The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-02
1YIE UATERnELON RETlriL.
An Interesting Religious Ceremony of A.
nuni Recurrence IN sae Far south.
From ll- Chic go 7r, ouhe

GREEN COVE SPRINGS. Fla. July % This
town is in the midst 81 one OF the most succes..
South The unusual fervor OF the excitement
is said to be tho result Ni TIE eSeeptionaI.y me
passes anything seen he in recent years Tire
revival began some three weeks go, as soon
proved by eating. and 1t is now at lis height.
As conseauenes hG =, onsratious ar a,
kind is seriously interfered with.
The watermelon revival Is citro; religious
event OF annual recurrence in the melog grow:
Tie c coar"d people Only anu gets it, sronres
grip on tho sisters. but III ,empnral way 1t
fully. Throughout the melon son on the col.
ored sisters and majority OF the brethren en-
pleasure y. Of the melon and Inc pain o roll si"us
version. which in turn leads quickly 70 e&alia-
e con- is. mex TO heaven; the end sourht
for: but because OF the duration Of these
called here, many OF tho sisters nro in
the present instance falling 70 assimllats
eon Of CROP he5 Thus shn Mrs ns s9ns
lay In n trance for, several days. and neither
nor ate sna bss The ha
coiored maid was brought home in ~ drny al
o'clock in the morning an! den9si'ed on the
S SyGs a. tho the onI Of thros days Mrs baaaIns.oa
hss sT ls back .G in ws
religion and rigidity enry in the revival. aud.
thu task OF finding Il substitute being mani
testify hopeless the family mt once made mr.
ranRements 20 take their meals with family
In the same street who are not dependent 20
colored servants.
The Industry that is doing nearly all tine
ilourshng in the present crisis is that o. the
few worldly miaded negroes who own Il mrie
aud cart. business is brisk for these Just now
from the hour when the full moon shows above
the further cypress bordered shore OF the ~.
Johns until the yellow disk fuses in the golden
sky OF n midsummer morning. All til" col1rrd
churches are open twenty-tour hours u Jay-in
tho daytime tor such as Rttain safety OF meions
early ami are prepared for tho reliGious inin-
night Tor all who come. Many who come 10
scoT remain to be- carted away. and those whu
have religion get it again and Likewise have
need Of the mule cnrt SO thi, lcaminR o. pre-
ciouS and rigid human freight begins early ID
the evening and goes Oh until IA" Du.!-bat5
cease their pursuit Of nocturnal bugs.
The white residents arc ~ seriously affected
by the melon revival. in CONSEQUENCE Of ihn
imposSibltty or getting any service done uy
the colored sisters. that some Uf Them d, no,
hesitate to spenk imphtiently of tho whole
business and 10 declare ihat those who get the
most religion also collar tho most melons I"m
III. white mans patch: AMI now and then
sister who has seen many melon rcviyhis LHd
ia thus prepared 20 take ~ coH.nrvh i've view
OF the situation replies: " Eo,l, 'spccts tha's
So All OF tho wh!to residents ara looking
OF tho melrn season and the synclironu va
completion OF tn" religious work. not t"cal'-o
thoy mind the loss al II few melons. but 'H-
cnllse ihev greatly need the services Of those
who at all times. barring tins period OF annual
occurrence arc faithful! aud Nniuo! servant.