Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-17

but pears like am mighty sight 'mbstanc'
in en-"
led the gen eral class, and at the Close
the minister said he "knowed he spoket
de mind of all dc brudders an sisters
when he said dcy was all glad to hab de
white sister wi dem, an hoped she'd
come ebbery time. for her company were
berry acceptable to ebbery one," and ther
he praved for me "Oh Lord. bress de
good sister what am wild US dis evenin
Oh, Lord, brcss her in her conscGtootion,
do, Lord. Bress her next Sunday, when
she 60 cross DO creek TO speak at dc sin
ners dar. Load her guns, dear Lord, dat
she may bring de sinners down, an make
dem howl for der sins"
Last week we went up to camp meeting.
myself and friend being the only white
folks present, and on Sunday there were
over six thousand people on the ground.
No words could describe it; the meetings
were kept up night and day and the great
est enthusiasm prevailed. Hundreds came
to the altar, and so great was "de power
dat sometimes fifty were laid out dead at
once"
1t was a scene never to be forgotten,
and one which would be impossible among
any other class of people. The singing
was grand, the preaching good and the
PRAYERS models. many of them, in their
directness of appeal and childliko faith
and trust.
As we listened to some Of the preachers
grand men everyway-the question
would come, What would these men have
Ibeen if freedom had not come to their
race?
We met Rev. S. +. Flegler, who has been
several years in Liberia, and Rev. Mr..
Sturratt, pastor of Emanuel church,
Charlestown, which has membership Of
three thousand with one thousand pro-
bationers
Being anxious 10 sec all phases, we took
a carriage and went out to Colonel
Gregg's phosphate works. where two
hundred and seventy.ive convicts arc
employed. Every courtesy was shown
us, and we were taken on the engine four
miles to see the chain gangs at work,
They were all colored and wore mana
cles. and for every squad 0en men) a
white man stood guard with loaded
musket. Next to rum.selling l thought
their occupation would seem the mos
despicable. Most OF the mon we're young
and even boyish in their looks-and whaI
alife! Clad in prison garb, the clankina
of the chain at the least movement,
lodged in barracks at the stockadc, eating
, their breakfast before going to work at G
A. NJ, dinner taken from tin pals under
that musket range, work till dark ant
, then their walk back, with the same pros
, pect before them for months and ever
years. And what brings most OF them II
, this? asked.
"Oh, rum, mosllY, marm,- ono wa.
OF another"
, visited tho guard house, Jail and cour
house in Charlestown; also the hospital
and met theresults Of rum drinking every
y where. How ! hate it and everything
- connected with it, and most of all tn
. social wine drinking which prevails to al
= alarming extent in tho south among nj
4 classes Of people.
Had time I should like to tell you @
Q the temperance work of my friend here
q who has given twelve years of her life
work among the freedmen. She is a Rhod
10 Island woman, spending her summer
- with ia, coming back every autumn /
:, take up her school, which is under th
- patronage of the Friends in Philadelphia
- In addition to her duties there, which ar
l., arduous, she finds time for temperance 0
y y religious work and is, just now, opening
: " children's home," which will be a grea
l. blessing to tho state. Tho funds for pul
- chasing the home and furnishing have a
been sent from tho north and means ft
ID carrying it on must come for the preser
y. largely from that source.
-, There is much in and about Charleston
n of great interest, and have visited mos
N of the places which would be peculisrl
,d attractive TO northerner, Forts Sumt
or and Moultric being, of course, among Il
=, number.
The whole visit la. been delightful.
,e have enjoyed the beautiful flowers whie
in grow in such profusion, the carly vegets
al bles and fruits, peas, beans. new potatoe
n strawberries and blackherries, with lots
" other things. But best ofall. have enjo
ed the open,handed, large-hearted hosp
or tality of the people everywhere.
God bless the sunny south" and puril
es uplift and save her people, white al
,,o black. Mrs. J. X. BARNEY.
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