Miller, S.G. (editor). The Bible Institute Bulletin [Vol.I, No. 10. (March, 1905)]
- Little Rock, Ark: the John C. Martin Educational Fund, 1905
Little Rock, Ark: the John C. Martin Educational Fund, 1905. Very good. 7¾” x 4½”. Stapled wrappers. Pp. 64. Very good: light wear and staining to wrappers; leaves toned; a few instances of underlining in text; tiny owner label of the Reverend A.T. Stewart to front wrap.
This is a rare periodical documenting a short-lived and little known program for African American religious leaders, the John C. Martin Bible Institute (JCMBI). The magazine also shows the rapid success and spread of the JCMBI which was part of the John C. Martin Educational Fund (JCMEF). JCMEF was started in 1899 by John C. Martin, a white philanthropist who had taken over his father's successful coal business in 1887. The fund intended to promote Christian education in the United States. The first JCMBI was held in 1903 at HBCU Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where Martin said that the JCMBI,
“was created in part with the design to help colored preachers, teachers and Christian workers by means of lectureships, treating of such subjects as Bible study, preparations of sermons, etc. . . it is hoped by this means to reach the real leaders of the colored people who are at this time influencing the rising generation, and thus meet the situation as it exists.”
A June 1904 blurb in the Arkansas Democrat mentioned the creation of the Little Rock chapter, which is where this periodical was published,
“Upon the call of Rev. S.G. Miller, a very interesting meeting of colored ministers, teachers and leaders was held a the First Baptist Church last night. The meeting was called for the purpose of organizing the John C. Martin Bible Institute in this city. Dr. Miller explained the purpose and spirit of Mr. Martin . . . and the plan was well received.”
A September 1904 issue of the Democrat reported on the Little Rock JCMBI's anticipated first conference which occurred over four days that month,
“A very interesting program has been prepared and the largest number of colored ministers, representing all denominations, will assemble in Little Rock . . . some spicy speeches are expected to be delivered at this institute and some very strange revelations made touching the true condition of the negroes in this state.”
At the end of the conference, the Democrat reported that JCMBI organizers hoped to hold Institutes in Fort Smith, Helena, Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Pine Bluff. The statement under the masthead of this issue further showed the intent of the JCMBI to spread across the country when it stated,
“This publication will contain the record of the work done through the agency of 'The John C. Martin Educational Fund,' giving account of the work of Associations and Institutes . . . it will also furnish each month the outline of study for the members of Associations.”
This issue also recorded the JCMBI's growth as its final eight pages are devoted to a directory which listed five divinity schools, and 74 JCMBI chapters (along with the names of respective officers) across five southern states.
The first six pages of this issue were devoted to women, including an article on the importance of bible study by a Mrs. M.V. Broughton which stated, “we all have a work to do, and we women are glad to live in this age, when men are willing to recognize our rights and permit us to share in the glorious reformatory work of bettering the conditions of mankind.”
This section also had a poem by a woman, housekeeping hints and an advice column
There are a couple of pages giving updates of other JCMBI chapters and around 30 pages are devoted to detailed Bible lessons. This issue further announced the formation of the John C. Martin Summer Divinity and Bible School which was to begin in July 1905 in Little Rock, and included a three page course of study along with a list of the faculty. It also included an “Open Letter to the Preachers of Arkansas,” which stated,
“you are aware of the fact that the Negro ministry today is the most potent element in the races' leadership; that this element is doing very little to keep effective pace with the rapid strides the race is making for stronger and higher life socially and intellectually. Our friend desires to remedy this ill by stimulating and helping our advancing ministry to increase in speed of progress, and rightfully hold its place in the font rank of a peoples common march.”
Interestingly, despite the JCMBI's rapid success, we find no mention of the program after 1905. We'll also note here the prior owner of this issue was a Black Baptist preacher and educator who led an extraordinary life and whose biography we'd be happy to supply to the purchaser.
OCLC locates only one copy of this magazine, the first issue, held by one institution. A wonderful periodical showing the work of a religious educational and uplift group whose impact was apparently short-lived.
This is a rare periodical documenting a short-lived and little known program for African American religious leaders, the John C. Martin Bible Institute (JCMBI). The magazine also shows the rapid success and spread of the JCMBI which was part of the John C. Martin Educational Fund (JCMEF). JCMEF was started in 1899 by John C. Martin, a white philanthropist who had taken over his father's successful coal business in 1887. The fund intended to promote Christian education in the United States. The first JCMBI was held in 1903 at HBCU Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where Martin said that the JCMBI,
“was created in part with the design to help colored preachers, teachers and Christian workers by means of lectureships, treating of such subjects as Bible study, preparations of sermons, etc. . . it is hoped by this means to reach the real leaders of the colored people who are at this time influencing the rising generation, and thus meet the situation as it exists.”
A June 1904 blurb in the Arkansas Democrat mentioned the creation of the Little Rock chapter, which is where this periodical was published,
“Upon the call of Rev. S.G. Miller, a very interesting meeting of colored ministers, teachers and leaders was held a the First Baptist Church last night. The meeting was called for the purpose of organizing the John C. Martin Bible Institute in this city. Dr. Miller explained the purpose and spirit of Mr. Martin . . . and the plan was well received.”
A September 1904 issue of the Democrat reported on the Little Rock JCMBI's anticipated first conference which occurred over four days that month,
“A very interesting program has been prepared and the largest number of colored ministers, representing all denominations, will assemble in Little Rock . . . some spicy speeches are expected to be delivered at this institute and some very strange revelations made touching the true condition of the negroes in this state.”
At the end of the conference, the Democrat reported that JCMBI organizers hoped to hold Institutes in Fort Smith, Helena, Jonesboro, Hot Springs and Pine Bluff. The statement under the masthead of this issue further showed the intent of the JCMBI to spread across the country when it stated,
“This publication will contain the record of the work done through the agency of 'The John C. Martin Educational Fund,' giving account of the work of Associations and Institutes . . . it will also furnish each month the outline of study for the members of Associations.”
This issue also recorded the JCMBI's growth as its final eight pages are devoted to a directory which listed five divinity schools, and 74 JCMBI chapters (along with the names of respective officers) across five southern states.
The first six pages of this issue were devoted to women, including an article on the importance of bible study by a Mrs. M.V. Broughton which stated, “we all have a work to do, and we women are glad to live in this age, when men are willing to recognize our rights and permit us to share in the glorious reformatory work of bettering the conditions of mankind.”
This section also had a poem by a woman, housekeeping hints and an advice column
There are a couple of pages giving updates of other JCMBI chapters and around 30 pages are devoted to detailed Bible lessons. This issue further announced the formation of the John C. Martin Summer Divinity and Bible School which was to begin in July 1905 in Little Rock, and included a three page course of study along with a list of the faculty. It also included an “Open Letter to the Preachers of Arkansas,” which stated,
“you are aware of the fact that the Negro ministry today is the most potent element in the races' leadership; that this element is doing very little to keep effective pace with the rapid strides the race is making for stronger and higher life socially and intellectually. Our friend desires to remedy this ill by stimulating and helping our advancing ministry to increase in speed of progress, and rightfully hold its place in the font rank of a peoples common march.”
Interestingly, despite the JCMBI's rapid success, we find no mention of the program after 1905. We'll also note here the prior owner of this issue was a Black Baptist preacher and educator who led an extraordinary life and whose biography we'd be happy to supply to the purchaser.
OCLC locates only one copy of this magazine, the first issue, held by one institution. A wonderful periodical showing the work of a religious educational and uplift group whose impact was apparently short-lived.
Details
Title
Miller, S.G. (editor). The Bible Institute Bulletin [Vol.I, No. 10. (March, 1905)]
Condition
Very Good
Publisher
the John C. Martin Educational Fund: Little Rock, Ark
Date
1905