Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / Jan. 7, 1915, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OFTHE AfRIC IJHOPIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH: CHARLOTTE, ;N. C., THURSDAY. JANUARY 7, 1915 > NATIONAL CAPITAL NEWS Zion at Lifcst Comes into Her Own.— New John Wesley A/. M. E. Zion • Church dedicated. (By Napoleon L. Wyche. m The week beginning Sunday, December 3j3, 1914 was an occasion of much"rejoicing among the colored people as weiii the Zionites of this city. This joyousneiss was caused by reopening of John Wesley church at its new home at 14th and Corcoran streets, N. W. The church is the most valuable church prop erty owned by the colored people in this city, and being centrally located, is easily reached from ail sections of the city. The location is ideal because there is no Methodist church in the neighborhood and plenty of home-buying, thrifty and intelligent Negroes surround ing the environments of the loca tion. This is not duly the great est move that Zion has undertaken, in this the capital of the nation, j hut the greatest undertaking in the whole church. >. The pastor, Dr. W. C. Brown, who spared no pains in this effort1 of securing this property aoitd to whom praise will be ever given for the progressive and optimistic, I Christian spirit, manifested in the; deal,, preached the flr4t sermon in the _ church. The weather, did not keep back the friends and members who wished to worship for the time in this new chufch. Rev. Brown is at all times a good, elo quent and logical preacher, but on this occasion excelled himself ana made all present feel the effects c his sermon. The dhoir with 45 voices furnished music. Those seated on the were ^Bishop A, Wal-, ters, JmT J . E. Mason and Rev. arnmr *-*'■ persons connected themselves with the" church Several subscriptions were given at this service among the subscribers were Bishop Wal ters, $1(00. Mr. J. C. Overton, $100, Hon. J. C. Dancy, $25, Dr. J. Ed Mason. There were several others who subscribed $5.00 and less. At 3:30 o’clock p. m., Bishop Alexander Waiters dedicated thu church to the worship of God after a sermon, which made all happy The Bishop was in his usual happy straiq, but seemed to be more so at this time, as he received dedicated and gave back to the membership this great church. Drs. Oliver, Cooper, Brown and J. Ed. Mason of Zion, and Drs. Watson and Haw kins of Bethel were seated on the rostrum. At 7:45 o’clock p. m., the vested choir of John Wesley church one of the most famous choirs of the, city, under the capable leadership of Prof. H. S. Fortune, rendered a song service. The voices were well trained and the manner in which i; acquitted itself caused Bishop Wal ters to say that he had heard choirs all over the United States, but none compared with this one. Every night during the week, the program committee had furnished entertainment for the members and friends of the church. Judge W. L. Norris, of the De partment of Justice, spoke on Mon day night on the “Immortality of man.” 'He had a 'fine audience to hear him; but owing to the weather not the crowded house that was anticipated. Tuesday evening, the Baptist and other Denominational churches were represented. Wednesday evening the Glee Club of Howard University, under the directorate of Mr. C. H. Wesley, gave a program that was fine and elated all who were fortuntae in be ing present. Thursday evening, Business Mens Night brought out a very good au dience, Mr, S. W. Rutherford, secre tary of the National Benefit Assocla tion, was master of the ceremonies. The speakers Messrs. J. W. Lewis, president of Industrial Savings jjank, Mr. S. W. Rutherford, Dr. Julian H. P. Coleman, ’ and Dr. Logan Johnson This meeting brought (before the Negroes of the city the necessity of doing, business and helping others of the race along this- line. Friday night, was Methodist night. Not only was Zion church well repre sented but nearly every church of Methodism was represented by their big guns. „ _ Sunday morning, the Sunday school reopened with quite a few new members and visitors. Bro. Grant, the District Sunday school 1 superintendent, was present, and spolkfe, also Prof. S. M. Dudley, ex su/pt. of Union Wesley, SDOke of the ; great field the Sunday school cov I ered and urged all to attend this i important branch of the Christian ; Church. h ' . ' s Sunday December 20, 1914, i>r. i*. g C. CierutiiL cA-jja^Lor (.pro tern> o lialnraoitii oil uicii and xiainor-uvian i, ager of tne oiak o*- moa, was tho preacher ior me morning services, s lie spoke oi tne inaoilny oi Bishop lx. W. Clinton, who <was to preach p at 11:00 a. m., to be present at this a time, but gave all good cheer when r ne said that Bishop Clinton iwouiu fill the engagement in January. Dr. 7 Clements moral ■ support was a great t factor in the bargianing and pur i chasing of this new church prop 1 erty, and , the whole membership , welcomed Mm and was enthused i with his sermon. He is always - j welcomed to come to the city and 3 j the churches that heard him while , pastaring at Galbraith. Quite a l, number of people were among the 3) membership both in the morning 3 > and evening when Dr. Clement again : preached. Those who heard this i master speak declared the sermon I one of the best ever heard. It i£ j the concensus of opinion that Dr. Clement will be made a Bishop in i 1916. Let us hope for a* moiv s brilliant man cannot be given the sacred honor. i At 3: SO, p. m., Dr. J? Ed. Mason, Financial Agent of Livingstone Col lege, who had been with the pas tor Rev. Brown from the opening, was the principal speaker at a mass ! meeting for men at this time. Des pite the weather the church was well! filled and Dr. Mason proved to I all who had never heard him before! that he is a great orator and a con- j cise and eloquent speaker and Hon. J. )C. Napier was Master of cere- ' monies at this service. The church for the first week ! raised $866.37 in cash, and $*242.00 in subscriptions, making an amount of !$1108.37 as well as supplementary reports to the same already re-; ported. From all appearances we have every reason to ibe happy and j thanking God we are. Those directly interested in the' sale of 18th St., property, were the pastor Rev. W. C. Brown, C. P. Brooks, iN. H. Armstead, N. L. Wyche, Dudley Banks and John W. Banks, trustees and iS. M. Dudey, F. F. Johnson C. Jsckson and G. R. Ringgold advisory Committee to the trustees, and Warren N. Mc Donald, church clerk whose photo engraven-appear in this issue also may be mentioned the various^ auxiliaries of the church, the 'bril liant attorney, Grand Master Wm. L. (Houston, and scores of friends who aided the pastor, trustees and members in this movement. John Wesley A. M. E. Zion Church was organized as a society to wor ship God in the year of 1849 with | a few friends at t!h Brent, Eighteenth The' society remains1 years, and in that rapidly that sponso I organize a churah; ) purchased property Avenue, for which t and erected a on ! ment building at a : They moved to this ' 185.1, and two years another story, which |pnae of John Streets. sre tor two it grew' so ^ decided to IfThe society, Connecticut i f Paid iry-andL‘base cost of $600. ! property ' in:' IjPter erected ffeniained in — '.I** nr'"'. tact until the church :^vas sold. The remodeling and addition cost $1,1.Oh. This property pjroved to b very (valuable, as the city decided after many years to make .it one of its most fashionable thoroughfares, and this property, bought for al oert, j. J. Clinton, J. P. Thomp son, S, i. Jones, J. B. Sma41 and John Wesley Smith,—all deceased. Bishoip Smith’s death was the last o:ie to occur, and his funeral was conducted in this church. The ministers who pastored in Connecticut Avenue were Revs. Abraham Coles, J". B. Trusty, N. F. Turpin, J. H. Hamer, H. F. Butler. •Nathaniel Stubbs, Sampson Tallbert, 3. T. Jones, John V. Givens, iS. T.' Henry, G. W. Bosley, S. S. Wailes, J. W. Smith, J. P. Thompson, Jesse Cowles, W. A. Cypress, J. A. Wil liams, J. B. Small, B. J. Bolding, R. H. G. Dyson, D. H. Anderson, R, A. Fisher, J. J, Clinton and J ,H. McMullen. Those who have .pastor REV. W. C. BROWN, PASTOR OF JOHN WESLEY. most a pittance, had advanced in value to an extent that the business interests offered a high price for it and it 'was sold. The church then bought on Eighteenth Street, un der the pastorate of Dr. B. J. Bold ing, in 19’0i2. The Eighteenth Street property was bought from the Berean Baptist Church and remodel ed, and John Wesley remained there until * it decided to a,wal£e to its op portunities. John Wesley Church has had at different times six pastors, who later were elected to the bishopic. These were Bishops Sampson Tal J \ ed in Eighteenth Street are Revs. I L.. W. Kytles, W. A. Blackwell, P. iH. Williams, iC. C. Alleyne, and the present pastor, Rev. William <C. Brown. Among the officers of the church may be mentioned Mr. Gilbert L. Joy, who joined the church 12 years after" iit was organized and was 1 made secretary of the Trustee Board ; in 1864, and served thirty-two years in that capacity. He had the en-. viable record of being a trustee of \ Continued on page Ove GREETINGS AND SUGGESTIONS By Bishop Geo. 'W. iClijvton, D. D. Ministers and members of the Fourth Episcopal District, it gives me more than common delight to send you words of .greeting and some suggestions which I hope will prove beneficial to you in your en deavors to perform the dutiee of / the New Year to which we have y been brought through the goodness and mercy °f °Ur S?aCious Heavenly The year which has just passed into history shall ever be memorable for its varied and notable happen ings. It was a year in which the Church passed throuhg a very trying ordeal in both home and foreign fields. Our Zion, like other branches of the Christian Church, experienced unusual struggle and more than ordinary strain. The unexpected and large de crease in the price of cotton upon which so many of our people depend for their revenue, and the great European war which caused gloom and depression to overshadow the civilized world, and affected every interest in which the well being of humanity is concerned,. caused a considerable fall off in our church finances, and tested the strength and stability of our institutions. \ There is cause for rejoicing, how ever, that the grand o)ld Church has successfully passed through the crucial ordeal, despite the unfavor able conditions above mentioned. Some of the Conferences of this district did well, others fell far be low what was expected of them, and what might have been accomi ^' .H the. llaili ... . n met year," hnc. had some observed the rules of in tegrity in handling the funds after they were collected by them. I wish to extend congratulations to all who did their full duty, and best wishes to all who endeavored to do their best. The acquisition of new societies, the repairing and remdeling of old churches, the building ot new churches, the reduction and cancel ling of dobts prove that we ha zealous and faithful pastors,' loyal and devoted members. * For all that you have done to strengthen am* extend the borders of our Zion, and enlarge the Kingdom of our Re deemer. I give praise to God and extend congratulations to you. . And now, as we enter upon the work of the New year, let us all resolve to do more and better work along every line that will push for ward the Campaign for the spir itual and general betterment of the people whose leaders and teachers we are. I take pleasure in offering the following sugigieattions to all who are workers together with God in the Fourth Episcopal 'Dist. 1. That the pastor and member-, ship plan early for a revival in every Church of the district. 2. That each pastor organize his forces and make the revival a sub ject of prayer and watch for a sea sonable period for- launching a pro tracted meeting. Wlhile organizing and planning pray, preach and urge every devout member to pray and work to the end that “the times of refreshing shall come from the presence cf the iLdrd” and men, women and Children ishall repent . and be converted and have their sins blotted out.” 3. Impress upon the people that the greatest)need of the world, the most pressing need of each indi vidual is deliverance from -sin and a consciousness of right relations with God, that those who seek first the Kingdom of God and His right eousness will have all other good things added unto them.” Pray for, work and expect a great revival. 4. Urge our members who are Christians, especially those who are. heads of families to make Bible reading and family prayers with all members of the family present a daily practice. H, Persuade our members and c'i gregations to practice the go to Church Sunday plan a-regular habit, and to.be as punctual in attend ance and to be systematic in giving even {hough the amount given may . he small sometimes. System, reg- | ularity and faithfulness always I Continued on Page 6
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 7, 1915, edition 1
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