The Critic and record., 1891-04-20
RESULT OF THE REVIVAL.
Two Hundred Converts Baptized
$4,000 Spectators.

Two Hundred Converts Baptized PEEL
$4,000 Spectators.
with the rising of the sun, which pro.
claimed that yesterday would be a beau
tiful day, there came to the shores of the
Eastern Branch at Anacosta few col
orcd persons who selected shady seats
upon railroad ties, overturned boats,
boards, etc. BY mne O'Clock the crowd
had increased in size to about 500 persons.
Then came a line of hacks, carts, wagons,
Omnibuses and vehicles of every descrip-
ton loaded to the springs with cOlored per-
sons. II was the occasion Of the annual bap-
tizing exercises Of several COlored Baptist
churches of this city. The first pastor
alighting from his carriage was the Rev.
Mr.. Thomas Of Enon Baptist church
followed by six converts Stopping ON
the shore for short time Mr.. Thomas
made a short address to the converts and
then spoke TO his audience which by this
time numbered 800 persons.
Pastor Thomas immersed his converts
and then made room for n delegation
from Little Rock Church of northeast
Washington with three converts to be
immersed.
WITH THE REV. JAMES II. LEE's CHURCH
came a crowd which far eclipsed the one
seen ON Pennsylvania avenue on Emanci-
patton Day. The shores of the river were
lined with mass of people; the freight
and passenger cars standing upon the
siding were more heavily laden than they
had ever been since their construction
At this time over 6,000 persons were
watching the ceremonies. The Rev. Mr.
Lee with some difficulty edged through
the crowd with his flock, numbering
thirty-four converts, gave an eloquent
sermon, and then immersed each OF the
AWN aEl
mOny. by noon the Rev. Mr.. Lee had
concluded his portion of the exercises
and announced that at o'clock the Rev.
Mr.. Howard would Immerse 22j con-
voris.
The crowd was so great that Patrol
Driver Simpson brought over TO Anacostia
Officers Wright, Augusta, Deyer and
stevens, and these officers had all they
could do to look out for the welfare of the
people. Fully $4,000 persons were as
sembled by the time
THE REV. MIR. HowARDs CONGREGATION
arrived. Mr.. Howard is an earnest, zeal.
ous, Christian worker and has had in his
church since February over 400 conver-
sions and all of the converts are to be inn
mersed in the waters of the Erstern
Branch.
The heat in the sun was intense. Ord
way Nichols was overcome, but was soon
brought around by DIR. Frank Haines of
Weiss pharmacy.
The Rev. Mr.. Howard, after the stake
bad been placed in the proper locality by
Deacon Williams of his church, waded
ont until the whole mass of humanity
were within his vision and addressed the
audience. His clear ringing voice was
heard by nearly all those present, who
paid the closest attention to what he said
He IS bright mulatto, has received n
first class education, and is a fine orator.
I'm speaking yesterday he stated that he
was well aware of the fact that some of
his hearers, impressed by the solemnity
of the occasion, had come to these shores
to see 225 people openly announce their
intentions to serve the laws of both God
and man, better than they had done in
the past. Others, he said, had come to
see as they termed il "fun," but the occa-
sion was far from a humorous one. He
requested the people to cease loud talking
and to pay close attention to the exercises.
Those within the range of his voice
acceded and everything was harmonious.
Then, when the benediction was pro-
nounccd, the hat of nearly every man,
white and colored, was raised
After the sermon, Mr. Howard went
into the water chest deep, and received
the converts in pairs, and said:
Upon a profession of your faith,
baptiZe this my brother Tor sister, in the
name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Ghost" Then the convert was
immersed.
In less than two hours Mr.. Howard had
concluded the services and the crowd
dispersed.
1t is unoflicially stated that large
number will be immersed next Sunday.