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OUT OF THE BRIARS
OUT OF THE BRIARS
Decorative image An Autobiography Decorative image AND Sketch of the Twenty-ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Decorative image By A. H. NEWTON, D.D. Member of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church With Introduction by Rev. J. P. Sampson, D.D. PRICE $1.25...
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Preface
Preface
With no intention on my part to ever put in book form any matter concerning myself, many years ago I began keeping a daily account of the incidents of my life. I entered into this work conscientiously and let no day pass over my head without its record. I did this that I might improve myself and also provide for myself, family and friends, a record and reference. This work has grown into three large volumes. I have found this voluminous diary very valuable on many occasions, not only to myself b
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Rev. J. P. Sampson, D.D.
Rev. J. P. Sampson, D.D.
Rev. Dr. J. P. Sampson, a friend and contemporary, whose picture we present, though at that time a junior among them, he stood in the front ranks with Geo. Watkins, Douglas, Garnett, Langston and Phillips as an advocate for freedom, not only with eloquent speech but through his pioneer journal, The Colored Citizen at Cincinnati, making it possible for hundreds, some of whom at that time were slaves, since, themselves leaders, now declining, but who took their lessons from these men, he was large
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Introduction
Introduction
To be requested to write an introduction to a book implies some acquaintance with, confidence in, and respect for, the writer thereof, on the part of the author of the book. Some authors solicit such a service because of the prominent position of the writer, rather than the thorough acquaintance which he has with the author. This may bring an added value to the book and some of the glow of honor to the author. But in this case, we are sure that the author of this book in no way sought such disti
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My Life—Ante-Bellum
My Life—Ante-Bellum
I was born in Newbern, Croven St. , Craven County, N. C. , November the first, 1837. I was born under the regime of slavery, a free child, my mother being a free woman. My childhood was the ordinary child life, of the colored children of the South. As a mere child, I looked out upon the world as beautiful and felt that all men and women were good and kind. I did not know of the distinctions, classes, conditions and grades of mankind. But as I grew older these distinctions were forced upon my ten
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My War Record and Sketch of the Twenty-ninth Regiment
My War Record and Sketch of the Twenty-ninth Regiment
In 1861 when President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 troops I engaged myself for the great Civil War, the War of the Rebellion. I went into the company of the Thirteenth Regiment, of Brooklyn. I went to the front, as the United States was not taking Negro troops. In 1862 there was a riot in New York City. The colored people were being dreadfully treated, being stoned, killed, and shown how despised they were even in the North. An orphan asylum (colored) was burned, having at that time three h
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My Ministerial Life and Labors
My Ministerial Life and Labors
After I had returned from the war, I took the needed rest, enjoyed the company of my family and got myself together for a new life. I had the consciousness of having done my duty to my country, of having contributed something to the liberation of my people from the galling yoke of slavery, and now the time had come in my life for me to determine upon what course I could enter that would contribute most to the working out of the salvation of my people upon lines of peace and prosperity. This was
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The Church; What It Is and What It Should Be.
The Church; What It Is and What It Should Be.
I am aware of the fact that in writing my views of the Church as it is and as it should be, that I may and doubtlessly will, run counter to the views of some of my brethren, but I do not find that this is a valid reason for my not expressing my views on such an important subject. I have served the Church quite a number of years, over forty years, having given her the best part of my life, and now that I am about to conclude my labors for her, I feel that it is my duty to say those things which i
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The Negro Problem
The Negro Problem
It might be profitable to my readers, after having sketched my life in the army, to give some of my views pertaining to my race, relative to the Civil War and the time since then. Much is being said and written on the so-called Negro Problem. Why it has taken this name, I have never been able to decide. For when we examine into its intricacies, we find that it is the White Man’s problem also. And certainly it is true, that if this problem is ever settled in this country on a proper basis, it wil
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Acquaintance With God.
Acquaintance With God.
Thus said the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: Behold I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters in the river and they shall be turned into blood.—Exodus 7:17. There are many perplexities which are not explained by philosophers. Men of scholarly renown have by no means been able to comprehend the mysteries of God. In His Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence, He enveloped Moses, the great law-giver, but with His God. The power that was to uphold Moses was
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The Intercession of Christ.
The Intercession of Christ.
“He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”—Hebrews 8:25. Christ had completed His work on the earth. He had kept the faith, fulfilled the law, and suffered its penalty in His death. His work, therefore, so far as the earthly conditions and needs were concerned, was completed. He did this work, it must be remembered, not on his own account or for himself, but on your account and for you. He was acting in the capacity of a representative while on the earth, so that when his life in the flesh
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Christ Glorified in His Word.
Christ Glorified in His Word.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”—Col. 3:16. It is well nigh impossible for us to understand the power of a word. We read that in the beginning God said, “Let there be light,” these were the words or the Word. Who can tell the wisdom and the power that dwelt in that word or command? We are not able even now to measure the magnificent result, but we read, “And there was light.” Christ stood at the sealed tomb and said. “Lazarus, come forth.” This was the word or the comm
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Where Is Your Tent?
Where Is Your Tent?
“And Isaac departed and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there.”—Gen. 26:17. Our text is found in connection with a paragraph of peculiar weight and sublimity. The Israelites in all their wanderings had a high regard for the Levites. They formed the tribe of Levi, which filled a most important place in the life of the Israelites. The entire nation and government was permeated with their influence. They were the officers and teachers in the synagogue, or Tabernacle. The Tabernacl
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Christ’s Ascension.
Christ’s Ascension.
“And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried into heaven.”—Luke 15:51. The coming of the Lord to the nations of the earth was not that He might advertise Himself as a candidate for some high office among the nations, or in the nation to which he belonged. He came not as the Jews expected Him, for they were looking for some temporal ruler who would re-establish their temporal kingdom on the earth. Their idea was that some man would come and sit on the throne of D
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The Reward of the Righteous.
The Reward of the Righteous.
“For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you.”—Deut. 12:9. A description of Paradise is always acceptable to the humble believer. He is seeking the rest, the inheritance, which God has so abundantly promised in His word. So our God has not omitted to give us glimpses of this Heavenly rest. We have gathered together our own sweet bundle of sentiments regarding it. They are ever a blooming garden of flowers by our pathway. We are to so live that
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Our Legacy.
Our Legacy.
Peace I leave with you.—John 14:27. Dear Brethren, in entering upon the work of this district two years ago I found that the ship had sprung a leak, the sails were furled, many of the crew had deserted the ship and left her to the mercy of the waves. There seemed to be a heavy cloud over the church, her banners had been trailing in the dust. I look back and almost shudder and wonder what would have been the fate of the church had things drifted on as I found them. I wonder if there were any here
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An Echo to the Manager’s Call.
An Echo to the Manager’s Call.
Mr. Editor: In your issue of June 21, 1877, an article appears, emanating from the business manager, indicating trouble ahead. He says that from the very fact of the editor receiving two letters to his one, and the supporters of our publishing department placing the major portions of their communications on the wrong current, the most pernicious effect is designed to flow through the stream of intellectual knowledge gleaned from the columns of the Christian Recorder. I have only to ask my brethr
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The Race Problem Solved at Asbury Park.
The Race Problem Solved at Asbury Park.
For the Christian Recorder. New Brunswick, N. J. , August 2, 1890. Mr. Editor. Sir: As a native of the “Old North State” myself, it is but natural that I should feel some pride in every honor or mark of respect paid to her honored sons; and yet, sir, when I see metropolitan papers, whose politics are not very favorable to our race, teeming with praise of the speeches made, with some very remarkable quotations of opposition to the “Force Bill,” or apologizing for certain reasons why it should not
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Intemperance.
Intemperance.
By Miss Ada A. Newton. Intemperance is a fatal evil. What are felons, murderers and thieves but men who began drinking but moderately, just for fashion or to see how it tasted? From drinking moderately they go on taking a little more each time, until finally they become confirmed drunkards. How common it is to hear a wife say, Ah! He was a good husband before he began drinking. There was nothing he thought too good for me. How we pity the drunkard’s wife and children! The little ones are made to
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From Arkansas.
From Arkansas.
For the Christian Recorder. Mr. Editor: You have not heard from us for several months, not because we have lost interest, for we have always stood among the active workers of the Church, but we have been very busy. The last time we wrote you from the South we were in the State of Tennessee. In the month of October last year Bishop Brown ordered us to strike our tent and move to Arkansas. With the knapsack of faith and the musket of truth we came and engaged in the contest, taking charge of Littl
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Algiers, La.
Algiers, La.
Algiers is situated on the north bank of the Mississippi River, about one hundred miles distant from the Gulf. It is connected with New Orleans by ferry boats, which run every five or ten minutes. There is not much enterprise here, as all the business is done in the city. It is not a separate parish from the city, as one mayor controls the affairs of both places. Beelzebub has his headquarters here, and his court and his orders take the premium. The Sabbath is not respected. Mechanics labor and
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Word from Algiers, La.
Word from Algiers, La.
For the Christian Recorder. Mr. Editor: Elder A. H. Newton has charge of the branch of African Methodism of Algiers, La. When Elder Newton arrived in Algiers he found the church in an almost hopeless condition, there being but ten members belonging to the fold, and as far as Sabbath School was concerned, they hardly knew what it meant. The majority of the people of color are Catholics. There are three Catholic churches to one Methodist church, therefore he had to labor under great disadvantages,
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Word from Algiers, La.
Word from Algiers, La.
Mr. Editor: I am glad to say that our church is gaining ground. Christians are a unit in this place in laboring for the building of Christ’s kingdom. Meetings are being held everywhere, with very marked results. Elder James Madison is carrying on a great work in St. James. He seems to be determined that every valley shall be filled and every hill made low. I think that he is the right man in the right place. The Elder visited my Sabbath School and addressed the children. He expressed himself as
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Dedication of Macedonia Church.
Dedication of Macedonia Church.
The Rev. A. H. Newton was ably assisted in the service of dedicating the beautiful new Macedonia Church in Camden, N. J. , last Sunday. The dedicatory service was conducted and sermon preached by Bishop A. W. Wayman, D.D., at 11 A. M. In the afternoon the editor of the Christian Recorder and at night Macedonia’s ex-pastor, Rev. W. H. Yocum, B.D., preached. There were present the Rev. G. A. Mills, Rev. J. W. Cooper, T. N. Allen, S. B. Williams, G. S. Smith, T. Gould, L. J. Coppin, B. T. Tanner, D
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Another Account of the Dedication of the Macedonia Church.
Another Account of the Dedication of the Macedonia Church.
For the Christian Recorder. Mr. Editor: In the midst of the ranges of thought and sentiment, and while the busy world was moving on in the grand march of improvement, the Church of the Living God is unfolding and developing everywhere. The Kingdom of Christ is gaining territory in the marts of men. Sunday, October 24th, the Macedonia A. M. E. Church of Camden, N. J. , was dedicated with imposing services. Indeed, I venture the assertion that it was the grandest occasion in the history of the con
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Little Rock, Ark.
Little Rock, Ark.
Whereas, The Rev. A. H. Newton, since his advent in our midst as pastor of Bethel A. M. E. Church and subsequently, became superintendent of our Sabbath School, demonstrating a great love for the Sabbath School and zealously desirous of promoting its complete success as a place of reform and education for the young, has ardently labored to extend its usefulness and sound religious and moral teachings in the minds of our youthful members, has striven to lead the young to religious devotion, has s
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Respecting Rev. A. H. Newton.
Respecting Rev. A. H. Newton.
At a meeting of the officers and members of the Bethel A. M. E. Church, held in this city in 1876, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted: Whereas, He has served us faithfully for one year as pastor of Bethel Station, in this city, and labored faithfully and honestly to build up our Sabbath School and other organizations placed under his charge by the General Conference; and Whereas, He has taken special pains to instill into the minds of the young of the church the grand and benefi
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Macedonia Church Endeavors to Retain Their Pastor.
Macedonia Church Endeavors to Retain Their Pastor.
Camden, N. J. To the Presiding Elder and Members of the Quarterly Conference of Macedonia A. M. E. Church: Whereas, The New Jersey Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church will hold its annual session at Trenton April 20; and Whereas, Another year’s faithful service of our pastor, Rev. A. H. Newton, will expire; and Whereas, His Christian deportment and liberal views, his gentlemanly and agreeable qualities have endeared him to us; therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of the Macedonia
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Notice.
Notice.
Rev. A. H. Newton, pastor of the Bethel A. M. E. Church, has been transferred to the Louisiana Conference. We regret to lose Mr. Newton from this city, as gentlemen of his attainments are none too plenty in the ranks of the A. M. E. ministry. Aside from being liberally educated, he has shown a practical Christian spirit and work since his residence in this city. He is to be succeeded by the Rev. J. R. Jenifer....
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East Camden, N. J.
East Camden, N. J.
At the last Quarterly Conference of the Hosanna A. M. E. Church the following resolutions were offered by the Rev. W. W. Chase: Whereas, The church has prospered under the presiding eldership of Rev. A. H. Newton for the past four years; and Whereas, This is his last year and Quarterly Conference; be it therefore Resolved, That we return to him our grateful thanks for the manner in which he has conducted the business of the church, and pray that the blessings of God may rest on his labors; and W
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Resolutions of Respect.
Resolutions of Respect.
The Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church, at its regular session, adopted the following resolutions: Whereas, The Rev. A. H. Newton, having served us as pastor, and as he is near the termination of his administration, it is the honor that should be given to whom it is due and credit to those who justly merit it; therefore be it Resolved, By the members of this Quarterly Conference that in the Rev. A. H. Newton we recognize a faithful Gospel minister and energetic worker in
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Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church.
Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church.
The quarterly meeting of Mt. Zion Church last Sunday was a grand success. The Rev. A. H. Newton, the pastor, is very energetic and a grand church worker. Rev. Gilbert T. Waters preached a noble sermon in the afternoon. The Rev. Thomas held the audience spellbound at night. Elder J. H. Morgan consecrated the elements and administered the Lord’s Supper, with the assistance of Elder Thomas. The church was crowded afternoon and evening. There were many strangers present, who expressed themselves ben
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The Obituary of the Rev. William Watson.
The Obituary of the Rev. William Watson.
The Rev. William Watson, a member of the New Jersey A. M. E. Conference, died at his residence in Woodbury, N. J. , Tuesday, August 7, 1888. He was one of the oldest preachers of the Conference, and was therefore regarded as the “Father of the Conference.” The funeral services were held August 9 at the A. M. E. church, Woodbury, N. J. The Rev. J. T. Rex preached the sermon, which was very impressive, and Rev. A. H. Newton and Rev. Johns made very appropriate remarks concerning the character and
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LODGE NOTICES.
LODGE NOTICES.
Past Grand Master P. T. Colding, G. Bailey, W. O. Castor, A. H. Newton, Rev. Bean and twenty others of the State of New Jersey paid Prince Hall Lodge, No. 10, a fraternal visit on last Wednesday. Short addresses were delivered by those present. Last week we left out the names of the officers elect of the Grand Chapter: S. N. Robinson, M. E. G. P., P. L. Colding, R. D. G. H. P., Camden; W. H. Jackson, R. E. G. K., Bordentown; A. H. Newton, R. E. G. S., Trenton; J. L. Derrick, R. W. G. Treasurer,
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Rev. A. H. Newton, Chaplain of the Senate, Trenton, N. J.
Rev. A. H. Newton, Chaplain of the Senate, Trenton, N. J.
Rev. A. H. Newton has been appointed Chaplain of the State Senate, Trenton, N. J. Thus we creep up. This is a great honor to Rev. Newton, as well as the race. We congratulate him. March 29th-April 3d. Camden, N. J. , August 20, 1894. The Adjutant-General W. S. Arcory, W. S. U. S. A., Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Will you please inform me of the probable number of troops enlisted during the Civil War, those having died from wounds, being sick in hospitals, and the number of those killed on the bat
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The Legal Form of Apprenticeship Used in the Case of A. H. Newton.
The Legal Form of Apprenticeship Used in the Case of A. H. Newton.
State of North Carolina, County of Craven, ss: This Indenture, made the eighteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1852, between the Worshipful William S. Blackledge, Esq., Chairman and Presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the county aforesaid, of the one part, and Jacob Gooding, of the same county, of the other part, Witnesseth, That the said Presiding Justice, in pursuance of an order of said Court, doth put, place and bind, unto said Jacob Gooding, a free b
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