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ORGAN OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH IN AMERICA.
Charlotte, N. C., Thursday, September 8,1898.
Number 38.
SEARCHLIGHT SCENES.
Turned On “riouher Zion’s” Cor
ner-Stone An I On Henderson.
BY REV. J. HARVIY ANDERSON, D. D.
Dr. J. M. Henderson is a hig
gle-haggle writer, but at times,
pertinent and pointed, but is not
litted for hard, stubborn and con
tinuous controversy, lamentably
lacking in resource ami tact. In
pis normal mood he is easy, grace
ful, vain and catchy; but under
nervous and mental strain is la
bored, excited and impulsive, “fly
ing the track,’ and reasoning
wearisomely at random.
In his contest with Dr. J. W.
Smith it is the frail, delicate, ef
feminate constitution brought in
contact with the ruggedly phys
ical, and strong, master-masculine
mind of inexhaustible resort, re
source and of peculiar controver
sial powers and information. We
are compelled, however, to admire
the persistent pluck of Dr. Hen
derson, which is highly illustra
tive of Spanish bravery as against
American triumph.
Dr. Henderson, in a long, la
bored, spongy, piquish article in
"the Christian Recorder of August
|4th, among other things said ac
cused the corner -stone of “Mother
Zion” of this statement—“Found
ed in 1820.” Being, and having
been for years, read up on both
[the history of Zion and Bethel, we
wrere of the opinion that the said
[corner-stone did not use that lan
guage, notwithstanding the “pain
fully deep emotional regret” with
which the startling information
was solemnly divulged. On our
way to the Bishops1 meeting at
Asbury Park, we turned the
searchlight on “Mother Zion’s”
-corner-stone and read, .bounded,
1800; Rebuilt, 1820; Burnt, 1839;
Rebuilt, 1816; Removed, 1861.”
The founding took place four
years after the withdrawal and
incipient organisation of Zion from
the old John Street Methodist
Church in New York. The long
preliminary manner in which Dr.
Henderson approached his “pain
ful” declaration of an inexcusable
mistake is quite significant of “a
mountain in labor, and bringing
forth a mouse.”
It is a singular fact of history
that notwithstanding Bethel has
ever counted upon Zion’s igno
rance and inferiority in status and
-churchmen^Jiip, that from the ear
liest times, in every public compe
tition between ;he two denomina
tions, Zion has carried off the hon
ors. In every attempt at organic
union Bethel has been outgener
aled and retired by Zion; that
Zion's pulpit is more powerful is
reluctantly cor ceded by Bethel
men generally; that of denomina
tional mistakes they are set to the
credit of Beth3l; that in chron
icling reliable ecclesiastical his
tory, Zion leads all; and in con
troversy Bethel has always been
repulsed, with Ws.”
*ujl o vi vi c iplomacy and pow
erful preaching of Bishop Jehu
Holliday discomfited the eloquent,
wiry and dashy Bishop W. B.
Derrick in the Southwest. There
is a grim purpose sitting upon the
countenance of Zion, indicative of
her intention that the world shall
know thdt there are two great Ne
gro Methodist organizations in
this country of* about equal pro
portions and intelligence, and that
the audacious assumption of pri
ority-and superiority of the one is
not named “Zion.” The energy
! and efforts at attack, affront, mis
representation and uncalled-for
abuse on the one hand, provoking
necessary, earnest and efficient
self-defence on the other, could be
better used in the moral, material,
educational and religious uplift of
our unfortunate race. But it is a
hard lesson for Bethel to learn
that she has an elder and equal sis
ter, entitled to her love and re
spect; and that where appear
points of superiority she must sub
mit gracefully. But she shall
learn it, (since the outside world
knows it), even at the exposure of j
her poltrooney, prevariciting, as
sumptive,' pompous policy and
snarling attitude.
To our brethren, who think we
are giving Dr. Henderson unde
served popular attention, wre have
only to say, his popularity is of
the Weyler type. He has failed
to “pacify” Zion and will be “re
called” by the home government.
The “casus belli” by Dr. Hender
son afforded the A. M. E. Zion
Church an opportunity of release
from her chronic reserve, modesty
and humiliating submission, and
to magnify Bethel Church’s pick
thank methods, and pickery of his
tory.
Binghamton, N. Y.
NOBLE WOMAN GONE.
Mrs. Annie Hodge departed this
life on August 14, 1898. She was
a noble woman of noble character
and led a life of unquestioned
Christianity. She performed her
various duties with ability and
faithfulness, and although her days
were filled with routine work she
always managed to find time for
sharing labors of the various phil
anthropic societies to which she
belonged. In the ‘Council of the
Golden Chain she was particularly
honored and beloved, having con
nected herself with that organiza
tion years ago. To many a suffer
er she ministered. Many ^ night
she paased at the bedside of sick
friends, and we in this society who
mourn her death realize that a
tower of strength is gdne. Let
us ever keep her example before
us. Golden Chain Society.
Carlisle, Pa.
Mr. J. R. Austin, of Meadow View,
Va., says tbe people of his town had a
literary feast a few nights ago; that Mr.
W. M. Brooks, of North Carolina, leo
tured on “ Why the colored man should
enter into the business world.” The
mdicnce appreciated the truths elo
told.
REV. AARON A. McLEES.
Pathetic As D. L. rtoody. And Sar
, castle As 5am Jones.
NATURALLt GIFTED
We present the cut and sketch
of a noted /Southern divine. Rev.
Aaron A. McLees was born in
Newberry, S. C., November 25th,
1856. Hig mother was sold with
five children to a white minister
of the county of Anderson, S. C.
REV. AARON A. McLEES.
At the close of the war, young
Aaron was about nine years old.
Being the oldest of the five chil
dren he had to help his widowed
mother feed and prepare for the
younger ones.
In 1868 he joined the M. E.
Church; in 1869 he was converted;
in 1877 he was licensed an exhort
er; in 1878 licensed a local preach
er; and in 1879 he joined the an
nual Conference at Greenville, S.
C.
For 15 years he grew very pop
ular in his Conference and, Church
and was called to fill some of the
best charges, remaining two and
three years on the same charge.
Throughout those years he built
over twenty churches and repaired
more than twenty-five. He was
sent for in all parts of his State
(South Carolina)-^-towns, cities
and country to help other minis
ters, and gained the title of “Black
Sam Jones.”... He filled every po
sition in the Methodist Church up
to an elder. In 1891 he had 415
converts in one revival at Clio, S.
C.
In 1892 he became displeased
with his Church relations and
joined the A. M. E. Zion Church
—375 members came out with him
and he built a nice church in 1893.
He pastorBd Lancaster station, the
home of Bishop I. C. Clinton, D.
D., for two years and bad 358
conversions in one revival. He
repaired the church and parsonage
at a cost of $350. From there he
was sent to Fort Lawn, S. C., in
1895-6. There he also^ repaired
the church and parsonage and
built a school house at a cost of
$400; and a large number was
converted and cam^ into the
church. '
He was a ministerial delegate to
the General Csafcreace at Mobile,
Ala., in 1896 and preached afel;
before that body, and was chair
man of one of the committees.
He was transferred to the W
N. Cl Conference in 1896 and wa
sent to Clinton Chapel, Charlotte
N. Cl Owing to some misunder
standing he resigned and went t<
Mocresville, N. C., where he ha<
147 accessions to the church anc
did considerable repairing and pah
off n debt of $100. In 1897 h<
was stationed at Winston A. M
E. 2ion brick church, where w<
could not get a standing congre
gation. Now the church is packec
day and night on the Sabbath. H<
has added 72 to the church anc
brought the Sunday-school up tc
170.
A learned man said recently
that he has the eloquence of a Tal
mage, the pathos of a Moody, and
the sarcasm, wit and humor oi
Sam Jones. Another said, to hear
him once you will hear him again
and again and take him for a grad
uate. Bishop Hood, after hear
ing him preach at the W. N. C.
Conference last year in Salisbury,
told Bishop Lomax that if Rev.
McLees was educated he would sel
this country on fire with his stir
ring gospel sermons. He is in
deed a remarkable preacher—a
rough diamond—and his evangel
ical sermons will yet attract much
atteation in Zion.
HE SUITS US.
BY L. PROCTOR.
Sunday, June 12th, was taken for
Children’s Day. The members of
Hosanna thought they would have
it while the flowers were in bloom.
The church was beautifully deco
rated with flowers and flags. It
was said by many that it never
looked better before. At 11a. m.,
we had a sermon by Dr. Fisher,
P. E.; at 2:30 p. m.*, Sabbath
school assembled with a large
number of parents and friends. A
fine program was carried out. At
8 p. m., song service. The pas
tor, Rev. J. E. Allen, delivered an
address on Livingstone College.
Collection, $12. We think he did
wel t.
The Sabbath-school and church
started to mourn the loss of hav
ing Rev. P. A. Wallace taken
away from them this year, but
they found out that the Confer
ence had sent them another good
man. Too much cannot be said of
Rev. Wallace as a pastor, affable
and loving in his disposition. He
won the love of all under him;
the work received new impulse.
He left with the prayers of all the
people of Lincoln. We know of
no other man who could fill his
place as well as Rev. J. A. Allen.
He has been received and wel
comed by all of his members.
They were pleased with him and
decided to give him the salary he
asked for, which was more than
they had'ever given to any minis
ter He is the kind of man that
Lit coin wants. He has . taken
hold where Rev. Wallace left off
and he carrying It right along.
r IT’S PAINFUL TO NAME
riany Things Nowadays No1t Be
longing To rtethodism.
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BY E. GEO. BIDDLE.
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“Zion has a woman elder, robe-we»r
} ing^a brother—E. George Biddle who
l refuses to wear “Rev.” to his name, and
l a House of Bishops. Do all of these
[ things belong to the landmarks of Meth
odism? Bishop Turner and Brother
5 Biddle please answer.”—Editorial in the
Star of Zion, August 11 th, ’98.
5 We accept this special invita
tion of Editor Smith and answer
as follows:
’ 1. In reference to “a woman
elder,” so much has been said on
1 both sides of this subject, by some
of our ablest writers, that it seems
unadvisable to say any more till
the General Conference meets and
defines the polity of the Church.
Our present, only woman elder, is
such a fine Christian woman that
some of us who a re opposed to this
step, do not like ~ to speak against
it for fear we would seem to be
raising opposition to her advance
ment in the Church.' .
2. As to “robe wearing,” w,e
have said about all we desire to
say on that subject. Episcopal
robes in Zion are about thread
bare already. That piece of ex
travagance and vain show will not
make much headway in Zion until
we degenerate to the level of those
churches which value show more
than character and power.
3. As regards our preference to
have the title “Rev. ” omitted from
our name we think we have said suf
ficient, save that we may quote the
following from “Emory’s Defense
of our Fathers,” page 112, a&
showing that we are not far from
original Methodism in this matter
of abhorring title-seeking and ti
tie-wearing.
“Some time after ordination was in
troduced among ns, several of the min
isters altered the inscription of their let
ters to each other from “Mr.” to “Rev.’*
Some were dissatisfied: they thought
that it savored more of pride than of pie
ty; others had more serious scruples,
and even doubted whether it were not
impious to address men in a style and ti
tle given to Jehovah Himself, as in '
Psalm 109:9—‘Holy and Reverend is His
name.’ In the Conference of 1787, this
was made a subject of conversation, for
the sake of those of scrupulous con
sciences. The Conference advised that
every one should use his own choice;
and that those wh o doubted the propri
ety of Reverend, might have the simple
name, with the official character, Is
Bishop, Elder or Deacon.”
It will be seen by the above
quotation that our course is not
contrary to original Methodism.
In the colored or Negro religious
press and publications, titles are
as thick as flies in mid-Summer;
the title parading characteristic of
our Church is di sgusting; We find
great relief and comfort in being
out of the scramble for office and
title now more prevalent in the
Church than in the world.
4. In reference to the IJouse or
Bench of Bishops in our Church it
is sufficient to call attention to
the fact that our Board of Bi&h«
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