The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-17

11Jx
parents of children subject to fits. These
gew-gaws are inclosed in leathern pouch,
and forbidden to be opened under the penalty
| Of some dire punishment. In some places
the pow-wowiDg practiced over newborn
| inf.nt would be quite creditable to genuine
African.
At the base of certain bluff on the Alta
maha River, thousands of negroes have been
| immersed; always when the tide is in. 1t
was discovered that each candidate for bap-
! tism dropped small coin when plunged into
| the water, and on inquiring of one Of the ini-
tiated, we were informed that it was to 'pay
the water for wash away SIM" We pondered
over this information without arriving at any
satisfactory solution of the mystery, until an
intelligent young friend reminded us that the
pennies dropped at the food-tide could readily
be obtained at low-water mark The mystery
being explained, during the next immersion
We gazed at the preacher with new and
peculiar interest that bristled with moral dag
gers pointed with contempt.
In some localities in the extreme South,
where the white population is sparse, heathen
rites and ceremonies are revived; and 1t would
prove a new and interesting study to one &C.
customed to research, to trace out by means
whence these negroes sprang.
Ia one of the districts of that blackened,
desolated spot, once the proud State of South
Caroline, we met with native African woman,
who informed us that she was stolen from her
tribe at the tender age of seven years; further,
that she came of tribe that was never known
to steal. Neatness and honesty were her char
acteristics; but her religious faith, partly in
herited, and partly her own formation, was
peculiar one. As matter OF course it was
emotional-at a very low ebb on wash days,
in q state of resurrection at funerals, and
triumphant during revival meetings. She had
forgotten the name of her tribe; even the
names of her parents had clipped from her
memory; but the river which she had been
taught to worship in her infancy, had worn
deep channels in that treacherous memory.
This deep, abiding superstition, made it COM
paratively easy for her to transfer her idolatry
to some stream in her new home. By conse-
quence she became Baptist, or rather, an i'm
mersionist; for she was Baptist no further
than the waters of the Great Pedee conveyed
her. This woman was the strongest advocate
of slavery that ever met with, outstripping
st. Paul himself; often saying that if she had
never been brought to America, she would
never have known old Marcus" her hus-
band, nor ever seen the spot ON the Pedee
River, where she first found q religion, that
assuredIy was of more comfort to her than
the faith she left behind her. Although, OF
course, princess of the blood-royal, she did
not care to return to her kingdom and claim
her right to the crown, preferripg her humble
cottage, with MARK" by her side, to the
bamboo-hut of her royal sire.
The negro is generally an Athenian in his
creed. Fearing in his ignorance that he might
miss the right thing he sacrifices on every
alter to gods known and unknown. Lets
go" said a negro urchin to his fellow, "and
pray to de white peoples God" There is no
doubt that vast number believe in plu-
rality OF gods.
Another negro, an adult, styling himself
Baptist preacher, after listening TO our ideas
of q Supreme Being, declared "He was
mighty good God for white folks, but de dark
poperlation hab no use for such as he" They
crave a God to meet their low sensual views,
and such they are seeking.
WHAT hand can stay this tide, this sinking
back into African darkness? Can little salt
season or preserve so corrupt mass? Can
few teachers, be they ever so devoted to the
cause, with only few hundreds under their
care, let the deluded millions turn adritt a
century before the time upon the broad faith
omless ocean of doubt and uncertainty? Can
the most hopeful of patriots see aught but
terrible temporal and spiritual fate in reserve
for the unbound, bewiidered negro, as with
less than child's knowledge he pushes his
little untried craft out to open sea, scarce
looking back to the terra tirnso where needful
restraint once held him SAFE? See him, with
out chart or rudder, fix his sensual eye on
sun, moon, stars and waves as his divlnltles,
floating with the tide and drawn by a tendency
which, unaided, he cannot resist back to the
beliefs and customs of his race.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, does not feel
ing of gratitude arise in your heart that you
are not responsible for this? 1t springs up
now in ours; and as we look over the gloomy
hills of darkness and see the moral and
spiritual death Of this helpless, hapless peo-
pie, all anger at their misconduct, all amuse.
ment at their fantastic performance, are merged
into pang Of real sorrow for their inevitable
fate. CHEvEUx Girls.