Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-08

mics" were true, loving, faithful and almost
devotional to their little charges. No ache
nor pain ever came to little massa or mis-
t'iss which did not awake responsive
croonings and loving touches from omni-
present nanny" All through life the
devotion Of the colored nurse grew and
strengthened with the years. The grown
up, handsome woman, the strong, polished,
manly man wept tears Of genuine sorrow
when the grave closed over the gray hairs
and wrinkled face Of trueihearted, dear old
nanny" The modern colored nurse-girl
is lamentsble travesty upon her prede-
cessor, aud the sooner the mothers come to
know and appreciate the tact, the better
will it be for the rising generation.
But to RETURN 70 Easter Sunday. Prob
ably there was no fner display Of fashion
able garments Of eli grades, any where in
the CITY, than the cplored people brought
upon their backs 70 6t Augustine's Church,
on Fifteenth street, on Easter Sunday.
You know there Is this one famous Catholic
church IN Washington which Is maintained
exclusively for the colored people, and at
their own expense. There - no better choir
In any city, at least none more practically
effective with the multitude. Hundreds Of
ladies ara gentlemen seek admission to st.
Augustine's every Sunday afternoon for
participation IN the vesper services. Well,
on Easter Sunday the church was crowded.
''The rich and the poor, they met together,
for the Lord is the Maker Of them all," but
you should have seen the combination.
There are gentlemen and ladies Of the freed
race, educated, polished, refined many OF
them winter than the dark-skinned beau.
ties of the longtime dominant race. These
people attended church clad In the finest
fabrics made by the most sldIlful educated
fingers Of dress-maker and nilliner, orna-
mented with jewels Of rarest worth; and,
indeed, demonstrated by their presence
and carriage the almost incredible progress
of the people who have had but quarter
OF q century in which to attain perfect civ.
ilization. But in the same aisles, and in |
the same pews, there appeared the poor |
creatures who have been unable so soon to |
lift themselves up to the level of the plane /
of culture attained by their more talented |
confrereS.
The contrast was great. Here were the |
typical Africans, not much advanced since |
slavery days, dressed in gaudy colors, i'll. |
fitting, utterly regardless OF con gruity in |
shades or contrast Of color, with shining
faces, self-complaisance and perfect happi- |
ness being upon their countenances every |
where displayed. With pompous pride in
freedom and citizenship, they occupied more |
conspicuous attitudes, Of course, than their !
cultured fellow-meu and women. Respon- |
sive to the choir they sang, and with loud
ness of voice, yet harmonious utterances,
made the rafters ring and jingle. They are |
earnest, enthusiastic, progressive, are |
these colored people, and musical withal.
The religion which can bring to its aid the |
best choirs, organs and psalteries and |
harps will win with the Africans every
time. Probably nowhere else in Washing
ton, nor on earth, was there more intense |
worshipful sincerity than in St. Augustine's |
when the priests announced to those COL
ored people that "He Is risen"
SMITH D. FRI.