Evening star., 1898-07-30

III idrSe numDer OIL
1. n penitents have pro-
fes 81 d conversion
and turned into the
straight and narrow path.
When representative of The Star
reached the camp ground Sunday night he
found the grove in blaze Of light, fur
nished by a hundred or more torches
while on and near the grounds were a
number Of tents and lunch stands. around
which thronged the coIored popula ton
from the immediate neighborhood Wash
ington and Maryland. From the arbor
Heated songs and more touching music
than these people make was never heard
weird and simple, but sung as though
every word came from the very depths of
their hearts. Hundreds of colored people
were gathered under and near the arbor
They came from miles around In wagons
and on foot to attend the services. The
pulpit was rude structure built of rough
boards, and resembles an improvised eat
ing stand more than anything else But
away from the noise of the city, these peo-
pie gather every summer in this grove to
worship, according to their own peculiar
way
The meetings at Montello usually last
from three to five weeks. They are not
run for revenue only, and small collections
do not lessen their zeal one whit Their
node of taking up a collection is rather
novel First the basket is passed through
the vast congregation, and then, while a
brother lines hymn, which is sung
with enthusiasm, the sisters and brothers
walk up and place their offerings on a
table or the altar, and some of them step
forward with as much pomp as though
taking part in a cake walk. They glory in
this manner of contributing and il the
"A 20
to the expectation of the minister all he
has to do is to simply say so. and the
necessary sum is soon forthcoming AS
class the colored people are extremely lib-
eral in their support of their churches and
societies. i RI
Characteristic Negro Music.
Unquestionably the feature of the meet
ing is the singing, which is led by the
singing bands of Baltimore and Wash
ington. The singers occupy seats immedi-
ately in front of the, pulpit and when sin
rers are invited to the fanxious bench"
they sing portions Of hymns, occasionally
singing a made-for<the-0c sion line or
two, always winding. up with a refrain.
Refrains are always popular, and when
the time comes the congregation join in
with a voice that makes the grove ring
Usually number of sisters line up facing
the male singers and as the singers warm
up they duck their heals, twist their
DOuleS ana clap tHelr. nanCS IN unison,
while loud ameIis are heard throughout
the audience, and shouts and hallelujahs
are frequent. If they are not happy they
deceive their looks and actions although
at times the acrobatic Singing bands look
as wild and weird as the witches which are
said to have haunted Macbeth. Inexpres-
sibly uncanny at times did the scene ap-
pear the fitful flicker of the torches
threw their light up through the tall pines
and over the swayiEg, surging mass of hu-
manity.
The Prayer Meetings.
When the regular services are concluded
the season of prayer meeting begins, and
then it is that the program seems to be of
catch-as-catch-can, go-as-you-please ar
rangement. If there is leader, he or she
| is hard to single out and frequently sew
eral sending up supplicationS to the
throne of grace at the same time, while
others let out the fullness Of their hearts
by singing. When worked up to a very
high pitch. they become almost frantic,
and they have been known to go off In a
trance and remain apparently unconscious
for several hours. After 'reviving,' they
will tell wonderful stories Of their visit
to the mystic beyond, and no difference
how entirely unreasonable their stories may
appear. members will stand by and groan
amen while they are being narrated.
These frances are not Of frequent occur
renee but at every service there is long,
iOuO ana demOnStfatlve shouting, OIten-
times the shouter dropping to the ground
from sheer exhaustion. They clap their
hands and shout and sing until they can go
no longer. In these evolutions they are
encouraged by friends who gather around
them, pat their backs and sing.
Closing for the Night.
The sable singers have shouted until
they are hoarse; the lights are beginning
to flick and fare; the large crowd has al
| ready begun to thin out; the wagons of the
country darkies are heard rumbling over
| the rough roads; the irreligious and impo-
lite young white men, who stood around
with heads unbared and smoked cigarettes,
have departed; the dark forest Is lighted
by the stars and fire-dies; the hour of mid
night is near, and with still a large amount
Of zeal on hand the singing band closes
| the services with made-to-order hymn
running like this:
We've left old Satan in the middle of the
road,
Nearer, my God, to Thse!
Amt gwine to walk that road any more,
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Monday morning bright and fair,
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Hope to meet in numbers there,
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Let's shake a hand before we part,
Nearer. my God, to Thee!
And on to glory make a ostart.
Nearer, my God, TO Thee!