- AUTHOR'S SKETCH «
It would be hard to find a better illustration of the facility with which,
under adverse circumstances, a man of ability and integrity may rise from
obscurity and humble life to exalted position in the service and hearts of
his fellow men than is afforded in the history of Isaac L. Thomas. He ha§
not, it is true, filled every office within the gift of the people, but he has
come through a checkered career, surmounting obstacles which would
have discouraged many men, and kept himself ready to do a helpful work
for liis God. his Church and his people.
Isaac Lemuel Thomas was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland,
December 4th, 1860. His parents took residence in Baltimore when he was
j ust one year eld. At the early age of four years he displayed the bent of
his genius, and attracted hundreds to hear him when it was announced that
he would declaim in exhibition. Everyone who knew him regarded him
as a wonderful child. Sent first, at the age of six, to a private school, he
continued until eight, when he was transferred to the public schools of
Baltimore, where lie pursued with diligence and success a course covering
ac-en years. "While pursuing the cultivation of his mind, lie was awakened
to the need of salvation and in 1877, at John "Wesley Methodist Episcopal
Church, he was happily converted. In the same year he felt called to the
ministry, and entered Centenary Biblical Institute (now Morgan College)
in order to'prepare himself for the recognized high functions of his life-work
He graduated from the Institute in 1881 and entered the "Washington
Conference in March, 1882. Realizing the need of a more thorough
preparation for the work of the Christian Ministry, he sought an appoint¬
ment in the vicinage of Howard University and entered the excellent
Theological Department of that institution, from which he graduated with
distinction in 1888, being the chosen valedictorian of his class. The
following year he pursued a past graduate course in the University with a
sebact course in the sciences and languages. He has also taken special
courses in elocution and oratory under Professor Townsend, of "Washing¬
ton, D. C, and Miss Alice M. Youse, teacher in the College of Expression*
Baltimore. As a speaker he is polished, graceful and eloquent. He is
considered one of the best pulpit and platform speakers of the race. On
lbs lecture field he has gained a reputation and called forth commenda-
Permalink: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/p2wc1
