The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-09-24
Reusiou. co.dI,Io. Of tho "Con,rnb ,,a...

Religious Cosditiou of tho "Conirnb tnds.,'
The American Missionary Association have
sent the Rev. j. e. Lockwood to Fortress Mon
roo, on religious mission to the colored rofu-
gees at that point. He rcports many interesting
facts, from which we select the following:
Among them arc many pous souls, but thoy
are, in this Distracted STATE oC things, without
any one to watch over them or to give thsm ro-
hgious instruction. Destitute and desolats A.
they are, they are endcavoiing 20 keep up re-
ligiouS meetings on tho Sabbath and a moro
affecting aud touching sight was scarce ever pre-
sonted.
Last evening, while converting on tho piazza
Of the hotel, | overheard music, and directed
my footsteps thither and in a long building
just outside tho entrance Of tho Fortress, found
a number of colored people assembled for a
prayer meeting. The brother who lod in tho
concluding prayer PRAYED that lie who brought
Israel out Of Egypt, Jonah out OF the mouth OF
tho whale, and Daniel out tho den Of lions,
might bring them ont into full dclivcrancc,
spiritually aud temporarily.
81 told my mission in few words and the
me-sage was received with deep, lf-uttcred
expressions Of gladness and gratitude. They
assured me that this was what they had been
praying for and now that "thc good Lord" hal
answered their prayers, they felt assured that
some great thing was in store for them and
their people. There are some pccularitics in
their prayer. meetings. Their responses are not
bOisterous, but in tho gontlo chanted style.
Their themes arc generally devotional, but
they have prime doliyerance melody that runs
| in this style;
| "Go dow n tn Egypt tell Pharaoh,
| THUS saith my SCI want, Moses LIT my people co.
Accent on the last syllable with repetition ol
| the chorus.
| find them religious people, and rcmarka- A.
bly, intelligent, considering their circumstances.
| They gave mo a hearty, Christian welcome.
, Arrangements were made for three services on
tho Sabbath. Other meetings will 10 arranged
for week day evening. | want, as soon as pos
siblc, 10 visit lho people at their dwellings, as
certain who are Christians, combine them to
| gcthcr in church capacity, and labor, With tho
| divine blessing, for their spiritual edihcation
| and tho conversions Of souls.
There will he a sufficient number Of soldier
and others who will engage in Sabbath School
instruction. Gen. Wool is actively engages
with us in the arrangement oi places, sc.
| Tho " contrabands" receive regular ration
rom Government, and a large number arc en-
ployed in public service. Others are industri
ously contributing toward their own support il
various kind, Of employment. Several engaR
in fishing, claiming and oystering. | thinl
that before winter sets in there will he abundan
room for charity in clothing, bedding, sc.
30 far as have observed, there Is no intom
| perance among them. Those who are able ar
engaged in labor Of some kind, and they worl
| IN industriously IA white laboroTs, and more A.
| than many. The men work with a will because
| they work in hope Of liberty. They have a grea
| thirst for knowledge.