This great man and African Methodist Episcopal (AME) bishop was not guided by the spirit of fear; but by the spirit of love of, and for, his people; by the spirit of power of, and for, God's redeeming grace; and of and by the spirit of a sound mind, which he enriched by continually studying the Bible and the world's great books. These discerned truths, principles, rules and precepts, were then tested. If successful, they were then applied to our newly-freed people's challenges and hope, "post-Reconstruction". The office of bishop was neither sought nor attained by him as a prize. Rather, it was a means to an end, not as the end to his means; not as a sinecure or moneyed resting place. But as a forward post to better lead our race. Our denominational, AME ecclesiastical tree needs pruning of its dead limbs and branches, to improve its productive capacity, qualitatively. We need bishops, officers, preachers, and laymen with the spirit, love, power, and sound minds, akin to that which infused Bishop Henry McNeil Turner, et. al., to meet the challenges of our times, fearlessly, to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. This age demands such and will inevitably produce such. Let it be our Zion from whose eyes the scales fall; from whose ears the wax is removed; from who minds gross darkness is lifted; from whose hearts fear is banished. Let it be us that come forth as pure gold: from this crucible of racist heat, from this crushing trial by ordeal.
Friday, February 20, 2015
PEERLESS AND FEARLESS: A.M.E. BISHOP HENRY McNEIL TURNER
This great man and African Methodist Episcopal (AME) bishop was not guided by the spirit of fear; but by the spirit of love of, and for, his people; by the spirit of power of, and for, God's redeeming grace; and of and by the spirit of a sound mind, which he enriched by continually studying the Bible and the world's great books. These discerned truths, principles, rules and precepts, were then tested. If successful, they were then applied to our newly-freed people's challenges and hope, "post-Reconstruction". The office of bishop was neither sought nor attained by him as a prize. Rather, it was a means to an end, not as the end to his means; not as a sinecure or moneyed resting place. But as a forward post to better lead our race. Our denominational, AME ecclesiastical tree needs pruning of its dead limbs and branches, to improve its productive capacity, qualitatively. We need bishops, officers, preachers, and laymen with the spirit, love, power, and sound minds, akin to that which infused Bishop Henry McNeil Turner, et. al., to meet the challenges of our times, fearlessly, to the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. This age demands such and will inevitably produce such. Let it be our Zion from whose eyes the scales fall; from whose ears the wax is removed; from who minds gross darkness is lifted; from whose hearts fear is banished. Let it be us that come forth as pure gold: from this crucible of racist heat, from this crushing trial by ordeal.