The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-28
THE cLIFroN rARk CAMP MEETING.
Tho Anomaly Of a Barroom md n Pulpit
Under One Mauaaemept.

The negro Methodist camp meeting at
Clifton Park. on the old Vanderbilt farm, Staten
Island, was continued Yesterday. As the Rev.
Dempsey Kennedy sat on the steps OF the hotel
In the park. waiting patiently for service time
the Rev. DIR. J. Smith frequently addressed him
as "Old pap In de Gospel" The youth who had
stolen the horn with which the congregation is
called together had returned II, nnd Brother
Kennedy ordered some water poured into 1t to
put 1t In condition to be blown. He Is con-
sidered the abest horn blower In the camp.
Mus be queer tune dat l can't blow" said
be- ss he put the horn to his lips to try II. "Ah,
Pm crippled" no continued, as he attempted to
rise. IL broks my knee 90 years ago 'raslin,
and den broke my leg and arm, and cracked my
skull ridin horses for massa." Soon afterward
he said ~ tlnk could get a good many votes
for either party. 1'se acquainted wild cullud
folks all ober New York aud Ohio, aud Inj,any.
None OF dem polytishuns bsb approached me
on d. subject, and, 1 guess, shan't mingle up
polticks wid hgion, Brudder Smith. you jes
for 1t. needer. Ise dc one dat makes de money
Tor deal, and dey mus feed me and gio me
Tue lunch counter is run by the sisters but
the bar OF he hotel Is lot b, the msn,eers Of the
camp meeting to an outsider ~ Mint Joap."
"Cherry Cobbler," and "Brandy Smash" are
among the signs posted near tue pulpit. During
the service, a boisterous crowd thronRed tho
ling. One drunken fellow gave TIE police trouble.
They put MIN In building near by to get sober,
and asked the Sun reporter not to write any
thing about IL.
rhe Rev. Dr. Kennedy went to the hemiock
pulpit under the lofty ems that almost hid 1t
from view, and blew the horn. The Rev. DIR.
Smith expOunded the rules OF tho camp: mo
infane language allowed In de camp. No smoki n
durin preHchin'. After service, your pleasure.
No spirltyus liquors drunk on oe eroun's
"a bar was In operation one hundred
feet from the pupit) DE kmittee'll
reserve order. Officers will please stop dat
shootin' match ober oar. Now, wants all de
older cullud brethren aud sistren to come up
here to de front. why, jus look dar's q sheep
pen wild not sheep In tt,' pointing to the hem
lock enclosure In front OF the pulpit. Fiji up
de sheep pen, bredren and sistren. now hab
de honor to introduo to your 'tention dat old
mudder In the Gospi Sister Murray, Of Philla-
delfy. Smell preach to your satisfaction"
Mrs. Murray dotted her drab Quaker bonnet,
exposing snow white nigbtcap covering gray
hair, and, stepping to the front OF the pulpit,
started the singing. Her voice was strong aud
clear and melodious. Two verses were lined"
and sung, and then she asked the consrega-
ton To sing "ue last standard -
Angels. assist our mighty JOYS;
strike all your narpe Of goa.
which was sung with great fervor. She then
uOns,' and asked "de Lord to breade upon
de dyin' ordieuce." After n sermon by Mrs
MURRAY. the Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald sang songs and
sold copies OF them for nye cents each. After
ward he offered his photographs for 70 oents
eAcl.