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of Sbtlob baptist (Iburcb

Philadelphia ^ ♦v ^ ritten

by jfranftftn H. (Siitnn A 4 ‘Z>. ^905

'* ©ne tbinfl bave 1 DesiteO ot tbe locO: tbat will 1 seeh after; tbat fl mae Owen in tbe bouse of tbe loco all tbe Dags of mg life, to bebolO tbe beautg of tbe lorO, anO to inquire in bts temple.” psalms xxvtt, 4tb verse * =» * * *

Price , 25 Cents

is is % art tret

1 Rise anfc progress

of Sbtlob Baptist Cburcb of ipbilabetpbia

Written by franklin H. (Suinn

part first

Philadelphia, 1905

Wii.liam H. Watson, Printer 605 South Sixteenth St., Philadelphia

♦ ♦

preface

♦

The object of this work is to give the facts rela¬ tive to the Shiloh Baptist Church. The authors of the many histories written may be justly said to be living, though they are dead in a certain sense. When I had begun to write about the church, as I had been asked to do so often, I thought 1 would be able to write only a few pages, giving a short account of the commencement of the church, but as I write, like as in every age men have risen by re¬ calling to mind some important facts, by which new ideas, higher aspirations for a general progress have been awakened, and so it seems to me that it might be so in this work.

The ages to come will only reveal the great value of this history of our church. There is no history so important to any people as the history of their church, and I feel sure that those who read this will be sure to see more clearly the importance of such a work. The author of this history of the Shiloh Baptist Church was born in the year 1837, ’n Phila¬ delphia, Pa., in the month of September, and in 1857 was converted to Christianity and baptized by Rev. Jeremiah Asher, March 5 of the same year, and has remained with the church ever since. It is hoped by the author that it may awaken new and lofty ideas in the minds of our many young friends who might read the contents of this book.

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Chapter 1

In presenting this history of Shiloh Baptist Church to the public no aoology is necessary. As a record of events, as an exhibition of the men and women who were the founders of this church and their resources. In this work, we believe, will be found as complete and satisfactory record of the growth, development and expansion of Shiloh Baptist Church as can be had. This we assert with a thorough knowledge of what has been done. What would have been the amazement of the seven brethren could they have had a vision of the future ; if they had been told that wThen less than fifty years had elapsed the Shiloh Baptist Church would be standing a giant amidst the churches ! But how¬ ever far-sighted they had no such vision.

Neither can we, even in this wonderful, progres¬ sive age pierce the veil of futurity and read what changes another fifty years may bring. The past alone is ours, and we few who are alive look into the past and see the Shiloh Baptist Church when it was founded. We saw it when its founders left it never to return, and to-day the contrast is almost as great a matter of wonder to us as the vision would have been to the seven brethren. We should be familiar with our history to wonder at it. Old landmarks have been swept off, records destroyed, the chain of events broken, so to speak. It is said by one writer it must be the historian’s task to col¬ lect the scattered material ere it is lost, to restore

6

IRise anfc prooress of

the missing links of facts ere they are disfigured by tradition, and by his pen pictures of the past to attach a new interest to objects and sites amidst which we live, unmindful of the memories they awake.

The constituent members of Shiloh Baptist Church were members of the Union Baptist Church, Little Pine street above Sixth street (now Addison street). There were in the city of Philadelphia at that time only three colored Baptist churches, viz. : First African Baptist, Third African Baptist, com¬ monly called Simmons Church, and the Union Bap¬ tist Church, better known then as Scott’s Church. We will say, however, the Monumental Baptist Church was in existence, and was known as the Oak Street Baptist Church, but at that time it was not located in the city of Philadelphia. What is known now as Forty-first and Ludlow streets was a vil¬ lage and was called Hamiltonville, being in Block- ley Township. The Union Baptist Church, when organized by Elder Daniel Scott, was started and worshipped in a building in the neighborhood of Eighth and Locust streets. We are indebted to Aunt Jane Hill, one of the old landmarks of Shiloh Baptist Church. She is now an inmate of the Old Folks’ Home, aged 95 years. She was formerly a member of Simmons Church. Baptized in 1820.

About the year of 1840 or 1841 there arose some trouble in the church. We will not speak of it here, but forty-three members withdrew from the church and was received into the First African Baptist Church by letter. Elder J. L. Burroughs, pastor. After worshipping as members there for some time they began to feel the need of a new church home nearer to their residences, for be it remembered that most all of the forty-three persons lived in the Moyamensing District. Notwithstanding the rela¬ tions with the First African Baptist Church were

Sbtlob Baptist Gbutcb

7

most cordial, we find they had concluded to sever their connection, so on the evening of the 27th of July, 1842, Brethren Westward F. Keeling, Moses Williams, Robert Ruffin, Edwin Johnson, Edward J. Henderson, John Gilding and John Brown, all members in good standing in the First Colored Bap¬ tist Church, worshipping in Eleventh street above Vine, in the city of Philadelphia, held a meeting, with the full consent of the aforesaid church, at the house of Brother E. J. Henderson, in Black¬ berry alley, near Walnut street, to take into consid¬ eration the expediency of commencing a new Bap¬ tist interest in the more southern section of the city, and if possible to secure the services of some com¬ petent minister to preach to us the unsearchable riches of Christ.

First, prayer w'as made by Brother M. Williams; second, Brother E. J. Henderson was chosen chair¬ man and Brother J. John Brown secretary; third, it was voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. V il- liams, E. J. Henderson, R. Ruffin and E. Johnson be a committee to ask counsel of the ministers and other brethren of our denomination in this city on the above subject and act accordingly; after a profitable and hapov interchange of thoughts the meeting was dismissed after prayer, subject to the call of the above committee.

August 2, 1842, a number of brethren belonging to the First Colored Baptist Church, in this city, convened at the house of Brother John Hooper, on George street above Tenth, to hear the report of the committee appointed at a preceding meeting, and to have our letter of dismissal read. First prayer w-as made (but the record fails to say by whom). Brother John Brown was secretary. The committee reported that they had conferred with the city pastors and with leading and influential brethren of the several churches of our faith and

s

IRise anD progress of

order, all of whom highly approved the project and agreed to meet in council on our case. A delega¬ tion from all the churches being members of the Philadelphia Baptist Association at the Baptist Pub¬ lication rooms. No. 21 South Fourth street, on the 29U1 inst., at 10 o’clock A. M.

Fourth, voted that the report be accepted, and the committee was discharged; 5th, voted that a delegation from our number be appointed to repre¬ sent 11s in the council, and that Brethren Moses Williams, W. F. Keeling and R. Ruffin constitute said delegation and report proceedings.

Sixth, the following letter of dismissal and recommendation from the First Colored Baptist Church was read for the gratification of the parties interested, struggling for existence as a church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, viz.:

THE LETTER.

The First African Baptist Church of Philadel¬ phia to the pastors and brethren appointed to sit in council on the 29th day of August, at 10 o’clock A. M., to deliberate on the propriety of constituting the undersigned into a regular Baptist Church, send Christian salutation.

Dear Brethren : — Whereas the following brethren and sisters have united themselves together for the purpose of being constituted into a separate church. Jesus Christ being their head, and

Whereas, they having applied to us for a letter of dismissal for that purpose,

This, therefore, is to certify that they are mem¬ bers with us in good standing and full fellowship, and as such we grant them this letter of dismissal, and shall consider them dismissed from us when they shall have been constituted into a church of the same faith and order, and we notified of the

same :

£ bilob Baptist Cburcb

9

Moses Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Westward F. Keeling, Rachael Keeling, Robert Ruffin, Irene Ruffin, Susan Mathews, George Morgan, Spencer Mitchell, Phoebius Mitchell, Fanny Dersheers, Nancy Hill, Elizabeth Harris, Martha Gwaltney, Jane Jones, Susan Mitchell, Louisa Jones, Ann Smith, Patsey Golden, Grace Sadler, John Brown, Edwin Johnson, Martha Johnson, Edward J. Hen¬ derson, Mary Ann Plenderson, John Hooper, Phillis Hooper, Dolly Atkins, Mukes Allomond, Daniel Pat¬ terson, Ann Patterson, Nancy Coward, Sarah W. Thompson, Agnes Fitzhugh, Eliza Jones, Mary Garrison, Catharine Liveley, Sarah Hooper, Hester Hooper, John Gilding, Eliza Gilding, William Tay¬ lor, Cynthia Mitchell.

Done at a regular church meeting, held July 25, 1842, and signed in behalf of the church.

SAMUEL BIVANS, Church Clerk.

It was voted that orinted invitations to all the Baptist churches in the city be forthwith sent out bv the clerk, according to the form following, the expenses to be individually met :

FORM.

To the Baptist Church of Philadelphia.

Dear Brethren A number of members of the First African Baptist Church, having asked and ob¬ tained permission for the purpose of forming an independent church, respectfully ask that you will meet us by delegates to counsel us on the subject. It is proposed that the council shall meet at the office of the Baptist Publication Society on the fifth Monday in August, it being the 29th, at 10 o’clock A. M.

Voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, W. Williams, R. Ruffin and E. Johnson be a committee to pre-

10

IRise and progress ot

pare a constitution, by-laws and a covenant, and report directly after our organization, if the Lord will. The meeting was dismissed with praise and prayer.

THE COUNCIL.

Pursuant with a request from several members of the First African Baptist Church a delegation from the Baptist churches met at the rooms of the Publication on Monday, August 29, 1842, at 10 o’clock A. M. The council was organized by choos¬ ing Brother D. Dodge moderator and Brother Thomas O. Lincoln clerk. After prayer by the clerk the following brethren were ascertained to be members of the council :

1. Spruce Street Church — The pastor, T. O. Lin¬ coln, and Brother T. Larcombe.

2. The Second Church — Brother D. Dodge, pas¬ tor, and Brothers F. Lee and G. Swope.

3. The Third Church — Brother E. Covell, pas¬ tor, and Brothers R. Gardner and Joseph Reed.

4. The First African Church — Brother J. L. Bur¬ rows, pastor, and Brothers Joseph Winters and J. Bundick.

5. The Fifth Church — Brother J. L. Burroughs, pastor, and Brother C. Wilkinson.

6. The Central Church — Brother J. Aldrich, pas¬ tor, and Brother W. Moore.

7. The Union Colored Church — Brother Daniel Scott, pastor, and Brother J. Nickens.

8. The First Baptist Church — Brother G. B. Ide, pastor, and Brother M. J. Rheese and P>. R. Loxley.

9. The Third African Church — Brother J. Hen¬ derson. pastor, and Brother C. Wane and G. Saun¬ ders.

10. The Blockley African Church — Brother W. Jackson, pastor, and M. Black and N. Logan.

A letter from the First African Church was read, dismissing forty-three (43) individuals from them

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

U

to form a new church, and certifying to their good standing. The council adjourned, to meet Monday, September 26, 1842. A true copy.

T. O. LINCOLN, Clerk.

Philadelphia, September 12, 1842.

The brethren and sisters of the new interest con¬ vened at the house of Brother W. Keeling, in South Seventh street, on the 12th of September, 1842.

First, prayer was made by Brother Keeling; sec¬ ond, Brother Keeling was requested to act as mod¬ erator, and Brother John Brown as clerk ; third, it was voted that the clerk prepare a letter to be pre¬ sented to the council on the 26th inst. by our dele¬ gation, setting forth some reasons why we should be constituted into a regular Baptist church ; fourth, voted that the delegation be increased by the addi¬ tion of Brethren E. J. Henderson and Mukes All- mond to the number thereof; fifth, voted that Brethren E. J. Henderson, R. Ruffin, C. Cooker, E. Johnson and M. Almond be a committee to pro¬ cure another place in which we may worship Al¬ mighty God. Having occupied Benezett Hall since the 9th of July last, it is decidedly ineligible for us ; sixth, agreed to adjourn; seventh, prayer bv Brother S. Mitchell.

COPY OF THE LETTER.

As the secretary of a meeting recently held by the persons whom I now introduce, I was directed to address you respectfully in their behalf.

JOHN BROWN.

Forty-three members from the First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia to the ministers and

b;w hren who are expected to attend an adjourned

12

IRtse anO iprooress of

meeting of the council on the last Monday in this month, it being the 26th, in the meeting house of the First Baptist Church, on Second street above Market, send Christian salutation.

Dear Brethren — Having by the help of Almighty God united ourselves into a little band to unfurl the banner of the Cross and to point sinners to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, and having previously asked you to meet us by dele¬ gates to counsel us on the subject of our organiza¬ tion into a separate church, we would reiterate the same request, and at the same time give you some of the reasons why we humbly think our prayer should be answered by your intelligent body :

First. There is at present no colored church in the southern section of the city below Lombard street and above Seventh. Quite a number of col¬ ored families reside above Eleventh street, and ow¬ ing to the cheapness of house rent in the District of Moyamensing, and from the fact that several col¬ ored families have already removed to said district and the presumption is that many more will do the same, we think this to be a good reason, because of the beautiful field for labor among that class of our population.

Second. Another reason is that our meetings for prayer during the week and for preaching thrice on Lord’s days are not only well attended, but abundantly blessed, to our edification and comfort, and to the awakening, and we trust the conversion, of perishing sinners young and old. We have se¬ cured a hall on Eleventh street, between Lombard and Pine, which mav seat two hundred persons. We have held a few meetings in said hall, and they were well attended, even bv some who live adjacent to it, but who have hitherto frequented no religiou-e meetings. The Lord has inclined many of such characters to come amongst us, and many have been

Sbilob Baptist Gbutrcb

13

blessed, among whom is a grav-haired father who had not been in a meeting house in twelve years.

Now, revered brethren, for these reasons we think, as the field for usefulness among our people in the sphere pointed out is so great, promising a rich harvest of immortal souls, we trust you will decide favorably. May the great Head of the Church bless you in all your deliberations and decisions, and may we be the happy gainers thereof. Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams, R. Ruffin, E. J. Hen¬ derson and M. Allmond are duly appointed to repre¬ sent the body in your council, who will answer any questions which you may be pleased to ask touching the subject in hand.

Philadelphia, September 21, 1842.

Philadelphia September 28, 1842

An adjourned meeting of the brethren and sisters seeking after scriptural organization was held at the house of Brother Robert Ruffin, on the 28th of September, 1842. Prayer was made by Brother Moses Williams. Brother E. J. Henderson was called to the chair, and Brother W. Keeling was chosen clerk. It was voted unanimously that if the Lord is pleased to suffer us to be constituted into a church we shall be then and thenceforth known and distinguished by the name of The Shiloh Baptist Church.

Voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams and Spencer Mitchell be deacons on trial. Voted that our church meetings be held on the second Monday in every month, and our Sacramental Com¬ munion on the third Lord’s day in every month. The Committee on Place of Worship reported that they had secured the hall on Eleventh street be¬ tween Pine and Lombard streets. Report was ac¬ cepted and the committee was discharged. Voted that the clerk prepare and distribute notices ac-

14

IRtse anfc progress of

cording to the form adopted at a preceding meeting to all the Baptist churches in the city, to meet in council on the 26th inst. The meeting was closed with prayer by Brother E. J. Henderson.

THE COUNCIL.

Philadelphia, September 26, 1842.

Met by adjournment on the 26th of September, in the meeting house of the First Baptist Church, on Second street above High street (now Market street). The individuals proposing to be constituted presented a paper stating that they had adopted the Confession of Faith of the Philadelphia Baptist Association.

After some discussion it was unanimously voted that they be constituted into a church. Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams and Edwin Johnson were appointed a committee to make the necessary arrangements for such service, to be held on Fri¬ day, September 30, 1842.

THE ORGANIZATION.

Philadelphia, Friday, September 30, 1842.

The services alluded to took place upon the even¬ ing appointed, in Benezet Hall, Seventh street be¬ low Lombard street. Brother E. Covell preached the sermon from these words : “Whom Shall Jacob Arise.” Brother T. O. Lincoln addressed the church and J. L. Burrows gave them the right hand of fellowship.

T. O. LINCOLN, Clerk of Council.

We close the first chapter here. Before begin¬ ning the second chapter we will speak of some of

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

15

the conditions that existed at the time when the church was organized. Philadelphia, it will be re¬ membered, only extended from the south side of Vine street to the north side of Cedar (now South) street, from the Delaware to the Schuylkill River, and very much of that was commons and lots. The hall mentioned in the chapter, viz., Benezet Hall, stands on Seventh street below Lombard, and has near about the same appearance now as it had when we were a boy. It was in this hall the Shiloh Bap¬ tist Church held their first public service. The hall on Eleventh street above Lombard was a dilapi¬ dated old wooden building, and stood where the Masonic Hall now stands. Of the forty-three per¬ sons who were the founders of the Shiloh Baptist Church all have long since passed away except one, Sarah Williams, who is yet living. Rachel Shep¬ herd, now Stewart, who was one of the first candi¬ dates to join the little church after it was organ¬ ized but three months, is still with us.

Then comes Aunt Jane Hill, now 95 years of age, an inmate of the Old Folks' Home. She joined in 1849. Sister Emily Bryan, another of the old land¬ marks ; Sister Anna Hutchinson, who has been with the church since 1842 and was baptized and joined the church in 1846. We notice in the letter to the ministers, among the reasons given whv the little band thought they ought to be organized into a church, they say many colored families have moved in the district.

They no doubt had reference to Washington street (now Rodman). We well remember Wash¬ ington street. It began at Eleventh street and ran west to Broad. Some of what we now call the 400 lived on Washington street ; also Ohio, Barley, New Bedford (now Ivater street) and Lombard, as all the above-named streets were filled with colored people.

16

TRtse anfc progress of

The nearest colored church to that neighborhood was the Union Baptist, commonly called “Scott’s.” then in Little Pine street (now Rodman). It was a splendid field for a new enterprise. Of course Bethel and Brick Wesley, generally known as Big Wesley, now Zion Wesley A. M. E., corner Fif¬ teenth and Lombard streets, were in close prox¬ imity to the Union Baptist.

We could speak of very many things connected with the city at that time, but we will proceed with the meetings.

Philadelphia, October 3, 1842.

The Shiloh Baptist Church met at their hall, on Eleventh street below Pine, on the td of October, 1842. After prayer proceeded to transact business. Brother Spencer Mitchell was called to the chair, and Brother W. F. Keeling, clerk pro tem. After the brethren present had expressed their thanks to Almighty God for their existence as a church, they congratulated each other as members of The Shiloh Baptist Church, met for the first time in a church capacity.

The following brethren were appointed a com¬ mittee to look out for a minister to serve us as pas¬ tor and report promptly, viz. : W. F. Keeling, M. Williams, R. Ruffin, E. J. Henderson and E. John¬ son. It was voted that we seek admission into the Association at the present session by a petitionary epistle.

Voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams, R. Ruffin, E. Johnson, E. J. Henderson and John Brown be our delegates, who shall prepare and afterwards present the said petitionary epistle to the present session of the Association.

Voted that the clerk be supplied with suitable books for the use of the church, and that the treas¬ urer pay the expense of the same.

Sbtlob 35spttst Cburcb

17

LETTER TO THE ASSOCIATION.

Philadelphia, October 3, 1842. The Shiloh Baptist Church to the ministers and messengers of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, convened October 4, with the Eleventh Baptist Church, Philadelphia.

Dear Brethren : — We, the members of the Shiloh Baptist Church, recently constituted in this city, would respectfully request to be admitted into your fellowship.

We are 43 in number, and were connected with the First Colored Baptist Church, from which we were regularly and honorably dismissed, at our request, and in accordance with a rule of your body. A council composed of ministers and delegates from most of the churches in the city was held, which, after examining our case, unanimously agreed to recognize us as a church.

The ceremony was performed on Friday even¬ ing September 30, 1842, Brother E. Coveil preach¬ ing the sermon. Brother T. O. Lincoln addressing the church and Brother J. Lansing Burrows giving the right hand of fellowship. We have adopted your Confession of Faith, and hope by the good favor of God upon our associated efforts to be in¬ strumental in building up the cause of truth.

We send for minutes one dollar.

We send as representatives to your body Dea¬ cons W. F. Keeling and M. Williams and Brethren R. Ruffin, E. J. Henderson and E. Johnson, to whom we refer you for further particulars.

This letter was read and approved at a special meeting.

JOHN BROWN, Clerk

We will now give you tire

IS

Iftisc anD progress of

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF TFIE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION,

Held in Philadelphia, October 4, 1842.

Pages 16 and 17, Section u. A letter was re¬ ceived and read from the Union Baptist Church, near Milestown, Philadelphia County, formerly connected with the Central Union Association, ask¬ ing admission into our body. Also from the fol¬ lowing newly constituted Baptist churches :

Second Baptist Church, of Southwark, Philadel¬ phia County.

The West Cain Baptist Church, Chester County.

First Baptist Church, of Passyunk, Philadelphia County.

Shiloh Baptist Church (colored), Philadelphia City.

All which letters were read and referred to Brothers IT. G. Jones, S. Nightingale, J. H. Ken- nard, Joseph Taylor and A. H. Willis.

Page 17, Section 17. The committee to whom the letters from the churches applying for admis¬ sion were referred reported favorably, and recom¬ mended their reception to our fellowship. The recommendation was concurred in and they were received by the Moderator on behalf of the Asso¬ ciation through their messengers.

Page 34 of the report of the Committee on the State of Religion it is recorded in the following- words :

“Shiloh Colored Church, located in this city, num¬ bering forty-three members, has been constituted this year, and also welcomed into fellowship with the Association at its present session. The con¬ stituting council consisted of Brethren Coveil, Lin¬ coln and Burrows. May Ethiopia continue to stretch forth her hand, and the feeble one be strong in faith, giving Glory to God.”

Sbilob baptist dburcb

10

Philadelphia, October 17, 1842.

The Shiloh Baptist Church met at their hall, on Eleventh street below Pine, on the 17th of Octo¬ ber, 1842. Brother S. Mitchell served as moder¬ ator, Brother W. F. Keeling clerk pro tern.

The delegation to the Association reported the reception of the Shiloh Church into the fellowship of that venerable body. The meeting sent forth a sincere, fervent, sonorous and long-repeated burst of praise and thanksgiving to the great Head of the Church for His goodness to her daily to the present hour (being the first regular meeting of the now Associated Church). It was voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams, R. Ruffin, E. J. Hen¬ derson and E. Johnson be, and they are herebv con¬ stituted a committee to look out for a pastor for this church and report when such person has been found. The pulpit in the meantime to be regularly sup¬ plied, if possible, by the deacons. Having been organized and received into the Association they did not forget their mother church. ‘‘It was voted that a respectful and grateful letter be written and sent to our mother. The First Colored Baptist Church in Pearl street, informing them of our re¬ ception into the Association, and our course of future action.

After singing and praying the meeting was dis¬ missed.

LETTER TO THE FIRST COLORED BAP¬ TIST CHUHCLI.

Philadelphia, October 24, 1842.

To the First Colored Baptist Church, on Pearl street near Eleventh, city of Philadelphia. Elder J. Burroughs, pastor.

Dear Brethren : — We, the undersigned, having been dismissed from your body in order to form a

20

IRise anJ> H>rooress of

new interest, deem it to be our duty, as well as priv¬ ilege, to inform you that we have been constituted and declared to be an independent Baptist Church, and shall hereafter be known as The Shiloh Bap¬ tist Church. We hold our meetings at present in Eleventh street below Fine, and would be happy to have you visit us when convenient, to encourage and edify us by your counsels and prayers.

Our stated meetings for preaching and prayer will be the same as it is with you. This we much regret. Having been accustomed to worship at the same time with you, it was difficult to remove the old landmarks. Our church meetings will be held on the second Monday evening in every month, and our sacramental season will be on the third Lord's Day in every month.

Dear brethren, in conclusion we pray you to re¬ member Shiloh and ever look upon her as your daughter, and in return she will ever look upon you as her mother, and we trust in God that we shall never by any unchristian conduct disgrace the relationship. We shall always consider your aged and respected pastor as a father and light in Israel.

We shall ever pray for your prosperity, and as an independent church, in fellowship with the Phila¬ delphia Baptist Association, hope, in common with sister churches of the same faith and order, to share a portion of the blessings of "Him who dwelt in the bush."

Farewell. May we ever live in union.

Signed in behalf of the church consisting of the forty-three dismissed from you.

JOHN BROWN, Clerk.

Philadelphia, November 14, 1842.

The second regular meeting of the Shiloh Baptist Church was held at their hall, on Eleventh street, on the 14th of November, 1842. The meeting was

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

21

opened with prayer by Brother W. F. Keeling, who was also the Moderator for the evening, and Brother John Brown, clerk. ft was voted that Brethren E. J. Henderson, R. Ruffin, C. Booker, E. Johnson and M. Allmond be, and they are hereby, consti¬ tuted a Board of Trustees, to attend to all the tem¬ poral, pecuniary affairs of this church.

The committee appointed to prepare a constitu¬ tion, by-laws and a covenant for the use of this church reported through their chairman. Deacon W. F. Keeling, that they had discharged the duty imposed upon them, and begged leave to present the same for the examination and approbation of this church meeting.

Voted that the report be accepted and the com¬ mittee discharged with the thanks of this church for their faithful labors.

Voted that the constitution, by-laws and cove¬ nant just reported by the committee be adopted for the future rule and government of this church, and that wilful violation of the same shall be vis¬ ited with the censure of the church, according to Gospel Rule.

Voted that the said constitution, bv-laws and covenant, together with the "Confession of Faith,” be recorded in the Church Register. There ap¬ pears to have been no other business transacted at this meeting. It was closed with prayer.

JOHN BROWN, Clerk.

Up until this time there had been no addition to the church. But on the 12th of December, 1842, the third regular meeting of the Shiloh Baptist Church was held in their hall, on Eleventh street. Prayer was made by Deacon M. Williams. He was chosen moderator. The constitution and bv- laws were read. It was the custom then and for

72

Ktse anfc {progress of

a long time afterward to read the constitution and by-laws at every church meeting.

We now see the little church beginning to grow, for at this meeting the following persons were re¬ ceived :

Mary Ann Thompson, James Everett, Mary Booker, Louisa Hooper, Nathan Hooper and Eliza Ann Boadley were received for baptism upon a con¬ fession of their faith in Christ.

Sister Louisa Woodley, Rachel Shepherd, Cor¬ nelius Booker and Brother John Booker were re¬ ceived by letter. We notice that the Examining Committee, what is now called the “Investigating Committee," was organized at this meeting, also the “Candidate Tenders.” The record says: “It was voted that the Examining Committee consist at present of seven members, viz. : Deacons W. F. Keeling, M. Williams, S. Mitchell, Brother R. Ruf¬ fin, Sister Ann Coward, Betsey Williams and Grace Sadler.

It was also voted that Brethren R. Ruffin, E. Johnson, C. Booker, Ann Coward, Betsey Williams and Grace Sadler be the present number of Can¬ didate Tenders. The committee appointed to look¬ out for a pastor reported the following correspond¬ ence with Elder John T. Raymond, of Boston. Mass., up to this time, as follows:

Philadelnhia, November 26, 1842.

Dear Brother Raymond: — Your letter, which was addressed to Rev. J. Burroughs on the 1st of the present month, has been received by him and handed to us. Its contents have been prayerfully considered. Our delay in replying was occasioned by a wish to consult our little band ; not whether we should accept the offer, but whether we could take care of one like yourself in our weak state.

We want a brother and a father like yourself,

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

23

but we are aware that we could not do for your temporal good as your services demand. There¬ fore it only remains for you to say upon what con¬ ditions you could settle among us for this winter or for a longer time.

In coming among us you will find many to whom you will be no stranger. Our little band is on the increase. Our number is about forty-nine. We have a room on Eleventh street below Pine, which will hold two or three hundred persons. Our meet¬ ings are well attended by saints and sinners. In your answer be decided, so that we shall be able to express ourselves more fully in our next.

And now, dear brother, may the Great Head of the Church direct you in your deliberations on this subject.

In behalf of the church.

W. F. KEELING,

M. WILLIAMS,

R. RUFFIN,

E. J. HENDERSON,

E. JOHNSON,

Committee. JOHN BROWN,

Church Clerk

We see from the beginning the brethren who met on the 27th of July had in mind the calling of a minister for their pastor. We find at the meeting held at the house of Brother E. J. Henderson, on the above date, the question of securing some com petent minister was discussed. Three months after that little meeting, at a “church meeting” (for the little band was now organized, and known as “The Shiloh Baptist Church” we find a committee ap pointed to look out for a minister. This was done October 17, 1842. It was not only organized, but was admitted into the Philadelphia Baptist Asso-

24

[Rise anD progress of

ciation. We have given you the letter addressed to Elder Raymond by the committee,. The following is Elder Raymond’s reply :

Dear Brethren: — Yours of the 26th ultimo came to hand yesterday, and 1 felt much gratified tliai you had received mine by the interposition of my esteemed friend, Rev. James Burroughs.

Accept my thanks for the deep interest you mani¬ fest in my favor, and of the confidence you repost in me as a brother and father in the Gospel. I am delighted to hear of your prosperity and prospect of future usefulness as a young and respectable church.

In relation to the subject of support, dear breth¬ ren, I should have been better satisfied if you had made the proposal yourselves. I never like to make a requisition on a church for salary, but where a church enjoying the full amount of my labors foi her edification, comfort, increase and prosperity will, in view of my services, vote me a competent support this is all 1 require. It is far better for a church to decide this than for a minister. You are better acquainted with living in Philadelphia than 1 am. 1 might fix on a sum too small to meet my expenses or too large to meet your limited re¬ sources. In either case, dear brethren, your su¬ perior judgment will decide for the mutual benefit of both parties, according to the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

From all the information which I can obtain, 1 do not think I could subsist in your city, with the most rigid economy, for less than $40 per month. However, you can be the best judges. I submit the case to yourselves, and shall not fear the result.

In conclusion, the great probability of the con¬ tinued increase of the Shiloh Church demands of you, dear brethren, much intelligence, discretion

Sbilob Baptist Cbttrcb

25

activity, perseverance, watchfulness and prayer. Future generations will look back on the histon of the Shiloh Church and your names, officers and doings will be scanned and approbated or con¬ demned, beloved brethren.

Permit me as a father in Israel to persuade you to be liberal and noble-minded. Make sacrifices, endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Be zealous, courageous, heavenly-minded and faithful, and soon a little one shall become a thou¬ sand and a small one a strong nation. The Lord shall hasten it in His time. I shall await your de cision and hold myself ready to act accordingly.

I am yours in the bonds of a peaceful Gospel.

J. T. RAYMOND,

No. 12 Belknap street, Boston, Mass. To Brethren W. F. Keeling. M. Williams, R. Ruf¬ fin, E. J. Henderson and John Brown, Committee

We continue this interesting correspondence be¬ tween Elder John T. Raymond and the committee before introducing other doings of the little church. After receiving the above beautiful letter from Elder Raymond the committee lost no time in send¬ ing the following reply :

Philadelphia, December 6, 1842.

Dear Brother Raymond : — We were much pleased to receive your communication of the 1st inst. Our only difficulty in at once calling you to the pastoral charge grows out of the fact that we feel we should not be able adequately to sustain you.

We should be pleased to have a personal inter¬ view with you. If you will make us a visit we will pay all your expenses incurred by coming to Phila¬ delphia. We should like you to come as soon as possible. If you can be here on the third Sunday of the present month and spend the holidays with

26

IRise anfc progress of

us we think that much good might be done, and probably satisfactory arrangements might be made for your permanent settlement. Please answer as soon as convenient.

To which Elder Raymond replied on the 12th of December, 1842:

Dear Brethren : — I received yours of the 6th inst. According to present engagements I could not be in Philadelphia on the third Sunday. My limited pecuniary resources are such at this time that I could not positively say when I could come. The Lord only can provide. The people here are unwilling to have me leave them. A unanimous vote of the church and congregation to this effect has been presented me in writing, and yet I feel that I ought to leave if God will. I leave the sub¬ ject in the hands of my covenant God and your¬ selves. Wishing you and the church all temporal and spiritual prosperity, I remain Yours in Christ,

J. T. RAYMOND.

It was voted that the anove correspondence be approved by this church, and that the committee continue the correspondence. It was also voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Allmond and E. Johnson be a committee to make arrangements for Elder Raymond’.s reception and accommodation when he arrives in the city, said committee to re¬ port at the regular church meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was brought to a close by prayer by Deacon M. Williams.

1842 gone. Shiloh Baptist Church held its fourth regular church meeting in their hall, on Eleventh

Sbilcb Uaptist dburcb

27

street below Pine, on the 9th of January, 1843. Prayer was made by Deacon S. Mitchell, who was also called to the chair as moderator for the even¬ ing. After reading the constitution and by-laws, the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The committee anointed to make preparations for Elder Raymond, of Boston, reported that they had made ample arrangements with Brother Edwin Johnson, in Washington street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets (now Rodman street) at $2 per week.

The report was accepted and the committee dis¬ charged. Voted that the expense embraced in the above provision be met by voluntary contributions of the members. There being no further business the meeting was closed with the benediction.

John Brown was the clerk.

They continued to meet regularly for divine serv¬ ices in their room in the little old wooden hall on Eleventh street, the average attendance being fairly good. There were not as many preachers about then as there are now. The deacons sometimes had a hard time of it in getting someone to occupy the pulpit on the Lord’s day, but the Methodist brethren were very kind to us and often preached for the little flock on Sundays. We look back to those days when in our youth we were wont to see these dear men and women who composed the forty-three. All but one have long since “gone to that bourne from whence no traveler ere returns, ’’ and we now realize the fact that to them to serve God was a pleasure, and they could sing with Isaac Watts :

Sweet is the work, my God, my King,

To praise Thy name, give thanks and sing, To show Thy love by morning light,

And talk of all Thy truth at night.

2$

IRtse anfc ptooii'ess of

But we will not stop now to speak of those fathers in Israel who have departed this life, but we will continue the correspondence between Elder Raymond and the committee.

We now find the church, in church meeting as¬ sembled, on the 13th of February, 1843, in their hall, on Eleventh street. The meeting was opened with prayer by Deacon W. F. Keeling. The con¬ stitution and by-laws were read as usual, after which the minutes of the last meeting were read and ap¬ proved. The Committee on the Ministry reported the following correspondence with Elder Raymond :

Philadelphia, December 19, 1842.

Dear Brother: — Yours of the 13th inst. is now before us, which assures us that to God, the Great Head of the Church, and to the Shiloh Baptist Church you have committed the whole matter now under consideration. We therefore, under the di¬ rections of the All-wise God, we trust, have come to the conclusion to send you the means by which you may come to this city. Come now, make no delay. This is the unanimous wish of the church.

Mr. Joshua C. Oliver, of this city, who is now in your city, will hand you over the money. If this arrangement will meet your approbation, please to state what day you can be here, etc., etc.

Elder Raymond sent the following reply :

Boston, December 27, 1842.

Dear Brethren : — I received yours of the 19th inst., giving me to understand that it was the unani¬ mous wish of the Shiloh Baptist Church for me to come to Philadelphia immediately, and that the means necessary to convey me thither might be found in the hands of Mr. J. C. Oliver, of your city, but now in Boston. I am happy to inform you that I have had an interview with Mr. Oliver and

Sbilob Baptist Cbutcb

20

he speaks very highly of you, aud urged me to visit you, believing that I would be pleased, and that I would enjoy better health there than here.

Dear brethren, I am very willing to comply with your request immediately if I could. W ill you hear my reasons for non-compliance at a time when you most need my services? There has been, as you know, a division in the Baptist Church here for nearly two years. I was called to the pastoral office by the party worshipping in and holding the meet¬ ing house according to law. About two weeks since a union of both parties has been happily effected, and by a unanimous vote of the now united church and society I was elected their pastor. My mind is still on a change of residence if it is the will of heaven.

The second Lord's day is our Communion, and 1 believe under existing circumstances I am under obligations to stay and break bread for them. I could not leave here if all things were favorable earlier than Friday next, the 30th inst., whereas, if it would answer your purpose as well. I could come on any time after the second Lord’s day and spend as long a time with you as you would wish. (Signed) ’ ’ J. T. RAYMOND.

On motion it was voted that the course pursued by the Committee on the Ministry is highly satis¬ factory to this church, and that they be affection¬ ately requested to persevere until, with the blessing of God, they consummate our wishes.

Great preparations were being made now to re- • ceive the pastor. We imagine we see Sister Martha Johnson making ready the room which was to be occupied by Elder Raymond, who is alive to-dav and connected with Shiloh Church that remembers Sister Johnson? We know of none save Sister Sarah Williams, Sister Jane Hill. Martha James

30

IRise and progress of

and Rachel Stewart. The tall, stately form of Brother Edwin Johnson we so well remember was the husband of Sister Martha, and “my beloved wife,” who has been dead lo these many years, was the only daughter of Edwin and Martha Johnson. It was at the house of Brother Edwin Johnson that the pastor was to stop when he arrived in this city.

But Elder Raymond has not arrived in Philadel¬ phia, nor did he arrive for some time after he wrote his reply, which, as you know, was the 27th of De¬ cember. But Elder J. T. Raymond, of Boston, Mass., according to previous invitation, did arrive in this city on the 4th of January, 1843, and com¬ menced preaching the Gospel among us to the sat¬ isfaction of all, notwithstanding his affliction of body. It was at this meeting, February 13, that the church voted unanimously to extend a call to the pastoral office to Brother J. T. Raymond. Also voted that we tender to Brother Raymond $500 per annum for his services, provided he accepts our call.

Voted that should there be a mutual agreement we will make him an advance of $100. Voted that on the above condition Brother Raymond shall be considered our pastor when his pastoral relation shall have been dissolved in Boston. It was also voted that the Ministerial Committee proceed forth¬ with in due form to carry out the wishes of this church and report on the 1 8th inst. Voted that we adjourn to the 18th of February, 1843. Dea¬ con M. Williams closed with prayer.

The adjourned meeting was to hear the report of the Ministerial Committee. The minutes of that meeting read as follows :

Sbtlob baptist Gburcb

31

Pursuant to adjournment on the 13th of Febru¬ ary, 1843, the Shiloh Baptist Church convened in their hall on the 18th inst. Prayer by Brother R. Ruffin. Deacon M. Williams was called to the chair. The Ministerial Committee reported the fol¬ lowing work, viz. :

First, their letter to Brother Raymond.

Philadelphia, February 13, 1843.

Dear Brother Ravmond: — After much prayerful deliberation, and after hearing you proclaim the Gospel in our midst, the church this evening by a unanimous vote agreed to invite you to assume the pastoral charge of the Shiloh Baptist Church. The undersigned were directed to make known to you the wish of the church.

In discharging this duty suffer us individually and in behalf of the church to express our entire confidence in your ability greatly to promote the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour JesuS Christ in our community. And in your devotion to the cause of the Master you will find us a feeble band, but willing, we trust, to do all in our power to make you comfortable, and to co-operate with you in efforts to save souls, and to build up the kingdom of our common Lord in this city. Please to answer our communication as soon as it may be convenient, that we may know your decision.

The church have voted the sum of $500 per an¬ num in case you accept the call, which sum, we trust, will be sufficient to meet your expenses in this city!

Signed by the Ministerial Committee.

Brother Raymond replies to the above letter as follows :

(Brother Raymond w^as in Philadelphia at the time

he wrote this letter.)

IRtse ant) KMogress of

o

Philadelphia, February 15, 1843.

To the Ministerial Committee of the Shiloh Baptist

Church.

Beloved in the Ford : — Your communication of the 13th inst. has been placed in my hands. Yv aving all the battering encomiums with which you as servants of the church have been pleased to honor me, which my modesty and conscious unworthiness xorbid me from prizing too highly, while my com¬ mon sense and good breeding prompt me grate¬ fully to accept the same as the candid and unvar¬ nished opinion of a people whom i am duty bound to respect and love.

Permit me respectfully to request you to inform the Shiloh Baptist Church that i do heartily and humbly respond to her call to become her pastor, on the same footing with all the honored pastors of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, and in perfect union with all the churches comprising said ven¬ erable body. I hereby agree to accept $500 per annum as my salary, hoping that it may be adequate to all the reasonable wants of my family.

1 also agree to dissolve my pastoral relation in Boston, Mass., as soon as 1 possibly can, and to assume the pastoral charge in Philadelphia, God willing, with as little delay as may be possible.

I agree to leave it with the church to say when my pastoral engagement shall commence. I grate¬ fully accept the advance promised on my salary. 1 bind myself finally, should necessity require it, on the strictest principles of honor and religion, and in accordance with the uniform practice of our de¬ nomination in the United States, mutually to dis¬ solve our connection as pastor and people, to return to you your bond of agreement to me, provided you shall return to me my bond of agreement to you.

In conclusion, dear brethren, let us pray that our

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

33

wishes may be gratified if it may so please the great Head of the church.

Signed by J. T. Raymond.

The following is a copy of the “Bond of Agree¬ ment.” (Elder Raymond held one and the church held one.)

Philadelphia, February 14, 1843.

Dear Brother Raymond : — We whose names are hereunto subscribed hereby certify that you have been duly elected and are hereby respectfully in- ; vited to the pastoral charge of the Shiloh Baptist Church, of which we are members.

We agree on behalf of the church, and hereby become responsible individually to pay you as an annual salary the sum of five hundred dollars, in equal months by proportion.

Hoping that you will accept our call and comph with the terms proposed, we ever remain your well I wishers in the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The church agrees that your pastoral charge shall i commence with us as soon as it ceases in Boston. We also agree to advance you the sum of one hundred dollars.

(Signed) E. J. HENDERSON.

MOSES WILLIAMS.

ROBERT RUFFIN.

lOHN BOOKER.

CORNELIUS BOOKER.

WESTWARD F. KEELING.

SPENCER MITCHELL.

EDWIN JOHNSON.

MUKES ALLMOND.

I hereby agree to the above.

J. T. RAYMOND.

34

IRisc anD progress of

Voted that the report of the doings of the Min¬ isterial Committee be adopted as the doings of this church, with the thanks of the entire body for their faithfulness to the trust entrusted to them.

After a free interchange of thoughts and con¬ gratulations for the accomplishment of their object in securing the services of a servant of God as their future pastor, the meeting was closed by a thanks¬ giving prayer by Deacon Moses Williams.

Another church meeting was held on the 13th of March, 1843, which was the sixth regular meeting. The meeting was held at the hall, on Eleventh street. Prayer was offered by Deacon Moses Wil¬ liams, who afterward was called to the chair as mod¬ erator for the evening. Brother John Brown was the clerk. The constitution, by-laws and Confession of Faith were read, also minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. There appears to have 1 been no business transacted, for the minute says : There being no business before the meeting, it was closed by prayer by the moderator.

We will pass the seventh regular meeting, which was held in the hall on Eleventh street, April 10, 1843, because it was precisely like the meeting in March, except Brother James Everett acted as clerk. Xo business was tranacted. But we find at the eighth regular meeting, which was held on the 15th of May, 1843, hi the Hall on Eleventh street, they transacted some business. The meet¬ ing was opened with prayer by Deacon M. Williams j and Brother Edwin Johnson acted as clerk.

The constitution and bv-laws were read, also the i minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved. Elder John T. Raymond arrived in the city on the 15th of April, 1843, and commenced his labors as the pastor. Tie was chosen moderator.

Mr. Winston Hill and Andrew Reynolds ap¬ peared before the church as candidates for member-

35

Sbilob Baptist Gburcb

' ship after baptism. The church, being satisfied with their Christian experience, received them for baptism. That seems to have been all the business transacted at this meeting, for it says on the minute : No other business being introduced, the meeting was, on motion, closed with the benediction by the Moderator.

The ninth regular meeting, which was held in the hall on Eleventh street, on June 12, 1843, was an I important one. The moderator, Brother John T. Raymond, opened the meeting with prayer. Brother J. Everett was chosen clerk pro tern. The record j of that meeting says Miss Lucretia Lawrence was recommended by the Investigating Committee as a fit candidate for baptism. Upon being examined by the church they concurred in that recommenda¬ tion and she was received.

Brother John T. Raymond, Sister Susan M. Ray¬ mond, his wife; Brethren William T. and Patrick H. Raymond, their sons, were received into full fellowship by letter from the First Independent Bap¬ tist Church, Boston, Mass. Deacon W. F. Keeling gave them the right hand of fellowship in the name and behalf of the church on the following Lord’s day, which was the 18th inst. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Con¬ fession of Faith was read, after which, there being- no further business, the meeting was, on motion, closed by praise and prayer.

Philadelphia, July 10, 1843.

This was another meeting of very great import¬ ance to the little flock. The pastor, Rev. John T. Raymond, was in the chair, and Brother J. Everett acting as clerk. Deacon W. F. Keeling was called upon to offer prayer at the throne of grace. The constitution and by-laws were read. At this meet¬ ing two more candidates were presented, for

we

36

TRisc and progress of

find Mrs. Sarah Wilson (widow) was offered by the committee for baptism. She was examined by the church and received. Mrs. Ann Smith was also offered by the committee. She was examined by the church and received for baptism.

Weston Hill, Lucinda Lawrence and Andrew Reynolds were baptized on the third Lord's day in J une, 1843. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. We are now about to close the first year of the existence of the Shiloh Baptist Church. We see the progress the church has made within one year. Their membership has increased and the outlook for a greater usefulness is briught. From the time they left the Benezett Hall until now their number has been augmented, and now there are seventy-three members, a Sabbath school with 26 scholars, five teachers (some of them are white), a library with 103 books, and an able minister as pastor.

The little church began to look about themselves and thought the time had come to rise up and build. So at this meeting it was voted that Brethren W. F. Keeling, Robert Ruffin, M. Allmond, E. J. Hen¬ derson, E. Johnson, C. Booker, L. Cole and Messrs. Charles Hill and E. J. ITall be a committee clothed with full powers to confer with the pastors of churches and other leading Baptists in the city and elicit their opinions and secure their co-operation and patronage in building a house of worship for this church, and report. After which the meeting, on motion, was closed with the benediction.

It will be noticed in those days it was the custom when a number of persons desired to organize them¬ selves into a church they sought the advice of the churches and pastors, and even after they were or¬ ganized and constituted they conferred with the pas¬ tors and leading laymen of the denomination in the city as to the propriety of building a house of wor-

Sbtlob baptist dburcb

37

ship. It would have been well if that custom among the Baptists had continued, at least in this city. But things have changed since those days, and we see almost on every hand a handful of people calling themselves a Baptist church, and some of our churches do not know they exist. But Shiloh Church felt that it needed a meeting house. So they had appointed their committee for the purpose of seeking advice from the pastors.

We now come to the church meeting in August, and see what was done. We will spread before you the minutes of that meeting, that you may read them for yourself.

Philadelphia, August 14. 1843.

The eleventh regular meeting of the Shiloh Bap¬ tist Church was held on the 14th of August, 1843, at the usual place. The meeting was opened with prayer by Deacon M. Williams. The pastor took the chair. Brother John Brown church clerk. The constitution and by-laws were read. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The “preparatory’’ meeting (we call it now covenant meeting) for July was well attended, and the cove¬ nant was after being read and commented on by the pastor, unanimously assented to. Sister Sarah Wilson and Ann Smith were baptized on the 16th of July, 1843.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted, viz :

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God to give us existence in the community of saints as a dis¬ tinct and independent church.

Whereas it hath pleased divine goodness to give us favor and protection with TIis beloved people in their associated capacity.

Whereas, in answer to our sincere and fervent

3S

1Ri3e an?> progress of

prayers the Great Head of the Church hath gra¬ ciously given unto us "a pastor according to His heart” (Jer. iii, 15), and such has been the effect of the ministrations of the blessed Gospel that crowds constantly attend to hear the doctrines of the Bible preached and to witness the observance of Scriptural rites peculiar to us as Baptists, and

Whereas, such is the desire, yea, such the demand of the congregation and transient visitors for a more commodious house for the accommodation of themselves, their families and friends, that divine Providence seems to indicate too plainly to be mis¬ understood our own duty, as also that of our highly respected and influential denomination in the matter.

Therefore Resolved, That we, the Shiloh Baptist Church, laboring as a feeble instrument for the pro¬ motion of the glory of God in the elevation and sal¬ vation of our people, and in humble dependence upon Him for grace, wisdom and assistance, believe that it is high time for 11s “to rise up and build” (Neh. ii, 18), and for this purpose we will most respectfully, through our beloved pastor, Elder J. T. Raymond, present our humble, yet urgent claims to the reverend pastors composing the Min¬ isterial Conference at their meeting for the present month, hoping that they may (if God is willing) respond to our prayer and in their united wisdom and benevolence devise such plans which shall ac¬ complish the object in question.

The meeting, after adopting the above resolution, adjourned, or, as the minutes say, was dismissed with the benediction.

The little church was steadily increasing, and could say with the psalmist : Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God. For I shall yet

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

39

praise Him who is the health of my countenance and my God.” The time for the meeting of the Philadelphia Baptist Association is drawing nigh. Let us see what the church is doing. We find the twelfth regular church meeting of the Shiloh Bap¬ tist Church was held at the usual place, viz., the hall, South Eleventh street below Pine, on the nth of September, 1843.

Elder Raymond, the pastor, being out of town at that time, Deacon Moses Williams was chosen mod¬ erator pro tern. Brother John Brown church clerk. The meeting was opened with prayer by the mod¬ erator. The Confession of Faith was read. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The very first thing they’ did was to vote to send a letter to the Philadelohia Baptist Association. The minutes read as follows :

First voted that we send a letter to the Associa¬ tion at its approaching session, and that Brethren Keeling, Brown and Allmond be a committee to prepare the same with the aid of the pastor.

Voted that our pastor and Brethren Keeling, Williams, Mitchell, Brown, Ruffin and Cole be our delegates to present said letter.

Voted that we send $1.50 for minutes and $3.50 to the Ministers’ Widow Fund.

Voted that Brethren Keeling, Ruffin, Tohnson, Brown, Henderson, Everett, Hill, C. Booker and M. Allmond be a Board of Directors to superintend and improve the Sunday school. The pastor in¬ formed the church that he had presented their pre¬ amble and resolutions to the Ministerial Confer¬ ence, which was received with great courtesv and kindness. An assurance was given that they would do all in their power to carry out the objects con¬ templated in the instrument in question. The meet¬ ing was closed with prayer.

40

Ifiise anfc progress of

We now find the little church preparing to build a house of worship, having appealed to the Min¬ isterial Conference for advice, and they gave them much encouragement. They felt that they ought to begin at once. So at this meeting the first steps were taken.

We are now in the church meeting, which was held in the hall, on Eleventh street below Pine, which was the thirteenth regular meeting of the Shiloh Baptist Church, October 9, 1843. Elder Raymond moderator, and Brother John Brown clerk. The meeting was opened with prayer by Brother E. J. Henderson. As usual the constitu¬ tion and by-laws were read. Sister Chloe Cooness was received by letter.

The church voted unanimously that the pastor be, and he is hereby, requested to visit the churches throughout this Commonwealth and elsewhere and solicit aid for the purpose of building us a meeting house. It was next voted that Brethren E. J. Hen¬ derson, Robert Ruffin, John Brown, Edwin John¬ son, John Anderson, Air. P. Coward and Sister Ann Coward, Grace Sadler, Marshey Gwaltney, J. Jones and E. Jones be, and they are hereby, appointed solicitors to procure funds with which to build us a meeting house.

Voted that all the above-named collectors be sup¬ plied with suitable books at the expense of the church, in which shall be written a fervent appeal to the public philanthropy, signed by the pastor and clerk.

Voted, that we apply by letter to the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Convention for aid. Voted that the pastor write the appeal in the solicitor’s books and the letter to the convention. Voted that the church pay a penny a week to the convention, pro¬ vided it responds to our petition. Brother J. Ever¬ ett to be the collector. The Philadelphia Baptist

Sbilob Baptist Gburcb

41

Association meets this month. We here present the letter of the Shiloh Baptist Church to the Associa¬ tion, which was read before the church and congre¬ gation on the Lord’s day preceding the presentation to the Association :

THE LETTER.

The Shiloh Bantist Church, Philadelphia to the ministers and messengers composing the Philadel¬ phia Baptist Association, expecting to hold their annual session with the Fifth Baptist Church, San- som street, Philadelphia, on the first Tuesday in Oc¬ tober, 1843, sends Christian salutation.

Dear Brethren : — We hail the auspicious return of our annual meeting with joy and gratitude to Almighty God.

First. Because of your continuance in the church militant, and vour preservation from the evils of the world.

Second. Because of the good share of health which you are permitted to enjoy, of which so many are deprived.

Third. Because of the present favorable oppor¬ tunity afforded many of you of communicating some soul-thrilling details of the work of grace in many of the churches within your Associational bonds.

Fourth. Because of the powerful motives set before you urging to greater union and effort in all the benevolent operations of the day, and in the realization of the hopes fondly cherished by the admirers of the man-elevating and soul-saving Gospel of our adorable Redeemer, that your faith and practice may be in strict accordance with the great and holy principles of your confederation, as adopted by your most worthy ancestors 136 years

42

IRtse anD progress of

In presenting' this, our first regular annual epistle, we beg permission, as a young and feeble church, to inform you that after much prayer and frequent consultation, and in humble dependence upon the Great Head of the Church, we happily succeeded early last spring in securing the services of our present pastor, Elder J. T. Raymond, of Boston, whose faithful labors amongst us have been greatly blessed of God, both to the church and congregation.

While several plantations of grace have been quickened, refreshed and fertilized by the frequent and plentiful showers of salvation since your last sitting, the announcement of which will gladden your hearts and ours, still we trust that the “day of small things will not be despised” because we have received of the Lord a few mercy drops. V er- ily it is written a little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation. The Lord will hasten it in His time.

We are happy to say that peace and harmony pre¬ vail in our midst. We are determined to hold fast the form of sound words and “earnestly to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints,” not forgetting to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” being confident that “they shall prosper that love her.”

We exceedingly regret that our present accom¬ modations fall so short of the demands of the peo¬ ple who throng with commendable eagerness to unite with us in the worship of Almighty God. Several efforts have been made to obtain a more central and commodious hall, but an inscrutable Providence has been pleased until this hour to de¬ termine the bounds of our habitation in the circum¬ scribed apartment in Eleventh street below Pine. The revenue raised from such a limited congrega¬ tion has been inadequate to meet the expenses for rent, fuel, lights, sexton’s fees and for the mere

Sbilob ^Baptist Cbttrcb

A **

4o

ordinary support of him who breaks to us the Bread of Life" Under such a state of things, with all the living- materials for a respectable and orderly church, proving under God a blessing to thousands of the present and rising generation, we throw our¬ selves at the feet of the pastors of the city and their respective churches, but more esnecially that ancient and venerable association under whose fostering and protecting wings we have been so graciously taken.

Reverend fathers in Israel ! and ye their honored sons ! hear, oh, hear the voice of young and feeble Shiloh. Be pleased to devise some plan by which she may be favored with a meeting house of which you may never be ashamed, and for which we and onr descendants shall be ever grateful. While the Presbyterians, Episcopalians and Methodists are justly boasting of the houses erected for their de¬ pendent colored brethren in this city and elsewhere let not, oh let not the pure and noble descendants of Roger Williams be lacking in similar sympathy and munificence.

While your thousands of gold and silver are judi¬ ciously appropriated and expended annually for the conversion of the heathen in remote regions, permit us to pray for the mere fractions only of your lib¬ eral offerings to the missionary cause for the con¬ version also of the thousands of poor colored heathens in this Gospel-favored city.

We are deeply indebted to the pastors of the city for their kind counsels and favors, but we must ag-ain appeal to their sympathies, and pray that as they are well acquainted with our circumstances and wants they may present our claims and plead our cause before the assembled wisdom, benevolence and opulence of our denomination.

We have appointed our pastor and Deacons W. F. Keely, M. Williams and S. Mitchell and Brethren

44

TRise anfc progress of

R. Ruffin, J. Brown and L. Cole delegates to your body, who will present to you our letter and answer such questions as you may be pleased to propound.

We present the following statistics of the church, viz. :

i. Original number when constituted. Sept.

30, 1842 . 43

2. Added by baptism since . 22

3. Added by letter since . 8

Present number, Oct. 1, 1843 . 73

The following table will show the state of our

Sunday school.

Name of school . Shiloh

Schools . 1

Teachers . 5

Scholars . 26

Library . 103

Teachers baptized . o

Scholars baptized . 2

We send for minutes $1.50 and to the Ministers’ Widows’ Fund $3.50.

In conclusion we pray for the divine presence in all your deliberations and proceedings, and espe¬ cially on the Gospel which may be preached during your welcome sojourn to our city, as also upon your respective pastoral and other duties where Provi¬ dence has determined your different spheres of use¬ fulness.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, accord¬ ing to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Done at a regular business meeting, Philadelphia, September 11, 1843.

T. T. RAYMOND, Pastor. JOHN BROWN, Clerk.

Sbilob Baptist tlburcb

45

The following are the names of all the members of the Shiloh Baptist Church who are in full fellow¬ ship, as reported to the Association October 3, 1843.

ORIGINAL MEMBERS.

W estward F. Keeling, Rachel Keeling, Moses Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Spencer Mitchell, Segeus Mitchell, Robert Ruffin, Irene Ruffin, Ed¬ win Johnson, Martha Johnson, Edward J. Hender¬ son, Mary Ann Henderson, John Hooper, Phillis Elooper, Susan Matthews, Dolly Atkins, George Morgan, Mukes Allmond, Daniel Patterson, Ann Patterson, Fanny Dershaes, Ann Coward, Nancy Hill, Sarah W. Thompson, Elizabeth Harris, Agnes Fitzhugh, Marsha Gwaltney, Eliza Jones, Jane Tones, Susan Mitchell, Cynthia Mitchell, Sarah Hooper, Esther Hooper, Mary Garrison, Catharine Liveley. Louisa Johnson, Ann Smith. Patsey Colden, Eliza Gilding, John Gilding, Grace Sadler, John Brown and William Taylor.

RECEIVED SINCE ORGANIZATION.

1. By Baptism — Mar)- Ann Thompson, James Everett, Mary Booker, Louisa Hooper, Nathan Hooper, Eliza Ann Boadley, Eliza Ann Reddick, John Anderson, Samuel Jackson. Isaac Johnson, Mary Ann Nazareth, Jinsev Ann Hooper, Emeline Robertson, Anthony Colden, Leroy Cole, Thomas A. Hooper, Addison W. Liveley, Andrew Reynolds, Winston PIill, Lucinda Lawrence, Sarah Wilson and Ann Smith.

2. By Letter — Louisa Woodley, Cornelia Booker, Rachel Shepherd, John Booker, John T. Raymond, Susan hi. Raymond, William T.' Raymond, Patrick Henry Raymond — 30. In all, 73.

I. Pastor — John T. Raymond.

II. Deacons — W. F. Keeling, hi. Williams and Spencer Mitchell.

40

IRise an& {progress of

III. Investigating Committee — W. F. Keeling, Al. Williams, S. Mitchell, R. Ruffin, Grace Sadler, E. Williams and Ann Coward.

IV. Candidate Tenders — R. Ruffin, E. Johnson, C. Booker, G. Sadler, A. Coward and E. Williams.

V. Trustees — E. J. Henderson, R. Ruffin, C. Booker, E. Johnson, M. Allman.

VI. Board of Sunday School Directors— W. F. Keeling, R. Ruffin, E. Johnson, J. Brown, E. T. Henderson, J. Everett, W. Hill, C. Booker. M. All- mond.

The success of the enterprise very soon demon¬ strated how much they needed a house of worship. The hall on Eleventh street being too small to ac¬ commodate the increasing congregation. The one single purpose was ever kept before them to ani¬ mate, to inspire, viz. : The building of a meeting house. So we find that the little church assembled.

November 13, 1843,

In a regular church meeting at the usual place, Eleventh street below Pine, Elder John T. Ray¬ mond, pastor, in the chair as moderator. Deacon M. Williams made the opening prayer. Air. Abra¬ ham Bowman w7as recommended by the Investigat¬ ing Committee for baptism. The church heard his experience, after which he was received for the water. Sister Celia Fletcher was received by letter from the Sansom Street Baptist Church.

The pastor, having prepared all the books for the solicitors appointed at the church meeting in Octo¬ ber, delivered them to each one, who were expected to do all in their power to raise sufficient funds to commence with all possible speed the laudable work of building a house for the Lord.

Certain sisters wished the approbation of the church in getting up a fair for the benefit of the church. Voted that our sisters be recommended to

47

Sbilob Baptist Cbntcb

do so, with our prayers for their success. Voted that we become dismissed, which was done by the benediction, it is pleasant to look oyer the records of the church even so early in its history, and to study the patriarchal way in which the little church was governed. A republican simplicity seemed to pervade the acts of those who were the founders. \ republican spirit far ahead of the age seems to have inspired many of the measures adopted for the

good of the body. . .

We now see the church holding its fifteenth regular monthly church meeting on the nth of De¬ cember, 1843. The pastor took the chair, and Brother John Brown, clerk. Prayer was offered by Deacon Spencer Mitchell. lhe Investigating Committee recommended Miss Susan Mitchell foi baptism. Upon hearing her experience the church received her for the ordinance of baptism. The constitution and by-laws were read by the mod¬ erator. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

It was voted that the number of the Board ot Trustees be increased from five to nine, and that Brethren W. F. Keeling, M. Williams and R. Ruffin be a committee to nominate competent per¬ sons for the same. Voted that Sister Eliza Griffin, who has been under the watch care since July last, ’nave a letter of recommendation to return to Peters¬ burg, Va.

The pastor read the following copy of a letter which he wrote to the convention and the reply thereto.

To the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Conven¬ tion.

Reverend Brethren: — We would most respect¬ fully acquaint you with our origin, progress, pros¬ pects and wants. We were organized September

48

IRise ant> progress of

30, 1842, with forty-three members. We hired Cenezett Hall and had the Gospel preached to us by such ministers as we could get. Such was the increase of worshippers that we had soon to change our quarters. We providentially rented the hall on Eleventh street below Pine, which we yet occupy. Here the Word was statedly preached to a grad¬ ually increasing congregation. About this time we felt the need of a pastor very much, one who could not only preach regularly, but administer the ordi¬ nances also, one whom we could recognize as a spir¬ itual father and guide. Early last spring we suc¬ ceeded in obtaining such a father and guide in the person of Elder J. T. Raymond, of Boston, Mass., whose pastoral labors commenced March 3, 1843, with signal display of divine power. Many souls were awakened and justified, and some have been added to our number, as the following statistics will

show :

Original number . 43

Added by baptism . 22

Added by letter . 8

Present number . 73

Our pastor has preached, up to October 1, 1843, seventy-nine sermons and administered the ordi¬ nances during the same time. Our meetings for preaching, prayer and conference are generally well attended, and marked attention is paid to the serv¬ ices. We are looking for pentecostal showers.

As to our prospects we may, without the imputa¬ tion of vanity, say that no colored church, young and feeble as we are, ever had a better prospect for usefulness, especially when we consider: First, the field ; second, the working spirit which prevails amongst us, and third, the acknowledged talents of cur pastor, which will draw crowded audiences. As

Sbilob JSaptist Gburcb

49

to our wants, we must be candid and explicit. In our present circumscribed state we cannot raise enough to support our pastor and meet the addi¬ tional expense for rent, fuel, etc., necessary for our travel as a church. Therefore we crave a little ! assistance from the Board to enable us to meet the five hundred dollars ($500) pledged to our pastor and other liabilities, and we will do what we can on the penny-a-week nlan or otherwise. In con¬ clusion we do pray that you will respond to our peti¬ tion by granting ns an appropriation, for which we will be very grateful.

Philadelphia November 9, 1843.

(Signed) T. T. RAYMOND, Pastor.

JOHN BROWN, Clerk.

The above letter to the Pennsylvania Baptist Mis¬ sionary Convention was duly received and acted upon, for we find on the 21st day of the same month, viz., November, the following reply:

Dear Brother Raymond : — This is to inform you that on the 21st day of November, 1843, >'ou were appointed their missionary to labor at Shiloh Church from this date. November 21, until Octo¬ ber 1, 1844, with an appropriation at the rate of S80 per annum from the Board, on the usual terms, viz. : The church to raise for the convention a sum equal to a penny a week for each member during the continuance of said appropriation.

T. N. LINNARD, President. WILSON JEWELL. Secy.

The above appropriation was quite a help to the little church at that time, yet they had a heavy bur¬ den to carry. After hearing the reply of the con¬ vention the little church voted that this church feel grateful to our pastor for the success which his labors in our name have been blessed, and to the

50

IRtse an& iprooress of

convention for the approoriation so promptly given. The meeting closed with the benediction by the pastor.

The sixteenth regular meeting was held at their hall, on Eleventh street below Pine street, on the 15th of January, 1844.,

A quorum being present, the pastor took the chair and called the meeting to order. Brother John Brown, clerk. Brother W. F. Keeling addressed the throne of grace. The constitution and by-laws were read. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved, but there seems to have been no business to transact, as there appears none on the minutes for that meeting. It was agreed to close the meeting, which was done with prayer by Brother John Anderson.

The seventeenth regular church meeting of the Shiloh Baptist Church was held at the usual place February 12, 1844. The pastor being absent from illness, Deacon Keeling was chosen moderator pro tern. Brother John Brown, clerk. This meeting, like the preceding one, had no business. After reading the constitution and by-laws it was closed with the benediction. There was nothing unusual occurred during the month. The membership had slowly increased, the few members were deeply interested in building a meeting house. Notwith¬ standing the apparent bright skies under which the little church seemed to be sailing yet there were burdens to be borne which were seemingly too heavy to be carried.

But we find in the eighteenth regular church meet¬ ing, which was held on the nth of March, 1844, in the hall on South Eleventh street, the church began to take steps to relieve itself of some of the burden under which it labored. The pastor, Rev. John T. Raymond, being indisposed, Deacon W. F. Keeling, was chosen moderator pro tern. Brother

5 bilob baptist Gburcb

51

John Brown being absent, Brother James Everett acted as clerk for the evening.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Deacon Keeling. The constitution and by-laws were read. The minutes of the last meeting were read and ap¬ proved. Then the following preamble and resolu¬ tions were read and adopted, viz. :

Whereas, it being the decided opinion of the Shi¬ loh Baptist Church that we cannot pay the present year a salary of five hundred dollars ($500), owing to our embarrassed circumstances. Therefore be it

Resolved, That this church become responsible for and pay to Elder J. T. Raymond this year the sum of three hundred and eighty dollars ($380), including the amount appropriated by the Pennsyl¬ vania Baptist Missionary Convention.

Resolved, That Brother Raymond be allowed 3 per cent, on all sums which he may collect for the purpose of building us a place of worship in this city, and his traveling exoenses while collecting the same. It was voted that Brethren R. Ruffin. W. F. Keeling and M. Allmond be a committee to com¬ municate to Brother Raymond in writing this de¬ cision of the church and report.

The first quarter’s report from Rev. Brother Ray¬ mond to the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Con¬ vention was read as follows :

Philadelphia, January 15, 1844.

J. T. Raymond would most respectfully inform Wilson Jewell, Esn., M. D., that he has duly and gratefully received his appointment by the Board of Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Convention to labor as their missionary at Shiloh Church. That said church have thankfully received the offered appropriation of $80 by the said Board, and will do all in her power on the pennv-a-week plan. That he has preached, since October 1, 1843, to January 1,

52

IRisc anD progress of

1844, forty-five sermons, baptized two persons and received by letter two persons, making the present number of the church seventy-seven (77).

He would also say that peace and harmony pre¬ vail. That the church and congregation are deeply interested in the scheme of building a house of wor¬ ship, and that all eyes are being turned to our de¬ nomination to witness their philanthropy in erecting a chapel for the proscribed and destitute of their name who providentially hang to their skirts, which shall excite the admiration of all visitors to our city for consecutive generations.

The Sunday school, though the smallest, is grad¬ ually advancing. J. T. R. would finally say that the fact of his being confined and under the med¬ ical care of Dr. Ford must be, he hopes, a sufficient apology for the brevity and insipidity of the present report.

The Board paid for this quarter . $20.00

Deducting a penny a week for 77 members . . 5.00

Leaving for the use of the pastor . $15.00

After receiving the report the meeting closed by prayer.

The church meeting held on the 15th of April, 1844, was one of much interest and anxiety to the little church. It was the meeting in which the com¬ mittee was appointed to inform Rev. Brother Ray¬ mond of the decision of the church concerning his salary.

This meeting was held in the hall on Eleventh street, on the above-mentioned date, and was opened by prayer bv Deacon Keeling. Rev. Brother Ray¬ mond was present and took the chair as moderator, and Brother John Brown as clerk. The usual read-

5bilob JSaptist Gburcb

rr

ing of the constitution and by-laws was dispensed With. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The committee on salary of minister was called for, and they made the following report :

Philadelphia, March 20, 1844.

To Elder J. T. Raymond.

Dear Brother : — We the undersigned committee, appointed by the Shiloh Baptist Church, on the 13th of March, 1844, to make known to you in writing the decision of said church in regard to your salary for the present year respectfully submit the fol¬ lowing :

After much deliberation and prayer the follow¬ ing preamble and resolutions were adopted, viz. : Whereas, it being the decided opinion of the Shiloh Baptist Church that we cannot pay the present year a salary of five hundred dollars ($500), owing to our embarrassed circumstances.

Therefore be it Resolved, that the church become responsible for and pay to Elder J. T. Raymond this year the sum of three hundred and eighty dol¬ lars ($380), including the amount appropriated by the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Convention.

Resolved. That Brother Raymond be allowed 5 per cent, on all sums which he may collect for the purpose of building us a place of worship in this 1 city, and his traveling expenses while collecting the same.

Dear Brother : — We wish it to be understood by yourself and all the world, if possible, that the above-named sum is not intended to set a value on your ministry or the gospel that you preach. This we cannot do. But at the same time we believe that this is all we can do for you in our present state.

54

IRise an& progress of

Now may the blessings of God he with us as pas¬ tor and church, as He has been the past year, and much more abundantly, is our prayer in behalf of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Be pleased to answer this in any way that may seem best in your own judgment. We remain your brethren in a peaceful Gospel. R. RUFFIN.

W. F. KEELING.

M. ALLMOND.

To the above letter Rev. J. T. Raymond writes a very touching renly. This was the beginning of the end. as we will see a little further on. But the few members struggled on, and with the poet sang:

Toil on, O Christian workers,

To each and all we say,

Hold fast His hand, march onward,

Still trusting day by day.

On the 28th of March, 1844, Rev. Brother Ray¬ mond wrote the following reply :

To Brethren R. Ruffin, W. F. Keeling and M. Allmond as a committee duly appointed to convey to me by letter the decision of the Shiloh Baptist Church, made after much prayer and deliberation at a regular meeting on the nth inst., by the fol¬ lowing nreamble and resolutions, viz. :

Whereas, it being the decided opinion of the Shiloh Baptist Church that we cannot pay the pres¬ ent year a salary of $500, owing to our embarrassed circumstances, therefore be it

Resolved, That this church become responsible for and pay to Elder J. T. Raymond this year the sum of $380, including the amount appropriated by the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary Convention.

Resolved, That Brother Raymond be allowed 5 per cent, on all sums which he may collect for the

Sbilob ^Baptist Cburcb

55

purpose of building us a place of worship in this city, and his traveling expenses while collecting the same.

Dear brethren, accept my thanks for your faith¬ fulness in the discharge of the duty imposed on you, and allow me to say through you to the church whom you represent, that as she has an undoubted right to decide as to what she shall appropriate and pay, so have I the same right to decide for myself as to compensation, according to Luke x, 7 and I Tim. v, 18, "For the laborer is worthy of his reward.”

With all due respect to the decision of the church touching my salary. I am constrained in love, min¬ gled with emotions of grief, to say that, while I shall passively submit to the decision for the time being, I wish it distinctly to be understood that as the appropriation will not sustain me and mine com¬ fortably, I shall be governed with respect to the future by the dictates of human prudence and the Spirit of God. Always cherishing in my heart sen¬ timents of gratitude for all the favors bestowed upon me by the church, both in her collective and individual capacity, and praying for her peace, union and prosperity, I am

Yours in Gospel bonds,

J. T. RAYMOND,

After reading the reply to the decision of the church by the clerk, Rev. Brother Raymond read his second and last report to the Pennsylvania Bap¬ tist Missionary Convention as follows, viz. :

Philadelphia, April 10, 1844. To Wilson Jewell, Esq., M. D.. Secretary of the

Board of the Pennsylvania Baptist Missionary

Convention.

Respected Sir : — In obedience to my instructions

36

IRtse an£> progress of

I beg leave respectfully to inform the Board that, owing to my feeble state of health, I have not been able to preach more than thirty sermons from January i to the ist of the current month.

Our meetings have been generally well attended, especially since the 24th ult., when we commenced a series of meetings which have continued without intermission until this time. Although the Gospel, we think, has been faithfully and powerfully preach¬ ed, yet it has pleased the Lord to humble our pride and teach us our dependence on Him, the God of nveans, by apparently withholding for the present his gracious influence on His Word in the conver¬ sion of perishing sinners.

This is to us a great disappointment, a great af¬ fliction, but we fully acquiesce in the Divine will and hope for better times. We have had but one increase, and no decrease, since my last report. Present number, seventy-eight (78).

Our Sunday school, thank God, is gradually in¬ creasing, and we hope ere long to report it in its manhood, sending its blessing to hundreds of our neglected people, who will have cause to praise the Lord for such an institution.

Hoping that the Board will still favor us, I am, dear sir, as ever your obedient servant in the mis¬ sion cause.

J. T. RAYMOND.

After mutual congratulations and determinations for Zion's good, the meeting was closed with the benediction.

We desire to say a word concerning Brother Peter Guinn before closing this chapter. Brother Guinn came to this city from Detroit, Michigan, about the latter part of August, 1837. He became a watch-care member of the Union Baptist Church.

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Sbilob ^Baptist Cbuvcb

57

When the aforesaid forty-three members withdrew from the Union Baptist Church and deposited their letters in the First African Baptist Church Brother Guinn also withdrew from the Union Baptist and went with them.

He became a watch-care member of the Shiloh Baptist Church when it was organized, and re¬ mained as such until 1844. Finding it impossible on account of lack of means to return to Detroit, he concluded to remain in Philadelphia. He then sent for his letter. And wre find the following on record.

Lord's Day, April 21, 1844.

Imperious necessitv induced the church to depart from the usual practice by receiving into full fel¬ lowship Brother Peter Guinn, by letter, from the Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.

And now we come to the twentieth regular church meeting of the Shiloh Baotist Church, and the close of the pastorate of Rev. John T. Raymond.

I have before me the minutes of this meeting, which was held in the hall on Eleventh street, on the 13th of May, 1844. and was opened with prayer by Deacon S. Mitchell. Brother Moses Williams acted as moderator, and John Brown, clerk. The first business was reading the minutes of the last meeting. They were approved. Rev. J. T. Ray¬ mond presented his resignation as pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, to take effect on or before June 1, 1844.

The minutes say, after deliberate consultation of the church it was on motion resolved that we accept his resignation. Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to make known to Brother Raymond that the church accepted his resignation and to settle up with him. The committee was : W. F. Keeling.

5S

IRise an D progress of

M. Allmond, Spencer Mitchell, Robert Ruffin and E. J. Henderson.

After that the meeting adjourned with the bene¬ diction. The following is an extract of the minutes cf the Philadelphia Baptist Association of October, 1 343:

This little band enjoys peace and harmony. Their prospects are exceedingly encouraging, save that they lack a suitable place of worship. Many are anxious to unite with them in worship who are ex¬ cluded by the smallness of the room they occupy. Besides, the revenue raised from so limited a con¬ gregation is inadequate to meet the current ex¬ penses. They present a most thrilling appeal to the sympathy and munificence of the denomination^ and gratefully acknowledge their indebtedness to the pastors of the city for their kindness and favors.

The church now is without a pastor, but they still struggle on. The pulpit was supplied by such min¬ istering brethren and pastors, who came along. Nothing of importance occurred. The time for the annual meeting of the Philadelphia Baptist As¬ sociation has arrived, and the little church sent the following letter :

The Shiloh Baptist Church sendeth October 2, 1S44, Christian salutation to the Philadelphia Bap¬ tist Association.

Dear Brethren: — We hail the 137th annual meet¬ ing of your respected body with joy mixed with grief. With joy, first, because of our continuance by the aid and miidance of Almighty God as a church. Another year has elapsed, and we are per¬ mitted to meet with you and present our second annual letter, and trust that our hearts will be made glad by your letters and delegates to hear what the Great Head of the Church has done for you during the past year. Our first cause for grief as a church was caused by our being informed, on the 1st of

Sbilob Baptist Cburcb

39

May last, by our pastor, Elder John T. Raymond, that his pastoral labors with us must close on the following month, and his place we have not been able to fill.

As respects a meeting house, we have done but little, which leaves us still in the hall on Eleventh street below Pine, but, feeling still encouraged from what you and other friends have said on the subject of our having a meeting house, we have dared to bring the matter before you once more, and ask that you will be pleased to do something more than simply recommend us to the public.

The public expected to see our white friends standing in front, because you have more power and money. We have appointed male and female collectors, some of whom are in your midst with books and will thankfully receive anything to aid in the building, or leave it with Brother R. R. Lox- ley at the depository, who will act as treasurer for us. Brethren, we once more ask your co-operation and prayers on this important subject. Our changes since we last met are as follows : Baptized, 2 ; re¬ ceived by letter, 4 ; dismissed, 4, and excluded, 2. Present number, 73. The four dismissed were El¬ der J. T. Raymond, Iris wife and two sons, who re¬ turned to Boston. We have a Sunday school con¬ sisting of seven teachers and 61 scholars, under the superintendency of Brother John Wilson (white), of the Spruce Street Church. There is connected with the school one adult Eible class, under the care of Brother Simeon Collins, of the Presbyterian Church, and it promises to be of great usefulness to our brethren.

Our meetings through the week and on the Lord’s day are regularly kept up, and well attended. We also have distinct prayer meetings, which are very interesting. We are at peace among ourselves, and our prayer is that peace may abound throughout

60

IRtae anC> progress of

all your borders. We have chosen to sit with you in council the following brethren : _

W. F. Keeling, Spencer Mitchell, Robert Ruffin, Cornelius Booker, Edwin Johnson, John Brown.

To whom we refer you for particulars. We send for minutes $1.50 and for Ministers’ Widows’ Fund, $2.37, and wish prosperity to all the benevo¬ lent institutions of the day.

Now I close this first chapter or little book, which has been such a task to one so unskilled in work of this kind. There has been no attempt to show a dash of rhetoric or intellectual ability, but just the simple story of God’s dealing with the Shiloh Baptist Church. And when I shall have finished the work, if after all no one should be brought nearer to God and to a deeper consecration, I shall be sadly disappointed, for my whole object and wish is that God will make it a blessing to all who may read it, and brethren who come after us may learn from the experience of their predecessors that success will be assured in proportion as they at¬ tempt great things for God.

Should the above results follow the publication of this narrative, I shall feel to be amply compen¬ sated for my labor, and rejoice that in any way the Lord should be pleased to bless the humble efforts of one so unworthy.

RSE and...

Brogress

>f Shiloh Baptist Church

OF PHILADELPHIA Written by Franklin A. Guinn

“One thing have I desired of the Lord: that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”— Psalms XVII, 4th verse .

Part Second Philadelphia, 1907

Rise and Progress

c f

Shiloh Baptist Church

fi f

Philadelphia

Written by Franklin A, Guirtrt

PAR? SECOND

Philadelphia^, 190/

preface

lii the year of 1&42 forty-three persons welT Organized irttd a Baptist church which was known thereafter aS the ‘‘Shiloh Baptist -Chutch,'.’ not one Of whom are living td-day, arid there are but three bthers besides the writer who were in ariy Way con¬ nected with the church at that remote period, viz i Rachel Sheppard (riee Stewart), Ariri Lively (nee’ HutchitiSori) j arid John Mitchell. ConSequeritly the youtlger eldmeht of the church know ndthirig about the conflicts, the OvetcOmiilg of which brought td them this great bddn which they ridw erijdy. On^ generation hafe pasfeed rind gone, a new generation Comes Oil, td whom occurrences of the past are but dim traditions, as Mr. FfchingS SayS.

Through the lack of interest, or- iridiffeterice we are in sefidus danger of losing sight of the wdrider-' ful agencies that have keen such pdterit factors in the “Rise' arid ProgreS^' of the “Shiloh Baptist Church. ’’ It is important that some Of these events be presented to the peo’pie iri whoSe interest these’ factors have beeil put iri Operation, that the younger1 members of the church may be iriSpired tp nobler and loftier erideavdrS. While* such a task is by rio means Casy, vet I fed it nty duty to attempt the work, be¬ cause' Of the fact that much of the Observations and matter Set forth iri this book are the result of rily per¬ sonal knowledge Of the e'vents herein recorded. I Shall be Obliged td cOridense this work, oWirig to the limited number of pages desired. I will say, however/ I have strictlv COrihried rrivself to facts which I am quite Sure will be corroborated by those who are* Still living.

Respectfully VdurS,

F. A. GUINN.

F: A. GUINN

Chapter M

THE BAPTISM AND CALL OF REV. JEREMIAH DURHAM

— CLIFTON STREET IN 1845 — LAYING THE COR¬ NER STONE— LETTERS TO THE ASSOCIATION

The First Chapter or volume of “The Rise and Progress of Shiloh Baptist Church” was published in 1905, and contained 60 pages. We then began the work from the 27th of July, 1842, when the seven brethren therein named met in Blackberry Alley, be¬ low Walnut street, to discuss the expediency of com¬ mencing a new Baptist Church in the southern section of the city. At that time there was only one colored Baptist Church south of Race street, viz., The Union Baptist. In fact, there were only three churches in all, including the Oak Street Baptist Church, and that was in Hamilton Village, in Blockley township, which is now West Philadelphia. We ended that work with the close of the pastorate of the Rev. John T. Ray¬ mond, the well-known preacher of Boston, Mass., who afterward became blind and was known as the Blind Preacher.

Being urged by many of my brethren to continue the work, I was loath to undertake the task, knowing as I did the great amount of labor and time it would require to continue the rise and progress of Shiloh Church and, because of its long career, there would be so much to write that it would make a book i2mo. of about 500 pages. But at last I yielded to the desire of the brethren and present to you the Second Vol¬ ume, beginning this work where we left off, with the commencement of the administration of the second

62

Rise and Progress of

pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Durham. Owing to the enor¬ mous cost of printing we are obliged to omit some things which we desired to speak of ; and some of the men and women who had been prominent in the church during its existence, many of whom have pjassed to the haven of eternal rest, and many are still with us and are as active and zealous in the work of the church as in the days of yore.

Rev. John T. Raymond resigned as pastor in 1845, at a time when the little church most needed a leader, for they were contemplating building a house of wor¬ ship and increasing the number of deacons. There¬ fore they lost no time in looking about them for a pastor, one whom they believed would lead them on to success. Rev. Jeremiah Durham was looked upon as their spiritual adviser. He had often preach¬ ed for them before Rev. Brother Raymond was pas¬ tor. and also after he (Rev. Raymond) resigned. Con¬ sequently Rev. Brother Durham was no stranger to the people of little Shiloh nor they to him. While he administered unto them in spiritual things and advised them along certain lines he could not perform the ordinances of the church, because of the fact that he was a Methodist preacher, and a member of Bethel A. M. E. Church. He was well known throughout the city, being an eloquent speaker, and possessed of a strong sonorous voice. He never failed to edify his hearers.

There were men in those days just as there are now, although not so numerous, who believed they were called to preach the Gospel. And the little church somehow or another always had some of them hang¬ ing around. Rev. Brother Durham, of course, always had charge of the pulpit whenever he came to the hall. We pass by the meeting of January 13th, as there was nothing of special interest, and notice the meeting held February 10th. When Uncle Moses Williams, as we used to call him, acted as Moderator.

63

Shiloh Baptist Church

Lncle Moses was a man well advanced in years. His hair was white as wool, and he wore a snow-white beard which was quite long, and gave him a venerable appearance. It was at this meeting that Rev. Jere- miah Durham announced his desire to put on the whole armor by being buried with Christ in Baptism. Dear reader, you can imagine the joy of the little flock at that time.

It was soon noised abroad that the Rev. Jeremiah Durham, the popular Methodist preacher, was to be¬ come a Baptist, and pastor of that little Baptist Church in the hall on Eleventh street below Pine. The rumor was discredited by not a few, even among many of our own colored Baptist brethren, who were already beginning to look with disfavor upon the in¬ fant church. So when the time arrived for Rev. Dur¬ ham to relate his Christian experience to the church the hall was crowded as never before. People from nearly all the churches, especially the Methodist churches, were present in large numbers. After open¬ ing the meeting with a short devotional service the Investigating Committee presented Rev. Jeremiah Durham to the church. He then related to the church It's Christian experience, also his reasons for chang¬ ing his religous views concerning baptism. After which the visitors, being convinced that it was really true, a fact, indeed, that this great Methodist preacher was to become a Baptist, the church being perfectly satisfied, it was on motion resolved that Rev. Brother Durham be received as a candidate for baptism. He was unanimously received amid great rejoicing. He was subsequently baptized by the Rev, Daniel Scott , founder and pastor of the Union Baptist Church, and on the following Friday evening Father Joseph Hen¬ derson. an old veteran of the cross, being a Baptist oreacher and a member of the church, extended to him on behalf of the church the right hand of fellow- ■ ship. (Father Joe Henderson, as he was familiarly

64

Rise and Progress of

called, was at that time over 80 years of age.) We now find the church in a call meeting, which was held February 24th. This meeting was to hear the report of the Committee on Minister. The committee was Brother Keeling, Edward J. Henderson and Edwin Johnson.

We find on record the following report : Whereas, Our esteemed Brother, Jeremiah Durham, having united with us and being a minister of the Gospel, we do hereby recommend him to the church. The report was received and adopted. It was then and there, on motion, resolved that an official call be extended to Rev. Jeremiah Durham to become the pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church. It was further resolved that the committee be continued to make the necessary preparations of settling the pastor among us, after which the meeting adjourned.

The arrangements having been completed. Rev. Jeremiah Durham was settled March 3d, 1845. There was a call meeting later on for the purpose of decid¬ ing upon the salary of the new pastor. This may ap¬ pear strange, but nevertheless true. When the church called Rev. Brother Durham there was no terms stip¬ ulated. He did not know what he was to receive, nor did the church know what they would pay him. So at this meeting it was on motion resolved, “as record¬ ed by Brother John Brown,” to vote the sum of Two Hundred Dollars per annum for Brother Durham’s services among us. At the same time a committee of three was appointed to wait upon our esteemed hrother to make known to him the vote of the church. That small amount was accepted by the pastor as sat¬ isfactory. The total number of members was seventy- seven. Though small indeed, yet thay felt it to be their duty to do what they could for the support of the Gospel among them.

Pastor and people united and pulled together. The committee appointed to secure a place whereon to

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Shiloh Baptist Church

65

erect a meeting-house had not as yet succeeded in their labors, but reported progress. They were no doubt negotiating for that unimproved lot or piece of ground in Clifton street, below Cedar street. We \yould be glad to give a full description of this little street, as it appeared in 1845, but it would make our book too large, so we will have to curtail much of what perhaps would be amusing and interesting, but this much we will say: Clifton stret, like many other small streets in the Southwark or Moyamensing dis¬ trict at that time, was conspicuous for its filthy condi¬ tion. One could see at almost any time huge piles of dirt, occasionally ornamented with a deceased cat or dog, with numerous pigs, geese, goats, chickens, etc., roaming at will. There were several old frame struc¬ tures, the most prominent among them was the old carpenter shop of Jimmie Hutchinson. But the place which to my mind in 1845 was the greatest place on earth was the old junk shop on the southwest corner of Clifton and South streets, where was kept constant¬ ly on hand and for sale old broken-down settees, bed¬ steads, cradles, chairs and junk of every conceivable description. Oh ! how I used to linger around that old shop and look at the many curious articles that were there for sale. Some of the old landmarks still remain, while many of them, together wdth those who occupied them way back in those remote years, have gone.

The little street which runs east of Clifton street, which was then Bedford street (now Kater), contains the same old houses now as they were in those days. But we will now notice a change in the little street. On September 29th, 1845, on that day the goats found other places to roam. Geese waddled where their familar quack-quack would not be heard. Pigs forsook the dirt piles and chickens went to Bedford street where they found it more congenial. There were quite a number of dogs missing. Things gen-

66

Rise and Progress of

erally were cleaned up. Mr. Davis whitewashed his pig pen and his fence and little Shiloh could sing with the Psalmist, “O Sing unto the Lord a new song, for He hath done marvelous things.” About 2 o’clock 'a large concourse of people assembled in and about Clifton street. We remember Brother Edwin Johnson, Brother Keeling, Ruffin, John Brown, Bud Jack, Booker, Bud Neal, Booker, Uncle Spencer Mit¬ chell, Uncle John Hooper, E. J. Henderson, Brother Peter Guinn, Uncle Moses Williams and many of the dear good sisters all of whom we cannot name because it would occupy too much space. But we will name one of the young ladies of the congrega¬ tion, but not a member of the church at that time. I refer to Sister Margaret Pellegrin. I know of no other now living except Aunt Rachel Sheppard and Aunt Jane Hill. There were quite a number of the boys and girls of the Sabbath School present and your humble servant was among the bunch. There were in the gathering Bishop Higins, Burroughs, Baker, Scott, Henderson and Durham, who were there to lay the corner stone of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Thus you see the year 1845 was an eventful year to the little church. I now present the letter which was sent to the association :

From the Shiloh Baptist Church. Meeting in Elev¬ enth street, below Pine. To the Philadelphia Baptist Association, that is to convene at the meeting-house of the New Market Street Baptist Church, October 7th, 1845. Sendeth Christian love.

Dear Brethren :

We hail with joy the approach of your 138th anni¬ versary. Joy first, because we have been permitted to enjoy the preached Word of Almighty God another vear. Our pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Durham, has been laboring for us most of the time since Brother Ray¬ mond left us, with much encouragement, until March last, when he consented to settle with us and take

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Shiloh Baptist Church 67

the oversight, which bids fair to prove a blessing both to us and to him. In the second place, our cup will have to be mixed, yea, we have come to the place that made King Solomon ask for wisdom of the Lord.

Lor two years and more it has been our prayer that God would direct us in this great undertaking to build a house in which His name might be praised. Dear brethren, we know according to your rule laid down against long letters, that we cannot say much on that subject as we should, therefore we must close the letter by asking that our pastor be permitted the privilege of laying the whole matter before you.

But this much we ought to say : We have com¬ menced to build a house 55x38 feet, the cost of which is between five and six thousand dollars. The corner stone was laid on the 29th of September, and the building is going up even in the midst of discourage¬ ments. Our hearts are cheered with the belief that our cause is a good one, and must prevail, because it is written, He that is for you is greater than all that can be against you.

Had we not been engaged in building we should have done something for your benevolent institu¬ tions, for which you have and shall ever have our sincere prayers, both for their prosperity and for the long-prayed-for morn when the jubilee trumpet of universal emancipation shall be sounded through¬ out this land from that of domestic slavery.

We have chosen and sent to sit in Council with you our pastor, J. Durham, Deacon W. F. Keeling, Dea¬ con Moses Williams, Deacon Spencer Mitchell, Brother Robert Ruffin. E. J. Henderson. C Booker, Edwin Johnson and John Brown. During the year baptized four. Received by letter two. Received by Christian experience two. Present number of mem¬ bers, 81. We send for minutes, $1.50; ministers’ widows’ fund, $1.75; have in Sunday School between

68

Rise and Progress of ‘

60 and 70 scholars ; Bible Class, 20 ; 160 volumes in ibrary.

Done by order of and on behalf of the Church, Philadelphia, September 8th, 1843.

I. DURHAM, Pastor.

JOHN BROWN, Clerk.

The volumes spoken of were small books of about 30 or 40 pages, given to us by different persons. The brethren, as you will see, in writing to the associa¬ tion, endeavored at all times to show a spirit of hu¬ mility, for, indeed, they were dependent upon the Philadelphia Baptist Association for two things, viz., the success of the new building and the emancipation of their brethren in slavery. Eighteen hundred and fortv-six found the little church still forging its way to the front. They had much to be thankful for.

7 he work of the building was progressing. They were soon to bid farewell to the old dilapidated build¬ ing on Eleventh street in which for more than two years they had occupied as a house of worship, and occupy the “finest building” owned by any colored Baptist church in the United States “at that time.”

Hie vear 1845 passed, and very much was accom- 1 plished. They secured ground, laid the corner stone ami commenced the building, and, now in 1846. we find they have unfurled their banner to the breeze, and are now worshiping God under their own vine and fig tree. They had very much to be thankful for.

Passing over the regular church meeting, as there had nothing unusual transpired, we will let the asso- ciational letter speak for itself.

Tuesday, October 6th, 1846.

To the Philadelphia Baptist Association.

Dear Brethren :

We hail with joy the 139th anniversary of the Association, when we shall hear bv your letters the state of Zion. We are glad that Shiloh is reckoned among them, and that we have been spared another

Shiloh Baptist Church

69

(year and are permitted to send our fourth epistle. Our changes the past year are as follows : Baptized, two. Received by letter, two. Excluded, three. De¬ ceased, two. Present number, 80. We wish to say a few things about our meeting-house. We return our thanks to the brethren and friends who have so kindly extended to us the helping hand from the time the building was commenced to the present. But, 'above all, we do praise the name of the great head of the church for the success that has attended this ef¬ fort and enabled so many to add their mites in this good cause.

The corner stone was laid on Monday, September 29th, 1845, by Bishop Higgins, Burroughs, Baker, Henderson and Scott. We took possession of the Easement on the 15th of March, 1846. Services on that occasion were conducted by Bishop Webb, Gil- lett and Durham. That meeting was well attended ; and the congregation has been large ever since.

The Word of Life has been faithfully preached hv the pastor. Bishop Durham, who is highly esteem¬ ed for his work’s sake. We love the cause of mis¬ sions and the benevolent societies of the day, and regret we cannot aid them at present. We pray for the spread of the Gospel in this and other lands ; for 'the prosperity of the temperance cause and the down¬ fall of domestic slavery. We have 80 scholars in our 'Sabbath School and 8 teachers, 1 =;o hooks in our li¬ brary. We have paid on the building and fixtures two thousand dollars, one-third contributed hv our own people. We expect to enter the main part of the building next Lord’s day (March 22d). We send 'Sl.50 for ministers’ and $1.50 for ministers’ widows’ fund.

70

Rise and Progress of

CHAPTER III.

AN ENTERTAINMENT — ENTER THE EASEMENT*— BUI?

JACK BOOKER— GIVING VENT TO MY PEELINGS AND ITS PENALTY— BUD JACK-CALL OP REV. S, B, SERKINGTON

The church meeting held in the new house of worj ship December 14th. Mary Gillett and Marias Gray' were received on their Christian experience. The' church now proposes to have an entertainment, so' they appointed a committee of five', viz,, M, A, Garri¬ son, A. E. Reddie, M. Booker, Grace Stokes, C. Live-- ley and E, Thomas. This committee waited on a gen-* tleman to deliver a "‘Temperance’ Lecture.”’ (They' were very popular in mry young days), hut fo’r some’ reason they did not Succeed. On' the 21st another' meeting was held and Brother Edwin Johnson and Leroy Cole were added to’ the committee*. They de-- cicled to give arr entertainment, which they called A* Mental Feast.

The time arrived for the entertainment, which is; among the most pleasant recollections of my child-- hood days. You will pardon me for speaking o’f my-- self, but it was my first appearance on the Stage. Mv' mother sang a solo called “Roll on Silver Mo’on” and accompanied herself with her guitar (hy the way, she' was considered to he a fine performer on that instru¬ ment, and a good vocalist.) I recited a little piece' and also took part in a dialogue with ntv sister Sarah* and John Anderson, all of which 1 still remember. S-ster Margaret Pellegrin, who Is still with' us. took an active part in this entertainment, being one of the young ladies who attended the refreshment! table ; also Sister Anna Hutchinson, Catharine Fag-' ens. Elizabeth Booker and others'.

The year 1846 was one of great activity in Shiloh-’ Church along secular lines, hut spiritually on the de-' Hue. There were only four received into the church,-

Shiloh Baptist Church

71

Iwo by baptism and two by letter. Three were ex¬ cluded and two deceased. The year, however, wit¬ nessed a wonderful change in its church home. It was in the latter part of the winter of this year that Shiloh began to make preparations to bid adieu to the old hall in Eleventh street, where for two years they had worshiped and had enjoyed many refreshing sea- ! sons from the Lord.

The work on the building in Clifton street had so far progressed that they will be able to occupy the basement on the 15th of March. I never shall forget the Saturday before the 15th, how we little people as well as the big ones worked to get things in shape for the coming Sabbath. Girls as well as boys were busily engaged. Rev. Brother Durham worked along With the brethren in carrying out the rubbish. Alex¬ ander R. livelev, Sam Harris and myself carried out ‘the shavings, while the women did the scrubbing, just how much scrubbing Sister Pellegrin did I am nnable to say., but she was there, and no doubt remem¬ bers the day Of all days in old “Shiloh.”

It may not he out of place to mention here the fact that Brother Sheppard Patterson, who was one of the Voufig men of the church, was the first to donate 500 'bricks for the new church. This was followed by a like donation from Robert Patterson, and Mr. Ranch Randall. Sheppard Patterson was the husband of Sister Margaret Pellegrin and Robert Patterson the h'-sband of Sister Emily Patterson, who Is the daugh¬ ter of the Rev. Jeremiah Durham and a member of the First African Baptist Church, 'knoun as the Cherry Memorial. Mr. Sheppard Patterson subsequently became a member of the church. His parents were among the founders. He was received as a candidate January nth, 1847, and was baptized Sunday, Jan¬ uary 17th, 1847, at the same time Miss Cecelia Davis, whose fatheris pig pen joined the fence of the Shiloh 'Church, was baptized.

72

Rise and Progress of

I want to speak of “Bud Jack,” a man who was identified with Shiloh Church almost from its begin- ing until his death. There are several others of whom I would be glad to make especial mention of, as I knew them, if space would admit, but because of the peculi¬ arity of the brother known as “Bud Jack” I cannot pass him by. Bud Jack certainly was a man who all of us boys stood in mortal fear, and from our boyish viewpoint he had every necessary qualification for a first-class tyrant, and as such we considered him. Woe unto the boy who came in contact with Bud Jack. Just as sure as he did, just so sure he came rn contact with a sound thrashing. Well da I remem¬ ber the warning cry when he was seen coming : “Here comes Bud Jack!” We would scamper away in all directions. Then he was pessimistic. He always ap¬ peared to be in ill-humor, although he really was not, but one would think so because of the everlasting scowl he wore in his countenance. In my boyhood days I do not remember ever seeing him smile, and never heard him laugh but once. He was of a light brown complexion ; his face was very much freckled, with short, yea, very short, nappy hair, which looked at all times as though he never used a comb. He always wore his leather apron, for he was a black¬ smith. There were two “B'uds’r — Bud Jack and Bud Neal. Bud Neal was optimistic, always pleasant. He, too, was a blacksmith, and when Bud Jack was not about he would let me' blow the bellows for him. It was “Bud Jack” who administered the penalty to me for giving vent m my feelings.

I am sure Sister Martha James and Margaret Pel- fegrin remember the “Two Buds.’r Now In those* days there were some of the good old-time mothers in the church. Some of them were terrors to us youngsters. There was Aunt Jane Brooker, whose hand was ever ready with the conventional slap, which she would be sure to hand out anv time and!

Shiloh Baptist Church

73

anywhere she would meet one of us on the street. I I will now speak of giving vent to my feelings.

It was on one beautiful Sabbath morning in the early summer of 1846 when, sitting in the second pew on the Tenth street side of the middle aisle, my j brother Levi on one side and I on the other side of my mother, who has been dead 56 years. LTncle Moses Williams, John Brown, Bud Neal and Bud jack Booker sat in the Amen corner. Rev. Jeremiah Durham was preaching. He was laboring hard and Aunt Lavinia Bevans, Sister Betsy Harris and several others, including some of the brethren, were giving Vent to their feelings as they did in the good old days of yore. Rev. Durham was large of stature, very light complexion and wore his hair long, reaching almost to his shoulders. That particular morning there seem- : ed to be an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit, ' Those old-fashioned Venetian blinds which were so [ generally used in all churches in those days, but have | now gone out of style, were turned so as to admit a I beautiful ray of sunlight from the eastern side of the 1 church, gave inspiration to the pastor and people, enhanced by the fact that they were now worshiping under their own vine and fig tree. However, the pas¬ tor, Rev. Durham, was no doubt feeling good, and most everybody else seemed to feel good. For the time being, at least, I watched Brother Durham as he labored so hard that morning behind that dear old pulpit (that now sets in the basement of our church). 'rhe perspiration rolled down his face and from his bodily exertion his face flushed until it gave him the appearance of an Indian. His long hair hanging over his shoulder and at times would cover part of his face. My father would ever an anon cry out Amen! under the existing circumstances. I got happy, too, and gave vent to my feelings in a series of giggles and occasionally kicking or knocking my heels against the front of the pew. Finally my eyes wandered over in

74

Rise and Progress of

the Amen corner, where to my great consternation I beheld that awful scowl upon the face of him whom I most dreaded and at me did he shake that terrible finger. My joy immediately turned to sorrow. After service this good brother came to me and made me a promise, which to me would have been better broken than kept. On the following day he fulfilled his prom¬ ise and he told the truth when he said I would remem¬ ber it as long as I lived. Well, I have not forgotten it yet. It was “Bud Jack.”

I do not remember of ever giving vent to my feel¬ ings again after that in the presence of “Bud Jack.” The church now found it necessary to have a collec¬ tor. The question was who shall it be? In order to select a proper person a committee of five were ap¬ pointed to select a brother and report to the church. The following brethren were appointed as the com¬ mittee : Deacon Keeling, Edwin Johnson, “Bud Jack Booker,” “Bud Neal Booker” and Anthony Colding. There appears to have been put in the hands of the members and friends a number of books for the pur¬ pose of collecting money. It was resolved that the clerk furnish Brother Leroy Cole with a list of all persons who have books, then adjourned to meet on the 24th.

The 24th came. The church met. The committee of five appointed to select a collector reported, not being able to settle upon a suitable person for col¬ lector. Then it was suggested that the pastor or a deacon be sent out by the church. This suggestion caused considerable discussion, wherein much natural talent was displayed. It was finally agreed that Dea¬ con Keeling be appointed and sent out by the church to solicit money for the Shiloh Baptist Church. Dea¬ con Keeling, we are told, did not readily accept the appointment, but after much persuasion he yielded to the wishes of the church and accepted the appoint¬ ment.

Shiloh Baptist Church

75

The collector was to travel from place to place, “not merely stay at home an canvass the city of Phil¬ adelphia this would require the outlay of some little money from time to time. So a committee of five were appointed to raise means to defray the expenses of Deacon Keeling during his mission. After a few expressions of the members concerning the welfare of the church the meeting adjourned.

We now come to the regular church meeting, June tqth. The committee of five appointed to raise means to defray the expenses of Deacon Keeling while act¬ ing as collector of this church reported that they would require, in case he left the cityq $25 per month and his traveling expenses, to be paid out of the money he collected. The report was received and adopted, and the committee discharged. Deacon Keeling’s commission dated from the 17th of June, 1847. The church voted aside from the $25 per month the sum of $4 per week during his absence from the cty.

The Investigating Committee presented the letter of Brother Joseph Watson and his wife Sarah. They were received at this meeting and the right hand of fellowship was given them on Sunday, June 20th, 1847. Many of us remember Deacon Watson. He was one of the old landmarks in Shiloh Church, one who helped bear the burden in the heat of the day. He. like many more of us in the early days of old Shiloh, gave Our best energy for the upbuilding of Shiloh Church, and God spared this dear old saint to live to see the dayr when Shiloh Church stood in the front rank of the churches in this city, with all denom¬ inations.

Eighteen hundred and forty-seven was passing away rapidlv. and .we find the church on the decline. Our little Zion seems to be clothed in sackcloth and ashes, so to speak. Something must be done. The sisters had become discouraged, the brethren seemed to have

76

Rise and Progress of

lost hope. There were no signs during the year of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Not once were the baptismal waters in Shiloh troubled. That was no fault of the pastor, for with no uncertain sound did he upon the walls of Zion proclaim the Gospel and earnestly warn sinners to flee the wrath to come.

One of the causes, perhaps, for the sad state of affairs in Shiloh at ths time was because the pastor, Rev. Brother Durham, had announced his intention of resigning the pastorate of the little church. This fact was made known in July.

This was a crushing blow to the church, as Rev. Durham was beloved by his people, and, in fact, by the community at large. But for some cause the church seemed to be on the decline spiritually, not¬ withstanding the pastor preached regularly and pow¬ erfully, yet it did seem as though the windows of Heaven were closed against poor little Shiloh. Uncle Moses Williams, that venerable old saint, spoke feel¬ ingly as to the condition of the church, as did other brethren. Deacon Keeling made a report as to his progress as collector. The pastor submitted a plan whereby the dues of the members could be collected. The following letter to the association was read, which we reproduce verbatim, because it shows the humility of the church, almost upon bended knees, so 'to speak, imploring assistance. The now great and powerful Shiloh Church was then in its infancy. O Church, despise not the day of small things!

The Shiloh Baptist Church. Meeting on Clifton street. To the Philadelphia Baptist Association to convene at the meeting-house of the Eleventh Church, Twelfth, above Sassafrass street (Race street), October 5th, 1847.

Dear Brethren :

We rejoice in the name of our God, that we are again permitted to meet you by letter and delegates, in the 140th annversarv of your honorable body. Al-

Shiloh Baptist Church

77

I though we have nothing of a heart-cheering character to communicate to you, yet we rejoice that it is not only the time when we shall hear from the churches at home, but also in foreign lands. Our prayer is that the Great Head of the church may dwell in your midst. We cherish a friendly regard for the mission¬ ary cause and we pray that the great train-wheel, The Publication Society, may roll on until the Gospel of the Son of God shall spread over the whole land and sea, until slavery and oppression shall be no more for ever. We are sorry that our engagements at this time will not allow us to aid in this good work, viz., that ten thousand dollar plan, but we hope it will soon be raised and a little left to help us out with the payment of our meeting house. While the public and the churches have kindly assisted us, and for which you have our heartfelt thanks. We have about eight hun¬ dred dollars to raise yet before we come up to our present engagements ; therefore we shall be compell¬ ed to ask you to extend that same helping hand. Dea¬ con W. F. Keeling will be present with his book in order to receive any donation that you may feel lib¬ eral to contribute to our cause. Our alterations since you last heard from us are as follows : Baptized, 7 ; restored, 2 ; received by letter, 8 ; excluded, 2 ; deceas¬ ed, 3; present number, 91. We have since October last raised the sum of $600 by the aid of our friends at home and abroad, out of which we have paid sev¬ eral hundred dollars for gas fixtures, etc., etc. We have one Sabbath School, one superintendent, seven teachers and seventy scholars.

Also there is a dav school taught by the direc¬ tion of a society of ladies (white), all of which we take great interest in. We send for minutes Si. 50 and for ministers’ widows’ fund $1.50. Also we send to sit in council with you our pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Durham, Deacons Spencer, Mitchell. Breth¬ ren Robert Ruffin, Mukes Allmond, John Booker and

78

Rise and Progress of

Winston Hill. Done at a regular meeting for business by order of the Church, September 13th, 1847.

T. DURHAM, Moderator.

JOHN BROWN, Church Clerk.

This brings us to another sad season in the church, but as they are not dismayed we find that the three months’ notice has expired. At the regular church meeting the following resolution was offered and adopted : Resolved, That the relationship of Rev. J. Durham between him and this church stop in three months from this day and date. Resolved, There be a committee of five to make known to him the resolution of the church.

The committee was Brother Robert Ruffin, Edwin Johnson, Leroy Cole, Mukes Allmond and Moses Williams, with the assistance of the clerk. This was the action of the church, July 15th, 1847. We wish to state that the resignation of Rev. Jeremiah Dur¬ ham as pastor was not asked for by the church. It was a voluntary act of his own. He would rather resign than beg money for the church, and the church simply received his resignation. He afterward re¬ mained a member of the church.

Again the church was without a pastor, but they lost no time in looking about for a shepherd to lead them. Truly, the little church has had and are still having a hard struggle, for be it remembered at that time there were not more than between 15,000 and 18,000 colored people in the city of Phila¬ delphia. and the number of Baptists was quite limit¬ ed. Now we have nearly ninety thousand and per- haps 50 per cent, are Baptists. So you can imagine how difficult it was to raise money. But amid the trials and perplexities they took up the cross and pressed on and on, and now we find them on October nth in church meeting assembled. We find at this meeting the Investigating Committee was enlarged trom seven to eleven by appointing Brother Peter

Shiloh Baptist Church 79

I Guinn, Moses Graham, Sister Nancy Hill and Sister

I Ann Smith. A committee was appointed at this meet¬ ing to look out for a pastor. The committee was Deacon W. F. Keeling, Brother Edwin Johnson, Rev. j Jeremiah Durham and Deacon Moses Williams. I; There was nothing more done at this meeting, so the meeting adjourned. Rev. J. Durham presided as Moderator. John Brown, Clerk.

During the month of October the meetings of the ! church were kept up regularly. Sometimes Rev. Dur¬ ham would preach for them. At the church meet¬ ing held November 15th, after collecting the monthly dues and pew rents, the church proceeded to business. One sister was excluded. Rev. Jeremiah Durham asked for a letter of recommendation from the church, which was granted, after which the meeting adjourned to meet on Wednesday next.

Wednesday next would be the 17th. This meeting was not a church meeting for business, but for the purpose of deciding the matter as to giving an enter¬ tainment. The first proposition was to have a fair. After the matter had been discussed it was decided to abandon the fair and give a supper. The follow¬ ing were appointed as a committee : Sister Sarah W. Thompson, Elizabeth Williams, Mary Mitchell, Mary Booker, Sarah Williams, Eliza Jones, Edwin Johnson, John Booker and James Everett. The meeting then adjourned.

W e have but one more meeting to record in the year 1847, and that was held on the 13th of Decem¬ ber with Deacon Keeling in the chair as the Modera¬ tor. We find at this meeting a letter from a minister was read. Although the record does not say who the minister was, but probably it was from Rev. Sam¬ uel B. Serrington, of New Haven, Conn. After ap¬ pointing a committee of seven to audit the books of the church the meeting adjourned. The Auditing Committee was Deacon W. F. Keeling, Robert Ruf-

80 Rise and Progress of

fin, M. Allmond, C. Booker, J. Durham, Edward Hol¬ loway and James Everett.

We now close the year 1847 and with it we close the services of the second pastor, viz., Rev. Jeremiah Durham, and also leave the little church financially embarrassed and spiritually dead. In entering upon the year 1848 we shall not confine ourselves to the monthly meetings only so far as they may contain anything of special interest. However, as the first meeting in the year was one of importance, we shall speak of it, as we have the minutes before us. We find Rev. Jeremiah Durham was in the chair as Mod¬ erator. Brother John Brown Clerk. The regular form of opening the meeting having been gone through, the meeting was declared open for business. It appears that the Committee on Minister made a re¬ port, and had recommended Rev. Samuel B. Serring- ton. The record says on motion of Brother Peter Guinn, seconded by Brother John Booker, we ex¬ tend a call to Rev. Samuel B. Serrington, of New Haven, Conn., to become our pastor by offering him the sum of four hundred dollars immediately.

That seems to be a peculiar way of calling a pastor; that is, it would seem so now in this age, but it was all right for our fathers. Then, again, Brother Peter Guinn was rather too liberal. Four hundred dollars per vear for a minister was too extravagant. Deacon Keeling offered an amendment that we offer Rev. Serrington three hundred. and fifty dollars per annum instead of four hundred. The motion was carried as amended unanimously. It was on motion resolved that a committee of three be appointed to make known to Brother Serrington the vote of the church in regards of his salary. This abstract of the minutes of January 10th we record just as we find it, as it shows that the brethren in those days made no at¬ tempt at a show of great words. They spoke what they meant and meant what they spoke. Would to

81

Shiloh Baptist Church

God we had men and officers in our churches to-day like these in by-gone days. Vv:e have searched and researched for the correspondence between the com¬ mittee and Rev. Serrington, but we have failed to find any except in a previous meeting where w?e spoke of a letter from a minister being read. The record does not say who he was, but we presume it was from Rev. Samuel B. Serrington, for we find that the church met to hear the report of the Committee on Minister. This meeting was called to order and after prayer by Brother Leroy Cole, they entered into busi¬ ness. The committee then made a verbal report, stat¬ ing that Rev. Serrington would not serve for less [than four hundred dollars per annum, after which it w7as on motion resolved that the report be received. Brother Peter Guinn moved to pay Rev. Brother Serrington the sum of four hundred dollars. This amount being satisfactory to Brother Serrington, and : he was settled immediately as pastor without any spe¬ cially arranged program. At this time, as you know, we were living in a conditon worse than Babylonian captivity.

The emancipation of our brethren in slavery vras far from the minds of the American people when Rev. Serrington settled as pastor. Why, you could not get one missionary society, Bible society or tract society to say one solitary vrord for the poor slave or against the institution of slavery. Those who did not live then can have no conception of what slavery was in this country or to form a church that should stand right out in the intense light of the time like Shiloh. Notwithstandng the church grew up right against a flinty way of bitterness and oppression.

82

Rise and Progress of

CHAPTER IV.

CHURCH MEETING. — SELECTING DEACONS. — REV. S. B. SERRINGTON RECEIVES RIGHT HAND OF FELLOW¬ SHIP. — LETTER TO ASSOCIATION. — TREACH¬ ERY OF PASTOR. — PASTOR AND A NUMBER OF MEMBERS EXCLUDED. — THE IN¬ DEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH.

February 14th. 1848, Shiloh Baptist Church met in their meeting house on Clifton street for the pur¬ pose of transacting business. The monthly contribu¬ tion and pew rent was attended to, after which the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Rev. Samuel B. Serrington. Brother Mukes Allmond of¬ fered prayer. The clerk read the Constitution and By-laws, the Investigating Committee reported the following persons for membership : Sister Mary

Bowman by letter, also Sister Nancy Taylor, Rev. Samuel B. Serrington, Miss Rebecca Liveley on her Christian experience and baptism. The report of the committee was on motion received. Sister Nancy Taylor and Mary Bowman to receive the right hand of fellowship on the following Sabbath. Rev. Broth¬ er Serrington received the right hand of fellowship forthwith. Deacon W. F. Keeling gave it to him on behalf of the church and then yielded the chair to him, after which Miss Rebecca Liveley related her Chris¬ tian experience before the church. It being satisfac¬ tory, it was on motion resolved she be received as a candidate for baptism, “carried.” After which the meeting adjourned with Rev. Serrington in the chair as moderator and Brother John Brown, Clerk.

There were no special preparations made in set¬ tling Rev. Serrington, as you will see. And now the church began to rejoice once more, having now a leader, one in whom they had hoped to have led them in green pastures. The church seemed to take a

Shiloh Baptist Church

83

new start and the baptismal waters were being trou¬ bled during the first month of Rev. Samuel Serring- ton’s pastorate, there were added to the church by .baptism Lucinda Lockman, Rebecca Quash, Ann Live- jjley, Christiana Harris, Mary Cooper, Catharine Fag- sens, Mary Price, Charlotte De Boyce, Millicent Miller ^and John Mitchell. They were received at the regular [church meeting March 13th, 1848.

The second month, April, was also prosperous, there were added that month by baptism Joseph B. -Bolling, Lidia Ann Jackson, Sarah Weaver and Alber¬ ta Henson. Sister Harriett Barbour and Sister Anna Kemp were received by letter. Up to this time the church had only three deacons and they were on trial. As the church was increasing in numbers they began to consider the question of enlarging the ; Board of Deacons to the Scriptural number of seven. >A committee was appointed to nominate four brethren [for the office. This committee was to report on the (following Monday evening. The Committee appoint¬ ed was Brother Edwin Johnson, Robert Ruffin and Deacon Spencer Mitchell. The Monday evening ar¬ rived, which was April 17th, and they made their re- iport. They reported having selected the following brethren for the office of deacon : Brother Cornelius Booker, Peter Guinn, Moses Graham and James Kirk¬ patrick. The report was received and adopted and the committee discharged.

May 15th, 1848. Brother Moses Williams, who was a deacon on trial, was nominated to be ordained, but he declined, stating that he felt himself unworthy to he ordained. He was continued a deacon. Brother iSnencer Mitchell, also a deacon on trial, was nom¬ inated for ordination. He was ordained. Conse¬ quently he was the first ordained deacon of the Shiloh iChurch. Brother Moses Graham and Brother Peter ' Guinn, together with Brother James Fitzpatrick, were ) elected deacons on trial. Brother Spencer Mitchell

84

Rise and Progress of

Shi

was ordained on the second Lord's day in June, 1848.

1 should have stated that Brother Robert Ruffin and Brother Guinn were appointed deacons on trial May

2 2d, 1848.

June 1 2th, Margaret Lewis and Elizabeth Parker were received as candidates for baptism. We record the discipline of one of the young members of the church because he was very prominent and most use¬ ful. "One whom the church looked upon with much pride,” but on the 10th of July it became the painful duty of the church to withdraw the hand of fellow¬ ship from Brother J. E - for conduct unbecoming

a Christian. Of course, there had been many others whom the church was obliged to discipline, but it ap¬ pears that in this case it was most deplorable, not on account of his youth only, hut from the fact of his popularity in the community as well as in the church. We remember having heard when we were a boy and even since we grew up that when the brethren were hunting for a name whereby the church should be known, when organized, that it was he who suggest¬ ed the name Shiloh. (We have no authentic record to show that this statement is true.) The church is now under the pastoral charge of Rev. Samuel B. Serrington, and under his administration was prog¬ ressing, although there still hung over them quite a heavy debt, notwithstanding this fact. Souls were be¬ ing converted and added to the church. We have one among us now who was converted and baptized by Rev. Serrington during his administration, viz., Sis¬ ter Ann Hutchinson. Brother John Mitchell, of the Holy Trinity Baptist Church, was another. There may be others, but we cannot call them to mind just now.

Everything seemed to be in a prosperous condition and the church was singing as it were:

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Shiloh Baptist Church 85

Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!

His grace to thee proclaim,

And all that is within me join To bless His holy name.

But way off in the distant was heard the rumbling thunder and way up in the clear sky a small dark cloud appeared, which in a short time grew larger jand larger, until it entirely covered the bright sky of Shiloh. The thunder became louder and louder, and the lightning began to flash, and the storm broke in its fury upon the little church and Shiloh was shaken from centre to circumference. In the Rev. Mr. Serrington the good people of Shiloh had the ut¬ most confidence and had believed that God had sent him as a deliverer. And he would relieve them of the heavy debt. But in less than one year he began to unmask and his true character began to show that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a Judas and traitor to the flock, when he found that his mask was removed and his schemes discovered he came out openly and organized a church, taking with him about seven¬ teen of the members of Shiloh and called themselves the Independent Baptist Church.

They held their meetings in the Philadelphia In¬ stitute, a building which many of you remember stood on Lombard street above Seventh. Mr. Serrington and his followers were excluded from the Shiloh Bap¬ tist Church. This, of course, was a great drawback to the lttle church, as well as a source of much sorrow. But the 102 remaining members stood together and worked manfully. The so-called Independent Church was of short duration. Before the year of 1849 ex_ pired it disbanded. The so-called Rev. S. B. Serring¬ ton left his little flock and went to California. But subsequently returned to Philadelphia. We are in¬ formed he died in the city of Washington. D. C. Not¬ withstanding the above facts concerning Mr. Serring¬ ton there were some who believed he was an angel

This occurrence disheartened the brethren, yet they : tlit were determined not to let this calamity crush them, rai The time now arrived for them to prepare the annual cq letter to the association. The letter prepared reads in thus: «1'

The Shiloh Church, Clifton street. To the Phila- ini delphia Baptist Association, to meet with the Broad fo Street Baptist Church, October 3d, 1848. Send greet- (la ing. Brethren in Christ: 1 I T(

We are again reminded of the shortness of time, te and feel called on to thank the Great Giver and Up- of holder of all Things, that He has permitted us to tl have a place on His records. Although not so pros- j t perous as many, yet we can thank God and say that i;d: hitherto the Lord has helped us, notwithstanding the pi change of our former pastor has caused some disad- $1 vantage to the church, yet we feel we have not been j bi forsaken by the Lord. He has visited us in mercy tl and many have been brought to submit, we humbly In hope, to His kind direction. The greatest cause for 1 e complaint is that there is so little progress in our rais- j tl ing money to clear our house of the debt now de- tl manded to be paid. It seems that the lot of Shiloh tl Church, above all others, has been hard ; that is, in j pi one particular. We have endeavored to settle three It pastors over our church and neither of them has felt fl it their duty as pastors to go out in the public and si beg for us, and the matter is almost settled that the , L church cannot support a pastor who will not for' ti awhile spend a part of his time in this way of begging, j y Therefore a change must take place in some way or other. We have made up our minds to try to save 1 the house and get a pastor afterward.

But on this important point we would most re- $ soectfully ask your advice and counsel. As to our s financial affairs they are as follows : Since the laying of the corner stone we have paid on building, ground 1 rent, interest money and other general matters about i

Shiloh Baptist Church

87

the church the sum of $3,946. This amount has been i raised by the members and congregation, with the ex¬ ception of about $400, which was raised from churches in and about the city, and now the interest is getting ahead of us, and makes the amount now due, includ¬ ing everything that is owed, $4058.33. The changes I for the past year has been as follows : Received by baptism, 21; by letter, 12; excluded, 4 ; deceased, 1. Total number of members, 119. We present this let¬ ter word for word just as we find it on record because of its peculiar wording. The dear brethren no doubt thought it a fine specimen of composition and it really was for those brethren who unlike most of us of to¬ day who live in an age of progress, where schools are plentiful. Then again we present it because it shows that the few people were liberal, not only so, but they were sacrificing and in deep earnest about the work. We see again in the letter that the brethren had great confidence in their white brethren, and what¬ ever they advised they most invariably heeded. But that day has past, the colored brethren now think for themselves, act for themselves and build churches for themselves. It also shows that the largest number of persons added to the church was during that year. It also shows that the church was in a deplorable condition. But at the same time it shows the little struggling church was hopeful ; still trusting in the Lord and relying upon His promises, believing the time would come when the Lord would send them a pastor indeed.

And, indeed, did the Lord hear and answer them. Because they waited on the Lord and, as David said:. '“They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” So we find that early in the spring they extended a call to the Rev. Jeremiah Asher, of Provi¬ dence, R. I.. to become the pastor on condition that he would take hold with them at once and trv to liquidate the enormous debt upon the building. Rev.

83

Rise and Progress of

Jeremiah Asher accepted and this brings me to the interesting autobiography of this departed saint who by his zeal Shiloh Church stands as a monument to 1 i is name.

CHAPTER V.

BIRTHPLACE OF REV. JEREMIAH ASHER. — RELIGIOUS CONCERN. — MY FATHER'S SUSPICIONS AND THREATS. — CONVICTION AND CONVER¬ SION. — CHURCH TROUBLES.

Rev. Jeremiah Asher was born in the town of North Brandford, comity of New Haven, Conn., October 13, 1812. His father's name was Ruel Asher. He was born in the same place. His grand¬ father was stolen from the coast of Africa when about four years of age, brought to East Guilford and sold to Emus Bishop, a ship carpenter, for $200. lie gave him the name of Gad Asher. My mother, he says, was jerusha Asher, and is of the Indian extraction, and was born in Hartford, Conn.

\\ e would be very glad to give a detailed account of the capture of the grandfather of the Rev. jeremiah Asher, but for reason aforementioned we1 will be obliged to omit it. We will say, however, what a striking realization of the poet’s idea when he exclaims :

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps on the sea And rides upon the storm.

So far back as I can remember, says Rev.- j Asher, I have been the subject of religious impres- I sions. When not more than seven or eight years of age my mind was frequently deeply affected. Thoughts on death and the judgment sometimes '

Shiloh Baptist Church

REV. JEREMIAH ASHER

90 * • Rise and Progress of

completely overwhelmed me, fear as I did that I might die in my sins. All this was occasioned prin¬ cipally by reading the Holy Scriptures, which I commenced at a very early age. Before I was 12 years old I remember to have read the entire New Testament four or five times and the Old Testament with the Apocrypha once and partly through again. More than this the Apocrypha being favorites with me, 1 read them more frequently.

“When about twelve or thirteen years of age I was hired out at the rate of six cents per day in the spring and autumn and from twrelve to eighteen cents in the summer. I was expected to perform at least the half of a man’s work. It was at this age it pleased the Lord to call me from Nature’s darkness into His own marvelous light. It was in this wise: Lpon a certain day of the month of March my father sent me on an errand, giving me special injunctions to hasten back. Hitherto I had been exceedingly disobedient and dilatory, being easily detained by the many objects which readily attracted my atten¬ tion. On this occasion, however, I started from home with a full determination to obey my father and follow his instructions: To be blind to all I might see and deaf to all I might hear. Having pro¬ ceeded about midway, I bethought me of the resi¬ dence near at hand of an intimate friend who had become the subject of a late revival of religion, but whom I had not seen since his conversion. It was not, however, on this account that I desired to see him. I had forgotten he was a changed man. Other¬ wise nothing would have induced me to have gone near him, feeling as I did at the time actually afraid of professing Christians. Conversation on this sub¬ ject always made me feel unhappy, as I fully rea¬ lized that I was a sinner living without God and without hope.

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“The morning was delightful. Every piece of nature appeared to wear a cheerful aspect. My own heart was merry until I looked upon my friend, when the thought of his conversion, together with 'observing a change in his personal appearance, con¬ fused and perplexed me so much that I was literally jspeechless. It appeared to me as if his face shone with an unnatural brightness. When, however, he addressed me, all sunshine seemed to depart. His very first words pierced my heart, convicting me of my disobedience to my parents and showing me my utter sinfulness before God.

“I was unhappy, feeling myself to be a con¬ demned sinner in the sight of God. So he interro¬ gated me concerning my confusion, I was unwilling¬ ly forced to confess that 1 was unwell, when he took occasion to speak to me of the mercy of God, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in dying for sinners, and my duty to repent of my sins. Such were his words, and so earnestly were they spoken that they went as arrows to my soul, and made me as a wounded bird.

“Leaving my friend and walking onward I re¬ solved to amend my ways, and no more disobey my parents. I therefore hastened my pace and soon arrived at home again, thereby pleasing my father. Observing that I was sad at heart he spoke kindly to me, and for the remainder of the day exacted very little from me. Night came, but, oh, what a night! To me it was one of densest darkness. I could ob¬ tain no sleep to my eyes nor slumber to my eyelids, I was afraid to sleep, feeling that such a sinner as I was deserved to be turned into hell. I could not as yet see any way of escape, as I remembered the Scripture : ‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die.’ I felt, too, that my condemnation was just, so that I could not hope to be forgiven.

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Rise and Progress of

“The morning came, then noonday but as yet no relief. Dark as night was, I wished for its return, as it appeared to me as if everybody regarded me as I viewed myself. My father, notwithstanding his 1 skepticism about religious matters, very soon ap- j peared to understand or suspect the cause of my trouble, and declared himself to be determined to relieve me from what he termed my gloomy feelings. He inquired of me if I was ‘serious,’ to which making Uo reply he bade me go to work, giving me a double task, which he insisted should be performed before the sun went down, and at the same time threatening i me, that should he see me troubling myself any more on the subject of religion he would punish me very ' severely.

“Distressed in mind, I went to work, but Contirt- ' tied many days thereafter in trouble, as I could not Understand how God could be just and yet the justi- Her of the ungodly. At length, I was brought to See the blood of Christ cleanseth front all sin, and to seek forgiveness through His merits. I soon saw in Christ (a miserable condemned though I felt myself to be) all that I needed ; and being set before me in I the Scriptures as suffering and dying for me, and then rising again for my justification, He seemed to me as ‘the chiefest among ten thousand and alto¬ gether lovely.'

“It then seemed to me as if my sins were really ! many more and worse than they had been, but I felt as though there were more than sufficient in Jesus to atone for them all. Then I experienced an in¬ ward joy to which 1 had hitherto been a stranger.

I felt assured of my part in the Savior and trust that to the latest day of my life to hope for acceptance ' with God through the merits of a crucified Savior, jj

“During the whole of this time I do not remem- | her to have heard a sermon, attended a prayer-meet-

93

Shiloh Baptist Church

mg or engaged in any religious conversation, until it pleased the Lord by His Holy Spirit to bring me to trust in His dear Son alone for salvation, for which 1 praise His Holy name. That day I not only felt joy, comfort and peace, but I also experi¬ enced an unusual degree of strength. My task was soon performed and 1 retired to meditate upon the goodness of God and thank Him for what He had done for my poor soul.

“About this time there came to North Brandford a Baptist minister, the first one 1 ever heard of since John the Baptist. I did not know that such people upon the face of the earth, holding the views, doc¬ trines, principles and practices as the Baptist de¬ nomination, existed. He seemed as though he would ‘turn the place upside down' — not because of his fame as a preacher, but for the reason that he de¬ clared that baptism could only be rightly performed by immersion. He preached in a small school house to which the people flocked from all quarters to hear him. The Lord worked with him, and a num¬ ber of the most wicked and profligate young men in the town were converted. One entire family which consisted, I think of eight members, were an¬ nounced to put on the Lord Jesus Christ by being immersed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This was to take place on the Sabbath in the southern part of the town known as Cedar Pond. As the time drew near the news extended far and wide, and extensive preparations were made in every direction to be present on the occasion. Those who had horses used them, whilst those who had none traveled on foot from miles in all direc¬ tions to witness the scene. Among others my father and mother went, but to my great disappointment (and it was one of the greatest I had ever exper¬ ienced), I was not allowed to witness the baptism.

94

Rise and Progress of

“The hour for the administration of the ordi¬ nance arrived, and every available place was said to | be occupied. The trees which were in abundance on the banks were covered with anxious spectators and the man of God administered the ancient rite, and those happy souls were buried with Christ in baptism. This baptism was the theme of conversa¬ tion for weeks in every house and in every place of resort. The mode, its subjects and its propriety were discussed pro and con ; but as a general thing did not meet with favor. During the administration of the ordinance the hymn was sung which contains these lines :

“O how happy are they who their Saviour obey

And have laid up their treasure above.”

“The hymn continued to be sung in almost every place of business for some time. When I first heard it 1 became convinced from all that I had heard of the baptism and its surrounding circum¬ stances, that it must be precisely similar to those as recorded by Matthew and the other evangelists re¬ specting the baptisms of ojhn and Jesus. And never, from that day until this, have I seen any reason to alter my mind respecting believers' baptism. After this event I formed a strong desire to become a Bap¬ tist, but this was the last I knew of them for about seven years, never, even in the meantime, listening to any one sermon declaring the particular views of that denomination. From that day T loved them, and thought that if it was the Lord’s will I should be delighted to give myself to the preaching of the word of reconciliation. How often did I feel this when I even despaired of becoming a member of a Baptist church !

Shiloh Baptist Church

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CHAPTER VI.

BAPTISM OF REV. JEREMIAH ASHER. — VIEWS OF A CALL TO THE MINISTRY. — INTERVIEW WITH DEACON J EREMIAH BROWN .

“The Hon. Chief Justice Williams desired me and my wife to live with him,” says Brother Asher, "offering him the privilege of working for him or not, according to my choice. We accepted the en¬ gagement. My wife soon after became afflicted with physical infirmities of a threatening character and from which she never recovered. The result has been to deprive her of the use of her left knee and right arm. (How often have I seen our dearly be¬ loved Sister Asher coming and going from old Shi¬ loh leaning upon the arm of her beloved husband, Rev. Jeremiah Asher. It seems as but only a few days ago, so vivid is the recollection.) It seems as though the Holy Spirit was striving with Brother Asher, but he was loth to heed the call. For he says : “About this time the Lord in His mercy began again to manifest Himself to my poor soul. I had not been wholly unmindful of His goodness, and was constantly in attendance at the Talcott Street Sabbath School, of which Mr. Normand Smith was long the superintendent. During my attendance at this school there were several conversions. Not¬ withstanding all this, however, I again became quite careless and indifferent, even to that extent that I absented myself from the Sabbath School in the morning, which time I spent in sleep. Upon one oc¬ casion I had pursued my now usual practice, but went to the church in the afternoon, but only to sit down again and go to sleep. Hymns were sung, a prayer was offered and the Scriptures read, but as yet I was undisturbed.

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Rise and Progress of

“At length the minister arose and announced his text the words ‘Redeeming the time’ (Eph. v: 16). The very reading of these words brought me to my feet, and my feelings were so stirred that I was inclined to leave the house, never again to re¬ turn. It seemed to me that I was so much and so continually troubled about the subject of religion that I had no peace of mind, and thought it would be better for me to forsake all thoughts of it forever. Whilst thus reasoning, however, something ap¬ peared to say to me that were I unmindful and heedless of this admonition it would be the last. Fully bewildered by this mysteirous voice within, I determined to listen attentively to the Word from the mouth of His servant. I then heard a sermon — - the first for along time — and I trust a profitable one which I hope never to forget. This occurred in the Talcott Street Meeting House, which, although originated and completed chiefly through the in¬ fluence and by the money of the Baptists, at the time referred to was a ‘union church.’ It was one of the places where members of all denominations sometimes worshiped, sometimes quarreled. When there was nothing else to contend about the Bap¬ tists were accused of believing that they were better than other Christians, and none but themselves would ever reach heaven. Being tired of these un¬ profitable harangues, and also a believer in the Bap¬ tist doctrine, especially in the ordinance of baptism, and believed that immersion of believers only was Scriptural baptism, I left and attended the First Baptist Church. (Talcott Street Meeting House af¬ terward went into the possession of the Presbyter¬ ians.)

“After some time spent in deliberation and prayer I was baptised in the river by the Rev. Gus- tavus F. Davis, D. D., and united with the First

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Baptist Church. After having united with the church I felt a strong desire to be useful to my fel¬ low men in some way and was deeply impressed with a desire to preach the Gospel, but reflecting on my ignorance, the few opportunities of improve¬ ment within my reach, and my ideas touching the general duties of a preacher of Christ, I endeavored to banish the idea from my mind without mentioning it to anyone.

“My views of ‘a call to the Gospel ministry,’ so far at least as my knowledge is concerned, may be very simply stated :

“First — I believe that the candidate must be wholly regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

“Second — That he must be called of God and possessed of an irrepressible desire for the work, not for any pecuniary or social advantage which may accrue, but for the work’s sake, that souls may be converted, the church edified and the Lord Jesus glorified.

“Third — That he must be willing to perform any act of self-denial in order to accomplish it, feel¬ ing that a present and eternal woe rests upon him if he preaches not the Gospel.

“Fourth — That he juake himself acquainted with the Word of God. It is this that he must study to prove himself to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, that when going forth and bearing precious seed he may return rejoicing.

“Fifth — That he should possess an unquencha¬ ble love for the souls of sinners, that he may be willing to do all things and bear all things, looking for his reward in the promise that ‘they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars in the firmament forever and ever.'

“I cannot but feel that he who entertains such

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Rise and Progress of

views and is exercised by such feeling as described auove is called of God as was Aaron.

“Having thus briefly given my views of what I consider the mam points involved in a call to the ministry i will now narrate the principal facts touching my entrance upon the sacred calling. On consultation with my beloved pastor he advised me to be constant in my attendance on the means of grace, and exercise my gift on every fitting oppor¬ tunity. Being, however, naturally diffident I gen¬ erally refrained from taking any part in the public exercises unless called upon. I was at this time re¬ siding with the Hon. T. S. Williams, as his servant. Upon one pleasant morning, when proceeding to my day's labor, I was very unexpectedly thrown into the company of Deacon Jeremiah Brown, one of the deacons of the church, who in the course of conver¬ sation, greatly to my surprise, conversed with me respecting my duty to preach the Gospel, stating also that such was the opinion of the brethren gen¬ erally.

“Seeing obstacles in the way, I could not but name them. I reminded him of my lack of educa¬ tion, without which I thought no minister was fit to teach. I next advanced as an objection the fact that my wife was an invalid, and therefore entirely dependent upon me for support, quoting at the same time the Scripture which saith ‘He who provideth not for his own house has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.’ I stated my views fully and freely, maintaining that under such circumstances that however much I might desire the work of the ministry, I could not enter upon it until these for¬ midable obstacles were removed, when I would give myself wholly to the Lord, forgetting that I had already professed to do so when I had reason to be-

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lieve that He by His grace had made me a new crea¬ ture in Christ Jesus.

“The good deacon remarked in return that he considered that the requisite qualifications to preach Christ and Him crucified did not wholly depend upon the amount of scholastic knowledge the indi¬ vidual might possess, desirable though it was. The main point in his judgment was that there should be realized a special call from God, which he insisted upon would be a surety of success. After stating that he would mention the interview to the brethren of the church, that he might ascertain their views and purposes more definitely. He inquired as to the length of time and amount of expense which I sup¬ posed to be required to prepare me for the work. My reply was that perhaps two years and three hundred dollars might under all circumstances be sufficient. Then after promising him that if the means could be obtained I would sincerely devote myself to the work, we parted.”

At this time there seems to have been considera¬ ble dissatisfaction among the colored members of the First Baptist on account of the pews, for Brother Asher says : “Some time after my return to the city a singular and novel circumstance occurred. There were situated at that time in the gallery of the meet¬ ing house two large pews, capable of holding some twenty persons. The pews situated at the corner of the galleries were separated from the other seats by partitions about three feet high between the minis¬ ter and his colored hearers, which concealed them from the view of the congregation and minister. They contained but two or three choice seats, one of which it was my privilege frequently to occupy. Having lost this upon a certain afternoon the only available seat in the pew was one which would place my back to the preacher and my head but a little

100

Rise and Progress of

higher than the top of the pew. I could but feel in¬ dignant at the idea of sitting there, when there was an abundance of unoccupied seats in other parts of the galleries. This one subject engrossed my mind during the service, and I determined never to sit in that seat again — not even to prevent my exclusion from the church. I was grieved to leave the temple, remembering my baptism and covenant, the many delightful prayer-meetings which I had attended, and instructive sermons to which I had listened. It was to me a solemn step to take, but there seemed to be a principle involved which I had no right to sur¬ render.

“I then returned to the Union Church in Talcott street, where the Lord had been pleased in a great degree to bless my poor soul. I was received with much kindness and reminded of certain predictions that had been uttered, which some of the brethren thought were now verily fulfilled. I resolved, here¬ after 1 would worship with the brethren of this place."

CHAPTER VII.

RESIGNATION OF REV. HENRY JACKSON - SEPARATE

MEETINGS. — MY FIRST SERMON. — PREACH BEFORE THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, HARTFORD, CONN. — RECEIVE ITS APPROBATION AND LICENSE TO PREACH.

About this time our pastor resigned his charge of the church. This seemed to help forward the desire of the colored brethren and sisters to have the separate meeting. The matter was talked over with some of the members of the church, and it was thought desirable to establish a colored Baptist church in the city. It was also believed that many of the colored people would attend who could not

Shiloh Baptist Church

101

be induced to go to the white church. T his view of the subject gained favor with the brethren who agreed that we might make the attempt upon the fol¬ lowing conditions: First, That we would secure the labors of some one to preach for us for a reasonable compensation; and, second, That we were to attend the communion regularly. About this time there was a good brother in the Second Baptist Church who had just been licensed at a place. His services were secured and we commenced our meetings in a sschool house in Cooper lane, known as Bliss' tan yard. He was poor and worked at his trade as car¬ penter. We agreed to give him two dollars per Sab¬ bath.

He continued with us about one month when he "received a call to settle with a church in Tariffville, which he accepted and removed forthwith. We were "now left without one to break unto us the Bread of Life. After this, the Rev. Gordon Robins, an or¬ dained minister in dur church, who was accustomed to supply destitute churches in the country, hire a ‘conveyance, which cost him two dollars and a half per week, ride over the mountains some ten or twelve miles through the inclemency of the winter, 'and get for his service five dollars a Sabbath, seeing that we were destitute, he agreed to supply us dur¬ ing the winter for two dollars a Sabbath. This seemed quite providential. We made an agreement with him to supply us for the winter. He com¬ menced his labors with us and we thanked God and took courage, and went on. He continued some four Sabbaths. During this time we changed our location and hired a room on the main street, a few doors above the Central Presbyterian Church. It appears that this brother did not remain long with them, for soon after they removed he informed the brethren that he could not preach for them any

102

Rise and Progress of

longer, and preached his farewell sermon. “It again fell to my lot," says Reverend Asher, “to obtain sup¬ plies, in which duty I had been very successful. We were seldom without some one to break to us the Bread of Life. During the balance of the winter we held regular prayer and conference meetings, and they were comforting and refreshing, and thus the Lord provided for us and brought us to behold the spring.

About this time Rev. John Lewis, a free-will Baptist, visited Hartford, and preached for us a few times. We were pleased with him and invited him to supply us for a time. We are told he preached for them about one month and asked leave of ab¬ sence for two weeks to visit his family and he never returned, and Brother Asher says four or five months elapsed before they ever heard of his where¬ abouts. "It was still my duty to procure supplies, and I am not aware that 1 ever took more delight than in soliciting brethren to preach the word. It had now got to be auturrm, and the winter was draw¬ ing nigh. We seemed to have no hope of procuring any one and it became quite a serious consideration with some of us whether we had not better disband, and return to the church, which we were all confi¬ dent would welcome us home. I went so far as to propose to the members the propriety of this course, and very strenuously to advocate it. I found I was the only one that had any desire for it. They said they would sooner meet together and sing and pray than to think of such a course. They were deter¬ mined to wait on the Lord and see what He had in store for them. We resolved to go on until we should see what the Lord would do for us. One good old sister, a thorough-going Baptist, a firm be¬ liever in the doctrine of sovereign grace, said to me: ‘My dear brother, God will provide. Do not get

—

Shiloh Baptist Church

1 03

weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.’

“The time had now arrived when the Lord was again pleased to manifest himself to my poor soul, for which I desire to praise His holy name, through time and eternity. It seemed as though He would not let me go, although I had so richly merited His divine displeasure. After a while I began to find it exceedingly difficult to obtain supplies for our new interest. On one cold and stormy Saturday I sought diligently for some one to preach to us on the morrow, devoting the most of the day to that purpose. But I sought in vain. Disappointed, per¬ plexed and weary, I returned to my home. The evening was to me one fraught with intense anxiety. Even domestic comforts and the prattling of my lit¬ tle daughter failed to lift the shadow from my mind. Thus discouraged, I retired to rest in the vain hope of losing myself for a while in forgetfulness. But even in sleep, which came tardily upon me, the ques¬ tion, ‘Who will preach on the coming Sabbath?’ oc¬ cupied my thoughts. Awaking suddenly from my feverish sleep I imagined that I heard a voice speak¬ ing in tones as loud as thunder: ‘Preach yourself!' I immediately arose and fell upon my knees before the Lord, when it seemed to me as if all my experi¬ ence and all the circumstances of the past three years flashed with the speed and vividness of light¬ ning upon my mind, from the conversation which I first had with Deacon Brown until the present time. My emotions were so overpowering for a few mo¬ ments that I fancied myself to be utterly undone.

“A sense of the goodness of God rose before me with stupendous magnitude. I felt that He had es¬ pecially favored me, granting all my requests ; yea, He had even given me more than I had asked when I reflected upon this in contrast with my own loose

104

Rise and Progress of

conduct. 1 felt ashamed and condemned,, realizing my unfaithfulness. I was convinced the Lord re¬ quired me immediately to comply with the command of the Saviour and the promises which I had made, but still my heart rebelled. I was unwilling to preach Christ to expose my ignorance, believing it to be a most severe ordeal for any man not thorn oughly educated to expose himself to the criticisms; of those who might be better informed. I remained, on my knees until self was conquered and my soul was blessed. A perfect resignation possessed me, and I promised the Lord that night that I would go- just as I was and wo'rk in His vineyard in any por¬ tion or capacity He might see fit to appoint. I hacE done with dictation and felt that I had nothing then to do but to obey. I promised that I would com¬ mence the very next day, if He so directed, and fur¬ thermore formed a resolution' that should I live until the commg Sabbath I would communicate to my brethren what the Lord had done for me, and hoW at last He had conquered me.

The hour of the Sabbath morning for which I had been very imp tient at length arrived, when I should meet with my brethren and sisters and re¬ late to them the Lord’s special dealings with me during the past two or three years. Having arrived at the place of meeting, after introductory services 1 arose and informed them of my failure' to procure a supply, how the Lord had made Himself known to* : me in this matter and. what by His gracious help I intended to attempt. Then followed a weeping time. We wept and rejoiced together. The brethren! thanked God for what He had done and prayed that Fie would give me strength to keep my vows.

"They then invited me to speak for them the1 afternoon of the same' day, an invitation which I ac¬ cepted most thankfully, throwing myself entirely

f-

I

Shiloh Baptist Church 105

into the Lord’s hands, believing that He would sus¬ tain me. I found in the afternoon that a larger con¬ gregation than usual was gathered, many being probably drawn there by motives of curiosity. I used as my text the fourth verse of the second chapter of Jonah, being as I thought most appro¬ priate to the existing circumstances: ‘Then I said, I am cast out of Thy sight, yet will I look again toward Thy holy temple.” The brethren professed to be edified and instructed and bidding me ‘God¬ speed,’ insisted upon my continuing to speak to them, which I did every Sabbath afternoon until the following spring.

“Very soon after I commenced to preach two or three of the brethren of the parent church called upon me with the request that I would speak before them on some Wednesday evening, which, after some hesitation, I consented to do. When the even¬ ing came, as it had been circulated that I was to preach in the First Baptist Meeting House, we had a much larger gathering of the church and congre¬ gation than usual. When I arrived at the lecture- room and saw what a concourse of people had gath¬ ered I was completely overpowered. I got just inside the door and sat down in a chair, and I think I could never have gone to the pulpit if my pastor had not come and taken me by the hand and led me to the desk. I endeavored to address them from these words : ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.’ — Matt, vi : 33.

After I had concluded the pastor made some re¬ marks expressive of his appreciation of the dis¬ course, being followed by one of the deacons, who also avowed his entire approbation. The Rev. Gor¬ don then remarked that since he heard my defense before the committee appointed by the church to

Rise and Progress of

investigate certain difficulties with the colored mem¬ bers he had been convinced that I was called to preach the Gospel. A motion was then made by one of the deacons and unanimously adopted to the effect ‘that Brother Jeremiah Asher receive the ap¬ probation of this church to preach the Gospel when¬ ever and wherever opportunity is presented.’ The following is a copy of the formal license :

“ ‘This may certify that the bearer, Jeremiah Ash¬ er, is a member in full standing and fellowship with us, and we believe that he has gifts which if im¬ proved will render him useful in the ministry. We therefore cordially recommend him to improve his talents whenever God in His Providence shall open a door.’ ”

CHAPTER VIII.

ACCEPTED THE CALL OF SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH. — - INSTALLATION. — TAKING LEAVE FOR ENGLAND.

— OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.

“In the early spring of 1848,” says Brother Asher, “my resignation of the pastorate of the church in Providence, tendered six months before, having been accepted, I was again at liberty and needed rest. This, however, was denied, as in less than a month I received invitations from Rochester, Washington and other places. I immediately de¬ clined Rochester, as the Rev. Dr. Church, then pas¬ tor of the First Baptist Church of that city, who had held out to me strong inducements to accept the oversight of the colored church in Rochester, was about to leave.

“I accepted, however, the invitation to visit Wash¬ ington, especially as I had long desired to go South. So soon as I could make the necessary arrangements

Shiloh Baptist Church

I started for my destination. Tarrying in Phila¬ delphia over the Sabbath, I was invited and con¬ sented to preach for the Shiloh Baptist Church, then destitute of a pastor, although without any idea of preaching "on trial.” Subsequently, however, a cor¬ respondence was opened with me by Deacon West¬ ward F. Keeling, who removed from my mind some unfounded prejudices which I had hitherto enter¬ tained against the church, after which Brother Keel¬ ing suggested that I should again visit them at their expense.

"After my visit to Washington I acceded to their request and preached for them two Sabbaths, having a very pleasant visit, and being very agree¬ ably disappointed by what I saw and heard. After a somewhat lengthened correspondence extending over two months, I finally considered it to be my duty to accept their ‘call’ with a salary of four hun¬ dred dollars. It was agreed also that I should pro¬ ceed to England to solicit funds for the liquidation of their church debt. In less than one year, there¬ fore, from the time of my resigning my position in Providence I was publicly installed as pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church, Philadelphia, having also spent some three months or more with the Second Church, in Washington, D. C. The installation ser¬ vice was an occasion of deep interest, many of the ministering brethren of the city taking part in the exercises and the Rev. W. L. Dennis, then pastor of the New Market Street Church, preaching the ser¬ mon from II Cor. iv : 5 : ‘We preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus, the Lord,’ etc.

The reasons which actuated me to decide upon this field of labor in preference to others were prin¬ cipally the following:

First — The Shiloh Baptist Church occupied the most substantial and commodious church edifice in

108 Rise and Progress of

the denomination occupied by the colored people in any church in the union.

Second — On account of pressing liabilities it was in danger of passing out of their hands, and

Third — It was situated in the midst of a dense population who needed the Word of Life.

I felt, therefore, if the building could be saved a good work would be effected. No one doubted my inadequacy for the task more than myself, but after mature deliberations and earnest prayer to God for direction, trusting in His strength alone, I entered upon my labors on the 17th of May, 1849.

“After about two months labor with the church I returned to my family in Providence to make prep¬ aration for my visit to England, there appearing no alternative but to seek funds abroad. On my arrival home, my companion who was still afflicted with the disease of her limbs and had the care of our two children, appeared averse to my taking such a step, doubting whether under the circumstances it was my duty. But believing that I could trust them safely in the hands of our heavenly Father, who is the helper of the helpless, I soon completed my ar¬ rangements, and parted in the full hope of meeting again under a brighter sky.

“The next Sabbath, being the third Lord’s day in May, I again met with my brethren in Philadel¬ phia, and had the privilege of baptizing three can¬ didates into the fellowship of the church and of ad¬ ministering the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. We all felt it to be a blessed day, and were much en¬ couraged. Mutual congratulations were made and a mutual covenant entered into to be more faithful to each other and our Saviour.

“The time of departure was fixed for the tenth day of the following month, for which the church commenced to make active preparation. The inter-

109

Shiloh Baptist Church

vening time was indeed a season of trial, which only those who have had a similar experience can justly appreciate. A committee of the church having been appointed to prepare a letter of appeal to our Eng¬ lish brethren it was presented and adopted on the twelfth of June. One was also received from His Honor, the Mayor, a copy of each of which is here subjoined :

“Shiloh Baptist Church, Philadelphia,

“State of Pennsylvania, U. S. A.

“June 12th, 1849.

“The Shiloh Baptist Church of Philadelphia to the churches of the same faith and order, and to all the friends of the Redeemer in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland, send greet¬ ing.

“Dear Brethren: We, the members composing the Shiloh Baptist Church, was respectfully and af¬ fectionately call the attention of their brethren and friends abroad to the present condition of their church and finances and solicit a share of their kind assistance to enable them to complete their house of worship.

“Our corner-stone was laid on the 29th of Sep¬ tember, 1845, and great and difficult as the work appeared to be, we have not only succeeded in build¬ ing a house for the worship of God, but in raising the sum of two thousand dollars toward the payment of