The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-22
"THE sun DO MOVE"
Listening to the Impassioned Jnsper-A
Remarkable Colored Preacher.

Listening to the Impassioncd Jasper-A
Remarkable Colorcd Preacher.
RICHMOND, VA, April S.
Your correspondent, noticing the revi-
we'd interest attending the announcement
that the Rev. John Jasper would for the
last time, preach his famous sermon on
the Rotation of the Sum-" wended his
way thither yesterday. The day was op.
pressively warm-the church more 80.
He was unfortunate enough 10 secure a
seat in window, to the windward of the
dusky congregation. However, on this
occasion there were great many white
people present, whom the church treats
very civilly, reserying for them the best
seats. The choir is o representative
negro choir-no instrument, but keeping
the perfection of time.
Without unnecessary delay, MI. Jas
per commenced his sermon. He is q
man of sixty-eight years, large and
powerfully built, black as ebony and
wears silver-rimmed spectacles, which
give him venerable appearance. Com
mencing in an almost inarticulate voice,
he makes some Introductory remarks
about his sermon, among which was one
to the effect that when he said in the
course of his sermon "dat de sun do
move," be wanted the congregation to
know that he meant "de sun does movs.'
That he wasn't much on grammar, only
having enough education to tell sinners
de way to hebben, an keep 'em from
going to hell" He started out with a
general history of the world from Abra-
ham-his voice becoming more full and
his articulation more distinct. His de-
scriptive powers are fine, and he had
riveted the attention of the audience be-
fore proceeding five minutes. He re-
marked that some men say that Moses
went to hell. "Now, bredderen, I'll give
you de doctrine on de subject. In de
TRANSPORTATION on de Mount de BIZ
Bile tells US that Moses and Elias ap-
peared to dc deciples. And now, how
in de name of God, could Moses have
come from hell out OBJ de clouds?"
Any one who says that John Jasper
can't reason, is very much mistaken
though perhaps, unconsciously, he ar
ranged his sermon on the basis of logi-
cal syllogism. His major premise was ::
"Whatever we learn from the Bible, as
Christians, we are bound to believe it,"
His minor premise: "The Bible teaches
US that the sun does move, and there
fore, as believers Of the Bible, We must
believe in the rotation of the SUM-"
Perhaps be mixed his premises slightly
and reached his conclusion little too
soon, but mono the less correctly did he
follow the rules Of Hamilton and Jevous.
Naturally enough, his sermon hinged
on his minor. His most conclusive ar
gument was, of course, the standing still
of the sun and moon. He remembers
the Scripture language, chapter and
verse; with wonderful accuracy. When
he reached this passage he suddenly
dropped his narrative style, and the un-
questioned natural eloquence Of the
man blazed forth. With wonderful in.
tensity of voice, swinging his arms aloft
in the passion of the moment, he repeat
ed: "Sun, stand thou still upon Gideon,
aud thou moon in the valley of Ajalon," ,"
and passing on rapidly to the execution
of the five kings he spoke of their bodies
hanging until the "going down of the
sum-" and then leaning over the pulpit
he asked with weird chuckle: "Does
going do,cn mean stand stilt?"
Then comes the most impressive part
of the whole service. He throws himself
into rhapsody. His voice assumes that
monotonous rhythm which SO powerfully
affects the negro. Folding his arms, he
sways his body to and fro, keeping time
with bis words. lie breaks out into q
song, "Isaiah went to hebben iu chariot
of fire." and then suddenly resuming
prose, he speaks of the judgment day.
"Dey shall call OH de rocks and de noun
tains to cover dem, and de earth shall be
melted with fervent heat, We all shall
be changed at de last trump-in a mo.
ment, in de twinkle OBJ an eye-and de
dead in Christ shall rise first" All this
in perfect rhythm, catching his breath
with deep loud gasps. The scene is
thrilling. The negroes rise to their feet
in all parts of the church-poweifully
wrought up-eyeballs distended and
glistening. "Glory to God," Amen
"-e heard from different parts of the
church. The preacher continuing in
this strain, INDUCES their feelings fol-
some time, and then closes rather alb.
ruptly.
As specimen of Unborn, uncultivated
eloquence, his preaching is unsurpassed
The excitement of the negroes, the in.
tense, all-absorbing earnestness of the
preacher, and the dark weird surround
ings, all combine to make picture SO
singularly fascinating that once seen ii
will never be orgotten.-C Correspondence
Louisville Courier-Jomnal.