New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
{ Continued from first page.)

Lord requires laborers who can at least read
and write with facility. He is the chief leader
in what Depugh fifty calls ''humbuggery,
tomfoolery, and superstition" and is IN his
element when heading some street parade of
his flock. He revels in the good things of
this life provided by admiring sisters, and
causes the hearts of the heads Of families to
quake when he appeals, for he is valiant
tronchman.
He is looked upon with dislike by the
masculine portion Of the community. He
pays repeated visits to the black bottle of
the master Of the house during his absence,
and is an excellent judge of good liquor.
The young gentlemen hate his very appear
ance, as the parson is sure to get the lions
share of anything that is going forward, and
they fall heir to the fragments. The sweet
hearts Of the ladies view him with an evil
eye, for who is so devoted as our modern st.
Paul? He is as a rule windy, frothy fell
low, with great capacity for telling lies.
One of these gentlemen came to this place
last year. He came like the apostle, with
out scrip or purse. He was a veritable
carpct-bagger, only he was unprovided with
his carpet-bag, as he relied on the faithful
to supply all deficiencies. He very speedily
hunted up the religious and told them that
he was sent by conference to organize a
church on the Rio Grande, and that he was
especially deputed to preach to the soldiers,
aud TO show them the error of their WAYS.
There was great rejoicing in Israel, and the
church members were jubilant. One gentle
man boldly asserted that it was through his
instrumentality that the monster was sent;
his reverence was not slow to leave out his
assertion, and forthwith appointed his ftlgle-
man an exhorter. He gathered the scattered
chldren-Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte.
Iians, &C., and welded them into one church.
with himselfat the head he appointed elders
in profuson, and leaders not few. lie had
conference three times week, and levied
contribution in the most approved style,
and even the sons of Baal did not escape his
heavy hand. lie commenced a protracted
meeting, which lasted for two weeks, which
so disturbed the house holders in the vicinity
that, after standing it for twelve days, they
were compelled to apply to the Mayor, but
his honor was powerless to act, as it was
near election time, and he was a candidate
for reelection. The spirit of the Lord de-
seconded upon his meetings, not like dove,
but with the force and power of lion, for,
when they began to rave it generally took
three or four persons to hold down one of
the afflicted. They smote each other with
the furniture of the meeting house, and many
a CORY and bleeding saint was taken to the
doctor to be resuscitated. His morals were
free and easy, and, if you were a good paying
member, he would not be strict upon
you.
In an unlucky flight of eloquence his rev.
erence asserted that all Baptists were chill
dren Of the devil, and all African Methodists
would of a surety so to hell, his cOngrega-
ton broke into open revolt {; headed by
portly matron, whom he had appointed
"Mother of the Chulch," all the discon-
tented gathered themselves into the Cave
of Adulam, and from thence carried on
predatory warfare upon the unfortunate gen.
tlenan. They said he was no parson at all,
but canting hypocrite. Some SAID he was
a runaway soldier; others, that he was an
eN-man-of-wars-man; others, that he was
forced to leave his home for being found late
at night in his neighbours watermelon patch
lie was assaulted in the street by one of his
lady members and his hat knocked into the
gutter, while her husband stood by with
cudgel to see fair play. He accommodated
them by the dozens, and every Sunday night
read a long list of black sheep, with the
delinquent. The war waxed warm, and
neither side prevailed until system was
adopted by the sisters, which speedily
brought the combat to close. One made
out bill for twenty dollars for board, and
sued him for it another demanded the ruffle
the third claimed divers small sums Of money
which his reverence had from time to time
borrowed One brother took away the lamps
which he had donated to the church another
said he wanted his blankets which he had
lent the rarson, as the nights were getting
cold The donor of his bed took it away,
and his house was denuded of furniture.
Zach ana every one OF tne OppOSltlOE ue-
spoiled him of the gifts they had bestowed
when he was in the zenith of his glory AS
the opposition waXed stronger, he grew
weaker. At last he was left without sup
porters, and she folded his tent like an Arab
and silently stole away"
The above parson in reading the marriage
service on one occasion said, "Who God has
joined together let no man stand mder."
What the colOred people require is an en-
lighteneI and educated ministry-men who
will combat superstition and teach them true
reli.ion-men who are meek and lowly, fol-
lowers of the holy child, Jesus-men who
have no thought of self, but devoted to their
duties. When we shall have such men as
pastors, then ignorance and vice will fade
away as mist before the morning sun, and
one of the chief agents in bringing about
such desirable end will be your talented
correspondent, Depugh.
am, sir, your very obedient servant,
f. X. d.
From Virginia.