To be requested to write an introduction to a book implies some
acquaintance with, confidence in, and respect for, the writer thereof,
on the part of the author of the book. Some authors solicit such a
service because of the prominent position of the writer, rather than
the thorough acquaintance which he has with the author. This may
bring an added value to the book and some of the glow of honor to the
author. But in this case, we are sure that the author of this book in
no way sought such distinction or compliment; for like himself, the
writer of this introduction, has come out of the same circumstances and
conditions, and by the grace of God and his common sense, is what he
is. Dr. Newton has selected a lifelong friend, a comrade in the toils
and trials of this world, a co-worker in the great and common cause
of humanity, and a brother-minister in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to
present him and his autobiography to the public. We were boys together,
and he was a schoolmate of my brothers, J. B. K. and Jos. Sampson,
being taught by John Steward Stanley, and from that time to this good
day, we have known each other as brothers.
Dr. Newton’s life has been, what we call a success, neither rich nor
poor, but of easy circumstances. This is to his credit, for a man of
our race to be on the middle ground between riches and poverty, proves
that Dr. Newton has been a great economist in the things of value, such
as money, time, ability and opportunity. He has wasted but little and
husbanded what he had. We are often tempted to make wealth the basis
of our greatness, but Dr. Newton has sought a much grander foundation,
that of serving his fellowman. He is, therefore, ending his life
career, not in sullen disappointment and poverty, not in the gloated
greed of one dying rich, but with the conviction that he has done his
work well and fought a good fight and that there remains for him an
inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away. The
doctor has grown old gracefully. He is active in his labors, cheerful
in his disposition, buoyant in his hopes, and confident in his faith.
He is more than three score and ten young, not old; and he looks with
the eye of a conqueror toward the glowing sunset of his life battles.
Every day that he lives adds new joys to his hopes of a glorious
immortality beyond the vale of tears.
This autobiography is the outgrowth of Dr. Newton’s carefully kept
diary. It is the fruit of this life tree of his doings. Therefore,
it is very valuable as the real unfoldment of a real life of
constant action, habit and conduct. It is the practical realization
of the ideals of the author--this indeed, makes it a real and true
monument of his life. Some of these ideals made real, are a true and
genuine charity; devotion to duty; a high sense of morality; a love
of humanity; a loyalty to government; a hatred of sin and evil; a
diligence in business; a faithful husband, father and friend. Like
Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, he was too great to be little, and too
humble to be great. He always seemed to be less than he was, the
fulfilment was greater than his promises, the work greater than the
plan. He was always the champion of the down trodden and the oppressed.
He was ready to enter their cause with an army and to die with others
for their welfare, or to go alone to his death. In all issues of right
against wrong, Dr. Newton has been a Daniel.
After his war career, in 1872, Dr. Newton entered the ministry of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has labored most
faithfully to the present time. He has been a most successful preacher
of the Gospel of Christ, and great builder of churches, in their
membership and edifices. The Church never had a better Presiding Elder,
beloved by all the pastors of fine executive ability and sympathetic
and wise in his advice. He has had a remarkable success during the
forty years of his ministerial life.
Before the war, Dr. Newton was a member of the Abolition Movement and
did some daring deeds in liberating slaves. From that time on, he has
been the faithful friend of the race, seeking in every possible way, to
uplift them. He has ever been the staunch advocate of higher education
for the masses and especially of the ministry. During the war, as his
record herein shows, he was a daring soldier, doing what he could on
the battlefield to liberate his race.
He was the trusted adviser of all his Bishops, Past Masters of
Thirty-third Degree Masons, Supreme Prelate of the Supreme Lodge of
the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia,
Africa and Australia; Commissary Sergeant in the Civil War; in all
these functions of service, he proved himself a worthy officer and
servant.
Like Booker T. Washington, he has come up out of great struggles
and trials and has made himself strong thereby. He educated all his
children in the schools and colleges of our country; bought his
own home and was successful in business lines, and last but by no
means least, at the age of 70 years, entered the Bible College of
Philadelphia and completed the regular course in that institution,
mastering New Testament Greek, Hebrew, Mental Philosophy, and the
regular studies of the course. In 1909 he was honored with the degree
of Doctor of Divinity from the same institution, a most befitting honor
for such a man and such a life.
“Out of the Briars” ought to be a great inspiration to our young
people, a real monument to this great man and great life, and a legacy
of value to the race. Dr. Newton is an uncrowned Bishop, yet a real
Bishop. He has been my faithful and consistent friend through all
the ups and downs of my life. In poverty, adversity, in the times of
need, he has been the friend, indeed. Whether as chaplain of a State
Legislature or the humble pastor of a small church, he has been the
same great man of God.
This book will be an ornament to every library as well as a most
valuable acquisition thereto. “May his tribe increase,” is my prayer,
and may our people follow this heroic and noble leader, to whom he has
given his life of faithful, constant and unstinted service.
J.P. SAMPSON, D.D.,
P. E. Boston District, Asbury Park, N. J.
May 15, 1910.