The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-05
CAMP MEETING IN THE RAIN.
Coiored Methodists q citing In Earnest In their
Services In CanarsIe Grove.

The congregation Of the Christian Union
Methodist Church. in West Twenty -eighth
street. pitched their camp in Canarsie Grove.
Long Island. yesterday. and began n series Of
meetings designed 10 continue two weeks The
printed rules Of the meeting forbade the selling
OF liquors in the grove. but adjoining the Gospel
Pavilion there was a harroom where lager ale.
and stronger drinks were plentifully dispensed.
The managers OF the meeting said that they
could not prevent the selling Of liquor. as tho
owner of the grove had entire control Of the
matter.
Tn Rev. Perry Hopkins we'll known col
orcd preacher and pastor Of the West Twenty
eighth Street Church. conducted the services.
In the forenoon he preached the opening SER
mon. He docs not speak with the negro dialect
and his grammer and rhetoric are as perfect az
those Of most white clergymcn.
The worshippers became. warmed up to their
work in tho afternoon. and the grove rcsounded
with the singing OF hymns. loud praying, and
shouting. Sister Harriet Watson. a colored
woman. led the singing. She struck up, and
the congregation vigorously Joined her in sing
Iwi'4 Iw1'at heavens door
This was sung TO the tuno several years ago
very popular as minstre! song. and contain
ing the line
Ibet my money on bobtail nag
Several young men walked through the midst
NJ the meeting with cigars in their mouths.
Sister Watson rebukcd them in severe terms
Young men. this place is consecrated to tina
worship Of the Lord, and you insult Him when
yom burn your filthy tobacco here"
Tho smokers sncercd at Sister Watson and
two or three persisted in walking back aud
forth among the IWorshippers while, she was
during the meetings AN officer of the law would
be on hand to enforce the rules. Brother Hop
kins prayed ana the congregation sang:
s. John saw iho mystery,
An anAcl walking on the
The Rev. ID. L. Libencr OF East New York
preached the afternoon sermon. He told the
son put strychnine into some food which his
children ate Three of the children died and
one survived; He, complained to, the District
poisoning arrested. but he was discharged from
custody and is 10 this day UNPUBLISHED. The
congregation sang;
Noull so to hell for your bad Ways.
Then the woods rang with the hymn. I'm
glad salVation's free, the singers keeping time
to the music with their feet. 20, won't you
come to Jesus" was also sung. which had the
effect Of bringing several repentant persons to
In the grove there wore still in position sew
eral horizontal bars which had been used by
party OF Gymnasts belonging. TO a German
Turner's society. \ number oiiOOys disturbed
tho camp meeting by mounting tho bars and
going through variety of tymnastic evolu-
tions. Ono otthe clereymcn interrupted the re-
ligiOuS services Ia drive the boys away.
There were several dashes Of rain in the af-
ternoon. but the worshippcrs sheltered them
selves under large pavilion and the rain did
not Interfere with tho services. The Rev. Perry
Hopkins prayed that tho Government Of tho
United States might be led out Of the dark ways
that encompass the people. This was consid-
cred as an indirect reference to the reign OF
Fraud.
In the evening oil torches were lighted md
those remaining in the grove listened 10 scr
mons 10y the Rev. ID. Ii. Haines and the Rev. j.
Il. Brooks.
The grove is reached via the Carnarsio Rail
road from East New York. the company selling
tickets to and from the grove Mt reduced rates
during the meetings. The members of all the
colored churches are invited to participate. and
Brother Hopkins says there is plenty OF room
for the white folks too.