Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / June 13, 1895, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
— Eis-«- du«- « »i- s- « « — IWWWWTZV- swsmss » M -ss·.s,««.:s A -; s« Ä.·«’»s.c.:-o; s sjp — A VOL. XIX. i ’■ ■ *ss mm**1 A REPLY TO BEY. GEORGE t BLACKWELL, 8. T . B. BY BEV. T. A. WEATHIXGTOK, Having noticed two articles in the columns of our organ, written by Bar. G. L. Blackwell. 8. T. B., I think it due to the candidate^ as will is the church and her dignitaries, that a reply in defend of these, how ever humble and Significant should be a|pd% as their mouths are vir tuallT dosed. Therefore, I essay to the duty and do so out of no te the ability of the gin* whoAcs thus seen fit to write; but oat of jibe highest regard and the familiar acquaintance that I enter tain for Some of the gentlemen; I most rise up in their defence. Again I feel myself free to do so, since I am dot a candidate for any office in the church. I propose to set forth the facts, and allow the ehnrch to spftak for herself since she is of age. Ac cording to Bt. Rev. J. W. Hood's history she is too old to be deceived and gagged, toe honorable to be bribed and too strong to be controlled by any one man.. Let ns bear the conclusion of the whole matter, as we reason with our Dean. Possibly there is no question that will present itself to the considera tion f Zion in the general conference of 1896, of more vital iimportance than the bishopric—the propriety or impropriety of the election oi more bishops. Already is this, question be ing discussed pro. and con, It is a matter Soacerning the Weir befog of our beloved Zion, end therefore shbuld be duly and wisely considered, (can didates excepted) especially as to themselves, for bo A the world and the church ifiake it an almost un pardonable sin for you to appear to raise your voice in self defence, or for any position in church or State which thing 'upht not to be, es-, peotaily in the church, for we are taught in Holy Writ, “Whatsoever ye stand in need of ask for it.” Isaiah, the prophet was not ashamed, nor was he censured for answering “Here am 1, vend me, send me.” The Apoetle Pant, in speaking to Timothy says: “This is a true saying, If a man de sire the office of a bishop he desireth a good work.” And, now hoping these remarks and quotations of scripture will suffice as an introduc uou to my article, I proceed ip an swering articles No. 1 and 2, written by Rev. G. L. Blackwell, 8. T. B., Dean of our Theological Depsr ment ( ARTICLE HO. 1. At the cloee of this article Rev. Blackwell saje; “Instead of any m ere bishops we need to make an appropriation of $15,000 for the purpose of supporting 15 or 20 first class missionaries in such cities as Durham and Greens boro, N., C., Charleston S. C Sa vannah, Atlanta and Borne, Ga., Chidago, XU.. Cleveland, Ohio.” Mark you, the brother is pleading tor economy, (money saving to Zion.) Does the above argument support his theory ? I answer no; and with these figures and facts before iue I answer thrice, no. Hold your breath fcr a moment and listen. The salaries oi our bishops are set at $2,000 per year. Three more bishops would cjst Zion $6*000 per year, or $24,000 a quaidru ilium. To elect or appoint twenty mis mionaries, at the very least we could offer with propriety would be $700 per year each. This sum would aggre gate $14,000, and for four years. $56, 000, $32,000 more than three bishop*’, salaries, and really more than we now pay the entire present Ward under /■ . pur pro rata system. Is this economy? . la this sound theory? Let Zion's watcbifaen answer. In article No. 2, the writer say«; “That very nearly ever man who is liks^r to be a delegate to the general conference agrees with him that we peed no mare bishops (except those who are candidates.) We shall not doubt the veracity ot this statement, bat shall assume the right and bdid * nea to investigate the judgement of, r'% H. In the general conference of 1892 Brother Blackwell w;th;allthe men, perhaps,who bare »ljvwtd him to 3 button-hole them, and the general conference composed of the aged and intelligent men of our church, to gether with our able and farsighted bishops rated to a man for two inqra c. bishops, namely Rt. Revs. % Clinton m d A. Walters, if thin elec tion whs a necessity then, does R jit stand to wesson and common sense that sinti we have last two of bar bishops hy death, Rt. Revs, J. J, Moore and J. P. Thompson, that their offices should he filled at Jpafet ? Answer, ye bishops and candidate fighters. Bat, is it not a fact well known to Zioi< that one of our beloved [bishops by reason of failing health is retired f^ora active service ? and that the care of his district, with that of the deceased bishops is laid upon the present board, whose dis tricts an) fully large to require their entire services, so considered and de cided uj)on by the general conferfcnoc of 1892 ? Would it be fair and .just to continue this imposition. 1; ray imposition because they are salaried to perform a designated sendee, aid to have than do more without increase of salary and traveling expense is certainly-An imposition and Zionf can ill afford to do a thing of this hind, and certainly not longer than' 1896. Prof. Bla ckwell certainly has held no communication with the men of Zion who liveriown . in this section. 1 think I am right when I say the following States and conferences think diffhrentiy: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Lotmana, Kentucky, Mississippi, And I think X am warranted in skying: New horsey. But I call attention j to another fact. If all of our bishops were alive and active, would there not be good reason even then, for an increase of the Bench? I answer unequivacally yes, because there is unexplored territory to be acquired for Zion, together with the fact that acoestions. have been npade to otu membership, both in the ministry and being layety. Our conferences are1 divided in order to make room for the growth and development of Zion. I think it is fair and feasable to con clude with the above facts before us, that the gentleman is mistaken in his aspersion, or ■ terribly misled in judgment.. The opponent further even, “That the men who daree to ask their friends to support them for the bishopric, am not prepared, in tellectually, experimentally, hardly religiously, nor commonscntesly. No one bat themselves believe they are called, for neither their natural or acquired ability would warrant such a conclusion on the part of thoughtlul men/' We wonder if the gentleman thought of all |his ac quisition of ability, and profound knowledge, when he sought either by electionfer appointment the deansbip of the Theological Department of our Livingstone College ? The tact, is, he says “in the history of our church, we-have had but felw occu pants ot that high , office whom we would be justifiable in catling' ideal bishops.’* Some people may be oi thy same opinion respecting our col lege dean, in the person of Brother Blsckwell. But Alabama bias given her voice, vote and money in behalf of Brother Blackwell and she has no apologies to make for her actions, in premises, and why: because he is ours, and we could do no better at the present. We cannot live by fighting ourselves, but must, as loyal sons ol Zion, throw the mantle , of charity aiound the intellectual short pomingi, and imperfections of our progressive and rising men, for upon them, and among them, the hope and glory of Zion depends. Knowing as I do that Alabama has a candidate, I feel called upon to rise np in his de fuse and refute the unceremonious as well as |he yery unkind attack made in the allegations above. In these averments I am foiced to be lieve that the writer not only strikes at our prominent candidates for the bishopric, but makes a blow at some ef the present,> board of bisbopp, or some of those who now sleep in their, graves. Can this ne true of the writer ?. Can he look our bishops r -a -'ilvfr liriifrr :.-r— in the fkce, and affirm his attempt? Man whose ability and mo^ ^roxth hedaret wot question, own ha? I ask In Zfon’s name, end in |he feaar of God? Gan we submit to ^this without rebuke? I answer no, for we are admonished to speak light*? <d no man, and to sea that our youth be not despised. Remember Brother Blackwell took his first peep into this world in 1861, and is there* fore but a youth in Zion. Fiona this argument X see no reason, why we should have no more bishops for 1686. We are further told by our brother, “that a bishop must, be broad minded, seeing, even tern* par'd. having 3 honest convictions, a liberal education,sound religion, good character, pious habits, not givckto strong drink, not a lover of filthy lucre, not a pessimist, not having too many idiosyncrases, a man of pro* nounced executive ability, a good deviser, and one capable of executing his devices, he must be able to read human character from faces as well na from actions, must know the fit* test, when be sees, it, must be the equal of any of his peers on general principles, and must excel them in executive ability. These qualities are necessary and should be possessed.’7 We fully agree with the writer, that these qualifications are necessary, but not exclusively eo to the extent that's man cannot serve this office to the glory of God sad to the prosperity of the church. As forme and the can didates whom I know and whom I verilf beHevewill be#iectad to the office in 1896, we prefer the stand ard and qualifications requisite as laid down by the Apostle JfauL Reed first Timothy 3rd chapter, 1st to 7th verses. According to this in* spiffed writer Zion can produce her men now as she has heretofore, men of ability whose moral character no man dares to question, not even Brother Blackwell, He further de clares; “If passible he ought to have taken a thorough course in Theology, for Beia supposed to be ft model, both as a preacher and lecturer., If not a master in theology, he certainly must be a good English scholar, using the Queen’s English, he needs to be a representative man in every respect, if possible, not one from whom we will hide our faces in shame when he rises to preach orwhen scholars of oth er denominations, happen to call in during the conference. We have had too much of this aleady.” In this Brother Blaekwel) uses the mantle .of charity to advantage, under the title "if possible” this is where hu manity and religion always meet, hence the absurdity of all this talk above, but again he says, "we have had two much of this already.” Is this true of any of the present bishops, surely nOt for I believe our bishops will compare favorably with any of the Afro-American Methodist bishops. Then why this stigma ? If ia refer ence to some of the dead? I ask in all candor and loye, is it not ingratitude and shfmeiul thus, to speak of the fathers and founders of our Zion? Bead and r Beet, ye men of Zion, But why all of this, I answer simply to strike down the worthy min whom the church desires to honor. As an evidence that the writer Ifeels the force of this language, he sayy: "the church will please pardon this last remark, for - somebody must H say it in public print and I have decided to be the scapegoat if needs be.” I think the, gentleman should ask the Board of Bishops to pardon this hasty and uuthoughtfhl expressiion that reflects upon the glory of our church, and enough-to cause: the deed (like Elisha) to tum over in their if such be posrible. We are told by the reverend gentleman that a majority of the candidates are un der fortyyesrs otsge, for once hr the history of the chi some haVe and yet frit to the sacred ’ I t seems gentleman $6 the propriety m the election of 'more he takes up the age and com —--T;, ■ | ^ petenoy of the candidates, let us ad mit for argument! sake that neitfacfe the age or competency of the candi dates whom he ]0kow», and evidently refers to, are.inpj£riept.' I ask is thii the reason why Zfon should not eled deo ormore bishops to carry on In mission, the wor|«iof soul-saving and the elevation of the race ? The ques tion ia plain and simple. Do we need more bishops or not? Do we need the present candidates? Let us with an nnbiased and unprejudiced mind settle the question s* it presents itself tons. Is it a necessity ? decide end I anr satisfied that the church can supply the office. But again, for ai> guments sake luti-.lp. agree that tlie church, in justice to herself, will and must elect more bishop*, then I ask is it fair and equitable on the part of Rev. Blackwell or any other, to stigmatise, censure and ridicule our good men, men who if there be an election, some of whom are sura to be elected. Are we not taught by Him who knoiB us in every part; MJudge not that ye be not judged, fur with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure ye mete it shall be meaeurad to you again.” “And why beholdeet thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considered not the bourn that is in thine own eye?” Let reason and sa gacity be exercised in the. premises. Bat again we are informed asa reason wby there should be no election of bishops because swpo of the aspirants •‘have not served more than three charge* ia ik# MMabii. and * given the connection searoe tetyeath service as an ordained minister, yet feel called to giye appointments to the hoary haired, and direction to the fathers, who have been in service 30,40 and 50 years. VX7M1 T>__ DI..1_tl i-ll TV U1 4/1VIUQ1 JLIia^AVTCil WU UD what has this to do with Ziorii wants? Does it stand to reason that no mom bishops are needed because the oandi* dates whom you know and refer to have not served the connection all iheir lives, or even ten yean ? Is this logic? But might not some el these gentlemen with as much pro priety give the aged men of our)Zion appointments, as the young ;man of thirty-lour yean jin the world, nine teen in the church and fourteen in the traveling ministiy essay to dio tate to this great church and to set himself up as the standard of'her ministry, judging and prejudging the qualifications and religious statue of her men? Why fight the men or candidates? It’s not an iarae on men, but offioe. Let us keep the is sue before us, with an eye singled to the glory of God, and the promotion of Zion. The general oonferenoe will see to it that the man the mbit com petent and fkithfal will be its choice, and Alabama is willing to rest her claims and man to the Godly judg ment of that Christum body. The position we take is that an increase of bishops is a necessity. We ad mire the ability of oar young men and are willing to aeoord to them the privilege of standing in the fore ranks of tbe ohurch, and to reoeive advice and counsel at their hands^but can not with impnnitv accept superfi cial knowledge, bigotry and indigni ty to control Zion concoction. Speaking of hiding your face when the educated of other denominations come into our conference*, , turn to the catalogues of the different schools, colleges end universities and lat us see how ipany colored bishop* yon find in other churches or Hons who ass classical more than Zion’a. Alabama is not ashamed of her biahhpe- She only askifor two or three tfcor* hi aasfct these in the work of onr churek. The general oonferenoe of 1893, Hi which itev. Blackwell was amhon. ored and Useful meaner, decided in Methodistic expsari* I MM tkaft kialtAm* m 1 iiTr. uw:a'T<Tis> meat, Without wavering, voice th justioe olfmy petition and the troth folness of than statements and hoh that three man KSsfropt ay a a nnowitj to the future well-bsinf and glory a! our Zion? I answer wilfo the tnttt above me and asCand a| with the unpi Radioed to eotiroboralsme—yes, yes, with a hearty aaM0,ali*B. GentUily, humility, piety aid Chari tj have aver to**’the 'cardfonl p*i* cipta in Zion, hence her rapfl|growth and onward march. I dealt my much that she will evto lto» tdW min than those who have Jed her tom We oondade by saying that Bev. Blackwel! has foiled tomakeeat his case as te the iasae. The propriety or impropriety oi electing mesa bash* ops. We therefore ask a vegjfBcl at the hands of every man who is fthety to be elected delegate to car gcpmal oonforenoo of 1896. Do net we an a Atlantic to the Pacific and focal the lakes to the gulf, stand in great nerd of three additional bishops to pteto cats the work of oar church t With out fear or fovnr of man I Call upon you to answer, and now having said what 1 think h true and rml, I close my article and with the Kindest regards to Brother Blackwell I say —adieu. AKROH,0.,ftOTE8. BY LMJtA TOWCY. .intrr By the request of quarterly eon ferenoe I send to you for publication the following; v It pleased Almighty God through our esteemed end worthy Bishop> J. W. Hood, D. D. LL. D., to send to ns at the beginning of the oonferenoe year, a man, thro whose untiring ener gy and Christian deportment linked with IntelHgenee’ bane been As means with the assistanoe of Trastosa J. 8, Bobinson, J, 8. Morrison, F. A. Simp son and Ishim 8miA of nrAtios izing Zion in Ais city. For soon years As church has been dropping until it had reached its lowest. Armed with the sword of faiA and the tem poral guide of our pastof Rev. R. J, Strothers, she tofiay fills her plane among the leading churches of Ohio oonfaenee, In ana of As most osn tral locations of Akron today is to b« found Ae first A. M. B, Zion church, a bnOding 60x90 wfA a lecture room 40x20 and n pastor’s study 16x26, wiAa stairway leading to the audi torium. This bntlding which cost ua $1,800 was dedicated on the 21st day of April by BiAop j. If* Hood amisted by Rev. J.H. Trimble, pre siding elder, Rev.J3. B. Kellar, of Ae Trinity LnAeran church, Rev. H. Jones, of Mamolio, Dr. B, Jt, Wil lard, of Graoe Reform chureh and Jndge U, L. Marvin, of Ae eirbblt court The occasion was one long to bn remembered and Ae first Am A Urn history of the oonneetieu can we boast of having a church of which we are not ashamed te invito Ae ttghmt guest to. It w seated wiA now opera chairs and pointed aad fcsooed wfth a seating capacity of 460 pcnisus. Jait behind Ah pulpit rill the of nine persons assfadad by Ae Atuth orchsstra lead by Fret Levi Nt On Monday night 2tad of April Ae *) the ehuroh by the different The daughters of Aits, through Mrs, fine shrined jrjjdon Be* sponee by J. H. 1m AroaAt MAL BDa prism ted An tahn mi • Bmptosdai to i? &c**B R Miss Isadora Hyman prtasnu^.» Ae other* ara foHoMii<it onagri ■MBbfft 001*0** of the 1 families la fhe 0%. chorch to anyth* th iiiAi nearly doubled. At ap esp of the eateem in *Mak abar Rer. R. J. Strother b W& for every day Mr. ThoXHa^h of Jeramlete gmw tiaa % pair if! ahoee, Tfca XfcnghlaM # Bibag bias a fine silk hat* aad tbaftool of the conforaono a ~f*r of gU oollara and haa^barnhiafa 1 and thurcivy* Ml1 pfofaSa. '; ANKU. BY Bfiv. asaa. adams, b. ot Officer* vote iilijaf aal appointed, lir Jf ft B Saritti, of Troy, wm appointed to preach the annual eermOa it 8 p to; Tie ft# ternal delegatee utf vkitort tone li trodaeed. / AmmU—ihl htieinrm wee transacted and ooaferepco adjourned. Conference rcaumblert at 8 p m to hear ^pMaal aeraton. Her KwlA took hie text fioui && 4dO^*Wkw hae deepieed the day of etoatt AtogpT The eermoa w» fordble and kgfcift end brought toith many* aatn* fteae the congregation. After prayer, « collection wae taken ap hy ^9ea J O Dancy, who continued to take op big ooUectione daring toe whole pearioa and, tho having left Wilmington to collector of cnetoeos, he oonvtoibed' it that he waa toll a good collector.; On Tburaday, the aeoond toy, to* ny of the lay delegatee reported, tocbh iog the chorain 6> be h e good bod* ditian tphftully enl fiuM&tlir the retioM oaonaftMe afmted «W the subject ef the W H eed P!W> eionaiT Society wee btoaght op ititf discussed by Here Jeoob Thototto told 0 Caldwell/ The Bitoop explained the nature of it. WJB^i In the iftaraoon Major t ft and Bon W H Kelley weretoti* dnced. The letter preceded Id db liter the rtdtomto welawoe tor the eity. He oompHmentodlho Method let miaJeton odd paid a high Hegm.n»’eflHp “My epnator *tk of thto’ mm iemtlp mag by toe choir. Mm J wae introdnced aad made a response pointing out acme of moot dktingaMtod raCi ttodme ant lowing both mmrnm nt # «ition of thwttttkMto h> ‘ A vote of thank* wm Relief Sttettl ‘ ‘ Introdnced. rBer of the Hew dtoeew iHL__, trodnoed to waa-alto 'Mat JBUm A Crook, A B,of the 6H Oea*dwene» ntgtaf&ss At eight Set i.om Hob. 11U3-* ^fMWiind ■WlM+wdii <■ Fridey. Daring the dey, Be. <1 Cerlieie wee httrodiaed etoi Mi iMBoaoha. i Lin «i.nfi tUwkfMU,.*V. *»»«*<» riM. The i (Mtajfj mpr t„J.h fui to* •wtM mi > *$ •uma< * Jrjt (fuiiltf oa* fctooC. *Tb* Mn(w >W of *u «bonk •« «M plan ant poor, in OtoH#, Vtt *Mott«r M*^MrTwfcd«i WVU** MMfefct&t ink* km 1 SS3s5o^2 SS JMR* .Wf ,BMM» nUM • :<t -'■*>» LI. M... OB |Mm jWf III BMpPVI or 110 omnasi; -God*! . . jukw u v Ttriu
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
June 13, 1895, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75