The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-16
A DOVN.SOUTH JUBILEE"

evangelist" who created such furore
at negro campmeeting i'll Arkansas. 1t
was O good joke, and stirred within me
the feeling of visiting such meeting at
the first opportunity that presented
itself. 1 had just arrived at IA certain
town in N. c., when I was informed that
a negro campmeeting was to be held at
about mile from town. | was de
lighted-at last my curiosity could be
satisfied 1 sprang at the opportunity,
and caught it just ut that moment when
it was in it's zenith. 1t had been ru
mored for some time, so L was informed,
that i. campmeeting was to be held. Con
sequently on the opening day the roads
leading to the church were thronged
with the traditional rusty umbrellas and
ANCIENT CARPET SACKS,
All travelling to one common point,
where all men are equal. at the time OF
our arrival the church and its vicinity
was crowded to it's utmost by the weary
worshipers. 1t was decided to hold the
service outside beneath the trees. Two
sermons were preached, one at eleven
and one at three. The congregation was
u perfect study. 1t would require Hoff-
mans rare and fantastic genius to de-
scribe worthily the countenances of
some of those present. There sat an old
gray headed fellow, with large rolling
eyes, and lips like huge oyster shell.
There sat youthful! Cloud, whose coat
had evidently been worn by his fore
fathers, and cut and made after the style
of that worn by Joseph. There, again,
dusky maiden, dressed in purple and fine
linen; there q youth whose mouth would
make a fortune on q minstrel stage.
There were young nigs and old nigs, big
and small nigs; light darkies, and darkies
upon whose countenance charcoal would
leave white mark It had been under
stood that the evening meeting would
be quite interesting, so we decided to re-
main.
AT EARLY CANDLE LIGHT
The church was opened. The church
was log hut, about twenty by fifteen
feet. At one end was a hugh Fireplace /;
at the other was a window sash minus
the glass. The pews were simply con-
strncted by piece OF plank, without any
back, and supported by four shakey legs.
The whole editice was lighted by four
tallow candles. And now for the SER
mon: The preliminary remarks OF the
preacher were in ''retience" to Il col
lection for the missionary fund. During
this brilliant discourse, two stray dogs.
unbelievers, began growing near his
stand, when suddenly stopping i'll the
midst of his remarks, he changed his
tone and cried, "Git out Oh dat" 1t
had the desired effect. The collection
proved that the brethren ever in Africa
would be entitled to draw sixty-four
cents from the funds on hand. The
minister was delighted with his success.
He then commenced his sermon proper,
by saying that he would not
MAINTAIN THE PEOPLE
Long, but he wished that they would
''insist" him as much as possible. He in
formed us that he never went to school a
day in his life, which remark was totally
uncalled for, as any one present was
easily convinced of that. His sermon
was lengthy description of st. PauFs
journey to "Demascase. Once he was
interrupted by some members of the con-
gregation moving about; stopping alb
ruptly he told them to be quiet, saying
lit is annoyifying me, body and soul.
When in his remarks he 'waXed warm,
a low, singing sound came up from
among the women. This was the fore
runner of tie storm which was soon to
break. During n stirring appeal, there
was shrek and shout; and darky
girl jumped from her seat, clapping her
hands and making more noise than n
volunteer fire department. BY this eX
hibition, we knew she was happy, for We
had been informed that
THESE WERE THE SYMPTOMS.
The sister took her stand in the center of
the floor and stamped, shouted and
cried until one of the pillars of the
church started the lively hymn, "Hab
You got ticket to de promised land?'
This proved quite reviving. Soon an
other sister got the power. She bounced
up, and shouted and then struck the
floor. Here she rolled and yelled like n
wild tiger. About this time the fun be-
came general. Most all the women were
happy, and those that were not, enjoyed
themselves by taking out the benches
and making room. One started from
one side of the house to the other, swing
ing her arms like q Windmill. With one
blow she sent a candle flying across the
house. This did not stop her. She con-
tinued on until bench seriously OBJ
jected, and then she landed ali in u heap
on the other side. About this time the
evangelist was singing in
HIS LoUDESr VOICE:
when lie good ole Moses come out oh
de Wilderness N this and all other
songs the congregation kept time with
their feet, and AS the songs are sung
rather rapidly, the accompaniment ere