The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-11
THE EARTHQUAKE AS A TEXT.
A COlored Preacher Bases a Lurid Sermon
Timely Topic.

A Colored Preacher Bases a Lurid Sermon
Timely Topic.
WASHINGTON Letter in Boston Traveller.
The colored Methodists are holding their an
nual camp meeting just outside of Washington,
and novel and interesting sight it is to North
ern eyes. Nothing like 1t can be seen north Of
Mason and Dixons line. To-day there were
probably 1000 persons present, with sprinkling
Of white people who have been drawn there by
curiosity. There are numerous shanties on the
ground surrounding large tent, in which serv-
ices are held all day, and frequently all night
The arrangement of the seats is not peculiar.
AT one end there Is pulp built high in the
air. Directly in front of this square space is
left open, with the seats surrounding it On three
sides. To-day was the great day of the meeting
In the pulpit were half dozen colored divines
each of whom discoursed some wonderful theol-
ogy to the worshipers. An aged colored person
with white wool and beard appeared to be the
conductor of the exercises. He preached, and
what sermon it was! Starting off with the
earthquake he wound up with some very peril
nent remarks upon the evil of chicken stealing.
which caused quite number of the brethren to
roll their eyes in affected Amusement and limo
cence.
The preacher said in the course of his remarks
on the earthquake: Now brudders an sisters
yer all know what an earthquake am. Yer
think yer do, but yer don't There amt a man
woman here what can't 'splan just what
caused de ole earth ter shake wild de wrath of
out dat de middle of de earth is red hot De
winter comm wild de cold, and consequently
de crust Of de earth is gettin' cooled an breaks
just like yer sometimes see de ice on frosty
mawnin.' Earthquakes is Gods medicine for q
wicked world. Now mind yer don't say that
Charleston Is wickeder dan Washington, but
dere's been somethin' goin' on down dere dat
perhaps God only knows. A man what goes out
at night and steals his neighbors chickens and
'propriates his ripest and biggest watermillions
of Saturday night and then comes into church
of Sunday and hollers louder than every body
else and lodges de contribution hat amt got no
religion He's got chickens and water
millions, but he amt got no religion.
You can't fool God He knows every
thing. He tells us that He will separate de goats
from de lambs, but you can't tell chicken thief
less you cotch him in de act. Dis earthquake
business isn't stopped yet. We have got to get
Gods ear an pray; OATS de only way we can keep
de earth from quivering.
''Now some of you think that God has forgot
ten Washington, but it's de biggest mistake of
your lives. He just gave us little shock last
week so as TO forewarn US what He is going to
do. He means to give sinners one more chance,
and if they don't come to Him and be saved they
must take the consequences. When de time
comes He will be able to take care Of His own.
De man wild feathers on his person just picked
from his neghbor's chickens won't be able TO de-
ceive Him by yellin' halleluiah an ali de other
words by which we glorify de Savior. No, sir;
he'll be set apart wild the goats, neber more be
saved De hat Will now he passed, an hope
dat dis time de usual rush for de 'freshment
stands will be postponed till after every body has
given something to de cause This was said in
a loud voice, but the last remark created some
thing of a stampede in the back of the tent.