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AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
By

WORK AND WORKERS.

the

REV.
Rector of
St.

GEORGE

F.

BRAGG.

D. D.,

James' Church, Baltimore, Md., and Editor of the Church

Advocate.

Church Advocate

Print,

Baltimore, Md., May, 1904.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

EDITOR'S PREFACE.
In sending- forth this Httle vol-

ume, the author may be pardoned

for referring to his

own

labors in

For well nigh eighteen years has he edited and

published a journal in the interest
of

Church JournaHsm.

church work

among

the colored

race.

In addition to the literary,

publication,

and a large part of the mechanical

work, in
at his
its
it

has been

own

financial cost.
sacrifice

We

do

not regret the

we have

made. Nor is this little volume in any way to financially help us personally.

In addition to the circu-

lation of information about the col-

ored work, 'it is our most ardent hope that sufficient may be realized from the sale of this publication to cancel a mortgage of a few hundred dollars on the Rectory of St.

James' Church.
gation,
at

Our
is

little

congre-

engaged in wrestling with a S4000 debt upon our church, and we are loth to dipresent,

vert their effort therefrom to the

debt upon the Rectory.

We

shall

be profoundly grateful to all who may help us in this undertaking by

purchasing copies of

this little book.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

THE REV. ABSALOM

JONES, FIRST AFRO-AMERICAX PRIEST.

1740.

Bom

In Siusex, Del., 6th of

November,

Ordained Deneon Augnst 6th, 179S.

13,

Died Februarj-

181S.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

r-

The

Ij<\te

Uev. Alexander Cruiumell, D.

St. I^uke't*

D., LLi.D.,

Founder

Church, 'Waslilngton, D. C.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

On Wednesday September
1886,

more than 17 years ago,

St Luke's Church, Washington. Rev. Dr. Alexander Crummell, Rector, assembled the Fourth Annual Convocation of Colored Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church. This Confer-

22, in in the city of

ence was a memorable one.

late Dr.

The Crummell was its president, and the Rev. Hutchens C.

Bishop, Rector
of St.
Philip's

Church, New York was secretary. The opening sermon was preached by the Rev. Alfred Co Brown Rector of St. Luke's New Haven. The Colored Clergy, now living, who were present at the Conference of 1886, besides the* writer (who was then only a layman) and the Rev. Mr. Bishop, were Rev. J. B. Massiah of Detroit, Prof. Joseph now in England and the Rev. Alfred C. Brown, at present out of the country.
It was at the Conference of 1886 in St. Luke's Church Washington that it was determined to change the Conference from an exclusively Negro body to one composed of Church Workers among Colored People, so as to include in its membership white as vrell as colored persons. And in the same Conference, following the change above noted, were introduced the first white members of this body, the Rev. Calbraith B. Perry, then vicar of S.

Mary's Chapel, Baltimore Md. and the Rev. George B.Johnson, then Rector of St James First African Church of the same city. * The Rev. Mr. Perry, in detail, explained a scheme in his mind looking to the memoralizing of the General Convention, to assemble in Chicago, the next month, with respect to the appointment by that body of a Com mission of Bishops, clergy and lay men for the furtherance of the work of the Church among the
race,
-

The Conference most heartilyapproved of Mr. Perry's plan, and on file with the memorial from Mr. Perry in the Journal of the General Convention of 1886 will also be found a certificate setting forth the action of the Conference signed, by Rev. Hutchens C. Bishop Secretary. At the General Convention which met the next month in the city of Chicago the memorial of Mr. Perry was assented to and a Commission consisting of five Bishops, five clergymen and five laymen, was created to supervise and further the work of the Church among the colored people
of this country.

this date we begin a'new in the Missionary activities era Church of the special field of which we are engaged. work in

From

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

.But, before following the progress of the work from this point, it will not be entirely out of place to call the roll of our fellow workers, of Afro-American blood,

W.

E.

GEORGE G. MIDDLETON, BEVERLY M. lEPFERSON, MARKF. NELSON. T.W.VAUGHAN^ BENJ. L J vCK, JOHN G. URGLING,

WALTER LEWLS BUKWELL.

HOWELL.

F.

W. DUNN.

who had
time-

fallen asleep

up to this
J.

MATTHEW McnUFFIE,
MCNEILL,
C. C. C.

A. H.

Absalom Jones,
Peter Williams, William Levington, William, Douglass, W. C. Monroe, Harrison H.Webb, Josephus, DfeGrasse, Peterson, Berry, Cooley, Saltus Cummings, Cooper, Brady, Allston, Atwell, St. James, Henderson, Harris. Rogers, and Mckinney.
In October 1886, when the Commission was created, the following who are now living were in Priests' orders,

WILLLAM F.FLOYD,
J,

W H. MORRIP,

xMAPP,

PALL.'^M WILLIAMS,T. W. CAIN,

E, and

ALliXANDER CRUMMKLL. CHARLES H. THOMPSON. WILLIAM A. GRF.EN CHARLES L.8UTHEPN.

following,

During the same period, the number, have 11 in been deposed from the Sacred
Ministry.
D.

WILSON TAYLOR, R.A.SMITH

L.

W INFIELD,
H.

BENJ. F LEWIS.
M. D.

W,

D. W. B.

COSTEN. E.JOHNSON,

R.B.BRUCE. HINTON. P5RRY. J. B. McCONNELL. GEORGE W. HONKS TY.

All deacons, save one, and all of themj we think, without one T. G. Harper A. A. Roberts exception, came into the Church H. C. Bishop C. M.C. Mason from some of the christian bodP. A. Morgan. J. B. Massiah ies. It is rather singular that There were also 12 persons, not one of them was brought up now living, who were then dea- and raised in the bosom of the cons, five of whom are still dea- church. cons to-day, and one ofthe twelve, Pollard of North Archdeacon The following, ordained during Carolina, was advanced to the the same period, in this country, Priesthood before the close of the are now working in foreign parts. year 1886. B, W. TIMOTHY. J. H. DIXON. Since the close of the year 1886 J. ALFRED HOLLEY. H.HARTLEY
S.

H. L. Phillips J. G. Bryant

W. H.Wilson
Kerr

the

followingr

brethren have

.^

J.

^.alian asleep.

BENJAMIN WILLIAMS. JOSEPH N. DURANT-

>

^^

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

4^
THE
I.4TE ni<HOP

WHITTLE, OF VIRGINIA.

THE

I.ATE

KEXTUCKY.

HISHOI*

DIDI-EY,

OF

BISHOP HOM.Y, OF HAITI.

BISHOP FERGLSOX, W. AFRICA.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

Deaths previous to 1886,23 Since 21 Depositions 11 Out of country6 Total 61 Present clergy List Priests 64 Deacons 29
Total,
93.

ed interest in this department of ^the Church's Work. In the General convention of 1889 another practical agency was inaugurated the direct result of agitation and education upon the part of this

Conference the appointment of Archdeacons for the Colored ed work in various parts of the
country.

past years the Church has

During

the

seventeen

headway

and growth in all directions, and although it is far from what it ought to be, yet there can be no doubt with respect

In the Spring of the year 1889 the Diocese of Virginia eliminated the Negro from its Diocesan and our Conference Council, which met in the September folto actual progress in every de- lowing, memorialized the General partment of the church, in this convention which met the next field, in all sections of the counmonth in the city of New York, try. asking of that body a definition of our status in the church. There First and foremost among the were two Committee reports beagencies largely responsible for fore that body on this particular this growth and general awaken- matter. The majority, practically, ing is the Annual Conference of told us to fight it out the best Church Workers. We haye not way we could in the various dioonly kept the subject before the cese3,for the General Convention Strange Church, by our meetings, from had no power to act. year to year, but the indirect in- as it may appear, yet true, the fluence going out from this Con- minority report which championference has been something won- e i our cause, was as radical and derful, far more than we seem to d3cisive as any one could desire, appreciate or realise. was signed by three clergymen, one a Southernman and a VirginWe have already intimated how iin, the late Dr. Bird of Texas, that this conference was largely another not a Virginian but who if not chiefly, responsible for the had gotten his Theology at the creation of the church commis- Virginia,Seminary, the late Philsion, which has greatly stimulat lips Brooks, and the third one Dr.

made much

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

Vibbert, then of Chicago. Despite Dr. Brooks's ringing words upon the floor of the House of Deputies, the majority report was adopted, and the direct answer to our query evaded. At the General Convention of 1892,

we were

again in evidence in our

plea for a closar adaptation of the Episcopate to the needs of our paople, but nothing was done. At the General Convention of 1395 at Minneapolis we were again before that body pleading for field secretary, the adaptation of the Episaopate, and the found ing of a Church College. Some little notice seemed to have been

the upper house on the proposiIn the tion was not favorable. lower house, the committee, suggested the necessary legislation to make the matter effective, and a special committee of which the late Rev. J. J. Faude was a member was appointed to consider the matter and bring it up at the next Ganeral Convention. The last General Convention, at San Francisco, was a little too far for us, and with the many heavy the General before subjects, Convention, at that time, and the charming beauty of the Pacific Coast, it is jast possible that the report of the committee was
overlooked.

given to our memorial. At one time it was thought that a large sum from the late Missionary enrollment fund would prove available for the establishment of a Church College for the race, but for some reason it failed. Our request for a field secretary was favorably commended to the

During this same period, since the creation of the Commission, our beloved brother the Archdeacon of Southern Virginia has called intD being and built up,
principally through his own personal exertions, St. Paul's School Lawrenceville, the largest institution of it its kind, in numbers, operated by our church for the In the meantime, Colored race. the older school, St. Augustine's Raleigh has been greatly improv-

Board of Managers for action, and the board of Managers in

turn turned it over to the Commission where it has been under consideration ever since. At the Convention of 1898, in Washington, a committee of this Conference succeeded in appearing before Committees of the House of Bishops and the lower House, with respect to the adaptation of the Episcopate. The action in

ed and strengthened. The Bishop Payne Divinity School Petersburg although in existence as a branch school of the Virginia Seminary, at the time of the organization of the Commission has since that.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

it

h^^

ii^~^

> a

-4.{,

12

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

adelphia, with most imposing and beautiful services, assisted by

time been duly incorporated as a in connection with this Centenniseparate and distinct institution. al celebration that the very first Tliis institution as well as King Annual meeting of the Woman's Hall, founded since 1886, have Auxiliary to the Conference, was dona good work in furnishing held. The 'old mother Church' men for the Holy Ministry. Hoff- furnished the place of meeting man Hall, Nashville Tenn., has for this first National gathering arisen and fallen, and arisen a- of our Women, and that in congain since 1886, and is designed nection with her Centennial, and to do much the same work as the the next oldest of our Af ro-Amer other Theological institutions al- ican churches, S. PhiHp's New ready mentioned. Quite a number York, furnished the Afro-Ameriof parochial schools, throughout can Church woman, tlie first Pres the South, have come into exist- identof ourConferenca Auxiliary Miss Sarah Elizebeth Frazier. ence daring the period we are now considering, and some of them This feature of our annual Con have graduated into something ferences, the Auxiliary, is far more pretentious, such as Saint Mark's Academy, Birmingham, from being simply an ornamental one. The women have done, and Ala., and S. Michael's School, are doing, a grand work, in inCharlotte, North Carolina. s^^iring and uniting the women of our several parishes, in the work In 1894 our oldest church, the mother of us all, S. Thomas' Phil- of Missions and the uplifting of the race.

Then, there have been other some twenty odd Afro-American celebration worthy of special men

priests, as well as other clergy, tion, such as the Fiftieth Annicelebrated its first Centennial. It versary of the ordination of our was indeed a grand and worthy venerable father and brother the occasion. One hundred years of late Alexander Crummall to the corporate Church life by Negroes Priesthood, celebrated at St. in the Anglican communion! Luke's Church, Washington, DeBishops and distinguished men, cember 1894. His address, upon both of the clergy and laity, were that historic occasion like all present to take part in that great his utterances, was most beauticelebration. The Rev. Owen M.- ful, and impressive, as well as Waller, M. D., was the Rector of replete with historical matter the parish at that time. It was worthy of preservation. The 25th
.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

13

Who

THE REV.

T.

Represented Texna in the General Convention.

W. CAIN.

*" Marylnnd, First Colored Man Ordained in trie South.

1'HE

LATE REV. WM. DOUGLASS,

i^'

ARCHDEACON

POLLxVRD, N.

C.

ARCHDEACON Rl

SSELL., So. Vii^nla.

14

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS,

anniversary of the ordination to the Priesthood of our present much beloved and honored "senior" Presbyter Rev. H. L. Phillips, bat a few vears ago, was celbrated in grand style by the people of his own congregation among whom he has spent all of
his cleriacl life.
If St. Thomas Philadelphia is the oldest of us all, St. James Baltimore, is at least the oldest south of Mason and Dixon's line, and as all of us are members one of another, so St. James is indebted somewhat both to St. Thomas Philadelphia, and St Philips, New York, for her found er William Levington was a New Yorker by birth, while he received his orders in Philadelphia, very likely within the walls of the

75th Anniversary by pulling up stakes and lengthening her cords in a more desirable portion of the city, that she may continue in in the past, the future, as to send forth her sons as founders and builders of Churches.

The Church Advocate, in season and out of season, has lived by some means as a connecting link between the scattered brethren, during all these years, and it has not been published entirely
in vain,

even though its editor has had to pay a royalty for the privilege of advocating a cause and interest dear to the hearts of all Afro- Americans.
Certainly, as

we impartially

re-

view the vrork of 17 years past, and take a bird eye view of the

number of clergy, churches chapels schools and other agencies, then, now, we must give thanks and high praise to God for the

Old St. Thomas church'. St. James has partly paid its debt, for Maryland sent St. Thomas her Wm. Douglass, and we have given St. Philip's New York, for her Rector, and the best she has ever had, one of our own children. And in order that we might give ven more than we recieved. St. James, more than 59 years ago sant her first born son into the
ministry to the city of
en,

grace andfavor bestowed upon us. unworthy as we are, in being permitted to note so many gratifying evidences of success and usefulness to the race and tothe Church. May the Almighty God continue to pour forth upon us his favor

New

and blessing,

Hav-

and St. Luke's church tells what Eli Worthington Stokes peace to our fellow workers who wrought. So a few years ago having fallen asleep, have passthe old

and may He also, mercy and goodness and grant refreshment, light
of his infinite

James"

Southern mother "St. Baltiinore celebrated her

ed on out of our sight into the Paradise of God.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

15

REV. H.

L,.

PHILLIPS, Penn.

REV.

J.

W. PERRY,

N. C.

REV.

C.

M.

C.

M VSp?f,

Mo.

mEV. H.

S.

McDlFFV. Lo.g

tol.nd.

i6

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
At

WORK AND WORKERS.

Church Workers Haven, Conn.,

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.
the 19th annual meeting of the Conference of

Among

Colored People, held in

St.

Luke's Church,

New

Sept. 15th, 1903, a Commission of Fifteen was created to seek an interview with the Bishops in southern dioceses, with respect to the adjustment of the Historic Episcopate to the needs of the Colored Race. Through the kindness and courtesy of the late Bishop Dudley of Kentucky, chairman
of'

the Commission for

Work Among

Colored People, an audience was

secured in the city of Washington, at the Pro. Cathedral, on

Oct. 26, 1903.

Monday

Bishop Dudley presided

in this conference,

and the Rev.

Jr., D.D., and the Rev. Prof. J. W. Johnson, of the Bishop Payne Divinity School, Petersburg, Va., were selected by the Conference Commission to be their "spokesmen. Bishops from the following dioceses and jurisdictions were present: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Lexington, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tenn-

Geo. F. Bragg,

essee,

Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (Bishop

of the Conference Commission present were:

Coadjutor) and the jurisdiction of Southern Florida.

The members

Rev.
C.

Messrs. Bragg, Bishop, Miller, FL L. Phillips, Waller, Tunnell, E. R.

Bennett, Johnson, and Archdeacon Pollard.

Laity

Messrs.
will

Dr.

J.

Norwood, R. R.

Florner,

Walker W. Lewis, and Solomon DeCourcey.

it

By

a careful reading of the addresses below,

appear that the

colored clergy and laity of the Church do not ask for anything startling

or revolutionary.

They do not ask

for

any mandatory enactment.

They

only ask that -the general law of the Church be so changed that where

two or more diocesan Bishops, in contiguous dioceses, deem it wise and helpful to the work, upon their united request, a colored clergyman may
be consecra!ted
as"

a Missionary Bishop, to exercise jurisdiction over the

colored people within their territorial bounds, under such regulations as

may

be determined upon by the House of Bishops. The following address was read by Rev.iDr. George
of the Committee, and Secretary of
the

F. Bragg, chair-

man

Conference of Church

Workers

AN ADDRESS TO THE BISHOPS

Venerable Fathers in God:

IN

SOUTHERN DIOCESES.

We desire, first of all, to tender you our sincere thanks for your prompt and ready response to the invitation of the Conference of Church Workers among the Colored People, to meet in friendly conference with representatives from that body, with respect to matters pertaining to a branch bi the Church's missionary work in which you, as well as ourselves arc profoundly interested. There are grave and serious difficulties which interpose and hinder the advancement of the Kingdom of God among

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

17

REV.

\V. \.

TVNNEXI^,

D. C.

REV.

J.

S.

QL'ARLES, Sooth Carolina.

i8

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
if

WORK AND WORKERS.

the colored people, and

we

shall seem, in this address, to confine our-

selves wholly to one of these disadvantages, it is because, in our judgment, the removal of the same carries with it the solution of most of the remain-

ing ones.

Those of us who work in the South, or have worked in the Southern and do most cheerfully testify to the unfailing kindness, love, and deep interest in this work which have characterized many gentleness, of our white brethren. The peculiar conditions which militate so stubbornly against any great advance of the Church among the colored race are to be sought from other causes rather than from any lack of interest on their part. While the members of our own race sustain the profoundest respect, good-will, and appreciation for the dominant race, yet such are our racial idiosyncrasies and past ecclesiastical education, that we
States, can

find

it

increasingly difficult to adjust ourselves, ecclesiastically, to the

seeming demands of our white neighbors and brethren. It is far from our purpose to condemn or indulge in unkindly
cism.

critiit

We

desire simply to state the fact.

As

at present constituted,

would seem utterly impossible for the colored c;lergy and laity to receive equal and impartial treatment and consideration in the several diocesan conventions. As a result, much is said and done which hinders rather
than advances the cause of our Lord.

We

are supremely desirous that

;

peace, friendship, and love should mutually obtain between us

and

in

furtherance of such a laudable end, to the glory of Almighty

salvation of
all souls,

God and

the

we

are led to ask of

you your good

offices'in

securing

such additional canonical legislation as will remove us from the humiliating and undignified position in which

we

find ourselves in the

Church.
is

The

Historic Episcopate does not touch us as closely and as helpfully

as the needs of the great body of our people demand.

This

not so

much because our Diocesan Bishops

ing between the two races renders
it

are indisposed to do their utmost

in this particular, but rather because the civic

difficult for

and social condition obtainthem so to do. Diocesan

convocations for colored people, subject to the control of diocesan conventions, as established in several dioceses,

do not meet the requirements of

the situation and have not been fruitful of satisfactory results.

greatly aggravate conditions already distressing.

They
is

Too

often

it

the

case that prominent laymen in our diocesan conventions are also prominent in civic conventions which do not so lovingly deal with the civil

Our people do not believe who minimize their civic rights and privileges can safely advance the human side of their spiritual interests.
concerns of the colored race.
of peace and good-will, on both sides,
it is

that the

men

be trusted to

In view of the present exigencies, and, pre-eminently, as a measure

our calm and deliberate judg-

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
S^< Jv*S>,'*S'*: W*?:"'^"SSS!>''^ ">* "*;w)JC -^

WORK AND WORKERS.

19

REV.

P,

P.

ALSTON,

N. C.

REV. H.

B.

DELANEY,

North Carolina.

f"j'^y<>!g!fyMywMwy.^a,.

^ ..^^..

^K - s^lnu

^^

J>u^.^^u Jl>J ^
'

REV. W.

P.

BURKE.

So. Vlrslnla.

REV.

J. N.

DEAVER, New

Jersey.

20

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
many

WORK AND WORKERS.

ment, the result of

years of patient observation, study and prayer,

that the prosecution of our

colored people^ should be placed

work in the Southern States, among the more directly under the general Church.

We

believe that there should be missionary jurisdictions extending through two or more dioceses, with a Bishop at the head of each, drawn from the same race represented by the clergy and people among whom he is to labor. Thus, we would respectfully, but most earnestly, ask of the General Convention through you, our Right Reverend Fathers The adoption of a canon, not mandatory, but permissive^ embracing

the following general features (a)

That

it

shall be lawful for the

General Conventit)n, upon the

situated to con-

request of two or
stitute into a

more Diocesan Bishops contiguously

missionary jurisdiction their territory, as pertaining to the

within the bounds of each missionary compose an Advisory Council for work
be absolutely independent of diocesan

colored race.
(b)

The Diocesan Bishops

jurisdiction thus constituted to

among

colored people in such territory.

(c)

Such

jurisdictions to

conventions, and represented in the General Convention as that body

prescribe.

may

(d)

Any

jurisdiction constituted

under

this

canon to be altered,

re-arranged, or terminated at the will of the General Convention.

Such
But
(i)

in brief outline are the salient points of the adaptation of the

Historic Episcopate to the needs of Afro- American people.

it is

urged
it

in objection to this plan

That

will result in divorcing the present

Diocesan Bishops

from the

affection

and

esteem of their colored friends, for

whom

they

entertain fatherly affection

and earnest

solicitude.

On

tem of w^ill become

we "maintain that, by the operation of this new sysendeavor among the race, the aft'ection, esteem, and mutual respect
the contrary
far

more

vital

and

real,

and instead of our Right Reverend'

labor.

Fathers being further removed they will be brought into closer touch,
to the very hearts of the people

among whom we

They would be

free from the heart-aches of constantly trying to reconcile the radical

elements on both sides to a conservative course. There would be no. occasion for impleasant occurrences in diocesan conventions on account
of the presence of increasing numbers of colored clerical and lay delegates,

nor would there be any longer ground for fear, in the event of an election of a Diocesan Bishop, that the colored delegates would vote unanimously for the candidate of the white minority because of his outspoken friendFor in the case of a close vote, the negroes effecting ship for negroes. a decision, it would prove a clear case of alleged "negro domination."

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

21

REV.

E. N.

HOLLINGS,

S.

C.

REV.

C.

\V.

BROOKS, ALABAMA.

22

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

It is further urged against our plan that in event of its adoption (2) the colored work would surely languish rather than increase, for, it is

feared, the

Church having,

at least to
,

negroes, the latter would be

left to die for

some extent, cut apart from the want of financial support.

directly the

We
To
means

maintain that a perfect analysis of the situation will result rather

in furnishing the

most reasonable grounds for anticipating

opposite finding.

are,

be perfectly frank, the Southern white people of culture and indeed and in truth, most kindly disposed towards the colored
If,

people, and yet, because of our present plan of operation, they are restrained
did,
it

from enthusiastically assisting in this work. would simply mean the increase of vexations,

perchance, they

troubles,

and annoy-

ances with respect to possible happenings in the event of a considerable

number

of colored clergymen and laymen being admitted to their diocesan

convention on an equality with themselves.

In the adoption of the present plan under consideration, the whole bone of contention is removed. White persons who are wont to teach negro Sunday-schools, conduct mother's meetings, and help in the use of many other agencies would be free from the restraining influence of a possible alleged "negro domination," enthusiastically to help in this work in every proper way. In the presence of increased enthusiasm and good-will, on the part of both white and colored Churchmen in the South, and the bright and unobstructed prospects ahead, means from the philanthropic Churchmen of the North would flow as never before. And besides this, the colored people would do more for themselves than they are now doing. Any man will do more when placed upon his honor, and when he feels himself to be something, than he will when he is secretly distrusted and rather

expected to

fail.

And, lastly, there are among some of our best white friends (3) those who seem to oppose our plan because they are far from being
;

persuaded, in
of our

"spite

of

all

these years of. operation, and the

good work

many

seminaries, that real competent colored priests can be found

sufficiently equipped, of

such an administrative and constructive calibre

as to warrant the hope that they would prove equal to the demands of the

missionary episcopate.
selves to this objection.
is

We

confess

much

diffidence in addressing our-

Unquestionably, from their point of view, there

some ground for

It is

this position.

hardly possible to

know

a book, and even a man, from the

life,

outside.
fears,

One must have

a
life

a vital and real contact with the

to

hopes,

and aspirations of another before he can be said

is

know

him.
con-

There

without the

veil,

another within the

veil.

It is in

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURC?I

WORK AND WORKERS.

23

t.

Liuke's Choir,

Washington, D.

C.

24

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH
life

WORK AND WORKERS.

nection with that

within that the colored priest moves and has his

being, so that those without can hardly appreciate the fulness, the courage,

and strength of the life shadowed by the veil and penetrating the hidden chambers of that life, many joyful surprises are certain to dawn upon Among the eighty odd the earnest and sincere inquirer after truth. priests and deacons who live within this veil are a number who, despite, their lowly origin, have made steady ascent along the road of self-conquest, amid environments full of difficulties and hardships, and thus forecast still greater ascent and conquest if only given a fair, honest, and genuine opportunity. Burdens imposed beget the strength and powers for faithful performance. The poor negro lad, once a sailor, newsboy, or just an ordinary youth, having attained the priesthood and gone forth, hampered with poverty and environed with hardships, has from nothing called In such wonderful development he has had no wellinto being a parish.
trained business mert, lawyers, or other professional

men

to share with

and little and insignificant as it really is by contrast with the accomplishments of those of noble birth, blessed and helped on every side, and starting out in life with a rich inheritance, along all lines of endeavor, yet it tells a story, pathetic though it may be, nevertheless one of noble self-sacrifice and triimiph, and plainly intimates that such an one, so faithful, noble, and true in a few things, has within the capabilities and powers for even higher and nobler achievements. We are but pleading for what has been advocated byt some of the leading Bishops and laymen of the American Church. As far back as 1873, an important correspondence on this plan took place between two of the most distinguished prelates that have ever adorned and shed lustre upon the American episcopate, the lamented and greatly-beloved Bishop Howe of South Carolina, and that marvellous and massive giant in intellectual and spiritual powers, the foremost of his brethren, the venerable Bishop Whittingham of Maryland. The letter of Bishop Whittingham bears so pointedly on the present matter before us that we herewith give the same (Bishop Whittingham to Bishop Kowe.) "Baltimore, May 30, 1873. My dear Bishop The plan of an episcopate for our colored popuLong before the Civil War I had been lation is by no means new to me. driven to mediate on it, by conviction that the blacks in my own diocese could not be efficiently provided for on our present scheme, and that there did seem to be ground for anticipating good success for work among them well organized and diligently prosecuted on the plan of a "race"
; : :

him the burdens in which he was engaged

in the administrative functions or the constructive

work

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

25

26

AFRO-AAIERICAN CHURCH
The

WORK AND WORKERS.

or "tongue" episcopate, jurisdiction, ministry, and pastoral supply.

double, mutually compensatory and completory, kinds of juris-

diction, topical

and lingual

or distributed by metes and bounds, for a

certain portion of the population,

and by race or language (distributed

over or scattered through the same metes and bounds, with or without recognition of them) to a certain other portion (or several other portions)

of a collimital population, / believe to have been existent and

extensively employed as called for, throughout the Church in
I see

more or
all

less

ages.

country, so wonderfully peopled and

no reason why the Church should not resort to its use in our still peopling by myriads of incomers from many and very diverse races and tongues. On that plan we might have an episcopate for the Scandinavian tongue, another for the German, another for the Chinese, and, above all, for the millions of our native blacks. Of course, in the outset, each of these must of necessity have a missionary character and with the exception of the last and possibly also
;

of the third

be constituted with

distinct recognition of a steady process

of e vanishment in proportion as the several races or tongues should

become merged in the general mass of the community. But to institute such a work, I suppose we should have to add new canonical provisions- just as was proposed (and, I think, by mistake,
not done) in the last General Convention for our foreign congregations
in

Europe and elsewhere.

canon, in a few sections, might provide

when and where such work should be done

^by

whom

election, etc.,

should

be effected, and what the relations of the

for one,

new

organizations should be

with existing diocesan and missionary schemes.

I,

am

ready to enter upon endeavors to devise and execute

such a plan of Church extension (to which Providence seems to be calling us in more than one direction) whenever my brethren shall have faith and
zeal to set about
it.

Our new Indian

episcopate

is

a long and noble step

toward the enterprise. Heartily thanking you for the opportunity of exchanging opinions upon the subject, and wishing that you and our brethren of the adjoining dioceses would bestow the study and labor which the due preparation of a well-devised scheme would doubtless require, but would certainly thoroughly deserve, I am faithfully and truly your loving friend and brother, W. R. W., Bishop of Maryland."
,

Rev. Dr. Hanckell of Virginia, indefatigable and and study of such affairs, among other exhaustive resolutions which were offered by him and adopted by the Virginia

The

late venerable

in his investigation

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

27

St.

Stephen's Ch6lr, PetenibarK, Va.

^8

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

Council in 1879, presented the following: "Resolved, ^\a.st\y, that our deputies to the next General Convention be charged with the duty of bringing before the house of clerical and
lay deputies the question of the expediency of giving to the colored people

of Virginia and other Southern States,

desired, a full and complete under such constitutional and canonical provisions as the General Convention in their wisdom may devise and ordain."

when

Church organization of

their

own

race,

In the year 1888 the late Rt. Rev. Dr. H. M. Jackson, then rector of Grace Church, Richmond, Va., and one of the editors of the Southern Churchman, although opposed in^ principle to anyt'^iing like a separation,

was thoroughly convinced,

obtain.

in the light of the peculiar exigencies of that

time, that the identical idea which

we now

advocate, before you, should

The foUowing

letter

from Bishop Jackson was then written to a

:

colored priest in the Diocese of Virginia

(Bishop Jackson's Letter.)

"Richmond, Va., June 4, 1888. was received this morning. Your idea is mine exactly. Personally, I do not want any separate jurisdiction. I am perfectly willing to have'you and your people in council on equal footing, and I do not share the apprehension of others. But it is nothing what my individual views may be. You know as well as I do the widespread sentiment which renders some arrangement, permanent or temporary, absolutely necessary. I deplore the fact, but yet it is a fact, and as such must be taken into account. If, therefore, a separate jurisdiction is necessary, I am very much concerned that it should be effected by the General Convention and not by the individual dioceses. Because First. If it is the action of the whole Church, it will be much more

Your

letter

readily acquiesced in by your people.

Second.

If

it

is

the action of the whole Church,

it

will be

much

by the Northern people. Third. It will secure a uniform system for the whole South. On this last point it seems to me to be a thing greatly to be deplored if one policy prevails in one diocese and another in another. If the colored people have rights and privileges in one diocese which they have not in another, it will have most disastrous results. For instance, Florida sends a colored delegate to General Convention, and Virginia excludes the colored people from its own council such a difference aggravates the feeling which the colored people of Virginia must have that they are ostracized and are the victims of race prejudice. Moreover,

more

readily acquiesced in

AFRO-AMERICAX CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

29

St.

James' Church (Interior), Baltimore,

Mil.

30

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

Northern people

will not the

to Florida, where there is hope of results' ? But there is no use to argue, any one can see that there must -be uniformity of policy on every hand. Therefore I am for missionary jurisdictions under the control of the General Convention, such as you sketch; and after a time, when prejudices die away, these jurisdictions may lapse and things fall back into the normal order. To this end I shall make some effort. I shall sound the delegates to the last General Convention to see how far the sentiment of the Northern Church is likely to yield to this measure. I wish you would help me in this, as it will take a deal of writing. If you will, let me know. I hope if I can come into the next council with some evidence that the General Convention will be likely to consent to such missionary jurisdictions, I

Virginia unfairly

therefore our money goes

say, 'Florida treats the colored people fairly,

may

be able to stay action."

We are animated with but one single purpose, and that is to see our beloved Church take hold of our race and carry to them the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as received and taught by this Church. A cruel injustice is done to a faithful body of missionary workers in our field, when it is made to appear that our persistent and earnest efforts in this direction are inspired by an unholy ambition to seek exalted positions for the leaders in this movement. The present want of a general system of action in this missionary department of the Church's work makes our labor more strenuous and difficult, keeps self-respecting people out of the Church, and makes it harder to get suitable and sufficient candidates
for

Holy Orders.

We
is

utterly abhor

and repudiate any insinuation that what we ask

Separate jurisdictions and

the

first

important step in the creation of an African Church apart and

separate from our present American Church.

conventions do not imply separate and distinct churches.

We

are in the

one Church by virtue of Holy Baptism

all

and the episcopate, whether

diocesan or missionary, constitutes the visible expression of the unity of

the parts in the one Catholic Church of Christ.

And now,
you.

Right Reverend Fathers

in

God,

we

rest

our case with

it

We

are most anxious that you should have the benefit of any
will

additional light' or information which any of us can impart, and

themselves to you in connection with this subject.

to place before

be a pleasure on our part to respond to any questions which may suggest We have endeavored

and a general outline of the legislation which we deem necessary for the successful and aggressive prosecution of the work among our race by the Church in which we have the honor of
facts,

you the main

claiming sonship.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

31

32

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

AFRO-AMERICAN CI.ERGY
PRIESTS:
1S7<5.

LIST.

1N2.

REV. REV.

Dearborn

REV. H.
REV.

L,.'

PHILLIPS.
Pa,

751 S. 15th St.. Phila..

Ga.
121

WM.

1S77.

H.

WILSON.

REV. REV. RICHARD BRIGHT. Savannah, REV. GEORGE FRAZIER MILLER.

North Oxford
A.
St.

Charlotte. N. C. H. LEALTAD. SOtt street. Chicago. 111. H. B. DELANKY. Raleigh. N. C.

P. P.

ALFRED

ALSTON,

Mason, Tenn.

REV. JOS.

BROWN,

street.

Brooklyn. N. T.

REV. JOSEPH G. BRYANT. Charlotte Hall, Md. KEV. S. KERR.

Thomasville, Ga.

REV.
Hi

O.

M.

WALLER.

Joseph, Mo. isas.

1411

.^
Corcoran t.

Wa.shington. D. C.

REV. A. A. ROBERTS, 713 Nashville. Tenn.

1

REV. WM. M. JACKSOK

Summerville. 1894.
S. C.

S.

REV. HUTCH ENS C. BISHOP, 161 W. 25th St., New, York. REV. C. M. C. MASON. 2135 WasWwgton avenue. St. Louis. Mo. REV. J. B. MASSIAH,
St., Detroit, Mich. A. MORGAN, 2704 Carondelet street. New Orleans. La. 1SS4. REV. G. HARPER.

S83.

REV. THOS.
street.

J. I/Oiiisv'lle.

BROWN,
j.

647

Eleventh
23d 8t.,

REV. OSCAR

Ky.

L.

MITCHELL.

N.

REV. W. H. MARSHALL.
REV.

REV

Washington. D.
J. J.

N THOMPSON.

Mobile.

AU.

REV. PETER

329 St. Antoine

MAXIMO
J

Galveston,
F.

DUTY.

Tec
mL,

v.,.iarles

Town, W. Va.
18 Jat)r

.son.

THOMAS
I

Kansas

City,

Mo.

.sso.

REV.
N. C.
ville.

J.

H.

M.
1

POLLARD.

REV. B. N. HOLLINGS. Charleston. S. C. REV. A. C. V. CARTIER.

DenveCol.

Raleigh.

REV. JAMES
Va.

88T

S.

RUSSELL, LawTcnce-

REV.
News. Va

E. M'ilming-ton, N. C.
F.
P.

ROBERT BENNETT.
MII-OHELL, Newport
I.

isne.

REV. JOHN W. PERRY. Tarboro, N.C. REV. WM. V. TUNNELL, King Hall,
C.
S.

REV. TOSEPII

REV.
D.
T>.

DANIELS.
Little

Washington. D.

Rock, Ark.
J.

REV.
REV.

HENRY
GEORGE
Park
I

McDUFPT
-

REV.
1209

R.

PHILLIPS,
St..

Jamaica

113J

(L. L). N. Y. F. BRAGG. JR.. *" ave.. Baltimore, Md.

.HS0.

REV.
REV.

South Eighth
E.
G.
356

\ REV. E. H. BUTLER. '-^ Macon. Ga. REV. WM. P. BURKE. Norfolk. Va. 1.SI. REV. J. W. JOHNSON. Petersburg. Va. REV. JOHN A. WILLIAMS. , Omaha,

HENDERSON. St.. Npw Havpn. Cona. ALE"VANDER MAGUIRE,

Crown
St..

Camden, N.

REV CHAS. W. BROOKS,

ham. Ala.

1B09

Pino

Philadelphia. Pa. Birmlner.

611

New York
REV.
F.

REV.

E. G.

CLIFTON.
BENXt^TT.

E. 158th U,

Nfib.

REV. JOHN

HENRY

SIMONS,

REV JOHN r DENNTS.

I.

Savannah, Q*.
C.

A.

Annapolis, Md.

Linden

St.,

Washington, D.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

33

34

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

REV. JOHN

REV.
1N9.

J.

T.

HARRISON,
Totaro, Va.
1886. E. HOWELL,
S. C.

R, BRCK)KS. Montgomery, Ala.

REV. E. T. DEMBY. Key West. Fla. REV. B. W. PAXTON, Newark, V.EV. A. E. JENSEN,

REV. GEORGE

New

N.

J.

REV.

B. B.
T.

TYLER

Brookland, 1887.

REV. W. GEO. AVANT, New

N.
C.

Croom. Md.
J.

Beraa,

HERITAGE. Asheville, N. C. REV. JAMB*' N. DEAVER. 170 Arctic Ave., Atlantic City, N. J. iU5V. SCOTT WOOD.
REV. W.
Brunswick, Ga. t900.

REV. REV. REV. REV,

S. C.

J.

MOORE. Palatka, Fla. C. L. SIMMONS, Union Level, Va 1803. REV. JOHN B. MANCEBO. Columbl*.
D. D.

F.

KENNEDY. Frankiin, M. MANN. Darlen, Ga.

Wilson. N. 18UO.

C.

N. C

1806.

REV.
REV.

4. G.

COOMBS,
Augusta, Ga.
St..

REV. REV.
Mills.

T. B.

BAILEY.

Statesvllle, N. C.
St.

G.

R.

JACKSON,

Slmon'i
C.

GEORGE BUNDY.
906 John

REV. JOSEPH
200

Cincinnati, O. 1901. B. TUCKER,

I.

REV. J. E. KING. Raleigh. REV. ROBERT J. MORGAN

Ga.

Nashville. Tenn.

REV CHARLES
F
St.,

Memphis, Tenn.
SMliTI.
C.
S.

REV.

J.

M.

W., Washington, D.
i9oa.
S.

WILLETT, Keokuk, Iowa. REV. JOSEPH LIVINGSTON, Port Tobasco. Md. REV. THOMAS O JKOWN, Philadelphia, Pa. REV. E. W. DANIEL. t. Paul, Minn.
REV.
REV. REV.
REV.
REV.
D. R.

EDWARD

St. Tammany. REV. J. B. REV. C. B. PRITCHETT.

MUNDY, 1899. BROWN.

1897.

Hendeloon, Ky.
Va.

Kingston, N.

1901.

REV.

R. L.

WILSON,

Hopklnsville, Ky. i9oa.

WALLACE,
103.

REV. A. E. DEY, Atlanta, Ga, REV. NATHANIEL PETERSON BOYD.

Brooklvn, N. Y.

Boston, Mass.
'

REV.

ROBERT GORDON
LEROY FERGUSON.
Va.
1903.

ROBERT

DAVIS BH' >WN.

San Antonio, Tex.

J. S.

R. T.

QUARLES, Peake. S. C. MIDDLETON.

Columbus,

OWo

REV.

REV.

ROBERT W. BAGNALL.
Blackstone.
^

D.

Vicksburg, Lilsa
lK6(t.

REV. M. M. WESTON. Edenton, N. C. REV. A. ST. CLARE MOORE.

Philadelphia.

REV. P W. CASSEY.
1S6.
ISS.I.

St.

Nicholas, Fla

REV. W. W. CHERHTER. BoUvar.Tnn REV.

J.

St.

W. CARROLL. Tammany, Va.

REV. Gordonsville. Va. REV. C. H. MALE. Oxford. N. O. REV. M. SPATCHES. Key West, Fla.

Pa. 1904. E. E. MILLf.KR.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

r

35

St.

AusuNtinc'ti

Church, Camden, N.

J.

36

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

St.

Philip's

Church (Sanctuary),

New

York.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

37

All Saints' Church, St.

LouU, Mo.

St.

James' Church, Baltimore, Md.

38

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH WORK AND WORKERS.

:^"R^
St.

Paul'8 School, lia^-reneevllle, Va.

Gollegrlate

Department,

St. Augrustinc's Setaool,

Raleigh, S. C.

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

39

St.

Js\:jies'

(Interior),

Ooaln,

Fla.

St.

AuKostlne's, Atlantic

Clt>-,

N. J.

40

AFRO-AMERICAN CHURCH

WORK AND WORKERS.

called

THE
I

CONFERENCES.

The Southern Bishops having

a Conlerence of white persons to meet Spring or at Sewanee, Tenn., in the

Summer

of 1883, to deliberate concerning the Negro, a Conference of Colored

Clergy was called

the the
fall

to

meet

in

New York
in

of the

same

year.

It

was held

same

city the year following. Since

then the places of meeting have been as below; 1885. Richmond, Va,
1886.

Washington,
Baltimore,
Norfolk, Va.

C.

1887.

Md.

1888.
1889.

New
None

York.
held.

1890. Philadelphia, Pa.

l9l.

i892. Baltimore,

Md.

1893. Louisville, Ky. 1894. Philadelphia, Pa.

1895.

Washington. D. C

i896 Charleston, S, C.
1897. Baltimore,

i898.

Md. Richmond, Va.

York. N. C.

1899,

New

i9oo. Raleigh,

i9oi. Philadelphia, Pa.

i9o2. Washington, D. C. 1903.

New

Haven, Conn.

Chapel

St. Augustine's, Raleigta, K. C.

FACIU-T',,