Page:A short account of the rise and progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.djvu/52

 Stilwell, had given a satisfactory explanation of the purpose for which the members of the Society were detained, Abraham Thompson was offered, and all who were in favour of his being elected were requested to hold up their right hand, which was done in a very solemn manner by a large majority (if not by the whole body); then James Varick was offered, and was in the same manner solemnly elected. These two brethren, being thus elected, were considered as having full power to exercise the peculiar functions of Elders in the Church with us, or any society of coloured people in connexion with us, until an opportunity offered to ordain them by the hands of proper authority. The whole process was conducted with much apparent solemnity and satisfaction. On Tuesday night, October 3d, the Trustees attended their regular monthly meeting, only one being absent, viz., Thomas Jenkins. All seemed calm and pleasant at this meeting. The building still progressed; the floor laid but the seats not fixed.