missionary journalist.
He soon made himself a good English scholar, a strong writer, a
wise legislator and a safe leader of his people.
In every endeavor, whether right or wrong, such was his am¬
bition to attain his purpose, that, though often defective in plans,
he would rush dry shod and unconscious over every obstacle,
impelled by the courage of his convictions, till he not only
achieved the victory, but to his own surprise, permanent success.
He came to South Carolina at an auspicious time for useful¬
ness, yet when life itself was never in greater peril; but he came,
he saw; then with the dash of a Napoleon and the tread of a
conquerer, inspiring confidence everywhere, he planted our
standard in the very heart of the South, till now, " by the tap of
&
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
215
the drum" and the unfurling of our banner, in South Carolina
alone 100,000 communicant souls, redeemed and disenthralled,
are marshalled at the altars of our God.
As a writer, not a poet, his productions were full of poetry;
they bloomed with the bloom of flowers, and sang the sweet song
of the birds. He had few or no early advantages which are the
only true basis for the advanced grades ; yet he was self-trained
in all the higher realms of intellectual thought.
For a long time he was the leader of the South Carolina
Senate, the champion of the homestead law, the free school bill,
and other large corporations for the good of the people, during
which time he not only continued to organize the church and to
extend its borders throughout the State, but he established
schools, benevolent organizations, and urged the people to secure
homes, and purchased for himself a large tract of land and founded
thereon the town of Lincolnville, between Charleston and Sum-
merville, a thriving village, with a railroad station and other
facilities. He built large rows of tenement houses in Columbia
for the accommodation of the poor, and planted the enterprise
street railroad company in Charleston. He was an extensive real
estate dealer in some of the largest business interests of South
Carolina; and being a j ustice of the peace in his city, I was his
conveyancer in most of these properties, yet though full of enter¬
prise and large business speculations, he was not considered a
business man. Personally, he was a man of too much self-re¬
spect to play the pretender—plain, earnest, common-place, unas¬
suming, (and notwithstanding the noble exceptions) he never pro¬
fessed to have a knowledge of the higher branches, nor the greater
things, in order to obscure or hide his ignorance of the lesser ;
he didn't attempt to go to college before he went to school, for
he was a good orthographist, and a fine English reader. He was
always more than he seemed to be, and always seemed to be less
than he really was. There was no vain strut nor hollow show,
to make up that deficiency which the make-believer is always
conscious of; and though a man of humble bearing, like all such
common-place men of real merit, when necessary he could, with
heroic courage, rise into a higher self-asserting manhood and
make the pretender quake in his presence. Gentle as a lamb,
brave as a lion, he was often, when aroused, daring almost to
216
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
recklessness—combative, plucky and full of grit. During a
political canvas lie would buckle on his armor and venture into
the very jaws of death in defence of the rights of his people.
He had a fine social nature, could forget and forgive an injury,
yet as an antagonist he was the most faithful and the most bitter
opponent, ready to brook all the odium consequent upon the is¬
sue, and ready at all times to suffer any and everything in the
championship of the cause which he espoused before the people.
He was an affectionate husband, a loving father, a man of pleas¬
ing address, courteous, of the highest aspirations, of great moral
force ; he loved his race, with great hopes of its possibilities,
not only here, but upon the shores of Africa. He was to the
Palmetto State, what Bishop Way man, our highest common
sense church authority, is to Maryland ; what Bishop Turner, the
gigantic thinker, is to Georgia ; what the eloquent Dr. W. B.
Derrick is to the great State of New York ; what the scholarly
Daniel A. Payne is to the church. He was the idol of South
Carolina. He was an active member of the Reconstruction
Convention, and the people of the Charleston district sent him
more than once to represent them in the United States Congress
at Washington. He was an able debater, not to say an orator,
yet none took care of himself better in Congress upon every
measure, and none were more eloquent in clarion voice than her
with Sumner and Elliott in defence of the Civil Rights bill.
In 1880 he was chosen one of the Bishops of the A. M. E.
Church at the General Conference in the city of Str Louis, Mo.
He was a good parliamentarian, liberal, just and gentlemanly in
his rulings, but often incisive and caustic in his criticisms. He
had completely surrendered all the concerns which had attracted
his attention prior to his ascendency to the great and responsi¬
ble office of Bishop, and entering the sterner realities of life in
so exalted a position, with impaired health, just after writing a
series of important papers upon connectional church polity and
organic union. He seemed to have consecrated himself fully to
the work of his church and the duties of the Bishopric. He thus
entered vigorously upon his mission in the Ninth Episcopal Dis¬
trict, where, in connection with holding his Conferences, he gave
much attention to the establishment of the Waco College as a
permanent church institution. Then subsequently being assigned
&o the First Episcopal District, during his succeeding four years
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
217
lie soon inspired the confidence and respect of all of his Confer¬
ences, which, though in poor health, he enjoyed up to the time of
his death. These are some of the lessons of his life.
Now, sir, we are at the grave. During this Conference year
the beloved wives of two of our leading Elders have passed
away, Henrietta Sturges, an educated Christian lady and a co¬
worker with her husband in the church ; also Elizabeth Mowbry,
a devoted helpmeet with Elder Mowbry in the ministry. She was
a talented lady and an exemplary Christian. To their bereaved
husbands, relatives and friends,
" There is a voice which sorrow hears,
When heavier weighs life's galling chain,
'Tis heaven that whispers, dry thy tearp,
For the pure in heart shall meet again."
This is an important lesson to us all, teaching us that the
solemn funeration in some lonesome grave yard, with measured
•steps and uncovered heads, in yon sequestered bower, beneath
some weeping willow, the final resting place of the dead, is the
end of earth to every mortal man. One by one we cross the
river, one by one the leaves are falling, one by one the funeral
cortege, like muffled drums, are passing to the tomb, telling us
that in the midst of life we are in death; that as we stand in
this Supreme Presence and think of their immortality, so they
once stood among us and thought of the immortality of others,
and soon we too shall pass away and others living shall think
of ours ; telling us that we are born into this life as a means to a
higher and a better spiritual growth in the sweet bye and bye,
beyond the river on the other side ; telling us that death is only
a new birth into another life, of which we may know nothing,
but which our faith compels us to accept as still higher, better
and more desirable ; telling us that the sooner we learn to live the.
sooner we are prepared to die ; then with the tenderest charity
for all, forgiving faults of all, let us say farewell, farewell to a life
that was full of the most brilliant achievements in behalf of his
ehurch, his race and his country. Let us emulate only their
usefulness and Christian virtues, that we too may at last,
through the grace of our Lord, die the death of the righteous
and finally hear that welcome voice, saying unto us, " well done,
thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of thy Lord."
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
IN MEMORIAM.
35T. _A_. COUPBBBUCE.
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."—Rev. 14-13;
DATE OF DEATH.
PLACE OP DEATH.
Bishop Paul Quinn
C. Coakenie
Henry Davis
Henry J. Rhodes
JoshuaWoodlin
Ezekiel Cooper
John B. Scott
Henry Dickerson
G. A. Othello
Mrs. Sarah H. Bean
W.E. Stiles
E.T.Williams
G.E. Bover
J. M. Williams
Alfred J. Dudley
George H.Jones
James G. Howell
I. J. Hill
Bishop W. F. Dickerson....
Alfred C. Garrison
Bishop Richard H.Cain....
Elizabeth Mowbry
Bishop James A.Shorter..
1873
1873
1874
J 874
1876
1876
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1880
1881
1881
1881
1882
1882
1883
1885
1885
1887
1887
Feb. 21,1873
Nov. 11,1872
Jan. 15,1874
,1874
Jan. 8,1876
May 10,1875
Richmond, Ind...
Milford, N.J
Burlington, N. J..
Norristown,Pa...
July 1,1887
Millville, N. J
Springtown, N.J
Woodbury, N. J
Philadelphia, Pa
Camden, N. J
Bordentown,N. J
Snow Hill.N. J
Burlington, N.J
Newark, N. J
Manalapan, N. J
Woodbury, N.J
Moorestown, N. J
Woodbury, N.J
Columbia, S. Carolina
Long Branch,N.J
Washington,!). C
Elizabeth,N. J
Wilberforce, Xenia, O
94(?)
64
41
62
Local
Local
Local
IN MEMORIAM.
Gone from our midst to the regions above,
Gone with a life full of labors of love:
Gone to the regions of beauty and light,
Clad in the garments of Heavenly white.
Shall we still mourn that their labors are done 1
Kather rejoice of the race they have won ;
Strive we to meet them and greet them again,
Where is no sorrow, no death, and no pain.
Father, All Wise, to Thee we would bow,
Humbly, submissively. O teach us how
We may so live that when death calls us home,
Ours may the welcome be, " Servants well done I"
—J. Height Bean.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
219
WIDOWS AND AMOUNTS PAID THEM.
1874—Emeline Holcomb, $300.00 ; Sophia Rhodes, $20.00 ;
Elizabeth Davis, $20.00 ; Lydia Tilghman, $20.00.
1876—Emeline Holcomb, $60.00; Lydia Tilghman, $38.00 ;
Elizabeth Davis, $38.00; Sophia Rhodes, $38.00.
1877—Emeline Holcomb, $30.00; Lydia Tilghman, $15.00; Eliz¬
abeth Davis, $15.00 ; Sophia Rhodes, $15.00 ; Lucretia Woodlin,
$30.00.
1878.—Elizabeth Davis, $30.00; Sophia Rhodes, $30.00;
Lucretia Woodlin, $30.00; Lydia. Tilghman, $50.00; Orphan
child of Shepherd Holcomb, $10.00.
1879.—Lucretia Woodlin, $24.00; Lydia Tilghman, $24.00;
Elizabeth Davis, $24.00.
1880.—Sophia Rhodes, $15.14; Lucretia Woodlin, $15.14;
Lydia Tilghman, $15.14; Elizabeth Davis, $15.14; May Stiles,
$15.14; Mrs. E. T. Wiliams, $15.14.
1881.—Elizabeth Davis, $12.00; Lucretia Woodlin, $12.00;
Lydia Tilghman, $12.00 ; Sophia Rhodes, $12.00* ; Mary Stiles,
$12.00; Mrs. E. T. Williams, $12.00*; Eliza Boyer, $12.00*.
1882.—Lucretia Woodlin, $10.00; Sophia Rhodes, $22.00a ;
E, T. Williams, $22.00a; Lydia Tilghman, $22.00a; Mrs. J. M.
Williams, $10.00; Mary Stiles, $10.00; Eliza Jones, $10.00;
Mrs. Howell, $10.00 ; Elizabeth Davis, $10.00.
1883.—Lucretia Woodlin, $10.00; Sophia Rhodes, $10.00 ;
Lydia Tilghman, $10.00; E. T. Williams, $10.00; Mary Stiles,
$10.00 ; J. M. Williams, $10.00 ; Mrs. Howell, $10.00 ; Elizabeth
Davis, $10.00 ; Elizabeth Hill, $10.00.
* This money was lost. The same year Sister Eliza Boyer's name was left off the
roll at the conference by mistake. The whole amount was given by the brethren as
S voluntary gift in the interest of conference.
a. At this conference the money lost was made up by conference, therefore doubling
the amount.
220
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
IN MEMORIAM.
'Blessed are the dead which die in the Zord."—Rev.-14-13.
CONFER¬
ENCE OF.
DATE OP DEATH,
PLACE OF DEATH.
James Biddle
Noah Cannon
J. L. Armstrong
Levin Bond
Marcus Brown
William Henry
Edward Ferris
William Harman
W. N. Brown
George Grinly
Furman Gould
Robert Collins
Charles Sawyer
John Buller
Adam Davis
Charles Gibson
E. J. Hawkins
Wardell Parker
John Cornish
John T. Jackson
J. J. G. Bias..,
George Wilson
James
Shedrac Bassett
William Proctor
Kii'bard Robinson....
Spencer Logan
Thomas H. Cooper...
G. M. McMullen
Sheppard Holcomb..
Andrew Massey
Robert Evans
J. G. Bulaugh
Ppter Gardner
Thomas Pierce
John llenson
Moses Robinson
Satnuel Murray
John S. Lukins
Isaac Parker-
Benjamin Tillman.,
Ephraim Wilson
Soloman Truitt
1851
1851
1852
1853
1854
1854
1856
1855
1855
1856
1856
1856
1857
1858
1858
1859
1860
1860
186
186
186
186
186
186
1862
1863
1863
1866
1866
1866
1868
1868
1869
1870
1870
1870
1870
1870
1871
1871
1871
Aug. 18,1857
Nov. 27, 1857
Aug. —,1858
Nov. 18, 1862
Apr. —,
Apr. 23, 1866
M'ch 28, 1869
July 20, ]
Oct. 20, 1
Sept. 20, 1870
Nov. 1,1870
Camden, N.J
Philadelphia, Pa
Philadelphia, Pa
Trenton, N, J
Trenton, N.J
Philadelphia, Pa
Port Repubiic, N. J.
Trenton, N.J
Camden, N.J
Milford, N.J
76
60
111
This list of deaths occurred in the Philadelphia Conference prior to the setting Off of the New
Jersey Conference in 1872, and contains all the information given in the minutes as here ar¬
ranged.
Amount of Dollar Money Paid by Stations, Circuits and Missions with Number of Members.
1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880
$40 25
40 50
42 00
27 32
21 00
11 00
22 00
16 00
16 00
16 00
20 00
20 00
5 00
60 00
54 75
24 75
21 40
21 50
22 50
12 50
45 00
15 75
64 92
30 00
11 00
27 11
25 00
15 CO
00 |55 00
12 00
31 51
52 50
31 15
13 25
31 25
9 00
53 32
50 00
32 60
13 55
10 00
37 00
31 00
44 00
20 00
27 00
18 00
13 00
26 50
84 00
79 00
16 00
16 10
35 00
19 85
20 00
18 00
27 75
15 35
33 05
49 00
27 90
16 00
32 00
$58
50
34
25
7
63
15
24
3
11
28
14
15
57
(id 91
00 25
0(1 34
00 38
50' 27
00 28
30
$55 00
53 00
28 00
22 00
18 00
60 00
25 00
35 00
20 75
6 58 29 06
13 00 28 00
41 80 21 00
25 00 45 08
9 5.V 25 00
10 00
33 00
35 83
3 50
1 25
21 00
30 0(5
25 00
9 50
20 00
30 50
100 00
15 00
8 00
31 19
38 50
21 00
20 20
36 00
35 15
1850
37 50
22 45
60 00
7 00
10 00
19 10
35 75
19 00
42 75
40 50
32 85
4 00
11 00
1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886
$31 50
28 00
40 00
16 00
29 00
38 00
26 00
8 11
13 00
19 50
13 00
23 00
57 00
40 00
31 00
30 50
35 00
10 00
$48 00
23 00
30 00
24 00
40 00
2 25
5 00
35 00
18 00
17 25
8 75
26 50
50 00
26 00
20 00
32 00
10 00
21 00
58 25
31 00
41 00
50 00
31 00
23 00
30 60
34 00
29 50
35 27
27 00
28 50
17 50
30 00
45 00
15 00
33 00
12 00
35 25
30 00
11 25
15 00
15 00
11 00,
11 00
25 00
11 00
22 00
48 00
33 15
28 00
28 90
35 15
36 45
24 75
9 58
5 00
14 00
33 25
54 45
41 00
31 50
18 00
13 58
17 00
34 50
40 00
30 60
33 50
19 50
41 75
57 20
11 00
22 00
23 30
23 00
29 00
20 00
5 00
9 00
30 00
5 00
30 00
37 70
12 25
17 50
00 $50
00; 43
00! 20
501 20
00: 20
00! 55
00
001 28
50; 52
501 18
00 103 00
75, 39 50
00; 55 56
00 20 00
00 20 00
00 80 50
... 18 00
50 90 00
251 56 00
50! 25 00
00| 14 70,
851 53 OO!
00 35 50'
00 46 50
58 41 00
001 30 00!
50 63 00!
001 43 50
00 14 25
11 251" 20 00
20 161 22 15
32 50 j 50 00
15 00 4 00
17 00 35 00
14 00
34 00
35 00
40 00
40 00
45 55
26 00
50 00
35 50
45 00
22 00
3o"oOj 52 00 49 50
50 00
13 00
14 50
21 00
24 00
28 05
30 00
5 50
21 15
52 00 41 00
30 00 31 00
19 50
29 00
14 00
18 00
30 00
34 50
23 00
12 50
4 00
20 50, 11 75
18 00 51 25
9 00 6 00
6 00
39 25
24 00
17 00
6 50
13 00
7 75
19 65
21 15
8 25
10 00
24 00
25 20
24 00
31 50
26 00
21 00
43 25
8 25
27 00
22 55
7 00
7 50
10 50
5 25
J—J
122' 140! 150
112| 115 120
90
83! 103
60| 45
120'
36
44
55
42
35
90! 108
37! 33
30, 37i 41
631 35 30
1681 232 200
100 110 113
44 52 56
121 119 147
88 j 104
60
55 67
56 54
1878 1879
1B0| 125
87
65! 70
35 30
74 j 65
137
39 33
38} 32
651 70
31
1880 1881 1882 1883
26 15
65 52
180 i 176
102; 102
54 59
77
127 130
57 68
52 j 53
27
44' 48
113; 131
24! 22
35 49
61! 62
35 26
! 7
501 53
189, 189
100 96
731 79
117
18841885 1886
140! 125 161
80! 80 79
711 76 77
30 60 38
55 601 55
140 120
38 j 25
55: 62
70! 61
36 37
53! 42
171 279
98 103
111! 118
153
Up to 1887 Salem bad paid in the largest amount of Dollar Money at any one time—$100. In 1887 Trenton paid in S
222 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Transfers to and from New Jersey Conference.
; The Con fereE ce in
nam£s.
which transfers
i were announced
Acc^e, J. H
| 1883.
Aylor, J. C
1884.
Bowman, W. N
i 1883.
Bean, J. H
j 1885.
Bean, J. H
1887.
Brown, A. H
1886.
Chambers, A. J
! 1881.
Chambers, A. J
' 1881.
Chambers, A. J
1886.
Crippin, A. C
1877.
Cooper, F. J
1878.
Cooper, J. W
1879.
Cuff, T. A
18 81.
Cravan, T. S
1886.
Davis, Jr, H
1880.
Derrick, B. W
1880.
Derrick, B. W
1880.
Derricks, Israel
1882.
Derricks, Israel
1886.
Davis, T. A
] 1881.
Faucet, Redmond
1885.
Garrison, A. C
1878.
Garrison, A. C
1880.
Garrison, A. C
1882.
Garrison, A. C
.1883.
Goosly, S. C
1881.
Goosly, S. C
1882.
Hookins, W. H
1883.
Hill, J. B
1883.
Hill, J. B
1883.
Henry, T. A. V
1885.
Johns, J. A. M
1882.
Johns, J. A. M
1884.
Johns, J. A. M
1886.
Lewis, L. S
1873.
Lane, A. G
1879.
Langford, L. B
1884.
Martin, B. F
1884.
Morgan, J. H
1880.
Miles, R. H
1884.
Mathews, P. F
1885. !
Merrill. W. A
1884. |
Mowbry, J. G
1886.
Newton, A. H
1881.
Othello, G. A
1877.
Peterson Wilson
1873.
Patterson, L
1873.
Pinkney, H. H
1885.
Sluby, M. F
1873.
Sluby, M. F
1879.
Smith, J. H
1875.
Stewart T. McCants,...
1878.
Stewart T. McCants
1880.
Stevens, J. W
1880.
Shaffer, C. T
1877. i
Smith, Shorter
1880.
Smith, Shorter
1880.
Smith T. A
1881.
Stanford, P. L
1882. ;
Thompson, Walter
1886.
Thompson, Walter
Turner, R. M
1881.
'I urn pi-, J. H
1879.
Turner, J. H
1881.
Taylor, E. W
1880.
Tavior, E. W
1884.
transferred from.
Philadelphia Conference..
Virginia ''
New York Conference
New Jersey "
Philadelphia ''
New Jersey "
Kansas Conference
New Jersey ''
New York ''
New Jersey ''
New Jersey Conference
Virginia "
New Jersey ''
S. Arkansas "
New Jersey ''
New Jersey Conference
New Jersey Conference
New York " ......
New Jersey "
Philadelphia ''
Columbia ''
New Jersey ''
Philadelphia Conference...
New England "
New Jersey "
Baltimore ''
New Jersey Conference
New York "
New Jersey Conference
Philadelphia "
New Jersey ''
Philadelphia Conference....
New York ''
Virginia ''
New York "
Philadelphia "
North Carolina Conference
New York Conference
New York Conference
New Jersey ''
South Carolina "
Baltimore Conference
New Jersey ''
North Carolina ''
New Jersey ''
Ohio ''
Kentucky ''
New Jersey ''
New England ''
New York Conference
New Jersey Conference
Illinois "
New Jersey "
New York "
New Jersey ''
transferred to.
New Jersey Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
Philadelphia ''
New Jersey ''
New England "
New Jersey Conference.
New England "
North Carolina ''
New York ''
New England ''
New Jersey ''
Philadelphia "
North Carolina ''
New York Conference.
New Jersey "
New York ''
New Jersey ''
New York ''
New England ''
Philadelphia Conference.
New York Conference.
New Jersey ''
Philadelphia "
New Jersey ''
New England ''
New Jersey Conference.
Philadelphia ''
New Jersey ''
New Jersey Conference.
New York "
New Jersey ''
Indiana Conference.
New Jersey ''
New York "
New Jersey Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
Philadelphia ''
New Jersey '1
New Jersey Conference.
Philadelphia ''
New Jersey '1
New York "
Baltimore ''
New Jersey ''
Philadelphia "
New Jersey ''
New Jersey Conference.
Ohio Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
New Jersey Conference.
South Carolina ''
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 223
Transfers to and from New Jersey Conference—(Continued.)
I The Conference In
which transfers
were announced
Talbot, H
Talbot, H
Timothy, E. W
Timothy, B. W
Thomas, H. P
Teueyck, E. Y. N„
Williams, S. B
Williams, S. B
Williams, J. M
Williams, E. T
Whitten, G. M
Woodyard, C
Yieser, J. G
Yieser, J. G.
Yeocum, W. H
Young, H. J
1881.
1878.
1881.
1886.
1874.
1886.
1878.
1878.
1881.
1884.
1880.
1882.
1882.
tfc
1874.
TRANSFERRED FROM.
New England Conference....
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
Baltimore
New Jersey
North Carolina Conference..
New Jersey
New York
New England
Philadelphia
New Jersey
New England Conference..
New Jersey ''
New England "
New Jersey ''
TRANSFERRED TO.
New Jersey Conference.
New York ''
New Jersey ''
Baltimore ''
New Jersey 1'
New York ''
New Jersey Conference.
Philadelphia '1
New Jersey ''
New York ''
New York Conference.
South Carolina Conference.
New Jersey ''
Baltimore ''
224 HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Statistical Table No. 2.
' It will be seen by this table that the number of churches are the same in 1883 as in 1872 when the
Conference was set off. While there was an increase of four churches in 1875, the year of 1878 shows a de¬
crease of one, and the year of 1880 shows a loss of four churches. It is to be regretted that no record of
the circumstances attending the loss of any of these (Orange church excepted) has been kept in the
minutes. There is evidently need of more correct reporting. When the valuation column and church
extension are considered, it certainly is mysterious.
3
48 41
4
46 58
3
45 63
2
44 50
2
43 53
4
46 61
5
56 58
1
49 67
3,200 00
51 40
1,700 00
44 30
2,600 00
38 38
2,380 00
54 54
REMARKS ON TABLE.
Will some good mathematician tellhow, after fourteen years, we have fallen behind in membership
eighty-four, and during that time we have reported four thousand three hundred and eighty-nine proba¬
tioners—more than double the amount of members reported in any one year? In the light of all that is
being said of our advancement, how does this sound? How can these things be? We have gained one
church and lost or fell behind in Sunday-school members five thousand six hundred and eighty-six. We
would not dare to say that some of these reports are false, but we do say the truth has been handled very
carelessly.
Rt. Rev. Richard Allen,
First Bishop A. M. E. Church.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
225
ADDENDA.
CONDENSED BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP THE VARIOUS BISHOPS OP
THE A." M. E. CHURCH, AND OP SEVERAL MEMBERS
OF CONFERENCE, TOGETHER WITH REPORTS
OP PRESIDING ELDERS.
The matters presented under this head were, for some un¬
accountable reason, omitted from the manuscript as originally
sent to the printer, but as they are of too much interest and im¬
portance to be excluded from this work they are here inserted
that our readers may not be deprived of anything material to the
■completeness of the history.
BIOGRAPHIGAL SKETGHES.
RT. REV. RICHARD ALLEN,
% FIRST BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
In the United States of America, and founder of this church, was
born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1760. At the age of
seventeen he experienced religion and joined the Methodist
Society, in the State of Delaware. At the age of twenty-two he
commenced his ministerial labors, which were extended through
various parts of the Middle States. In 1787 he returned to his
native city, where his unexampled labors will redound to poster¬
ity. He was instrumental, in the hands of the Lord, in enlight¬
ening many thousands of his brethren, the descendants of Africa,
and was the founder of the First African Church in America,
"which was erected in Philadelphia in 1793. He was ordained
15
226
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Deacon in 1799 by Kit. Key. Francis Asbury, of the Methodist
Church. At the organization of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, he was elected and ordained a bishop for said church by
their first general conference, and was the first African Bishop m
America, which office he filled for upwards of fourteen years
with uncommon zeal, fidelity, perseverance and sound judgment.
He was an affectionate husband, a tender father and a sincere
christian. He finished his course in this city, after a tedious
illness, which he bore with christian fortitude, until the 26th day
of March, 1831, in the seventy-second year of his age, gloriously
triumphing over death, and in the hope of a better resurrection
through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.
MORRIS BROWN,
SECOND BISHOP OP THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born at Charleston, S. C. Soon after his conversion he
entered the M. E. Church and was licensed to preach. He re¬
mained there until the organization of the A. M. E. Church in
Philadelphia, Pa. He was delegated by the colored members of
the M. E. Church to visit Philadelphia and see Bishop Allen, and
if approved by the conference he was to be ordained and re¬
turned to Charleston to organize an A. M. E. Church. Upon his
arrival in Philadelphia he was gladly received by Bishop Allen,
and the conference elected and ordained him Deacon and Elder.
When he returned to Charleston he organized the A. M. E.
Church and in a short time had fifteen hundred members. About
this time an insurrection broke out in South Carolina, headed by
a man by the name of Denmark Yessey. The ministers of Morris
Brown's church were suspected of being particeps criminis, and
the white friends of Morris Brown advised him to leave Charles¬
ton. He was therefore placed on board a ship and sent to Phil¬
adelphia, Pa., and engaged in the business of boot and shoe
making. In 1828 he was elected and ordained Bishop. He used
to cross over the Alleghany mountains on horseback to attend
the Western Conference. While attending the annual conference
in Canada, in 1844, he was paralyzed, and was brought home by
his old friend and brother, Kev. N. C. W. Cannon. He died in
1850.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
227
EDWARD WATERS,
THIRD BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born a slave at West River, Maryland. He came to
Baltimore city when a young man and joined the A. M. E.
Church. He was subsequently ordained Deacon and Elder. He
was selected by Bishop Morris Brown as his assistant. At the
general conference which met at Philadelphia in 1836, he was
elected Bishop. In the spring of 1847, when on his way to an
appointment a few miles from Baltimore city, some careless
young man drove his carriage against him, knocking him to the
ground and injuring him to such an extent that he never
recovered. He died in great peace at his daughter's, Mrs. Mar-
graet Steward.
WILLIAM PAUL QUINN,
FOURTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was supposed to have been born in 1788. There are contra¬
dictory statements as to the place of his birth. He entered the
A. M. E. Church when a young man, after spending several years
in New York and Pennsylvania. In 1832 he went over the Alle¬
ghany mountains and organized churches in Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri and Iowa. In 1844 he was elected
Bishop. Afterwards he traveled very extensively East, West,
North and South. At the general conference held at Nashville,
in May, 1872, he was relieved from active work. He afterwards
visited several conferences. He died in February, 1873, at his
residence in-Richmond, Indiana.
WILLIS NAZERY,
FIFTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Virginia, where he spent his youth. When he
reached manhood he took a notion to follow the sea, which he
228
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
did for several years. He was converted in New York, and
joined old Bethel Church in that city. He was admitted in the
New York Conference in 1840, and was transferred to the Balti¬
more Conference and appointed to the Lewiston Circuit, Pa. He
remained in the Baltimore Conference until 1842, when he was
transferred to the Philadelphia Conference, and remained pastor
of some of the most important charges. In 1852 he was elected
Bishop, and soon afterwards took up his residence in Canada.
When the British M. E. Church of Canada was organized he was
elected their Bishop. He continued to travel extensively until
the autumn of 1875, when he finished his course in Nova Scotia
and was brought home to Chatham, and buried from the church
in that city.
REV. DANIEL A. PAYNE, D. D., LL. D.,
SIXTH BISHOP OP THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Charleston, South Carolina, February 24, 1811.
At the age of fifteen he entered the M. E. Church, under Elder
James O. Andrew, who was preacher in charge of the Methodist
churches of Charleston, S. C., but was not converted until three
years afterwards. Through that intolerant spirit of slavery he
was forced out of his native city in 1835, with ♦ a determination
never to set foot in it again until slavery was destroyed, which
promise he faithfully kept. For several years he taught school
in Philadelphia, Pa. He entered the Lutheran Theological
Seminary, at Getty burg, Pa., intending to take a full course of
three years, but his eyesight failed him. He entered the minis¬
try in 1837, and was ordained an elder by them in 1838. He
entered the Philadelphia Conference as a local preacher in 1842,
and was admitted as a traveling preacher in the Philadelphia
Conference in 1843, and was stationed by Bishop Morris Brown
at Israel Bethel Church, Washington, D. C., where he remained
five years, and afterwards served Ebenezer Ohurch, Baltimore,
Md., and was elected Bishop at the general conference, sitting in
New York City, in May, 1852.
Rt. Rev. D. A. Payne,
Sixth Bishop A. M. E. Church.
Rt. Rev. A. W. Wayman
Seventh Bishop A. M. E. Church.
Rt. Rev. J. P. Campbell,
Eighth Bishop A. M. E. Church.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
229
ALEXANDER W. WAYMAN,
SEVENTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Caroline county, Maryland, September, 1821.
He was brought up on the farm of his father, who put him to
plowing when he was a little boy. His father had to saw the
handles off the plow so he could manage it. With this outfit he
went to the field. He was once asked by some one, after he had
grown to be a man, what made him grcfw so large. His answer
Was: " My father put me to ploughing when I was young and
made my muscles expand, and therefore I grew large." He was
taught his letters by his father, and after he began to spell and
read it was not long before he got the idea in his head that he
must write. The sands in the roads and the sides of the old
frame house were his copy books. Soon he was writing letters for
his young friends to their young friends. In August, 1835, he
obtained hope in Christ. In 1837 he joined the M. E. Church; in
1840 he united with the A. M. E. Church ; in 1843 he was ad¬
mitted into the Philadelphia Conference, after filling stations in
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, and in 1864 he was
elected Bishop. He was secretary of the general conference for
three sessions. The degree of D.- D. was conferred on him by
Harvard University.
JABEZ P. CAMPBELL,
EIGHTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Delaware about 1815. When he was quite small
his father gave a gentleman a mortgage upon him and then went
away, and when the money was due the mortgage was foreclosed
and an attempt was made to sell him, but he got wind of it and
left the State of Delaware for Philadelphia, where his mother
resided. He soon became an active member of the A. M. E.
Church. After he was licensed to preach he was appointed by
Bishop Morris Brown to supply a vacancy on the Bucks County1
Circuit, Pa. From there he was sent as missionary to the New
230
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
England States. He subsequently filled Albany and New York
city stations, after whicli he was transferred to the Philadelphia
Conference. In 1856 he was elected editor of the Christian,
Recorder, which position he resigned, and afterwards filled the
Trenton, New Jersey, station and Bethel Church, Philadelphia
Conference. In 1863 he was transferred to the Baltimore Con¬
ference, and in May, 1864, he was elected Bishop. He was the
first bishop that visited California and organized that conference.
In 1876 the general conference sent him a delegate to the Wes-
leyan General Conference, in England.
JAMES A. SHORTER,
NINTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Washington, D. 0., February 4, 1817. He joined
the M. E. Church in 1839, at Galena, Illinois. In the same year
he united with the Bethel A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, Pa.,
under Bishop Morris Brown, and entered the itinerant service in
the Baltimore Conference in 1846. He served various churches
and proved himself a preacher and pastor in the full acceptation
of that term, and was elected Bishop at the general conference,
at Washington, D. C., in 1868.
THOMAS D. WARD,
TENTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Pennsylvania in 1823. His father and mother
crossed over the Maryland line only a few months previous to his
birth and therefore he claims to be a Pennsylvanian. At an
early age he was converted and admitted into the A. M. E.
Church and soon after moved to Philadelphia, where he was li¬
censed to preach. Subsequently he was admitted to the New
England Conference. After being ordained Elder he was ap¬
pointed Missionary to the Pacific Coast, where he remained for
several years and organized churches along the coast. In 1868
he was elected Bishop and returned to the Pacific coast and
remained there four years. The degree of D. D. was conferred
Rt. Rev. John M. Brown,
Eleventh Bishop A. M. E. Church.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
231
upon him by Wilberforce University. He is distinguished as an
orator of the first class.
JOHN MIFLEN BROWN,
ELEVENTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Cant wells Bridge, now called Odessa, New Castle
•county, Delaware, September 8, 1817. He united with Bethel
A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, in January, 1836. In the fall of
1836 he became a member of the Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbra-
ham, Mass., remaining two years preparing for college. In the
fall of 1846 he entered Oberlin College, Ohio, remaining nearly
four years. In September, 1864, he united with the Ohio Con¬
ference and was ordained Deacon, and has held appointments in
Pittsburg, New Orleans, Louisville, Kentucky, and Baltimore.
In 1864 he was elected editor of the Christian Recorder, but subse¬
quently resigned. In 1868 he was elected and ordained Bishop
by the general conference that met in Washington, D. C.
HENRY McNEAL TURNER,
TWELFTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in South Carolina, February, 1833, and lived there
until he grew up to manhood. He imbued religion in his youth,
and joined the M. E. Church South, and was licensed to preach.
He made a visit to New Orleans, La., where he made the ac¬
quaintance of the late Rev. Dr. W. R. Revels, from whom he re¬
ceived information of the A. M. E. Church. He was admitted
into the Missouri Conference in 1858, and was transferred by
Bishop Payne to the Baltimore Conference. He was commis¬
sioned the first colored chaplain in the United States Army.
After the war he took up his residence in Georgia, and organized
the A. M. E. Church all over the State. He was a member of the
Constitutional Convention of Georgia.
232
HISTORY OP THE N. J.
WILLIAM FISHER DICKERSON,
THIRTEENTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH,
Was born in Woodbury, N. J., in 1845. He was the son of
Rev. Henry and Sophia Dickerson, both of whom »were for many
years members of the A. M. E. Church. William F. Dickerson
was taught the primary branches of education at the little school
in his native town, Woodbury, N. J., but when quite young he
went to New York City wher§ he for some time led the choir.
Then feeling it was his duty to preach the gospel, and also the1
great necessity of being educationally qualified, he entered
the Lincoln University, Pa., and graduated. He then entered
the New York Annual Conference and was transferred to the
New England Conference. The general conference of 1876 ap¬
pointed him as one of the fraternal delegates to the general con¬
ference of the M. E. Church in Baltimore. His address before
that body was so masterly that it brought down the whole house.
Bishop Daniel A. Payne then appointed him to Sullivan Street
Church, New York. In 1880 he was elected Bisfiop and was
assigned to South Carolina and Georgia work. He has done a
good work. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by
Wilberforce University. He was the secretary of Bishop's
Council and President of Allen University at the time of hia
death.
RICHARD HARVEY CAIN,
FOURTEENTH BISHOP OF THE A. M. E. CHURCH.
♦
See page 210.
BENJAMIN W. ARNETT,
FINANCIAL SECRETARY A. M. E. CHURCH, 1880-1884.
Benjamin W. Arnett was born in Brownsville, Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, March 6,1838. He began his public labors as &
Rev. B. W. Arnett,
Financial Secretary N. J. A. M. E. Conference.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
238
school teacher in Brownsville, receiving his certificate in Decem¬
ber, 1859. He taught school until 1867—ten months of that
time he taught in Washington city. He was an active member
of Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League, which had control
of the educational and political interests of the race. He was a
member of the National Convention at Syracuse, New York, 1864.
He was secretary of the National Convention of colored men in
Washington, D. C., 1867. He was licensed to preach in Wash¬
ington city Marcl/30, 1865, and was stationed at Walnut Hills,
Ohio, 1867 to 1870. He remained there three years, and taught
the common school at that place, after which he was stationed
in Toledo, Ohio, for three years, from 1870-'73. He was then
returned to Cincinnati, where he remained three years. From
there he went to Urbana June 1, 1876, and remained there until
September, 1878. He was appointed to the Columbus (Ohio)
station. He was appointed vice-president of the State Sunday-
school Union in 1878, and has been connected with it for three
years. He was the vice-president of the Eepublican State Con¬
vention of Ohio June 18, 1878, and delivered one of the ratifica¬
tion addresses at night in Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was
appointed one of the delegates to attend the Robert Raikes
Centennial in Londdn by the State Convention of the Sunday-
school Union. He was appointed by the State Convention
of the Young Men's Christian Association to bear the friendly
greeting to the Young Men's Christian Association of London,
England. He was appointed the grand orator of the Grand
,I*odge of Masons for the State of Ohio, 1879. He was elected
grand orator for the Grand Lodge of Independent Order of
Good Samaritans, and Daughters of Samaria, for the States of
Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, 1873. He was the originator of the
Joint Stock Company, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania ; he wrote
the charter, and it passed the Legislature without amendments,
or exchanges, 1866. He was the chaplain of the Ohio Re¬
publican State Convention April 30, 1880. This was the first
colored chaplain there. He was a member of the General Con¬
ference of A. M. E. Church in 1872; he was elected assistant
secretary. He was elected the secretary-in-chief of the General
Conference which met in Atlanta, Georgia, 1876. The General
Conference met in St. Louis, March 3, 1880, and he was elected
234
HISTOEY OP THE N. J.
secretary of the General Conference for the second term May
20, 1880. He was elected financial secretary without solicita¬
tion. His name was only suggested about twenty minutes before
the election. He was elected and qualified, by giving a bond of
$10,000 for the faithful performance of his duty. Among hia
bondsmen are Henry Milton Barnes, Secretary of State ; Hon.
George K. Nash, Attorney General of State ; A. T. TVykoff, Pen¬
sion Agent; Gen. C. C. TValcott, Collector of Internal Revenue;
F. C. Session, President of Commercial Bank, Columbus, Ohio ;
Hon. G. G. Collins, Mayor of Columbus ; Rev. W. A. J. Phillips,
James M. Steward, John T. Jones, Rev. T. B. Caldwell, Rev.
John TV. Asbury, Prof. TV. O. Bowles, Prof. A. C. Duell, Rev. S.
H. Robertson, and John King.
He is a trustee of TVilberforce University. He was Grand
Director of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of the
United States. He was the first colored foreman of a jury,
where all were white men, in Toledo, in 1872. He was an active
member in political conventions, and has been made chairman
on several occasions of committee on resolutions. He was
appointed a delegate to the international convention of Sunday-
schools, and also a delegate to the international convention of
Young Men's Christian Associations in Washington City, in 1871.
Mr. Arnett is yet a young man ; he has steadily climbed upward
among his people, and is to-day a leader.
He was married by Rev. George Brown, President of Madison
College, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1858, to Miss Mary
Louisa Gordon. To them have been born six children, namely :
Alonzo T. A. Arnett, who is now a student at TVilberforce Uni¬
versity ; Benjamin TV. Arnett, Jr., now a student at TVilberforce
University ; Henry Young Arnett, now in the training school at
TVilberforce, and Anna Louisa Arnett, who is a bright-eyed,
pleasant faced girl of thirteen summers. Alphonso Taft was
born May 26, 1879, while his father was at the State Convention
laboring to have Hon. Alphonso Taft nominated for Governor of
Ohio, so on his return home he named him for the favorite can¬
didate. Flossa Gordon was born April 13, 1881. Dr. Arnett has
written two or three books : "The Semi-Centenary of Methodism
in Cincinnati, Ohio;" " Centennial Sermon and Statistics of
Urbana, Ohio." He has the following manuscripts ready for
Rev. B. T. Tanner, D. D.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
235
publication : " The Lights AloDg the Jordan " Fifty Tears in
ike JTield, or the A. M. E. Church in Ohio "The Life and
Times of Solomon H. Thompson " Methodism in Columbus,
Ohio."
BENJAMIN TUCKER TANNER, D. D.
EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER.
Benjamin T. Tanner was born December 25,1835, in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, where he and the members of his family were
raised by a kind and affectionate mother, and provided for by a
father who knew the responsibility of the family, and did all in
his power to perform that duty. The children were sent to such
schools as the city afforded, but " Bennie," as all of his family
and friends called him, was not contented with the three " R's,"
so he went through the preparatory course and the first year of
the college course at Avery College, Allegheny City. But, while
he was going through this course, he was carrying on a business
in the city of Pittsburg, and in this way he assisted his mother
in raising the family, for his father was dead. "While pursuing
this course of study he had a war with poverty, with early habits,
business complications, ignorance and sin ; but by grace and
study he has conquered them all, and has won a place in the his¬
tory of the race that any man ought to feel proud of.
In 1857 I first met him in Pittsburg. He was then taking a
three years' course in theology in the Western Theological Semi¬
nary. He was very fortunate in this, for he had the advantage
of the ripe scholarship and deep learning of such men as Drs.
Plummer and Jacobus. With such teachers we may not wonder
at the place h^ occupies among the theologians of his church ;
and, when I say that he is one of the first in his, and the chris¬
tian church, I only voice the judgment of all who know him.
In 1860 he was appointed by Bishop D. A. Payne to the Sac¬
ramento station, California conference. He and the church
failed to raise the money necessary to pay his way. There was
then no Pacific Railroad nor Southern Pacific Railroad to the gold
regions, and one had to go by the way of the sea and isthmus.
Thus housed in despair, he was out of employment. The
236
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Presbyterian Church, of Washington, D. C., was without a
preacher; Bishop D. A. Payne permitted tim to serve the
church, as a supply, for eighteen months. He organized the first
school for freedom in the Navy Yard, by permission of Admiral
Dalghren. He joined the Baltimore Annual Conference in April,
1862, and was appointed to the E. Street and Alexander Mission.
This mission was the first work of the church made possible by
the war. When organized it was necessary to be guarded by
United States soldiers, which the Provost Marshall, General
Gregory, freely gave ; and, even then, upon more than one occa¬
sion, bricks were thrown against the shutters of the windows.
In 1863 he was sent as pastor to Georgetown, D. C. This was
a good church and excellent congregation, but they had been
burdened with a debt for some time, about three hundred dollars,
all of which was raised during his first term.
In 1866 he was sent to the Big Baltimore charge, where he did
a good work for the Master and church.
In 1867 he was sent back from the conference, but resigned to
take charge of a proposed Annual Conference School at Freder¬
icks wn, Md., which the Baltimore Annual Conference was pa¬
tronizing. He was, during this year, employed by the Freedmen's
Society to organize schools throughout the State. In this work
he did much good by lecturing the new made freedmen on their
duties to themselves and families.
In 1868 the General Conference met at Washington city. He
was elected the chief secretary, and during the conference he was
elected by acclamation the editor of the Christian Recorder,
which position he filled with honor to himself and church.
He received the degree of A. M. from Avery College, under
the presidency of Dr H. H. Garnet, in 1870.
The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Wilberforce
University, in 187-.
The General Conferences of 1872, 1876 and 1880 re-elected
him editor of the Christian Recorder. He has been editor longer
than any colored man in the United States. He is the master of
Negro editors, and wields the most facile pen of any colored man
in the country. He has written poetry and prose for the New
York Independent, which is a compliment alike to him and his
church.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
237
In 1881 lie visited England and Continental Europe in the in¬
terest of the publication department, and received as gifts stere¬
otype illustrations to the value of five hundred dollars. He
attended the Ecumenical Conference and witnessed the gathering
of Universal Methodism, and came in contact with the repre_
sentatives of the rest of the Wesleyan family.
He has written several works relative to the church and race :
"Apology for African Methodism," " The Negro's Origin, and is
the Negro Cursed ?" "An Outline of Our History and Govern¬
ment," " The Negro, African and American." Autobiographical
sketches, with illustrations, have appeared in Fowler's Phrenologi¬
cal Journal, and in Simpson's Encyclopedia of Methodism. He
has been elected a member of the New England Historical
Society of the M. E. Church. He has shown what it is possible
for a man to do in this country and church, who has energy and
talent. He has arisen from a successful barber to be the king of
Negro editors. His pen is sharper than his razor, and his edi¬
torial chair is finer than his barber chair!
The church and race will long remember Dr. B. T. Tanner for
the part he has taken in the reconstruction of the South, for his
words of encouragement and good advice.
REV. C. S. SMITH, M. D.
Rev. C. S. Smith was born of humble parentage, March 16,
1854. He early evinced a desire for knowledge, and was able to
read before he was five years of age. The first school book
which he possessed was purchased by money that he himself had
earned. He attended school at intervals until he was about ten
years of age, when he was put to learn the trade of a cabinet
finisher. He made but poor success at this, however, the "grains
of his nature " being against him. He was passionately fond of
reading newspapers, and to the influence and teaching of the
public press he attributes the larger share of his present knowl¬
edge. When about eleven years of age he left home, and since
then has fought the battle of life alone. In 1869, when nearing
the age of seventeen years, he began his career as a public
teacher in the State of Kentucky, under the auspices of the
238
HISTORY OF THE N. J.
Freedmen's Bureau. His first school was broken up by the
Ku Klux. He returned to Louisville, which was then the head¬
quarters of the Freedmen's Bureau, and was immediately sent to
Hopkinville, in the southern part of the State, where he remained
about a year. He was remarkably successful as a teacher, being
particularly distinguished for his ability to govern, and discip¬
line. While in Hopkinville he formed the acquaintance of a
young lady, who afterwards became his wife. From Kentucky
he went to Mississippi, and for a long time was actively engaged
in politics. From the first he took high rank as a political
speaker—so much so that he was often regarded as a prodigy.
He also engaged in teaching. In 1871 he was licensed to preach
by the Rev. 0. A. Douglass, then pastor of the A. M. E. Church
at Jackson, Miss. He attended the annual conference, which
met at Yazoo City in December, 1872, but on account of his
extremely youthful appearance, which seemed to create a prej¬
udice against his admission, his friends withheld his application,
and on the adjournment of the conference he was received as a
supply by Bishop Ward, and appointed to the Raymond Circuit,
where he remained one year, after which he moved to Alabama,
joined the conference in that State, was ordained a deacon at
Mobile, December, 1873, and stationed at Union Springs, Bullock
county. Having some fondness for politics, he entered the ex¬
citing campaign of 1879, and was elected a member of the
Alabama House of Representatives by a large majority. His
brilliant and forcible manner of speech won for him the title of
"the orator of the House." At the expiration of his term, in
1876, he moved to Tennessee, and resumed the duties of the
ministry. In November, 1876, he was ordained an elder in Nash¬
ville, Tenn. While in Nashville he established the Pilots a
weekly secular paper, which rapidly gained a large circulation,
and its editorials were frequently quoted by the leading j ournals
throughout the State. He was the central figure of the Colored
Men's National Convention, which met in Nashville, April, 1876,
and delivered a speech that attracted general attention through¬
out the country. During his residence in Nashville, he attended
the Meharry Medical School.
From Nashville he removed to Brownville, Pa., thence to Pitts¬
burg, and from there to Bloomington, 111., where he now resides.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
239
In 1882 he outlined the plans for the organization of the Con-
nectional Sunday-school Union of the A. M. E. Church, and was
appointed by the Bishops to develop it preparatory to the meet¬
ing of the general conference in 1884. In this work he was
remarkably successful—so much so that the general conference
not only adopted the Union, but unanimously elected him its
corresponding secretary, making him the editor of all the
Sunday-school publications issued by the A. M. E. Church.
He is a man of great force, energy and determination, and is
greatly admired as a writer and speaker. He has always evinced
a deep interest in Sunday-school work, and is admirably adapted
for the position he now occupies. He is essentially a self-made
man, studious, broad, progressive, and deeply earnest.
JAMES MATTHEW TOWNSEND, D. D.
James Matthew Townsend, D. D., was born at Gallipolis, Ohio,
August 18, 1841. He was the only son of William and Mary
Ann Townsend, ^vho were members of the A. M. E. Church, and
during long and useful lives were devoted and earnest christians.
His mother gained considerable notoriety as a church worker,
and for thirty years was a strong advocate of the Wesley idea of
sanctification, which life she enjoyed in a'very eminent degree.
From early childhood young Townsend received the most careful,
religious and moral training at the hands of his parents, who in
the meantime had moved to Oxford, Ohio. At the age of twelve
he professed religion, and united with the A. M. E. Church, un¬
der the pastorate of that great and good man, Kev. John Turner.
He had the advantage of a common school education, and being
inclined to habits of reading and thought thus laid the founda¬
tion for future usefulness by years of careful study and research.
At the age of sixteen he was licensed for an exhorter, and two
years later a local preacher. At the beginning of the rebellion
he had a strong conviction that the war would result in the
emancipation of his race, .and therefore sought the earliest op¬
portunity to take up arms in defense of the Union and Freedom.
He enlisted in the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Volunteers—the
first colored regiment to enter the service, and remained on the
240
HISTOEY OF THE N. J.
field till the close of the war in 1865. On returning home he
attended Oberlin College for two years, during which time his
father died, leaving to him the care of the family. He secured,
through the recommendation of friends, a commission from the
American Missionary Board, and subsequently an appointment
as principal of the colored schools of Evansville, Indiana, which
position he held for four years. During this time he continued
his studies, and in 1871 he was ordained Deacon by Bishop A.
W. Wayman. In December of this year he was married to
Cornelia A., daughter of Josiah and Nancy Settle. June, 1872,
he was appointed to the pastoral charge of Richmond, Indiana;
after serving two years was ordained Elder by Bishop Wayman.
In 1874 he was appointed to Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1876 he
was elected to the general conference, and was elected assistant
secretary of the same. In August of the same year, was appoint¬
ed to Bethel Station, Indianapolis; served two years. While
here he was elected by the General Missionary Board, which met
in Baltimore, Maryland, as corresponding secretary of the Parent
Home and Foreign Missionary Society. He was elected by ac¬
clamation of the general conference of 1880 to the same office,
which position he now holds.
He was also elected as one of the Commissioners on " Organic
Union," and a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference, held in
London, England. In June of 1883 he received the degree of
Doctor of Divinity from Wilberforce University. His name is
prominently mentioned in all the advanced movements of his
church, educationally and otherwise. And not infrequently has
he been called upon to participate in the public affairs of his
race.
Dr. Townsend is a man of indomitable will, and energy that
knows no such word as fail. He has the capacity to organize,
and he can execute that which he organizes. This is shown in
his plan of securing an iron church for Hayti. He went to the
Episcopal Church Mission House ; they knew nothing of it; then
he went to the Methodist; they could not inform him where to
get one. An ordinary man would have given up, and said, " If
these large Mission Boards can give no information, 1 need seek
no further." But he wrote to England and there received the
information needed, and eventually contracted for the church,
Rev. B. F. Lee.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE. 241
went to London, inspected, paid for and shipped the iron church.
This iron structure in Hayti will stand as a monument to the love
of the A. M. E. Church for the race ; and will be the crystalliza¬
tion of the faith of the church in the possibilities of the race. It
will be a shaft of beauty, exemplifying at the same time the
energy, tact, skill and devotion to the mission cause—the last and
greatest of the Missionary Societies of the A. M. E. Church.
REV. JOHN R. V. MORGAN,
Late of the California Conference, was born in Kent Co, Md.,
and was raised in the city of Philadelphia. When a boy there
was an aptness in him that was admired'by all who knew him.
He was very wild, but when he embraced religion he gave evi¬
dence of future usefulness. In 1847 he was sent by the Bishop
to Salem Circuit, N. J., as assistant to the minister in charge and
he soon attracted the attention of the people. In 1818 he was
admitted into the Philadelphia Conference. When the late war
broke out he went into the army and there he distinguished him¬
self for bravery. On returning from the army he commenced liis
ministerial work again and went into the New England Con¬
ference. From there he was transferred to the California Con¬
ference, and stationed at San Francisco, where he spent two or
three years. From there he went to Denver City, Colorado, and
after spending a month or two there was summoned away by
death. It is reported by one who stood by him when dying that
he said, " This is the last of John R. Y. Morgan."
10
242
history of the n. j.
PRESIDING ELDERS' REPORTS.
first district.
Trenton, N. J., April 20th, 1887.
To the Bishop and Conference :
We desire to report as follows for the First District: The ter¬
ritory of the district remains the same. There are six pastoral
charges, Orange, "Madison, Morristown and Washington, (cir¬
cumstances caused a division of that circuit, and we advise it to
remain as it now is, viz.:) Washington Mission and Easton Mis¬
sion, with Stroudsburg attached. We have in the district 228
members in full standing, and fifty probationers. The spiritual
condition of the people is good. Every charge has been blessed
with a revival of religion. Financially it will be shown to be
fair. Orange has paid a portion of its principal debt, and made
some improvements. Madison was freed from debt last year.
Morristown has a floating debt of fifty-seven dollars. Washing¬
ton has no debt on the church property. Easton has no prop¬
erty, but they are about to make an effort to secure some ; at
our last meeting with them sixty-five dollars was subscribed for
that object.
Paterson has been under our ,care, and we took up Jordan H.
Christmas and put him at that place, and he has done a good
work. Since we organized that people we have twenty-six mem¬
bers and two probationers. They have done quite well finan¬
cially.
In the district there are two hundred and eleven Sunday-school
scholars attending our Sunday-schools. Every charge has a
Sunday-school except Madison, and our children in that place
are under the Presbyterians. In all of our schools a good in¬
terest is manifested, and the International Lesson System is ob¬
served.
John W. Cooper, Presiding Elder.
a. m. e. conference.
243
second district.
Trenton, N. J., April 20th, 1887.
To the Bishop and Conference :
This district comprises Rah way Station, Elizabeth Station,
Jersey City (formerly called Bergen) Mission, Paterson and
Newark Stations.
From the hand of our late lamented Bishop, R. H. Cain, at
the rise of the last annual session of this conference, the work
was committed to my care, stationing me at Newark charge as
pastor.
We took hold where our predecessor left off, and looked not
back, but being armed went forward, and through Him who
promised—"Lo, I am with you always," we have been enabled to
wind up a pleasant and successful conference year with pastors
and people.
Rah way is a borough of about six thousand inhabitants, and
about two hundred of these are of our race. It is situated on
the Pennsylvania Railroad, five miles southwest of Elizabeth.
There are two A. M. E. Churches in the town—Zion and Bethel;
Bethel is an old charge, and has been supplied by so^e of our
best ministers. I found Elder H. P. Thomas in his second year
there, well surrounded by his people, and liis most efficient wife
in charge of the singing department. Elder Thomas has done a
good work here, and if changed is worthy of a good field.
Elizabeth is quite a large city, with probably five hundred of
our race. It is five miles south of Newark, with the best railroad
facilities probably in the State. It was, some years ago, one of
the best charges in the conference, but through mismanagement
it has gone down. Our hope§ are bright, however, with a strong
pastor, to regain it, and as we have the sympathy of our white
friends, and notwithstanding the strong opposition, Elder J. G.
Mowbry has held the fort nobly, taking all things into con¬
sideration.
Jersey City (or Bergen) was dead but not buried. Our little
big man, Deacon H. H. Pinkney, refused a funeral, but trusted in
God's power to restore life, and therefore stuck and tugged, and
with the assistance of the Presiding Elder, through God, it
is alive, and with care and labor can be made a charge in time.
241
history of the n. j.
Paterson Mission, like the above, was not only dead but was
buried. Bat there were a few names in Sardas, and through the
Presiding Elder of the First District and the pastor of Orange,
we hear that the dead is alive, through the report of Bro. Jordan
Christmas, acting pastor.
At Newark charge I found the work in a fair condition, but
heavily in debt. A mortgage of $3,700, with back interest and
floating debts, amounting to about $300.
Oar people were almost discouraged, and had begun to fall back
and to say "we can'tbut we took a hold where our predecessor
left off, trusting in God, and with the watch-word, "Do the best
you can the result was that our reports are as good, and are said
to be the best ever coming from this charge.
God has blessed u«, and the work has prospered in our hands
throughout the district.
Most respectfully your humble servant of God,
J. Thomas Diggs, Presiding Elder.
fourth district.
^ Trenton, N. J., April 20th, 18S7.
To the Bishop and Members of Conference :
At the close of this, the second year of a very pleasant service
in my charge and district, I h ive the pleasure of submitting my
second report to your honorable body. The winter has been
long and severe, but general success lias attended the labors in
the several administrations.
Trenton Station is in a good spiritual and financial condition.
Tlie services are g-nerally well attended with earnest Christian
worshippers. The members are loyal and true to African Metho¬
dism, and a more liberal and generous people are seldom found
anywhere. There is no debt on the church property, and the
many scattered, floating debts which were like so many little
foxes, have nearly all been paid. We have paid this, including
current expenses, $10.00. "We had conversions and accessions
to the church. The Sabbath-school is large and well attended ;
and the superintendent and teachers are faithful in trying to ad¬
vance this highly important work.
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
245
Bordentown Circuit, Rev. W. A. S. Rice, pastor, is doing well.
There have been quite a number of conversions and accessions to
the church, and some of the debt has been paid off.
At Crosswicks the church has no indebtedness, and although
most of the members live some distance from the church, and the
pastor is with them only every other Sabbath, they are doing as
well as could be expected. The Sanday-school is not what it
should be ; there seems to be an indisposition on the part of the
members to carry on the school when the pastor is absent.
Allentown Station, Rev. Mathew M. Dent, pastor. This charge
seems to be in a prosperous condition. When the present pastor
took charge they had many pressing debts, which have been con¬
siderably reduced. The membership is not very large, but they
are always earnest, faithful and ready to do what they can, and
are anxious to have their pastor returned to them another year.
Hightstown Circuit, Rev. Frank T. Webster, pastor. The mem¬
bers of Hightstown are very few, but the pastor and members
have remodeled their church, making it present a very beautiful
appearance. On the whole I think the pastor has done the best
he could under the circumstances.
At Manalapan the church is in a fair condition. The member¬
ship is larger than that of Hightstown, but I am informed that
only a few have the disposition to suppoit the church and
pastor.
Cookstown. Here we have a church buildiDg which needs re¬
pairing badljr. The pastor informs me that we have no members
there ; that he has appointed preaching there several times, even
by sending postal cards to persons living in the neighborhood,
and could get no one to come out.
Pennington and Yardley Circuit, Rev. David S. Bayard, pastor.
The churches at these points are in a fine spiritual condition, and
the Sibbath-schools are increasing in numbers and interest.
There were nineteen conversions and accessions to the church at
Yardly, which have given much spiritual activity in their church.
Pennington has been much discouraged, but they are now
much revived through the energy and earnestness of their pastor,
for their debt is considerably reduced. The future of this cir¬
cuit is very promising indeed, and they are anxious to have their
pastor returned to them another year.
246
history of the n. j.
So far as I have been able to learn, the pastors in my district
are blameless, and are strong advocates of the great Temperance
cause.
Wm. H. Yeocum, Presiding Elder.
sixth district.
To the Bishop and Conference :
We are glad to report that all along our line there is peace and
harmony prevailing among ministers, and prosperity among the
members, generally speaking. While it is true that some of the
work in this district is quite new, and needs just what we as a
conference at present are not prepared to give, viz: financial aid,
we trust that the time will soon come when church extension
will be a matter of fact in our conference.
We would claim attention while we speak briefly of the
eh'irch.es and their pastors, commencing with Salem, which is
the largest and finest in this district, and is loyal and Methodistic.
Through the efficient work of their pastor, Rev. J. C. Aylor, and
the board of officers, the debt upon this church is nearly cleared
away. While they have a parsonage, though from its surround¬
ings it is unsuitable for the purpose, it is a source of small reve¬
nue. $600.00 have been paid upon the church debt this year.
Bridgeton, which has been occupied by your humble servant,
cannot give as full a report as we would like for fear of egotism
on the part of the writer. For efficient work and church pride,
tempered well with grace, it stands second to none in the district.
It has the finest parsonage of any church in the conference, upon
which they owe the small sum of $450.00—value $1,500.00. They
have also a tenement worth $900.00, from which an annual rental
of $120.00 is received, which is now paying off an old claim of
$350.00. They have been under quite a strain for two years, but
are fully able, when harmony prevails, to succeed in their under¬
takings.
Springtown, or Greenwich—as it desires to be known—is about
five miles from Bridgeton, and is on the line of the New Jersey
Central Railroad, an old colored settlement. Oar church here as
far back as 1833 was considered among the strongest in South
Jersey, and exceedingly grand work has been done here by one of
A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
247
lier own sons, Key. C. C. Green, in connection with the officers.
The old church has been remodeled and garnished until the old
edifice has been lost in the new. A bell has been put upon the
church and nicely housed. Very little debt is left for this year's
work. Springtown has a happy faculty of attending to her own
-affairs first. Her battle cry in Bethel!
Yorktown is the head of a circuit, composed of Marlboro,
Swedesboro and Fair view. They have had a glorious revival
this year; the people are kind, but somehow the grass keeps very
short. It is a long circuit and unhandy to travel, but Rev. W. N.
Bowman has done remarkably well. The people at Yorktown are
now endeavoring fco secure equal privileges for the schooling of
their children. We hope they may succeed.
Marlboro, known years ago as " Frogtown," is about six miles
from Salem, and very unaccessibie. It has neither railroad,
steamboat, canal or stage communication. The pastor has one
of three things to do to get there—" walk, ride or go afoot," and
very often, in the winter, he cannot do either. Years ago this
was a strong appointment. They have a fine little church and are
a warm-hearted people, full of the Holy Ghost, and is the home
of one of our prominent elders of this present conference.
Bushtown is on the line of the Swedesboro and Salem railroad,
having its post-office at Woodstown, and also was once a strong
point. Many of the old members have passed away, and the
young seem to have lost their zeal for church work that belonged
to their fathers and mothers. Unlike Springtown, they seem to
help everybody else and neglect themselves. They are sadly in
need of a new church and in a high locality. Elder W. M.
Watson has had charge for the past year, though at times unable
through affliction to do full service. The members gathered
around him and made the year as pleasant as possible. They
have a nice parsonage, but need a good church.
Swedesboro, or "Small Gloucester," is one of the oldest
churches in the district, and dates its organization back to Bishop
Allen's time. It also is in need of a church, in fact it cannot be
said to have one—only in fair weather. It was an old building
when moved there in 1832. Some efforts have been made in that
direction, and a small fund secured. We trust the good people
this year will not " sneeze every time some other church takes
248
HISTORY OP THE N. J. A. M. E. CONFERENCE.
snuffthat is to say, that they will not run to the help of other
churches to the neglect of their own, but build themselves a
house of worship that they need not be ashamed of.
F&irview is a new field of work. They have no church, but are
a thriving people. They have made arrangements to purchase
an acre of ground to build, and we believe they will succeed.
Franklinville. This place is new work, and will be reported for
the first time this year. Tlie people were gathered together
through our efficient evangelist, Margaret Wilson, and organized
July 4th, 1886, by J. H. Morgan. Since that time they have re¬
ceived donations of money and lumber from the kind friends
around them, enough to put up a nice little church; the founda^
tion having been laid, and the corner stone laid on the 16th of
April, by Presiding Elder Mills and myself. The churches in the
neighborhood are very kind, opening their doors for their ser¬
vices and preachers.
Chesilhurst is new work, and is on the Camden and Atlantic
railroad; was organized December 2d, 1886, and placed under
the care of Festus Johnson, with orders to report to Rev. A. H.
Newton, of Camden, who will report it.
Haleyville and Port Elizabeth is also mission work and has
been served by licentiate J. W. Ross, who claims to have don©
good work. I have not a thorough knowledge of the work.
J. H. Morgan, Presiding Elder.
INDEX,
CHAPTER I.—Biographical Sketches.
Page.
Preface by Author 3
Introduction by Editor B. T. Tanner 7
Rev. J. C. Ay lor *. 9
" J. II. Accooe 10
" David Bayard 10
" Willis N. Bowman 11
" J. H. Bean 11
" A. II. Brown 12
" R. C. Coleman ,. 12
" F. J Cooper 13
" Thomas A. Cuff. 15
•' David R. Croshon, - 18
" Jordon Christmas 18
" Burgoyne Freemont Cuff 18
" M. M. Den t 19
" John T. Diggs 20
" Israel Derricks 21
" James Evans 21
■' Redman Faucet 22
" Charles Crawford Green 24
" Charles Henry Green 25
" Theodore Gould 27
" S. C. Goosley 29
" W. II. Grimes 30
" Alfred C. Garrison 31
" W. II. Hopkins 32
" Anthony Lane 34
" Francis Matthews 34
" William Middleton 35
«' Richard Miles 36
" J. H. Morgan 37
" B. F. Manin 38
" William H. Merrill 38
250
INDEX.
Page.
Rev. G. A. Mills 38
" A. H. Newton 39
" J. V. Pierce 40
" J. H. Pierce 41
•' Wilson Peterson 41
James T. Rex 41
" W. A. S. Rice 43
" J. W. Ross 43
" John P. Sampson 44
•' F. F. Smith 45
Mrs. Emily Calkins Stevens 45
William D. W. Schureman 46
" Littleton Sturges 47
" Walter Thompson 47
" George M. Witten 48
•' William M. Watson 48
■' J. H. Whittaker \ 50
" G. T. Waters 51
" Mrs. Margaret Wilson 51
" Samuel B. Williams 52
•£ C. Woodyard 53
" Ira S. Yemmons 54
•' William H. Yeocum 54
t
CHAPTER II.—Historical Sketches.
Rah way 57
M ilford 58
Snow Hill 58
Quinn Chapel 59
Camden Macedonia 59
Bridgeton 61
Atlantic City !. 62
Allentown 63
As bury Park 63
Burlington 64
Bushtown 65
Bordentown 66
Cape May Point 67
Cold Spring 67
Centre ville 68
Cape May 69
Crosswicks 70
Easton 7 q
Evesham 70
INDEX. 251
Page.
East Camden 71
Elizabeth 71
Freehold 72
Gouldtown 73
Hightstown ! 74
Haley ville 75
. Jordantown 75
Long Branch 76
Lawrenceville..... 77
Marlboro 77
Millville 78
Morristown 79
Middlebush . 80
Moorestown 81
Manalapan 81
Madison 81
Mt. Holly 82
Newark 83
New Brunswick 84
Orange 84
Princeton 85
Pennington 87
Paterson 87
Port Elizabeth 88
Kocky Hill 89
Bound Brook - 89
Springtown 89
Swedesboro 90
Salem 91
Trenton 94
Vineland 95
Washington : 96
Cook's Mills 96
Yorktown 96
Yardleyville 97
Position of Circuits from 1872 to 1883 97
Lost Churches or Organization and change of name 100
CHAPTER III.—Organization and Church Work.
Organization of New Jersey Conference 103
First appointments 106
Presiding Elders and their districts from 1872 to 1884 107
■Trials and Tribulations of Presiding Eldership from 1872 to 1885 108
Pishop's rulings and sayings 112
252
INDEX.
Page.
On marking brethren
Naming churches after the living 113
Charge prior to appointments 114
Address of BUhop T. D. Ward 115
Address of Bishop D. A. Payne 117
Churches refusing to pay pastors their salaries 119
On holy orders 120
Brothers from other denominations 121
The relation of expelled brethren 121
On the ragged edge 122
Women trustees 123
Preachers having two wives 123
Complimentary resolutions, 1876 to 1881 125
Report of Committee on Orange Church 127
Christian Recorder—Conference action 129
Conferences and places of meeting, '72 to '87 130
Visitors to Conference from 1882 to 1884 131
CHAPTER IV.—Expressions of Opinion upon various topics.
Committee on Education—1879 135
President Hayes' Policy—1877- 143
Committee on African Emigration—1878 144
Committee on Condition and wants of Freedmen 148
Committee on Century of America—1875 150
Committee on Education—Conference 1877 151
Committee on Education—Conference 1880 154
Committee on Education—Conference 1883 160
Committee on Education—Conference 1881 161
Committee on Chinese Emigration and American Prejudice 162
Committee on State of the Country 164
General Conference delegates from 1876 to 1884 167
CHAPTER V.—An Epitome of Sabbath School, Temperance and
Missionary Work.
Sabbath-school report—Conference 1876 169
Sabbath-school report—Conference 1878 170
Sabbath-school report—Conference 1880 171 '
Sabbath-school report - Conference 1879 173
Sabbath-school report—Conference 1883 ]75
Sabbath-school report—Conference 1884 176
INDEX. 253
Page.
Temperance report—Conference 1873 178
Temperance report—Conference 1879 179
Temperance report—Conference 1880 181
Temperance report—Conference 1881 183
Missionary report—Conference 1877 185
Missionary report—Conference 1878 188
Missions—Conference 1878 189
Missionary at Large 190
Articles of Confederation between A. M. E. & B. M. Conference, 1881 191
Committee on Temporal Economy, 1873 191
Committee on Wilberforce University 193
Committee on Missions, 1883 193
Committee on State of the Church—1884 195
Address of Mrs. S. C. Watson, 1884 197
CHAPTER VI.—Obituaries.
Quinn and Coakenie—Conference 1873 199
Henry Davis and Ilenry Rhodes—Conference 1874 200
Joshua Woodlin, Ezekiel Cooper, J. B. Scott—1876 201
Henry Dickerson, 1877 202
G. A. Othello, 1878 202
Sarah II. Bean, 1879 204
E. T. Williams, William E. Stiles, 1880 204
G. E. Bazer, James M. Williams, Alfred J. Dudley, 1881 205
George Ilenry Tones, Tames George Howell, 1882 206
T. J. Hill, 1883 208
Bishop William F. Dickerson, Alfred C. Garrison, 1885 209
Bishop R. II. Cain—Memorial Service 210
Bishop R. II. Cain—Memorial Address 212
Memorial table—1873 to 1887 218
Widows and amounts paid them 219
Memorial table—1851 to 1871 220
Dollar money—statistical table. 221
Transfers to and from New Jersey Conference 222
Statistical table No. 2 224
254
INDEX.
ADDENDA.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND PRESIDING ELDERS' REPORTS.
Page.
Bishop Richard Allen 225
Bishop Morris Brown , 226
Bishop Edward Waters 227
Bishop William Paul Quinn 227
Bishop Willis Nazery 227
Bishop Daniel A. Payne 228
Bishop Alexander W. Wayman 22(1
Bishop Jabez P. Campbell 229
Bishop James A. Shorter 230
Bishop Thomas D. Ward 230
Bishop John Miflm Brown 231
Bishop Henry McNeal Turner 231
Bishop William Fisher Dickerson 232
Bishop Richard Harvey Cain (See Memorial Address) ' 212
Benjamin W. Arnett, Financial Secretary 232
Benjamin Tucker Tanner, editor Christian Recorder 235
Rev. C. S. Smith, M. D , 237
James Matthew Townsend, D. D 239
Rev. John R. V. Morgan 241
Report of John W. Cooper, P. E 242
Report of J. Thomas Diggs, P. E 243
Report of William H. Yeocum, P. E 244
Report of J. H. Morgan, P. E 24(>
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