Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-08-29
Big QUARTERLY CELEBRATION
Larger Attendance on Sunday
Than for Five Years.
CHURCH EXERCISES
Good Special Music at the A.
u. M. p. Church.


The colored people got much enjoy
ment out OF the celebration OF "Big
Quarterly" Sunday. From early in
the morning until late at night French
street was the centre of attraction for
the colored population. 1t would be an.
exceedingly difficult task to attempt to
estimate the number of visitors. It
was the general impression, however,
among the older members Of the African
race that the crowd exceeded that of
last year, and several were positive
there were more people on hand than
for five years.
81 tell you the old-time interest is
returning, remarked an aged negro to
reporter of 1.-THE Gazette. - While
there may be signs of the interest re-
turning, it is not the same interest
that used to be manifested is not
by the same people that used to OBJ
serve Big Quarterly In former
years the old back woods, plantation
negro was the leading figure among the
visitors, but now the majority Of
strangers are from Philadelphia, Ches.
ter, Salem, West Chester and other
cities Years ago special trains used
to run over the Delaware railroad for
the accommodation of the negroes down
the State, but now there are no such
trains and the typical rural Delaware
negro must stay at home or come up
before Sunday.
Most of the regular trains and boats
were crowded Sunday, and the Major
Reybold brought great many from
lower Jersey, Delaware City and New
Castle. There were no special trains
on any of the railroads. Many visitors
ix,o ,,-lo IL
some walked in from the rural districts.
The mecca for the religiously-inclined
portion was the African Union Metho-
dist Protestant Church, on French street
between Eighth and Ninth. Services
were held in the building and also in
the tent at the rear of the church all
day and in the evening. The exercises
commenced at G. 30 a. M, when lovefeast
was conducted by the Rev. Thomas
Russell. At 10. 30 there was preaching
by the Rev. E. Bostick; 8 p. M, preach
ing by John Fl. Skinner OF Chester
u 30 p. M, preaching by the Rev. John
e. Brockhouse of Virginia. The exer-
cises in the tent were conducted by
several local preachers and exhorters.
Both the church and the tent were
crowded continuously.
Several visiting clergymen were pres
ent from Philadelphia, but none of them
took any prominent part in the exers
cises James Fisher of Philadelphia,
noted blind exhorter, walked about the
streets singing and selling ballads.
There were others also singing on the
streets. Several exhorters held supple
mentary meetings on the street corners.
Some excellent special music was rem
dered by the choir of the church under
the leadership of Prof John r. Chip
pey. An appropriate programme,
which has been in course of prepara-
tion for some time, was given, with
pleasing effect.
The other colored churches Of the
city gave way during the day to the A.
U. M. p. Church and gave all the as
sistance possible toward making the
celebration a success, in consequence
of which the colored people all over the
city centred in the vicinity of Ninth
and French streets.
Good order prevailed during the day.
A large detail of police was on hand
in case of emergencies. Nearly every
habitation of colored people near
French street was thrown open for the
use of the weary guests. Many privat
residences were converted into eatin
houses for the time being.
There were also numerous stands
along the street where edibles were
sold, and all seemed to do good bust
ness. Several Italians also set up their
business among the negroes and took
a share of the benefit. Hacks were
running all day and in all directions
The street car lines were well patronized
and the visitors went to the parks in
large numbers.
The Maryland Bicycle Club, local
colored organization numbering 40
members, entertained the Chester
Wheel Club, 35 members, at Benjamin
GREEN'S restaurant, No. $40 French
street. The two clubs, in command of
President James A. Postles of the
Wilmington club, took short runs on
the roads adjacent to the city.