The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-09-01
CRbZED BY RELIGION.
NEGROES FMOUNTYlLLElNASTATE
OF HYSTERlA.
Hundreds Of Blacks esther at Place OF
GIo-lncation-P Platform Arranged Where
the Faithful Msy Lie Down and Rest.

GIo-Incation-P PIs:foru Arranged Where
the Faithful Msy Lie Down and Rest.
The white people at Mountville, in
Laurcrs county, are witnessing deeds
amazing aud exciting that are per-
formed by frantic negroes, rell2 ion
craz:d. Two weeks ago church bel!
was received here for the colored
church, which sits in the southeastern
portion OF Mountville and since that
time not ten minutes have passed
when the sound of this bell was not
heard. Then the crisis came on. as
soon as it was mounted IN the steeple
it was rung FOR six consecutive hours,
after which the tollirg apparatus was
for six hours used.
The ringing, they claim, was to an
nounce the time of gathering to Wit
ness the final burial OF the devil,
whose death was announced by tne
tolling. The ministers claim that they
have attended the court Of heaven.
where God, the judge, after the devil
had been convicted by jury ot
twelve representative angels from
abroad the universe, passed sentence
on him, turning him over to the col
ored people of Mountville vicinity tc
bury once and forever.
When This claim was announced
abroad an invitation sweeping every.
where vas sent urging all colored per
sons to come tn witness the destyuc
ton Of Satan. Forthwith they began
to assemble and since two weeks agc
they have come to remain.
The first TO come have not yet left
here. There seems to be a spirit work
| Ing from home to home, causing every
one to come. TIE news is scattered
more and more each moment and still.
they come. No signs of food they
uring, nor drink, nor does it seem they
do sught but shout Every passenger
train that passes carries by people
wondering whether such unceasine
sounds as that may be caused by ] y
or woe.
The grounds are not dotted mere anc
there with a group, but one immense
throng fills five acres square and II
the centre packed.
4 nearby cornfeld is being tram
pied down, and like a wave that from
its centre spreads this people stretche:
out broader and broader.
a portion shouts from one sounding
OF the bell to the other-.en minutes
aud then another begins. There is
petition and q response:
Lord, don't call the roll till git:
dar," goes up from four or FIVE thous
and voices and they say a voice speaks
out from the throne of God, saying:
81 will not call my roll till my
Mountville negroes get here.
According to their saying they hole
a position, mid dway between earth anc
heaven and that they have no more
earthly feelings and have no memory
of the past and recognize no bodily
!needs.
| Mountville negroes are more inde
pendent than negroes elsewhere II
South Carolina and have nice convey
ances, but mules and horses are driv
en- here to starve, receiving no atten
ton. Each train incoming unload
fifty or sixty negroes and they strike
a run for the chusch.
Benches are debris and the floor is 6
wreck. Women embrace men anc
men each other. Now and then eigh
or ten get in a tussle ard woman
comes out half naked or more, bu
still she PAGES about in wild shouting
Their faith strengthens. Several blacE
maidens are stepping from timber t
timber across an unceiled lott ant
worship there; the bell now rings anc
now tolls.
Now and then hands on passing
train, oy some spirit moved, dessr
their post and lock themselves II thi
heaven going thrcng.
A platform is built in trout Of tht
church three feet high and twenty
feet square, on which negroes are laic
to recover strength and senses after
they have lost them in their shouting
This platform is increasingly filed
occasionally the congregation look:
toward the east in concert and says:
10. See stars and moons and sun:
rolled back from our aerial path anc
hear the mighty song OF welcome
echoing from universe to universe.
When the sun is rising they pa
their feet, keeping tine to the music
made By angels bows as they glide
across the gray lines that fret the NOR
ming skies.
Thunders roll ard lightnings leap
but this excited thropg does not seen
to hear them.
a bicycle rider of their color, whose
faith is strong. attempted to wheel i
jup to heaven By inclining a twenty
foot plank upward and by rapid speed
ascending it to run off its upper enc
and fail cripple.
There is great craze among these
erthused people for raiments Of white
and if one happens to arrive with 6
dark suit on, 50 much is at once re
moved IS shows up a white costume.
| The white people ia this place are
uneasy as to what will result from
these proceedings.
It would be useless to attempt tc
disperse such congregation. for its
increasing daily by 600 to 500 and q:
soon as 4 negro arrives he falls intc
their ways, insensiole to all earthly
surroundings.
S;,o+ QI. y-,fe