EMORY UNIVERSITY
BISHOP J. W. HOOD.
SKETCH
OF
THE EARLY HISTORY
OF THE
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
ZION CHURCH
WITH
JTJBILEE SOTJVElsnR
AND
AN APPENDIX
BY
J. W. HOOD, D.D., LL. D.
SENIOR BISHOP, A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
Copyright, 1914
J. W. HOOD, D.D., LL. D.
DEDICATED
to the
'Ministry and Members
of the
A frican Methodist Episcopal Zion Church♦
CONTENTS.
Introduction 7
PART I.
Historical Sketch of the A. M. E. Zion Church 13
PART II.
The Negro Race 38
PART III.
God's Purpose in The Negro Church, as Seen in The History
of the Movement 59
PART IV.
The,Hood Golden Jubilee 69
A Supplemental Statement 89
APPENDIX.
Quadrennial Report of The First Episcopal District to the A.
M. E. Z. General Conference, Charlotte, N. C., May, 1912
ERRATA:
Page 28. The Genesee Conference was organized in 1849 (not
185S.)
Page 28. The Southern Conference was organized in 1859 (not
1829.)
Page 30. The second mention of the Oregon Conference should
read, reorganized.
(7)
AN INTRODUCTORY WORD.
Holmes says that "We are omnibuses in which our ancestors
ride." "Whether this be true or not there will be little doubt as to
the interest mankind evinces in the affairs of prior generations.
Who our fathers were, what motives actuated them and what her¬
itage they left us, must ever be of much concern. ''
From the mists and maze of tradition there is evolved the
truth and the fact of history. To that mind which gathers and
classifies these facts with chronological order and who presents
their truths in language so clear and convincing as to make those
who acquaint themselves with them wiser and stronger, the world
owes no little indebtedness.
The Church of Christ has been especially rich in the yield of
stirring and instructive happenings and the hand which &ets forth
these so as to catch and hold the public attention and thought is
deserving of thanks. Religion has always been a fertile and fasci¬
nating subject and the world's best authors have deemed it wortfty
of their chief efforts.
The author of this small volume will scarcely need this word to
be presented to his reader?. The name of Bishop James Walker
Hood is known and honored not on'y in the denomination his
superior administrative talent has helped to establish, but is familiar
in ecclesiastical circles throughout America. The lines here pub¬
lished convey the message of a sage of four score years, half a
century of these years having been spent in the preaching of the
gospel. Bishop Hood has not only been an active participant in
many of the epoch-making events of his church and people, but
he enjoys the rare distinction of having seen and heard many of
the fathers who have long slept. He knew those who knew
Varick and Allen and Spencer—the triumvirate who wrought
religious independence for the Negro. Having a remarkable mem¬
ory and a mind of rare discriminatory and analytical power, the
author speaks as one having authority.
In the discursive treatment of the Negro in his progenital
and racial traits and in the masterful apology for the distinctively
Negro church, Bishop Hood merits a careful reading* The history
(»)
10
a* introductory word
Of the Rise of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church being
a resume of the invaluable compendium of Bishop Christopher
Rush and the author's own story of much that followed, will prove
a precious legacy.
Fitting was the tribute which the friends and fellow laborers
of this venerable sire paid to his remarkable career, as missionary,
pioneer, organizer, unselfish statesman and honored executive in
the Jubilee Year of his ministry. There can be no reasonable
objection to the presence of the evidences of this tribute in these
pages.
As one whose earliest recollections were inseparable from the
lofty personality of our Senior Bishop and with a sense of the
obligation which he and all the generation of younger men owe to
him who links us to an earlier age and with the wish that the
thousands yet to find a place upon the roster of our noble Church,
shall know and perpetuate her history, the writer commends
this work to the widest and most favorable reading.
Geo. C. Clement.
HOOD'S HISTORY.
VOL. II.
PART I.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
PART I.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OP THE
HISTORY OF THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH
COPIED LARGELY FROM
RUSH'S HISTORY
BY BISHOP J. W. HOOD, D. D., LL. D«,
SENIOR BISHOP OF THE SAID A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
That all who care to know the truth as it has come down to
us, from those who had a personal knowledge of the facts, the
writer has taken pains to put them on record. The facts here pre¬
sented have been gathered from three sources; namely, First: Lost
chapters of early Methodism, which gives an account of the col¬
ored membership in John Street M. E church from its beginning.
Second; A compilation of the minutes of the Methodist confer¬
ences from 1773-1799. These minutes give the statistics of the
colored membership in John Street church up to the time that a
portion of said colored membership withdrew to form the A. M.
E. Zion Church. Third: From Christopher Bush's History of
the Rise and Progress of the A. M. E. Zion Church. We have
copied largely from this which is the best source of information on
this subject. Fourth: Bishop Moore's History. This is largely
copied from Rush up to the point where Rush's History ends. It
contains a synopsis of minutes of the annual conferences from
1821 down to 1881, with only nine omitted.
The man who dares to dispute the facts recorded in these
minutes, is unworthy to be considered. Both Rush and Moore
(II)
16
bishop hood's "history
record the fact that Abraham Thompson and Jame9 Varick were
the first elders elected and ordained in the A. M. E. Zion Church,
and that James Varick was elected General Superintendent in
1822. The following statement by Rush is presented for the bene¬
fit of all concerned.
A SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE.
It is presumed that it may be some satisfaction to the reader
to know something of the writer. He, therefore, gives the fol¬
lowing sketch of his life:
Christopher Rush was born in the State of North Carolina,
Craven County, in the year of our Lord 1777; brought from dark¬
ness to light in 17t)3; came to New York in 1798; joined the Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Church in 1803; licensed to preach in
1815; ordained in 18i2, and elected Superintendent of this Con¬
nection in 1828, and has so been re-elected every four years until
the present date, 1843.
And now, dear friends and brethren, I submit, your humble
servant and fellow laborer in the kingdom and patience of our
blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christopher Rush.
History does not state the number of members of the A. M.
E. Zion Church at its formation in 1796, as a separate body, to be
known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
The following named trustees are recorded:
Francis Jacobs, Thomas Sipkins, George Moore, George
White, George Collins, Peter Williams, Thomas Cook, William
Brown, and David Bias.
There were also four local preachers: namely, Abraham
Thompson, James Varick, William Miller, and Levin Smith.
These preachers had been holding separate meetings for several
years before that, certainly as early as 1780. For in that year
the following rule was adopted by the M. E. Conference:
Question 25. Ought not the Assistant (Mr. Asbury) meet with
the colored people himself and appoint as helpers, in his absence,
proper white persons and not suffer them to stay late and meet
alone? Answer, yes.
It must be clear to all who read this rule that it was aimed
at the separate meetings held by the colored preachers. And the
fact that it was adopted in 1780 shows that these separate meet¬
ings j!>egan at least this early. And these meetings were the begin-
SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY OP A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 17
ning of the A. M. E. Zion Church, and they were continued and
finally culminated in the formation of the A. M. E. Zion Church
as a separate organization. For several years after the incorpora¬
tion of the Zion Church as a separate organization, by Articles of
Agreement between the M. E. Church and the Zion Connection,
Zion and Asbury Churches were served by ministers of the M. E.
Church, but the other churches belonging to Zion Connection were
served by their own preachers from their beginning. Some of
those on Long Island were estabJished at a very early period.
At the Annual Conference in 1821, twenty-two ministers were
enrolled. These represented churches in New York City, Long
Island, Pennsylvania, and New Haven. With more than twenty
preachers operating in different parts of the country, with no dis¬
cipline adopted by themselves for their own government, it is
easy to see why a general meeting was called in 1820. This gen¬
eral meeting convened on the 1st of September. It was not called
a General Conference, nor did it have daily sessions as we now
have, but it was, in its purpose and work, a real General Confer¬
ence. And at its first session it appointed a Committee on Discip¬
line, of which James Varick was chairman. And this made him
the presiding officer of all general meetings from that time up to
1828, at which time he presided for the last time, and Bishop
Moore informs us that before the close of that year, he died.
Varick was not called General Superintendent during the years
of 1820 and 1821, but he was mentioned as presiding officer for
that period by both Bishop Rush and Bishop Moore and both of
them recorded the fact that he was elected General Superintendent
in 1822 and served up to 1828. And the minutes of the New York
Conference show that he was enrolled as General Superintendent,
and presided over the Conference each year from 1822 to 1828.
The Committee on Discipline, appointed at the first session to
form a Discipline for the government of the Connection, and to
regulate our itinerant system was as follows: James Varick,
George Collins, Charles Anderson, Christopher Rush and William
Miller. The committee held their first meeting at the house of
William Miller, on Wednesday night, September 4, 1820. Up
to this time the committee had not made much progress. Abra¬
ham Thompson, who was the senior preacher, senior deacon and
who finally became the senior elder, had been left off of the com¬
mittee, and also John Dungy, who was a contentious person, had
been left off. It wt.s agreed to add these to the committee, and
18
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
from that time they had satisfactory progress. George Collins,
Who had long been the secretary of the trustees of Mother Zion
church and of all official meetings, either local or general, was
requested to put the discipline in shape. This he did to the satis¬
faction of all.
George Collins was a layman, and one of the best and most
useful men in the church of his day. He was the author and com¬
piler of the first Discipline, which was published by Christopher
Rush and himself in 1820. He also assisted Bishop Rush in
writing his own history. He was the working member of every
committee on which he was appointed. And he with James
Varick did the thinking and planning for the Connection in their
day. While the Committee ou Discipline were preparing it for
final adoption, the subject of providing for the ordination of elders
came up for consideration. As we have seen, they had more than
twenty preachers and four deacons, but no elders.
Friendly elders of other denominations had alministered the
sacrament for them in some of the churches. But the time had
come that it was necessary for them to have elders of their own,
and they wanted them ordained in a way that could never be
questioned. Rev. William Stillwell, who had long been their
friend, and had frequently advised them, was consulted for advice.
He, with some other preachers, had seceded from the M.E. Church
and had formed and independent body. He expressed his willing¬
ness to get two elders to assist him in ordaining elders for Zion.
It is generally conceded that three elders are all that is necessary
to ordain an elder. Rev. Stillwell advised that as his brethren
were few in number and scattered abroad so that it was not con¬
venient for him to get them together at once, they had best
assemble the members and elect the elders and let them serve as
elders-elect, until he could get together a sufficient number to
ordain them, and this course was finally adopted. Here follows
what Bishop Rush says was done: Rush's History, pages 41-45*
"The case of our Church being at this time in a very precari¬
ous state, in regard, particularly, to the want of elders in the
Church, it became essentially necessary that something should be
done to relieve her from that religious pressure; whereupon a
meeting of all the official members of the Church was held in the
Rose Street Academy, on Wednesday night, September 13th at
which time the elder, William M. Stillwell, informed the breth¬
ren that he called them together to consult upon the propriety and
SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY OP A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 19
necessity of selecting an elder,' and read 'to them several extracts
from books written by Methodist preachers, to prove the validity
of such proceedings in cases of necessity. He also advised them\to
pursue or adopt the plan, as it would be a case of real necessity
with them, being an African Methodist Church without an eld^r,
and he not having a sufficient number of elders connected with
.him at present to perform ordination. A vote was then taken
in order to know whether the official brethren appro wd of the
measure and were ready to act upon it, which was carried in
favor ot being ready. They then proceeded to nominate Abraham
Thompson and James Varick, to be recommended to the Society
as persons to be elected to the office of elders in the Church."
The two elders having been elected and the Discipline Co^a-
mittee having finished their work, the closing session of thB
general meeting was held on the night of October 25, 1820,
Here again we have Bishop Rush's statement of what was done.
Rush's History, page 46:
"•Sunday afternoon, October I, 1820, being the time
appointed to elect the two brethren who .were nominated on the
1.3th of September last for that purpose, the members of the Society,
both male and female, were requested to tarry after the dismissal
of the congregation, for special business; . and, after the elder,
William M. Stillwell, had given a satisfactory explanation of the
.purpose for which the members of the Society were detained,
' Abraham Thompson was offered, and all who were in favor of
his being elected were iequestea to hold up their right hand, which
was done in a verv solemn manner by a large majority (if not the
whole bods); then James Varick was offered, and was, in tjie
same manner, solemnly elected. These two brethren, being thus
elected, were considered as having full power to exercise the
peculiar functions of elders in the Church with us, or any Society
of colored people in connection with us, until an opportunity offered
to ordain them by the hands of proper authority. The whole
process was conducted with much apparent solemnity and satis¬
faction."
To quote further, page 48:
"The official members of Zion Church being now fully deter¬
mined upon forming connections with such of their colored
brethren as were willing to unite with them in the formation of a
uniform system of church government, came together on Wednes¬
day night, October 25th, 1820, for the purpose of coming to a
20
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
determination about the Discipline, and, after reading and exam¬
ining the same, they adopted it, and resolved to have it printed,
and appointed George Collins and Christopher Rush a committee
to attend to the publication thereof, and on the first ol November
following, the manuscript was put in the hands of John C. Totten,
printer, who was ordered to print twelve hundred copies."
On Sunday, November 12, 1820, the Sacrament was admin¬
istered by the elders-elect. This was the first time our people
received the Sacrament from a minister of their own race. Here
Again we quote from Rush's History, page 55:
"Sunday, November 12, 1820, being the second Sunday in
the month, and our Communion day, James Varies, one of our
elders-elect for the time being, consecrated the elements for the
Lord's Supper, and, together with Abraham Thompson, the other
elder-elect, administered the same to the members of the church,
and Leven Smith, our ordained deacon, assisted them. We had
a. comfortable time."
The promise of Rev. W. M. Stillwell to secure the assistance
of ministers associated with him was fulfilled on the 17th day of
June, 1822. Abraham Thompson and James Varicfe, who had
been previously elected to elder's orders, were ordained by Doctor
James Covell, Sylvester Hutchinson and William Stillwell.
Here again we quote Rush's History, page 78:
"The committee thus authorized, promptly went forward,
and shortly afterward obtained the consent of of Dr. James Covel,
Sylvester Hutchinson and William M. Stilwell, all regularly
Ordained elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and members
Of the Methodist church lately established in this city (having
recently withdrawn from the old Connection, for reasons men¬
tioned in the foregoing part of this work) and on Monday night,
June 17, 1822, they attended the appointed meeting in Zion
church, and after an appropriate and solemn sermon, delivered by
Dr. Covel, th^y ordained Abraham Thompson, James Varick
and Leven Smith, elders in the Church of God, in the presence of
a large and respectable audience. Thus after twenty-one months
of struggling through a kind of spiritual wilderness, Zion Church
Obtained three ordained elders."
This last favor bestowed on Zion by her good friend Rev.
William M Stillwell, put the struggling Church in good working
order. With unquestioned regularity, every ecclesiastical require¬
ment having been fully met, the yearly Conference, as it was then
SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY OF A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 21
called, met in Philadelphia in May, 1822. But the business was
not finished, therefore an adjourned session was held in New
York, July 18, 1822. At this session James Variek was elected
General Superintendent, and according to the Discipline. At this
session on Sunday, July 23, 1822, Christopher Rush and five
others were ordained deacons in the morning, and elders in the
afternoon. They were ordained by Superintendent James Variek,
associated by Abraham Thompson and Leven Smith. Here again
I quote from Rush's History, page 72-79:
uIn consequence of the unfinished state of the Second Yearly
Ponference held at Philadelphia, it became necessary to have an
extra meeting or convention ot the preachers in order to carry
out, or finish the bus ness of that meeting, and the brethren,
theref re, fixed upon the 18th of July for that purpose. Accord¬
ingly, on Tuesday, July 18, 1822, the extra meeting commenced
in the City of New York."
"At the meeting on Sunday morning there were six deacons
ordained; viz.: Christopher Rush, James Anderson, Wil¬
liam Carman, Edward Johnson and Tilman Cornish, and in
the afternoon the same persons were ordained elders. This
was done in consequence of the necessity of elders to take charge
of a number of societies already formed, and others who were
willing to be formed into circuits in connection with Zion Church.
There were twelve preachers in attendance at this meeting; eight
of New York, two from Philadelphia, one from New Haven, and
one from Long Island. James Variek was elected Superintendent
of the Connection according to the Discipline. Abraham Thomp¬
son was appointed to take the charge of Zion church; Christopher
Rush to take the charge of the Newark society, and others on the
Jersey side, who might be willing to accept of his service; Leven
Smith was appointed as a missionary to go as far as Boston;
James Hmith, to assist William Carman on Long Island; Edward
Johnson, to take the charge of the Wesleyan church at Philadel¬
phia; and James Anderson, left at New Haven."
This gave the Connection nine elders. William Miller, who
is recorded as one of the founders, was not stayable. He was
sometimes in Zion, sometimes in Bethel and sometimes in the M.
E. Church He was a deacon in Zion Church in 1813 and an
elder in Bethel Church in 1822, returned to Zion Church about
1825 and remained the balance of his life. In the Discipline pub^
lished by Christopher Rush and George Collins in October, 1820}
22
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTOEY
Abraham Thompson, James Varick and William Miller are
recorded as signing the founders' address. To those not acquainted
with all the facts it may seem remarkable that Rush is not also
recorded as signing that address. But Rush's own statement is a
significant explanation. He was not one of the fou"de>s. He
did not go to New York until two years after the founding of the
Chur<h and did not join the A. M. E. Zion Church untilfive years
later, 1803. The fair inference is that he went from New hern
with a certificate of membership in the M. E. Church, that he
deposited that certificate in the M. E. C hurch in New York City
and remained in the M. E. Church until 1803 and then withdrew
and joined the A. M. E. Zion Church. Like Varick, however, he
was firm and faithful from the time he became a member. Some
Others were shaky at times, but James Varick, George Collins,
and Christopher Rush are three faithful ones, whose names deserve
to be recorded in letters of gold. They stood as a stone wall against
all of the attacks of the enemies of Zion Church in its earlv days.
And these attacks are very fully set forth by both Bishop Moore
and Bishop Rush. The limit of this sketch forbids more extended
gtatement. As we have seen by the statement of Bishop Rush,
he joined the A. M. E. Zion Church in 1803, was licensed to
preach in 1815, was ordained deacon and elder in 1822, and was
elected General Superintendent in 1828.
His first official work was as a member of the committee
which prepared the Discipline published in 1820, and he and
George, Collins were appointed to compile and publish the Discip¬
line. In that Discipline they published the founders' address,
signed by Abraham Thompson, James Varick and William Miller.
And that address thus signed, has been reprinted in every addi¬
tional issue of the Discipline from 1820-1908, without question;
Including the additions published during the twelve years that
Bishop S. T. Jones was Compiler and Publisher of the Discipline.
I^rom the time that Christopher Rush became associated with
James Varick and others who prepared the Discipline in 1820 for
publication, he was one of the most active and most useful rriem-
bers of Zion'b ministry. Varick was the quiet thinker and plan¬
ner. Rush was the active and energetic operator. He was
appointed to the most important charges, including Mother Zion
church. He was entrusted with most important mission work.
He was appointed as a missionary to New Haven, Philadelphia
aud several points in Pennsylvania, and established the A. M. e'
SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY OF A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 23
Zion Church in many places. He was especially commended for
his work in establishing the Church in Newark, N. J., and his
faithful services for six years from the time he was ordained an
elder, made him the natural successor of James Varick, when his
term ended in 1828.
Rush was elected General Superintendent in 1828 without
any recorded opposition. And notwithstanding the Discipline,
which he helped to form, provided that the General Superintend¬
ent should be elected to serve for four years and no longer, unless
he was re-elected, yet he served for twenty-four years. And there
is no record of any opposition to his re-election for the sixth time.
And he was the only General Superintendent for all that period.
He took great interest in young preachers, and the writer has no
recollection more pleasant than the favor of this great man.
He retired at seventy-five, having lost his eyesight, but lived
until his ninety-sixth year. He has no need of a fake advocate at
this day; he had no need to claim credit which belonged to
another. He was rich in his own fully recognized honors.
The following are the General Superintendents and their
terms of service:
Rt. Rev. James Varick—8 years, 1820-1828. That is, includ¬
ing the two years he filled the office without the title, and his
second term ended in 1828. These two years must have been
counted to make two full terms of four years. Bishop Moore
informs us that his term ended in 1828 and that he died before
the end of that year.
The following are some of the things which Bishop Moore
says of Varick; "He was one of the nine male members that
made the first movement toward establishing the Zion Church in
1796. In 1822 he was elected the first Superintendent in Zion
Connection. He was a man of great firmness, patience, perse¬
verance, forethought, caution and uprightness. His memory is
one of the revered relics of the history of Zion Connection."
We need to keep in mind the fact that Bishop Moore entered
the ministry in the western part of Pennsylvania at the period
when Varick's work in establishing Zion Church there was still
fresh in the minds of the people. It is also possible that he was
personally acquainted with Varick.
Rt. Rev. Christopher Rush—24 years, 1828-1852.
Rt. Rev. William Miller—Assistant Superintendent, 5 years,
1840-1845.
34
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
Rt. Rev. George Galbraith—1 year, 1852-1853. But he was
Assistant Superintendent from 1848-1852; counting this, gives
him five years' service. And as that was the period in which
Rush's blindness commenced, Galbraith did more than any other
Assistant Superintendent, either before or after his time. He
was the natural successor of Rush and bid fair, if he had lived, to
make a glorious record.
Rt. Rev. W. H. Bishop—16 years, 1852-1868.
Rt. Rev. G. A. Spy wood—4 years, 1852-1856.
Rt. Rev. JohnTappan—2 years, 1854-1856.
Rt. Rev. J. J. Clinton—24 years, 1856-1880.
Rt. Rev. James Simmons—4 years, 185n-1860.
Rt. Rev. S. T. Scott—4 years, 1856-1860.
Rt. Rev. Peter Ross—3 years, 1860-1863.
Rt. Rev. Samson D. Talbot—12 years, 1864-1872.
Rt. Rev. John D. Brooks—8 years, 1864-1872.
Rt. Rev. J. J. Moore—25 1-2 years, 1868-1893.
Rt. Rev. S. T. Jones—23 years, 1868-1891.
Rt. Rev. J. W. Loguen—5 years, 1868-1873.
Rt. Rev. J. W. Hood—40 years, 1872-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. T. H. Lomax—32 years, 1876-1908.
Rt. Rev. J. P. Thompson—18 years, 1876-1894. The last two
years of the period he was incapable of any service. His colleagues
cared for his work, but he still enjoyed the benefit of his office.
Rt. Rev. W. H. Hillery—7 years, 1876-1883.
Rt. Rev. C. C. Pettey—12 1-2 years, 1888-1900.
Rt. Rev. C. R. Harris—24 years, 1888-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. I. C. Clinton—12 1-2 years, 1892-1904.
Rt. Rev. A. Walters—20 years, 1892-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. G. W. Clinton—16 years, 1896-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. Jehu Holliday—1 year, 1896-1897.
Rt. Rev. J. B. Small—8 1-J years, 1896-1904.
Rt. Rev. J. W. Alstork—12 years, 1900-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. J. W. Smith—5 1-2 years, 1904-1910.
Rt. Rev. J. S. Caldwell—8 years, 1904-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. M. R. Franklin—1 year, 1908-1909.
Rt. Rev. G. L. Blackwell—4 years, 1908-1912. He still lives.
Rt. Rev. A. J. Warner—4 years, 190#-1912. He still lives.
SKETCH OF EARLY HISTORY OF A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 25
OUR EPISCOPACY.
On Monday night, June 17, 1822, the solid foundation was
laid in Zion for the successful operation of a religious organiza¬
tion under the Episcopal form of Church government. On that
night, Bishop Christopher Rush informs us t^at Abraham Thomp¬
son, James Varick, and Steven Smith were the first three elders
ordained in the A. M. E. Zion Church, in the presence of a large
audience, by Dr. James Covel, Sylvester Hutchinson and William
Stilwell, all regularly ordained Methodist elders. On this result
Bishop Rush remarks:
"Thus, after twenty months of struggling through a kind of
spiritual wilderness, Zion Church obtained three ordained elders."
The good Bishop might have added many more months—even
many years to that period of struggle through which the founders
of Zion journeyed to reach its highly favored position. It was
the goal to which they started, when in 1796 they formed the
Zion Church as the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in
America—the first offspring of the M. E. Church. The ordina¬
tion of elders was the third step in the movement. First, the for¬
mation of the Church in 1796. Second, the incorporation and the
Articles of Agreement with the M. E. Church lor service to be
rendered by its ministers for a limited period. Third, the ordina¬
tion of elders, whicn enabled the Connection to perform all service
required of a religious organization with the Episcopal form of
government. A Connection having three regularly ordained
elders can make three more elders, and so on, to the limit of its
needs. And except by those who claim a regular unbroken suc¬
cession of Bishops from St. Peter down to this time, it is generally
agreed that"three eldern are sufficient tto ordain a Bishop when
necessity requires it.
In 1864 when the convention of 25 delegates representing th«
A. M. E. and 25 representing the A. M. E. Zion Church was
held in Philadelphia, to consider the subject of organic union, the
subject of Episcopacy was discussed by Elder S. 3?. Jones (afterwards
Bishop) and Bishop IX A. Payne. Jones said that if the General
Conference of the A. M. E. Zion Church should elect bishops for
life, and elect a bench of elders? not less than three in number,
to ordain the Bishop-elect, that this would be as legally made as
any other Bishop under the sun. Payne admitted the correctness
of that position, and said if the General Conference of Zion Church
should take that course, he would hold that Bishops thus mad*
26
bishop hood's history
were as legal Bishops as he was. Bishop Payne was one of the
best informed churchmen of his day. He was an honest, fair-
minded man. He knew that his own bishopric rested upon no
better foundation than the plan named and he cheerfully admit¬
ted the fact. The General Conference at that time submitted the
question of ordaining the Bishops for life to the quarterly and
annual conferences. It was adopted by three-fourths of the quar¬
terly conferences and by all of the annual conferences, and was
finally ratified by the General Conference of 1868 with only two
dissenting voices, namely,Peter Ross and Dempsey Canady. This
was the way that all organic law was made. And thus the life¬
time episcopacy became an article in our organic law, which the
General Conference is forbidden to alter.
In 1872 there was a desire to retire two of the Bishops and
for that reason some insisted upon re-election, which for harmony
sake was agreed to, but it was realized that it was a questionable
course, and therefore a committee was appointed to draw up a law
governing the Board of Bishops, in which it was made plain that
the Bishops had a life term to the episcopal office, and that the
re-election only decided whether or not they should be active or
retired Bishops. If they failed a re-election, that retired them.
But they were still Bishops and liable to be called into active service
in case of a vacancy, or on the formation of a new district in the
Interval of the General Conference, and to place the matter beyond
all question, each Bishop was given a certificate on parchment
declaring them entitled to hold the office so long as their spirit
and practice were such as becomes the gospel. The certificates
were signed by the Senior Bishop and General Secretary. Here
follows the law, made in 1872, governing the Board of Bishops:
article li. of board op bishops.
Section I. The Board of Bishops shall meet semi-annually to
counsel for the general interest of the Connection, and to attend
to such duties as are required by law, and shall hold other meet¬
ings as may be necessary.
Section II. A majority of all the active Bishops shall be neces¬
sary to form a quorum for the transaction of business, provided
that retired Bishops shall have a seat in the Board as honorary
members. Retired Bishops are those who have been elected and
installed, but are without an Episcopal charge. Active Bishops
are those who are in charge of an Episcopal District.
sketch of early history of a. m. e. z. church 27
Section III. At each serai-annual meeting the Board shall
elect a President and Secretary. Provided, that said President
and Secretary shall have no extraordinary powers in the interval,
except to call special meetings when in their judgment it may be
necessary or at the request ot two or more members. They shall
also appoint the time and place of holding the semi-annual meet¬
ing when not fixed by the Board.
Section IV. The Board shall have a general supervision over
the entire Connection in the interval of the General Conference,
but as individual Bishops they shall not interfere with each others
work or charge. They shall make provision for new Episcopal
districts when necessary, and shall also provide for any vacancy
that may occur in any existing district by death, resignntion or
otherwise, by appointment from among the retired Bishops, pro¬
vided there be s» retired Bishop able to travel; provided, further,
that they shall consult the wishes of tbe Conferences embraced in
the vacant district.
It will thus be seen the law governing the Board of Bishops
adopted in 1872 divided them into two classes; Active and Retired.
If they failed of re-election, they were retired. Only two Bishops
were affected by this law; namely, Bishops John D. Brooks, who
was too feeble to serve if he had been re-elected, and Bishop
Samson Talbot who died soon after the close of the General Con¬
ference in 187fi. In 1SH0, the General Conference' decided that
there should be no re-election and that the Bishops have active
service, as well as a life tenure to the office. And there have been
no Bishops retired since that time. Bi.shop Thompson was inca¬
pacitated for every service for two years before his death, but his
colleagues cared for his work, and he drew the salary until his life
work was ended. We hope that we have made plain, that while
our fathers failed to ordain Bishops for life at the beginning, it
was not for the lack of authority to do so, but at the beginning
the General Superintendent was elected for tour years at a time
because that was h preferred. This may be accounted for to
some extent by thenfact that Congregationalism largely 'predomi¬
nated in the East, especially in New England. The ministers in
Zion were all abolitionists and they could not extend far South
where the Episcopal ■sentiment was stronger. The idea of larger
freedom wass asso'ei&fed with an elective superintendency. And
It was not until the emancipation and the extension of the Church
to the Southlaud?, where the Methodist people had no idea of a
28
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
church without a bishop, that many of the early preachers realized
the importance that an episcopacy which is free from any display
of arrogance or unseemly assumption of power, is capable of the
best possible results.
A RECORD OF THE CONFERENCES.
I. The first recorded yearly conference (as they were then
called) was the conference which met in Zion church, New York
City, on the 21st day of June, 1821. There were 22 preachers
enrolled at this Conference. They represented churches in and
about New York City, Long Island, New Haven and Philadel¬
phia. This was the New York Conference. Bishop Moore gives
a synopsis of the minutes of yearly conferences from 1821 to L881.
The minutes of seven sessions of that period are omitted.
II. The Philadelphia Conference was organized in 1829.
III. The New England Conference was organized in Hart¬
ford, Conn., June 21, 1845, Bishop C. Rush, presiding.
IV. The Allegheny Conference was organized in 1849, Bishop
Rush, presiding, George Galbraith, Assistant Superintendent.
V. The Genessee (now known as the Western New York
Conference) was organized September 13,1859, by Bishop C. Rush.
This was the last Conference organized by him.
VI. The Southern Conference was organized May 2, 1829,
in Washington, D. C. This Conference was shortlived. We
have no minutes of its sessions. It was represented in General
Conference in 1860. Its name was changed to Baltimore Con¬
ference. In 18J2 it was consolidated with the Philadelphia Con¬
ference, and since, we have had the Philadelphia and Baltimore
Conference.
VII. The North Carolina Conference was organized in New-
bern, N. C., December 17, 1864, Bishop J. J. Clinton, presiding.
VIII. The Louisiana Conference was organized by Bishop
J. J. Clinton, March 13, 1865.
IX. The Kentucky Conlerence was organized by Bishop
Samson D. Talbot, on Wednesday, June 6, 1866, in Center Street
church, Louisville, Ky.
X. The Virginia Conference was organized in October, 1866,
in Petersburg, Va., by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
XI. The South Carolina Conference was organized in Lancas¬
ter, S. C., March 24, 1867, by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
XII. The Alabama Conference was organized in State Street
church, Mobile, Ala., April 3, 1867, by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
SKETCH OP EARLY HISTORY OF A. M. E. Z. CHURCH 29
XIII. The Georgia Conference was organized in Trinity
church, Augusta, Ga., June 15, 1867, by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
XIV. The California Conference was organized in San Fran¬
cisco, Wednesday, January 10, 1868, by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
XV. The Tennessee Conference was organized in Knoxville,
Tenn., October 6, 1868, by Bishop J. J. Clinton.
XVI. The Florida Conference was organized in Pensacola,
April 22, 1869, by Bishop J. J. CliDton.
XVII. The West Tennessee A Mississippi Conference wft«
organized by Bishop J. J. Clinton, in Coffeeville, Miss., in Octo¬
ber, 1869. It was represented in the General Conference in 1872
by ministerial delegates.
XVIII. The New Jersey Conference was organized by Bishop
J. J. Clinton, in 1874. This was the last conference organized by
Bishop J. J. Clinton, the great organizer. He organized eleven
conferences in ten years. Bishop Clinton did his own preparatory
missionary work. He went to Louisiana alone, where Zion min¬
isters had been seen in an army transport vessel. He followed
Elder Hood to Newbern in less than six months after he sent him
there. He followed Elder Strong to Alabama soon after he sent
him. He also followed Hopkins to Tennessee soon after he sent
him. He went to Florida and Georgia to open the way for others.
He had 15,000 members in Louisiana, when he left that work.
His immediate successor by neglect and mismanagement, lost
nearly all of them.
XLX. The Canada and Michigan Conference was organized
by Bishop T. H. Lomax, September 11, 1S79.
XX. The Central North Carolina Conference was organized
by Bishop J. W. Hood, November 18, 1879.
XX[. The West Alabama Conference was organized Decem¬
ber 14, 1880, by Bishop J. P. Thompson.
XXII. The Arkansas Conference was organized by Bishop
S. T. Jones, in March, 1882.
XXIII. The Central Alabama Conference was organized in
1881.
XXIV. The Texas Conference was organized in November
1883, by Bishop T. H. Lomix.
XXV. The North Georgia Conference (now known as the
Georgia Conference), was organized by Bishop T. H. Lomax, iD 1885.
XXVI. The Missouri Conference was organized by Bishop
T. H. Lomax, September 17, 1890.
30
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
XXVII. The North Louisiana Conference was organized by
Bishop C. C. Pettey, November *20, 1890.
XXVIII. The South Florida Conference was organized ;by
Bishop l\ H. Lomax, January 14, 1891.
XXIX. The Ohio Conference was organized by Bishop J. W.
Hood, September, 1891.
XXX. The Western North Carolina Conference was organ¬
ized November, 1889, at Statesville, N. C., by B'shop J. J. Moore
XXXL. The South Mississippi Conference w,n organized at
Meridian. Miss., by Bishop C. R. Harris, December, 1891.
XXXI I. The Palmetto C >nference was organized by Bishop
I. C. Clinton, December 1891, at Spartanburg, S. C. ; ■
XXXIII. The Blue Ridge Conference was organized by
Bishop T. H. Lomax, at Knoxville, Tenn., in October, 1892.
This conference was first called the East Tennes-ee, Virginia
and North Carolina Conference, but has had for many years the
shorter name. '
(The Oregon Conference was organized in 1892 by Bishop C.
C. Pettey.)
XXXIV. The North Arkansas Conference was organized in
1896 by Bishop Jehu Hollidav.
XXXV. The West Central N. C. Conference was organized
by Bishop J. W. Hood, November 18, 1910. '
XXXVI. The Albemarle Conference was organized at. Eden-
ton, N. (J., by Bishops J. W. Hood and G. W. Clinton, November
30, 1910.
XXXVII. The North Alabama Conference was organized
in 1894 at Seranton, Miss., by Bishop C. C. Pettey.
XXXVIII. The Oklahoma Conference was organized in 1897
by Bishop Jehu Holliday.
XXXIX. The Michigan Conference was organized at Du-
Quoin,Ill., by Bishop G. L. B'ackwell.
XL. The Indiana Conter^nce was organized at DuQuoin,
III., in 1909, by Bishop G. L. Blackwell. :
XLT. The Cape Conference was organized November 27,
1911, at Wilmington, N. C., by Bishop A. W alters.
XLI1. The Cape Coast Conference was organized in March,
1910, by Bishop A. Walters.
XLIII. The West Gold Coast Conference was organized in
March, 1910, by Bishop A. Walters.
XLIV. The Liberia Conf rence was organized in March 1910,
at Brevverville, by Bishop A. Walters.
XLV\ The Oregon Conference was organized October 23,
1910, by Bishop J. S. Caldwell.
XLVI. Tue Southwest Virginia Conference was organized
October 15, 1910, at Asheville, N. C., by Bishop C. R. Harris.
XLV1I. The South Alabama Conference was organized at
Montgomery, Ala., December 2, 1911, by Bishop J. w. Alstork.
XLVI1I. The Cahaba Conference was organized at Bessemer"
Ala., November 20, 1912, by Bishop J. W. Alstork. '
PART II.
THE NEGRO RACE.
PART II.
THE NEGRO RACE.
(For what follows the author alone is responsible. Copied
from the History of 105 years of the A. M. E. Zion Church.)
Since we have asserted the ancient greatness of the Negro
race, and since assertion is lame without proof, a chapter here on
this subject may not be out of place. It is the impression with
many that the Negro has no history to which he can point with
pride. There could be no greater mistake than this. If it had
been in the power of modern historians of the Caucasian race to
rob him of his history, it would have been done. But the Holy
Bible has stood as an everlasting rock in the black man's defense.
God himself has determined that the black man shall not be
robbed of his record which he has made during the ages. And
here again we acknowledge with humility and thanksgiving our
great obligation to God for his goodness toward the race. At
every step in this investigation we see plainly the hand divine
interposed in our behalf; and the more we investigate the subject,
the more deeply do we feel the obligation the race is under to
love, fear, and serve that God who has so carefully watched ove*
our destiny.
The first and most illustrious of earth's historians has left on
record statements which set forth the fact beyond reasonable doubt
that an ancestor of the Negro race was the first of earth's great
monarchs, and that that race ruled the world for more than a
thousand years; and the statements of Moses are confirmed by the
testimonies of the earliest secular historians whose writings have
come down to our time. Ethiopia and Egypt were first among
the early monarchies, and these countries were peopled by the
descendants of Ham, through Cush and Mizraim, and were gov¬
erned by the same for hundreds of years.
Palestine was peopled by Canaan, the younger son of Ham,
upon whom the curse was pronounced, and, notwithstanding the
34
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
curse, his posterity ruled that land for more than eight hundred
years. They were in it when the promise of it was made to
Abraham, and four hundred years later, when Israel came out of
Egypt, they were still in full possession of it. And although the
land was promised to Israel, yet two tribes, the Jebusites and Sido-
nians, * resisted the attacks of Israel for more than four hundred
years after they entered upon their promised possessions. Neither
Joshua nor the judges of Israel could drive them out; not until
David became king were the Jebusites driven out from the strong¬
hold of Zion. It was lrom this ancient seat of the Jebusites, also
called Salem, the seat of royalty and power, that Melchizedek, the
most illustrious king, priest and prophet of the race, came forth to
bless Abraham, as seen in Genesis xiv. 18, 19. There have been
many wild notions respecting this personage, for which there is
no good reason. As Dr. Barnes says:
"The account of this man in Genesis is as simple an historical
record as any other in the Bible. In that account there is no diffi¬
culty whatever. It is said simply that when Abraham was
returning from a successful military expedition, this man, who, it
seems, was well known f, and who was respected as a priest of God
Most High, came out to express his approbation of what he had
done and to refresh him with bread and wine. As a tribute of
gratitude to him and a thank offering to God, Abraham gave
him a tenth part of the spoils which he had taken.
Such an occurrence was by no means improbable; nor would
It have been attended with any special difficulty if it had not been
for the use which the apostle makes of it in the Epistle to the
Hebrews. Yet on no subject has there been a greater variety of
opinions in regard to this man. The bare recital of the opinions
would fill a volume. But in a case which seems to be plain from the
Scripture narrative, it is not necessary even to enumerate these
opinions. They only serve to show how easy it is for men to
mystify a clear statement of history, and how fond they are of
finding what is mysterious and marvelous in the plainest narra¬
tive of facts.
That he was Shem, as the Jews supposed, J or that he was
the Son of God himself, as many Christian expositors have main¬
tained, there is not the slightest evidence. That the latter opinion
* 'Ihe Sidonians were never driven out by the Israelites.
+ So well known that no particular account of him was deemed necessary.
1 That is, some of the Jews, not all: for their historian, Josephus, aa Dr. Barnes
remarks, states that he was a pious Canaanite.
THE NEGRO RACE
35
ia false is perfectly clear; for if he was the Son of God, with what
propriety could the Apostle say that he 'was made like the Son of
God'*—that is, like himself; or that Christ was constituted a priest
'after the order of Melchizedek'—that is, that he was a type of
himself. The most simple and probable opinion is that given by
Josephus: that he was a pious Canaanitish prince, a person'emi¬
nently endowed by God, who acted as the priest of his people.
That he combined within himself the offices of priest and king,
furnished to the Apostle a beautiful illustration of the offices sus¬
tained by the Redeemer, as he was, in this respect, perhaps the
only one whose history is recorded in the Old Testament who
would furnish such an illustration. That his genealogy was not
recorded, J while that of every other priest mentioned was care¬
fully traced and preserved, furnished another striking illustration.
In this respect, like the Son of God, he stood alone;he was not in the
line of priests; he was preceded by no one in the sacerdotal office,
nor was he followed by any. That he was superior to Abraham
and consequently to all who descended from Abraham; that a
tribute was rendered to him by the great ancestor of the fraternity
of Jewish priests, was also an illustration which suited the purpose
of Paul.—Dr. Albert Barnes, "Notes on Hebrews," chap. vii.
We have copied so much from Dr. Barnes' Commentary for
two reasons: 1. Because bis opinion agrees with what appeared
to us to be the natural conclusion when we first read the account of
Melchizedek in Josephus, more than thirty years ago. 2. Because
we wished to show that in the opinion we have advanced we are
supported by one of the ablest Bible expounders of our time.
Barnes is a standard author; his commentaries have been adopted
by the Presbyterian Board. Those who wish to see what further
he has to say can consult his notes on Heb. vii., also his notes on
Psalm cx: 4. It seems impossible to reach any other conclusion
than that Melchizedek was king of the Jebusites; they took pos¬
session of that land when the posterity of Noah was dispersed
from Babel. At the time that Abraham met Melchizedek they
had been in possession of it for nearly three hundred and fifty
years, and they remained in possession of it for eight hundred
years more.
Salem, the seat of government, was the same which was also
called Jerusalem. Josephus positively states this, and Dr. Barnes
t What Dr. Barnes here mentions is evidently what the Apostle means b7 his being
without father, etc. His genealogy was not recorded.
86
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
says it is the almost universal opinion. The change, it is generally
agreed, comes from the name of the inhabitants—the Jebusites—
Jebus being changed to Jerus, and that to Jerusalem. In Psalm
lxxvi: 1, 2, Jerusalem is called Salem: "In Judah is God known;
His name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and
his dwelling place is Zion."
Rahab and Tamar were both Canaanites, and both, also, the
ancestors of the world's Redeemer. It is not quite certain that the
Canaanites were black; but there can be no doubt that they
descended from Ham, the father of the black race; and "Cursed
be Canaan" is a favorite text with those who delight in the idea
of Negro inferiority. We may remark that some have claimed
that the curse upon Canaan extended to the whole of Ham's race;
upon what grounds this claim is set up we have never been able to
discover, except the desire to have it so. The natural conclusion,
it seems to us, if we want to make anything more of it than the
simple historical statement that Noah cursed his grandson for his
son's misconduct, would be that Noah was led to take this plan, to
avoid the idea that the rest of Ham's posterity was affected by
the curse. In naming the younger son, we would naturally get
the idea that the curse was to fall upon the smaller® portion of
Ham's race. To our mind this was a prediction which was ful¬
filled when Joshua led Israel into the promised land. "Servant
of servants shall he be." To whatever extent the Canaanites
served the Israelites, who themselves had just come from servi¬
tude, this prediction was fulfilled, and that was to no very great
extent. They were driven out of the land and exterminated to a
considerable extent, but they were not made slaves in any consid¬
erable numbers.
The promise of God was not that Israel shoi.ld make slaves of
them—He has never sanctioned slavery—but His promise was to
drive them out, not all at once, but little by little. "I will send
hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the
Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. I will not drive
them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become deso¬
late, and the beasts of the field multiply against thee. By little
and little, I will drive them out from before thee. . . . Thou
shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They
shall not dwell in the land, lest they make thee sin against me;
for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."
See Exodus xxiii, 28-33.
THE NEGRO RACE|
37
And yet Israel did make a covenant with them, and in that
the prophecy of Noah was fulfilled. Israel" did serve their gods,
and they were ensnared, and therefore were never able to drive
out all the Canaanites. Respecting the covenant that Israel made
with the Canaanites (see Josh, ix), the inhabitants of Gibeon came
to Joshua and made him believe that they lived in a country lar
from him, and he made a covenant with them by which the
princes of the Israelites agreed to spare their lives, and they
agreed to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for Israel, and
thus of their own volition they became the servants of a people
who had just come from bondage. And thus was fulfilled the
prophecy of Noah, "Servant of servants shall he be," etc.
This, however, was a very small portion of Canaan's race;
enough, indeed, to fulfil the prophecy, but not enough to make
the noise about, that Negro-haters have been making for the last
two or three hundred years.
God promised to drive out the Canaanites, that Israel might
inhabit the land free from the snares of idolatry, but God's promise
was conditional. To avoid the dangerous increase of wild beasts
a portion of the Canaanites were permitted to remain until Israel
had sufficiently increased to populate the land. During this period
of joint occupancy the Israelites were required to keep themselves
from idolatry and from all entangling alliances with the Canaan¬
ites. The Israelites failed in both these requirements; they wor¬
shipped the idols an married the sons and daughters of the Canaan¬
ites. Hence, God did not drive out all of the Canaanites, and
Israel could not drive them out. "And the anger of the Lord
was hot against Israel; and he said, '-Because that his people hath
transgressed my covenant, which I commanded their fathers, and
have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth
drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left
when he died." (Judg. ii. 20, 21.)
We have already mentioned the fact that the Jebusites held
their stronghold till David came to the throne; their dislodge-
ment was then necessary to the accomplishment ot the divine
purpose; but the Sidonians, descendants of the elder son of Ca¬
naan, including the Tyrians, were never driven out by the Israel¬
ites. They, with their kindred, the Carthaginians, were the most
powerful maritime nations of their time. The Philistines, who
gave Israel more trouble than any other of the nations in that
land, were the descendants of Ham through Mizriam.
38
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
As an evidence of the strength and valor of the nations with
which Israel had to contend in the land ot Canaan, we have the
fact that, during the four hundred years in which the judges
ruled, Israel was in bondage more than seventy years to those
nations. It was not weakness nor the want of courage on the
part of the Canaanites, nor the superiority of the Israelites which
gave Israel a habitation in that land; but God had a purpose in
the interest of humanity, and the idolatry of the Canaanites ren¬
dered them suitable objects upon which to operate upon carrying
out of that purpose.
Historians tell a story of the Tyrians and Carthaginians which
is most credible to both: "When Alexander was besieging Tyre,
the Tyrians took that which they valued most highly, their wives
and little children, and sent them to Carthage, and although the
Carthaginians were engaged in war, they received them and suc¬
cored them with parental care." Caucasian civilization can point
to nothing that exceeds this gallantry on the one side and gener¬
osity on the other. Considering the period at which this occurred,
it indicates a marvelous degree of advancement in the knowledge
of what is due to the family.
Carthage has contributed to the honor of the Negro race not
only in this, but also in producing one of the most renowned war¬
riors that has ever appeared upon a field of battle. Of course we
refer to Hannibal; but besides him there was another, less
renowned, it is true, but greater in that he was both statesman
and warrior. We refer to Hamilcar, the father of Hannibal. He
took Hannibal at nine years of age and taught him the art of wa,r.
He had the ability to unite the forces for victory; the lack of this
was Hannibal's misfortune and the ruin of Carthage. But in bold¬
ness, in courage, and in the splendid management of his forces,
Hannibal has had no superior and but few equals since man began
to fight.
Hannibal also possessed some ability as a statesman. History
informs us that upon one occasion by a persuasive speech he
brought the Carthaginian senate to a unanimous agreement on an
important matter on which there had been a disagreement. He
feared that if the senate was not unanimous, there would be dis¬
sensions among the people.
Carthage also gave to the world in the person of St. Augustine
and St. Cyprian, two of Ihe ablest ministers of which the Chris¬
tian Church can boast. The simple mention of these names is all
that any man at all acquainted with Church history needs. That
the Phoenicians, who were the founders of Carthage in union with
original Africans, were the descendants of Canaan, there ought
THE NEGRO RACE
89
to be no question; but since everything honorable to the Negro
race is questioned, we will simply give the testimony of Rollins.*
He says: "The Canaanites are certainly the same people who are
called, almost always, Phoenicians by the Greeks, for which name
no reason can be given, any more than the oblivion of the true
one." Thus it is seen that up to Rollins' time there was no ques¬
tion as to the fact that the Phoenicians were Canaanites. Rollins
did not know why this, instead of the true name, was given;
neither do we know, but we may easily conjecture that since it
was the Greeks that gave this name instead of the true one, it
may have been their purpose to hide the fact that the people to
whom they were so greatly indebted were the descendants
of the accursed son of Ham. This would be in perfect accord
with the conduct of the Caucasian race to-day.
We have also the testimony of Dr. Barnes that the Phoenicians
were descended from theJCanaanites. In his notes on Matt. xv. 22,
of the woman of Canaan who met Jesus on the coasts of Tyre and
Sidon, he says: "This woman is calledi also a Greek, a Syrophce-
nician by birth (Mark vii, 26). Anciently the whole land, includ¬
ing Tyre and Sidon, was in possession of the Canaanites, and
called Canaan. The Phoenicians were descended from the Canaan¬
ites. The country,including Tyre and Sidon, was called Phoenicia
or Syrophenicia; that country was taken by the Greeks under
Alexander the Great, and these cities in the time of Christ were
Greek cities. This woman was therefore a Gentile, living under
the Greek government and probably speaking that language. She
was by birth a Syrophoenician, born in that country, and descended
therefore from the ancient Canaanites."
On the same text Dr. Abbott says: "The term Canaan was
the older title of the country, and the inhabitants were successively
termed Canaanites and Phoenicians, as the inhabitants of England
were successively call Brittons and Englishmen."
Of Carthage we may' remark, through all the hundreds of
years of its existence as an independent government, it remained a
republic. Rollins, speaking of its government, says:
"The government of Carthage was founded upon principles
of most consummate wisdom, and it is with reason that Aristotle
ranks this republic in the number of those that were held in the
greatest esteem by the ancients, and which were fit to serve as a
model for others. He grounds his opinion on a reflection which
* Rollins, Book I. p. 160.
40
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
does great honor to Gartbage by remarking that from the founda¬
tion of his time (that is, upward of five hundred years) no consid¬
erable sedition had disturbed the peace nor any tyrant oppressed
the liberty of the State. Indeed, mixed governments, such as
that of Carthage, where the power was divided betwixt the nobles
and the people, are subject to the inconvenience either of degener¬
ating into an abuse of liberty by the seditions of the populace, as
frequently happened in Athens and in all the Grecian republics,
or in the oppression of the public liberty by the tyranny of the
nobles, as in Athens, Syracuse, Corinth, Thebes, and Rome itself
under Sulla, and Csesar. It is therefore giving Carthage the
highest praise to observe that it had found out the art, by the
wisdom of its laws and the harmony of the different parts of its
government, to shun during so long a series of years two rocks
that are so dangerous, and on which others so often split, it were
to be wished that some ancient author had left us an accurate and
regular description of the customs and laws ol the famous repub¬
lic."
While we agree with Rollins in his lament of the want of
a more complete history of that ancient Negro Republic, yet if
those Caucasians who are wont to arrogate to themselves all the
excellencies of this world, and to deny that the Negro ever has
been great, or ever can be, would take time to read what has been
written, with sufficient care to understand it, they would add
much to their store of knowledge.
Having touched briefly upon the history of the posterity of
Ham through his younger son, we shall now take a brief view of
the greatness of that posterity as it is seen in his descendants
through his second son, Mizraim. That the ancient Egptians
were black both the Holy Scriptures and the discoveries of science,
as also the most ancient history, most fully attest. But as some
profess to have doubts on this point, we shall take some testimony
which we think no fair minded man will attempt to dispute.
The psalmisticalls to memory the wonders which God wrought
for His people, and celebrates in song His dealings with Israel in
Egypt and frequently calls Egypt the land of Ham. How can
this be accounted for if Egypt was not peopled by the posterity of
Ham? But he goes further than this; he calls their dwellings
the tabernacles of Ham. He 4'smote all the firstborn in Egypt;
the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham." (Psalm
lxxviii, 51). "Israel also came into Egypt, and Jacob sojourned
THE NEGRO RACE 41
in the land of Ham." (Psalm cv. 23). "He sent Moses His
servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen. They set among them
his signs and wonders in the land of Ham." (Psalm cv. 26, 27).
"They forgat God ther Saviour, which had done great things in
Egypt; wondrous works in the land of Ham." (Psalm cvi. 21, 22.)
The man who after reading these pages, can doubt that the
Egyptians, to whom Israel was in bondage, were the descendants
of Ham is beyond the reach of reason. The repetition seems
designed to settle this fact beyond question. We might add, if it
were necessary, that the Book of Canticles is an allegory based upon
Solomon's affection for his beautiful black wife, the daughter of
Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
In the sixty-eighth psalm we have a prophecygwhich connects
Egypt with Ethiopia as follows: "Princes shall come out of Egypt,
Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God."
Rollins, in speaking of the fact that all callings in Egypt were
honorable, gives this as a probable reason, that "as they all
descended from Ham, their common father, the memory of their
still recent origin to the minds of all in those first ages, established
among them a sort of equality, and stamped in their opinion a
nobility on every person descended from the common stock."
Again, treating of the history of the kings of Egypt, Rollins
says: "The Ancient history of Egypt comprises two thousand
one hundred and and fifty-eight years, and is naturally divided
into three periods. The first begins with the establishment of the
Egyptian monarchy by Menes orMizraim, the son of Ham, in the
year of the world 1816.
On the next page he says ol Ham; "He had four children,
Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan." After speaking of the settle¬
ment of the other sons, he returns to Mizraim and says: "He is
allowed to be the same as Menes, whom all historians declare to
be the first king of Egypt."
In speaking of the settlement of the sons of Ham, Rollins
says: "Cush settled in Ethiopia, Mizraim in Egypt, which gen¬
erally is called in Scripture after his name and by that of Cham
(Ham), his father; Phut took possession of that part of Africa
which lies westward of Egypt, and Canaan of the country which
afterward bore his name."
That ancient Egypt was the seat of the arts and sciences, there
can be no doubt; the evidences of this still remain. The cities
built by the early kings of Egypt have been the wonder of all
succeeding ages.
42
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
Sesostris stands at the head of the list of the great Egyptian
warriors. Rollins says;
"His father, whether by inspiration, caprice or as the Egyptians
say, by the authority of an oracle, formed the design of making
his son a conqueror. This he set about after the Egyptian manner;
that is, in a great and noble way. All the male children born on
the same day with Sesostris were by the king ordered brought
into the court. Here they were educated as if they ihad been his
own children, with the same care as was bestowed on Sesostris
with whom they were brought up. He could not possibly have
given him more faithful ministers nor officers who more zealously
desired the success of his arms. The chief part of their education
was inuring them from infancy to a hard and laborious life, in
order that they might one day be capable of sustaining with ease
the toils of war.
"Sesostris was taught by Mercury, a native Egyptian whom
the Greeks pronounced thrice great. The instruction included
politics and the art of government. His first venture in war was
against the Arabians, whom he subdued; a nation which had
never before been conquered. He next invaded Libya and sub¬
dued the greater part of that country. At the death of his father
he felt himself capable of undertaking the greatest enterprises.
"He found no less a design than the conquest of the world.
But before he left his kingdom he provided for his domestic secu¬
rity in winning the hearts of his subjects by his generosity and
justice, and a popular, obliging behavior. He was no less studious
to gain the affection of his officers and soldiers, whom he wished
to be ever ready to shed the last drop of their blood in his service,
persuaded that his enterprises would all be unsuccessful unless his
army should be attached to his person by all the ties of esteem,
affection and interest. He divided the country into thirty-six
governments (called Nomi), and bestowed them on persons of
merit and the most approved fidelity. In the meantime he made
the requisite preparation, levied forces, and headed them with
officers of the greatest bravery and reputation; and these were
taken chiefly from among the youths who had been educated with
him. He had seventeen hundred of these officers, who were all
capable of inspiring his troops with resolution, a love of discipline,
and a zeal for the service of their prince. His army consisted of
600,000 foot, and 24,000 horse, besides 27,000 armed chariots.
"He began his expedition by invading Ethiopia, situated on
THE NEGRO BACE
43
the south ot Egypt. He made it tributary aud obliged the nations
to furnish him annually a certain quantity of ebony, ivory and
gold.
"He fitted out a fleet of four hundred sail and ordered it to
advance to the Red Sea, and made himself master of the isles and
cities lying on the coast of the sea. He himself leading the army,
he overran and subdued Asia with amazing rapidity, and advanced
farther into India than Hercules, Bacchus, and in after times,
Alexander himself ever did; for he subdued the countries beyond
the Ganges and advanced as far as the ocean. One may judge
from hence how unable the more neighboring nations were to
resist him. The Scythians, as far as the river Tonais, as well as
Armenia and Cappadocia, were conquered. He left a colony in
the ancient kingdom of Colchos, situated to the east of the Black
Sea, where the Egyptian customs and manners have been ever
since retained.
"Herodotus saw in Asia Minor, from one sea to the other,
monuments of his victories. In several countries was read the
following inscription engraved on pillars: 'Sesostris, King of Kings
and Lord of Lords, subdued this country by the power of hi8
arms.' Such pillars were found even in Thrace, and his empire
extended from the Ganges to the Danube.
"The scarcity of provision in Thrace stopped the progress of
his conquests and prevented his advancing further into Europe.
... He returned, therefore, laden with the spoils of the vanquished
nations, dragging after him a numberless multitude of captives,
and covered with greater glory than any of his predecessors; that
glory I mean, which employs so many tongues and pens in its
praise; which consists in invading a great number of provinces in
a hostile way, and is often productive of numberless calamities.
He rewarded his officers and soldiers with a truly royal magnifi¬
cence, in proportion to their rank and merit. He made it both
his pleasure and duty to put the companions of bis victory in such
a condition as might enable them to enjoy during the remainder
of their days a calm and easy repose, the just reward of their past
toils. With regard to himself, forever careful of his own reputa¬
tion, and still more of making his power advantageous to his sub¬
jects, he employed the repose which peace allowed him in raising
works that might contribute more to the enriching of Egypt than
the immortalizing of his own name; works in which art and
industry of the workmen were more admired than the immense
sums which had been expended on them."
44
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
In the face of the indisputable facts of history, Mede says:
"There never has been a son of Ham who hath shaken a scepter
over Japheth ; Shem hath subdued Japheth and Japheth subdued
Shem, but Ham never subdued either."
Mede's historical researches must have been barren of results,
or he must have forgotten many things. It is amazing what an
amount of ignorance and stupidity race prejudice, conceit, and
arrogance are responsible for.
Gardner says: "It is to the Caucasian race that the history of
the world must mainly confine itself, for with that race originated
almost all that ennobles and dignifies mankind."
Another outburst of wind. These thoughtless scribes shut
their eyes to the fact .that the race of Ham dominated the world
tor nearly, if not quite fifteen hundred years. They shut their eyes
to the fact that for fifteen hundred years more, dominion
was constantly shifting and no one race held undisputed sway.
For the last two thousand years the ascending star of empire has
been with the Caucasian races; Japheth, the last, has become first.
The facts recorded by Rollins concerning Sesostris are not at
all liable to the suspicion of having been colored by his admi¬
ration of that great prince. Rollins indicates very clearly the
absence of admiration; he not only questions that kind of glory
which historians accorded to Sesostris, but also criticises his vanity
as follows:
"Sesostris might have been considered as one of the most
illustrious and most boasted heroes of antiquity had not the luster
of his warlike actions, as well as pacific virtues, been dimmed by
thirst of glory and a blind fondness for his own grandeur which
made him forget that he was a man. The kings and chiefs of the
conquered nations came at stated times to do homage to their
victor and pay him the appointed tribute. On every other occa¬
sion he treated them with sufficient humanity and generosity, but
when he went to the temple or entered his capital he caused these
princes to be harnessed to his car, four abreast, instead of horses,
and valued himself upon his being thus drawn by the lords and
sovereigns of other nations. What I am most surprised at is that
Diodemus should rank this foolish and human vanity among the
most shining acts of this prince."
Thus it is seen that Rollins was ready to censure even where
others praised Sesostris. As a godly man, Rollins was compelled
to condemn this unparalleled exhibition of human vanity. At
THE NEGRO RACE
45
the same time his statement of the fact indicates the high esteem
in which this prince was held. That the lords of those conquered
nations submitted to thus dishonor themselves to do him honor,
shows how completely he was master of the situation. It indicates
more than this: it indicates the wonderful wisdom and power of
that black prince, in that he was able, through a long reign, to
hold these chiefs in faithful allegiance without a single revolt.
The record given by Rollins indicates that Sesostris was
among the wisest, as well as among the most powerful monarchs of
earth. Napoleon was a great warrior, but he died in exile, pris¬
oner of war. Alexander was a great general, but he made a fool¬
ish march across a desert country, almost to the dastruction of his
army, for the foolish purpose of worshipping at the shrine, and of
being called the son of Jupiter Ammon. This so discouraged his
forces that he never accomplished the object of his ambition. For
this, many of his command despised him.
Sesostris made 110 such blunders in his campaign. He went
forth conquering until he met a providential interposition; his
climax of wisdom was displayed in his turning back when he dis¬
covered that not merely mortal beings, but the great immortal
opposed his further conquest. He returned to his own country to
enjoy in peace and prosperity the fruits of his unparalleled victo¬
ries. His conduct toward those cities which resisted his attacks
most stubbornly, was in striking contrast to that of Alexander; as
Alexander advanced to invade*Egypt he found at Gaza a garrison
so strong that he was obliged to besiege it. It held out a long
time, during which he received two wounds; this provoked him
to such a degree that when he had captured the place, he treated
the soldiers and inhabitants most cruelly. He cut ten thousand
men to pieces and sold all the rest with their wives and children
for slaves. His treatment of Betis, the commandant of the forces,
was the most shameful of anything recorded in history.
Sesostris, on the other hand, was pleased with those who
defended their possessions most bravely; the degree of resistance
which he had to overcome was denoted by him in hieroglyphical
figures on monuments. The more stubborn the resistance, the
greater the achievement and the more worthy the people to become
his subjects. Respecting the foolish march of Alexander which
we have mentioned, the following from Rollins will explain:
"At Memphis he formed a design of visiting the temple of
Jupiter Ammon; this temple was situated in the midst of the
46
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
sandy deserts of Libya, and twelve days' journey from Memphis.
Hani, the son of Noah, first peopled Egypt and Libya after the
flood; and when idolatry began to gain ground in the world some
time after, he was the chief deity of those countries in which his
descendants had continued. A temple was built to his honor in
the midst of these deserts, upon a spot of pretty good ground, about
two leagues broad, which formed a kind of island in a sea of
sand. It is he whom the Greeks call Jupiter and the Egyptians
Ammon.
"The motive of this journey, which was equally rash and
dangerous, was owing to a ridiculous vanity. Alexander having
read in Homer and other fabulous authors of antiquity that most
of their heroes were represented as the sons of some deity, and as
he himself was desirous of passing for a hero, he was determined
to have some god for his father. Accordingly he fixed upon
Jupiter Ammon for this purpose, and began by bribing the priests
and teaching them the part they were to act. Alexander had a
journey to go of sixteen hundred stadia, or eighty French leagues,
to the temple of Jupiter Ammon, and most of the way through
sandy deserts. The soldiers were patient enough for the first two
days' march, before tbey arrived in the extensive,dreadful solitudes;
but as soon as they found themselves in vast plains, covered with
sands of prodigious depth, they were greatly terrified.
"They were several days in crossing these deserts, and upon
arriving near the place where the oracle stood, they perceived a
great number of ravens flying before the most advanced standard.
These ravens sometimes flew to the ground, when the army
marched slowly, and at other times advanced forward, as if it
were to serve them as guides, till they at last came to the temple
of the god. A surprising circumstance is that, although this oracle
is situated in the midst of an almost boundless solitude, it never¬
theless is surrounded with a grove so very shady that the sun¬
beams can scarcely pierce it, not to mention that this grove or
wood is watered with several springs of fresh water which preserve
it in perpetual verdure.
"It is related that near this grove there is another, in the
midst of which is a fountain called the Water of the Sun. At
day-break it is lukewarm; at noon cool, but in the evening it
grows warmer and at midnight is boiling hot; after this as day
approaches it decreases in heat, and continues this vicissitude for¬
ever. The god who is worshipped in this temple is not represented
THE NEGRO RACE
47
under the form which painters and sculptors generally give to
gods, for he is made of emeralds and precious stones, and from
head to navel resembles a ram."
The king being come into the temple, the senior priest declared
him to be the son of Jupiter, and assured him that God himself
bestowed this name upon him. Alexander accepted it with joy
and acknowledged Jupiter his father. He afterward asked the
priest whether his tather Jupiter had not allotted him the empire
of the world; to which the priest, who was as much a flatterer as
the king was vainglorious, answered that he should be monarch
of the universe. At last he inquired whether all of his father's*
murderers had been punished; but the priest replied that he blas¬
phemed, that his father was immortal, but that with regard to
the murderers of Philip, they had all been expiated, adding that he
should be invincible, and afterward take his seat among the deities.
Having ended the sacrifices, he offered magnificent presents to
the god, and did not forget the priests who had been so faithful to
his interests.
Decorated with the splendid title of the son of Jupiter, and
fancying himself raised above the human species, he returned
from his journey as from a triumph. From that time, in all his
letters, his orders and decrees, he always wrote the following:
"Alexander King, Son of Jupiter Amraon."
If the fact that Sesostris had his chiefs to take the place of
horses in conveying him to the temple was vain and foolish, what
shall be said of the vanity of Alexander in this exploit? But we
have transcribed this passage for the purpose of calling attention
to the fact, that there could have been no such prejudice against
the Negro, Ham, at that day, as his race endures to-day. There
could have been no thought that he was inferior to Shem or
Japheth, for here we see the most distinguished of the warriors
descending from Japheth renouncing his own race and his own
father and claiming Ham, deified, for his father.
We can hardly think that Alexander was so ignorant
as not to know of whose honor and to whose memory this god was
erected. The country in which he was situated, his black priests,
and all the circumstances surrounding him rendered it impossible
for Alexander to escape knowledge |of his identity. This ought to
satisfy any reasonable mind that the race of Ham must some time
have been uppermost among the sons^of men.
*Philip.
48
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
Cadmus, who invented letters and took them to Greece, is
admitted to have been either Egyptian or Phoenician (both
claimed him); it does not matter which, he was a descendant of
Ham; and he may have descended from both by intermarriage.
The ancient greatness of Ham's descendants on the line of
his elder son, Cush, is mo3t strikingly set forth by Moses in the
Book of Genesis. The record is as follows:
"Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the
earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord.
"And the beginning of bis kingdom was Babel, and Erech,
and the Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land
went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth,
and Galah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a
great city."
The sacred historian generally in recording facts on this side
of the flood gives only a particular account of the posterity of
Shem, and enlarges upon facts respecting other nations only in
some relatiom to Shem's posterity. The passage just quoted is a
departure from this rule, and the reason for the special promi¬
nence given to this distinguished Ethiopian is far to seek unless it
was Jehovah's purpose that a despised race, in generations follow¬
ing should thus be able to point to the greatness of its ancestry.
Take his record, found in the tenth chapter of Genesis, and
you will notice that nearly one-fourth of the chapter is taken up
with the account of this one man. It is the chapter in which
Moses gives the settlements of the generations of Noah; all ithat
is said of more than fifty heads of families is contained in this
chapter; but as we have noticed, Nimrod gets the lion's share,
and is made to appear more distinguished for his greatness and
mighty achievements than any other man from the time of Noah
to that of Abraham. The historian could not have given him
greater prominence, and the fact that Moses wrote by inspiration
heightens the significance of the record and adds to the distinction
of this ancient black hero. We may remark, however, that Moses,
having married a black woman, was not averse to doing justice to
her race, a thing which cannot be said of modern historians.
In this record it is seen that Nimrod was the first of earth's
great monarchs; the first to erect a great empire, the first
to bring othor nations under his control. He was the beginning or
first of mighty ones among men, and also a mighty hunter before
the Lord," or "as Nimrod the mighty one." His might is not
THE NEGRO RACE|
49
only expressed in this language, but it is seen in the extent of his
empire and in the numerous cities he built; it is also seen in the
duration of his empire, for the government continued in his pos¬
terity for hundreds of years. And his successors were not only
some of the mightiest men that ever ruled, but also, a woman
who led to victory the largest army ever marshaled by a female.
We refer to Semiramis. It was she to whom Alexander referred
when he admitted that a woman had performed mightier achieve¬
ments in a certain land than he had.
This Babylonian or Chaldean empire established by Nimrod
and enlarged and embellished by his successors, was the head of
gold in the image seen by Nebuchadnezzar in his dream, which
went from him and was recalled by the prophet Daniel. It had
for hundreds of years almost universal dominion. In support of
this position we once more turn to Rollins, Book III, Chapter 1:
"The Assyrian empire was undoubtedly one of the most
powerful in the world. As to the length of its duration two par¬
ticular opinions have chiefly prevailed. Some authors, as Clesias,
whose opinion is followed by Justor, give it a duration of thirteen
hundred years; others reduce it to five hundred and twenty, of
which number is Herodotus. The diminution, or rather the inter¬
ruption of power which happened in this vast empire might pos¬
sibly give occasion to this difference of opinion, and may, perhaps,
serve in some measure to reconcile it.
"The history of those early times is so obscure, the monu.
ments which convey it down to us so contrary to each other, and
the systems of the moderns upon that matter so different, that it
is difficult to lay down any opinion about it as certain and incon¬
testable. But where certainty is not to be had, I suppose a reason¬
able person will be satisfied with probability; and in my opinion a
man can hardly be deceived if he makes the Assyrian empire
equal in antiquity with the city of Babylon, its capital.
"Now we learn from the Holy Scripture that this was built
by Nimrod, who certainly was a great conqueror, and in all prob¬
ability the first and most ancient of all those who have ever
aspired after that denomination.
"The Babylonians, as Oallisthenes, a philosopher in Alexan¬
der's retinue, wrote to Aristotle, reckoned themselves to be at
least of nineteen hundred and three years' standing when that
prince entered triumphant into Babylon, which makes their origin
reach back to the year of the world 1771, that is to say, one hun-
60
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
dred and fifteen years after the deluge. This computation comes
within a few years of the time in which we suppose Nimrod to
have founded that city. Indeed, this testimony of Callisthenes,
as it does not agree with other accounts of that matter, is not
esteemed authentic by the learned; but the conformity we find
between it and the Holy Scriptures should make us regard it.
Upon these grounds we think we may allow Nimrod to have been
the founder of the first Assyrian empire, which subsisted with
more or less extent and glory upward of fourteen hundred and
fifty years, from the time of Nimrod to that of Sardanapalus, the
last king, that is to say, from the year of the world 1800 to the
year 3257.
"Nimrod: He is the same with Belus, who was afterward
worshipped as a god under that appellation. He was the son of
Cush, grandson of Ham, and great-grandson of Noah. He was,
says the Scripture, a 'mighty hunter before the Lord.' In apply¬
ing himself to this laborious and dangerous exercise he had two
things in view: the first was to gain the people's affection by
delivering them from the fury and dread of wild beasts; the next
was to train up numbers of young people by this exercise of hunt¬
ing to endure labor and hardship, to form them to the use of arms,
to inure them to a kind of discipline and obedience that at a
proper time after they had been accustomed to his orders and
seasoned to arms he might make use of them for other purposes
more serious than hunting. In ancient history we find some foot¬
prints remaining of this artifice of Nimrod, whom the writers
have confounded with Ninus, his son; lor Dodonus has these
words: Ninus, the most ancient of the Assyrian kings mentioned
in history, performed great actions; being naturally of a warlike
disposition and ambitious of the glory that results from valor, he
armed a considerable number of young men that were brave and
vigorous like himself, trained them up for a long'time in labori¬
ous exercises and hardships, and by that means accustomed thein
to bear the fatigue of war patiently and to face danger with cour¬
age and intrepidity."
"What the same author adds, that Ninus entered into alliance
with the king of the Arabs and joined forces with him, is a
piece of ancient tradition which informs us that the sons of Cush,
and by consequence the brothers of Nimrod all settled themselves
in Arabia, along the Persian Gulf, from Thavila to the ocean,
and lived near enough to their brother to lend him succor or
THE NEGRO RACE
51
receive succor from him. And what the same historian further
says of Ninus, that he was the first king of the Assyrians, agrees
exactly with what the Scripture says of Nimrod, that he began to
be mighty upon the earth; that is, he procured himself settlement,
built cities, subdued his neighbors, united different peoples under
one and the same authority by the band of the same polity and
the same laws, and formed them into one state, which, for those
early times, was of a considerable extent, though bounded by the
river Euphrates and Tigris, and which in succeeding ages made
new acquisitions by degrees and at length extended its conquests
very far.
"The capital city of this kingdom, says the Scripture, was
Babylon. Most of profane historians ascribe the founding of Bab¬
ylon to Semiramis; others to Belus. It is evident that both the
one and the other are mistaken, if they speak of tne first founding
of the city, for it owes its beginning neither to Semiramis nor
Ninus, but to the foolish vanity of those persons mentioned in
Scripture who desired to build a tower and a city that should ren¬
der their memory immortal. Josephus relates, upon the testimony
pf a sibyl (who must have been very ancient and whose fiction
cannot be imputed to the indiscreet zeal of any Christians), that
the gods threw down the tower by an impetuous wind or a violent
hurricane. Had this been the case Nimrod's temerity must have
been much greater to rebuild a city and a tower which Goi him¬
self had thrown down with such marks of His displeasure.
"But the Scripture says no such thing, and it is very probable
the building remained in the condition it was when God put an
end to the work by the confusion of their languages, and that the
tower consecrated to Belus, which is described by Herodutus, was
this very tower which the sons of men pretended to raise to the
clouds.
"Nimrod was the first who encompassed it afterwards with
walls, settled therein his friends and confederates, and subdued
those that lived round about it, beginning his empire in that place
but not con lining it to so narrow a compass. Having possessed
himself of ihe province of Asshur, he did not ravage them like a
tyrant, but filled them with cities, and made himself as much
loved by his new subjects as he was by his old ones.
Among other cities, he built one more large and magnificent
than the rest, which he called Nineveh, from the jame of his son
Ninus, in order to immortalize his memory. The son in his turn
62
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
out of veneration for his father, was willing that they who had
served him as their king should adore him as their god, and induce
other nations to render him the same worship. For it appears
plainly that Nimrod is the famous Belus of the Babylonians, the
first king whom the people deified for his great actions."
One difficulty with profane authors respecting Nimrod is, that
they have overlooked the fact that he possessed himself of the
land of Asshur, or Assyria; and another is that one profane
author at some period fell into the mistake of confounding the acts
of Ninus with those of his father Nimrod, and others have copied
the error. Like Rollins, we plant ourselves upon the Bible; our
first knowledge of ancient history was obtained from that source.
Where it speaks at all, it is the rule by which all must be squared;
where it is silent, other creditable authorities are good; but that
which ia in direct conflict with it, must err. The Bible, as we
have seen, sets forth the greatness of Nimrod so clearly that he
who reads * may run. There are some wno think he is set forth in
contrast to Abraham; that Nimrod, in his lust for power, his
vanity, ambition, and aggressiveness, was the representative of
those who have their portion in this world, while Abraham was
the representative of those who acknowledge themselves strangers
and sojourners here on earth and are seeking a better country.
The testimony which might be gathered in support of the
position we have taken respecting the ancient greatnt ss of Ham's
posterity would fill a volume; but the limits of the plan of this
book forbid a more extended consideration of the subject. If what
is here written shall induce those who come after us, whose better
opportunities will enable them to give the subject a more learned
consideration to go to the bottom of this matter, our reward will be
ample. Those who take issue with us will, we think, be compelled
to pay more attention to the subject than historians generally are
wont to do. Those who may be inclined to combat our position,
will ask: "If the race of Ham was once so great, why is it now so
small? Why is it that the race everywhere is so degraded, so
ignorant, and so wretched?"
The answer is not far to seek. Ham forsook God and took the
world for his position. The language of Abraham addressed to
the rich man in torment might well be addressed to Ham: "Son,
remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things."
Ham had his day, and made very bad use of it. For fifteen hun-
*Hab. ii:2.
THE NEGRO RACE
68
dred years he possessed the earth through his posterity, and what
did he do with it? He led the nations into idolatry. He began
at Babel, in Nimrod his grandson, to exhibit his daring impiety.
God had said: "Go forth, multiply, and replenish the earth." (Gen •
viii:16; ix:l). Nimrod said: "No, let us not do that. It is not
well for us to get scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly, and let us build
us a city (here in Shinar), and let us erect a tower, whose top may
reach unto heauen, (that we may see it at any distance, that it
may serve as a rallying point, a center of gravity around which
all our interests shall cluster); 'and let us make us a name, lest we
be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Gen.
xi:3, 4.)
Of course in this great empire, of which this city was to be
the center, Nimrod was to be sovereign. He was to take the
place of the Almighty in the hearts and affections of the people.
He was not a tyrant in the ordinary sense of that term; he was a
bold, fearless, scheming political boss. He was the more danger¬
ous and the more successful because of his extraordinary sagacity;
by his graceful address, his wonderfu 1 physical powers, his energy
and dash, he won the hearts of the people and swayed them at
his will, just as scheming political bosses do now. The purpose
of God was to scatter them; the purpose of Nimrod was to hold
them together for his own aggrandizement. So God said: "Go to,
let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may
not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them
abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth." (Gen. xi:7,8.)
Although Moses does not mention the fact, yet we think it
quite probable that the difference in complexion, as well as lan¬
guage, had its origin in connection with this purpose of God to
scatter the nations all over the whole earth. It was not to hinder
the building of a city that God confounded their languages, but to
scatter them. For God said: "Nothing will be restrained from
them which they have imagined to do." (Gen. xi:l6.) But so
long as they are one people and one language they will continue
to hang together. Those who could understand remained together.
Many remained with Nimrod, who began his kingdom there;
notwithstanding the displeasure which God had shown respecting
his conduct, he was determined to make himself a name there.
He made the name: Baal, Bel, Belus, which in time became
Baal-Berith, Baal-gad, Baal-moloch, Baal-peor, Baal-zebub, etc.
54
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
This is the name he made, and not only his own race, but all the
nations of the earth forsook God and went awhoring after it.
Richard Watson, in his Biblical and Theological Dictionary,
page 116, after speaking of the general use of the term Baal among
the Babylonians and Assyrians, the Phoenicians, Sidonians,
Tyrians, Carthaginians, and other Canaanitish nations, says:
"It is remarkable that we do not find the name Baal so much
in popular use east of Babylon; but it was generally west of Baby.
Ion and to the very extremity of western Europe, including the
British Isles. The worship of Baal, Bel, Belus, and Belenus was
general throughout the British Islands, and certain of its rights
and observances are still maintained among us, notwithstanding
the establishment of Christianity during so many ages. A town
in Perthshire, on the borders of the Highlands, is called Tilliebel-
tane, or Tillebellane; that is, the eminence or rising ground of
the fire of Baal. In the neighborhood is a Druidical temple of
eight upright stones, where it is supposed the fire was kindled.
At some distance from this is another temple of the same
kind, but smaller, and near it a well still held in great veneration.
On Beltane morning superstitious ppople go to this well and drink
of it, then make a procession round it nine times, so deep rooted
is this heathenish superstition in the minds of many who reckon
themselves good Protestants."
Thus it is seen that the idolatry established by the posterity
of Ham reached the uttermost regions of the Caucasian race.
This is the great sin of Ham and his sons; they were originators and
promoters of idolatry, the stench in God's nostrils, the thing of all
most hateful and most hated by the sovereign God of all. The
greatness which we have been ascribing to Ham's race is the
earthly sort, that wh'ch profane writers of every race have
extolled. It is from their standpoint that we have been writing.
We claim there is no true greatness outside of godliness. The
mass of the ancient descendants of Ham were not godly, and
therefore not truly great; they were men who, as the psalmist says,
have their portion in this life. Ham's race in early times pro¬
duced a few exceptions to this rule: Melchizedek, before men¬
tioned, was the most distinguished exception. In honor of his
righteousness God blessed the Jebusites beyond other of the
doomed nations, in that they were permitted to retain their strong¬
hold of Zion for four hundred years after the entrance of Israel
upon their promised possessions. His righteous administration
THE NEGRO BACK
55
was long remembered and its influence long felt. Many of those
who enjoyed his instructions and his priestly intercessions were
probably induced to lead pious lives, and thus the knowledge of
the true God was long retained among them.
Bahab, who hid the spies, and became one of the ancestors of
the world's Redeemer, was a believer in the one only living and
true God. There were, no doubt, many others, but the mass were
idolaters, and this is why the race has felt the divine displeasure.
But the promise is that princes shall come out of Egypt, and that
Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God. Whatever
shall become of the two younger sons of Ham, this promise
assures us that the two elder sons shall cast aside idolatry and
return unto the Lord. That this prophecy is now in the course of
fulfilment, the Negro Church stands forth as unquestioned evi¬
dence. It is the streak of morning light which betokens the
coming day. It is the morning star which precedes the rising
sun. It is the harbinger of the rising glory of the sons of Ham.
It is the first fruit of the countless millions of that race who shall
be found in the army with banners in the millennial glory of the
Christian Church.
PART III
GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE NEGRO
CHURCH, AS SEEN IN THE HIS¬
TORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
PART III.
GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE NEGRO
CHURCH AS SEEN IN THE HIS¬
TORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
When I was in England, I was asked: "Are there churches
in America composed wholly of colored people?" When I answered
in the affirmative, the question quickly followed: "Why is that?"
The necessity that I was under to give an answer, was the
origin of this statement. It is hard for people in other lands to
understand that Americanism which excludes an entire race,
regardless of moral, material or intellectual worth, from the social
and religious circle of other races.
We say Americanism, for it is not found elsewhere on the face
of the globe.
In England, France or Germany, a Negro of character and
intelligence is received into the best society as freely as any other
race.
At the great Ecumenical Conference of Methodists in London,
in 1881, the black delegates were especially honored. There is
nothing in that country to remind a black man that he differs from
others, unless it be the extraordinary attentions shown him and
the distinguished honors heaped upon him.
If such were the state of feeling in this country, there would
be no necessity for the Negro Church; in fact, it could not
exist.
The Negro Church is the legitimate offspring of American
caste.
American slavery, for its own aggrandizement, attempted to
chattelize the whole of one of the three great branches of the
human rgice. To do this effectually, it was necessary to deny, as
far as possible, or at least to crush out its manhood.
60
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
This effort to brutalize the race was a very early development
In American history. It was especially apparent in the closing
of the door of every social organization against him.
The door ot masonry was so effectually barred that the Negro
in this country is wholly indebted to the English army lodges and
to the Grand Lodge of England for the rites and benefits of that
ancient and honorable fraternity.
It is easy to understand how this feeling would affect the
Negro in his Church relation. While there was not the same
universal disposition to keep him out of the Church wholly, yet
there was a disposition to limit, proscribe and regulate him in the
Church.
The difference between his treatment and that of other mem¬
bers was so marked that his condition was intolerable beyond
endurance, except when the effort to escape was discouraged by
seemingly unsurmountable difficulties.
Near the close of the eighteenth century, there began an unpar¬
alleled movement, which has resulted in the establishment of the
Negro Church, not one branch merely, but all the branches; not
of one denomination, merely, but of all the denominations.
I think we can trace the origin of all the leading branches
back to about that period. This is one of the marvelous and most
interesting things respecting the movement, that it was simulta¬
neous.
The colored members of the different Christian denominations,
of one accord, in all parts of the country, and as nearly as can
now be learned, at about the same time, separated from the
whites, and formed each for themselves, a church of the same
faith and order, as those from which they separated, leaving the
white churches almost without a colored membership.
This is the movement which we have pronounced unparalleled.
I think it will be generally admitted that it was a most extraordi¬
nary movement. It was general, wide-spread, and at leasti
nearly simultaneous. It occurred at a period when means of
travel and of communication were limited and poor, so that there
could have been no general understanding through consultation*
The question naturally arises in the mind, what could have
provoked, caused or given rise to this wonderful movement of a
whole, scattered race of one accord, with one mind and intent and
in one direction?
Secessions from the different denominations have generally
god's purpose in the negro church
61
resulted from difference of opinion on points of doctrine or church
government.
But it was clearly not this which caused the black people to
leave the whites; for in nearly every case they adhered to the
same doctrine and form of government, as the church from which
they separated.
There is but one exception to this rule. That is the St.
Thomas P. E. church in Philadelphia. With this single excep¬
tion, the black people who came out from the white churches
adhered to the same doctrine and shades of doctrine and the same
form of church government as the churches from which they
separated.
It must be evident, therefore, that some extraordinary cause
gave rise to the movement. Nothing but the desire for the free¬
dom denied them in the white church, could have produced this
general exodus.
Like causes produce like effects, wherever operated. Back
seats, sometimes called "Nigger" pews, were provided for them.
Galleries which were reached by outsteps, and in some cases,
outside sheds were provided without any means of keeping warm,
where they could hear the preacher, but could not see him.
They were denied the privilege of the Lord's table, until all
the whites had communed.
The line of proscription was also drawn at the baptismal font.
Such were some of the many vexations and indignities to which
the colored members were subjected in the white church. Is it any
wonder that they came out?
There has been a disposition on the part of several branches
of the Negro church to claim priority in this movement. At least
five or six different bodies have claimed that they, each were
first.
We shall not enter into the controversy on that point; we are
looking higher. We have our eye fixed on the general movement;
it towers up so grandly that in comparison with it, the consid¬
eration of any one branch dwindles into insignificance. Then,
again, I have come to the conclusion that each and all may have
been first. That is, the movement was one and inseparable. That
it was so nearly simultaneous, that there is no unquestionable cer¬
tainty as to where the beginning was. How else can we account
for the many conflicting claims?
No one of these denominations has a complete history. If we
62
btshop hood's history
had a complete history of each, we might possibly find that the
movement was absolutely one; f >r as we shall see later, there was
more in it than what appears on the surface.
To cur mind, this was not an Episcopalian, Presbyterian or
Baptist movement. It was not a Bethel, Union, nor Zion move¬
ment, but a general, grand, united and simultaneous Negro move¬
ment. It was the race that was oppressed, and it was the race
that moved.
It was a movement by which a race, hampered, proscribed,
regulated and oppressed, gave a grand and united exhibition of
its determination to find in its organizations that religious liberty
which was denied it in the whit* church.
The foregoing is what we find on the surface. But digging
down, we shall find that what, on the surface of this subject
appeared as only the result of a wicked proscription, born of race
hate, begotten of that hydra-headed monster, American slavery,
is only another of the many instances in which God his made the
wrath of men to praise Him. This brings us to the Providential
purpose.
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."
On careful scrutiny, we may see in this forced separation ot
the blacks Irom the white church and the formation ol churches
for themselves, Jehovah's plan for the Negro's development.
If there had been no Negro Church, he would have had no
opportunity for the cultivation of his faculties nor a platform for
the exhibition of his vast possibilities.
The N-gro Church was on^ of the powerful instrumentalities
by which slavery was overthrown. It was an agency of the
underground railway, by which communication was kept open
between the North and the South. It was a magazine from which
anti-slavery missiles were drawn to be hurled against the ramparts
of the accursed institution.
It afforded a platform from which the anti-slavery agitators
cried aloud and spared not. No mortal can tell how much the
Negro Church contributed to the emancipation of the slave. But
we regard this as simply incidental; the paramount purpose being
to give to the Negro that of which he was wholly destitute—a
field for development.
god's purpose in the negro church
63
Where else was this opportunity? He was shut out from the
learned professions; he was shut out Irora the mechanic arts; he
neither had the opportunity to develop nor to exhibit his capacity
for development. Like the Israelites at the Red Sea, he was shut
in on every side. Behind him was the slave power, blacker in
wickedness and more terrible than the hosts of Pharaoh which
pursued Israel; on either side were the mountains of caste preju¬
dice, and before them the sea of strife necessarily attendant upon
the formation of new organizations. But God said: "Go forward,"
and forward he went, and on the other bank the daughters of
Ethopia sang: "The Lord has triumphed gloriously." The Negro
was in the wilderness; but he was free, and untrameled, with an
open field for development before him.
Before emancipation, the black man had but few opportuni¬
ties for development, except what his church gave him.
It was not only the pillar and ground of truth to him but it
was all that he could lay any claim to. For development it was
to him what all other institutions were to the rest of mankind. It
was his common school, his lyceum, his college, his municipal
counsel, his legislative hall and his congress. Through it he had
to learn everything he did learn respecting the laws and usages
of civil society and the art of government.
Hence it was that there were comparatively few distinguished
black men except among the ministry. There was no other field
to develop men.
The few distinguished men who were not ministers were in
some way developed through the instrumentality of the church.
If they were professional lecturers, the church brought them for¬
ward and gave them the platform and the audience and, hence,
the opportunity for development.
Fred Douglass, frequently called "The Old Man Eloquent,"
admitted that he was indebted to the little A. M. E. Zion church
in New Bedford, Mass., for what he was. As sexton, class-leader,
and local preacher in that church, he got his inspiration and the
send-off which made him one of the most remarkable men of the
age.
It must be evident to all who think on the subject, that with¬
out the Negro Church, the race would have been withont intelli¬
gent leaders at the period of emancipation.
In the reconstruction period, there was complaint that all the
Negro preachers were politicians. The fact is, that the few black
64
BISHOP HOCD'S HISTORY
missionaries who went south with those licensed by them to
preach, were nearly all the intelligent leaders the people had at
that period, becaus- few others had been afforded the opportunity
to prepare themselves for the demands of that time. Far better
would it have been for the race and for the country as well, if the
number of upright and intelligent black leaders had been much
larger. But the N^gro Church, the divine instrumentality, had
done what it could through tha dark period and its work since
emancipation, speaks for itself in the vast numbers who have beea
saved by the labors of its devoted servants. The Negro Cnurch
to-day is numbered by millions of souls, wh ile millions more are
under its influence. Its institutions are preparing men and women
to go forth into the dark parts of the earth, bearing the lamp of
gospel light, that the millions now sitting in darkness may behold
the light and come to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
While,therefore, on the surface of this subject, we see the Negro
driven out lrom the white church by a wicked prejudice, under¬
lying this we see the wisdom of a superintending and over-ruling
Providence, moulding and fashioning and moving and thus pre¬
paring a race for its own development and at the same time
making the wrath of man to praise Him.
We see Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt as the result of the
envy of his brothers; but that was God's way to exalt Joseph and
to preserve the lives of many.
We see Pharaoh binding heavy burdens upon Israel and thus
making their lives bitter; but that was God's way to get Israel
out of Egypt and into the wilderness, where he could form them
into a peculiar people for himself.
Likewise, we see the white people making it unpleasant for
the blacks in their churches. But in this we see God's way by
which he gives the black man an open field for development,
uii trammeled.
Moses takes the eagle to illustrate God's dealing with Israel,
and his illustration is quite as applicable to God's care for the
American Negro.
"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,
spreadeth abroad her wings, and taketh them, beareth them on
her wings; so the Lord alone did lead him and there was no strange
God with him." L)eut. xxxii, il.
We must not, therefore, judge too harshly, or feel bitter tow-
GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE NEGRO CHURCH
65
ard the white race; they have only been made our crucible, from
which we have come forth as gold tried by fire.
"The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower."
In the white church the Negro was denied the privilege of
exercising his spiritual gifts, but by coming out, he got his pulpit
in which he has developed into a workman of whom none need be
ashamed—a divider of truth, who gives to each his portion in due
season.
To reach the top, the black man must go up on his own plane
—he must climb his own ladder. The white man will never step
aside to make way for him. The feeling of superiority is inherent
in the white race in this country. We certainly are giving out
no secrets now; nor will any white man charge us with slander
or feel offended, for he boasts of his superiority. We do not admij
it; we deny it, but he claims it.
With such feelings and such a claim, no amount of merit on
the black man's part would entitle him to the first place in the
white man's estimation; and he would not consistently be a party
to the exaltation of the black brother to a position for which in
his estimation he is not qualified. But while white men may not
feel it their duty to assist in the exaltation of black men to the
first positions, yet when the black man on his own merit and on
his own ladder has reached the top, there are many who will
grasp his hand in recognition and even in congratulation, because
they don't have to stoop down to reach his hand. Hence it came
to pass, that at the Centennial Conference of the M. E. Church in.
Baltimore in 1885, Black Bishops presided in common with others.
But if there had been no black bishops, no black man would
have presided over that body. And if there had been no Negro
church, there would have been no black bishops.
A race is judged by the distinguished men it produces, but
where there is no opportunity for distinction, it is impossible to
judge by this method. This is the difficulty which the African
race in this country has had to overcome. When the black man
has had the opportunity, he has made his mark. But his enemies
have determined that his opportunity shall be minimized to the
last possible degree, and have largely succeeded in staying his
progress, i
But the Negro church has set before him an open door which
no man can shut. It opens for him an avenue which no man can
66
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTOEY
close. It puts him on a line of march to the front, in which he
need not stumble, but may, if he will, push with vigor on till he
reaches the acme of human usefulness and greatness.
Dr. Price, without an effort on his part, was offered an
appointment as minister to a foreign court, and why? Because
his church had raised him up and had given him the opportunity
to distinguish himself.
Black Bishops have been invited to fill white pulpits where
others of equal ability have not been invited. The difference
ahown is because of the distinction. When a distinguished i black
man wins golden words of praise from those who were doubtful of
the propriety of taking their families to hear him preach, he does
credit to the race. The ability he exhibits is an exhibition of the
capacity of the race. We have heard it admitted by white men,
that they went to hear a black man for the purpose of criticism.
It is fair that the ability of a race should be tested, but where
there is no opportunity for development nor for exhibition of
capacity, it is impossible to know what the possibilities are. Such
was the condition of the black man in this country, and such it
would have remained, had God not interposed his own plan of
deliverance, namely, through the Negro church.
PART IV.
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE.
PART IV.
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE.
The failure of the Hood Anniversary Thank Offering was a
sore disappointment to the Bishop. He hoped to make that the
great effort of his life, in the interest of education and missions.
When some one suggested that $25,000 should be raised and a
thousand be given to the Bishop, he published that he would not
consent to receive a cent of what was raised. He wanted it clearly
understood that it was his purpose that every cent raised should
be raised in the interest named. If his plan had been exactly
followed, Livingstone College would have been benefited to the
amount of $7,000; there would have been appropriated by the
Board of Education to the several schools $9,000; for Foreign
Missions, $2,666.66; distributed by the Mission Board, $2,666.66;
for the West and Southwest, $2,666.66.
But instead of $24,000, only a little over $6,000 was raised. '
Livingstone College got none of it. This was the most disappoint¬
ing. The purpose was that this should receive the largest benefit.
It was in the interest of that institution first of all tbat the idea of
the Thank Offering was planned. As' there has been some mis¬
understanding as to what was done, it is here stated from personal
knowledge, that Livingstone College received no permanent bene¬
fit from that rally. As the College had come $3,000 short of its
appropriation in 1910, when the Board of Bishops met in 1911, it
was agreed to borrow $3,000 to help the institution over the hard
place it was then in. One thousand was borrowed soon after the
Board adjourned, and two thousand in the month of June. So
that for several months the College had the benefit of the borrowed
money. But when the notes came due, they were paid out of the
College appropriation of general fund for the year.
We can easily give an account of what was raised in the First
Episcopal District, and how it was disposed of.
New York Conference raised its full apportionment $625 00
(69)
70
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
For expenses 131 00
Total 756 00
Tbe Virginia Conference 297 00
The Central and West Central Conferences 1521 00
Total 2574 00
DISBURSEMENTS:
Paid to Dr. J. S. Jackson $1658 00
To Bishop Blackwell for the West 100 00
For repairing of church at Raleigh, wrecked by cyclone. 300 00
For Mission in the West Central Conference 100 00
For Richmond Mission 185 00
For expenses 231 00
Total 2574 00
Dr. Jackson paid $2,000 to save the church in New Haven.
$1,658 of this he received from the First District; to make the two
thousand, he had to take $342 from the other districts. This $342
added to the $1,658 make $2,000 which he paid to the New Haven
church, and this added to the $2,574 makes $2,916. This accounts
for nearly half of what was raised. About $600 was raised in the
Second District, of which $200 was paid to Dr. Jackson and the bal¬
ance was used for the benefit of the Second District.
About $1,200 was raised in the Third District, which included
the Foreign Mission and it was used in that district. There was
paid to the Educational Secretary for the minor schools, $1,000.
Of the amount raised in the Albemarle Conference, $200 was
appropriated to the Elizabeth City church. This accounts for
$6,016. Without considering the amount received in the Western
and Southwestern Conferences, there is only about $500 to be
accounted for. It must be clear to every one that there was noth¬
ing paid to Livingstone College. But what has all this to do with
the Hood Golden Jubilee which heads this article? It comes in as a
kind of prelude.
It was known by those close to Bishop Hood what a sore dis¬
appointment the failure of the Thank Offering was to him. Espe¬
cially so was the failure of Livingstone College to receive any ben¬
efit. He had great hope that at least a part of the $28,000 due to
College from the Financial Department would be paid out of the
amount raised by the Thank Offering Rally. But not a cent of it
was paid. Therefore, as a kind of healing balm, the Golden Jubilee
was started on the 22nd of June, 1912, at which time his 50 years
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
71
as an elder was completed. On this day, June 22nd, the New
York Conference being in session, the Jubilee services were begun.
This movement was started by a resolution, signed by Dr. J. S.
Settle and Rev. W. C. Deberry and adopted by the West Central
Conference, which met in Greensboro the second Wednesday
in November, 1911. It provided that the delegates elected
to represent that Conference in the General Conference should con¬
stitute a committee which with a like committee in the other
conferences of the First Episcopal District should arrange for the
oelebration of Bishop Hood's fifty years' service as an elder in the
A. M. E. Zion Church, in his personal interest. The other confer¬
ences in the District approved of the plan. And thus the delegates
from the four conferences became the committee of arrangements
for the Golden Jubilee.
The arrangement was planned during the period that the
General Conference was in session. The Jubilee services began on
the 22nd of June in that day's session of the New York Conference.
It was agreed that a special Jubilee service should be held at the
Sabbath School, Christian Endeavor and Missionary Convention
at Nyack on the 22nd of August. At this Convention each min¬
ister delivered an address in which he stated his term of service
under Bishop Hood's charge. It is to be regretted that there was
not a stenographer present to take down these speeches. They
were speeches which came from the hearts of the speakers. They
spoke freely and said what they chose to say. And it is remark¬
able how many of them stated that at first he did not have a
favorable opinion of Bishop Hood. The following statement is a
sample of the substance of what was said. A minister said:
"I did not like Bishop Hood when he first took charge, and I
thought he did not like me. And I made up my mind to transfer
to a conference in another District. But when I asked the Bishop
for a transfer, he surprised me by saying: 'If you must transfer,
why not tranfer to another charge in this District?' This changed
my opinion and my feeling toward him. That was 28 years ago,
and excepting one year, I have been with him ever since."
The speakers were all decidedly interesting, and each minister
presented a donation. It was suggested that each pastor should
bring not less than $2.50 in gold, and nearly all brought a gold
piece of that size, but most of them brought much more than that
amount.
In the Virginia, the Central and West Central N. C. Confer-
72
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
ences, there was a special Jubilee Service at the annual confer¬
ence where speeches were made and a collection taken. Both the
Virginia, the Central and West Central Jubilee exercises were
held and collections taken in the District Conference, preparatory
to the report at the Annual Conference. The final exercises were
at the Evans Metropolitan A. M. E. Zion Church at Fayetteville,
N. C., commencing on the 20th of December.
The Bishop wishes to express his grateful thanks to all who
have contributed in any way to the Jubilee celebration. Nothing
in the history of his life was more timely. Nothing ever filled a
greater need. There is a notion with some that Bishop Hood is
rich. This is a manufactured sentiment. How any intelligent
person who knows the situation can think it, is a mystery. It is
well known that for 40 years Bishop Hood has given his whole
time to the Bishopric to which he is called. He has no consider¬
able income from any other employment. He has had no time
for anything else. For twenty years his salary was only $1,500 a
year. And for nine years of that period $500 a year of his salary
went to Livingtone College as a loan to the Educational Fund.
And four years more on a salary of two thousand a year, his back
salary increased to four thousand. But by reason of the death of
two bishops in 1894, the amount was reduced to $3,865.47. And
he has had a certificate of indebtedness for that amount lor seven¬
teen years. For the last eight years the Bishops have been allowed
a salary of $2,000 a year with $200 for traveling expenses, which
does not pay half of the amount it takes to travel. The Bishop
had to educate six children at Livingstone College.
For about eight years of the period, he had tour children
there at once. When the school closed in June, each child brought
home a companion and they all remained till October. The Bishop
had to board them, furnish medicine, pay the doctor bills and
drug bills for the season which were as high as $50. It will thus
be seen that Bishop Hood, on a salary of $2,000 a year has had to
maintain at his own expense an episcopal residence on the style of
the Bishop of the M. E. Church whose residence is furnished with
a salary of $5,000 a year. Under such circumstances how any one
can think that Bishop Hood is rich, is a mystery. He is rich in
the affections of the people he has served as the liberal donations
testify, which is a great consolation.
By their generosity he has been able to meet his obligations
for the year 1912, which was the most trying year of his life.
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
73
Except for this generosity he would have come to the close of the
year with a debt of $600 which he would not have been able to pay.
And there is nothing more distressing to him than to have an
obligation that he cannot meet. His motto is, "Owe no man any¬
thing." There is nothing that gives him greater pleasure than to
pay his debts. Bishop Hood's wealth is in his homestead. Except¬
ing this, what the Church owes him to-day is more than all else he
can lay claim to. This does not worry him, however; for all that
concerns him in this world is to be able to meet his obligation to
his family and to his church. No man has any business with a
family unless he is willing to do the best he can to provide for
them. And every man is in duty bound to do all he can for the
church. These two things are objects of Bishop Hood's care.
His object is to do justice by both—not to do so much for one
that he cannot do justice to the other. He has four vacant lots in
Fayetteville on which, if he were able to build, they would pay
ten per cent, on the investment, and they are not worth much
while unimproved. But whenever he has thought of building,
some church interest has come in the way.
With the great burden Bishop Hood has had to]carry, it may
be wondered how he has kept his head above the financial waves.
His wonderful wife has been his salvation. She came and took
charge of four small children, and raised them with her own chil¬
dren, in such a way that strangers coming to the house never
dreamed they were not all her own. No better housekeeper ever
went into a house. There is absolutely nothing wasted. No better
cook ever graced any man's house. What is left from one meal
comes back more palatable than when first served. Everything
is so seasoned that it could not be improved. While careful to
waste nothing, no one is turned away empty. The aged and
afflicted around her are cared for. It is doubtful if she ever
cooked a turkey of which a portion was not given to some neigh¬
bor. She is never idle unless she is asleep, and her sleeping hours
are short. From five o'clock in the morning till twelve or one
at night she is on the go. It is marvelous how long she can stay
on her feet, and how long she can stay awake using her needle.
Long after all beside her were asleep, she spent the time mending
children's clothes, darning socks and piecing bed quilts. We can
not come anywhere near saying how many quilts she has made.
We venture te say as many as 30 went to Livingstone College
while the children were in school.
74
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
During her husband's long spell of sickness, there were times
in which she did not take off her clothes to go to bed for a week
at a time. As a rule she has done her own house-work, including
washing and ironing. In a word, her economical management
has savred her husband thousands of dollars. This accounts for
what he has been able to do for the church and yet keep his head
above the financial waves. She has not only cared for her own
household, but has been a great worker in the church. She has
raised as much as a hundred dollars in a rally for the local church.
There was a proposition that our ladies furnish the rooms in the
Theological Seminary at Livingstone College, $45 each. Mrs.
Hood agreed to raise the money to furnish one room. She raised it
and paid it to Dr. Golerin a few months' time. She is now engaged
in an effort for the girls' building, and is having good success.
She gave her service as secretary for the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society without any salary, also for the Pres¬
ident for eighteen years without a salary, and traveled in the
interest of the society much of her time at her own expanse.
The following is the notice.
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE.
Whereas, the Hood Thank Offering Rally was wholly for the
benefit of the Church, Bishop Hood not only received no personal
benefit from it, but contributed more to its success than any other
person, and his district raised more than one-third of all that was
raised, therefore, some of his friends have thought it well to
celebrate his Jubilee in his personal Interest. To this end, at the
session of the West Central N. C. Conference, at Greensboro in
1911, Rev. W. C. Deberry read a resolution signed by Presiding
Elder J. S. Settle and himself, authorizing the ministerial and
lay delegates to the General Conference to unite with the delegates
from the New York, Virginia and Central N. C. Conferences, to
celebrate Bishop Hood's full 50 years' service as an elder in the A.
M. E. Zion Church. The delegates from the said conferences met
while at Charlotte and organized with Dr. D. T. Mitchell as chair¬
man and Dr. F. M. Jacobs as secretary. It was agreed that the
delegates and alternates to the General Conference should consti¬
tute the Executive Committee, and all ministers, delegates and
alternates to the annual and district conferences in the First Epis¬
copal District, should compose the general committee. It was
agreed that the celebration should begin at the New York Confer-
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
75
ence on the 22nd day of June, on which day Bishop Hood's 50
years as an elder was completed.
On this day it was agreed that the celebration for the New
York Conference should be held at the Sabbath School, Mission
and Christian Endeavor Convention at Nyack on the 22nd of
August. In the Virginia, Central and West Central N. C. Con¬
ferences, both in the district conferences and annual conferences,
an hour should be given to Jubilee interest. The final exercises
will take place in Evans Metropolitan church, Fayetteville, N. C.,
beginning at 8 p. m., Friday night, December 29th and closing on
Sunday night, December 22nd.
We shall expect every lover of Zion and well-wisher of our
distinguished Senior Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D., to con¬
tribute something by way of appreciation for his long service for
the race, and especially our Zion.
Let the committee hear from you on or before the 21st of
December, 1912. As far as they can| be obtained the names of
those contributing to the Jubilee fund, will appear in a Jubilee
Souvenir after the closing of the Jubilee exercises at Evans
Metropolitan church, December 22nd, 1912.
All contributions may be sent to the treasurer of the local
committee.
Rev. W. W. SLADE,
441 Ramsey St.,
Fayetteville, N. C.
Signed for the local committee.
D. T. Mitchell, Chairman, J. W. A. Blake, Secretary,
W. W. Slade, Treasurer, P. J. Jones, H. C. Harrison,
T. M. Stitt, G. W. Richardson.
General Managers of the Jubilee Celebration.
J. S. Settle, D. T. Mitchell, C. W. Winfield,
F. M. Jacobs, W. H. Graham, C. P. S. Harrison,
M. N. Levy, L. G. Mason, W. W. Sfade,
R. A. Simmons, M. O. Haynes.
Presiding Elders.
BISHOP J. W. HOOD, FOUNDER OF THE VIRGINIA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 47 YEARS AGO.
BY DBS. C. W. WINFIELD AND M. N. LEVY, PRESIDING ELDERS.
No man who studies the personnel of the Virginia Annual
Conference could but love the venerable and dignified Senior
Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., LL. D., whose work and worth is so
well known in Zion. As an able theologian and pulpit orator he
is indeed in a class to himself. A great author, ripe and expe-
76
bishop hood's history
rienced in books and men, he still holds the reigns of the Church,
and has been the means of making ^nd developing more men
than any other man in our Church.
as an educator.
His work in the Old North State will never be forgotten.
Firm as an executive officer, impartial in his rulings, he endears
himself to his brethren. Bishop Hood will never die in Zion.
For more than forty years a central figure in the galaxy of epis¬
copal heads, and sixty years storming the castles of sin, thousands
have been reclaimed and hundreds have gone to glory
through his able ministry. Livingstone College is the one institu¬
tion that he loves and has ever been since its formation and is now
president of the trustee board. His love for education takes defi¬
nite shape in all his conferences. When the history of the great,
men who have done the constructive work of the Negro churches in
the South is written, we will find J. W. Hood's name among the
great and good.
The reconstructive Constitutional Convention in North Caro¬
lina, of which he was a member, laid the foundation for the
public school system as we have it to-day. He was Assistant
Superintendent of Education, which had much to do with the
developing of the Negro churches. No man living or dead in all
the past history of the Church has made as great sacrifices for edu¬
cation and the spread of our Zion as Bishop Hood. Had he seen
fit to use the force of his great mind and money along monetary
lines, he might have been rich, or at least in such financial con¬
ditions as to make his declining days beyond the reasonable possi¬
bility of mental worry. He has earned every honor that the
Church has bestowed upon him and every dollar that he has
received. His worth to the race and Church cannot be measured
by his profound scholastic ability as portrayed in his writings as
an author; but it is seen in the school and churches throughout the
world. It is also seen in lives of great men and women who with
pride attribute to him all that they are and all they hope to be.
Rev. C. W. Winfield,
Presiding Elder of the Norfolk District of the Va. Conference.
Rev. M. N. Levy, D. D.
Presiding Elder of the Petersburgh District of the Va. Conference.
Dear Editor:
Please permit us to say a word respecting Bishop Hood's Gol¬
den Jubilee. During the sitting of the West Central North Carolina
Conference which met in Greensboro, N. C., in November, 1911,
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
77
there originated in the fertile brain of the Rev. Dr. J. S. Settle of
the Wadesboro District a plan by which we would be able to
show in some measure our appreciation for the venerable sage of
our great Zion, who has spent the major part of his life for the
uplift of his race and the spread of our Zion, experiencing many
trying ordeals in order that we might enjoy the privileges we
have to-day. It occurred to Dr. Settle that due cognizance had
not been taken of the Bishop's faithful service, especially relative
to the many financial sacrifices he has made for the perpetuation of
the Church of his choice. Further, that through him more largely
than any one else, had been raised many thousands of dollars
through the Hood Thank Offering plan which he originated espe¬
cially for the Church, Not having received one cent for his
personal benefit, and having in mind his real worth, not only to
our Zion, but to the race at large, as a leader indeed and in truth,
which has so well been verified from every viewpoint, when
we needed some one to march in the front rank of our Zion 18
months before the war closed, it was Bishop Hood who stepped
forward and said: "Here am I, send me," and he took up the
reins of leadership, and how well he has succeeded is told by
the unparalleled success our great Zion has attained. She now
stands in the forefront of Colored Methodism in the world, which
is due largely to the efforts of this worthy sire.
Our educational status in North Carolina has been largely
attained through his influence and his well-spent energies while
Assistant Superintendent of Education. All these wonderful
works and many others, flashing through the brains of Settle like
lightning, he arose to his feet and offered a motion that steps be
taken at once looking forward to what was to be known as the
Golden Jubilee in honor of Bishop J. W. Hood, D. D., LL.D.,
and that a committee of the whole First Episcopal District meet
in Charlotte, N. C., during the sitting of the General Conference
to formulate plans for the entire First Episcopal District, in order
that uniform action might be maintained throughout the entire
effort; and it was seconded by that scholarly and successful young
man, Rev. William C. Deberry. it was carried unanimously.
The brethren began to work at once, and at the appointed
time in the palatial home of Dr. F. K. Bird the entire representa¬
tion of the First Episcopal District met and organized with Dr. D.
T. Mitchell as chairman and Dr. F. M. Jacobs, secretary. Plans
were laid for successful operation and the entire First Episcopal
78
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
District became a veritable bee hive in the interests of their chief¬
tain. The reports were made generally by presiding elder dis¬
tricts. All kinds of money was presented to him in token of the
very high esteem in which he is held. Gold, silver, greenbacks,
checks, of denominations from $50 down to $1, coming from
friends on the First Episcopal District. How well we have done,
will be told in detail in Bishop Hood's souvenir.
Reports poured in from May, 1912, finally ending up to
December 22,1912, at Evan's Metropolitan A. M. E. Zion
church, Fayetteville, N. C., Rev. Peter Robinson, pastor. All of
the presiding elders who could possibly be present were on hand
according to appointment. Dr. W. H. Goler, President of Living¬
stone College, was invited by the presiding elders to preach during
the final winding up of the Golden Jubilee. The exercises began
on Friday night. The weather was balmy and the silver queen
of night showed forth her beautiful rays as the people of Fayette¬
ville and vicinity wended their way to the old historic Evans
Chapel to participate in the Golden Jubilee service given in honor
of Bishop Hood who is highly revered by both races in Fayetteville,
a city in which he has lived for more than forty years, an accepta¬
ble citizen and Christian gentleman.
Long before the hour appointed for service, the audience sat
patiently waiting, eager to hear every word that fell from
the lips of each speaker respecting the Bishop, in whose honor
they had met. Promptly at 8 o'clock the meeting was called to
order by the chairman, Dr. D. T. Mitchell, Presiding Elder of the
Carthage District. Seated upon the rostrum were Presiding Elder
D. T. Mitchell, D. D., C. W. Winfield, D. D., M. N. Levy, D. D.,
W. H. Graham, D. D., C. P. S. Harrison, D. D., W. W. Slade,
D. D. and the pastor, Rev. Peter Robinson. After devotional
exercises, the opening sermon was preached by Presiding Elder
Levy, of the Petersburg District, Virginia Conference. Dr. Levy
preached a wonderful sermon from the text, "Look on Us." After
which the master of ceremonies introduced each of the visiting
brethren, who spoke on some phase of Bishop Hood's life, to the
delight of all present; and all did honor to the distinguished prel¬
ate.
The choir, which has for its chorister one of the best
choristers of the age, in the person of Miss G. C. Hood,
furnished some of the most excellent music it has been our pleas¬
ure to hear for quite a while. A handsome collection was taken
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
79
up by Elders Harrison and Slade. Thus ended one of the most
delightful services ever held in Evans Chapel. Doxology. Bene¬
diction by Rev. M. N. Levy.
The pastor having provided comfortable homes for all the
visitors, they were soon comfortably housed with some of the
most hospitable people on the globe. Saturday was spent in sight¬
seeing. The visitors were shown all the beautiful scenery that
characterizes one of the most historic cities in the State. They were
carried up on Haymount and shown some of the most beautifully
built homes in this country, whose architectural designs are unsur¬
passed anywhere in the State. They were carried to view the
historic Cape Fear River, one of the most beautiful rivers imagi¬
nable; from there they were taken to the heart of the city, and there
beheld the gigantic structures as they pushed their heads into
the very clouds. After viewing the entire city, looking into the
running brooks, beholding the many statues, and drinking from
its bubbling springs and basking in the beautiful sunshine, they
could not help exclaiming: "Bishop Hood lives in one of the
most beautiful cities in North Carolina." The visiting brethren
were then carried to their several homes after spending a day of
happiness and pleasure.
Early Sunday morning as the angels opened the splendid
portals of light, Old Sol, the king of day, came forth as a strong
man to run a race. Promptly at 11 o'clock, Evan's Metropolitan
church was filled to witness the service. The fact had been well
established that one of the foremost men of the race would speak
at this time, in the person ot Rev. W. H. Goler, D. D.,LL.D. Dr.
Goler is one of the leading educational factors of his race. As an
orator, he has few equals. As a theologian, he is second to none,
and it is frequently expressed that he is the greatest logician of
his day and time.
After devotional exercises Bishop J. W. Hood introduced Dr.
Goler, who preached one of the most powerful sermons ever heard
in Evans Chapel. He carried his audience by storm, and when
he took his seat, some were amazed, some shedding tears, some
saying amen, and some shouting for joy. Great is Dr. Goler. In
his introductory remarks he spoke in the most commendable
terms of Bishop Hood and his worth to the Church and race. The
choir furnished excellent music. A large collection was taken by
Dr. Goler. Doxology; benediction by Dr. Goler.
At 3 p. m., Dr. W. H. Graham preached an excellent sermon
80
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
and paid a high tribute to Bishop Hood in his introductory
remarks. A splendid collection. Benediction by Dr. W. H.
Graham.
At early evening, as Old Sol went to bed in amber clouds,
and his eyes grew red as sleep stole upon him and the dark spirit
of the night began to shade his face with her sombre robe, and
evoke a thousand beauties to compensate for his absence, hundreds
of people could be seen wending their way to witness the public
service in honor of one of the brightest lights in the ministerial
constellation.
At the hour appointed, Dr. Winfield, of the Norfolk District
of the Virginia Conference, ascended the rostrum, accompanied
by Dr. Goler, Presiding Elders Graham, Harrison, Levy, the
pastor, Rev. Robinson and your humble servant. After the Scrip¬
ture reading and prayer, Dr. Goler arose and introduced Dr.
Winfield, of the Virginia Conference, who in his introductory
remarks paid a high tribute to Bishop Hood. Dr. Winfield
preached a magnetic and soul-stirring sermon, and took his seat
amid hearty amens. The finance committee succeeded admirably
in their effort to raise a good collection. Doxology; benediction
by Dr. Winfield.
On Monday evening, Dr. Goler and all of the presiding elders
were invited to the beautiful home of Bishop and Mrs. J. W. Hood
to attend the Golden Jubilee Banquet. All the presiding elders
were not able to be present. Presiding Elders Settle and Simmons
were indisposed and could not come. The following guests were
present: Presiding Elders Mitchell, Harrison, Graham, Levy,
Winfield and Slade. We were received by the charming daughter
of Bishop and Mrs. J. W. Hood, in the person of Miss Maude E.
Hood. We were ushered into the large parlor on the right as you
enter the palatial home, which was beautifully decorated for the
occasion, then we enjoyed ourselves to the highest in the presence
of our distinguished host. Ere long we were ushered into the din¬
ing room which was also beautifully decorated with ferns and
beautiful roses. The table was heavily laden with all the delica¬
cies of the season. Bishop Hood, presided at the head. It was
good to be there. We had waited for a while on Presiding Elders
Mitchell and Harrison, and our appetites were in a splendid condi¬
tion. After the splendid repast, the following distinguished gen¬
tlemen were called upon and made remarks respecting the different
phases of the remarkable life of Bishop Hood. First to speak was
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
81
Dr. Goler. After paying a high tribute to the life and character of
Bishop Hood, he surprised the entire guest by stepping forward
and presenting Bishop Hood with $50 in gold, as a token of the
very high esteem of the faculty and students of Livingstone Col¬
lege; we were simply taken off our feet. We all said: "Fifty dol¬
lars in gold?" A vote of thanks was tendered Dr. Goler by the
Presiding Elders for his great service.
Bishop Hood arose and in his usual and dignified manner
thanked Dr. Goler and the faculty lor the generous remembrance;
also the presiding elders and ministers and friends for the conspic¬
uous part they played in paying honor to him. The Bishop was
at his best.
There was only one thing that we regretted and that was the
indisposition of Mrs. K. P. Hood,ywife of the Bishop. She is one
of the best women it has been our good fortune to know. She is
an example for her race. She is pious, unassuming, charitable and
well deserves emulation. We were sorry she was not able to be
out with us. But his children, as the old saying has it, are chips
off the old block, and consequently nothing lagged that would
tend to make the occasion all it should be.
The presiding elders of the First Episcopal District organized
to perpetuate the great work begun here. They proposed to meet
once a year somewhere on the First Episcopal District in order to
confer with one another concerning the best method to pursue for
the advancement of our Zion ana the spread of the Master's
kingdom. We adjourned to meet in Petersburg at the call of the
chairman. Rev. D. T. Mitchell was elected chairman, W. W.
Slade, secretary, and Rev. Winfield, vice-president.
The phone rang; some one answered, and the news came that
train 82 was on time, and at this juncture all of the out-of-town
guests retired to the cloak-room preparatory to their departure;
hacks arrived, then bidding adieu by out-of-town guests, was in
order, and they were1 off to their several homes. It was declared
by the guests that thus ended one of the greatest jubilees in the
history of their lives.
Yours for God and Zion,
W. W. Slade.
Fayetteville, N. C., January 6, 1913.
To Rev. W. H. Goler, D. D., and Members of the Faculty of
Livingstone College, Greeting:
It is my desire to put on record in this institution an expres¬
sion of gratitude for the generosity shown by the munificent gift of
82
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTOBY
one dollar a year in gold, for each year's service as an elder, in
the form of five ten dollar gold pieces, presented at the closing
exercises of the Golden Jubilee at Fayetteville, N. C. This Jubi¬
lee has been specially managed by the Presiding Elders, of the
First Episcopal District of the A. M. E. Zion Church. And the
contributions would have been limited to the conferences in the
First District alone, had not the generosity of Livingstone College
made an exception. You may therefore easily judge how highly
your generous contribution is appreciated. It came as a surprise
too. Dr. Goler was selected by the presiding elders to preach the
Jubilee sermon, because it was known that Bishop Hood regarded
him as one of the greatest preachers of the age.
The Doctor was at his best and preached such a sermon as is
seldom heard. He held the attention of his audience from
the beginning to the end. Many were enraptured much of the
lime. It was the beginning of a great day in Zion. Presiding
Elder Graham, of the Concord District, preached in the afternoon
and Presiding Elder Winfield, of the Norfolk District, Virginia
Conference, at night.
It was trustees day and the collections were unusually large,
but the trustees were so highly pleased that they were willing to
give the whole amount, if necessary, to meet the expense of the
occasion. We have never seen them in a more accomodating
mood. The presence of Dr. Goler and the .presiding elders filled
them with joy. On Monday evening all the presiding elders who
could be present were entertained by Mrs. Hood. A very agree¬
able eveniiig was spent. It was an occasion not to be forgotten.
It was an assembly of the sons of God met to bring cheer to one of
their number. They were of one heart and mind. They talked
only of things belonging to the kingdom of heaven. And they
came as near being in heaven as is possible to mortals on earth.
Dr. D. T. Mitchell, who Was elected chairman of the Jubilee
movement by the delegates of the First Episcopal District to the
General Conference, was in the chair on this occasion. But to
his surprise as much as to any one else, Dr. Goler without any
previous hint of what was to follow, arose and delivered an address
touching upon the cause which brought us together.
He expressed his pleasure at being associated with the
renowned presiding elders of the First Episcopal District. He
spoke of the long period in which Bishop Hood had been con¬
nected-with Livingstone College, as President of the Trustee
the hood golden jubilee
83
Board from the beginning of the Institution, and concluded by say¬
ing that the College had decided to send to the Bishop a dollar in
gold for each of the fifty years' service as an elder, and put in the
Bishop's hand five ten-dollar gold pieces. The surprise is more
imagined than expressed.
The presiding elders have shown an interest in this Jubilee
which indicates that their very souls are in it. Some of them have
raised or given as much as $25 to make it a succeas—not for a
mere name, but because they loved their Bishop. And because
they know, as any body else knows, what a great relief it is to the
Bishop at this time to receive generous donations. They therefore
enjoyed with the Bishop the gratefulness he felt for this generous
gift coming from an unexpected source. Dr. Winfleld was called
on for a response.
He expressed his genuine pleasure in having the opportunity
to tell how greatly he had long admired Dr. Goler and how high
the Doctor had stood in his estimation, as a man of great intelligence,
great usefulness and great generosity. But on this occasion the Doc¬
tor had risen beyond his measure. He said he and the Doctor had
been room-mates here at the episcopal residence, and they talked
of many things. But he had not received a hint of what the Doctor
had in store. Each of the Conferences in the District have given
generous contributions. Nevertheless the $50 from an Institution
outside oi the Episcopal District is especially appreciated by all
concerned. Please accept the grateful thanks of Bishop Hood,
his family, and the Presiding Elder.
The following were present: (Rev. J. 8. Settle and Rev. R.
A. Simmons came, but being quite unwell, asked to be excused.)
Revs. C. W. Winfield, M. M. Levy, D. T. Mitchell, W. H. Gra¬
ham, C. P. S. Harrison and W. W. Slade remained till the close.
J. W. Hood.
TEXT—BISHOP HOOD.
Subject—What has he done.
Worthy President, Ladies nnd Gentlemen; Sirs:
In proportion that a nation honors, loves and reveres its
Illustrious men and women, in like proportion will other nations
admire and respect that nation.
In view of this unmistakable principle, the nations of the
earth have kept in mind their men of character.
84
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
In France from the legislative halls, from the palatial homes,
from the crowded streets and from the humble peasant, we hear
the praise of Napoleon Bonaparte. From the rolling hillstof Scot¬
land we hear the praise of Queen Anne. From proud England
we hear them singing the praise of Queen Elizabeth and Victoria.
And when we turn our eyes to the field of battle, we see a Welling¬
ton; Rome boasts of her Csesars; Africa boasts of a Hannibal,
while Greece sings the glory of Demosthenes; but proud America
marches to the sound of a Washington, while the world unites
with the United States in praising our immortal Lincoln.
The Church has equal numbers of illustrious characters which
she raises up and calls blessed.
The Baptist Church rejoices in its Roger Williams; the Pres¬
byterian Church, in her Knox; the Lutheran Church, in her Martin
Luther; the Methodist Church, in her John Wesley; the African,
in her Allen, and the Zion, in her Bishops Varick, Rush, and J. J.
Clinton; and we to-day, our Senior Bishop James Walker Hood.
These men and women have rendered to their State and Church
invaluable service which obliges them to sing their praises.
Napoleon led France to victory in war, Wellington conquered
Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo, Hannibal climbed the Alps,
Demosthenes made the hills of Greece tremble under his matchless
oratory, Washington freed America, Lincoln freed four million
slaves, while Bishop Hood led Zion to victory.
HOW AND WHEN DID BISHOP HOOD LEAD ZION TO VICTORY?
In 1863 our Zion was confined solely to a few Northern States.
So, early in 1864, Bishop Hood, then Elder Hood, came to New-
bern, N. C., as a missionary for the A. M. E. Zion Church from
the New England Conference. Elder Hood soon gathered
around him some old brethren who were local preachers or exhort-
ers before the war, viz: E. H. Hill, F. B. Moore and William
Kyle. They had been captured by another Church, but Elder
Hood soon brought to them the light of Negro Methodism, for
they were soon marching to victory under the A. M. E. Zion flag;
so that in the month of May 1864, he was ready to call Bishop J. J.
Clinton to his assistance to ordain deacons for the work. William
Ryle and Ellis Lavendar were ordained deacons. Bishop Clinton
called the preachers together and organized the N. C. Conference
in Newberne, N. C., December 17th, 1864. At this Conference, E.
H. Hill and Ellis Lavendar were ordained elders. By the speeches
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE
85
of Bishop J. J. Clinton and Elder Hood, they were fired up to go
forward in the spread of our Zion.
The second annual conference met in Beaufort, N. C., in 1865.
Here Brother Amos York, Henry W. Jones, Joseph Green, Samp¬
son Coper, R. B. Hampton and W. J. Moore were ordained
elders. From this Conference these men were sent all over N. C.,
from the seashore to the mountain top. And now in N. C. alone,
we have seven annual conferences, all due to the wise leadership
of Bishop Hood. And not only in North Carolina, but through¬
out the length and breadth of our Zion, Bishop Hood's masterful
hand has been felt. Thus he led Zion to victory in territory. For
Zion, once found in a few Northern States, to-day exists through¬
out the United States as well as the isles of the sea. And African
Zion Church steeples are kissing the clouds, while their belfries
peal forth the melodious strains of bell music, calling her thousands
to church to listen to the blessed Gospel of the kingdom.
And now Bishop Hood led Zion to victory not only in terri¬
tory, but in numbers as well. Not only in numbers but in educa¬
tion, liberty, self-reliance, self-government and faith in God.
Wherein he taught the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of
God. In that he was like Addison, when he was caught up on
his poetical wings when the gods began to talk to him, he broke
forth and began to exclaim:
"As soon as the evening shades prevail,
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to a listening earth
Repeats the story of his birth;
And all the stars that round her burn,
And all the planets in their turn,
Confirm the tidings as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence, all
Moved round this dark terrestrial ball;
What though no real voice, nor sound,
Among their radiant orbs be found,
In reason's ear they all rejoice
And utter forth a glorious voice
Forever singing as they shine,
The hand that made us is divine."
And now, beloved Bishop, you have climbed the smoky side
of the delectable mountain upon the ladder of your own architect,
86
bishop hood's history
and to-day you stand upon the very apex of the mountain of
usefulness and fame.
And now in the name of the Supreme Architect of the uni¬
verse, we the three presiding elders of the West Central North
Carolina Conference, and sixty-five pastors representing nearly
seven thousand members, present unto you, and your illustrious
family, the neat little sum of $286.50, as a feeble expression of
appreciation of your valuable service and safe counsel to us, and
not to us only, but to the race at large.
Signed: .
J. S. Settle, D. D., P. E., Wadesboro District.
R. A. Simmons, P. E., Greensboro District.
W. H. Graham, D. D., P. E., Concord District.
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE CONTRIBUTIONS.
new york. conference.
Hudson River District—Rev. L. G. Mason, P. E.
Rev. L. G. Mason by personal effort and by public collec¬
tion at Sabbath School Convention $22 35
From Harvestraw 2 50
White Plains 80
Cornwall 2 00
Poughkeepsie, Rev. B. Judd, pastor 7 50
Expenses for buttons, Judd 15 00
Mother Zion, Rev. R. M. Bolden, pastor 10 00
For medical service contributed by Rev. R. M. Bolden. 15 00
Troy, Rev. L. H. Taylor, pastor 10 00
Hudson, Rev. W. F. Bowden, pastor 7 50
Newburgh, Rev. J. F. Waters, pastor 13 50
Middletown, Rev. N. Collins, pastor 4 <>0
Yonkers, Rev. J. J. Smyer, church departments 20 00
Rev. and Mrs. F. J. Moultrie 5 00
Nyack, Rev. A. L. Lightford, pastor 7 50
Total for Hudson River District $142 65
Long Island District—Rev. M. O. Haynes, P. E.
Raised by Rev. Haynes by personal effort $20 00
Jericho 4 oo
New Rochelle, C. Van Buren 5 00
THE HOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE 87
Port Chester, F. W. Cruse 12 50
Mamaroneck, S. S. Boyd 12 50
Oyster Bay, H. 8. McMillian's church 15 00
Persona], H. 8. McMillian 5 00
Westbury, D. James 7 50
Hempstead 7 50
Lakeville, M. A. Bradley 2 50
Rev Boyd 1 00
Mt. Vernon, J. W. H. Johnson 2 50
Total from the Long Island District $99 00
Harlem District—Rev. F. M. Jacobs, P. E.
Rev. F. M. Jacobs, cash $1 00
Rev. H. W. Allen, Ralph Ave. church, Brooklyn, N. Y 7 50
Total for Harlem District $8 50
VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Norfolk District—Rev. C. W. Winfield, P. E $62 00
Petersburg District—Rev. M. N. Levy, P. E 66 30
Total from the Virginia Conference 128 30
CENTRAL N. C. CONFERENCE.
Fayetteville District—Rev. W. W. Slade, D. D., P. E.
Contributed or raised by Presiding Elder $25 00
Contributed or raised by pastors 91 00
Total from Fayetteville District $116 00
Carthage District—Rev. D. T. Mitchell, D. D., P. E.
Contributed or raised by Presiding Elder $20 00
Contributed or raised by pastors 80 00
Total from Carthage District $100 00
Raleigh District—Rev. C. P. S. Harrison, P. E.
Contributed or raised by Presiding Elder $15 00
Contributed or raised by pastors 60 00
Total from Raleigh District $75 00
88
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
WEST CENTRAL N. C. CONFERENCE.
Wadesboro District—Be v. J. S. Settle, D. D., P. E.
Contributed or raised by the Presiding Elder $25 00
Contributed or raised by the pastors 90 00
Total from Wadesboro District $115 00
Concord District—Rev. W. H. Graham, D. D., P. E.
Contributed or raised by the Presiding Elder $15 00
Contributed or raised by the pastors 68 00
Total from the Concord District $83 00
Greensboro District—Rev. R. A. Simmons, P. E.
Contributed or raised by the Presiding Elder $15 00
Contributed or raised by the pastors 73 50
Total from the Greensboro District f $88 50
Total amount from the N. Y. Conference.. $242 65
Total amount from Virginia Conference.. 129 30
Total amount from C. N. C. Conference... 293 00
Total amount from W. C. N. C. Conference 286 50
Grand total $951 45
The faculty and students of Livingstone College $50 00
Soldier's Memorial church, Rev. W. J. Walls, pastor... 11 00
Total $61 00
Grand total from all sources $1012 45
Expenses 140 00
Net amount received 872 45
A SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT.
Since the foregoing was put in print, the fiftieth anniver¬
sary of the planting of the A. M. E. Zion Church in North Caro¬
lina has been held, and the following statement of facts was read
on Sabbath morning, January 18, 1914.
HISTORICAL STATEMENT.
To be read at the morning service in St. Peters Church, New- .
bern, N. C., Jan. 18, 1914.
On Wednesday the 20th day of January 1864, about 12 o'clock
in the day, Rev. J. W. Hood arrived in Newbern, as a missionary
representing the A. M. E. Zion Church, appointed by Bishop J. J.
Clinton, who had charge of the New England Conference, from
which Elder Hood came. On the following Sabbath, January
24th, he met the official members of Andrews Chapel in a private
school house. The said official members resolved to unite with
the A. M. E. Zion Church, and receive Elder Hood as their pastor.
This was the beginning of our mission work south of the James
River. The small-pox was raging in Newbern, and public ser¬
vice was forbidden. Elder Hood, therefore, went to Beaufort on
the fifth Sabbath, and preached for the first time in North Caro- '
lina, at Purvis Chapel, Beaufort, and received that church in Zion
Connection, and spent several days there, completed the organiza¬
tion of the church, licensed Enoch Wallace to preach, and put
him in charge of the church. Returning to Newbern, the small¬
pox still raging, he found there was nothing that he could do
there, and as there was some question as to his right to remain
there, as Bishop Baker claimed ecclesiastical authority over that
military department with a right to supply all Methodist churches
with pastors, regardless of the wish of the people.
Hood consulted the official members, and it was agreed that
he should go to Washington and see the Secretary of War, Hon.
E. M. Stanton, under whose authority Bishop Baker's claim was
set up. After spending two weeks in Washington, going nearly
every day to the office of the Secretary of War, Adjutant General
(89)
90
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTORY
Townsend discovered that Hood's papers, first submitted to the
Secretary ot War, had been pigeon-holed somewhere in the
Department. He made a search for them but could not find them.
He suggested that Hood prepare another copy. When Hood pre¬
sented the second copy, the Adjutant General told him he could
return to North Carolina and await the results. He had not waited
many days after his return to North Carolina, when an orderly
sergeant rode up to his stopping place and presented him a large
package, which contained several official documents. Both Bishop
Baker's side in the case and Elder Hood's side, who represented
the official board of Andrews Chapel, had been considered by Gen¬
eral Butler, and with his views had been sent to the Secretary of
War.
General Butler's opinion was decidedly in Hood's favor and
the Secretary of War wrote under it the following memorable
words: "The congregation of the colored Methodists worshipping
in Andrews Chapel, Newbern, N. C., shall have the right to
decide their own church relations, and select their pastor."
This was all the question that Hood asked the Secretary to
decide. This gave him all the authority he needed, for he knew
that nearly all the people were with him. The matter was thor¬
oughly discussed about military headquarters, and the interest
that General Butler had taken in Hood's behalf, gave Hood a good
standing with the military authorities. And notwithstanding
some influential persons in military circles, including Chaplain
James, the superintendent of Negro affairs, had plotted to have
Hood seat out of the Department, yet Captain Denny, Provost
Marshal and General Palmer, Commander of the Post, stood like
a stone wall irj Hood's favor. (A fact of which Hood was ignor¬
ant at the time.) He knew nothing of the plot against him at the
time of it, nor of the power which prevented the plot. One o! the
parties in the conspiracy told Hood a year later, of the plot against
him, and how its success was prevented.
General Palmer had upon one occasion shown his interest, by
taking a lantern and going with Hood down to the steamer on
which some of his officers had been put aboard to be sent to the
Dutch Gap Canal, which had been under way. General Palmer
ordered the men released, and forbade the further procedure of the
purpose to cripple Hood's efforts, by sending his church officials
away. From this time he had smooth sailing as long as he
A SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENT
91
remained in Newbern. One Easter Sunday, Elder Hood preached
his first sermon in Newbern. It was a great day.
Early in May, 1864, by request of Hood, Bishop Clinton
visited the work and ordained some men to the office of deacon.
William Rile, in Newbern and Ellis Lavender, who was a refugee
from Washington, the last time that town was taken by the Con¬
federates. He ordained Enoch Wallace deacon for Purvis chapel,
Beaufort. Just at that time the Confederates made their last
attack upon Newbern, and Bishop Clinton having completed all
he could do at that time, and there being a steamer going North
from Beaufort, took passage thereby.
The General Conference met on the 25th of May that year.
Elder J. W. Hood was the ministerial delegate of the North Car¬
olina Mission, and Mr. E. H. Hill was lay delegate. At the close
of that General Conference Bishop Clinton was assigned to a dis¬
trict including the whole country south of the James and east of
the Mississippi River, and the only organized work he had was
that in and around Newbern and Beaufort, N. C.
In December, 1884, he organized the North Carolina Confer¬
ence at Newbern, with twelve members, including the Bishop.
As he could not advance south overland from Newbern (for the
Confederate army headquarters was at Kinston, only 28 miles
away) he therefore went back North and took a steamer and fol¬
lowed the navy up to New Orleans, and began to work up the
Connection from that side. In the Fall of 1865 he held the second
session of the North Carolina Conference at Beaufort. From that
Conference, Elder Hopkins was appointed as Missionary to the
Blue Ridge section and he extended the work down to Tennessee.
Bird Hampton was ordained an elder and was appointed to extend
the work southward from Charlotte. He organized the church
during that year as far south as Chester, S. C.
In October, 1866, the Virginia Conference was formed. The
third session of the North Carolina Conference met in Newbern, in
1866, and provided for the organization of a conference in South
Carolina, also the Georgia Conference, both of which were organ¬
ized in 1867. The Tennessee Conference was organized in 1872.
Thus during a period of eight years the North Carolina Confer¬
ence had been formed; the Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and
Tennessee Conferences had each been set off from the North Caro¬
lina Conference. The Central North Carolina Conference, and
lastly the Cape Fear Conference were set off in 1913.
92
BISHOP HOOD'S HISTOBT
From the Central North Carolina Conference, the Western
North Carolina Conference and the West Central North Carolina
were formed. From the South Carolina Conference, the Palmetto
Conference was formed. Of the Georgia Conference, the South
West Georgia Conference was formed. From the Tennessee Con¬
ference, the Blue Ridge Conference was formed. From the Blue
Ridge Conference, the Southwest Virginia Conference was
formed, and from the Virginia Conference the Albemarle Confer¬
ence was formed; making in all, 14 conferences that grew out of the
work begun in Newbern, in 1864. These conferences now raise
$40,300 of the general claims assessed upon the Connection,
only $5,000 less than one-half of the total amount raised in the
Connection.
While Bishop Hood has had charge of the New York Confer¬
ence 27 years, tjje New England 24 years, the Alabama 4 years,
the New. Jersey 4 years, the Philadelphia and Baltimore 3 years,
Allegheny-Ohio 6 years, Gennessee 1 year, Kentucky 4 years,
and the California Conference 3 years, yet he has spent the larger
portion of his time in the 14 conferences which grew out of the
work he began in Newbern 50 years ago.
Bishop Hood has left his impress upon the people wherever
he has labored. But nowhere has the good eflect of his labors
been more fully seen than in the region of these 14 conferences.
APPENDIX.
QUADRENNIAL REPORT
OF THE
First Episcopal District
BY BISHOP J, W. HOOD
TO THE
TWENTY-FOURTH QUADRENNIAL SESSION
OF THE
A. M. E. Zion General
Conference
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
May, 1912.
BISHOP J. W. HOOD'S QUADRENNIAL REPORT.
FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.
Beloved Fathers and Brethren:—
By the goodness and grace of our heavenly Father I am
spared to bring my tenth quadrennial report to this the 24th quad¬
rennial session of the great church which He has given us to labor
in for the benefit of mankind. An acknowledgment of His Di¬
vine favor, with thanksgiving and praise, is a delightful service.
On former occasions I have spoken of each man's work. This
report will tend to show what has been accomplished by all. I
shall speak of individuals only by way of illustrations. A text
has been furnished me by the statement that some have remained
too long in one place. I have be'n the longest stayer; it seems
to be up to me to give what light I can on this subject. I have
made it the rule of my life to be careful never to stay till my room
is more desired than my presence. The last time that I called up¬
on the President of the United States (because there were others
waiting to see him) I g >t up to leave, but he ordered me to be
seated again. Being a loyal subject I, obeyed the order, but re¬
mained only a few minutes longer.
The first important, and most pleasant pastoral charge I ever
had, was Bridgeport, Conn., to which I was appointed in 1863.
But by the order of the Bishop I left that pleasant charge at the
end of six months and came to Newbern, N. C., when the head¬
quarters of the Confederate Army was at Kinston, only 28 miles
away. Two battles were fought at Newbern after I arrived there.
I was a civilan at the very front of the Federal Army.
I was sitting in my room writing while the battle was rag¬
ing. Cannon-balls from the Federal gun-boats were fired over the
town into the enemy's camp almost in sight of the town. I can
not understand to-day why, but I felt no imore disturbed than I
now feel. At the end of three years Bishop J. J. Clinton held
conference in Newbern; for the second time, at the close of the
conference, when he was ready to make the appointments, he
said, "Well, I shall have to appoint you to this charge again."
Then for the first time in my life I said no to Bishop Clinton. I
8
had great faith in his judgement, but I thought I knew the situ¬
ation better than he did. He looked surprised and asked my rea¬
son. I answered, I am the only Northern man down here, repre¬
senting our church; if you continue to appoint me to this $800
charge, it will create a prejudice against both of us, which will
weaken our influence. No man ever caught on to an idea quicker
than Bishop Clinton. He then asked whom he could appoint. I
told him that Elder Ellis Lavender would make it all right. He
then asked where he should send me. As there had been an at¬
tempt to take the church at Fayetteville out of the Connection, I
?aid I thought he had better send me there. It was a matter of
leaving $800.00 to take $300.00. But I know now that the Lord
was in it; by my going to Fayetteville, which is in Coumberland
County, I was elected to the Reconstruction Constitutional Con¬
vention. My humble efforts in that body, gave me a good repu¬
tation throughout the State. And when the Convention had com¬
pleted its work, I was employed by the Reconstruction Committee
to canvas fourteen Counties; and I carried them all. The counties
canvassed include most of those which now compose the Albe¬
marle Conference. It was that campaign made at the expense of
the committee that gave me the influence, with both white and
colored people, which I still have in that section, and which en¬
abled me, when I was set apart to the Bishopric, to establish our
church as the leading church in that section.
At the end of my second year in Fayetteville, a man who
wanted that charge, got Bishop Moore to move me from there to
Charlotte, which was then a $200.00 appointment. That also was
the Lord's doing. |"He maketh the wrath of men to praise him."
That enabled me to do around Charlotte, what I had done around
Newbern and Fayetteville, (where there are 40 Zion Churches
within 40 miles of the city). During my two years stay there, be¬
sides my reconstruction work, I organized the church in seven
counties. By these Providential appointments, Newbern, Fayette¬
ville and Charlotte, are the great centers of Zion Methodism in
th.2 State. My first work as a Bishop was around this center, in¬
cluding the North Carolina, South Carolina and the Virginia
Conferences. The work I then had, now has nine conferences,
presided over by five Bishops. The Bishop who preceeded me
said he only got $500.00 a year. The last year that I had it (the
Virginia Conference had been given to Bishop Hillery, from which
he received $1000.00 a year) from the balance I received the full
4
$1500.00 salary and $500.00 traveling expense. Besides this I gave to
Bishop Lomax (who had a Mission District $225.00) making a tota
amount of $3,225.00. This work now pays annual assessments ofl
$37,800.
In accordance with a resolution adopted by the General Con¬
ference in 1880 the Bishops were required to meet and plan a change
6f Districts in 1882. It was then that we planned to break up the
old sectionalizing, localizing, mischief-breeding, contiguous dis¬
tricts, and establish a genuine general superintendence,and general
fund system, to pay all the Bishops an equal salary. This was ac¬
complished the first year after the change, notwithstanding there
had been a shortage of more than seven thousand, for the two pre¬
ceding years.
The advantage of our present form of districts is so obvious
that it seems strange that the thoughtful Mind, with honest pur¬
pose can fail to see it. Those who are acquainted with the history
of the split in the Evangelical Methodist Church, certainly ought
to know that contiguous districts was the cause of the split. There
were three contiguous districts presided over by three Bishops.
The Bishops got into a fight and each district sided with its Bishop
and the split was the natural result. Nothing has contributed so
much to the harmony of our Bishops as the present form of dis¬
tricts. And there are no other Bishops in this country in such
complete harmony as our Bishops are. There are Bishops in some
churches who do not speak to each other. With our Bishops there
is no strife, but that commendable strife, as to who can best work
and best agree.
The Bishops have beon criticised because as many as three
have been at one conference. I suppose the objection to this is
it shows that we have plenty of them. There were four of us at
one conference, and four at the dedication of the New Haven
Church.
It is an old adage, that in union there is strength. United we
stand; divided we fall.
In view of the effort to go back to an old, dangerous and de¬
structive system, we may well repeat the language of the poet:
1. "Jesus Great Shepherd of the sheep,
To Thee for help we fly,
Thy little flock in safety keep
For oh, the wolf is nigh.
5
He comes with hellish matters fu
To scatter, tear and slay,
He seizes every straggling soul
As his own lawful prey.
Us into Thy protection take,
And gather with thine arm,
Unless the fold we first forsake
The wolf can never harm.
We laugh to scorn his cruel power
While by our shepherd's side.
The sheep he never can devour
Unless he first divide.
O do not suffer him to part,
The souls that here agree,
But make us of one mind and heart
And keep us one in thee.
Together let us sweetly live,
Together let us die;
And each a starry crown receive;
And reign above the sky."
By the arrangement madfe in 1882 I traveled from sea to sea.
I traveled in what now constitutes 34 States. At the end of that
period by rotation I landed in theN^w York Conference, of which
I now have had charge for twenty-six years. I shall endeavor to
give some data by which you may be able to judge whether or
not I have remained too long. I learned an adage in youth which
has largely governed my course through life. It ran thus:
"Call upon a business man in the hour of business, at his place
of business, transact your business with the business man, and go
about your business."
When I took charge of the New York Conference, there were
only fourteen churches which had pastors in charge; there were
twelve other churches, but they claimed that they were not able
to support a pastor. One had declared its independence, would
not receive a pastor, nor pay any connectional claims. That was
1886. In 1911 I appointed pastors to 37 churches and 6 Missions.
The year before I took charge the conference raised $440.00, gen¬
eral fund, and less than $600.00 for all connectional claims. In
6
1911 it raised its total assessment of $2,500.00. Thank Offering in¬
cluding expense $756.00, Varick Monument $200.00, Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies $197.65: Total $3,653.65.
This shows that for 26 years the financial increase has been
continual from $600, in 1886 to more than $3,653.65 in 1911, and
the increase on every line has been equal.
When I took charge I seldom staid more than a day in a
place, because it was difficult to get a comfortable stopping place.
But in 1911 my wife being with me, I spent a week at a time in
several places, and fared sumptuously every day. Taxicabs, auto¬
mobiles and fine carriages were at our command without charge.
Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Smyer have favored us frequently in that
way. Mrs. Hood was taken on pleasure trips when I did not
care to go.
Last July a church was dedicated at Englewood, N. J. Bish¬
op Clinton was down in Alabama. He asked the Presiding Elder
to get Bishop Walters to dedicate the church, but he was down
in North Carolina. As I was in that neighborhood the Presiding
elder asked me to go and dedicate that church, which made it
necessary for me to make a round trip of 24 miles between the
morning and night services at Sparkhill. Rev. R. Lawsnn (who
is a lay delegate in this General Conference,) keeps a livery stable,
and put at my disposal the finest and easiest riding carriage that
he had, with a span of fine horses. They made the 12 miles in an
hour an a half, and put us in Englewood before the congregation
had assembled for the afternoon services. I dedicated the church
and returned to Sparkill ;n time for night service, without much
fatigue. Thus it will be seen that my long service on the district
enables me to do whatever duty requires, and to get all accommo¬
dations needed.
Thus for ten years I have spent a week at the time with the
Levi family at Westbury, where a congregation with their church
property came to us from another denomination, nearly i'O years
ago, and we have no stronger Zionites than they are. And they
plan to make us happy as long as they can prevail upon us to stay.
We spend a week or more with Rev. and Mrs. F. J. Moultrie
every year, and it would be impossible for any one to show greater
kindness than they have shown to us. Rev. Moultrie is rated at
$100,000, and is able to live up to his unlimited generosity. He
makes ice cream for millionaires,and has the reputation of making
the purest and best that is made. Some people have ice cream
7
Sundays, but at the Moultrie mansion they have it every day,
twice a day, and up to ihree times a day; Mrs. Moultrie is a
queen hostess; she studies how to make her guest happy.
I would tire you, if I should attempt to tyll you of all who
have shown their appreciation of our service during the last quad-
rennium. One remarkable incident showing the change which
has taken place since I first took charge, will suffice as an example.
On my first visit to Kingston, N. Y., I was not met by any one at
the station. I found my way as best I could to the house of an
aged sister; I did not see the pastor till I met him at church that
night. After the sermon the pastor arose to take a collection for
the Bishop. I arose and said; "The pastor is right in proposing
to take a collection to pay the Bishop's traveling expense, but we
cannot do that to-night. I understand that the pastor is about to
be turned out of doors because his rent has not been paid. We
will therefore take a collection to pay his rent. We raised $7.50,
which was given to the pastor. As I came out of the church the
president of the trustee board said, "We have not seen it on this
fashion before. We supposed when the Bishop came, he came to
get his money." That man at that time had not much confidence
in either pastor or Bishop, he did not profess religion, he was a
trustee as a matter of accommodation. But many years later,
while Judd was in charge, he embraced religion, and he has been
working hard ever since to make up for lost time. Therefore,
when I visited the church last June, he with the pastor and others
arranged to give us a grand reception. I arrived there in poor
health. I was not in a condition to attend service, but was not
willing to disappoint them. When I went to the church I asked
the hackman to remain, in case I should need him before the ser¬
vice closed.
Before the first number of the pre gramme was finished I
fainted. When I regained consciousness, only the doctor, who had
been called in, and a few had remained in the audience room.
The congregation had retired to the basement to continue the pro¬
gramme. I was taken back to my stopping place. Eight persons
had been appointed to deliver addresses of welcome and each was
to present a donation. When the reception was over the1 pastor
brought me $25 as the result. Every possible attention was paid
to us. A sister came every day from three miles in the country
and brought milk and eggs. When the doctor called the last time
I asked for his bill, and he said it had been paid. They intended
8
to send the pastor to accompany us to New York in a parlor car,
but Presiding Elder Mason came along and took the pastor's place
and staid with us until he saw us safely landed at the residence of
the pastor of Mother Zion chureh.
Some time ago when something was said of my extraordinary
work, a Bishop remarked, that when other Bishops had staid as
long in one conference as I had, they could also show good results;
and he never spoke a truer word. Give other bishops the same
chance you have given me and you will see good results elsewhere.
There is room in the territory of the Philadelphia and Balti¬
more Conference for a half dozen conferences the size of the New
York Conference; half of Pennsylvania, all of Delaware, all of
Maryland, all of Virginia north of the James River, and the Dis¬
trict of Columbia.
And when you let a bishop stay there long enough to get the
conference in hand, you will see something there that will make
your hearts glad. It is impossible to estimate what might be
accomplished in that territory, if a bishop could remain there long
enough to get the conference in line for progressive work according
to its great possibilites.
I had charge of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Conference
three years—1883, 1884 and 1885. The year before 1 took it $822
general fund was raised. The last year I had it, $1,100 was raised.
On that year (1885) the New York Conference raised $440, a little
over one-third of what the Philadelphia and Baltimore Conference
raised. But now the New York has moved up from a little over
one-third to fully one-half. If the Philadelphia and Baltimore
Conference had increased at the same ratio it would now be raising
$6,000 instead of $5,000. That Conference has had seven bishops
since I left it. But neither of them staid long enough to accom¬
plish the best results.
The New York Conference is a narrow strip, on each bank of
the Hudson river, with Long Island added. (Staten Island is in
the New Jersey Conference). And when you cross the Hudson
river at New York City you land in Jersey, and go up the Hudson
more than twenty miles before you can land in New York on the
west shore. And when you do land, you might well repeat the
language of the poet, a little changed.
"Lo, on a narrow neck of land
'Twixt river and States' bounds I stand."
The New York Conference is composed of a very small por¬
tion of the State, but that portion is well worked. About the time
9
that I took charge of that conference Bishop Payne wrote the his¬
tory of his own Church, which he said was the largest and most
progressive Church of the race in that State. I believe his state¬
ment at the time it was made, was absolutely true. But it is not
the case to-day. That Church has to-day only one conference
(composing two small.presiding elder districts in the whole State).
We have two conferences. The Western New York Conference,
and the New York Conference, which has three presiding elder
districts, and is equal to all that other Church has in that State.
They have had a half dozen bishops there during my administra¬
tion.
When I first took charge of this work, if I got through the
session of the conference with less than $100 of my personal funds
spent in the interest of the work, I thought I was getting off easy.
It has cost myself and the men with me many hundreds of dollars
to bring that conference to what it is to-day. But our task is much
lighter now. I still give, because I love to give. But what I
have given in the past is bearing fruit to-day. I have said to the
ministers that neither they nor the churches could afford to
make donations to the bishop, unless they had paid their Connec-
tional claims. The church at Kingston had paid every connec-
tional claim before it made a donation to me, even the Thank
Offering, which Rev. J. W. Waters, the pastor, had sent me early
in the Spring. He had also sent the money for the Varick monu¬
ment. To be just before generous is the motto they have been
taught, and they have learned the lesson well.
Something has been said against long pastorates. On this
subject the New York Conference furnishes food for thought. In
that Conference they have longer pastorates, and more of thems
than elsewhere. Port Chester, New York, was one of the points
which I found without a pastor. Not able to support a pastor, was
the reason given at that time. I visited the church and received
$6 general fund, which was all they contributed for the year. The
following year I appointed Rev. M. A. Bradley to that charge.
The church was an old dilapidated building, down in a hollow
six feet below the sidewalk. While Bradley was teaching the
children one Sunday afternoon, a wealthy lady, Mrs. Quintard,
with her daughter, Mrs. Palmer, passed by, and seeing how
uncomfortable they looked, she said to her daughter, these people
ought to have a better church. The next morning the Lord sent
Bradley to that lady, she told him what she had said to her daugh-
10
ter. She gave him $500 to start a new building, and when the
corner-stone was laid she handed him another check, which he
showed me and said, another hundrded: she said to him, you had
better look again. He then saw that it was a thousand dollar
check, and she continued to give until the finest colored church in
West Chester county was completed. And her daughter continues
to give for any improvement needed. She has spent nearly $500
on the church during the past four years. Bradley remained there
eleven years and also built a fine parsonage. He found the prop¬
erty worth less than $1,000, and left it worth $20,000. His long
stay there gave him such credit, that he was able to go to Mama-
roneck, not more than six miles distant, and build a fine parson¬
age and pay for it in one year's time. The credit he gained in Port
Chester has enabled him to do whatever he has been called to do
elsewhere.
Two years ago I gave him a hard job. Rev. Ottley who had
remained the full six years at Hempstead, had purchased a fine
property adjoining the church lot. It included a fine parsonage,
and other buildings which bring $fl00 a year rent, but the rent
had been used to improve the property, and not much had been
paid on the debt, which was about $2,700. To find a man equal
to, the task of continuing the work which Rev. Ottley had
started was the thing that gave me most concern at that Confer¬
ence. On the morning of the day on which the appointments
were to be read, the Lord awoke me at 4 o'clock, and impressed
me that Bradly was the man needed. 1 could sleep no more, but
remained awake till day-light studying over the matter. I finally
concluded that Bradley was the man. But I had him down for a
quiet, pleasant station, where he could get the rest which his long
and faithful services deserved. The people wanted him, and he
was delighted with the idea of going. To ask him to forego that
pleasure, and go down to hard work, was a hard thing for me to
do. But as early as I could get a messenger I sent for Bradley. I
laid the case before him. He said he had been trusting my judg¬
ment for a long time, and should continue to do so. The relief I
felt can be more easily imagined than expressed. I can never forget
the consolation it gave me.
The credit which Dr. Bradley gained by his long stay in Port
Chester, was again brought into requisition. It enabled him,
together with his own funds to take up a second mortgage of $700,
which was the pressing claim. This relieved the strain and the
11
people are now paying it back to him. He has improved the par¬
sonage, built a lecture room in the rear of the church, at a cost of
$400, all of which has been paid, and all other claims are beiug
met. He says it is now the pleasantest work he has ever had.
Just before I took charge of that Conference, the Fleet Street
church in Brooklyn had been organized witb eleven members.
During the period of about ten years I had appointed seven pastors
to that charge. But the congregation had fluctuated, ebbed and
flowed, without the desirable substantial progress. I finally
appointed Mr. Jacobs to that work about sixteen years ago, and
he had charge as pastor eleven years. It took him about seven
years to learn the exact condition of that property. He found the
title was not clear, but his long stay in that city gave him a financial
standing that enabled him to clear up that title, and dispose of
the property to advantage, and to secure the present Fleet Memo¬
rial A. M. E. Zion church on Bridge Street. No church in the
city is better located. The church, including the audience room
and two halls in the rear, will hold, I think, more people at one
time than any other church in the Connection. $50,000 is a very
low estimate for the value of the propery.
They have been paying off the debt at the rate of $1,000 a
year and it is now reduced to about $14,000. Dr. Jacobs is now
presiding elder, and Dr. Dancy, who was present at the thousand
dollar rally last fall, informed me that Jacobs was a very impor¬
tant factor on that occasion. The year before he took charge as
pastor $70 was the total amount or general claims received. In
1911 the amount paid by Rev. A. A. Crook, the present pastor,
for general assessment was $380. Thank offering $95. Varick
Monument $31: Total $506. Dr. Crook, I think has a financial
record equal to the best: Three years at Providence, one thousand
dollars a year paid on the church debt. Four years at Hartford,
one thousand the first two; twelve hundred the second two.
Three years in Brooklyn, one thousand the first two, and fifteen
hundred the third year. Total for ten years. $10,900.
This was the only church in which I had any question about
the thank offering. Their large debt on the church, with a request
for $90, the thank offering, and the Varick monument assessment
staggered them. But the pastor (Rev. A. A. Crook) requested
me to meet the official board and explain the matter. The result
was they raised $95, five dollars more than the apportionment,
and came up to conference shouting for the return of their pastor.
12
When a bishop stays on a district till he can aid both presiding
elder and pastor in their work, he has it in pretty good shape.
And when a pastor has confidence in his bishop, and is not too
proud to ask his assistance when needed, the relation between
them is ideal.
The church at New Burgh, in the earliest period of my min¬
istry was the best appointment to which I thought I should ever
aspire. It was the best appointment in the conference, outside of
New York City at that time. And yet the first twelve years that
I had charge of that Conlerence, there had been no substantial
progress in New Burgh. One of the prime causes for this, I shall
not mention; it belongs to the dead and buried past, and I shall
not dig it up, But among the causes I think was the frequent
change of ministers. Two years was supposed to be the limit that
any man could stay on that charge. The controlling influence
there was against a longer stay. And there were men who only
staid there one year, and the church was at a standstill. Even as
late as 1899, when Rev. D. C. Covington, who is now the pro¬
gressive presiding elder in the Palmetto Conference, had charge,
only forty taxable members were reported, and the general fund
was $18.
The improvement in that church commenced when Rev. L.
D. Willliams was appointed. He died in the fifth year of his
pastorate there. When he took charge, the property was not
worth $2,00©. When he died, he left a brick church worth
$20,000, with only $5,000 debt and a parsonage worth $6,000 with
a $2,000 debt. When he had served the church three years, those
who had hindered the progress of the church began to clamor for
a change; they said it would never do to so far change the record
as to appoint a man there for the fourth year. Brother Williams
had laid the solid foundation by a strong moral character, a faith¬
ful and efficient service, and untiring work. He was associated
with the white ministers of the city, and preached in their pulpits;
and when the talk of a change commenced, they got busy, and the
wealth of the city was behind him. A petition was sent to the
Conference assuring that body that if Williams was returned we
should have a new church. 1 knew the source from which the petiti-
tion came.There is no other place in all this land where I receive the
same notice by that class of people. There is no bishop who goes
to that city, whose coming is more fully published than the Bishop
of the A. M. E. Zion Church. My sermons are published in full,
13
and favorably commented upon. The leading political papers in
that city vie with each other in saying good things for Zion. [
therefore had no hesitation in sending Willliams back, and the
results have certainly justified that action.
The present pastor, who is closing his third year, has paid off
the $5,000 debt on the church, and reduced the debt on the par¬
sonage to $1,200. There is not a large number of colored people
in New Burgh, and thefore we may not expect to have a very
large congregation; but we have what is there. Two or three
other congregations that were struggling there, have about given
it up during the administration of the present pastor. The gen¬
eral connectional assessments are now fully paid annually, $100.
We have there now a live membership who are paying $800 salary
and a parsonage.
About 1892 a mission was formed at Sparkill, with a few
members who belonged to the church at Nyack, about five miles
distant. In 1896 a wealthy lady, Mrs. Taylor, became interested
in that mission and offered her assistance in building a church for
them. Of course I encouraged her to do all that she had in mind
to do. As a result, a splendid stone church capable of holding
about two hundred people was completed. A little later she built
them a parsonage. But up to 1903 there had not been satisfactory
progress. I therefore appointed Rev. L. G. Mason, who had never
failed. It was asking much to have him take this mission, with
a wile and three children, all daughters, being of the school age.
Nevertheless, he took it cheerfully as he does everything. He
could not have a large congregation because there are not
many colored people in the village; but at the end of five years
he had made it a desirable station, which paid him his salary
promptly at the end of every month. He had about twenty
members and therefore in the Price Memorial rally the portion he
was asked to raise was $5, but he raised $50, and this gave the
church a connectional-wide notice. I know of no other church of
its strength, equal to it in good works. It pays every connectional
claim promptly, and thus being just has a right to be generous.
No church in the Conference has entertained the Sabbath School
convention, Christian Endeavor and Missionary convention
together more generously than this church has. At my first visit
after Mason took charge he gave me a very pleasant surprise, by
way of a reception. 1 do not think there were more than fifty
people present; there was no admission fee at the door, everybody
14
wag fed with substantial food, ice cream and cake. A plate was
passed for an offering and I was presented with $17. I should have
regarded $5 a very generous gift from those present at that time.
When Brother Mason was made presiding elder, on his first visit
to that church, they volunteered to increase the presiding elder's
salary.
The present pastor is now closing his fourth year and they pay
him at the end of the month with a check at the bank. In the
thanlroffering rally this church and pastor have made the best
record. He was not only the first to send in the full amount
(which was in the hand of the treasurer on the day the thank
offeriug rally was appointed to begin, namely 30th day of May
1910) but he also sent nearly three times the amount he was asked
to raise. If this doesn't indicate the utility of the long pastorates,
then I shall give up the idea of vindicating anything by facts.
I am sure you have heard of the great success of Rev.
B. Judd at Poughkeepsie, where by the generosity of Mr. Smith
he has been able to dedicate a $30,000 church without a debt.
Judd is a remarkable man. A man of much more than ordinary
good common sense. But does anybody think that he could have
accomplished what he has in Poughkeepsie, in three years, if no
preparation for that work had been made before he took charge of
that church? The foundation for his success there was laid in 1896.
I had appointed a man to that charge who came from another
denomination. Not having the suceess he expected, he wanted to
return to his first love. He thought it might facilitate his return
if he could take that church with him. As the word Zion was
not in the deed he thought if the people would agree to go with
him, he would have no difficulty in taking it. He therefore had
a conference with Messrs. Smith and Pratt about it, and arranged
for a further conference to take place at his house. On the day
and near the hour of this second appointment, the Lord sent me
there to look after Zior/s interest. It was too late for him to locate
me elsewhere, and so the gentlemen came and found me there.
They said they were glad to meet me there; that they had come
for a conference with the pastor on a matter I might be able to
advis'3 them. I listened quietly to their story until it was com¬
pleted; they told me that the pastor had told them that the burden
of the care of the colored church in Poughkeepsie might be taken
off the people of that city by its being taken under the care of the
denomination to which he wanted to return.
15
I then stated to them what the Negro church was to the race
that it was all they had as a means of development, and that the
stronger the Negro church became, the better it would be prepared
to perform its work. I gave them such illustrations of this as I
was able to present; and told them it was my opinion, the best
thing they could do for my people, was to help them to help them¬
selves; this ended the interview. I went from there to Hudson,
and while there 1 received a telegram from Poughkeepsie that
the pastor had suddenly died.
Three years ago, while at Poughkeepsie with Mrs. Hood, I
went to Mr. Pratt's store to do some shopping. Brother Judd
went with us, and in order that we might get preacher's discount,
he brought Mr. Pratt to introduce him to me. Mr. Pratt said:
"Oh, I know Bishop Hood, he converted me," and then went on
to state what I had said to him at the time of that interview in
1896. I think he quoted my statement as correctly as I could have
done it myself at that time. He said from that time he had
been trying to help our people to help themselves, and there is
certainly no doubt about that. There are a very few men who
have shown a better disposition to work in that direction than Mr.
Pratt. Mr. Smith has never said to me in words what he thought
of the advice I gave at the time of the conference with them, but
actions, we are told, speak louder than words, and certainly Mr.
Smith has done enough for the people in Poughkeepsie to show
beyond all question that his purpose is to help them, and encour¬
age them as much as possible to help themselves. Here again we
see the benefit of a long pastorate. Brother Fairfax had charge of
Poughkeepsie seven years; during that period Mr. Smith gave the
church a parsonage, and put $2,000 in the bank, the interest of
which to be used in keeping the parsonage in repair, and that
money has not been touched, but has been accumulating by corn-
pound interest, for while Mr. Smith lives he seems disposed to
make all necessary improvements on the parsonage himself. I
think these things went far in preparing the way for Judd in
Poughkeepsie. But he was also under preparation for that work
during thirteen preceding years.
During a period of about ten years I had appointed a half
dozen different pre?chers to the charge at Hudson, with the hope
of improving conditions there; the latest of whom was an elder
who had had considerable experience. But each and all failed
to improve conditions. I went there once and preached to five
16
women. The church was large enough to hold five hundred
people. The man last appointed had given it up as a bad job and
left. Brother Judd was a local preacher in Mother Zion church.
I took him up to supply the church at Hudson, in the interval.
Miss Limbrick, a wealthy lady in Hudson, whose house¬
keeper, business manager and companion was a colored lady,
whose husband (Mr. Benjamin) had been a leading member in
Zion church although an Episcopalian herself—she took interest
in her husband's church. These ladies had shown interest in our
work there, by their contributions, and the special interest taken
in me. The good lady (Miss Limbrick) built a house for her but¬
ler, in which she furnished a room for my accommodation. I was
also frequently entertained at the great-house. These ladies took
an interest in Judd, soon after his appointment. They thought
at first they had better send him to Livingstone College, to better
prepare him for the work. But Judd got busy, pulled down the
old church and started to build a new one. Of course he could
not go to Livingstone College till that was done. At the
end of five years he he had completed a beautiful brick church.
By his great common sense and very good judgment he secured
the assistance of these good ladies till the work there was finished.
And they have since given us a splendid parsonage and finished it.
I then appointed Judd to Nyack where he had a chance for a
two year's study in a Divinity school. At the end of that period
I appointed him to Kingston where there had been a debt of
$1,700, on the church for more than fifteen years. At least a half
dozen pastors, one after another had been appointed to that charge,
but the debt had not been reduced. The condition of the church
had not been improved. But at the end of five years Judd had
paid off the last cent of that debt. In the effort to that end he
had the aid of a gentleman of wealth who was a special friend of
Messrs. Smith and Pratt. When Judd went to Poughkeepsie this
gentleman communicated with them, and told them what manner
of man Judd was, and requested them to give what aid he needed.
Thus it may be seen that not only had the way been prepared for
Judd's success, before he went to Poughkeepsie, but he also had
been in course of preparation for that work, for thirteen years
before he went there; and thus by Divine arrangement a prepared
man came to a prepared place at the opportune time, to accomplish
a God blessed work. Surely the good Lord has shown his favor
toward our Zion.
17
For a period of twelve years only three pastors were appointed
to Mother Zion church: Walters, Caldwell and Franklin. During
that whole period the church was in splendid condition. At the
end of Walter's first year, the presiding elder made the following
report:
"The New York church, Rev. A. Walters, pastor, has had
unparalleled success. During his brief pastorate, there has been a
decided improvement of his work. The numerical strength has
increased greatly, both in average attendance at all his services,
and by accessions to his churcn. God blessed him with a revival.
302 added to the church. The financial condition of the church is
rapidly increasing."
This state of things continued through the whole period of
twelve years. At the end of twelve years, for the first time I
appointed a man who did not remain four years. He was removed
by death and I was compelled to make two appointments during
the quadrennium. It was during that period that the church
was moved up town, either too far up or not far enough.
This was a most unfortunate period for the change in location.
It was in the middle of the quadrennium, when a new pastor had
not been in charge long enough to get the needed control. If it
had been in either of the preceding four year pastorates, the
action would have been different, and the necessity for another
removal would have been avoided. I was on the ground several
times during that period. But the bishop's control in such a case,
to be ord« rly, harmonious and effective must be exercised through
the preacher in charge.
In 1904, T appointed Rev. J. H. McMullen to that charge,
and he remained five years, the longest period I think that any
pastor has served that church. The present pastor, Rev. R. M.
Bolden, is serving his third year with good results. Mother Zion
church and her pastor are to be congratulated on the fact of hav¬
ing contributed the largest amount of the Thank offering, of
any church in the Connection, namely, $160. Counting able
bodied adults, that is equal to an average of 50 cents a member.
Mother Zion has the unique record of having raised every
cent of ner general assessment since 1888, and was the first church
assessed. Up to that time $150 was the highest amount raised. But
when I appointed pastor Walters (now bishop) to that charge, I
told him I wanted $200 general fund from that church, and the rec¬
ord shows that he raised it the first year. That was the beginning
18
of the assessment plan. It started at the fountain head of the
Connection, which has given the example worthy to be followed
by all. There are no members anywhere found more loyal than
the majority in Mother Zion church. They are especially loyal
to their pastor and the Connection. Any order from the General
Conference or the Board of Bishops is respected by that church.
When I first took charge of the New York Conference, I
learned there was some question about the title of Little Zion
church in Harlem. I found the deed of the church was taken
without Zion in it. I was anxious to have a strong second Zion
church in New York city, but it was impossible to do anything
with the Harlem church until we could have the title cleared. When
Rev. McMullen's fifth year was out, he expressed a willingness to
take Little Zion, and try to build up a strong second church in
New York city. As I had been working to that end for more
than twenty years, my gratification at this proposal can be easily
imagined. I believed it was a Divine impulse, and therefore gave
him the appointment. What he has done in clearing the title of
the Harlem church has been in accord with my wish, and I have
given him what aid I could and am hoping for best results.
Yonkers has had three long pastorates in the last twenty
years. C. H. Tennycke five years, W. H. Newby five years, and
J. J. Smyer is closing his tenth year. The following is the pre¬
siding elders report for 1889.
"C. H. Tennycke pastor: This church at this place has made
wonderful progress during the year. A oneness of purpose and
action has prevailed throughout ithe church. Harmony is estab¬
lished, the spiritual condition good. Internally the edifice has
been greatly improved in appearance. Sunday School well attended;
general fund, $19.40."
You will notice that the general fund at that time was only
$19.40, and at that time the general fund was nearly all that was
raised. But in 1911, the general connectional claims raised, $240;
Thank offering, $60; Varick Monument, 0; total for 1911, $300.
At New Rochelle, where the last conference was held, Rev.
M. O. Haynes at the end of three years' service, was able to enter¬
tain the Conference, in what is now the largest colored church in
West Chester county, with parsonage on same lot. The Confer¬
ence was regarded by all as the best session ever held. Ther&.
were many distinguished visitors present who came to attend the
Conference Thank offering rally. This was planned to raise a suf-
19
ficient amount to to pay the treasurer the full amount of $625, or
50 per cent, of general fund assessment.
Rev. Haynes is now the presiding elder of the Long Island
district, and is having splendid success. He succeeded Rev. C.
H. Tennycke who died in the third year of his presiding elder¬
ship. After his five years' pastorate at Yonkers, he went to Long
Island, built up nearly all we have there; when he went there as
pastor he had a circuit of two churches. At the time of his death
he was presiding over five pastors in the same territory in which
he had labored as pastor for fifteen years.
Elder Haynes, who is a hustler, has started off with splendid
prospects. His work as pastor in New Rochelle has not been sur¬
passed by any one. In building the church he gave the architect
some important points which added much to the strength of the
church and were readily adopted.
In superintending the work in this building he has saved the
church hundreds of dollars. A minister who is a good carpenter,
with great energy, as Elder Haynes has, is a valuable asset to the
church. This church is a great credit to Elder Haynes. With
parsonage included it is worth $40,000.
SUMMARY STATITICAL STATEMENT.
Number of churches 37
Number of missions 5
Number of parsonages 20
Probable value of churches and parsonages $750,000 00
Churches built during the last four years 3
Parsonages 4
Parsonage lots not built on 2
Value of new churches $105,000 00
Value of new parsonages - 5,700 00
Value of other improvements 14,000 00
Total paid on improvements 90,000 00
Paid on general assessments 10,000 00
Special collection—thank oflering, Varick Monument
and Rush windows 2,150 06
Support of Conference 1,400 41
Support of ministers including presiding elders 47,061 14
For local missions 1,068 25
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society 1,183 46
For Sundry local purposes 41,393 34
For all purposes 193,256 60
20
Can any man show an equal record of progress in a territory
not larger than that embraced in the New York Conference?
This work is the result of the long persistent effort of one
mind. And this would have been impossible, but lor the fact
that I had in connection with the conference a strong Southern
Conference, in which in the early period, I raised the means on
which I lived and paid my traveling expenses when it could not
be raised in the New York Conference.
I have tried to imitate the Apostle Paul, who said: "He be¬
came all things to all men, that by all means he might gain
some."
The two Episcopalian ladies who did so much for us in Hud¬
son, wanted to form a cradle roll. I encouraged them to do so.
They arranged to have the anniversary celebrations at the time of
my annual visits. I think as Bishops we are justified in accomo¬
dating ourselves to people's notions, when no principle is sacri¬
ficed. I think that nothing else in my administration has contri¬
buted more to my success than taking this course.
While the New York Conference has increased the value of
its church property to the amount of about $500,000 during my
administration it has not been a burden to the connection. When
the Church Extension Society was formed, the General Fund as¬
sessment on the New York Conference was $1,000.00. It contri¬
buted to the Extension Society one-fourth or $250.00 the first
year, and has continued to contribute one-fourth every year since.
Yet I have never asked that society for a gift for any work in that
conference but once. When Rev. Judd began to raise money to
pay off the long-standing debt on the church at Kinston, I asked
for $250.00 for a nest egg, which was put in the bank and re¬
mained there until the whole amount was raised. Thus it will
be seen that the Conference has received from the Extension So¬
ciety, as a gift just the amount it paid in the first year.
Whatever may be said of the wisdom of the pastor of the Har¬
lem Church, in his effort to erect a Memorial Church, in honor of
our second Bishop, I think all will concede that his purpose is
one deserving commendation.
Whatever reason could be given for a second church in Phil¬
adelphia, has equal force in favor of a second large church in New
York, and the place selected is in the center of thousands of our
people. And there is no place in which an investment promises
larger returns. For forty years or more, our title to the Harlem
21
property had been questioned; on that account the church has been
at a standstill; while nothing else in the Conference has increased
at less than one hundred per cent it was at a standstill. After an
expensive legal contest, and finally a more expensive compro¬
mise, Dr. McMullen succeeded in clearing the title and sold the
property. After all expense was paid he had $11,000.00. With
this he purchased a lot on which he has built a church in which
they are now worshiping.
There are those who think that Father Rush is entitled
to greater honor than the first Bishop. I take no part in this con¬
troversy. But I take great pleasure in saying that Bishop Rush
deserves all the honor that the Church can possibly bestow upon
him. His home was in New York City the larger part of his
life; from this center he extended the church East to Boston, North
to Rochester, West to Pittsburg, and South as far as conditions
permitted him to go. He was our faithful leader for 24 years.
He was a man of eminent piety, good and great energy. Was re¬
spected by all who knew him. He was a lover of pious young
men. I had the great privilege to be numbered among his favor¬
ite boys when I entered the ministry. When I was appointed a
Missionary to Newbern, his native town, as a Missionary in the
interest of which he had given his life, he was greatly pleased.
He gave me his blessing and prayed for my success.
Bishop Walters, whose home is in New York City, united
with Dr. McMullen, in urging the Board of Bishops to give their
encouragement to this undertaking. I am sure that Bishop Wal¬
ters will be able to give good reasons for this course pursued.
THE CENTRAL N. C. AND WEST CENTRAL N. C. CON¬
FERENCES WILL BE CONSIDERED JOINTLY.
The West Central North Carolina Conference was set off in
1910, but the boundary line was not finally fixed until the confer¬
ence held last November. A division as nearly equal as possible
was made. Each has three Presiding Elder's Districts, each an
assessment for connectional claims of $4,000.00 a total of $8000.00.
The improvements of this work have exceeded anything in my
experience. It has been indicated in two or three different ways-
In 1896 it was represented by seven ministerial delegates in Gen¬
eral Conference, based on sixty-seven ministerial appointments,
In 1900 there were eighty-eight ministerial appointments and
nine delegates; in 1904 there were one hundred and seven minis-
22
terial appointments and eleven delegates; 1908 one hundred and
twenty-seven ministerial appointments and thirteen delegates. If
there had been no change in the ratio of representation, there
would have been exactly the same increase ot ministerial repre¬
sentation, or fifteen ministerial delegates in this General Confer¬
ence. By the change in the ratio we lose three ministerial dele¬
gates; and by the division of the conference we gain two lay dele¬
gates. The increase is shown in another way. In 1896 the con¬
ference raised $2,400.00 General Fund. There was something
raised for Missions and Education; the total about $3,000.00. In
1911 the amount for general connectional claims was $8000.00,
without counting any of the special claims, which will be consid¬
ered later. In 1896 the total amount raised for all purposes was
$28,000.00; in 1911 $105,000.00. The increase in membership in
the spiritual, intellectual and the material improvement of our
people in this territory have been quite equal to what the forego¬
ing indicates.
I have said so much about long pastorates and the good ef¬
fects thereof in the New York Conference, that I shall not add
much here on that particular line. The one thing above all
others that has enabled this Conference to hold the first rank in
the South is the utility of our Presiding Elders. It will be im¬
possible to say too much respecting their good work, and their
ability to remain a long time on one District.
Presiding Elder J. W. Thomas was conspicuous for his abil¬
ity to build up the work and remain on one district until it had to
be divided. When he took the Concord District, it included Car-
rabus, Union, Anson, Richmond, Montgomery and Stanley Coun¬
ties, and what is now Scotland Ccunty; seven counties in all. At
his death his district was composed of two Counties only—Carra-
bus and Union, «nd yet it was paying as much general claims as
the whole work did when he took it. Besides this, there had been
formed out of his district one other whole district, and two parts
of a district; nearly three districts out of one, and ne still retained
the original Concord District. Out of that district the Wades-
boro District was wholly formed. This was presided over by Dr.
Bird until nearly every phurch on the District was painted white.
Dr. J. S. Settle has now charge of that District, and no other dis¬
trict in the Connection excels it. Dr. Settle is equal to the best
we have had there, and in one respect I think excels all; that is
in loving and being loved. All who know Settle well are in love
23
with him, because of his lovely disposition. The ministers with
him do whatever he asks them to do. Last year he took an obli¬
gation upon himself to pay $400.00 tor the Mission at Peachland.
That is a Railroad Station which is building up, and he wanted
to plant Z'on there. A gentleman there who knew Settle well
accepted his word for payment and put up a church. At the Dis¬
trict Conference, following, Settle brought the matter before that
body, and in a few minutes time the ministers present contrib-
buted $105.00 toward the $400.00 account; on the following day
Presiding Elder asked for a contribution from the ministers to¬
ward the traveling expense of the Bishop; in a few minutes they
contributed $28.00. Every connectional claim is met and there-
tore they have a right to be generous.
Churches built on this district during the quadrennium 11
Amount paid $ 21,000.00
Churches improved 15
Amount paid $ 3,015.00
Total 24,616.00
At the Annual Conference at Greensboro I brought before
them the request of Rev. J. H. McMullen for $500.00 to place a
First Episcopal District Memorial window in the Rush A. M. E.
Zion Church in New York City. The Ministers of the Conference
agreed to raise one-fourth $125.00 or $41.50 from each Presiding
Elder's District. Dr. Settle called his men together and in a few
minutes paid the full amountl I may add that the ministers in
the other districts paid their portion, but not quite so quickly as
the Wadesboro District. They are all strong men in the First
District,and do not need to be contiguous to do things for any part
of the work.
A small part of Thomas' original District is now in the Fay-
etteville District, but a very much larger part of it is in the
Greensboro District; what is left of 'the original Concord District
is now in charge of Dr. W. H. Graham, who was pastor in Con¬
cord four years, had charge of the Carthage District five years, the
Greensboro District (which was formed partly out cf the Carthage
District) for four years and is now serving a second year on the
Concord District, and is proving to be a worthy successor of Dr.
Thomas. He is a painstaking, quiet, persistent, systematic leader
and his men all love him.
Churches built
Amount paid.
3
$1,050.00
24
Churches Improved
Amount paid
Total
28
$6110.00
$7,160.00
Dr. C. T. Mitchell has served in the Central N. C. Conference
longer than any other Presiding Elder now living in it. He has
accomplished a wonderful work as Presiding Elder during the
last twelve years. He is possessed of a missionary spirit, and has
accomplished a Missionary work beyond that of any other man of
whom I have knowledge. I regard him as the best Missionary
the Connection has produced, during the term of his service. He
can fire an audience with Missionary zeal beyond any other man
to whom I have listened in the last forty years; a born Missionary.
When he took charge of the Raleigh District about twelve years
ago, it included ten counties. The work he then had included the
larger part of what now constitutes three Presiding Elder's Dis¬
tricts. When he took it, it paid him not more than $500.00 a
year; and he was compelled to take long walks in the discharge
of his duties. The last year before it was divided it paid him
$1,000.00 and traveling expense. The size of his district has been
reduced two or three times. Out of his original district about
half of the Greensboro District was formed, the whole of the pres¬
ent Raleigh District, and a large portion of the Carthage District
which he now has. And both ministers and people are as much
in love with him today as during any other period in his service.
His territory though now reduced to less than three Counties (by
reason of his efficient effort in working up the District) it lis pro¬
ducing as much as the whole ten counties produced when he first
took it.
Dr. Mitchell and myself have had the burden of a mortgage
debt on the church at Dunn, of eleven hundred dollars during the
greater part oi the quadrennium. The pastor of that church built
a church at a cost beyond what the congregation was able to pay.
We were informed when all three of the notes given were due,
and the bank which held them demanded settlement. This com¬
pelled us to borrow a sufficient! amount from the bank in Fayette-
ville to quiet the matter for twelve months. The District Con¬
ference and Annual Conference helped us to pay the Fayetteville
bank when the note came due. Then we borrowed again and
made settlement with the bank at Dunn. In Nov. 1910 we got
from the Conference a sufficient amount, with what the church
and District raised to pay all but $149.00 of the remaining debt.
25
I advanced the $149.00 to settle the last' note in the bank. By
special rallies at the church in Dunn, in which both Dr. Mitchell
and myself united with the pastor, we raised the $149.00 and now
the church at Dunn is out of debt. We should not have been able
to meet the demands at Raleigh and Dunn if we had not had that.
portion of the connectional claims which is retained in, or return¬
ed to the Annual Conference. With the assurance ot getting the
money when the conference meets, the Presiding Elder and Bish¬
op can afford to borrow money to meet emergencies. This has
enabled us to secure and save many churches.
IMPROVEMENT ON THE CARTHAGE DISTRICT.
Churches built 6
Parsonages built 1
Amount paid $ 9,700.00
Churches improved 8
Amount paid..: 4,830.00
Total 14,530.00
The Raleigh District is composed wholly of the original ter¬
ritory. It includes nine Counties, only one of which is thorough¬
ly worked. The District has a large Mission field. In three of
the Counties we have not a single organization. They are occu¬
pied almost wholly by the Baptist. This District has been in
charge of Presiding Elder C. P. S. Harrison for the last four years.
He is an exceedingly efficient Presiding Elder, and is doing good
Work. The Raleigh Station has been the hardest point to build
up that I have ever had charge of. We got an unfavorable start
in that place; the ministers who had charge for a number of years
had not the character needed to give the work a good start. Their
manner of life in that place was not calculated to give Zion a good
name, and for a number of years I had to select men of the class
who were best suited to build up a good reputation for the church.
We have men of that kind who are not brilliant, notable to build
up a congregation or make much progress, but able to maintain
a good character and hold their own. I was compelled to appoint
that class of men to Raleigh for several years until I could restore
the confidence of the people. Four years ago I appointed the
present pastor, Rev. J. M. Gould. He has maintained a good
character and has otherwise the elements of success, but he has
faced difficulties that have been exceedingly discouraging. He
tore down the old church and built a new one. He had it so far
complete that it was dedicated more than a year ago. But it was
26
discovered that the rear wall was giving away. The City In¬
spector ordered it to be torn down and rebuilt. Only two weeks
were allowed to begin the work. The wall was torn down and a
cement wall eight feet deep was put down for the foundation. The
roof had to be taken off for this purpose, and just as they were getting
ready to put it on again there came a cyclone and blew in the front
gable, smashing the ceiling and floor and damaging the church to
the amount of $500.00. They therefore had to begin again. And
now we are hoping that the congregation may be able, soon, to
occupy the church. When the church is finished, if we have no
further mishap, I am expecting a prosperity and success that we
have never known in Raleigh. The Central N. C. Conference is
expecting to meet in that church the coming session. The pastor
has the assurance of the Colored Preacher's Association of their
united effort to give the Conference a royal entertainment. The
trouble the pastor has had there has created sympathy for him,
aud I am hoping lor great things for our church in Raleigh.
There has been much improvement on the district which the Pre¬
siding Elder's report will show.
Churches built on this district during the quadrennium 10
Amount paid $10,500.00
Churches improved 17
Amount paid 1,793.00
Total 12,293.00
The Greensboro District, also partly formed out of the origi¬
nal Raleigh district, is in charge of Rev. R. A. Simmans, who is
serving his second year on that district, and his third year as a
Presiding Elder. He had the Concord District one year but a
little re-arrangements of the Districts when the Conference was
divided caused a change. There is no more promising district
than the Greensboro District. Like the Raleigh District there is
a large amount of vacant territory in its bounds, hence a large
Mission field. Bro. Simmons is young, strong and progressive,
When he has a District long enough to show what he can do, you
may expect a report worthy of the highest commendation.
Churches built 5
Amount paid $ 3,300.00
Churches improved 18
Amount paid 4,811.00
Total 8111.00
27
The Fayetteville District is in charge of Rev. W. W. Slade.
There hasn't been much change in the territory embracd in this
District. It is composed of less than half of Cumberland County,
about half of Robinson, one church in Bladen, and half of Scot¬
land County. Extends about fifty miles South of Fayetteville, a
strip of territory averaging about ten miles wide. It is very com¬
pact and has very little outlet. It can be strengthened only by
working the territory it has, for all it is worth. It has had some
of the best presiding elders in charge. Rev. J. M. Hill, Rev. J.
H. Mattocks, Rev. J. S. Settles, and now Rev. W. W. Slade.
This district is in a most flourishing condition. Twenty years
ago, there was a circuit near the central part of the district, known
as the Prospect circuit; it included the village of Red Springs. At
that time the whole of it paid for the pastor $200 a year. The
churches in that circuit have been so strengthened, and new
churches formed, that we have in the same territory, one station
and three circuits. The station is paying $600 and a parsonage,
and one circuit is paying $600 and a parsonage, and the other two
$400 each, making $2,000 pastors' salary now paid, where only $200
was paid twenty years ago, and the general fund in the station
alone, is more than was paid in the whole territory before. I
have visited three sessions of the Fayetteville district conference.
The presiding elder and pastors in this district have been vieing
with those in the Wadesboro district, in the effort to reimburse
the Bishop for the large amount of his salary, he has heen obliged to
pay on traveling expense during the four years. And the difference
between them is not worth mentioning. In fact all of the district con¬
ferences I have attended, have met the expense of the occasion. The
Wadesboro and Fayetteville districts are now in different confer¬
ences. Fayetteville in the Central and Wadesboro in the West
Central. We may expect a pleasant rivalry between them on all
lines. And possibly Carthage and Concord may each try to excel
the other; also Raleigh and Greensboro. And the Connection will
get the benefit of the division of the Conference.
The increase of membership is the source from which all the
other increases come. The improvements for the four years on
this district is shown by the presiding elder's report.
Churches built on this district during the quadrennium 7
Amount paid
Churches improved, 17—amount paid
Total
$5,000 00
2,500 00
7,550 00
28
The last four years have been the most successful years of the
work, greater substantial progress has been made than ever
before. Notwithstanding the exodus of our people much com¬
plained of elsewhere, this section not being an exception to the
rule, yet our membership has been on the increase throughout the
Conference. By reason of the increase of members we have been
able to do more substantial work than ever before. Our material
losses have been few, and these mainly sustained by fire and wind.
Two churches near Fayetteville were lost by fire. One has been
rebuilt and the other is being built.
Total connectional assesment raised during the four years $32,000 00
Special interests, including W. H. & F. M. Society
Varick Monument Window for Rush church, and
Thank offering 3,507 30
Total 35,507 30
Total amount for improvements 66,109 00
Total raised for all purposes 395,000 00
Probable value of church property 600,000 00
This work has done more for the Connection than any other.
When the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, asked
for an amount of missions equal to one-fourth of the general fund
assessment, the Central N. C. Conference responded the first year;
the full amount—$900. Its general fund assessment wa« then $3,600,
The General Conference following, $200 more was added to the
assessment; therefore making $4,000; $1,000 a year has been raised
each year of the quadrermium just closed. Besides this,
during the last eight years it has sent to the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society an average of $125 a year. Includ¬
ing the amount raised for local missions it has raised $1,500 dur¬
ing the last ten years. It was mainly by this means that twenty
ministerial appointments have been added every four years since
1896. The mission fund from the Central N. C. Conference has
enabled the Mission Board to make appropriations which would
have been impossible without the large amount which came from
that Conference. Some years ago we needed $250 from the Mis¬
sion Board to save-the Jefferson City church. A large amouut
from the Central N. C. Conference enabled us to appropriate that
amount from the Mission fund. In some conferences, more than
what was raised in the Conference has been appropriated for mis¬
sions in them. While the Central N. C. Conference has sent the
Department more missionary money than any other, yet it has
29
seldom asked for much aid from that fund. In the Price Memo¬
rial rally it raised a larger amount than was raised in any other
conference, and the same was true in the rally for the Theological
Building. This Conference is a home-made conference. We have
given much to other conferences,in the way of strong men,but have
received very little in that way. Five of our Bishops have been
the products of this Conference. We have sent out many strong
men. We have not had to look elsewhere for men for this Con¬
ference; but have been making them as we needed them, and
preparing men for work elsewhere at the same time.
I might, if it were well for me to take the time to do
so, say a good word for every man in the Conference, but when all
have done well, I think it sufficient to say so. When you look in
the face of a man from this work, you may not doubt that you are
looking in the face of a man who is a success. The work that
has been accomplished, would have been impossible if there had
been many men who were failures.
THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
By a dispensation of Providence, after an absence of fourteen
years, I was jointly with Bishop Clinton, called to preside over
this Conference on the 30th day of November, 1910. I think this
was the first time in the history of the Church that two bishops
presided over one Conference with equal authority. I am pleased
to say that this was accomplished in perfect harmony.
Bishop Smith, a few months before his death, invited me to
associate him in that Conference, to aid him in dividing it into
two conferences. He thought he would have no difficu ty in doing
so, if I was with him. In accordance with his expressed desire
the Albemarle Conference was set off, and it fell to my lot to take
charge of the other part of the Virginia Conference. The 46th
session of which assembled in Petersburg on the 29th of Novem¬
ber, 1911.
The Virginia Conference was the first one that I held after I
was set apart to the bishopric forty years ago. I presided over it
eight years the first term, ten years the second; this therefore is
the twentieth year altogether of my administration there.
The Virginia Conference has al vays had a g >od record. I
have had knowledge of it from its beginning. I was present with
Bishop S. J. Clinton when it was formed, in October, 1866. At
30
the period of my first administration there, it made the best finan¬
cial record of any conference I then had. And through the whole
period of eight years the Virginia Conference kept the lead. At
a later period I had the Conference again for ten years. It was
then equal to the best I had. On returning to it after an absence
of fourteen years, I find it still a progressive Conference. At the
Conference in 1910, special delegates from two or three charges,
came to Conference asking for a reduction of general fund; the
largest reduction asked was from the church at Petersburg, which
it was said had not been able to pay its general claims for several
years; that the whole amount had been reported to Conference,
but the money had been borrowed to pay it, and that there was a
considerable debt on the church on that account. The reduction
asked for seemed imperative, and therefore was granted. The
effort was made so to divide the Conference that each Conference
could have an assessment of $1,500 general fund, or $3,000 each,
for all connectional claims. By reason of the reduction we had to
make in the Virginia Conference in 1910, it took considerable
contribution from the ministers to bring up the full amount in
191L. But the appointment of Rev. B. J. Bolding at Petersburg,
gave new life to that church. He raised enough in a few months to
pay off the money chat had been borrowed during the preceding
years, and raised the full amount of his assessment.
A revival at Sunbury, Mt. Hope, and Piney Grove, so
increased the membership, that we were able to make an addi¬
tional assessment on those churches sufficient to make up the
amount of general fund from which the reduction was made in
1910. So we shall have no difficulty hereafter in raising the full
assessment of $3,000.
This Conference has had a long struggle in the effort to estab¬
lish a church at Newport News. Eighteen months ago it looked
as if we should lose out there entirely. During 1911, the property
was sold; but Presiding Elder Levy and the pastor, Rev. Perry,
got a man to buy it in, who gave us a much better chance to pay
for it than the original agreement provided; and the prospect for
the establishment of a prosperous church is now very bright.
A promising mission has been started in the city of Rich¬
mond. There are many of our people there who have gone from
other places. If we can secure a church, we can easily gather a
large congregation. We had the offer of a splendid church, and
by the generosity of some of the bishops and others, I secured
31
the amount necessary to bind the bargain. 1 went to Richmond
for that purpose. I saw the real estate agent and he thought he
would be able to send me the agreement in ten days; but when it
was learned that it was a colored congregation for which the
church was to be bought, there was objection raised which has
held the matter up until this time. If it were possible to succeed
in getting that church, we should have no difficulty in getting a
congregation of 500 at once, almost at the opening.
We have a splendid body of ministers in the Virginia Confer¬
ence. Every minister is expected to raise every cent of his gen¬
eral claims. If one fails, he hears a groan from his companions
that makes him feel uncomfortable. Those who do specially well,
receive a cheer that makes them happy. It is certainly a pleasure
to preside over the Virginia Conference. No where is a bishop
more appreciated or respected than in that Conference.
I have not been able to get as full a report lor the four years
lor this Conference as I desired, but present the following:
Number of churches 56; missions 14; Total 70
Probable value of church property $200,000 00
Raised on assessment 12,000 00
For Free Will Thank offering and other claims 11,000 00
Raised for improvements 25,009 28
Raised for all purposes 129,009 28
Now, Beloved Fathers and Brethren: I have presented this
report as an indication of what may be accomplished by long,
persistent effort and faithful service, under Divine impulse. It is
not frequent change, for the sake of change, nor any iron clad rule
governing the same, that is needed to build up a strong, useful and
progressive church. But an honest purpose, governed by Divine
influence. I have regretted much to see an idea inculcated by the
organ of our Church, during the last sixteen years, which I think
is very wicked—I might say bordering on blasphemy. The Phar¬
isees were charged by the Son of God with blasphemy, because
they denied the power of the Holy Ghost, in working miracles.
We have heard through the columns of our Church organ,
that there is no such thing as a Divine call to the bishopric. That
the thing to do is to blow your own horn, hustle and get there.
Now I know that it is the work of the Holy Ghost to call and
qualify a man for the office and work of a bishop. Neither can
any continued godly work be accomplished, without a godly
judgment, a continual influence of the Holy Ghost. Now to put
32
the Holy Ghost aside, and give credit to human effort (hustle and
get there), is not very different from the spirit of the Pharisees,
who ascribed to the devil the work of the Holy Ghost.
1 think ycu will admit that the work I have reported is a
marvelous work. Yet, in the language of the Apostle Paul,
respecting the preaching of the gospel. I am impelled to say
that though I have been permitted to accomplish the work, I have
nothing whereof to glory. Necessity is laid upon me. Yea, woe
is me if I do not make every effort in my power to faithfully ful¬
fil the duties of my high calling. The work accomplished is not
mine, it is God's work. I had nothing to do with getting into
this office. I never even hinted to a mortal being that I desired
the office. I remember, that only twice that matter was men¬
tioned to me. In both cases I said, that is a matter io which I
can take no part. I should have been ashamed of myself if the
idea of "hustle and get there" had come into my mind. I am not
a self-made man, nor a school-made man. I am just what the
good Lord has made me. I had not more than sixteen weeks in
school, and yet the Lord has enabled me to meet every obligation
that my position has required of me. He has enabled me to be
where I was specially needed in the interest of the Church.
I have mentioned the fact that He sent me to Poughkeepsie
at an imporant moment; I could state many instances of a similar
kind.
When our title to this property was being tested in court, I
had an appointment at Concord. My purposo was to go to Con¬
cord Sunday morning and return on Monday morning. I awoke
early Sunday morning. There was a clock in the room. I was
looking straight at that clock, yet I made a mistake of one hour,
and failed to reach the train. On the following morning I was
early called to come to testify. I then learned why the Lord
prevented me from going to Concord. I could not have returned
in time to answer to the call, and my testimony on that day
saved this church to the Connection.
We have a fine church on Winter Street, Providence, R. I.
But we could not have had the lot on which the church stands, if I
had not arrived in Providence the day before the deal was made.
My testimony satisfied the lawyers, and the bargain was closed.
I could stay here for an hour with such statements, but I presume
I have said enough.
The harmony of your Episcopal Board is as nearly perfect as
33
you may expect to find anything on earth. My earnest prayer is
that my colleagues may have the same opportunity to demonstrate
what they can accomplish by remaining on one district as long as
the Board o1 Bishops may judge welL
With contiguous districts, a long stay might prove disastrous,
but with our form of districts, the best results are assured beyond
perad venture.
A STATEMENT BY BISHOP HOOD, AS PRESIDENT
OF THE TRUSTEE BOARD OF
LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE.
Having occupied the position as President for thirty-five
years, it may interest the General Conference to have a word from
me respecting the Institution.
In the minutes of the 14th session of the North Carolina Con¬
ference of the A. M. E. Zion Church, which convened in Salisbury,
N* C., November 28th, 1877, 1 find the following, page 22:
"C. R. Harris presented a paper signed by Thurber, Harris
and Rives, on the establishment of a Theological Seminary in thi#
State. Adopted."
The plan, substantially, is this:
1. Provides for the election of trustees, who, after the inco*-
poration of the Seminary, are to devise the form, and have charge
of the printing and distribution of the building stock.
2. Shares to be $10 each, minimum limit to be sold, 500;
each church to be allowed at least one share.
3. Each share entitles its representative to a year's tuition ia
the Seminary, and may be purchased by individuals.
4. Provides for the final returns of elders, and the time and
place of trustees' annual meeting, to frame and present the annual
conference, a report of the progress of the work.
Trustees were then elected, viz: C. R. Harris, W. H. Thurber,
Wm. J. Moore, Bishop J. W. Hood, R. H. Simmons, Bishop T.
H. Lomax, Z. T. Pearsall, A. York and A. B. Smyer.
Bishop J. W. Hood, E. H. Hill and H. C. Phillips were
selected to attend to the incorporation of the Seminary.
This record marks the beginning of the institution, of whith
we all have reason to be proud. The names of Harris, Thurber
and Rives should be remembered as those who started this impor¬
tant movement.
When the institution was first incorporated it was in the
34
name of Zion Wesley Institute, first located at Concord, N. C. C.
R. Harris was the first principal, and continued as senior profe3sot
until he was set apart to the bishopric in 1888. In 1881, I was
authorized to select a minister from the Third Episcopal District,
as a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference, which sat in Londoli
that year. With a view of advancing the interest of Zion Wesley
Institution, I selected Rev. J: C. Price,
I learned'that for an agent to accomplish anything in Eng¬
land, it was necessary for him to have a board of Englishmen to
manage his campaign. I therefore appointed Revs.Bowden, and
Penman chairman and secretary, and Mr. Pocock, treasurer.
Nearly all tKe time I w?ts in London I. , spent in arranging with
these gentlemen to conduct the campaign. They started to raise
$25,000. I fully believe they would have raised every cent
of it, if PHce could have remained as much as eighteen months in
that country. But affairs at home caused him to return in about
nine months. It was his purpose to go back and complete the
task. , :
When he returned to this country, he decided to connect him-'
self permanently with the school, and to labor in its interest in
whatever; way his service could be most useful. In view of this,
when the Bishops met in Chester, £5. C., in'September, 1882, they
decided to appoint Price President of the Institute. It was thought
that it would be an advantage to him in his effort to raise the
money, here, or in England if he should go back to complete the
effort there. He suggested that the name of the institution be
changed to Livingstone College. David Livingstone had died in
Africa. It was believed that the use of his name would attract
attention to the institution. And thus we have our Livingstone.'
When the Bishops met in Petersburg in February, 1883, Rev,
Price came and asked the Board to give to the College one-fourth
of the general fund. This was asking very much of the Bishops, for
at the close of the preceding year, the Bishops for the first time in
the history of the Church, had each received his full fifteen hun¬
dred dollars salary. The calculation was that if one-fourth was
given to the school, they could not get more than two-thirds of
their salary. Nevertheless the Bishops agreed to the proposition.'
•Just as was anticipated at the end of five years, the Bishops had'
each received exactly two-thirds of their salary, and $2,500 was
due each. And this with considerable addition is still due to
tthree of your Bishops.
35
There is nothing in the history of my life that I contemplate
with greater delight than the sacrifice made at that time. With¬
out that, Livingstone College could not have been what it is to-day.
The certificate of indebtedness which I hold on that account,
X have confidence the Connection will honor when I am gone. By
reason of this arrangement the College received one-fourth of all
the general fund raised for thirteen years; in the last two years it
received $6,000 a year. 1894 and 1895 were the 'most favored
years the College has had. The Children's Day money had reached
about $3,000 a year, making $9,000 a year the College received*.
Back salaries of the teachers were reduced to the amount of more
than $3,000; and there was a most cheering prospect. These two
years were the brightest in the history of the Church in every
respect. The back salaries of four of the Bishops had gone up
beyond $4,000 in the early part of 1894, but by the end of the year
1895, their back salaries had been reduced to $3,365.47.
As one-fourth of the general fund had given the College $6,000
& year, the General Conference in 1896, voted to give that amount
annually. But for the first year it received a little less than $2,000
not quite one-third the amount promised.
In 1897 the Board was reduced to eight, and on that account
the College received for the whole quadrennium one-half of the
appropriation, or $12,000.
It was provided that the Children's Day money should be
used to pay the back salaries of the teachers. But at a little later
period it began to be taken for other schools. Finally in 1904, the
Educational fund from the New York, New England, the Central
N. C., and Western N. C. Conferences was all that was left to
Livingstone College. This amounted to $2,450. In 1908, this
was taken from the College, and in lieu of it, $2,000 was promised
to continue the payments on the Theological building, and $2,000
for the Theological Department. Of this, up to December 1911,
according to the Financial Secretary's report there was $7,698.96
still due.
From this it will be seen that the Theological Department got
only a little over one-half of the amount promised.
When it was stated that we owed the College $28,000, some
one remarked that it was our College, and we were not obliged to
pay it, for it was a debt owed to ourselves. But it was stated at
the same time that the College was $21,000 in debt, so there was
only $7,000 that we could do as we pleased about. The other
$21,000 is a debt that must be paid.