First published 1995 by Garland Publishing
Published 2018 by Routledge
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Copyright 1995 Herman E. Thomas
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thomas, Herman Edward, 1941-
James W.C. Pennington : African American churchman and abolitionist / Herman E. Thomas.
p. cm. (Studies in African American history and culture)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8153-1889-8 (alk. paper)
1. Pennington, James W. C. 2. Presbyterian ChurchUnited StatesClergyBiography. 3. AbolitionistsUnited StatesBiography. 4. Afro-American clergyBiography. I. Title. II. Series.
BX9225.P464T46 1995
973.6092dc20
[B]
94-44553
CIP
ISBN 13: 978-0-8153-1889-7 (hbk)
Religion has played a dual role in the African-American experience. It has counseled escape from harsh treatment and it has been a source of protest for freedom and liberation. Frequently one side of this duality has been more prominent than the other. The African-American church has been a bearer of this shifting pattern.
Attempts to understand, even appreciate, this duality in the African-American church continue to be hampered by a limited knowledge of the historical development of African-American religious leaders and their relationship to the enduring struggle for liberation. The need for such knowledge is the background out of which this book arises.
If the role of religion, especially Christianity in the African-American church, is to be effective in the African-Americans struggle for liberation, African-American religious leaders of today must understand and appreciate the thoughts and contributions of African-American religious leaders of the past. One such past religious person was James W. C. Pennington.
It could be argued that Pennington exemplified the duality in African-American religion in that he spoke of the hereafter in the midst of seemingly irrevocable racial oppression; perhaps it was easier for an African-American minister in the Antebellum era to preach heaven above as the reward for suffering rather than warring against Satan on earth. In the struggle for liberation, maybe Penningtons intellectual commitment to a view of Christianity (evangelical Protestantism) which advocated obtaining justice and equality by moral suasion and nonviolent political action was frustrated by his recognition that the oppressor obtained and retained power by abusing the oppressed. But far from succumbing to this frustration, as will be seen later, Pennington continued to believe, preach, and work for a better life on this earth even though he acknowledged that eternal life would be the reward of the faithfully departed. The prime purpose of this study is to present an understanding of the development and contribution of Pennington to African-American religion by highlighting the impact of his life and work as a clergyman and abolitionist committed to the advancement of African-American people and humanity.
I gratefully acknowledge and honor many who have made the final appearance of this book possible. Special recognition is due for particular contributions to this work from the following: Dr. Robert C. Batchelder, Dr. LeRoy Moore, Dr. William B. Gravely, and Dr. Leighton McCutchen who guided me through an earlier version of this work as a doctoral thesis at Hartford Seminary Foundation, Hartford, Connecticut; and the Afro-American Religious History Group of the American Academy of Religion and The Society for the Study of Black Religion for allowing my presentations on Pennington; Dr. James H. Cone, Union Theological Seminary, New York, for his insightful suggestions; Dr. James M. Washington, Union Theological Seminary, for encouragement and interest; and Dr. William B. Gravely, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado for suggesting that I embark on this enterprise and providing guidance and sources along with an abiding friendship.
I am indebted to the staffs of the following institutions for their assistance in making available letters and/or other materials by and about Pennington: Duke and Yale University Libraries; the Library of Congress; the libraries of Garrett Theological Seminary, Hartford Seminary Foundation; the Moorland Foundation, the Presbyterian Historical Society; the Schomburg Collection; the Boston, Hartford, and New York City public libraries; the Henry E. Huntington Library; and the Archives of the American Missionary Association of the Amistad Research Center, Tulane University (formerly housed at Dillard University), and the Archives of the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
I cannot express enough thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my readers and typists: Dr. Sandra Govan, Professor of English, who read the manuscript in its final stages, and Dr. Mary Harper, Professor of English, Emeritus, who labored through its earlier stages as did the late Mrs. Inez Parker, Archivist at Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina. Ms. Roberta P. Duff, Secretary, Department of Afro-American and African Studies, has typed patiently for me over the years; Evelyn Alridge, Secretary, Department of Religious Studies has rendered invaluable assistance. Tracy Varipapa, assisted by Samantha Criswell, entered the entire manuscript into the computer, a task of great importance. Academic Computing staff provided constant technical support, especially in the stages of the final manuscript.
I also express grateful appreciation to Dr. Susan Chernyak, Professor Emeritus, Foreign Languages, who essentially translated the documents on Penningtons Doctor of Divinity Degree. Dr. Gregory Davis, Adjunct Professor of Afro-American and African Studies, has been a colleague and profound listener. Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, Chairman, Department of Religious Studies, listened, read critically assessed portions of the manuscript. To the library staff of Atkins Library I extend my deep appreciation, especially to Barbara Lisenby and Lorraine Penninger for helping locate and secure materials, and Jackie McGirt for general reference assistance.
Of course, all stylistic and factual errors and interpretations are my own. I wish also to express my gratitude for three understanding children. Most of all, I appreciate the patience, concern, inspiration and sacrifice of my wife, Julia, to whom this work is dedicated.
