The sun., 1872-03-02
A WISE NEGRO PREACHER.
THE 18TH AMENDMENT WANTED
IN BdPIIST CHTRCH.

The Rev. Edmund Tunnel. Of jamaica.
L. l., II a faithful disciple Of the Hard Shell |
Baptist persuasion. Besides preaching the word |
rs occasion may Offer, he holds the responsible |
position Of coachman and general stabloman to |
Dr. Parker, prominent physician If the place. |
This worthy champion Of immersion was raised
in Accomac county, Virginia, whence he emil
grated to Long Island before the war, and has
been a resident Of Jamaica nearly dozen years
Though of black skin and Southern origin, he Is
a freeman 10y birth, and claims to be good a.
his neighbors, as he undoubtedly Is.
ORGANIZING A BAPTIST CHURCH.
-Four or lve years ago Tunnel became inn
pressed with the importance Of having Baptist
Church inJamaca. Up to that time the Metho-
dsts, Presbyterians, and EpiscOpalians had mo-
nopozcd the field. But there were several fam-
lies Of white people In the village who were Of
Baptist origin. while Tunnels influence with
the coored population could be counted on
TO secure considerable rcinforccmcnts from
that source. Tunnel conferred with the white
brethren. and they conferred with Tunnel, aud
~ a result Of all the conferring, an organization
was effected under the name OF the First Baptist
Church and Society Of Jamaica, which consisted
Of about two-thirds white persons and one third
coored. A white clergyman was called to min
lister to the assorted flock, a small, ready
chapel was purchased for the new congregation,
and the enterprise was launched under most en-
couracng auspices.
WHITES AND BLACKS JoISiNG IN WORSHIP.
From that beginning the work has grown
apace. Week day prayer meetings have been
held regularly at the residences Of the brethren
and sisters, between the blacks and the whites,
uniting therein both in the selection Of the resi-
dences to he favored with these social gather
ings and In the attendance upon them. when
the mcetings were held at the houses of the
white members the blacks were admitted on
full equality, and vice versa. During the four
years that the church has been in exist
ence It has had the services OF four
different pastors, including the present
Incumbent Of that once, who assumed
it, duties last fail This is the Rev. Charles
Colman, a young man of but twenty-five or
wcnty-slx years 81 age, and yet unmarried
About the time ~ his settlement over the church
brother Tunnel began agltltlng the subject Of a
separate organization for the blacks but the
white element dissuaded him from this project
sill weak, while II they separated into two
bodies they woUld doubtless both die. The
Ausio-SaAon believers then felt the need of the
pecuuAy t-. lance Wuch they received from
their colJrpl brethren. and refused to let them
go away by themselves.
THE CuLDELp BROTHERS. ENERGY.
But one Sunday after the services were over.
brother Funnel requested the congregation To
remain. when he LAID before them his own views
tl tNt Necessity OF more Nlftft ana earnest
work among the people II his own color, show
Ing that large accession. to the Baptist fold
Coul bc - tcured from that field, which was now
mainly cultivated 10y the Methudists. He also
expressed his earnest convictions that he had
call to labor among those Of his own race, and
only needed the sanction Of the visible church
to obey the summons. The brethren examined
him as to hi, htne-s and finally gave him
license to preach, the understand ling being that
the INST Of his laours should bc brought into the
During tie past winter the Mcthodi-ts got up
"A tl 2 Il Ituupl
pulled on his coat and went To wori, with them
IN good earnest. The colured population soon
became aroused to the importance Of things
spiritual. and many came forward az converts.
OF these brother Tunnel claimed his fU.l share
TO he led 10y him into the Baptist fold.
GOGNG TO THE DONATION PARTY.
A few Sundays ago an announcement was made
an the church before the mixed assembly thai uu
certain day the congregation would pay their
annual donation ylsit To their pastor ~ the rcs
dtncc ut Deacon John Eyeritt, where he board
Ell, and that arruntcments would be made for
th" accommodation OF all, ami all were earnest
y invited Z" attend and bring their Offering.
lit- annuuu. cIu,ut was mdCC Un three succ. .--
rit" sunday prior u Mcduc-ddy, the 2lst ut.
held.
Doacun Eyoriu, by the way. is an undertaken,
and is pdtruLilcd hy all. without distinction uf
race. color. or previous condition. ON the ap-
pointed evening the Rev. Mr. Tunnel did up his
chores a Little sooner than usual. and hurried
home to don bis Sunday clothes out OF respect
for the occasion. Then loading himself down
with a hu., ha kot Gllol good Things, and with
n - bill tucked away in lis vest pocket, he
started fUr Deacon Eyeritts, thankful that
he wa. enabled To- contribute something to his
pastors comfort. tie arrived a little late
and found q large company Of whites already a3-
scublcd. lie entered, according to custom,
without ringing the bell. as hc always DID when
going 70 prayer meeting, and ~ Deacon Evertt
entered his mousse when attending PRAYER meet
ing there. lie stopped in the hall 10 remove bis
uycrcuat and hat, and then opening the purlur
door presented Lim. clf before tpc company. Tho
piuus Deacon ENcrtt spicd him at this moment
The hall viii tie remark, "0h. brother Tunnel.
one word with YOU II you please"
"ou-AH- TN BROTHER TUNNEL
Ou reaching the hall the Deacon very carefully
closed the parlor door, and then, with soue
hemm.ns and having began;
Al Btuther Tunnel ah ! meant ali 90
there are ah a good many strangers here to-
nisht all Who an don't exactly al under-
church ah and -uh who might no. an like
all you understand an milht-ah not like
all orrather-ah mot expecting ah- tnat is to
all would make II unpleasant an Tor your pco,
pie, all. hope you understand, brother TuLud
-ah-tha AN Y makes no difference an to
over with some of the brethren. an IL sccmtl
PIE should have their donation by themselves
They woud-ah-onj themselves 50 much
better, you know, ana would lee uuembarra-s
Don you thihN yourself b. W1Id he better
And tur white hrcthen aud sister, VIII all come
and help Sou.
ulGLE Truths AGAINST WORLDLY PRIDE
Tie good colorcd brother listened a. th.. Tong.
~tawmcrlng speech, ~ ir-i VITA Cuuus.iy, them
with ama4cln,ut, and lually stood dumui1ul-
ed Bat he soon found voice, and -uoi" az .ol-
"Brlddcr Eyritt, De coard FOLKS amt good
nur to cum lil, ~ dcS 3!
mo, NJ. Brot..r Inn.L T. THAT'S mot TO-, rc-
Piled the Deacon. "it amt q. vino uhi,,t. liut,
yuu 5000, tine question b., WouIdu., tuo rt,.c '.-
,"Ne.'r mind ta' l'fudd"r l"rii' troNc In
Dc good Lqrd % ."he care 'h lii- own cyI~e;
nc INIlr tolls Ls dat uh One blood i!c mad, al
"a ia tR al "a Al IIt. .FIftt