The Washington times., 1894-12-10
FIFTY YEARS a PRIEST.
Rev. Alexander CrummelI Celebrates the
Anniversary of His Ordination

Rev. Alexander Crummell Celebrates the
Anniversary of His Ordination
Rev. Alexander CrummelI, D. D., rector Of
ST. Luke's Church. preached yesterday morn
ing a sermon commemorative OF the hftieth
anniversary of his ordination TO the priest
hood of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
DIR. CrummeIl was born in 1919, and since
early manhood. when the school he attended
in Caanan. n. H., was pulled down over his
head on account of the presence of himself, a
negro youth. up to the present time. he has
always been public character of greater or
less prominence.
DIR. Crummell had a large congregation,
ma ny of whom were white; and after an ex-
cellen tly rendered service Of song he began
his discourse by saving that he did not wish
to speak OF himself, but that he spoke OF an
era of American history as it affected his
race and his people. His subject was The
shades aud lights of fifty years ministry, y
upon which he said:
My term of service in the Christian minis
try is the longest OF any OF my race IN the
church to which belong.
In 1899 l applied for admission as a stu
dent to the General Theological Seminary Of
New York. William T. Nottingham, dean of
| the seminary, received me most kindly and
| courtebusly. but told me that the question
| had been taken out of his hands. and the trus-
tees had already refused entrance to negro
youths The whole Christian Church at
| that time, with a few notable exceptions,
| thought that the negro had no rights which
/ the whites were bound TO respect. Up TO that
! date only three negroes had been ordained to
| the priesthood OF the Protestant Episcopal
| Church. and they were only admitted under
| the most humiliating promise that they would
I aSI for them selves their churches gfl-
mission to the councils of the church. Bishop
/ B. T. Onderdonk opposed my ordination most
! violently and most bitterly. South Carolina
! had endowed a chair in the seminary and the
trustees added to their own prejudices the
fear of offending in that quarter.
Mr.. Crummell then told how after over
coming innumerable difficulties he found
friends in Boston and attended Yale TheOlog-
ieal Seminary. though not allowed 10 register
as student He spoke OF his short but
eventful ministries in Providence, r. l.. and
! In Philadelphia in the latter OF which cities,
after many times being on the verge OF star
vation, he was in 1914 ordained a priest OF
the 2. E. Church. From Philadelphia he
went to New York and from there to Eng
land, where he received a most cordial re-
ception. and met in social intercourse such
men as Froude, Thackeray, Labouchere,
| T. b. Macauley and many others prominent
in church and state. Then came his twenty
year ministry to Africa, and finally his peace
full life in Washington since 1873.
In conclusion he said: The age OF enlvalry
has not passed away In the darkest days OF
INV life had such brave champions as John
and William Cav, DR.. Alexander d. Nlnton
Rev. Thomas NJ Clark. bishop of Rhode
Island. and Rev. William CrosweH. God has
left no age no people, no race destitute oi
great priests, great prophets, and brave de
lenders OF the faith, and notwithstanding the