—B"2"— REV, JOSEPH S. THOMPSON, Pastor of Bethel A, M. E. Church. PHILADELPHIA; PA, 5 ll.I.ori ,). Holland, Book and Job Printer, HEM bombard Stri $3? 1881. «Q iOM BETHEL K -B"2T— REV. JOSEPH S. THOMPSON Pastor of Bethel A, M, E, Church. PHILADELPHIA, PA. Robert J. Holland, Book and Job Printer, 1034 Lombard Street. 1881. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by JOSEPH S. THOMPSON, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washing'on, D. C. BETHEL GLEANINGS. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I —Why and when was the A. M. E. Church founded, and who the founders were. CHAPTER II.—Biography of Rt. Rev. Richard Allen. CHAPTER III.—Bethel A. M. E. Church, Philadelphia, Pa. Sketches of some of her prominent members with a record of the different pastors, official members, and general officers of the connection. BETHEL GLEANINGS. INTRODUCTION. One by one the old land-marks are removed. New faces, new buildings appear, and soon the last representatives of an age filled with trials, and struggles, will have passed away. It is therefore necessary to seize time by the forelock and collect what we can in order that some record may be preserved, for the bene­ fit of those who are about to take the place of those who have finished their course. The present generation has no conception of the trials of the generations which preceded them. To-day every door is opened, the way is clear and all is peace. When we look back fifty years we find nothing but utter darkness, and almost despair. Only now and then, could a ray of hope be seen through the clouds of blackest darkness, a darkness that could be seen and felt on every side. Every avenue toward advancement was closed against the Negro. Church and State conspired against him. Notwithstand­ ing this, there were a few who had the courage to assert their rights and prove their manhood. They saw the victory from afar, and even if they did not live to reap the benefits, yet they died fully assured that right would triumph over might. Could the history of the struggles of our people in this country be fully written, it would seem more like some romance, born in the ima­ gination of some literary genius. We cannot conceive in our minds at this day, how our race has gone through so much fire, and survived. Neither do the descendants of the oppressors, wish to own that their progenitors were guilty of oppression. But truth is truth, and must be met and received. Our object in writing these gleanings is, that we may preserve a record of the days of trials, and the persons who took a prominent part in the formation and building, and organiz­ ing our church, viz: The African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her's is a history which no pen can fully portray. For the most part, we have no written record of the past, most of her history comes to us in the form of oral tradition; yet this for the most part is accurate, for it is given by the near descendants of those who were active workers, and even founders of this great organiza­ tion of to-day. They too will soon be gone and then it will be still more difficult to get the facts of the past. " One by one our friends pass o'er, To the bright and peaceful shore ; And they join in glad surprise, The glorious anthem of the skies." J. S. THOMPSON, PASTOR OF BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH, Philadelphia, Pa. September ist, 1881. CHAPTER I. Why and by whom was the African Methodist Episcopal Church Founded? There can be no effect, without a cause, and there must have been a great cause to have made the founders of the A. M. E. Church form an organization of their own. It was a bold step for the people at that time. It was open rebellion against the M. E. Church. But nothing could stop the movement, for it was im­ pelled by God. The more observant of the colored members, saw that the other members of the M. E. Church were not consistent iu their profession, as christians. They also found that they were constantly, deprived of the real privileges, belonging to all the members of the same creed and church. They all professed to worship the same God, yet there was a great distinction made among them. They were insulted and neglected intentionally, for they were at this time beginning to see the glimmer of a brighter day. As their spiritual eyes were opened, they also im­ proved mentally. They began to reason and study for themselves. A few of them had learned to read the word,Tand were able to give instruction to those around them. This also enraged the whites, for they knew if this should continue, that their influence would be entirely gone. In order to intimidate the poor and despised ones, they began to stop them from taking an active part in their meetings. They wanted them to be seen, (in some out of the way corner) and not heard in the house of God. Hence it became time for them to assert their manhood, even if there were no poli­ tical rights; yet would they declare their independence, and worship God in their own way, and under their own vine and fig tree. It required a master spirit, and men of nerve, to undertake a thing of this kind at that day.—But when any great thing either of church, or state is to be accomplished, God always raises up leaders.—The question of separation was first agitated in Phila­ delphia, Pa., in November, 1787. At that time the colored people held a meeting to consider their condition. They pro- 6 posed to withdraw from the M. E. Church and build a church of their own. This was greatly opposed by the leaders of the M. E. Church. They were threatened with expulsion, and were advised to give up the idea. But the die was cast. Their minds were fully made up to start for themselves. The leaders of the move­ ment, then resigned their membership with the M. E. Church and henceforth they were forever free. They were left in place for a few years, but as they increased in numbers, they naturally varied in opinion in regard to the mode of worship. This was in 1793, and as there was quite a number who were in favor of the Methodist form, then the Spirit moved Richard Allen. Consult­ ing with a few tried friends he proposed building a house for wor­ ship on his own land. The proposition was accepted, the build­ ing was finished, was dedicated and called " BETHEL." The Church started out alone, meeting opposition and trials on every hand, yet they prospered, never losing heart, but having faith, knowing they were pursuing a right course. In this man­ ner the members of Bethel in Philadelphia struggled on alone until the year 1816. The light from Bethel had been seen ; her influence and independence began to be felt by the colored people in different cities and communities. They saw the success of Bethel; and as they were laboring under the same embarrass­ ments which Bethel had passed through, they commenced to withdraw from the M. E. churches. The question of a separate and independent organization was greatly agitated. It was finally decided to call a convention of the leading people of all sections. This convention was held in Philadelphia, April, 1816, when it was "Resolved, That the people of Philadelphia, Balti­ more, and all other places, who should unite with them, should become cne body, under the name and style of the " African Methodist Episcopal Church/ " This resolution is the declara­ tion of independence of all the members of the A. M. E. Church. This is the great compact which joins her worshippers, who are known throughout the United States ; even on the islands of the sea and the vast continent of Africa, her banner has been raised and floats triumphantly. Bishop Payne, in his work called "The Semi-Centenary and Retrospection of the African Methodist Episcopal Church," gives us the names of the brave and good Christian pioneers who founded the great structure of to-day. He names them as follows: " Richard Allen, Jacob Tapsico, Clayton Durham, James Champion, and Thomas Web­ ster, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Daniel Coker, Richard Williams, Henry Harden, Stephen Hill, Edward Williamson, and Nicholas Gailliard, of Baltimore, Md.; Peter Spencer, of Wilmington, Del.; Jacob Marsh, Edward Jackson and William Andrews, of Attleborough, Pa. ; and Peter Cuff, of Salem, N. J." These sixteen fathers were the signers of our Magna Charta. The Rev. Richard Allen was legally elected, and was solemnly set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands as bishop of the A. M. E- Church. There can be no dispute in regard to the legality of his title. He was ordained bishop on the 16th day of April, 1816. His title was recognized from the first, and will remain forever. What a vast field of work was before the fathers. Prejudice and opposition on every hand : yet they launched their little bark on the great ocean of time, fully trusting in the Divine Ruler of all things. The labor of that Christian convention in 1816 was not in vain: their work follows them. Time does not decrease it, but enlarges the field. To-day finds the child born amid tears and prayers a man in full strength and glory.