New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-08
From Ohio.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 3, 1874

SINSlNNAil, Jau. ., lo'f.
z, as Ei1or # tie S,.c National Era and Citizen:
About fifteen years ago, Q859,) Rev. Jere-.
miah Bowman, Of the A. M. F. Church, sued
the late John 1. Gaines, at that time the
representative colorcd man of this commu-
nifty, for calling him a liar. Dom Piatt, your
neghbor of the Capital, was counsel for de-
PENDANT. Being natural wit, he extracted
great deal of fun out Of the case, and sue
ceeded in getting the suit dismissed at cost
Of complainant for counsel and court. The
Rev. Jerry was suspended from the ministry.
At the last conference he made an effort to
get reinstatcd, but the motion was defeated
on the ground that the old sinner was a liar.
Since then, he has brought suit in Ken
lucky court against Bishop Payne and the
Conference for defamation of character"
1 apprehend there will be some rare fun
brought out on the trial. A certified trans
cript of the record wherein the Rev. jeremiah
Dddler-bcg pardon, I mean Bowman
was conclusively proven to be unable to APP
preca;c the value Of truth, and I rather
think he will have occasion to regret "stir-
ring up the old odor" What lively time
the Bishop would have if he attempted to
suspend all the fibbing ministers in his do
cese! However, it is well for the church to
show its condemnation Of licensed liars, rs
in this case, it can be proved. All men must
ndorse every fair and honest effort to rid the
high and holy calling Of i:npostors and hypo-
critics. l am glad to record any item, that
will aid in that direction, and cheerfully give
them the benefit of my moral support.
There has been so much looseness in the
clergy in this nelghbolhood Of late years, that
every preacher is looked upon with suspicion
until he has demonstrated his worthiness as
SHEPPARD, and in proportion to this lack of
confidence is his influence restricted. Cen
tlemen Of the cloth must maintain clear
record, or it will not be long ere they find
their Occupation gone" As was once said
by an observant lady while riding in one of
the palace coaches between here and Column
bia, ''mulattoes are almost natural skeptics -
anyhow, and their respect must needs be
maintained to keep them TO the faith.
has been celebrated as usual, not withstandipg
the panic. Were one to judge by its effect
upon colored People, lie would find it difficult
TO convince himself that there was a financial
crisis in tho country. Our occupations arc
such that we are among the last, if not tie
last, to feel personally such calamites, and,
as We are the tail end of all things else, we
can forgive Dame Fortune for this mark of
her favor. There is q compensation for all
things in the world, and We can take JUNCTION
TO our souls that the balance is preserved in
this case. For once there is a virtue in being
last" In proof Of my assertion, can cite
the fact that revivals arc slack aud CONVEX
sions tardy. Nevertheless, it is fashionable
TO rail at ''harI times" and we aDc this as
we do all other fashions. There are just as
many toys among the children, just as many
presents to adults, just as many parties,
just as fine dressing, as ever before. And
yet, We are not happy!
All our churches held fairs or festivals
during the holidays, to which crowds were
attracted by novelties in the shape of we'd
dings, Christmas-trec distributions, or some
other magnetic device of the saints to induce
sinners to let go the wherewith to pay for
their religion. 1t seems to be the special
privilege Of the elect to levy toll upon the
ungodly, aaer which they are duly consigned
to hell and damnatlon. OF course some of
the worldly are thankful for even this much
notice, but your correspondent must exclaim
for himself, in the language of the preacher
from Hepsidam, who was taken in and done
hv thu Of in, NoU nrloonc
''She can't do il ag,n-hallejuger! 1t cost
nothing TO get in, but there was no telling
how much to get out.
The Christmas tree of
Union CHAPEL SABBATH SCHOOL
was an elegant affair, furnishing instruction
and amusement to the children and their
friends. Every child received toy, pound
OF candy, an apple, and an orange. Many
OF them more than this. The pastor, Rev.
J. II. Magee, was complimcnted with far
more than he could comfortably carry home,
and was evidently as happy as could be at
the many tokens of esteem from his friends.
A short programme by pupils in singing and
defamation was first given. Mr. A. j.
DE Hart, young graduate of last years
class in
GAINES HIGH SCHOOL,
conducted the exercise, and 1 suspect is re-.
sponsible for the excellence Of the latter,
though we were informed, alphabetically, that
each volunteer would render his selection
according to his own conception. The sing
ing was managed by Miss Clara Skinner,
who, though but about thirteen or fourteen
years old. plays both the organ and piano
with proficiency. She was originally pupil
OF Miss Ella Shepherd, now with the Jubilee
Singers in Europe, and reflects credit upon
10th herself and teacher. Jennie Bentley
acclaimed Curiosity" in a clear and we'll
m'dulated voice. for which she was loudly
appiauded. But the star of the evening
beamed upon US in the person of little Ella
Howe, aged five or six years. She came on
The stage with sort Of hop-skip-and-a- jump
style, balanced for an instant on one foot,
Threw the other around with q sudden jerk
describing kind of circle, the boys used to
call "bull-ring" for marbles" impressing
mo audience that it was desperate attempt
70 kick something imaginary behind her. at
the same time the upper part Of her body
uorI A.