View Document Frames
"Missionary Convention," Colored American, Sept. 4, 1841.
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MISSIONARY CONVENTION.
MR. EDITOR--In pursuance of a call published originally in your paper, a Convention
assembled in the Talcott st. Congregational Church, on the evening of the 18th inst.,
and after listening to a sermon from J. W. C. Pennington, pastor of said church,
from the text, Isaiah 58:10, were by him called to order ; and after the reading
of the call by A. W. Hanson, forty-three delegates from more than six States, and
as many denominations of Christians, white and colored, enrolled their names; after
which, the Convention was organized by the appointment of Rev. E. W. Gardner, of
Philadelphia, President ; Rev. J. W. C. Pennington and John W. Lewis, Vice Presidents
; A. W. Hanson and Rev. A. G. Beman, Secretaries.
The Convention adopted a Constitution, and formed a Union Missionary Society. The
officers consist of a President, eight Vice Presidents, Corresponding and Recording
Secretaries, Treasurer, two Auditors, and a Board of Managers of forty-five.
The executive meetings will at present be held at Hartford, but the annual meetings
will assemble as the Board shall direct. Any member of a Christian church, who
is not a slaveholder, may become a member by signing the constitution, and paying
not less than one dollar annually.
The Convention was unanimously in favor of the enterprize of African Missions,
and passed a resolution to that effect. A resolution was also passed, disavowing
the fellowship of the Colonization scheme, and showing reasons why.
Joseph Cinque and four of his countrymen were present, and enrolled their names
as members of the Convention, which added much interest to the meeting.
The Convention, after a discussion of two days, closed on Friday evening, with delightful
harmony.
A quorum of the Board of Managers met on Saturday morning, and appointed an executive
committee, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and two auditors.
President--Rev. James W. C. Pennington.
Vice Presidents--Rev. Wm. Douglass, C. W. Gardner, Jeremiah Asher, John W. Lewis,
Christopher Rush, Rt. Rev. Morris Brown, A. N. Freeman, S. H. Gloucester.
Recording Secretary--Isaac Cross.
Corresponding Secretary--Rev. A. G. Beman
Auditors--Lewis Tappan, Rev. G. Hogarth.
Treasurer--Rev. T. S. Wright.
The proceedings in pamphlet form will soon be forthcoming.
J. C.
