Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-08-21
From the New York Courier and Enqulter
NEGRO PREACHING IN FLORIDA.
TALLAHASSEE. Florida. July H..


The manners, usages end amusements of q peo
pie, which intimately allied its character
must be thoroughly understood before correct
judgement can be formed as to its actual condition
and existence. The application of this ulan truth
is imperatively necessary in considering the true
state, the real life of the African slave as affected
by his peculiar relations. The negro, engaged in
the labors of the field. following his mule through
the long cotton rows, ehopping out picking, gin
ming, or COMPRISING into bales, presents a vastly
different spectacle when the Saturday holiday
comes around, and the Sabbath day brings repose
an freedom If they have their day of toll las
who has not y they have also their hours Of mrtl
and hilarity. The quilting party or the husking
bee is perfect hey day Of boiserous merrmenl
and laughter, which they enjoy with n zest aud ar.
dor entirely unapproachable.
Where can We found gayer, or more buoyant
or more joyous company than that which partci
pntes in the pleasures of colOred ball the ladies
Haunting in finery aud bedizzened with ribbons
ard wreGths the gemmen' bowling and mincng
all moving with an indescribatle grace through
the mazes of a redowa TO the heartrending music
OF plantation banjos. There is nothing like negro
There, too on every we'll ordered planta
ton is chapel where religions services
are performed monthly. if not olterer.-
One accus omed to the sia aht might conceive that
there would he many things connected with such
n worship aughable in tho extreme, perhaps irrev
vation While spending sabbath at plantation
in the vicinity of this city, | accepted an invita-
ton to attend the service in the negro chapel
Our way from the family mansion led through ar
immense cotton field into beautiful oak wood
where. hid by branches and trailing vines, the lit
tie log building stood. long before we reached it
the music of the morning hymn rang clear and
loud through the forest the widest melody that
had every heard
Presently we stood beneath the grand old oaks
which bent their huge limbs protectngly above its
humble roof. The music had ceased, and the sol
emn voice of prayer was heard from within. II
was asked shat the time might come when the
master, and the mistress the man servant and the
maid servant would sit down in the kingdom Of
Heaven, with one God, one Christ one Faith. the
differences and distinctions of earth left behind
and all rejoicing in the wonderful redemption
which Christ had wrought out for them. l.
The simple earnestness of the prayer, and the
homely but hearty responses were extremely af'
feeting. We took our seats within the house. The
preacher was q large powerful negro. dressed with
extreme neatness. and had, altogether. an appear.
anee of unusual intelligence and ability. lie stood
before little stand with a large Bible spread open
upon il. Upon one side opposite to the preacher
wore the ladies'. in silks and ri hons. with
rings upon their fingers and with skirts wonder
.iully expansive, the sight of which would kill a
city belle with envy.
The HYMN was read with almost perfect correct
ness, rnd With better intonaion than one often