Mar 21, 2013 - Sale 2308

Sale 2308 - Lot 531

Unsold
Estimate: $ 20,000 - $ 30,000
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONFEDERATE IMPRINT (RELIGION--METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.) Rules, Regulations & By-Laws for the better management of the Sabbath School of the State Street M.E. Church. Broadside, 13-1/8 x 6 inches with a decorative border; creases where folded; small closed tear; some general wear along the edges with a small diagonal chip from the top right corner, not affecting the text, "W. Scott [?] Esq" in pencil at the foot of the page; and signed in type at the foot of the page by the Church's Committee and Framers. Mobile, March 17, 1865
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of the utmost rarity, unrecorded by crandall (confederate imprints), or harwell (more confederate imprints). we know of no other african american confederate imprint. This broadside sets out, in eight articles the rules of the Church's Sabbath School, making provision for a "Chaplain." The articles are what one might expect in regard to the organization of a school, its teacher, secretary, treasurer, expenses, and management, etc. Article II "It shall be the duty of the Superintendant to open the school by singing and prayer; after which he shall read a part or chapter from the Bible, followed by a short exhortation." Articles VII and VIII regard funerals and state "There shall be a Chaplain attached to the school---it shall be his duty to attend the burial of deceased scholars, for which he shall be compensated according to the time lost in the performance of said duty. ." (curiously worded) and "There shall be a Carriage provided for the convenience of the Chaplain (at the expense of the school) at each funeral."
The State Street Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1829 as the African Church of the City of Mobile, a mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The original building burned and the current building was erected in 1854. By 1855 the church had a congregation of 550 members, making it one of the most successful African American churches in Alabama. Following the Civil War, the congregation joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church South then challenged the right of the congregation to occupy the building. Under the leadership of their second minister, Wilbur G. Strong, the congregation obtained legal title to the building in 1872. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 06, 1978, due to its architectural and historic significance.