African Methodist Church example essay topic

Black Itinerants of the Gospel: The Narratives of John Jea & George White By: Graham Hodges Main Description: John Jea (b. 1773) and George White (b. 1764-c. 1830) were two of the earliest African American autobiographers, each writing nearly a half-century before Frederick Douglass. Jea and White represent an earlier generation of African Americans who were born into slavery but granted their freedom shortly after American independence. Both chose to fight against slavery from the pulpit, as itinerant Methodist ministers in the North; Methodism's staunch anti-slavery stance, acceptance of African American congregants, and use of itinerant preachers enhanced black religious practices and services in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century.

Graham Hodges's ubstantial introduction to the book places these two narratives into historical context, and highlights several key themes, including slavery in the North, the struggle for black freedom after the Revolution, and the rise of African American Christianity. I. INTRODUCTION A. Hodges- 3 goals in writing book 1. to place the narratives of Jea and White in the context of sweeping religious, political & racial changes of their time. 2. shed light on the scant biographical information in the narratives 3. to fix the importance of the two narratives II. GEORGE WHITE A. Early Life 1. Born in Accomack, Virginia, 1764 2. Sold at 18 months in Essex County, VA 3. Sold at 6 years old in Somerset County, MD 4. Sold at 15 years old in Suffolk County, MD 5.

Granted freedom by this dying master in 1780's B. Religion 1. Church of England in VA-initial exposure 2. Benjamin Abbot & Freeborn Garretson a) Methodist itinerants influential in VA during White manhood C. Freedom 1. Early years searching for his mother-unsuccessful 2.1787- at 25 yrs old a) began his migration to the north with a pass from ex-master b) captured by police on Sept 27, 1787 as suspected slave New Jersey (1) Gail or David W righter held him 4 weeks until he realized that White's pass was not forged 3. Rural laborer next 3 years in Trenton New Jersey a) Continue hearing Abbott ad Garretson D. METHODISM 1. New York- attracted by antislavery radicalism 2.1795- Stebbins a Methodist minister a) Converted White "on a memorable watch-night held in the Bowery Church" 3.

Joined African "Class #31" John Street Methodist Church a) Organized black parishioners into segregated classes (1) Students included James Va rick, Abraham Thompson, William Miller, William Hamilton, Thomas Miller, & George Moore... black New York leaders (2) African Society of New York 4.1796 Left the John Street Methodist Church a) Because of white attitudes toward the Haitian Revolution in Methodist churches (1) -held separate meetings 5.1799 African Methodist Church a) Built church b) Remained under the control of the parent of Methodist Episcopal Conference (1) Meaning only white ministers could preach to the black congregations 6.1801- African Methodist Episcopal Church a) Trustees of dissident clack Methodists built it b) Received a charter from New York legislature 7. July 24, 1799- Married Mary Henry- 2 daughters 8. Fruit seller 9.1805 Oyster shop 10.1810 opened house to nine borders. 1804 A. Call to preaching 1.

Exhorted long island and New Jersey 2. Finally a) Methodist define his position as b) Exhorter or licensed religious public speaker 3. Licensed local preacher a) 1815 deacon B. 1st black narrator to compose and write his life on his own 1.1810 John C Totten published his narrative "Written by Himself" 2. May 15 1816 a) 6th black Methodist deacon in America 3.1817- Remarried Mary Ann Forsyth-son Robert George White C. 1820- Left New York African Methodist Church and aligned with Richard Allen's Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1.1822- Ordained as deacon by Richard Allen 2.1828- at age 64 a) Took last itinerant tour of his career working in A.M.E. Zion circuit 3.1829 expelled from A.M.E. Zion circuit a) (unknown reasons) D. January 12, 1836 1. Died at 72 IV. John Jea A. Early Life 1.

Born in Old Calla bar in Southern Nigeria 1773 2. Came to America at 2 1/2 years old 3. Sold with parents to Dutch family 4. Married Native American slave a) Had a child b) Wife depressed killed mother and child threatened Jea c) Two more wives-lost all wives and all kids B. Religion 1. Dutch reformed Church- accept black members after American Revolution 2.1788- Converted to Christianity-initially did not want to attend the chapel master sent him to 3. After years Jea accepted Christianity and was secretly baptized.

4. Jea wanted to be emancipated from master Master refused 5. Miracle -read the Book of John... and read entire Bible 6. "Miraculous literacy"-spread across NYC and magistrates insisted he receive freedom V. Ministry A. Literacy as God's miraculous gift became significant part of Jea's theology 1.1790's a) Itinerant minister through New York and New Jre sey b) Services were held in woods 2. Boston- cook 3.

Sailor and went to South America, Far East, and Europe, Ireland, England 4.1807- left England a) Caught in Buenos Aries. 5.1810 French privateer captured Jea a) Imprisoned in Brittany 6. Portsea in Portsmouth- finally gained freedom and found relief here VI. Died A. Exact Unknown.