The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-12
Uncle Daniels Conversion.

| Daniel Hardgrave, or. as he was more Ia
| military known. Uncle Dan'l,N was the most
aristocratic. well born and well bred negro in
/ the thriving little town Of L., place long
! noted in Georgia for the wealth and culture or
It's citizens, among whom were enrolled tne
/ names of many Of the State 5 most gifted sons.
Uncle Dan had been the body servant OF
lawyer, famous for his eloquence and argu-
/ mentatiye powers. and constant intercourse
| with the master, and also the KNOWLEDGE gained
| by travel and contact with the world beyond
! the stagnant village III which his brethren had
| passed their uneventful lives. had gwen nm a
| decided prominence among his less favored
people.
But although Uncle Dan's intellectual acquire
ments were far beyond the scope of his oreth-
rem, his character for morality, honesty and So
! briefly, reached far below the standard OF the
| select circle of arstOcratic cOlored folks, who
had banded themselves together after the man
| ner Of the white people.
In slavery times the Influence of the master
! had shielded the servant from the penalties OF
| justice. Now, times had changed, and Uncle
| Danl, in order TO become thoroughly respecta-
! BILE, must seek religion, and JOIN the fold OF
some thoroughly respectable congregation.
OF course the clergy of the different colored
denominations We'd with each other in trying to
attach so noted person to their respective
tlocks, but Uncle Dan'l, after discussing their
dogmas with each one of these fishers of men,
was caught by the seductive doctrine of i'm
mersion, which he was persuaded would wash
away all his heavy load of sins and give him
fair start on the road to heaven.
Such an accession to the ranks of the Baptists
| created quite stir in the community, and the
Rev. Mr. GreaSebill was being congratulated on
all sides as the wonderful instrument in the
hands Of Providence for the conversion of so
notable a sinner
Uncle Dan1 was in earnest this time. He
went about seeking religion in the most APP
proved style. After the fashion of a desperate
sinner he was seen on the highways shaking his
head in the most solemn manner, grooming
aloud as if bis heart would burst asunder, so
great was the struggle between the putting off
of the old Adam and the putting on of the
new In the highways he could be heard
lamenting in loud tones the wickednesS Of his
former life. 1t was a great occasion for the
colored eXhorters, and everywhere could be
heard the story of Uncle Dan lis conversion.
oct Is was the day set apart for the baptism,
and a great coucourse of people gathered on
the shore to witness the impressive scene. A
chill northwest wind had been blowing all the
forenoon, and the river was dark and turbulent,
and dashed anRrily against the clustered rocks
that rose here and there i'll black groups in its
channel.
On the shore stood the aged preacher and
around him were grouped the white-robed con-
vertS Each pentent sinner led down TO
the brink of the stream, and, passing under the
water, returned to the shore. Last Of all came
Uncle Dan1. He humbly asked TO be allowed
to say few words before receiving so solemn a
rite, and permission. of course. was granted.
Holy sisters and belubed brudren,' he
began, Use lowed de blessed pribege OBJ
'spressin my 'sperience befo' goin' underneat
de dark waters which am fer de cleansin' OBJ de
nashun. You all knows Use been CRATE sinna,
one public sinna, but by de grace OBJ de Lord |
stan heah to-day rebuk to Satan. De she
bars hab growl roun' me fer to drown de voice
OBJ conscience, an de debbil in de shape OBJ de
black rum bottle hab standed in my PAT ter
mex me beas. Pse thankful dat cum tru de
tribuashun, an kin stan 'mong de wite-soled
bredren OBJ de Lord. Las mite l he'd to rassel
wild de power OBJ darkness, an | say Uncle
Dan1, is you see 20 way strate? an 'mejately
one sine come down frum de cloud, e stan like
one long wife scat, an he fall pom me. an den
l know hab de pardon strate frum de trone.
Amen"
He took the hand of the minister and walked
with a firm step and exultant air straight down
into the water, while the warning notes of the
penitent sinners hymn rang out on the clear
frosty air.
'Wile de lamp holes out ter burn
De viles sinner may return"
Down he went with steady step waist deep
into the water, his hands folded upon his breast
after the manner of the others. The minister
placed his arm beneath his converts head and
with a steady grasp passed him under the water.
Uncle Dan1, suffocated by the water gave one
struggle and was gone The swift current bore
him away from the clergyman's frantic grasp.
Wild screams were heard on every side, when
the truth was realized, that, unless help reached
him quickly. he must die; his former master
shouted loudly, "A hundred dollars to any one
who will save him..
The roaring river rushed mercilessly on, and
while bewildered people rushed frantcally
about, the swift current bore the unfortunate
man farther away from human help. Sudden
ly sharp cry was heard and women strained
their eyes to look upon the form of Uncle Dan i
as he arose to the surface, only to sink again.
Suddenly on the dark rocks in the center of the
river was seen a still darker object larger and
larger 1t grew until at last the huge form of
Uncle Dan1 himself appeared in bold relief
against the clear horizon. Dripping and alive
he stood. Shaking his clenched fist in
menacing rage at the astonished minister he
shouted at the highest pitch of his stentorian
voice: Look heah, Mr.. Preacher you better
stop dis foolishness, tryin' to drown gemman's
niggahs. Eff is free my marster wud ha' perse-
cuted you ter de extent OBJ de law. Hustle
'rOun', niggahs and fetch me I'm bote em'me
git home git one drink o. rum an pepper
De debbi TEX dis baptism business. gwine
quit dis chuch an jne de Presbyters, whar de
Lord kin sabe you, eff he wish ter do so, widout
drownin' de body ter git yer soul sabe ter
heaben."