Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-12
Negro Preaching Down South.


to the Courier and Enquirer from Tallahasse,
Florida, has the following
The manners, usages and amusements OF
people which are SO intimately allied to It's
character, must be thoroughly understood be-
fore correct Judgment can be formed as to Its
actual condition and existence. The applica
tion of this plain truth is imperatively necessa-
ry in considering the true state, the real life of
the African Slave as affected by his peculiar re-
lations. The negro, engaged in the labors of
the field, following his mule through the long
cotton rows, /" chopping out, picking, ginning
or COMPRISING into bales, presents vastly diff
ferent spectacle when.the Saturday holiday
comes round and the Sabbath day brings re-
pose and freedom. IF they have their day of
toll (as who has not2 they have also their
days of mirth and hilarity. Thequilting party
or the huskingbee is perfect hey-day of bois-
ferrous merriment and laughter, which they en-
joy with zest and ardor entirely nuapp roach
able.
Where canbe found gayer, more buoyant,
or more joyous company than that which par
ticipates In the pleasures of a colored ball the
+" ladies Haunting in fnery and bedizzened
with ribbons and wreaths the "gemmen y
bowling and mincing all moving with an in
describable grace through the mazes of redo
wa to the heart-ronding music of plantation
banjos There is nothing like negro.
There too on every well ordered plantation is
chapel where religious services are performed
monthly, if not oftener. One unaccustomed to
she sight might conceive that there would be
many things connected with such worship
laughabe in the extreme, perhaps irreverent.
Let me relate the result of my own observation.
While spending Sabbath at " plantation in
the vicinity of this city, accepted an invitation
to attend the service in the negro chapel. Our
way from the family mansion led down through
an immense cotton field into beautiful oak
wood, where hid by branches and trailing vines
the little 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 ever heard. Presently we
stood beneath the grand old oaks which bent
their huge limbs protectingly above it's humble
) roof The music had ceased and the solemn
voice of prayer was heard from within. It was
asked g that the time might soon 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 Won
derful redemption which Christ had wrought
for them"
The simple earnostness of the prayer, and the
r homely but hearty responses were extremely al
fectng. We took our seats within the house.
The preacher was Il large powerful negro,
dressed with extreme neatness, and had alto
9 gether an appearance of unusual intelligence
= and ability. He stood before little stand'
with large Bible spread open upon it. Upon
!. one side of the house were seated the gem
-. MEMS" in their best suits. Upon the other
o o side, opposite to the preacher, were the ladies
in silks and ribbons, with rings upon their hn'
!. gers and rings in their ears, and with skirts
; wonderfully expansive the sight of which would
kill city belle with envy.
in The hymn was read with almost perfect cor
it rectness, and with better intonation than on
often hears from the pulpit 1t was sum-
ID with tremendous energy. The preacher the'
re- read u portion of Scriptures with the utmos
ease. and announced his text. The sermon wa
nt certainly one of the best ever listened to-
was somewhat diffusive, yet whatever was sal
,u was urged with great force and proprlety
to The Illustrations were frequent, and the YER
best imaginable. OF course words were otte
to misapplied, and the pronunciation was not UNI
,g formly of the approved standard yet the dee
* earnestness of the manner, the perfect simple
10 ity and chaste beauty of the language mol
,d than redeemed all rhetorical faults. Judged b
mt David Hume's principle that eloquence is to
rs determined by the effect produced. Old Isaac
sermon was decidedly successful. His hearei
nd paid fixed and breathless attention throughou
nd breaking forth occasionally into expressions
assent OF giving vent to their feelings in wei
remembered line of some cherished hymn, as
dwelt with rapture and with streaming eyes o
wv the unutterable glories of Heaven. 1t was IL
ry first of series of sermons that Isaac propose
NO to preach to them in accordance with their il
w. vitation. In announcing his acceptance of IL
Ia invitation, he remarked: GO After der most s
of rous debilitation, have finally 'cluded to prea
,he der word unto yer. don't ak you nary thu
ace for my preaching but rs it cost me something
art come SO far, and as have no horse nor mule
ore fetch me- and as am Consequently obligat
Ls to hire one of white individual what lives
n that neat little whitewashed house just
rt other side of my mill, down by der hill d
ane which cost me one dollar, have thoughtit b.
Ire to AK you my beloved congregation to detrib,
adv one picayune q piece, and pay for my mule.
.eat don t ask nary thing for my preaching, only
, is my mule. Mr.. Steward you may pass your h
tbis or that Of any other BROTHER Josh, the ST.
and ard. prepared to pass the hat, and the colo
gemmen "made sundry desperate attempts
pull out their wallets, some looking excessv
o, a surprised at finding no picayune within. {
$ of row of negroes " detributed - each the amo
hat requested. When Josh pushed his hat over
n" wards our party, we threw in more than emo,
With to pay for the mule, wishing to remunerate Is
ind. somewhat for the preaching. You can judg
,an. our surprise when the hat was passed to
next row, to see a great black fellow deliber
ly turn the contents of the hat into his
I'll is eonllv count tham oyar and having salts