Page:A short account of the rise and progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.djvu/7

 basis as any Church in the United States of America. And supposing that this view will come in contact with the opinions of some who may differ on the subject of Episcopacy, I wish it to be distinctly understood that it is done without any bad feelings towards any of the brethren, or any of our sister Churches who are not connected with us, nor with any intention to exalt my opinion above others; but purposely to give my views upon Scripture testimonies and upon the writings of some of the best authors on the subject of Church Government, and I shall feel willing they should undergo an impartial investigation. This method will also show to all who may desire information on the subject of proper or authentic organization of Church Government, relative to Episcopacy, that we did not spring up like mushroons, (as some unfriendly persons would like to have it published and believed, to suit their own purposes,) but that we came in possession of that title by deliberate gradation, and have as good right as any other Episcopal Church, to be styled the "African Methodist Episcopal Church in America." In the prosecution of this work I shall naturally labour under many disadvantages, and therefore cannot promise