The sun., 1870-01-03
African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church
Was founded A. ID. 1900,
Rebuilt A. ID. 1850. /.
Burned down A. ID. 1890, /:
And rebuilt A. ID. 1870. .


Zion Church is an ofshoot of the old John street
Methodist Church, and set up for itself in the year
1900, because the white brethren would not give the
colorcd brethren fair show The white hierarchs
would not ordain the colorod patrsrchs preachers
nor slow them seat In the church councils and SO
the colored Mothodiss set up church OF their own
md modelled Its government on that OF the United
States rather than on Episcopacy. Their bishops
hold onice for only four years and unless bishop
toes the mark, he docs not get reelected, No
brother.in.law business is tolerated. Everything Is
fair and square, and essentially republican The ICON
necion," as Its members call It'll now comprise. mem
benhip OF over 10000 iu tue Union, mostly In the
Southern States, and has aLcnt 500 preachers, and
tix bishops The pastor Of Zion Church is 'he Rev
William L. Butler, On intelligent gentleman, who in
formed us that his society, and the connection "
generally, are in prosperous condition.
On Friday evening last, the congregation OF Zion
Church, with host OF friends and strangers, assem-
bled in their cd1ce TO celebrate the close OF the old
and the incomingyof the now year. popularity known
a. Watch Night. 1t was their seventeen anniver
tary OF the custom, and great enthusiasm prevailed.
The psstor was assisted by the Rev. William l'hll
llps and the Rev. Isaac Jennings both coored. The
church members and their friends evidently felt
tiled OF a refreshing season, OF an abundant out
pouring OF the spirit The church was packed from
altar rail TO choir gallery Contiguiiy beVat forvor
Before the hour for the regular exercises arrived,
impromptu prayers were heard In various parts Of
lhe room, and the prayers embroidered with
The shrill ppngs OF babies scattered here and there
through the audience
The worshippers were dressed in their best, and
looked mot only devout but intelligent and re-
tpoc liable. There was perfect order and dccorum,
except amcng sc:ne cf the white visitors, who were
htlngy rebuked, as will appear little further on in
narrative.
rHE CURTAIN RISES.
Precisely at Q o'clock. the pastor stepped into the
pulpit and gave out the hymn:
before Jehovas awful throne"
which was sung to the tune OF Old Hundred, by the
whole congregation, led By an organ and a we'll
hained choir. The eject was grand and devotional.
The pastor then read the first lsalm, after vhicn
me Rev. William Phillips made the following pray er
REV. MR.. PmLLIPs's PRAYER.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy
uame, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on
earth it's done by Thee in heaven far beyond the
hsht and blessedness. o Lord. open our eyes this
night to zee Thy glores and hearts to feci Thy
iudience.l Lord, We are nothing We are dust; we
sre worms t. Yes yes "; out Thou art great, and
yes; ah. yes."I Lord, use Thy power ' in mercy
and not In wrath. t"ics, Lord don't"l Lord,
We are gwen 10 NhnQcrlng trOtn Inee. All
b-h."1 Now, Lord. In mere come down in Thy
power here this night, and concentrate wander
Ing thoughts, aud warm our hearts, and heat them
bot-red hOt-bring em TO white heat, that our
Affection may be welded TO Thee, and we feel the
tn1oodngs Of Thy grace upon our sinful natures,
hbrlrm and equaninity OF soul and 'Bsas sedIess 6r
eperit, and showing us the error OF our ways, and
bid ling us walk ~ the paths Of Righteousness.
L" Yes, LORD yes.'l Lord, we thank Thee that We
are still permitted to pray to Tee this side OF the
grave and an endless eternity. Oh suppose that on
This last night of the last day Of the year thou
Band eight hundred and sixtynine some soul here
should hear the awful summons, Prepare 20 meet
thy God "Oh-O-ho. would that soul be pre-
paredl Could it be preparedl [" U Lord, have
mercy. Lord, let Us consider, let reflect, let
remember, let US bear In mind that we are hast.
upon millions, and that the burning lake Is near
l"Ah-h h-h.'l Therefore, o Lord, gather in our
wandering ,houghts, and gather Us In too. t'Ycs,
do Lord Fill Thy servant who ~ 10 addres us to-
night from Thy Word with wisdom from on high
Gather IN his wandering thoughts and bring HIM to
uony hearts. And as for us, q Lord let us one and
AL this night-nOw-resolye hcnccforth tor God t.
i've, for God to die and hand down to our graves
in peace, aud raise us on the resurrection morn to
glory beyond all human IMAGINATION to reign wit.
Thee forever IN the mansions Of bgsseiness through
an endless eternity VI bliss aul 1hnC snail be the
glory, for Chrst's sake. Amen. [Crics OF amen
and "glory p" all through the house
The pastor next gave out the hymn beginning,
"Behold my soul, the narrow oound
That marks the passing yearl"
which was sung, as before by the whole congrega
lion, the organ and choir leading. When the hymn
had been thus sung. the sexton lighted up a motto,
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