Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-03-18
CAPE BRETON FOLK.
The Open Air Sacrament and Communal
sabbath Originated by Covenanter,.

The Open Air Sacrament and Communior
sabbath Originated by Covenanter,.
The sacrament in the open air orict
mated with the Covenanters, when thew
met by stealth in the fields or woods fm
their forbidden worship, 1t was tim,
established in the Lowlands with theor
gauization of Professionalism. and #
still continues to be a characteristic fe9.
ture of the Highlands after its dscon.
tinuatioa in the Lowlands. The sacra.
ment begins always ut eleven on Thurs.
day This day is regarded as one Of
preparation; the spirit of it is that Of
fasting and humiliation, expressed in
the usual services: the singing Of the
psalms of David, prayers, and sermon
all in Gaelic The singing is what
first impressed me as perfectly unique.
The preccntor sings in low and ex-
ceedmgly plaintive voice, soft pro-
nmciation, and a timid expression. hi,
recitativcs are rs austcre as Grcgoman
chants, but full Of little notes and slu.
and by contrast his phrases are render
ed still more touching after the mass Of
sound coming from the people The
congregation also sing, with sOftncss;
but as individuals have their own time.
discords prevail. the long syllables are
drawn out beyond measure, withanasal
drawl. and the shorter ones are clipped
oil and swallowed. Bnt the ordinary
irritation produced by these defects II
not felt In the complete absence OF
rhythm YOU feel less the defects of time;
in fact, SO drawing is the execution
that YOU Just abandon all requirements
of time, and accept the effects Of inton.
alton alone. These Gaelic psalms often
have nm extraordinary effect; when the
people at times happen to unite their
plaintiye voices on certain long notes
and ,lurs, the multitude sends mp sub
dued wall that is wonderfully touching
The preaching was not less interesting
than the singing. One of the worthy
ministers seemed to me of type per-
tcctly suited TO the scene. He was q
pauiarcL in years, in fatherH kindness,
in serenity and simplicity. His cherub-
ic face, set i'm a frame Of gray hair and
beard. seemed to be made for smiling,
but some interior power had won half
Of him over to seycritv-at lcas; it
seemed so Mt times when one brow one
eve, one side of the mouth, all cons
tracted with an expression of gloom.
Standing mp in the little Sentry-boN with
his hands claspcd over his rotunditE
he waited IN silence for some moments.
until he had established himself i'm q
slow swaying motion from side to side
this swinging seemed essential TO all
these Cape Breton speakers and singers.
Soon he started, in a very low voice, q
hcmming word. and hesitation aI-
together, and the hesitation often tn
umphcd. made him wait again until
more swinging had evolved % ~nggcs-
ton.
Communion Sabbath is the most in-
purtant day of the sacrament i'm b0ln q
religious and a social point of view 40
nm early hour the roads were thronged
with mon and women on foot, on horse
back, in open buggies, and 10y ten
o'clock the grounds were well filled WIN
people shaking hands, passing saluia-
lions; some were arranging quietly tue
preliminaries of horse trades and other
transactions, and all wero enjoying the
one mfailing public gathering oi le
year me enjoyment, ho"o1oi , N, ,,e N
DE 9Gterteu De4ea {i NJIl INV, ,.3 't tFst
ana lo"-Voiceu talk Inc CROW" o, INV
day having larger proportion 7. 1-o
young and the worldly people. was more
mixed In its composition, but tine e.e-
mehts SEPT Pfel5y UlstlicL loI wy IN,
vout ana the elderly formed ing .o"T
nearest the tent WhiIe most ~ 80. i,9io.