Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-11-24


attentive congregation. There are over
two thousand members belonging to the
church, which is the largest in the city,
and composed mostly of slaves, although
somewhat less than one-third of them are
free, and they usually have from twenty to
thirty whites as worshipers, also. Their
preacher, Rev. Robert Ryland, (white, } is
one Of the most serious, simple and effect
i've preachers to whom it has been my good
/ fortune to listen. The house was full
when | entered, but l was courtcously
shown to seat near the preacher, and
though many came afterwarj, the greatest
order prevailed, notwithstanding the pres
ence Of many small children. The service
was commenced by the preachers calling
upon John Kinney, (colored,) the leader
Of the choir, to make prayer. He arose
from his seat, and, with singular felicity,
breathed short and pertinent address to
the throne of grace. There was sort Of
anti phohal chanting, Lext-the singing
being alternate between males and females
Again the preacher called upon one Lewis
Allen, free black, for another prayer; and
assuFedly, if prayer is what We understand
it to be--a form of supplicaticn, petition
to Heaven, a submissive importantly for
grace and salvation-then Was the prayer
of the dcyout Lewis all that could be COM
pretended in an earnest outpouring of the
heart to the Almighty. Next followed the
sermon, the text Of which was taken from
the lst Epistlc of Peter, I'd ch. II, Dearly
beloved, l bcseeeh you as strangers and
pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which
war against the SOUL The preacher went
back few verses in the chapter to allude
with emphasis to the beauty and appropri-
ateness of the terms which the apostle used
in exhorting his followers to Christ-like
obedience. The words strangers and pill
grims,' he explained with peculiar force
and directness, the latter especially as ind
icatiyc of progressive travelling towards n
land Of promise-a holy land-towards
heaven and happiness, Next, the 'Aeshly
lusts' had their rightful denunciation and
finally, the welfare of the soul was dwelt
upon with an almost Miltonic eloquence,
as the preacher entrea'ed for
conversion and repentance
As to souls imprisoned under judgment
Imminent.
The preacher then requested the choir to
sing, Vital spark of heavenly fame and
a well-taught band of thirty six choristers
gave that exquisite hymn with touching
melody. When this was concluded, slave
owned by Mr.. Taliaferro, of Gloucester
county, named Joshua Thompson, arose
near the pulpit, and gave the first line of
spiritual song as they term it, in which
the entire congregation joined. There was
SO much of pious reverence and hearty zeal
in this offering, that il drew tears from the
eyes Of the whites, while many of the aged
colored people groaned aloud in the fulness
Of their hearts. The tune was one of their
own richest melodies, and the hallelujah
chorus gave it most stirring effect. l
spoke to one of the members after service,
and he introduced me to the man who had
commenced the song have alluded to. At
my request, he repeated the words of the
song, not printed, and l wrote them down.
At the line, Come, friends and relations,
let US join hand in hand,' they all graspcd
hands fervently, whilst continuing to sing
1t was scene Of earnest devotion and
heartfelt joy, such as is rarely witnessed;
and for that reason, have taken pains to |
transcribe it with accuracy, as follows:
'Once have come to visit you here
The cause Of my coming, your souls are so dear:
I'm afraid some he lost without balm he supplied,
There's baisan in Jesus, that flows from his side!
CHoEus-uailelujah halelgjahl look up to the Lord!
I'm pancd in fny bowels my heart it has grieved
To Fee follow mOrtals so sadly deceived:
On barren land they fall here nothing can feed,
They arc carccssly living, though Jesus did bleed
'Im hound to invite you Jesus kind arms,
To- tell Of his beauty, and of his best harms;
Ill point you to heaven TO the land of sweet rest,
Where saints in perfection eternsly blest
sCome friends ard relations let US join hand in hand
The voice Of the turtle is heard in our land;
Let us all march together and foliow the sound.
Wen march to the place where Redemption is found.
Satan j. busy; he is watching you hard,
To catch all poor Christians thtown oil of their guard
I an often discouraged, and tiink lis in vain,
Though the Gospel be scattered like showers OF rain.
Sometimes I'm induced TO look over the land,
With solemn impression how II stands,
To see how il is borne up y The Lord every day
Whilst sinners stand trifiing their time ali awayl
Redemption in Jesus is hidden and sealed,
To but believers is Redemption revealed
halleuabl then look up to the Lord
The house Of which | have been writing,
known among the blacks as Tie Church,
was occupied by their white brethren until
about 1910, when the blacks purchased it
for about $4,000, and enlarged it by the
addition of three wings, SO that the build
ing is now in the form of 7. Beside
these additions, the church have bought
house near by which they use as vestry.
They give their pastor $500 salary, but
DR.. Ryland, (who is also President Of
Collegiate Seminary,) devotcs third Of
it to fayorite benevolent objects. His abb. |