The New York herald., 1879-09-01
COLORED CAMP MEETING.


BY WHITES AND BLACKS ALIKE-rHE QUAINT
MELODIES OF THE JUBILEE SINGERS.
This Is tho time of year when colored camp meet
ings break out in spots in different parts Of the
country. There one active blast at present at
Comstock's Grove. near Mount Vernon village. In
westchester county. to which white people have
been attracted in considerable numbers. The grove
is in delightfully."- rural and picturesque situation.
with abundance of shade and with the ground high
and rolling It contains several wells OF clear, cold
spring water, and intoxicating beverages are
allowed to be consumed on the premises this is
great desderatum. Tents were pitched here week
ago. and some twenty-five colored people settled
down to live on the grounds while the camp
meeting lasted. Two large canvas pavilions
we're erected for the accommodation Of the
preachers. the jubilee singers and the congrega-
ton. Other tents were put up for restaurant pur-
poses and benches, tables and cooking stoves
placed in position The meeting is under the direction
of Rev. j. Pollard, pastor of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, of Mount Vernon. assisted
by Rev. DR.. Miller. Of Yonkers; Rev. Mr.. Luss and
several clergymen and lay evangelists Of various
evangelical churches. Prayer meetings are held at
eight in the morning. and preaching at eleven. three
and lf-past seven O'Clock.
The attendance yesterday unusually largo.
there being at least four hundred white people out
side Of the colored folks. who numbered about half
many. The grove was flled with wagons OF all
descriptions. and there were more than few styl
ishly dressed ladies seated the primitive
benches inside the preaching tent. Here plat
form was erected for the minister's and
the singers, the latter being assisted by
tho music Of melodeon The colored
folks were dressed in their best Sunday goto-meet-
ing Clothes and some Of the women sported all the
vas-roofed eating tables tho display Of wstermeons
was most conspicuous, and to these the stalwart
darkies addressed themselves with rare gusto The
white visitors took much interest in watching the
colored folks go for the melons as in lis
toning to the religious exhortation. In fact.
in spirit Of secular curiosity. and all the time
on the lookout more for amusement than edifcaton.
They looked vt the affair something next door to
o minstrel variety performance but in this
respect they encountered some disappointment.
The services conducted with almost as much
dignity and seriousness ut any camp meeting
of white people; but there were occasional OK
pressions In prayers and preaching that made tho
CHARACTERISTIC SERMON.
One sermon In the morning was on the subject Of
tho young man who went down to Jericho and fell
among thieves. ''He fell among en-, broddcn.
SAID the preacher. who had very hoarse voice,
"'cos he was young an foolish. an OF you who is
dc same GO down to New York now you can fall
among EN- anywhere in Thompson street. Why
does q man fall among sich people? Because he
negscts do fus. principles, OF his Inmate; inmate
away by de gusts Of consumin' and consequential
passion and turnin' deaf an impenetrable to
still small voice of conscentiousness goes along
like q two-forty mule to his own inscrutaole de-
struction." Loud cries OF approval greeted this
declamatory effort and the preacher went ahead
with increased vehemence. Among the intermina-
bio verses of q hymn sung by the New Orleans
jubilee singers was one IS fouows-
When git de mountain top,
In dat beautiful worl high
I sing and an mover stop
In dat beautiful wor' on high.
CHORUS
oh. I'll be dcre will be derc,
Oh, Ill be dore will be derc,
Wild do palms of victory.
Palms of glory
You shall woar
In dat bcautiful worl on high.
The chorus was powerfully rendered and might
be heard long distance away. Another screed went
this Way
Altho you go along SO.
One mo- ribber to
hab my trials here below.
One mo- rbbor to cross.
Little while longer hero below.
ono mo- rbbor To cross.
Then to glory will
One mo- rbber cross.
Twas young whom begun.
one mo- ribbcr to cross.
But race Is nearly done.
One mo- ribber to cross.
Among the white visitors were many young men
from the village of Mount Vernon and Yonkers, and
these seemed rather disposed to have some fun at
the expense of the feelings OF the coored folks but
the police arrangements OF character to pre-
vent any riot ndecency, and everything passed
of peaceably to the end of the day. The camp will
be continued till next Sunday evening.