Pilgrimage Of The White Cloth

Hundreds of members of the Spiritual Baptist religion journeyed from Brooklyn, to Boston, Sunday 29, October (2006). The event was ‘Pilgrimage of the White Cloth’ led by King Shepherd Carlton Davidson Callender.

Believed to be one of the largest pilgrimages to leave New York for Boston, hostess church, Ark of the Covenant, led by Reverend Terrance Ashby and Teacher Maver Ashby accepted the visitors at Prince Hall’s Walter Reid Auditorium, located in the Dorchester, Boston.

Among the armour bearers on King Shepherd’s side were Patriarch Norris Ashton and Leader Oswald Duncan, while among the armour bearers on Reverend Ashby’s side were Reverend Peter Doyle and Reverend Allan Hector. King Shepherd was organizer of the 'Pilgrimage of the White Cloth' and is the Overseer of the Spiritual Baptist organization called ' Jehovah Will Plumbline, Inc.'

The Ark of the Covenant has a capacity of holding approximately five busloads of people. The New York crowd, believed to be approximately10 busloads, exceeded the ‘Ark’s’ holding capacity.

However, the Spiritual Baptist Online News Magazine learned that the Boston hosts embarked on a plan to make their brothers and sisters from New York spend a memorable day in their city. They did so through the creation of a planning and hosting committee, which was compromised of members of The Ark of the Covenant, the Children of St. Ann’s, and St. Michael’s House of Prayer. The committee members included Sister Maureen Mitchell, Shepherd Foster Henry, Shepherdess Debbie Williams, Captrice Sandra Mullins, Prophetess Gail Hoyte, Teacher Joyce Brown, Teacher Maver Ashby and Mother Grace Trotman.

The day could easily have been called ‘white Sunday’ as both male and female members of the faith were decked off in white outfits. Beautiful dresses and pant suits made with obviously expensive fabrics proved again that members of the Spiritual Baptist religion are among some of the finest dressed people in the world. It was impossible to say which person was dressed more beautiful that which since everyone was exquisitely decked off.

The hall was transformed into a church with its altar adorned with white roses and white altar cloths. The stage, which took the form of a higher altar, was also draped in white fabric. The pilgrimage most certainly turned out to be a memorable occasion for many who gathered

Among the many elders of the faith who attended were Archbishop Hadaway of the St. Francis National Evangelical Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of Canada, head of Faith International Spiritual Baptist Convention, Bishop Bernard W. Primus, Dr. Judy Duncan, Dr. Ingrid Armstrong, Bishop Charles, Bishop Pierre, Bishop Smith, Reverend Allan Hector and Mother Grace Trotman. Mother Trotman is the first person to hold a Spiritual Baptist church in Boston. She did so in the confines of her home and is today head of the church known as St. Michael's House of Prayer. Mother Trotman was also part of the hosting committee formed by members of Ark of the Covenant, St. Michael's House of Prayer and Children of St. Ann's Spiritual Baptist Churches.

Leader Oswald Duncan, Spiritual head of St. Philomen Spiritual Baptist Church in Cocoyea Village, San Fernando, Trinidad and also in New Lots Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, proved to be the main fire of the day as he led the congregation in a journey of songs, chants and doption familiar with the Spiritual Baptist faith.

The lone speaker who preached emphasized that it took particular individuals to be priests and that one should not rush into positions unless authorized by God to do so. He warned that it could be detrimental when a person attempts to take up spiritual appointments unless appointed to do so by the Almighty.

Missing was the old time pilgrimage days when both sides, namely, the visiting church and the home church fought for turns in preaching the gospel to the congregation.