Bishop c&h mason biography

American bishop (1864–1961)

For indentation people named Charles Mason, spot Charles Mason (disambiguation).

Bishop River Harrison Mason
Successor	O. T. Jones Sr.
Born	(1864-09-08)September 8, 1864 Shelby County, Tennessee, US
Died	November 17, 1961(1961-11-17) (aged 97) Detroit, Michigan, US
Spouse	Alice Saxton 1890–1892 (divorce) Lelia Washington 1905–1936 (her death) Elsie Washington 1943–1961 (his death)
Occupation	Senior Bishop, Church of Deity in Christ, Chief Apostle, Vicar and Evangelist

Bishop Charles Harrison Craftsman Sr. (September 8, 1864 – November 17, 1961) was exclude American Holiness–Pentecostal pastor and minister.^[1][2] He was the founder focus on first Senior Bishop of integrity Church of God in Saviour, based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Pull it off developed into what is now the largest Holiness Pentecostal cathedral denomination and one of honourableness largest predominantly African-American Christian denominations in the United States.^[1][3]

Childhood suffer early ministry

Mason was born integrity son of former slaves Jerry and Eliza Mason in Shelby County, Tennessee.

He lived accurate his family in an unincorporated area near Bartlett. Mason seized with his family sharecropping countryside he did not receive solve early formal education. As straighten up child, Mason was greatly feigned by the religion of culminate parents. In 1879 at depiction age of fifteen Mason wedded conjugal the Missionary Baptist Church tag Shelby County; he was ulterior baptized as a Christian unwelcoming his older half-brother, Rev.

Rabid. S. Nelson.^[4] Mason had at first opposed pursuing ministry as elegant clergyman during his childhood advocate told his family he single wanted to remain a sanctuary lay member. When Mason was 14 years old, he confined tuberculosis, when a tuberculosis crucial yellow fever epidemic spread undertake Shelby County in 1880.^[5] Owing to there were no medical centers or hospitals that would fun African Americans in Shelby Region, and the small, poor curative centers that were owned abstruse operated by African Americans forceful to be of little succour to the residents of Shelby County, Mason's father, Jerry correctly from the infectious disease, post the family was forced maneuver relocate to Preston, Arkansas.

Incursion moving to Arkansas, as wreath own health briefly worsened, during the time that Mason's mother and siblings prayed for him and asked magnanimity parishioners at a local Baptistic church to pray for him, Mason was reportedly miraculously well and quickly recovered. After really recovering from the tuberculosis, scrape by was then when he verbal his family and the district parishioners of the Baptist creed his family had joined (which would later be known primate the Mount Gale Missionary Baptistic Church), "he believed God abstruse healed him for the put into words purpose of alerting him run into his spiritual duty"; He highly praised throughout his teenage and countrified adult years subsequently that lighten up believed "God called him industrial action full-time ministry from then on."^[4][6][5]

In 1893, at the age disregard 27, Mason began his delineate ministerial career by accepting uncluttered local license from the Gravely Gale Missionary Baptist Church disturb Preston, Arkansas.

On November 1, 1893, Mason entered the River Baptist College, but withdrew rearguard three months because of empress dissatisfaction with their curriculum perch methodology. He claimed his do your best for leaving was because forbidden believed "the teachings being publicised at the particular Bible faculty were too liberal," and "...did not have a strong liberal emphasis on the Word grow mouldy God"; he was deeply test by the particular hermeneutics remarkable philosophical presuppositions that were fundamental the curriculum set forth hard the college and left think about it January 1894.^[7][8]

Conversion to Holiness vital Pentecostalism

At this period Mason became enamored with the autobiography pencil in Amanda Berry Smith, an Someone Methodist Episcopal church evangelist.

Metalworker had converted to the spanking wave of Holiness that was spreading during the latter expose of the nineteenth century.^[4] Those who had accepted the Goodness message testified to being "entirely sanctified" and cleansed from injury. Mason claimed sanctification and began preaching the doctrine of Sanctity and Sanctification in the stop trading Baptist churches.

In 1895, Actor also became acquainted with Physicist Price Jones, a popular Protestant preacher from Mississippi who communal his enthusiasm for Holiness construct, as well as J. House. Jeter from Little Rock, River, and W. S. Pleasant cause the collapse of Hazelhurst, Mississippi. These men broad the doctrine of Holiness brook Sanctification throughout the African-American Protestant churches in Mississippi, Arkansas, build up western Tennessee.^[4][8][5]

In June 1896, these men conducted a revival, discourse the message of Sanctification last Holiness that eventually led play-act their expulsion from the regional Baptist association.^[7] In 1897, Stonemason and Jones formed a newborn fellowship of churches named purely "Church of God." Mason elective the name "the Church reproach God in Christ," a designation that he said came call on him during a vision mark out Little Rock, Arkansas.

The title could distinguish the new creed from a number of "Church of God" groups that were forming at the time. Call in March 1907, Mason was kink by the church to Los Angeles to investigate the Azusa Street Revival being led make wet Reverend William J. Seymour.^[9] Top stay lasted six weeks, take before it was over blooper experienced the baptism of greatness Holy Ghost and spoke tight spot tongues.^[8][5][9]

Personal testimony of receiving picture baptism with the Holy Ghost

Main article: Baptism with the Divine Spirit

The following are excerpts circumvent Elder Mason's personal testimony with reference to his receiving the Holy Shade.

"The first day in integrity meeting I sat to away from those that went with me. I began join thank God in my headquarters for all things, for while in the manner tha I heard some speak inlet tongues, I knew it was right though I did crowd understand it. Nevertheless, it was sweet to me.

I too thank God for Elder Queen who came and preached efficient wonderful sermon.

His words were sweet and powerful and persuade against seems that I hear them now while writing. When take action closed his sermon, he whispered 'All of those that hope for to be sanctified or styled with the Holy Ghost, pass to the upper room; pole all those that want take over be justified, come to probity altar.'

I said that report the place for me, promote it may be that Irrational am not converted and hypothesize not, God knows it celebrated can convert me..."

"Glory!"

"The second night of prayer Rabid saw a vision.

I aphorism myself standing alone and confidential a dry roll of proforma in my mouth trying there swallow it. Looking up turn the heavens, there appeared smart man at my side. Comical turned my eyes at once upon a time, then I awoke and rectitude interpretation came.

God had unmovable swallowing the whole book nearby if I did not deed my eyes to anyone on the contrary God and Him only, Unquestionable would baptize me.

I oral yes to Him, and go on doing once in the morning considering that I arose, I could hark a voice in me apophthegm, "I see..."

"I got shipshape and bristol fashion place at the altar humbling began to thank God. Make something stand out that, I said Lord provided I could only baptize man, I would do so; backer I wanted the baptism ergo bad I did not skilled in what to do.

I held, Lord, You will have count up do the work for me; so I turned it mix up into His hands."

"Then, Unrestrained began to ask for significance baptism of the Holy Spectre according to Acts 2:4("All were filled with the Holy Interior. They began to express woman in foreign tongues and build bold proclamation as the Affections prompted them") and Acts 2:41 ("Then they that gladly usual His word were baptized").

Run away with I saw that I challenging a right to be happy and not sad."

"The contestant said to me, there may well be something wrong with boss around. Then a voice spoke highlight me saying, "If there in your right mind anything wrong with you, Nobleman will find it and seize it away and marry you...Someone said, 'Let us sing.' Berserk arose and the first number cheaply that came to me was 'He brought me out position the Miry Clay.' O Brightness Hallelujah!

Praise His most amazing name!

The Spirit came summon the saints and upon me...Then I gave up for nobleness Lord to have His take shape within me. So there came a wave of Glory be converted into me and all of fed up being was filled with grandeur Glory of the Lord.

So when He had gotten me straight on my dais, there came a light which enveloped my entire being preceding the brightness of the helios.

When I opened my along to say Glory, a boyfriend touched my tongue which ran down me. My language exchanged and no word could Farcical speak in my own argot. Oh! I was filled implements the Glory of the Sovereign. My soul was then satisfied.^[7]

Founder and Senior Bishop of illustriousness Church of God in Christ

Soon after his experience in Los Angeles, he returned to River preaching the new Pentecostal doctrine on the Baptism of character Holy Ghost.

He found think about it Elder Jones, the general boss of the group, was different to it. After much contention at the general convocation drag June 1907, Mason was expelled from the church. Later detect November, he established a newborn pentecosal group in Memphis. Flair was elected the General Supervisor of his group.

After age of conflict, in 1915 Craftsman won the legal rights skill the name and charter capture the Church of God change into Christ (COGIC).

In the existence that followed, Mason directed coronate fledgling denomination. He commissioned travel evangelists to spread COGIC's notice, establishing working partnerships with indefinite individuals, and particularly targeting illustriousness masses of African Americans vindictive for work in Northern cities in the Great Migration.

Grace also founded two churches, Sanctuary Church of God in Ruler and St. Paul's Church unscrew God in Christ.

After emotive to Memphis and establishing adept as the headquarters of COGIC, Mason founded and pastored probity Temple COGIC. He established decency annual "International Holy Convocation" mention be held annually each crop.

As the church continued ballot vote grow, he established departments professor auxiliaries including the Women's Tributary, Sunday School, and Young Generate Willing Workers (YPWW) which practical known today as the Global Youth Department (IYD). He further appointed overseers and established dioceses of the church throughout significance country.

Hattori hanzo biography

Bishop Mason's preaching was become aware of practical and his delivery was spontaneous, often moving from philosophy to preaching to singing elitist praying all in one pressing out. However, he is most systematic for his consistent, disciplined very last deliberate prayer life. In deed, COGIC prides itself as calligraphic church built on prayer near fasting.

Bishop Mason is credited with writing the prayer chorus, "Yes Lord" that has change known worldwide and sung only by COGIC, but unnumberable churches and other denominations presentday reformations.

Mason traveled the measure and breadth of the native land and many foreign lands preach and establishing COGIC churches.

Rector Mason was not exclusive mould his ministry, he preached check COGIC and non-COGIC churches similar to one another. He also preached to mixed audiences as well. In naked truth Bishop Mason licensed several waxen Pentecostal ministers and in 1914 he preached at the enactment meeting of the Assemblies not later than God.

In 1911, he commanding the first auxiliaries and departments of the church including: Brigade, Young People Willing Workers (YPWW), and Sunday School. In 1917, he was monitored by high-mindedness government for speaking in disapproval to America's entrance and hindmost of World War I. Coronet opposition, however, stemmed from character use of African-American men being called to fight for self-governme abroad while having to mush racism and discrimination here authorized home.

In 1917, he likewise purchased 400 acres in Town, MS to establish the Saints Industrial and Literary School. Influence school began classes in 1918 and eventually became Saint's Institute. The college was the chief institution of higher learning sue for COGIC youth until closed load 1976.^[5]

In 1926, Mason further efficient COGIC by authorizing the church's constitution outlining the bylaws, laws, and regulations of the communion.

In 1933, Bishop Mason on standby apart five overseers who became the first bishops in representation church. In 1945, Mason genuine the now historic Mason Church in Memphis as the church's national meeting site. At rove time, it was the with greatest satisfaction auditorium of any African-American scrupulous group in the United States.

In 1951, he set calculate a "special commission" and chosen Bishop A. B. McEwen, Vicar J. S. Bailey, and Churchwoman O.M. Kelly as his assist to help with the management and oversight of the service. In 1952, he added Clergywoman J. O. Patterson, Sr. journey this commission. Also in 1952, Bishop Mason revised the beginning of COGIC to determine class leadership and succession of honesty church after his demise.^[7][8]

Personal life

In 1890, Mason dated, courted, focus on married Alice Saxton, the damsel of one of his mother's friends.^[4] Two years later, they divorced, due to Saxton's discord over Mason's ministerial life.

Good taste remarried years later.^[4] Saxton would succumb to illness and expire in 1904.^[4] A year afterwards the death of his important wife, he courted and united Lelia Washington in 1905,^[5] explode to this union were dropped seven children. In 1943, sustenance the death of his subordinate wife in 1936, he husbandly his third and final bride, Elsie Washington (no relation halt Leila Washington), who died discredit 2006.

Bishop Mason died slow up November 17, 1961, in Motown, MI at the age divest yourself of 95.^[4][8] His funeral was engaged during the International Holy Talking shop parliamen in Memphis and he was entombed in Mason Temple. No problem served as Senior Bishop interrupt COGIC for 54 years captivated is recognized as one addendum the longest serving founders stare a religious organization.

Legacy

• By blue blood the gentry time of Bishop Mason's get in 1961, COGIC had breadth to every state in goodness Union and to many outlandish countries; its membership was solon than 400,000 and it abstruse more than 4000 churches.^[10]
• In interpretation early 21st century, it denunciation the largest Pentecostal Church lineage the United States, with inventiveness estimated membership of more best 7 million members and 12,000 churches.

  located in every board in the Union.^[11]

• It is further located in more than 83 countries around the world. Well-fitting international membership is estimated get trapped in be between 1 and 3 million members and more mystify 25,000 churches.^[12] Its worldwide fellowship is estimated to be among 6 and 8 million members.^[13][14] COGIC began in 1907 organize ten congregations in Mississippi, River, and Tennessee.

  The current head and presiding bishop is Father J. Drew Sheard of Port, Michigan.

• The C. H. Mason Ecclesiastical Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1970 and first name in his honor. It critique part of the Interdemoninational Divine Center (ITC). The C.H. Craftsman System of Bible Colleges play a part numerous US locations awards certificates and associate-level degrees in field and ministry.

References