Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-21
From Miss Bremer's Homes of The Neg World.
Slavery, and the People OF Color.

h0Oessily. IL mas no pIOuuclS WHICH mSnt not
be cultivated by white Iaborers, as its climate
sells its slaves assiduously ''down South
care you a Christan?" Inquired | fom a
young handsome mulatto woman, who waited on
me here.
''No, Missis, am not''
'Have you not been baptized? Have you lot
been taught about Christ?''
eyes, Missis, had godmother, a negro
woman, who was very religious, and who in
structed me.''
''DO you not believe what she told you about
Christ?''
eyes, Mlssis; but don't feel it here, Mlssis, -
and she laid her hand on her breast.
"Where were you brought up?'
ga long way from here, up the Missouri, Mis-
sis; a long way off,
"Were your owners good to you?''
word''
''Are you married?'
eyes, Mssis, but my husband is long way
off with his master.'
'Have you any children?'
81 have had six Missis, but have not single
one left Three are dead, and they sold the other
three away from me. When they tool. from me
the last little girl, oh, believed never should
have got over it. 1t almost broke my heart''
And they were 50 called Christians who did
that? 1t was not wonderful that she, the negro
slave, had a difficulty in feeling Christianity,
that she could not feel herselfa Christian. What
a lie! bereaved ofall that she had, without any
prospect of an independent existence; possessed
Of nothing on the face of The earth; condemned to
toll, ;oiI, toll, without hope Of reward, or dav
rest; why should it be strange if she became
stupid or Indifferent, nay, even hostile or bitter
in her feelings towards those in whose power she
is-they who call themselves her protectors,
and yet who robbed her OF her all? Even of
that last little girl, that youngest, dearest, only
chlld
This pagan institution of slavery leads to trans.
actions so inconsistent, so nhuman, that somc-
times, in this country, this Christian, liberal
America, ii is difficult thing for me to believe
them possible, difficult to comprehend how it
can be a reality, and not dream! 1t is so diff
hcult for me to realize it.
Missouri, as well as Arkansas, has a deal of
heathensm, and deal OF wild uncultivated land
still. Civilization is yet at lis commence
ment in these States, and slavery retards its pro-
gress as with strong letters. Fights and bloody
duels are OF frequent occurrence among the white
population. Bowie knives and pistols belong to
the wardrobe ola man, especially when travelling
IN the State. Besides, he must be continually
prepared to meet with those unprncipled fortune
hunters who hasten from Europe and the Eastern
States (the prodigal sons of those countries) into
the West, to find there Greer scope for their say.
age passions.
RELIGIOUS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
BLACKS.
The progress of Christianity is much more con-
siderable among the negro race. The doctrine
OF The Saviour comes TO the negro slaves as their
inward need, and as the accomplishment Of the
wishes of their souls. They themselves enun-
ciate 1t with the puresi joy. Their ardent, sensi
tive being obtains from this its most beautiful
TRANSPORTATION. The ability of these people for
prayerls sometimes peculiar and quite unusual
Their prayers burst forth into fame as they as
cend to heaven. The children of the warm sun
will yet teach us by their prayers the might of
prayer.
Waen see those frolicsome negro children in
their school sit down like white children on bench
es and before desks, am quite distressed. am
convinced that these children ought 10 learn their
lesson standing or dancing amid games and songs
and that their divine worship ought to be conduc-
ted with singing and dancing; and will answer
for 1t, that their songs and dances would have
more life, beauty, and intelligence, in them, than
those of the Shaker community. But who shall
teach them thus? None but negro can teach
the negoes, and only one Of their own people
can become the deIiverer of the people in the
highest sense. But this captive Israel yet waits
for Its Moses.
Buff anything can awake within them more
comprehensive feeling for the whole people, it is
assuredly that common slavery on the soil Of
America, and perhaps, more than anything else
at this moment, the bill which allows the recap
ture Of fugitive slaves awoke to this thought to-
day, during visit to free negro church, where
l had no occasion to lament any want of interest
IN the national affairs, either in the negro preach
er or the congregation
had in the forenoon visited negro Baptist
Church belonging 10 the Episcopal creed. There
were but few present, and they Of the negro ar
istocracy Of the city. The mode of conducting
divine service was quiet, very proper, and lit
tie tedious. The hymns were beautifully and ex-
quisllely sung. The sermon, which treated of
Love without assimilation; how hard to win,
how impossible without the influence of God and
the communication of his power" was excellent.
The preacher was fair mulatto, with the lea-
lures and demeanor Of the white race, a man of
very good intellect and conversational power with
whom had become already acquainted in my
Cincinnati home.
In the afternoon went to the African Metho-
dist Church in Cincinnati, which is situated in the
African quarter Ia this district live the greater
number of the free coIored people of the city and
the quarter bears the traces thereof The streets
and the houses have, it il true, the Anglo Ameri-
can regularity: but broken windows and rags,
hanging from them certain neglected, dsor-
derby aspect, both of houses and streets, testified
OF negro management. | found IN the African
Church, African ardor and African life. The
church was full to overlooking, and the congrega-
ton sung their own hymns.
The singing assembled and poured forth like
melodous torrent, and the heads, feet, and elbows
of the congregation moved all in unison with it,
amid evident enchanlmenl and delight in the sing
ing, and which was in itself exquisiteIy pure and
full of meodious delight
The hymns and psalms which the negroes have
themselves composed, have peculiar naire char
acter, chlllke, fell of imagery and life. Here
is specimen of one Of their popular church
hymns
"What shpis that that's landed at the shore?
oh, glory halIeujah!
It's the old ship Of Zion, halIeujah,
It'a tho niI Sh,p nf H.