[When silent night spreads its mantle of darkness]

Composer: J. W. Randolph

James Weldon Randolph was born October 15, 1842, at Philadelphia, Pa. He attended Northern Liberty and James Bird's Schools. He has given special study to the subjects of music, French, German and Spanish, and received the D.D. degree from Paul Quinncollege. He was converted in 1863 and joined the A. M.E. Chruch the same year. He was licensed to preach and was ordained deacon in 1870 and elder in 1871 at Columbus, Ga. He has held appointments in George, Arkansas, Texas, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. From Centennial Encyclpaedia of the African Methodist Episcopal Church by Richard R. Wright, Jr. and John R. Hawkins (Philadelphia: 1916) Go to person page >