This certifies that [blank] having paid to the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church the sum of twenty dollars, is hereby constituted a member during life conformably to teh seventh article of the constitution. New York, [blank]. [Blank] chairman. [Blank] clerk
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Description
Life membership certificate containing a vignette contrasting scenes of apocalyptic doom and religious salvation. From the celestial heavens, the hand of God points to an angel trumpeting salvation and wielding the Bible; a missionary preaches to a large group of Native Americans; and a converted black African family kneels and reaches toward the winged messenger of God. Opposite the scenes of salvation, a cross rises from the ground, bringing forth a river of redemption too late for the lost souls of a bejeweled heathen woman and a skull-headed man entangled by serpents. Behind them a temple, probably the Vatican, collapses to the ground. The Missionary Society, officially organized in New York in 1820, worked first to convert Native Americans and slaves before extending their missions to the black inhabitants of Liberia in 1823.; Issued to Reverend Thomas Lumption on April 9th, 1844. Signed by Joshua Soule, Chairman, and Francis Hale, Clerk.
Record Contributed By
The Library Company of Philadelphia
Record Harvested From
PA Digital