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Citizens of Brotherly Love

The new book by Dr. Craig Jurgensen, examines the relationship between one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Rush and Absalom Jones, the first African American Episcopal priest. This book focuses on their time together in Philadelphia during the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 and how these two men worked beyond the racial divide of that time to heal the city.

Available October 20, 2018
See Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Date Location Event
October 20, 2018 Carlisle, PA Bosler Memorial Library – Celebrate the Book Festival. An all-day event at the Bosler Library
October 20, 2018 Williamsport, PA Benjamin Rush presentation @ Episcopal Diocesan Convention, Scottish Rite Temple at 10am
October 22, 2018 Carlisle, PA Bosler Memorial Library – Celebrate the Book Festival. Local Author presentation by ‘Benjamin Rush’ at 10:30.
October 23, 2018 Mechanicsburg, PA Benjamin Rush – Father of American Medicine. Pathways Institute. Messiah Lifeways, 2 pm.
October 30, 2018 Carlisle, PA Benjamin Rush – Father of American Medicine. Pathways Institute. Messiah Lifeways, 2 pm.
December 8, 2018 York, PA Benjamin Rush – Physician, Patriot. Sons of the American Revolution. York Country Club, 12 noon.
January 2, 2019 Carlisle, PA Benjamin Rush – Address to Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) in the Surtoma Building, 9 am


Table of Contents

~ Part One ~

A Tale of Two Cities

  • London in 1665 (baptism by pestilence and fire)
  • William Penn: Quaker Friends helping neighbors
  • Philadelphia in 1793 (baptism by pestilence and fire)
  • William Penn – ‘Name the city’
  • Philadelphia – philos (friend) + adelphos (brotherhood)
  • Benjamin Rush: Public Health Doctor

~ Part Two ~

'The Promised Land'

  • Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences (Samuel Jennings)
  • Absalom Jones – freed > employed > bought land > built a church

    • ~ Part Three ~

    Pestilence and Fire

    • The Plague of 1663 in London (William Penn)
    • The Plague of 1793 in Philadelphia (Jones/Rush)
    • Mass migration – from the South and St. Dominique Island
    • Public Health – Water Management, Sanitation
    • Safe Buildings, Urban Planning
    • Medicine in the Revolutionary Period

    ~ Part Four ~

    'And to the Republic'

    • Republicanism – Civic Virtue for the Common Good
    • Narrative of the Proceedings of the Black People

    ~ Part Five ~

    Abolition

    • Abolition in Pennsylvania – Anthony Benezet; Quakers
    • Pennsylvania Abolition Society – Benjamin Rush in 1784
    • Abolition Societies in the United States of America

    ~ Part Six ~

    No More Strangers, but Fellow Citizens

    • Ephesians 2:19
    • The Quakers – “You are welcome!”
    • St. George’s Methodist – “You’re NOT welcome!”
    • Free African Society – Benevolence; Welfare System
    • The Audacity of Voting. “I’ll go with the majority.”
    • African Methodist Episcopal – “I’m a true Methodist!”
    • St. Thomas Episcopal Church
    • General Convention – “Peculiar Circumstances”
    • Church – The place TO BE

    ~ Part Seven ~

    The Legalization of Freedom

    • The History of State and Federal Legislation

    ~ Part Eight ~

    Apotheosis

    • Apotheosis of Pennsylvania
    • Apotheosis of Two Citizens “I sing a song of the saints of God”
    • ... and one was a doctor – Benjamin Rush
    • ... and one was a priest – Absalom Jones

    ~ Part Nine ~

    From the Past to the Present

    • Dickinson College – First College in the New Nation (1784)
    • “Birth of a new nation”
    • On the Mode of Education Proper in the Republic (Benjamin Rush)
    • Union of Black Episcopalians – Six Generations (1856)
    • Reverend Martin Luther King: “I have a dream.” (August 28, 1963)
    • Beloved Community – A Global Vision of Martin Luther King (1957)
    • African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas – Five Generations (1792)

    ~ Part Ten ~

    Chronology

    • Absalom Jones (1746-1818)
    • Benjamin Rush (1746-1813)

    ~ Part Eleven ~

    Quotations

    • Absalom Jones, Benjamin Rush, Richard Allen

    ~ Part Twelve ~

    In Defense of Benjamin Rush

    Important Sites

    historical buildings

    Above are some of the important landmarks that occur throughout the book. Listed left from right are:

    1. The original African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas
    2. The "Old West Hall" of Dickinson College
    3. St. George's Methodist Church, Philadelphia
    4. Independance Hall
    All materials, images and content contained in this page are ©2018 Dr. Craig Jurgensen
    and may not be reproduced or disseminated without express consent.
    [email protected]