Page:A short account of the rise and progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.djvu/86

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Preachers, in order to carry out or finish the business of that meeting, and the brethren, therefore, fixed upon the 18th of July for that purpose. Accordingly, on Thursday, July 18th, 1822, the extra .meeting commenced in the city of New-York.

At this meeting, on Sunday morning, there were six Deacons ordained, viz., Christopher Rush, James Smith, James Anderson, William Carman, Edward Johnson and Tilman Cornish, and in the afternoon the same persons were ordained Elders. This was done in consequence of the necessity of Elders to take the charge of a number of societies already formed, and others who were willing to be formed into circuits, in connexion with Zion Church. There were twelve Preachers attended this meeting: eight of New-York, two from Philadelphia, one from New-Haven, and one from Long Island. James Varick was elected Superintendent of the connexion, according to the Discipline. Abraham Thompson was appointed to take the charge of Zion Church; Christopher Rush, to take charge of the Newark Society, and others on the Jersey side who might be willing to accept of his services; Leven Smith was appointed as a Missionary, to go on as far as Boston; James Smith, to assist William Carman on Long Island; Edward Johnson, to take charge of the Wesleyan Church at Philadelphia; and James Anderson, left at New-Haven.

In consequence of the faithful exertions of Christopher Rush, an Incorporation was obtained for the Society at

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