COLOR LINE IN FLORIDA.
BY REV. ALBERT P. MILLER.
While the “color-line” is being freely discussed in the leading Christian journals of the day, as to so-called “mixed churches,” the following incident may show to the Christian world the attitude taken by the African Methodist Episcopal Church—400,000 strong—with whose work I was very pleasantly connected last year. One of our preachers, a Rev. C. J. Croom, having charge of the Hamburg circuit in the East Florida Conference, was last year holding a series of revival meetings. The spirit waxed hot, and large numbers came rolling in from every quarter night after night. Conversions began to crown the efforts of the pastor, among the colored members of the congregation. As is very often the case several white friends were in attendance. One night after a soul-stirring sermon the preacher called on all who wanted to be prayed for to come and bow at the front seats. A great many came, and among these a white woman, who that night was deeply convicted. Her mother, brother and sister were terribly enraged, that she should be out so late at a “nigger meeting,” and came down on her very heavily. The next night, however, found her, more anxious than ever, at the “nigger revival.” The mother, who would not go herself, sent her son and daughter to bring their sister home. On arriving they became so much interested in what was going on that they decided to remain. They began to feel “funny.” Still they sat and looked on and saw their sister again press forward for prayer. They still felt “funny,” but couldn’t go. By and by the sister, who sat in the audience, went to get her anxious sister, and take her home. No sooner had she put her hands on her than she herself fell under conviction, and both that night were happily converted to God. Their brother at once became deeply concerned, and was soon rejoicing with his sisters and the Negroes in the “liberty wherewith Christ doth make his children free.”
“Big Sunday” came, day for communion and reception of members. Candidates received on profession were to be baptized, either by sprinkling or immersion. Our white brother and his two dear sisters having been received into full membership chose to go down under the water, which they did with several others, being baptized by Bro. Croom. Some of the white neighbors were a little offended at the conduct of both the colored preacher and his white brother and sisters in the Lord, and asked him to leave. But he told them frankly that he didn’t convert the candidates, and that if the same God who had changed their hearts, led them also to seek admission into his church, there was nothing, either in his Bible or his discipline, that would prohibit their becoming regular members of his church. Bro. Croom tells me that these three converts are among the most faithful of his members, and that he “would be glad to receive many more such members into the African Methodist Episcopal Church, for God is no respecter of persons,” and why should we be?