The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-05

The first of a series of "bush meet
ings" under the auspices of the How
ard Place African Methodist Episcopal
church was held yesterday in Nay
Aug park. 1t was attended by colored
people from miles around, and also
attarcted many of the several thous-
and visitors who sought shelter from
the days sultriness in the city's pop
ular breathing place.
These meetings are in nearly every
feature similar to our northern camp
meetings. They originated in the old
slavery days in Dixie and are particu-
larly a colored religionists' festival.
In some communities the bush meet
ing was a very elaborate affair, last
ing sometimes as long as two weeks.
Generally, though, they continued only
two or three days.
The fall when the work in the fields
was over, was invariably the season
of these festivals: in fact they took on
much of the nature of a praise and
thanksgiving service for the returns of
harvest time.
Every community had it's fixed bush
meeting" place. 1t was generally a
grove adjacent to the largest village.
such being selected because of the
necessity of having convenient lodg-
ing for those from a distance who
could not return to their homes at
night.
WOULD ARRIVE EARLY.
At early morn on the appointed day
the worshippers would begin coming
in with their ox-carts. Every family
carried provisions enough for the day,
and one of the most enjoyable periods
would be when all would sit down to-
gether beneath the trees and enjoy
their ham, corn and hoe-cake and the
inevitable watermelon desert The
usual services made w the exercises
of the day, but they were entered into
with unusual fervor.
The local bush meetings" of course
are not to be compared with the orig
inal southern affairs. AS far, howev-
er, as circumstances will permit, the
features of old time meetings are OBJ
served. Yesterdays meeting lasted
only throughout the afternoon, al
though in former years, when Laurel
Hill park was used, evening sessions
were also held.
An organ resting on the greensward,
y
box and a few benches for the choir
and the older brothers and sisters of
the church, comprised the furniture of
the temple-a grove just to the south
of turn in the main road through the
park. The worshippers and spectators
stood about in circle forming two
rings, the inner one stationary, the
outer constantly changing by the COM
nj hn
clned
THE SERVICES YESTERDAY.
Rev. II. A. Grant, the pastor of the
church, conducted the services. These
consisted of singing of appropriate
hymns by the choir, a sermon by the
pastor, prayer by Father" Nelson,
whose grey hairs and Grand Army
badge made him one of the prominent
figures of the gathering, and as a fin
ale, spirited testimony meeting
Rev. Mr.. Grants eloquence and
scholarly attainmentS We're a reVela-
tion to the many who had never be-
fore heard him preach. His subject
was THE King of Zion" the text be-
ing from Zechariah tx: g. "Reioice
greatly, daughter of Zion; shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy
King cometh unto thee: He is Just,
and having salvation; lowly and rid
ing upon an ass, and upon a colt, the
foal of an ass
His argument was i'm proof of the
fulfillment of the prophecy. Christs
humility was held forth for emulation
and an exhortation was made to ac-
cept of the salvation of the prophecy,
so bounteously at hand, so free to
those who will accept it.
Miss Stella Howard presided at the
organ during the services. The choir
which led in the singing was COM
posed of Mrs. Edward Nelson, Miss
Follie Scott, Miss May Scott, Miss Al ,
mira Slocum, Daniel Daciey, Simon
Platter and Edward Nelson.
Another meeting will be he'll at the