"If you love your children, if you love your country, if you love the God of love, clear your hands from slaves, burden not your children or your country with them..." Rt. Rev. Richard Allen
Yesterday, I had the great honor and tremendous responsibility of offering the opening prayer at the dedication of one of Philadelphia's newest historical attractions: "President's House: Freedom and Slavery in Making a New Nation". Just over 2 years ago, I posted a note entitled "From the Slave House to the White House" which gives background to this posting (click here to read it).
Although it was well below freezing, more than 700 Philadelphians gathered to pay homage to the 9 enslaved Africans who lived in that house. In many ways, it felt a lot like President Obama's inauguration day. Not just the bone chilling, feet freezing temperature, but mainly the joyful and optimistic spirit that was present. We were standing right on the spot where freedom and slavery lived uneasily side by side. Think about it, it was one thing for members of Congress to debate the merits of slavery or the stain associated with it. But, it was altogether different to live with the paradox.
The dedication service was also extremely emotional for me as a member of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, because the memorial pays great tribute to our founder, Bishop Richard Allen. Bishop Allen was no stranger to George Washington, who was an early contributer to Allen's effort to organize a free African church in Philadelphia. Washington also supported Allen's chimney sweep business, contracting him to clean the chimneys at America's first White House. What must have been the thoughts that went through Allen's mind as he waited for his payment and watched enslaved Africans serving inside the very walls of democracy and freedom? And while he never said what he felt about the unresolved tension of the presence of enslaved persons in Washington's home, Allen did have words about Washington the slave holder in a carefully crafted "eulogy" following the President's death.
The eulogy, delivered at Mother Bethel in December 1799, is now a permanent and prominent part of this National Park Service monument. Through his eulogy, Allen urged other American slave holders to follow the example of Washington whose last will and testament provided for the eventual emancipation of his slaves (however, they could not be free until Martha's death). While Allen knew that Washington's will did not go far enough, he used it effectively to push his cause to end slavery in the United States. Allen's role as an early member of the Anti-Slavery fight has often been overlooked and ignored. Now, however, his role will be hard to miss, as an actor portraying Allen will be seen by millions of visitors on a large tv screen on a continuous loop.
What an honor for the AME Church! Make sure that the next time you visit Philadelphia, that you stop by the corner of 6th and Market Streets to see this new treasure. Then, walk down about 6 blocks to Mother Bethel and visit the Richard Allen Museum.
[For more coverage on this story, check AME member and Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Annette John Hall's article or Stephan Salisbury's article.]
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