Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-25

\ writer in the AmerIcan Educational
Monthly says that during the winter OF
1862 80. while stationed near Fredericks-
burg, Va. he once visited Methodist meet
ing, held by plantation negroes who had
formed a settlement near the camp, and
took down verbatim the following prayer
offered by one Of the old negroes. There Is
something about it which seems to dignity
even Its grOte-queness
"Oh. Lord God OF dis glorious Universe,
wilt don look down in Dc omipresence Of dy
eye upon desc dy collsrd children bowed
upon de knuckle-bone dis night. Take
solemn peep upon u and let a heap
Of light in. D0u kn0west what desc
q poor darkles need. Dere be sam, dere
be Jerry. and dere be POmpey. Dey
are in derc sins. dat's what | reckon Help
dem 10 git up and git from the wilderness
OF sin and come in TO de clearing OF saliva
ton. Take solemn peep also upon de
darkics in &c other cabin, who whlrl on De
bombastic toe, while dy servant Eliminates
words to dey. May dey rise above the an
thrat0ry things Of dis world, and fly like
Massa LinSums balloon heavenward Pro-
lessor Low balloon was anchored near by
Ruler Of all humans on dis earth. wilt
d0u hrass de Generals in de field dis night.
II 1t be circumspectiOn in dy eye. Bress
clrcum=pectiOn in dy discreet eye. and
also bFeSs de Union soldiers. who
carry de muskeI and chaw de cart
ridge. fighting for de MON and de Stars
and Stripes Dey fight in a scientific cause
and be de hestest OF men but good Lord.
NAV cey swear less and pray more. And
finally bre>s dY humble servant now suppli-
eating dee IN behalf Of desc beuiyhte1 dar-
kies. 1t beAooves dec to dig deep and sound /
to de very bottom of his heart May dcre
be nary blimmage between myself and nv
Saviour.
Ia De language Of dc mighty Washington: !
dis word i all heeting show To-day We
are alive and hoppin around like /
grasshJppers, to morrow De sickle of death /
cuts Us down and spreads Us like grass I
IN hay time On every side thou /
kuOHCst, o Lord, = dc evidence Of .
dc general dislocation and destruction OF /
dc human family. Dere be fghtiu among
one another and natural disease. But we
die u live again either a. saints or evil .
spirits. Dere be discussions On doctrines.
hiec>huns, Before ordination, Perfection.
aud sch like, confuse de intellects of both
black men and white. But, good Lord ,dou
kn0west dat desc are vain illusions, spiittin
an dividing dy creatures into sexes without
mercy Whoever will, can 90 to glory.
Many dere will be with slick e0untenances.
white collars and fine clothes, who vii! find |
De gates shut against them. while de blind
old woman, hobblirg on crutches, she 20
s;ralgh; IN Amen"
Jim McCue Is a member af the California
Assembly, and one OF the most impulsiye of
san Francisco statesman. II ne should rise
high enough in politics to step into Con-
,resS-and the fact that he is the richest
saloon keeper on the Pacific coast, with an
Extensive drinking acquaintance. gives rea-
condolences to such surnise-he will be a
good member not TO have Il MISUNDERSTANDING
8ith. The other day, Mr.. McCue rode out
With Col {. \. Spear another San Francisco
politician. They stopped at wayside grog-
,ery to drink, and in getting into the car
lage again they iostled each other The
-o!onel 'unwlttingly put his hand toward
us pistol pocket, and the As-emhlyman /
'uttlng the ordinary Western construction
N the movement, quickly drew his own re.
Oliver and fired. The bail went half way
round the Colonies head. between the
kull and the scalp; but court plaster and
n apology are likely 20 heal the wounds of
r4nium and friendship, and thus no break ,
I'll be made in the ranks Of the Assembly ,
ian : supporters