Black Itinerants of the Gospel: The Narratives of John Jea and George White [Paperback]

Graham Russell Gao Hodges (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2002 | ISBN-10: 031229445X | ISBN-13: 978-0312294458 | Edition: 1st Palgrave ed

John Jea (b. 1773) and George White (b. 1764-c.1830) were two of the earliest African American autobiographers, each writing nearly a half-century before Frederick Douglass. Jea and White represent an earlier generation of African Americans who were born into slavery but granted their freedom shortly after American independence. Both chose to fight against slavery from the pulpit, as itinerant Methodist ministers in the North; Methodism’s staunch anti-slavery stance, acceptance of African American congregants, and use of itinerant preachers enhanced black religious practices and services in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century. Graham Hodges’ substantial introduction to the book places these two narratives into historical context, and highlights several key themes, including slavery in the North, the struggle for black freedom after the Revolution, and the rise of African American Christianity.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These autobiographical narratives of two free African Americans--itinerant preachers in the post-Revolutionary era--offer the reader a rare glimpse into the liberating theology of freed Northern slaves as they sought to understand their new position in Northern society and in Methodist Christianity. In his introduction, Hodges (Colgate Univ.) breathes life into the narratives by placing them in the tumultuous context of their times and illuminating their importance in the tradition of African American autobiography. While remaining true to the format of the original printings, Hodges offers both the scholar and the interested reader a well-documented work, providing a wealth of bibliographical citations. This volume is invaluable in exposing the lives of relatively obscure itinerant preachers in contrast to the highly visible ministers like Richard Allen. Essential for all collections.
- John B. Wright, Brigham Young Univ. Lib., Provo, Utah
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“In this marvelous work of recovery and restoration, Graham Russell Hodges introduces readers to two ‘African preachers’ whose autobiographies shed light upon the fascinating period in post-Revolutionary America when African American culture congealed in the fires of religious enthusiasm and political radicalism.” —Professor Milton C. Sernett, Syracuse University

“In Black Itinerants of the Gospel, Graham Russell Hodges has made available the long-out-of-print personal histories, theological arguments and writings, and even many of the favorite hymns of George White and John Jea, extraordinary nineteenth-century black preachers. Their lives provide a window on race, religion, and politics of their time in America and abroad. This is a rare and important tool for both the professional historian and the historically curious.” —James Oliver Horton, co-author of In Hope of Liberty and Hard Road to Freedom

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1st Palgrave ed edition (January 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031229445X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312294458
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,462,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)