Articles and Contributions
Mr.Editor: In your issue of June 21, 1877, an article appears, emanating from the business manager, indicating trouble ahead. He says that from the very fact of the editor receiving two letters to his one, and the supporters of our publishing department placing the major portions of their communications on the wrong current, the most pernicious effect is designed to flow through the stream of intellectual knowledge gleaned from the columns of the Christian Recorder.
I have only to ask my brethren, Can we, as pillars of the porch that leads to the great temple of African Methodism, sit still on our easy chair and hear such powerful peals of thunder ringing through our ears, constantly coming from the subverting clouds now overhanging our manager’s head?
Let us burst loose the bands of oppression, open the prison door and set the captive free. Give the manager a fair start in the race, and then if he die (as he says the death warrant has been served on others who had charge of the concern), let us bury him in a recreant’s grave.As to the department being whittled away by the ministry, I would like to ask,Mr.Editor, who is responsible for that? Is there not a prescribed mode of bringing these would-be men to justice? These vipers that creep through the money till of all our departments and from their atrocious dereliction or their villainous designs to defraud the connection out of what is rightfully due it? These things are actually undermining the foundation of our Church. Put them between the upper and lower millstones and grind them as fine as powder. Do not let us all suffer from the effect of the same blow. The blow the Doctor struck has shocked the connection like a mighty earthquake. Now the question goes from every loyal fort along the line, “Who are these whittlers?” Again, the manager says there is a wolf howling about the door of his sanctum, and that unless there be sufficient food to satisfy his demands, at no distant date there will be a burst up. I again ask, Cannot this eternal howling be stopped?
Now, the manager says that our articles of commendation and sweet pats on the shoulder, telling him to go ahead with the engine without anything to propel it, does not amount to much. He wants action—noble, sublime, Godlike action—such as will place him on the road to success. Then, brethren, let us act. According to the reportmade at the General Conference of 1872, we have three hundred thousand members, seven thousand preachers in our connection. Let a Sabbath be set apart and let it be universally known throughout the Church, and one-fourth of a dollar be collected from each member. This would give us the nice little sum of $75,000. Say that the preachers give one dollar each, including bishops, managers, editors and all others, which would make a total of $82,000. Would not this stop the howling wolf and save the department? The echo is, Yes! Then, brethren, let us awake from our sleep. Call the forces to the front, wheel into line, fire on the enemy, and the victory is ours. I will guarantee one-fourth of a dollar from each one of my members, and not only one dollar from myself, but five, at whatever time may be mentioned as a day for this purpose in the interests of the Book Concern.
A. H. NEWTON.
Algiers,La., July, 1877.
For the Christian Recorder.New Brunswick,N. J., August 2, 1890.Mr.Editor.
Sir: As a native of the “Old North State” myself, it is but natural that I should feel some pridein every honor or mark of respect paid to her honored sons; and yet, sir, when I see metropolitan papers, whose politics are not very favorable to our race, teeming with praise of the speeches made, with some very remarkable quotations of opposition to the “Force Bill,” or apologizing for certain reasons why it should not become a law; when I see certain gentlemen denied by those in authority not especially committed to our side of public questions regarding our interest, it is but natural that some of us should become alarmed lest these honors are received and bestowed at the terrible expense of compromising the rights of our race.
We are forced to believe that President Grandison must have committed himself with all the force of his eloquence on the beach at the park to thirty thousand people in favor of the Force Bill. We are also led to believe that our popular friendDr.Sampson was very conservative in his Fourth of July speech. But now comes out one of the leading illustrated journals with all the pictures of these orators of the Fourth at the park, and the Doctor is made to say if a colored man is discriminated against or in any way persecuted in regard to his rights, that it ought to stimulate him to greater effort to make himself more worthy, and to not only make himself the equal, but the superior of the other men. Withother compromising remarks, and after several highly pleasing speeches on the beach to the multitudes from the hotels, it is said that the Doctor and founder, Bradley, repaired to the dining rooms of the different hotels and told the colored help when and where they might be allowed to bathe.
Was this arrangement made by the Doctor withMr.Bradley for the colored people? Will these two North Carolinians answer this question? Were they paid one hundred dollars for these speeches, and were they properly quoted in the New York World? I mean President Grandison, of Bennett College, as to his views on the Force Bill delivered at the park or elsewhere, and alsoDr.Sampson on the Race Problem, delivered on the grand stand on the Fourth of July at the park. I understand that my old friend did say that a Negro’s occupation should not be above that of a servant, for he must know well how to discharge the duties belonging to this sphere before he is able to meet the more responsible duties of life. I ask the Doctor if this is all true.
Yours respectfully,A. H. NEWTON.
31 French Street, New Brunswick,N. J.
By Miss Ada A. Newton.
Intemperance is a fatal evil. What are felons, murderers and thieves but men who began drinking but moderately, just for fashion or to see how it tasted? From drinking moderately they go on taking a little more each time, until finally they become confirmed drunkards. How common it is to hear a wife say, Ah! He was a good husband before he began drinking. There was nothing he thought too good for me. How we pity the drunkard’s wife and children! The little ones are made to suffer for the doings of their father, for God says that “the iniquities of the fathers are visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation, while His mercy is shown unto thousands that love Him and keep His commandments.” How careful, then, should all be to guard against this evil. The cup that has the glow of ruby at last biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.
Let us give an illustration that all may see the course of this sin. Here is a rich man who has a son; he indulges him beyond measure; he teaches him in youth to drink wine. At first he makes a wry face and tells his father that he does not like it and cannot drink it. His father scorns and ridicules the idea, and tells him thatunless he drinks some he will never become a man. So the little fellow drinks because it is his father’s desire and not his own. He soon acquires a thirst for the poisonous cup, and when he comes to manhood’s estate he drinks often and freely. At last he drinks too much and becomes intoxicated—yes, intoxicated! This is his first step to ruin; the habit has been formed. His father is now much mortified. He threatens to disinherit him if he does not stop drinking, but it is too late. The father has laid the foundation and the son has built on it, and neither of them is now able to undo what has been done and fixed into a habit. His mother begs him to never again touch the deadly drug. For her sake he promises and takes the pledge. There is great rejoicing now. His father, mother, friends, all rejoice at the reclamation; the son has reformed! Yes, he has reformed. His eyes lose their redness and become bright and lustrous. He attends diligently to his business. After a while he marries. Then the rejoicing is universal. All delight at the great reformation. But alas! how frail is human nature. Soon after his marriage he meets at the tavern his old chums. He has perfect confidence in himself. He knows he will not drink again. His pride asserts itself. His old companions are gleeful and congenial; they ask him to drink. He pays no attention to them.Then they sneer, they ridicule, they appeal to his manhood, they accuse him of being tied to his wife’s apron strings. To prove to them that he is not all that they declare, he takes one drink, then another and another, and soon he is beastly drunk. Then they kick him out. His wife watches for him, then she watches over him, and he does not return, so it seems. He is now detained on business; he has an engagement at the club, at the lodge. How little does she know how soon she is to be bowed down and broken under grief! She watches. It is midnight; she meets him at the door with a glad heart; the sight is heart-sickening. She reels and faints. He is fearfully intoxicated! When he is able to reason, she reasons with him, but in vain. Down, down he goes from one step to another, until from a large mansion he brings her to live in a cellar. Who is that grinning monster the boys are pelting in the street? And who is that emaciated creature entreating the boys to let the miserable wretch whom she calls her husband go home? The once noble husband and the once beautiful wife! What has brought them so low? What has caused her misery, her anguish? Rum, rum, rum; nothing but the demon RUM!
Oh, young man, if you only knew the harm that the social glass does you, the misery that it brings, the death that follows, you would castaway the poison and turn from it now, before it is eternally to late. “Touch not, taste not the unclean thing, for wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging.”
Algiers,La.
For the Christian Recorder.
Mr.Editor: You have not heard from us for several months, not because we have lost interest, for we have always stood among the active workers of the Church, but we have been very busy. The last time we wrote you from the South we were in the State of Tennessee.
In the month of October last year Bishop Brown ordered us to strike our tent and move to Arkansas. With the knapsack of faith and the musket of truth we came and engaged in the contest, taking charge of Little Rock.
The Little Rock Conference is composed of some of the noblest and most energetic men in the Church. They work, sing and fight against Satan like men of war, determined to conquer although they die in the battle. Elder J. T. Jenifer, so well known throughout our widespread connection as a pioneer of African Methodism, erected a new church edifice at Little Rock, amonument that can never be forgotten, and to be admired by unborn generations. Bishop Brown and J. F. A. Sisson, P. E., contributed their share towards the construction of this model of beauty. H. H. Petigrew,P. E., John A. Jones, S. A. Patten and R. A. Sinquefield are the pioneers of African Methodism in this State, and their labors have been given entirely to the Christian Church. Their affectionate and kind-hearted spirits draw every one near to them in the fullest confidence, and none can but love and cherish them.
The Conference is divided into eleven districts and is cared for by good and faithful presiding elders who are not afraid of the truth, though dark and gloomy clouds oppose them on every hand. We have several churches in course of construction in this State which will be ornaments when completed.
In Little Rock the work is in a prosperous condition. We are preparing to hold the Conference on the 9th of November, 1876. Bishop T. M. Ward is now with us on his way to the South Arkansas Conference. Our church is not yet completed, and we are about four thousand dollars in debt; but, thank the Lord, we were successful in paying off $1200 this year. We have 483 members, who say that they are determined to succeed. We have 229 scholars in the SundaySchool and 25 officers and teachers. We have not done much for the Recorder, but we intend to fall into line. “Hold the fort, for we are coming!” (“Yes, but hurry up!”)
King Cotton has a powerful influence in this State, and the same is true of another king—Alcohol. There are 113 rum shops in Pine Bluff and 108 in Little Rock. Thousands of people are inquiring for the byways to hell, and, comparatively speaking, very few are inquiring the way to heaven. Over $1,000,000 are spent in this State annually for rum and tobacco.
On September 25th we visited the Conference of Tennessee, held in Pulaski, where we met many smiling faces and hearts and enjoyed a hearty shake of many hands.
A. H. NEWTON.
Little Rock,Ark., October 18, 1876.
Algiers is situated on the north bank of the Mississippi River, about one hundred miles distant from the Gulf. It is connected with New Orleans by ferry boats, which run every five or ten minutes. There is not much enterprise here, as all the business is done in the city. It is not a separate parish from the city, as one mayor controls the affairs of both places. Beelzebub hashis headquarters here, and his court and his orders take the premium. The Sabbath is not respected. Mechanics labor and stevedores flock and flutter about the ships. You will find human beings as thick on the ballroom floor on Sunday as fleas on a dog’s head. And this is only a substitute for the wickedness indulged in here on the Sabbath. But our Church is progressing. We have just had a glorious revival. Our forces were drawn up in line in pitched battle with the devil and artillery of hell. After a heavy conflict for several weeks the battle subsided. When the smoke was over we picked up thirty souls happily converted to God. Bishop Ward was with us about eight weeks ago. He organized a new mission work in this city. He threw two or three bombshells against the forces of Catholicism, crippled, wounded and captured several of their troops, and moved on down the line, leaving the boys to push the battle to the gate.
A. H. NEWTON.
June 21, 1877.
For the Christian Recorder.
Mr.Editor: Elder A. H. Newton has charge of the branch of African Methodism of Algiers,La.When Elder Newton arrived in Algiers hefound the church in an almost hopeless condition, there being but ten members belonging to the fold, and as far as Sabbath School was concerned, they hardly knew what it meant. The majority of the people of color are Catholics. There are three Catholic churches to one Methodist church, therefore he had to labor under great disadvantages, but with King Jesus as his Captain, the Bible as his shield, he fought the battle bravely and gained the victory. Our church now is in a prosperous condition. We are doing a good work. Instead of ten members we have ten times ten, and they are coming to the fold every day. We have the finest Sabbath School in the State of Louisiana. There are one hundred and seventy-five members, and still they come. Our superintendent, Prof. J. H. Corbin, is alive to our Sabbath School. He is pious, kind and educated. The children all love him, and in no Sunday School throughout our entire connection could you find a better superintendent than he. He is also the principal of the colored school of Algiers. Our musical director, Prof. S. W. Otts, is also one of our bright stars. He makes the walls of Zion ring with melodies from the “Gospel Songs.” Miss O. B. Flowers, the assistant principal of the colored school of this city is also a noble worker in our Sabbath School. As a teacher she is interesting, and she is also theembodiment of Christian forbearance. We have a very intelligent corps of teachers, and, altogether, our school is progressing quite rapidly. When Elder Newton came to Algiers there was not a book in the Sabbath School library, not even a Testament; but with the help of God we have been enabled to get Testaments, Bibles and Catechisms, and we also have an organ. All this has been done in three months. In another three months we have hopes of as much more being accomplished. Our agent for the Christian Recorder is Mrs. Lula L. Newton. She sells as many papers as are sent her, and could sell as many more if she had them. The people take quite an interest in the paper, simply because it is edited and published by our own color.
For the last week we have had a practical effort, six souls have been added to our number and we have prospects of as many more. Algiers bids fair of becoming one of the strongholds of the connection. In the city of New Orleans, Bishop Ward (blessings on his venerable head!) has organized a new mission, which the elder in charge—Elder Cargile—with the help of the Lord and good management, is making a good charge. The people in this city are very wicked, some of them, although in a Christian land and among Christian people, are worse than heathen. They have never read the Bible. TheBishop, knowing this, organized the mission in the most wicked portion of the city, and it is progressing finely.
ADA A. NEWTON.
April 4, 1877.
For the Christian Recorder.
Mr.Editor: I am glad to say that our church is gaining ground. Christians are a unit in this place in laboring for the building of Christ’s kingdom. Meetings are being held everywhere, with very marked results. Elder James Madison is carrying on a great work inSt.James. He seems to be determined that every valley shall be filled and every hill made low. I think that he is the right man in the right place. The Elder visited my Sabbath School and addressed the children. He expressed himself as highly pleased with the progress of the church and school.
Elder Lazarus Gardiner, ofSt.Peter’s Chapel, is scattering Gospel seed and contending against the assaults of sin, at the head of noble-hearted workers for the success of African Methodism in this State. They have paid five hundred dollars on their new church and have arranged for the payment of another five hundred when due. TheElder is up and a-doing. God speed him on his journey!
Dr.George W. Bryant is sounding the Gospel trumpet from the battlements of Zion at the Union Bethel. He is master of the situation. If our Gospel be hid, it is hid unto them that are lost. The Baptist church is also doing a great work in this place. I was at a union meeting at theRev.James Chaig’s church, a Baptist brother, and the Spirit of the Lord God filled the house. It was densely packed. The conference of glad voices giving praise to God was a heaven below. Brother Benjamin Buchannon also held a union meeting last Sabbath, which was a complete success. Fully three thousand people were present. The church and the yard were literally packed. God bless these brethren! May they live long and continue as instruments in the hands of God, enemies to ignorance and friends to holiness! J. H. Scie, P. E., is on the scout, I presume, although I have not heard from Elder Thomas. And Elder Burch I can give no account of, as I have no news from their district since Conference.
A. H. NEWTON.
June 5, 1877.
TheRev.A. H. Newton was ably assisted in the service of dedicating the beautiful new Macedonia Church in Camden,N. J., last Sunday. The dedicatory service was conducted and sermon preached by Bishop A. W. Wayman, D.D., at 11 A. M. In the afternoon the editor of the Christian Recorder and at night Macedonia’s ex-pastor,Rev.W. H. Yocum, B.D., preached. There were present theRev.G. A. Mills,Rev.J. W. Cooper, T. N. Allen, S. B. Williams, G. S. Smith, T. Gould, L. J. Coppin, B. T. Tanner, D.D., J. H. Bean, J. W. Becket, D.D., W. Rice and G. M. Witten, of our church, and S. P. Smith, of the Congregational Church of Knoxville,Tenn.There may have been other ministers present. In the afternoon the audience of the main audience room overflowed, filling the basement, where they were addressed in a good sermon delivered byRev.G. M. Witten. The collection of the day amounted to over $900. Macedonia has been partly described while in course of erection. It is of brick, the windows are of beautiful stained glass, the floor is entirely carpeted, the pulpit is furnished, the gas jets, the excellent finish of the entire building within and without command our congratulation to our Brother Newton and constituents, who with him,as well as with his predecessor, Elder Yocum, under whose pastorate the building was started, erected and enclosed, have been faithful.
October 24, 1886.
For the Christian Recorder.
Mr.Editor: In the midst of the ranges of thought and sentiment, and while the busy world was moving on in the grand march of improvement, the Church of the Living God is unfolding and developing everywhere. The Kingdom of Christ is gaining territory in the marts of men.
Sunday, October 24th, the Macedonia A. M. E. Church of Camden,N. J., was dedicated with imposing services. Indeed, I venture the assertion that it was the grandest occasion in the history of the congregation. More than forty years ago a few fathers and mothers, African Methodists, concluded to build the house to God in that city, all of whom have finished their well-begun work, and have fallen asleep; but Brother Wilson, Father Sample, Mother Quinn and Sister Hill. The younger men and women, inspired by the fathers, took hold where they left off and have carried forward the work until the thirdbuilding is successfully reared on the same lot; but the glory of the latter house is greater than the former. The members and congregation needed this new church seventeen years before it was built. They were losing their congregation of young people, their societies were taking their start from Old Macedonia until eight other churches were built in Camden. With the exception of one or two, Macedonia was the poorest. Standing two and one-half feet below the grade of the street might be seen a small flat-roof house covered with felt, pitch and gravel; this was the A. M. E. church with a gallery all around it, yet some of our ablest ministers had pastored there.
After I had labored three years in the city of Providence,R. I., in August, Bishop John M. Brown said to me, “Brother Yeocum, we have needed a new church in Camden for years, can you not go there and build that church. You will find a good lot of people. We must have a church there that will compare with the churches in Philadelphia or we shall lose all that we have.” On the 22nd of August I found myself in Camden,N. J., and it was not long before we commenced talking about the new church. About the last of October our first grand rally netted us $575.00; at the last service in the old building we raised about $300.00 and soon $1,000.00 were in hand. The old church was taken down andmany were fearful that the church would never go up again. We took the congregation some distance from its stamping ground to what is known as “Kaighnsville” and worshipped in our mission school-house just in the rear of the A. M. E. Z. Church. Here we remained eighteen months while the carpenters and masons were working on the present noble structure. There were many discouragements and trying circumstances confronting us, but we toiled on trusting in the Lord whose work it was. The tribes led on by the presidents, Mrs. Anna White, the late Lyda McCoy and Mrs. Maggie J. Moseley and Mrs. Lizzie Green, collected money perhaps as they never expected. It was simply marvelous. The former, if my memory is correct, raised over $500.00 during my three years pastorate while the building was being erected.
On the first Sunday in December, 1885, we went into the basement of the new church complete. That was an occasion of surprise as well as of joy to the members of the congregation. For many a Job’s comforter had prophesied that it would not go up again, while others laughed saying, “Aha! Aha!” “Where is their church now?” Perhaps some said, “What they do build, if a fox go up thereon, it will break down.” In April, 1885, I was succeeded by theRev.A. H. Newton, who is a successful, energetic pastor,who does not sit down or stand still waiting for something to turn up in his favor, like some pastors. But he goes to work with such vim and is here and there so much among his members that one following him learns thatRev.Newton has been there. With this spirit he carried to completion this fine and beautiful church. He and his members deserve much credit. The church has all the modern improvements and many say that it is the finest A. M. E. church in New Jersey. I do not remember the dimensions but it is a large two-story brick building with a cellar below where all the heating is done. On entering the front door there is a stair-way leading to the audience room on the right and on the left. Before entering the lecture room there is a fine study and lecture and class room with frosted windows. The ceiling of the basement is high, it is easily ventilated, the windows of the best enameled glass. There is no paint on the wood work, simply finished in oil, thus retaining the natural color of the yellow pine. The audience room is large with three isles, one in the center and one on each side, with a door at each isle, making the exit very easy. There is a large gallery across the front, making the seating capacity about 550. The windows are the best variegated stained glass. In each there is a memorial to Bishop R. H. Cain, theRev.A. H.Newton, W. H. Yeocum andMr.Perry Wilson, the oldest member. The ceiling is very high, carved and angled, with two large reflectors which give a mellow, beautiful light. Unlike many of our churches all the floor is carpeted and the fine furniture on the pulpit, together with the splendid pipe organ, make an elegant finish.
At 10:30 a. m., after the usual form, Bishop A. W. Wayman, D.D., preached one of his noted sermons which was well received by the people, the text being, “Who is she that looketh fair as the morning?” AndRev.B. F. Lee, D.D., preached a most elegant, instructive, sermon at 3 p. m. The congregation was so large that theRev.G. M. Witten preached to a crowded basement also at the same hour. At 7 p. m. your humble servant tried to preach fromRev.1:11, “I am Alpha and Omega,” the theme being, “Christ, the First and the Last.” The collection was $900.00, which was very good considering the circumstances of our people. The visiting members present wereDr.B. T. Tanner,Rev.J. W. Cooper,Rev.G. A. Mills,Rev.S. B. Williams,Rev.W. A. Rice,Rev.J. H. Bean,Rev.J. H. Morgan andRev.L. J. Coppin.
Rev.William H. Yeocum, B.D.
Trenton, New Jersey.