Bethel Literary and Historical Society facts for kids

The Bethel Literary and Historical Society was an important group founded in 1881. It was started by African Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Daniel Payne. This society was a big deal for African-American people in Washington, D.C. Most early members went to the Metropolitan AME Church, where meetings were held. However, it welcomed all Black Washingtonians. It quickly became the top place for debates and discussions about racial issues in Washington, D.C. For example, in 1881–82, people hotly debated whether schools for Black children should be separate. Later, in 1903, the ideas of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois were discussed. The society was also visited by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, a spiritual leader.

The society's meetings featured many different speakers. They shared their ideas on various topics.

Important Speakers and Topics

The Bethel Literary and Historical Society invited many famous people to speak. They talked about important issues of their time.

Key Voices and Their Messages

• Frederick Douglass spoke about "The Philosophy and History of Reform." This means he talked about how changes happen in society.
• Mary Ann Shadd shared stories about "Heroes of the Anti-Slavery Struggles." These were people who fought against slavery.
• Mary Church Terrell gave a talk called "A Glimpse of Europe." She shared her experiences from traveling.
• Belva Ann Lockwood discussed "Is Marriage a Failure?" This was a big question for people back then.
• John Mercer Langston spoke about "The Emancipated Races of Latin America." He talked about people who gained freedom in those countries.
• Kelly Miller gave a presentation on "Higher Education." This means learning beyond high school.
• Ida B. Wells talked about "Southern Outrages." She spoke about unfair and violent acts against Black people in the South.
• Archibald Grimké discussed "Modern Industrialism and the Negro in the United States." This covered how new industries affected Black people.

Leaders of the Society

Many people led the Bethel Literary and Historical Society over the years. Not all records are still around, but we know some of the presidents.

Presidents Who Guided the Society

• Robert J. Smith was the first president in 1885.
• Rev. James Dean took over after Smith.
• Joseph H. Douglass became president after Dean.
• John Wesley Cromwell followed Douglass.
• James Storum was the next president after Cromwell.
• George M. Arnold succeeded Storum.
• Mary Church Terrell became the first woman president in 1892. She took over from Arnold.
• J. K. Rector followed Terrell.
• R. S. Smith became president after Rector.
• A. E. Clark was president in 1895, just before Hershaw.
• Lafayette M. Hershaw was president in 1897.
• William H. Richards led the society in 1899.
• Frank Lewis Cardozo was president in 1901.
• Kelly Miller also served as president.
• George W Jackson was another president.
• Shelby J. Davidson was president in 1906.
• Marie A. D. Madra led the society in 1907.
• Louis George Gregory was president in 1909.
• Garnet C. Wilkinson was president in 1910.

The society was sometimes called the Bethel Historical and Literary Society or just Bethel Literary. There were also similar groups with the same name in other cities, like Philadelphia.