The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-08-17
The African Church-Letter Of Bishop
Vanderhcrst.
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MILL-wsY, AEGsyILLEs D1sT.~ |
- Augnst th,IlSF1. !

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" MILL-wAY, A AElgyILlE, DIsr.,- |
August Itl',1lSF1. !
Wr. EEtor::: F.a .tfJ.,.I .u:.li
lam unfortnnatel y not acql1aint
ed with you, but my zeal for the
cause, and snpposing You have
some interest in the welfare of my
race and people, is my excuse for
writing you, hoping you will find
space for the same in your paper,
so that all may see something of
Our doings. ..
Immediately after ,'c cmancipa-
tiona great many oftile colored mem
iicrs # the Methodist church in this
as well in alI sections or the South,
cut loose their membership from
their former churches, and joined
what was called the African NJ. f.
church. S&There remained, however,
Il small band swho were unwilling
to sever this connection, still pre-
fering to worship with their old
'masters-this connection in this
r ~
State continued into y months
ago, when the Rev. W: III. Elem.
ing,.p. T., organized them into a
separate Conference last Dccem-'
Der, delegates from all the Southern
States, met in Jackson, Tennessee,
and Bishop Paine, and Bishop Me-
Inticre then and there formed Mhat
is called the NJ. K. Church in
America. There arc two Bishops
connected with this organization,
Bishop Miles and myself. Bishop
Miles jurisdiction extends over Fir-
ginia, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Kentucky and Arkansas; wine is
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama
and Florida.
Ithas been my happy privilege
to meet with the good people in.
Harrisburg circuit i'll this District,
at Mt. Sinai church near ClUlcs
Cross Roads, and find them to he
a praying, working people, elilcav-
oriny to carry out the Apostles
namely: ''kccl'lug thc
unity Of the Spirit in thc bonds of
Peace" Rev. Nathan Chiles isiin
Charge of this circuit and mi:sis-
Icrs to these people regularly III
holy things. Rev. Geo. Jones
supplies the circuit above, he aEI
Brother Clliles seem to- bes eszcalpns
and faithful minister's. We com.
mcnccd our meeting g23lastaFr ri'lay'
night and continued through Sab.
batll-thc congregations were large
and attentive, especially on Sab
bath, and everything passed of de-
Gently and in order-20 were adj
del to the Church. | am very
sorry that it was not my privilege
to meet the p. E., Rev. Il. NJ. VAL
entinc, but from what L hear of
him, T am satisfied he is the right
man III the right place, and pray
the great Head of the Chuych to
extend its usefulness. .s.
: The colored in tlisncigllborhood
appreciate very highly the interest
their white friends have taken III
their behalf III church matters, and
would make special mention Of
two-Alr' Tyra Jay and Mr.. john
C. ChiIcs, who donated to them the
ground. MIR. Jay has since passed
the Jordan.of death, and We llorc
is now where tic weary arc at rest.
The whole neighborhood made a
donation to their church and "it is
their wish that | should pray that
the bcncdiction Of Heaven should
rest upon them and theirs. = I
: My visit has been pleasing to
me and l hope profitable to- all,
and pray that the good Lord may
shower down his choicest blessings
upon all, and that our whole coun-
try may soon experience the happy
results of those whose God is the
lord. - .'... --.:.. ,
Yours, most respectfully,
p. r. IL. yASDER1IoRsT,
Bishop, NJ. F. Church in America.