The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-03-17

formed a part of this society, and worship |
ped with them. In 1889 their number had
increased to such an extent that it was
thought expedient for them to separate,
and form distinct communion. Accord
ingly measures were taken to raise money
for the purpose of building house of wor-
ship for them. Subscription papers were
circulated, and means obtained sufficient to
warrant them in commencing the erection
of the building. A building committee
was appointed, consisting of Messrs David
Hampstead, Lewis Cufee, Charles Plato,
and William Prime. A lot was procured
in small hamlet in the eastern part of
the village then called Snooksville, and a
small, plain frame building was erected, at
a cost of seven hundred dollars, and dedi-
Gated in 1910 by the Rev. Christopher
Rush, superintendent
The society was organized July 9th,
1910, by the Rev. John 2. Thompson,
who was their first pastor, and was stationed
for two years The number Of members
at the organization of the society was six
teen. but some were present who had not
Withdrawn from the Methodist Church, and
did not feel at liberty to join it until they
had received regular letters of dismissal.
Mr.. Thompson was succeeded by the Rev.
Richard Moves, who was stationed for one
year. At this time there were fifty men,
bers. Mr. Noyes, unlike most of his col
ored brethren, was a man of finished edu-
cation, and polished speaker As
preacher, he was no less favorite with the
whites .than with his own congregation.
He was succeeded by the Rev Thomas
James, stationed one year-1843. During
this year there were 83 communicates.
Mr. James was followed, according to the
Methodist discipline, by the following min
listers, in the order in which they are named:
Rev. Thos. Henson, one year, 1874; Rev.
John G. Spence, one year, 1915; Rev.
John Wells, two years, 1857; Rev. W.
H. Bishop, two years, l647-0; Rev. John
Wells, again stationed one yeur, 1850;
Rev. Cyrus Boohea, one year, 1851. At
this time, their numbers having decreased
with the decline of the commercial pros
perity of the village, they were unable to
pay stationed preacher an adequate sum
for the support of a family. They have
since been supplied NEST of the time by
the circuit or travelling preachers, all Of
whom, we believe, have made their homes
here, and their families have resided in
this place during the time they have occu-
pied in travelling the circuit The first of
these was the Rev. John A. Williams, who
supplied the pulpit in 1923. He was
succeeded by the Rev. Peter G. Coster,
in 1S54-5. Rev. John P. Thompson fol-
lowed him, AID confined to preach here at
short intervals for three years, 1855-6-7.
Rev. Silas A. Mitchell succeeded, and re-
manned one year, 1858. Rev. Alexander
Posey, the pastor now in charge, is cir
cult preacher, and commenced his labors
here in 1859.
The Rev. Johi P. Thompson, their first
preacher, has been always very active in
building up and sustaining this society.
He is now resident of the village. There
is a Sunday School connected with the
church containing thirty scholars and four
or FIVE teachers The greatest number of
communicates at any one time was ninety
two, the lowest thirty-one. The present
number is fifty. The people of this socie-
ty are nearly all servants and laborers, pur-
suing their humble avocations with dill
gence and industry. They are quiet, or
derby, peace-loving citizens, and the man.
ner in which they have sustained this
church organization among themselves for
so many years, in the face of great Difficult
ties, is deserving of all praise. There can
be no doubt but that the incense of prayer
and praise that goes up to heaven from
this humble temple is as acceptable to God
as that which ascends from the Hottest ca
thedral, whose dome towers to the clouds,
and
Where through the long drawn aisle and fretted
vault,
The pealing anthem swes the note of praise"
or that the Gospel, as preached here in its
simplicity, is as effectual towards the sal
walton of souls as that discoursed by the
proudest mitred prelate, with all the beauty
of elegant diction and fourishing rhetoric !;
and may their white brethren remember
when they are called on to contribute
literally of their means to send to the far
off heather, that charity begins at home"
and that they might perhaps do as much
good with their surplus cash by distribut-
ing it among these lowly ones, to help them
sustain those who preach to them, as by
sending it off to purchase halr-brushes and
moral pocket-hamdkerchiefS for the inhabi-
: tants of "Borriboolah Cha" or allowing it
to filter through the fingers of detaulting
Presidents or swindling Secretarys of Tim
buctoo Missionary Societies"
The CoLoRED PEOPLE OF OBERLIN.-In-
quiry is often made in reference to the
1 L e I ] 1 u