Perspective: Freedom Hymn Festival Jamaica

June 11, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

A Lasting Legacy Of Bishop Alfred Charles Reid 

In my perspective this was a most fitting tribute to this spiritual leader and outstanding humanitarian Rt. Reverend Dr. The Honourable Alfred Charles Reid, 13th Diocesan Bishop of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands.

This musical feast had a number of choirs who assembled under the direction of renowned singer Mr. David Reid, Father of The Very Reverend Tony Reid, Rural Dean of St. Elizabeth for the Anglican Church in Jamaica & the Cayman Islands.

The choirs were drawn from the St. Matthews Anglican, which included Gilnock, Santa Cruz, Mile Gully Anglican, Mile Gully, Black River Parish Church Choir., Organist & choir director. All these choirs originate and are based in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica W.I.

The proceeds from the Festival was to redesign the St. Barnabas Altar, secondly installing a monument to the Christian Martyr James Knight who was beheaded and his head placed on a pole in Mile Gully. This Point is known a “Skull Point, near the Police Station in Mile gully. Knight was a Slave Warrior, from Mile Gully. This project was the dream of the late Bishop Alfred “Freddy” Reid. Reid who is a native of the area. The monument was to be erected at the Mile Gully church compound.

Sponsorship

The festival was sponsored by a number of private sector entities like Fidelity Motors, Power Services LTD (PSCL) , engineers and consultants, Caledonia Road, Mandeville, Villa Pharmacy, Palmer’s Enterprise, Pioneer Chocolate, Doorway Express, Jamaica Standard Products Ltd, & Tony Watson Education Trust to name a few.

Narrator

Bishop The Hon. Dr. Alfred Reid, the 13th bishop of the diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands narrated the information outline the historical perspectives to hymns he describes as “freedom related”. This was the main theme, according to Bishop Reid, running through all the hymns which were selected to be rendered by the various choirs.

In 1845 slavery was abolished, but not until 1865 in the Commonwealth of the USA, the same year of the Morant Bay Rebellion now popularly being referred to as the Morant Bay War in Jamaica W.I. to the east.

I would rather have my right hand be broken than remain in slavery stated an unknown slave. Shortly after this his shirt got caught up in a machine and his arm was seriously sliced. He unfortunately died from the wound. “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.” “He that are men serve him”. He died on a Sunday. Ephesians 6, a Poem written and is now a hymn was inspired by Tyng’s sermon by the Superintendent of the S/S and and a female (not identified) within three days.

“Many are suffering while some of us are sleeping” John Brown’s body was lying. Dec 2, 1859 John Brown was executed. “Glory, Glory Alleluia” The music was composed by the slaves.

1862 The battleship of the Republic 

Rev. Dudley Atkins Tyng buried in Brooklyn. Formerly of Philadelphia. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus”.

It was an evening of excellence ably narrated by The Rt. Rev. Dr. & Hon. Alfred Reid. 13th Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and former Rector of St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Stony Hill.

Commentary

It is with deep regret that we have lost Bishop Alfred Reid earlier this year 2020 after a fall and subsequent surgery. We have lost a brilliant mind, humanitarian and beautiful human being. To his dear wife Gloria, family et al, we say be strong … your loss is monumental. Up from the Grave he has arisen …

Personal

On a personal note Bishop Reid was my hero. He was the wind beneath my wings. I have lost a great true friend, spiritual guide and brother in Christ. He was an Andrew as described in the Bible. He embodied the qualities any Human would want to emulate. Qualities of honesty, integrity and loyalty. He made me feel I was more important than I know I will ever be.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National & International Correspondent for Vision Newspaper