Synopsis of the life of Bishop Richard Allen
Richard Allen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1760. He was converted when he was seventeen years old and licensed to preach when he was 22. He was 27 years old when he and the other blacks walked out of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. He was 40 years old when he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Francis Asbury. He was consecrated a bishop (1816) when he was 56 years old. The first A.M.E. Hymnal was published in 1818. Bishop Morris Brown was elected bishop-assistant to Bishop Allen at the General Conference held in Philadelphia in 1828. Bishop Allen died on March 31, 1831.
Richard Allen on His Conversion
I was a child and lived with him (Benjamin Chew) until I was upwards of twenty years of age, during which time I was awakened and brought to see myself, poor, wretched and undone, and without the mercy of God must be lost. Shortly after, I obtained mercy through the blood of Christ, and was constrained to exhort my old companions to seek the Lord. I went rejoicing for several days and was happy in the Lord, in conversing with many old, experienced Christians. I was brought under doubts, and was tempted to believe I was deceived, and was constrained to seek the Lord afresh. I went with my head bowed down for many days. My sins were a heavy burden. I was tempted to believe there was no mercy for me. I cried to the Lord both day and night. One night I thought hell would be my portion. I cried unto Him who delighteth to hear the prayers of a poor sinner, and all of a sudden my dungeon shook, my chains flew off, and glory to God, I cried. My soul was filled. I cried, enough for me-the Savior died. Now my confidence was strengthened that the Lord, for Christ’s sake, had heard my prayers and pardoned my sins.
Richard Allen on His Response to His Conversion
I was constrained to go from house to house, exhorting my old companions, and telling to all around what a dear Savior I had found. I joined the Methodist Society and met in class at Benjamin Wells’s, in the forest, Delaware state. John Gray was the class leader. I met in his class for several years.
Richard Allen Explains Why He and the Other Blacks Left St. George’s M.E. Church
A number of us usually attended St. George’s Church in Fourth Street; and when the colored people began to get numerous in attending the church, they moved us from the seats we usually sat on, and placed us around the wall, and on Sabbath morning we went to church and the sexton stood at the door, and told us to go in the gallery. He told us to go, and we would see where to sit. We expected to take the seats over the ones we formerly occupied below, not knowing any better. We took those seats. Meeting had begun, and they were nearly done singing, and just as we got to the seats, the elder said, “Let us pray.” We had not been long on our knees before I heard considerable scuffling and low talking. I raised my head up and saw one of the trustees, H—M--, having hold of the Rev. Absalom Jones, pulling him up off of his knees, and saying, “You must get up –you must not kneel here.” Mr. Jones replied, “Wait until the prayer is over.” Mr. H--M—said, “No, you must get up now, or I will call for aid and force you away.” Mr. Jones said, “Wait until prayer is over, and I will get up and trouble you no more.” With that he beckoned to one of the other trustees, Mr. L—S—to come to his assistance. He came, and went to William White to pull him up. By this time prayer was over, and we all sent out of the church in a body, and they were no more plagued with us in the church. This raised a great excitement and inquiry among the citizens, in so much that I believe they were ashamed of their conduct. But my dear Lord was with us, and we were filled with fresh vigor to get a house erected to worship God in.
The passages above were extracted from, The Experience and Gospel labors of The Rt. Rev. Richard Allen, written by Richard Allen, himself, with a Preface by Dr. A. Lee Henderson.
Dr. A. Lee Henderson encouraged all people to read the book written by Richard Allen. He shared that Bishop Allen, born a slave, “…freed himself from the tyranny of segregation to establish the first African Methodist Episcopal Church in God’s Kingdom.” Dr. Henderson wrote in the Introduction, “Richard Allen was the first ordained preacher of African descent in America, and was elected in absentia. Both he and Daniel Coker were elected the first day, but when Allen appeared the second day he took the position that two bishops were not needed at the time of organization. Coker resigned and Allen was set apart.”
The experience and Gospel labors of The Rt. Rev. Richard Allen is published by the AMEC Sunday School Union, Nashville, Tennessee and may be purchased by calling 1-800-648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card. The book will be sent to you immediately. Or you may send your check for $5.60 and the book will be mailed to you.
The AMEC Sunday School Union
500 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203.
Editor’s Comment: I would hope that every AME minister and every layperson has or will purchase a copy of this modestly priced book.
Editor’s Comment: I have attended Founder’s Day observances and note that sometimes, Bishop Richard Allen’s name is not mentioned. When I was growing up, I used to hear Richard Allen’s name, from time to time, mentioned in sermons. I don’t hear as much today about Richard Allen as I used to hear in church in worship services.
On behalf of the Rt. Reverend Gregory G.M. Ingram, Chair, Commission on Publications and the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher, we encourage all clergy and laity go back to "our roots" and look anew to the life of Richard Allen and the other early leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Their struggles are ours; though many things change, there are many struggles that remain the same.
The Sunday School Union has a number of excellent books, e.g., The Romance of African Methodism written by the late Dr. George Singleton, A Liberated Past: Explorations in AME Church History, and Research notes on A.M.E. Church History, both written by Dr. Dennis Dickerson, Historiographer of the AME Church. Dr. Dickerson has other books available. Also available, The Role of the Stewards written by Dr. A. Lee Henderson, History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church written by Bishop Daniel A. Payne, Methodist Polity authored by Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, What A.M.E.’s Believe written by Bishop John Hurst Adams. Jeanette T. Johns, who is a retired librarian authored, The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle, a book about the late Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols. There are numerous other books available for at the AME Sunday School Union. Call 800.648-8724 for more information.
Other books that can be purchased from major book stores is Journey to the Well by Bishop Vashti McKenzie (she has two other books available), Herstory as a Woman Pastor Preacher written by the Reverend Barbara J. Barbour and From Boy Preacher to Serving God and Humanity written by the Reverend O’Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. and The Christian Recorder, A.M.E. Church 1854 -1902 written by the late Gilbert Anthony Williams
2. THE LENTEN SEASON BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY:
This Wednesday, February 9, 2005 is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season. Lent is a forty-day period before Easter that begins on Ash Wednesday. Sundays are not counted in the forty day count when the forty days are counted, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection.
The liturgical color for the altar and the liturgical vestments, i.e.., stole, for those who observe the liturgical color cycle is purple.
3. HOLY WEEK:
Begins on Palm Sunday and goes to Easter. Holy Week commemorates the Passion (Suffering) of Jesus.
4. EASTER:
Easter will be observed this year on March 27, 2005.
5. METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH, AUSTIN, TEXAS WELCOMES NEW FIRST FAMILY:
By Frank W. Owens, Trustee
Austin, Texas… Metropolitan AME Church rolled out the red carpet in a gala evening to welcome our dynamic and energizing pastor, Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi and his lovely wife, Rev. Henrietta Sullivan Mkwanazi with gratitude, love and joy on January 28, 2005.
This spiritually vibrant and superb Pastoral Team was assigned to Metropolitan AME Church, November 13, 2004 by the Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the Tenth Episcopal District.
The program was sponsored by the Stewards of the Church. The program proceeded as follows: Opening of the program by the Mistress of Ceremony, Sister Dorothy Madison; Prelude by Sister Gloria Ross; Entrance of the Honorees; Invocation, Brother Eural Smothers; the Occasion, Brother Gerald Henderson; Music was provided by the group, “Total Quality”; Words of Welcome, Sister Gwendolyn Lawson, Steward Board Pro Tem. Others who joined in welcoming of our Pastoral Team were: Travis County Judge, The Honorable Sam Bisco; Austin Capital District, Reverend Dr. W. Raymond Bryant, Senior Pastor of Grant AME Worship Center; Associate Ministers, Trustees, Ministry Heads, members and friends of Metropolitan shared in on this Special Occasion.
A delicious dinner was served that pleasantly satisfied every ones appetite. This was a very heart-felt occasion that was enjoyed by everyone who attended the welcome for Pastor and First Lady Mkwanazi.
Our Pastoral Team has humbly and graciously accepted the leadership responsibilities with a great insight for a new direction for Metropolitan… this is GOOD NEWS! Pastor Mkwanazi’s motto for Metropolitan is” The Fountain of Praise.” The Pastoral Team is working diligently toward increasing the membership, improving church facilities, uplifting the spiritual life of he Church and most importantly, adhering to an agenda that is available to ALL members to study the word of God through weekly Bible Study.
Under the dynamic leadership of Pastor Mkwanazi and Rev. Henrietta, we, the members of Metropolitan look forward to taking Metropolitan AME Church, Austin, Texas to a greater level in our effort to do God’s work and achieve his Glory!
It is with God’s grace, mercy and love that we the members of Metropolitan accept full responsibility, in cooperating to the fullest extent with our new Pastor, Rev. N. Jordan Mkwanazi and Rev. Henrietta Sullivan Mkwanazi.
Pastor Mkwanazi and Rev. Henrietta…WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME to Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church…”THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE”!
6. THE PHILADELPHIA (MOTHER) DISTRICT OF AFRICAN METHODISM WILL GIVE BIRTH TO WOMEN’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005:
By the Rev. Maxine L. Thomas
In answer to the call to provide continued nurturing in the Word through preaching, teaching and ministering that produces holistic healing, and spiritual empowerment for women to fulfill their God purposed destiny, the Philadelphia (Mother) District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the Rev. Dr. Henrietta Scott Fullard is the Presiding Elder will give birth to its first Annual Women’s Conference on Friday, November 18 thru Saturday, November 19, 2005 at the First District Plaza, 3801 Market Street in Philadelphia, PA.
Titled, Women’s General Assembly 2005, “AND SHE SHALL BRING FORTH,” and using Luke 1:31 as a scriptural foundation, the conference will aid in the process of women identifying that which God has placed …
(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder in March in the all women’s edition of The Christian Recorder in celebration of Women’s History Month.)
7. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Subscribe to The Christian Recorder and have the hard-copy paper edition mailed directly to your home! You may call 1-800-648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card. Or send $26.00 check or money order for a one year subscription to:
The Christian Recorder
500 8th Avenue South,
Nashville, TN 37203.
