Latest news with #Cromack
Yomiuri Shimbun
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
A Volunteer Finds the Holy Grail of Abolitionist-Era Baptist Documents in Massachusetts
GROTON, Mass. (AP) — Jennifer Cromack was combing through the American Baptist archive when she uncovered a slim box among some 18th and 19th century journals. Opening it, she found a scroll in pristine condition. A closer look revealed the 5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long) document was a handwritten declaration titled 'A Resolution and Protest Against Slavery,' signed by 116 New England ministers in Boston and adopted March 2, 1847. Until its discovery in May at the archives in Groton, Massachusetts, American Baptist officials worried the anti-slavery document had been lost forever after fruitless searches at Harvard and Brown universities and other locations. A copy was last seen in a 1902 history book. 'I was just amazed and excited,' Cromack, a retired teacher who volunteers at the archive, said. 'We made a find that really says something to the people of the state and the people in the country. … It speaks of their commitment to keeping people safe and out of situations that they should not be in.' The document offers a glimpse into an emerging debate over slavery in the 19th century in the Northeast. The document was signed 14 years before the start of the Civil War as a growing number of religious leaders were starting to speak out against slavery. Split over slavery The document also shines a spotlight on a critical moment in the history of the Baptist church. It was signed two years after the issue of slavery prompted southern Baptists to split from northern Baptists and form the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination. The split in 1845 followed a ruling by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society prohibiting slave owners from becoming missionaries. The northern Baptists eventually became American Baptist Churches USA. 'It comes from such a critical era in American history, you know, right prior to the Civil War,' said the Rev. Mary Day Hamel, the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. 'It was a unique moment in history when Baptists in Massachusetts stepped up and took a strong position and stood for justice in the shaping of this country,' she said. 'That's become part of our heritage to this day, to be people who stand for justice, for American Baptists to embrace diversity.' A risky declaration Deborah Bingham Van Broekhoven, the executive director emerita of the American Baptist Historical Society, said many Americans at the time, especially in the North, were 'undecided' about slavery and weren't sure how to respond or were worried about speaking out. 'They thought it was a southern problem, and they had no business getting involved in what they saw as the state's rights,' Van Broekhoven said. 'Most Baptists, prior to this, would have refrained from this kind of protest. This is a very good example of them going out on a limb and trying to be diplomatic.' The document shows ministers had hoped 'some reformatory movement' led by those involved in slavery would make their action 'unnecessary,' but that they felt compelled to act after they 'witnessed with painful surprise, a growing disposition to justify, extend and perpetuate their iniquitous system.' 'Under these circumstances we can no longer be silent,' the document states. 'We owe something to the oppressed as well as to the oppressor, and justice demands the fulfillment of that obligation. Truth and Humanity and Public Virtue, have claims upon us which we cannot dishonor.' The document explains why the ministers 'disapprove and abhor the system of American slavery.' 'With such a system we can have no sympathy,' the document states. 'After a careful observation of its character and effects and making every deduction with the largest charity can require, we are constrained to regard it as an outrage upon the rights and happiness of our fellow men, for which there is no valid justification or apology.' Who signed the document? The Rev. Diane Badger, the administrator of the American Baptist Church of Massachusetts who oversees the archive, teamed up with the Rev. John Odams of the First Baptist Church in Boston to identify what she called the 'Holy Grail' of abolitionist-era Baptist documents. Her great-grandfather was an American Baptist minister. Since its discovery, Badger has put all the ministers' names on a spreadsheet along with the names of the churches where they served. Among them was Nathaniel Colver, of Tremont Temple in Boston, one of the first integrated churches in the country, now known as Tremont Temple Baptist Church. Another was Baron Stow, who belonged to the state's anti-slavery society. Badger also is working to estimate the value of the document, which is intact with no stains or damage, and is making plans to ensure it is protected. A digital copy could eventually be shared with some of Massachusetts' 230 American Baptist churches. 'It's been kind of an interesting journey and it's one that's still unfolding,' Badger said. 'The questions that always come to me, OK, I know who signed it but who didn't? I can go through my list, through my database and find who was working where on that and why didn't they sign that. So it's been very interesting to do the research.' The Rev. Kenneth Young — whose predominantly Black Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, was created by freed Blacks in 1871 — called the discovery inspiring. 'I thought it was awesome that we had over hundred signers to this, that they would project that freedom for our people is just,' Young said. 'It follows through on the line of the abolitionist movement and fighting for those who may not have had the strength to fight for themselves against a system of racism.'
Los Angeles Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
A volunteer finds the Holy Grail of abolitionist-era Baptist documents in Massachusetts
GROTON, Mass. — Jennifer Cromack was combing through the American Baptist archive when she uncovered a slim box among some 18th and 19th century journals. Opening it, she found a scroll in pristine condition. A closer look revealed the 5-foot-long document was a handwritten declaration titled 'A Resolution and Protest Against Slavery,' signed by 116 New England ministers in Boston and adopted March 2, 1847. Until its discovery in May at the archives in Groton, Mass., American Baptist officials worried the anti-slavery document had been lost forever after fruitless searches at Harvard and Brown universities and other locations. A copy was last seen in a 1902 history book. 'I was just amazed and excited,' Cromack, a retired teacher who volunteers at the archive, said. 'We made a find that really says something to the people of the state and the people in the country. ... It speaks of their commitment to keeping people safe and out of situations that they should not be in.' The document offers a glimpse into an emerging debate over slavery in the 18th century in the Northeast. The document was signed 14 years before the start of the Civil War as a growing number of religious leaders were starting to speak out against slavery. The document also shines a spotlight on a crucial moment in the history of the Baptist church. It was signed two years after the issue of slavery prompted Southern Baptists to split from Northern Baptists and form the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination. The split in 1845 followed a ruling by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society prohibiting slave owners from becoming missionaries. The Northern Baptists eventually became American Baptist Churches USA. 'It comes from such a critical era in American history, you know, right prior to the Civil War,' said the Rev. Mary Day Hamel, the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. 'It was a unique moment in history when Baptists in Massachusetts stepped up and took a strong position and stood for justice in the shaping of this country,' she said. 'That's become part of our heritage to this day, to be people who stand for justice, for American Baptists to embrace diversity.' Deborah Bingham Van Broekhoven, the executive director emerita of the American Baptist Historical Society, said many Americans at the time, especially in the North, were 'undecided' about slavery and weren't sure how to respond or were worried about speaking out. 'They thought it was a Southern problem, and they had no business getting involved in what they saw as the states' rights,' Van Broekhoven said. 'Most Baptists, prior to this, would have refrained from this kind of protest. This is a very good example of them going out on a limb and trying to be diplomatic.' The document shows ministers had hoped 'some reformatory movement' led by those involved in slavery would make their action 'unnecessary,' but that they felt compelled to act after they 'witnessed with painful surprise, a growing disposition to justify, extend and perpetuate their iniquitous system.' 'Under these circumstances we can no longer be silent,' the document states. 'We owe something to the oppressed as well as to the oppressor, and justice demands the fulfillment of that obligation. Truth and Humanity and Public Virtue, have claims upon us which we cannot dishonor.' The document explains why the ministers 'disapprove and abhor the system of American slavery.' 'With such a system we can have no sympathy,' the document states. 'After a careful observation of its character and effects and making every deduction with the largest charity can require, we are constrained to regard it as an outrage upon the rights and happiness of our fellow men, for which there is no valid justification or apology.' The Rev. Diane Badger, the administrator of the American Baptist Church of Massachusetts who oversees the archive, teamed up with the Rev. John Odams of the First Baptist Church in Boston to identify what she called the 'Holy Grail' of abolitionist-era Baptist documents. Her great-grandfather was an American Baptist minister. Since its discovery, Badger has put all the ministers' names on a spreadsheet along with the names of the churches where they served. Among them was Nathaniel Colver, of Tremont Temple in Boston, one of the first integrated churches in the country, now known as Tremont Temple Baptist Church. Another was Baron Stow, who belonged to the state's anti-slavery society. Badger also is working to estimate the value of the document, which is intact with no stains or damage, and is making plans to ensure it is protected. A digital copy could eventually be shared with some of Massachusetts' 230 American Baptist churches. 'It's been kind of an interesting journey and it's one that's still unfolding,' Badger said. 'The questions that always come to me, OK, I know who signed it but who didn't? I can go through my list, through my database and find who was working where on that and why didn't they sign that. So it's been very interesting to do the research.' The Rev. Kenneth Young — whose predominantly Black Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Mass., was created by freed Blacks in 1871 — called the discovery inspiring. 'I thought it was awesome that we had over a hundred signers to this, that they would project that freedom for our people is just,' Young said. 'It follows through on the line of the abolitionist movement and fighting for those who may not have had the strength to fight for themselves against a system of racism.' Casey writes for the Associated Press.
03-07-2025
- Politics
Anti-slavery document from 1847 reveals American Baptists' commitment to abolition
GROTON, Mass. -- Jennifer Cromack was combing through the American Baptist archive when she uncovered a slim box among some 18th and 19th century journals. Opening it, she found a scroll in pristine condition. A closer look revealed the 5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long) document was a handwritten declaration titled 'A Resolution and Protest Against Slavery," signed by 116 New England ministers in Boston and adopted March 2, 1847. Until its discovery in May at the archives in Groton, Massachusetts, American Baptist officials worried the anti-slavery document had been lost forever after fruitless searches at Harvard and Brown universities and other locations. A copy was last seen in a 1902 history book. 'I was just amazed and excited,' Cromack, a retired teacher who volunteers at the archive, said. 'We made a find that really says something to the people of the state and the people in the country. ... It speaks of their commitment to keeping people safe and out of situations that they should not be in." The document offers a glimpse into an emerging debate over slavery in the 18th century in the Northeast. The document was signed 14 years before the start of the Civil War as a growing number of religious leaders were starting to speak out against slavery. The document also shines a spotlight on a critical moment in the history of the Baptist church. It was signed two years after the issue of slavery prompted southern Baptists to split from northern Baptists and form the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination. The split in 1845 followed a ruling by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society prohibiting slave owners from becoming missionaries. The northern Baptists eventually became American Baptist Churches USA. 'It comes from such a critical era in American history, you know, right prior to the Civil War,' said Rev. Mary Day Hamel, the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. 'It was a unique moment in history when Baptists in Massachusetts stepped up and took a strong position and stood for justice in the shaping of this country,' she said. 'That's become part of our heritage to this day, to be people who stand for justice, for American Baptists to embrace diversity.' Deborah Bingham Van Broekhoven, the executive director emerita of the American Baptist Historical Society, said many Americans at the time, especially in the North, were 'undecided' about slavery and weren't sure how to respond or were worried about speaking out. 'They thought it was a southern problem, and they had no business getting involved in what they saw as the state's rights,' Van Broekhoven said. 'Most Baptists, prior to this, would have refrained from this kind of protest. This is a very good example of them going out on a limb and trying to be diplomatic.' The document shows ministers had hoped 'some reformatory movement' led by those involved in slavery would make their action 'unnecessary,' but that they felt compelled to act after they 'witnessed with painful surprise, a growing disposition to justify, extend and perpetuate their iniquitous system.' 'Under these circumstances we can no longer be silent,' the document states. 'We owe something to the oppressed as well as to the oppressor, and justice demands the fulfillment of that obligation. Truth and Humanity and Public Virtue, have claims upon us which we cannot dishonor.' The document explains why the ministers 'disapprove and abhor the system of American slavery.' 'With such a system we can have no sympathy,' the document states. 'After a careful observation of its character and effects and making every deduction with the largest charity can require, we are constrained to regard it as an outrage upon the rights and happiness of our fellow men, for which there is no valid justification or apology.' Rev. Diane Badger, the administrator of the American Baptist Church of Massachusetts who oversees the archive, teamed up with Rev. John Odams of the First Baptist Church in Boston to identify what she called the 'Holy Grail' of abolitionist-era Baptist documents. Her great-grandfather was an American Baptist minister. Since its discovery, Badger has put all the ministers' names on a spreadsheet along with the names of the churches where they served. Among them was Nathaniel Colver, of Tremont Temple in Boston, one of the first integrated churches in the country, now known as Tremont Temple Baptist Church. Another was Baron Stow, who belonged to the state's anti-slavery society. Badger also is working to estimate the value of the document, which is intact with no stains or damage, and is making plans to ensure it is protected. A digital copy could eventually be shared with some of Massachusetts' 230 American Baptist churches. 'It's been kind of an interesting journey and it's one that's still unfolding,' Badger said. 'The questions that always come to me, OK, I know who signed it but who didn't? I can go through my list, through my database and find who was working where on that and why didn't they sign that. So it's been very interesting to do the research.' Rev. Kenneth Young — whose predominantly Black Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, was created by freed Blacks in 1871 — called the discovery inspiring. 'I thought it was awesome that we had over hundred signers to this, that they would project that freedom for our people is just,' Young said. 'It follows through on the line of the abolitionist movement and fighting for those who may not have had the strength to fight for themselves against a system of racism.'
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Anti-slavery document from 1847 reveals American Baptists' commitment to abolition
GROTON, Mass. (AP) — Jennifer Cromack was combing through the American Baptist archive when she uncovered a slim box among some 18th and 19th century journals. Opening it, she found a scroll in pristine condition. A closer look revealed the 5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long) document was a handwritten declaration titled 'A Resolution and Protest Against Slavery,' signed by 116 New England ministers in Boston and adopted March 2, 1847. Until its discovery in May at the archives in Groton, Massachusetts, American Baptist officials worried the anti-slavery document had been lost forever after fruitless searches at Harvard and Brown universities and other locations. A copy was last seen in a 1902 history book. 'I was just amazed and excited,' Cromack, a retired teacher who volunteers at the archive, said. 'We made a find that really says something to the people of the state and the people in the country. … It speaks of their commitment to keeping people safe and out of situations that they should not be in.' The document offers a glimpse into an emerging debate over slavery in the 18th century in the Northeast. The document was signed 14 years before the start of the Civil War as a growing number of religious leaders were starting to speak out against slavery. Split over slavery The document also shines a spotlight on a critical moment in the history of the Baptist church. It was signed two years after the issue of slavery prompted southern Baptists to split from northern Baptists and form the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination. The split in 1845 followed a ruling by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society prohibiting slave owners from becoming missionaries. The northern Baptists eventually became American Baptist Churches USA. 'It comes from such a critical era in American history, you know, right prior to the Civil War,' said Rev. Mary Day Hamel, the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. 'It was a unique moment in history when Baptists in Massachusetts stepped up and took a strong position and stood for justice in the shaping of this country,' she said. 'That's become part of our heritage to this day, to be people who stand for justice, for American Baptists to embrace diversity.' A risky declaration Deborah Bingham Van Broekhoven, the executive director emerita of the American Baptist Historical Society, said many Americans at the time, especially in the North, were 'undecided' about slavery and weren't sure how to respond or were worried about speaking out. 'They thought it was a southern problem, and they had no business getting involved in what they saw as the state's rights,' Van Broekhoven said. 'Most Baptists, prior to this, would have refrained from this kind of protest. This is a very good example of them going out on a limb and trying to be diplomatic.' The document shows ministers had hoped 'some reformatory movement' led by those involved in slavery would make their action 'unnecessary,' but that they felt compelled to act after they 'witnessed with painful surprise, a growing disposition to justify, extend and perpetuate their iniquitous system.' 'Under these circumstances we can no longer be silent,' the document states. 'We owe something to the oppressed as well as to the oppressor, and justice demands the fulfillment of that obligation. Truth and Humanity and Public Virtue, have claims upon us which we cannot dishonor.' The document explains why the ministers 'disapprove and abhor the system of American slavery.' 'With such a system we can have no sympathy,' the document states. 'After a careful observation of its character and effects and making every deduction with the largest charity can require, we are constrained to regard it as an outrage upon the rights and happiness of our fellow men, for which there is no valid justification or apology.' Who signed the document? Rev. Diane Badger, the administrator of the American Baptist Church of Massachusetts who oversees the archive, teamed up with Rev. John Odams of the First Baptist Church in Boston to identify what she called the 'Holy Grail' of abolitionist-era Baptist documents. Her great-grandfather was an American Baptist minister. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. Since its discovery, Badger has put all the ministers' names on a spreadsheet along with the names of the churches where they served. Among them was Nathaniel Colver, of Tremont Temple in Boston, one of the first integrated churches in the country, now known as Tremont Temple Baptist Church. Another was Baron Stow, who belonged to the state's anti-slavery society. Badger also is working to estimate the value of the document, which is intact with no stains or damage, and is making plans to ensure it is protected. A digital copy could eventually be shared with some of Massachusetts' 230 American Baptist churches. 'It's been kind of an interesting journey and it's one that's still unfolding,' Badger said. 'The questions that always come to me, OK, I know who signed it but who didn't? I can go through my list, through my database and find who was working where on that and why didn't they sign that. So it's been very interesting to do the research.' Rev. Kenneth Young — whose predominantly Black Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, was created by freed Blacks in 1871 — called the discovery inspiring. 'I thought it was awesome that we had over hundred signers to this, that they would project that freedom for our people is just,' Young said. 'It follows through on the line of the abolitionist movement and fighting for those who may not have had the strength to fight for themselves against a system of racism.'
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
What do you do when your band is invited to open for Oasis? Grab a pint, of course
There's only one thing to do when you find out you're opening for the legendary British band Oasis – head to the pub to celebrate. That's precisely what Sam Cromack, frontman of Brisbane-based indie-rock band Ball Park Music, says they did when they received the call inviting them to join Noel and Liam Gallagher on tour in Australia later this year. 'We've come to not expect these kinds of massive, mind-blowing opportunities,' says Cromack. 'At first, they just say you're in the mix with a bunch of other bands, and in the past, we've known that's not good. We never come out on top. So it was truly a euphoric moment when we got the call to say the contract is signed, it's real, it's going ahead.' Opening for Oasis is undeniably the biggest opportunity they've received since forming in 2008, says guitarist Dean Hanson. 'We've played live so much over so many years in so many different places, so getting up in front of tens of thousands of people will be great. It feels like we've been practising for over a decade.' It's hardly overnight success. They have released eight studio albums, six of which have featured in the ARIA top five. Earlier this month their new album, Like Love, became their first ARIA Albums Chart No.1 when it debuted in the top spot, also becoming the first Australian No.1 this year. They've done more than 500 live shows, including at SXSW in Texas, and will set out on a Like Love national tour in May. But supporting Oasis is next-level – Ball Park Music will be playing huge stadiums (Marvel in Melbourne and Accor in Sydney). If these spaces are even a third or half full by the time the band begins playing, Cromack says it will still be their largest audience by far. As nerve-racking as this may sound, he says the stage, regardless of its size, will always be a safe space.
