Voice of missions., 1900-02-01
Panegyric Of Rev. Charles L.
Bradwell.

Since 1864, the subject of this
sketch has played no mean part in the
A. M. E. Church. If the Rev. James
Lynch were living he would testify to
the truthfulness of the assertion. At
this time Rev. Bradwell was Pastor of
colored Methodist Church under the
M. E. Church, South. The circum-
stances under which he became Pas
tor are rather romantic as we'll as his
torical. In those early days white
Pastors had charge of all Negro con-
gregations. The white brother in
charge of this particular congre-
cation had been granted a leave of
absence, during which time the Fed
eral troops came into Savannah. It
being impossible for this white broth
er of the cloth to return, Rev. Mr..
Bradwell carried his congregation and
church into the African M. E. connec-
tion and thus began his life work as a
disciple of the immortal Richard Allen.
He met Bishop Payne in 1865 at a
conference in Charleston, S. c., at
which he was the only candidate for
itinerancy. He received his first an.
pointment at this conference from
Bishop Payne, who placed him at
Edisto. South Carolina. He re-
mained for two years, attending to
his ministerial duties. He also acted
as agent for the Freedman Bureau of
the Federal government. This posi-.
tion helped him greatly in a financial |
way. This first appointment, Edisto,
there is said to have been but few |
members, during his pastorate more
than thousand communicates were |
added to the church. His next ap-
pointment was at Augusta, Ga, where
he served two years both as Pastor
and Presiding Elder, the district being
very large one and many new
churches were erected.
Columbus, Ca, was his third an
pointment. The two years he served
were full of hard work; 800 members
were added to the church, and with
the assistance of Rev. John G. Mitch
ell, another church was organized in
hat city.
His fourth appointment was at
Americus, where great good was ac-
and two hundred members
aiken in.
Bethel church, Atlanta, Ca, was
lis next appointment, where he re-
NAMED one year as Pastor, and the
olloWlng year was appointed
residing Elder over the Atlanta dis
rlct, but, on account of the serious
llness of his family, which resulted
n the death of his wife, he was com
elled to resign. He was then return
q to Americus for a second term.
here he served one year. ThomasviIle.
Ia., was his next appointment, where
9 remained for one and half years.
MS brings us up to the General Con-
'rence of 1875. At this conference
e was elected travelling agent of the
department. In this ca
aclty he travelled for four years and a
I'D thousands of dollars worth of N
ooks and increased the circulation of 0
he Christian Recorder to 10000 d
'ples. At the close of this quad L
nnlum he was appointed Presiding o
lder of the Savannah (Ga.) district. n
he following year he transferred tt
the North Georgia Conference on el
count of the af1iction of his fami- o.
, and was stationed at Madison. re- OF
aiming three years. During this time OF
erected very fine brick church II
1884 he was appointed over the Ma.
'tta district as Presiding Elder. re-
aiming four years. st. Paul, At bt
lta, Ca, was his next charge il
hlle here he bought a lot and ez
lit very nice eight-room parson- th
e. Rev. DIR. NJ. E. Bryant died
out this time, and the house of
shops appointed Rev. Mr.. BradwelI br
ltor OF the s. Christian Recorder. For ne
o years he filled the editors chair. to
the end of which time he was made fri
Elder of the Columbus din IN
p, In the Macon Conference. Aftef1
|Wng for one year he received an a,
ptment over the Forsyth distrit
Hour years, in the same conferepi.
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