The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-07
nltstelIanD.
Contraband" Church Discipline.

the following account of church meeting for busi-
ness, 10 the "contraband congregation at that
place
In the afternoon at O'Clock there is meeting
of the First Baptist Church for business. Accom-
panied by MIR. NJ. Motto, superintendent of blacks
employed in the Quartermasers and Commis-
sary's departments at Hilton Head, | am permit
Leo to be present. 1t is strictly a church meeting
for business Rev. Abraham Murchison, tall
copper-hued negro, pastor and presides over the
deliberations. He was slave in Savannah, but
made his way to our lnes is a storekeeper or
huckster on week days, and breaches on Sunday.
The church is plain wooden building, built by
order of Gen. Mitchell for an African church.
There are two rows Of pine benches, plain pine
pulpit, ventilated ceiling, from which depend
three or four glass lamps-aIl being very much
like the small churches to be found in the thnly
settled praries of Illinois.
We are little late Rev. Mr.. Murchison is
lining off the hymn, two lines at a time.
"Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood, isl
sung by the congregation, led by a round-headed,
compa.t, lively, energetic, loud-voiced negro,
twenty-five years old, whose zeal is bounded on
ly by the capacity of his lungs. |: is the well
known tune Jordan, sung by millions in times past
and present. The women occupy one side OF the
house, the men sitting opposite 1t is dusky
view, looking down the aisle from my seat at the
right Of the pulpit. They are countenances not
fair to look upon, not types OF beauty, not attract
i've intellectually. There is perfect decorum and
solemntv. All heads are bowed when the prea-
cher addresses the Throne of Grace. 1t is a pray
er full of applications and thanksgiving, express
ed in fitting words.
The church has case of discipline. Their sex
ton has been remiss in lighting the lamps and is
arraigned for trial. The pastor states the case
lie calls the sexton to the front and thus ndicts
him ...
"John, my son, you are arraigned for not doing
as you have agreed, and covenant to do. We
pay you one hundred and twenty dollars year
for lighting these yere beautiful lamps which the
church have so generously provided, and sir, you
have been remiss in your duty. On Thursday
night when we were assembled for holy prayer We
were in darkness. You did wrong. You break
your Obligations. You must be punished. What
say you? Brethren we will hear what he has tc
say"
Do not laugh at this record Do not pass over
it as pueriie, or unworthy OF notice. This people
stand on the threshold of civilization. The frs
glimmering rays have fallen upon them. All be-
hind them is barbarism. Before them is future
unrevealed but possibly to be career of civillza
ton which will be blessing to countless million,
of human beings. | write not merely for the
passing hour--not merely to convey to you the
rudeness and simplicity the picture but to make
a record for the historian of the future, who, wher
the writer's and present readers of these lines
shall have passed away, in turning over some dus
, ty yeIlowed files of the Boston Journal will see
true report Of the beginning of the African rac'
r in the scale of civilization on the soil of Souti
Carolina. Let il not be forgotten that these ar
nearly all plantation hands-the rudest Of th
:, race. l , t H1H -y ' - ea
a The arraigned member pleads that be lghte'
the lamps but that they went out. The preache
e calls one of the deacons to the chair-a middle
aged, coal-blsck negro, bald.headed, dressed i
y pants and coat made of sail cloth. BY his sid
sits his colleague, wearing United States soldier
70 blue coat. The preacher addresses the chair. Sl
d our brother am presumptus. He say he light d
~, lamp and dey 20 out. How does he know de
go out He ought to stay and see dey don't &
% out. He am presumptus and should be punished
. | move sir dat our brother be set aside fror
commin to de Lords table till he make satisfat
ID tion."
A brother seconded the motion and the questio
to was put by the deacon. Two or three voted a
frmatiyely but nearly all negatively. The que'
As ton was not understood. The preacher explained
You is dscomposed in your minds. You do nc
understand de question. Can any of you tell m
how you voted ? r" They could not. lie pu' tn
question and the offender was unanimously de
barred the privileges of the church. 1t is not tn
first time have witnessed deberative body
y confusion and muddled over simple question
. Congressional records will show several like il
u stances. ...a. ...... -
n After the discipline candidate for admissio
d was presented-a stout, regular.featured youn
q man, named Jonas. rJt l +l .a VI r
Well, my son, where are you from " sal