Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-01
WATERMELON Rrvrv.rs
An Interesting Citrc-rciIgious Event of An
nuai Becurrence tn the Far south.

nuai Recurreace in the Far south.
A Green Cove Spring, Fla, dispatch 20 the
New York S,R says: This town is in the midst
OF one Of the most successful watermelon revi-
walls ever known in tie south The unusual
fervor Of the excitement Is said TO he tho
result OF the exceptionally fine melon
crop, which. in quality and quantity.
surpasses anything seen here IN re-
cent years. The revival began some three
weeks ago, rs soon as the quality OF the lus-
cious yield had been proved hy eating and 4,
Is now az i's height. As a consequence house-
hold operations are az a complete .;audstin.
and business OF every kind is seriously inter
fered with
The watermelon revival Is a citro-relicions
event OF annual recurrence in the melon Cow
ins regions OF the far south. IL Laws hold OF the
coiored people only ana gets its strongest grim
on the sisters. but In a q mpural pav N M.
The white residents hardly lcss ,,ow,rfully
Throughout the melon season the colorea sis
tiers and majority OF the brethren entirely
give 'heniseiNes MP TO The exquisite pleasure q
the melon aud the not less religious fam Of re-
hgieus conviction that proceeds the ec.tacy 81
conversion. which an turn leads quickly 20 cn-
altatlop and coJaatose condition. This latter
condition Is next TO heaven. the end sought
Tor but because OF the duratiou IL
these frances or snbjugation 10 the
power, as t Is called here many Of the
sisters are IN the present instance failing 20
assi'nilaie all Of their share Of this -eAson's
melon crop. thus Mrs. kirkpatrick cook Law
IN trance for several dhys and neither cooked
nor ate, and this was when the melons were AT
thelr very best. Mrs. Buddlngtons colored
maid was brought home IN a draw AT 2 o'clo.k
In the morning nid deposited on the kitchen
moor where size lay rigid and with ',eves
so', as tins manifestation is termed.
unti at the end OF thrce days Mrs budding
ton had her carted back 20 the church in which
she got the power" Mrs Butler's cook got
religion and rigidity early in the revival. and
she ~sA OF h"Hing u substitute being MANI
iestN hopeless the family at once made mr.
rangements 60 take their meals with a family
IN the same street who are not dependent ON
colCred servants
Ihe industry that is doing nearly all the
nourishlng IN the present crisis Is that ~ tb.
few worldly minded negroes Who ou,, a -.
anu cart. business Is brisk for these inst now
from the hour when the fun moon shows above
inc iurther cypress-coyered shores Of the 81
Sonis uitil The yellow disk fuses in the golden
Say OF midsummer morning All of the col
orod churches are open twenty-tour 6op,. !.
ua!-ln The daytime ior such as attain safety
OF melons early and are prepared for tho relig-
ious influences long before nightfall; through
out the night Tor all who come. Many Who
come 10 soon remain 20 be carted AWAY and
those who have religion get IL again ana me-
wise nave need OF the mule cart So tins team
ing OF precious aud slgia human freight begins
early IN the evening and goes ON until the bull
bats Cease their pursuit OF nocturnal bugs
Inc white residents are SO seriously affected
y! inc melon revival, In Consequence OF the
lmpossioiIlty OF getting any service done by
the colored sisters, that some Of them do not
hesitate to speak impatiently of the whole
business and 10 declare thai those who Get the
most religion also collar the most melons from
the white man patch, and now aud then A
SISTER VINO has seen many melon revivals and
Is thus prepared to take a conservative view 81
the situation replies: well. 'spects that's
SO. All OF the white residents are looking
forward somewhat impatiently TO the closing
OF tAe melon season anu the synchronous COM
petition of the religious orb: not because thsv
MIND the loss of few melons but because
they greatly need the services OF those who al
all times. barring this period of annual occur
renee, are faithful and valued servants