The new era., 1860-02-16
One DOLLAR A YEAR

He requires US 10 build handsome, ex-I
peusive churches-mere show and plioe
in those who do it," We confess we
could moi serve God at Jerusalem. We
could not but think, then and there.
our God was ihsulted by that finely
dressed congregation, ladies rustling in
their silks, and glittcring with jewels
gentlemen elegantly. superbly vestment-
ed, kneeling upon the rough floor of al
church Of God, too poor for a negroes
cabin !! Perhaps it was consistent and
right-but we could not think so. New
er shall we forget one days attendance
at that church. 1t was to be the scene
of Camp-meeting-a kind of religious
service that we had never before, and
have never since attended. The morn
ing was dark and loweringly threatened
rain. So our party, as well rs others,
provided themselves with umbrellas
Lucky precaution for in the midst of
that morning service, after forebodings
Of thunder that were mere pin-droppings
compared to the stentcrian shouts of the
preacher, the rain descended in torrents,
pouring through the hole-y roof, like it
had been sieve, and deluging every
body, more or less. Those who had
umbrellas, used them to their own ad-
vantage, but to others detriment. For
rivers rushing from black cotton UNI
brellas, are less desirable than pure
drops direct from the clouds The
house was crowded to overflowing
Carriages outside were filled. Darkies,
gaily dressed, stood at the corners and
doors and under shelter Of trees, some
of them grinning and smiling, and some
in dismay at the willing down of bright
red ribbons, and. to them, priceless fine
ry The storm, furious, was of shor
continuance. The sun soon shone on
splendidly. and gave brilliancy to elong
ated features of sable damsels.
Each family had brought along it
snack. Owing to the rain, cloths coui,
not be spread upon the ground as usual
but African ingenuity fixed up tables 0
church seats aud stray boards. Coli
chicken, slices Of ham, along with III,
famous hoc-cake, pickles and tomato
catsup formed the principal good things
Of the feast. The partaking of thi:
snack was a pleasant scene. But w
must not dwell upon it. The afternoon
service was very boisterous and prolong
ed. We had felt nervous throughout
Accustomed to church-worship in th'
still small voice." the noise and confu
sion distracted US painfully. AT time
the contortions Of black faces were ter
: rible. Many seemed going into fits
= Their shouts, sometimes ludicrous, NOR
!, often unearthly and horrible, frightened
US. The preachers voice-he was
; North Carolinian, celebrated in hi
church--fearfully loud as it was, be
came drowned at length, in the indis
criminate concert of shouts, shrieks
and groans. Never, never in our life
: did we experience such whirlpool Q
sensations. 1t seemed Pandemonium
Amid it all we were sensible of one wish
: one prayer Let us not 60 mad ! Th
: preacher, finally, becoming unable t
y hear his own voice, ceased speaking
u AS consequence, after the space Q
= many minutes, there was a subsidenc
= in the waves of this fearfully vente
9 emotion. After a few words, he said
i Let all those who think they are &C
n ing to Heaven, or who irish TO 60, arise.
e All arose in that house but one-an
i had the angel Gabriel himself spoken tn
+ words, we could not have stood upo
e our feet. All this had seemed to US
;e blasphemy, and imbued with some kin
lr of spirit, we knew not and cared NJ
ID what, we mentally exclaimed-O no
of not to Heaven amid shoutings and how
4 ings like this---w cannot 60 let US {
OF another way. There came a close
tn and we were handed in the carriag
n Our heart beat tumultuously we trer
A bled hand and foot-our face burnt
st fiery red. Burying our face in o.
ne hands, we exclaimed to our venerab
ut friend, and his excellent lady, Plea
sit do not take US to Jerusalem again
Sc NO." was returned" it was indie,
IS unpleasant and painful througho,
h. Though members of the same churc
by the exercises to-day have been anythi
IS. but agreeable to. u.s. And that W
ce our last visit to Jerusalem.