The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-12
BRIDGE STREET AFRICAN METHODIST
CHURCH.

A Fnshionabie C0lored CONGREGATION at WOr-
ship The Fall Fashions OF u Negro Church
Sermon on "Angel Equality''-HOw to Raise
Sixty or Seventy Dollars.
Bridge street African Methodist Episcopal church
s located on the skirts OF the fashionable dwellings
Of Brooklyn. 1t stands aside, 1t were, from pa
latia residences and brown stone fronts but sual-
centy near to be considered as within the zone of
fashionable and well-todo nelghborhoods. Ecclesi-
astcay, too this church has good position; 1t is
the first and foremost OF the colored Methodist bro
therhood, the cathedral church OF colored saints
and the Zion OF religious and respectable black
society
Yesterday morning the pastor colored of eourse)
the Rev, W. w. H. Wnder, preached for the first time
since his vacation This circumstance, together
with that OF its being one of the bamest breeziest
mornings Of the fail season, brought together the
cite Of the church and congregation. The assem-
bly,, however, was not numerous. For reasons con-
nected with the social lie Of the colored Methodists
the afternoon Is the more favored time for religious
service, and then this Bridge street temple Is
crowded. Those who were present In the morning
were fair representation Of those who most 90
congregate within the sacred walls.
THE FALL FASHIONS
were also represented. The leading members of the
congregation arrived sufficiently late to Turn aside
the worshppers from their devOtions to the rustic
of silks ana the gliding away OF gorgeous attire,
preceded by black gentleman In black, along the
matted aisles. The young sports OF the New York
Fifth type rod with stately step about this
time their way along to their respective pews and
with slender In one hand ana the brlm OF their
hat in the other pressed 1t to their lips stood
for q moment or two and appeared to hold conf
dental conversation with somebody or something
that was between their lips and the corner Of their
took general survey OF the congregation after the
manner and In accordance with the etiquette or the
best society. The coor5 most favored by the ladies
this season, at present. AT this church, were dove
tints light Dlue and white, which 1t Is needless TO say
correspOnded nharmoniously with the sableness OF
their competitions, One lady had hit this harmony
OF color 80 well as TO be fortunate enough to have
selected from her wardrobe Tor her adornment
grass-green gloves and light blue bonnet. Another
lady, attended by her husband, who is evidently
pillar in the church and prominent man In col
ored circles, wore bonnet with pink decorations
Paisley shawl anu pale green SILK dress.
THE YOUNG MAIDENS
OF the congregation, wives expectant, were nearly
all attired white robes OF fashionable build and
their forms were not quite 50 attenuated or their
richly clothed Of their ssterhood their appea rance
was captivating and charming. AS an evidence Of
WS@ ' will ind It's cankerns way into the
most devoted heart 1t may be mentioned
that lady, who was, not very. pretty
who seemed to be the leading Mary OF the church,
proclaimed her weakness by the wearing Of black
ties OF this wicked world. IL true that she COM
promised with this little yielding TO vanity by wear
generally by the lady members OF the Society Of
Friends From the prayerfu attitude and lively earn
est attention paid to all parts OF the service united
church, there is no doubt that the wearer OF the
overskirt and the Quaker bonnet Is, In spite Of the
former, burning and shining light
Principally al the hour appointed for the service
Mr.. Winder rose from the couch on platform and
read the well known hymn commencing
There is a land of pure delight,
which was not then sung but the reading OF which
was followed by the reading OF selections from the
Scriptures. After this the organ played over tune
In pathetic minor, and the cn0ir sang through the
hymn the minister had previously read. Following
the custom OF the fashionable churches the congre
CATION stood up, with hymn.tOoks In their hands,
but left the choir to do all the singing and PLAYING
Mr. Winder was assisted In the service by q Law bro
tner, who led the congregation In prayer and whose
responses were as frequent as In the litany OF the
EspicOpal Church, and much more lively and ear
nest The singing OF the anthem by the choir also
followed this prayer, the congregation reposing in
their seats as the strains Of music waited along in
beautiful disdain, prepared their minds and hearts
for the sermon. Neither the words nor the music
were by any one OF tho great sacred masters 1t was
probably the composition OF cOlored brother with
talent for putting negro melodies to sacred words.
Mr.. Wnder selected his text from the first clause
of the thirtysxth verse OF the twentieth chapter OF
the Gospel or st. Luke-"Nelther can they die any
more, for they are equal unto the angels" The
leading thought OF the discourse was the cOnsOla-
ton that there was In the joyous expectation that in
the future life were tC he equal unto the angels
The discourse delivered with all the religious
fervor that colored preachers distinguished for
and fewer OF the pecuiarities OF speech for which
they are also distinguished. There was much tnat
was made up or trulsms In religious thought but
there were also here and there
PICTURESQUE EXPRESSIONS
and original statements. For example, when Mr..
Winder informed his congregation that an angel
was 2l8 feet high, and argued from that what a
10y wona pe aor s'sni cam aI,i,, mere De-
saying that which the bulk OF his congregation we
suppose, had had no idea OF before. There was to
ne good time generally when we had crossed the
river OF Death; but that which gave the preacher
the greatest satisfaction seemed TO be that should
then. TO use strong but effective expression, have
"cornered" the angels. Minor matters in which we
suffered care and trouble here below, but which we
should know nothing about hereafter, were clio.
quently described. Among these was the nglng
power we should obtain there. "Here,n said Mr..
Winder 1--WE sometimes slug so loudly that we 900
TROUBLE THE TERRITORY OF THE DAMNED
but what shall 1t be when we sing with the angels
The angels can only sing worthy Is the Lamb
but we can sing, my brothers anu sisters, worthy
Is the Lamb that was slain'-but we can sing the
new song, And hast redeemed us unto GOD by Thy
blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people
and natlon.' And then God will take ms beautiful,
soft, white nand and wipe away all tears from
eyes. We can't be judges here, my friends but we
shall Judge all the nations there. ] have looked In
the Bible and don't see that an angel Is to SIT
down with God on the Judgment seat to Judge the
nations but only the saints; so let us try to be saints,
drawn out "Ah, ah's'' and half articulated groans
came in here and there from the audience, ike
Greek anu seemed 10 give case 10 tnc penL
up spirits OF the excited auditory.
When the minister threw himself on to the couch
at the conclusion Of the sermon three four COL
ored gentlemen In suits Of bSck cloth, from
their respective pews and proceeded TO put baskets
under the noses Of the congregation. Stamps and
pennies found their way Within, and when the bas-
kets had been deposited on q sde-tabe, guarded
by colored brother. Mr.. WInder rose and said
that he was under obligations TO his congregation
for their kindness IN giving him vacation he had
been away four weeks anu had had a good time.
He mad not yet seen the trustees but he believed
everything had gone on oil right since he had been
away; whether 1t had or not he was quite sure II
had been all right with him. They knew the church
wanted money, and he should like TO have to-day
sixty or seventy dollars. That was what was
wanted and that must be had. lie wanted ten dol
lars OF That seventy dollars right away, and while
they "sung something let the brethren or sisters
bring their dollars and cents up 10 the table, Let
US sing something while this is done" said Mr.. Win
der. There was ready response right away. and
the choir struck up something that closely resem
bed the
Dooden, dooden dooden, dooden, doodcn dey
of the refrain OF negro melody sung by colOrcd
mnstrels Mr. Wlnder, with his white ivory teeth
very visible, leaned over the pulpit, watching the
CT INNS can't md yft oil tbe m a nd