The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-06-21
oAR0LINA NEGRO pREAoH EBs.
Their Method of fEvolution--some Sermons
 From Life.

or LlIVOIuLiOn-SOmo
 From Life.
 [ollve F. Gunley in New York Evening Post.
 Every South Carolina plantation of any size boasts it's local negro preacher, a unique individuality slhouetted in bold relief against the background of his simple-hearted constituency. Among a group of negro hands" at work in the field, the preacher can readily be singled out by the tall silk hat which he wears, dented and dilapidated, it is true, but still conveying an impression of dignity unmistakable, contrasted with the tattered caps and crownless straw hats of his associates. Among a group assembled for sport or for the observance of some social function, the preacher, by reason of his pretentious speech and painstaking assumption of dignity, is equally conspicuous.
 The local preacher is seldom educat- ed. He is self-educated, and by dint of much coming of the spelling-book and close imitation of the words and manners oe more advanced divines, he is able to read very impressive chap ter from the Bible, the obscurity of meaning In certain passages not being remarked by the congregation, or, if remarked, attributed to superior wis dom which they never hope to emu late. As for the sermons he must preach, the eulogies he must pronounce, the prayers he must make, he has but little trouble on that score, what he lacks in learning being more than com pensated for by a tide of fervid elo quence as convincing as it is unrestrain- ed
 The focal preacher is distinct from his authorized colleague of the confer ence, who is appointed to preach only two or three times a month, administer Communion, take up collections, and perform such other exalted services as shall please him. Upon the focal preacher" devolye the more active du- ties of the pastorate, the adjustment of conjugal disputes, the spiritual com forting of the sick, the conducting of prayer and other meetings. It is his province to turn transgressors out of the church when their offences have be- come too fragrant, and to kindle the flame of devotion which. shall bring about their penitence at the following revival. He marrles the pair who have not the wherewithal to purchase his magic words, and agrees to wait until contemplating time for his pay. Often he not only buries the dead, but makes the simple coffin which holds them, and again agrees to wait for compensation. He is clever with carpenter tools, a trade picked up in a desultory way, as his calling of preacher has been, and while shaping the rough boards, and staining them with lamp black which shall impart funeral awe to the yellow pine, he delivers many sound maxims and sage bits of advice to the darkies he has summoned to aid him. Tt were a solemn business, dis yere dyin', boys, and de sinner ought to keep a-watehin' out and not be nappin', kase dere's no knowin' when de Saviour will repair" he observes significantly to the young negro who holds in place the black calico with which he is lining the cas- ket. "De- Scripter say knowledge it | shall blow way, same like dat chaff," he remarks, later, as he saws in half | new piece of board, "but charity, dat | am de ting what gwine to hold on till | Kingdom come''
 The evolution of the plantation | preacher is interesting. Impressive and deep-drawn signs, and energetic | responses of "Do, Lordp' Oats sop | "Amenr' blurted out from a full heart | during meeting, are the first intimation that he is affected by the spirit. Soon l he improvises thrilling words to fit his | favorite tunes, and sings them in mo- ments of ecstasy for the benefit of the | admirins congregation. Later he or- ganizes Q "prayer-room" in some va cant cabin or roomy corn-house, and on Sunday afternoons or on stated eve- nings in the week performs the office of prayer-leader, depending entirely up- on the inspiration of the moment for affecting sentences and similes
 He's locus preacher" said cop matron once, in allusion to one of these self-elected expounders
 "Does that mean an exhorter?" she was asked.
 Well, not 'zactly zorter," was the reply, "but it means he's pushin' it flose. In g. couple of months from how he kin read right sharp out of de Testament" (with a marked emphasis bn the last syllable)
 It was after he had acquired this de- Birable accomplishment that a. certain exhorter named Zeba Hampton gave the following remarkable homily on Phar- poh, Moses, and the ship of Zion: Moses take de son of man out of e bullrush and put him on tall brass bole and while he was a-gwine up a Scorripin bite him. De scorripin sting \ eber hurt him much, do, kase he was lure cen heart. De pure cen heart hall see no evil, bless God God tole 1haro to let the chilun of Egypt go, . nd he wouldn't, Den God sen down kogs and dey git cen Pharo mouf and en his bread-tray, and 'sturb him tur- &ble. Den Moses cum, when Pharo kasn't a-lookin', and tole off de chil-un \ Egypt wid mama, same like de lrmer tole off a string of hog wid ] brn. It take dem tree whole days to &t to de promise lan'. Den, fust ting, by git hungry and want some water. sen de Lord he ride out on de Heaven hd holler to Moses to smote de stone at's a rock, my brederin, an ordinary ck), and, arter de stone been smote, M ~ l