Jesse Takes Up the Collection

A presidential campaign enlists black churches' support

The Bethel Institutional Baptist Church is the oldest congregation in Jacksonville, Fla., with a magnificent organ imported from Germany in 1902. Services for the all-black congregation usually begin with hand-clapping gospel music from Bethel's choirs. But there was a very different service a few days ago. Amid shouted "amens" from the congregation, preacher after preacher mounted the pulpit to testify. "Blacks are God's chosen people," thundered one; "I do believe Ethiopia shall rise," shouted another. Then came the most celebrated preacher among them, Democratic Presidential Candidate Jesse...