Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-02-15


section aboupds in points of historical
interest. Shermau's army marched
through here aud laid waste many
fine plantation. The older negroes
can tell Interesting stori-s of that
time. Some of them have a rather
vague idea Of his mission. One old
"auntie'' in speaking of that time told
me she saw him. Law sakes," said
she. "Guess does member it. I'se
twenty-o1e years old go my missus
telled me, when Sherman went
through dis yere place an set us
free" One of the plantations not
far from here is situated upon a river
bank, and out in the river short dis
lance is small island. 1t is said that
on this plantation was bright slave
| girl who tended the cattle. Learning
of Shermau's approach, and thinking
her masters property was in danger,
she drove all the cattle on to this
| island, and under the shelter of the
bru SD kept them safely till the army
had passed. SO great was her mas
ter's joy when he found his property
had not been stolen, that he willed
this slave his plantation, and many
visit the old woman now to hear from
her the story.
The colored people are not allowed
to live in Southern Pines, but have
settlement of their own about mile
away. They like to have this place
called West Southern Pines, but it is
usually called "Jim Town" In this
little village are two churches, a
school and a sanitarium. Some of
the negroes have comfortable cot
tages, but many of them are simply
huts and very filthy. Chewing snuff
sticks is pastime.
When in New England it is easy to
speak at Sunday school or Christ
ian Endeavor convention on "The
Negro Problem" and to criticize the
people of the south for their unwill-
ingness to treat the colored man as
their social equal, but now we are
here we find it vastly harder than we
supposed it would be to practise what
We have preached. There is hope
however that when the colored man
has had the advantage of civilization,
education and culture for as many
centuries as we have already had he
will be the white mans equal. He
deserves great credit for the advance :
meDt he has made since the war.
Perhaps some may be interested to
know OF service we attended re-
Gently at the colorel Baptist church
in West Southern Pines or "Jim
Town" The first popularity we no.
iced was an old spittoon upon the
platform near the pulpit. We were
told by white visitor that the
preacher often uses this article and in
his earnestness and excitement he
sometimes fails to hit the mark and
tobacco juice goes flying over the
floor.
A short sermon, containing good
advice for both black and white, was
preached and then came communion,
conducted much as in any church e1-
ceptiDg the singing which made up in
volume all it lacked in melody. Fol-
lowing this came the strange service
: of feet washing This occurs once
) in three months. Two large 6ishpans
| we're filed with water and placed
! one on each side of the pulpit. The
[ minister and deacons removed their
coats, shoes and stockings. After
? | wrapping long towel around himself,
7 the minister knelt and washed the
2 sat upon the platform and replaced
] his stockings and shoes and proceeded
t | to wash some other brothers. feet and
= so on till all were washed. The
3 women had dishpan to themselves
t and performed the service for one
another, displaying as much modesty
s as possible in removing their stock
!, ings. With all due respect to their
|
4 impossible to keep from smiling at
4 the sight of those big, black feet
sticking out over the dishpans. Dur
d ing thu entire service they sang OF
o. walled the following hymn, which
o borrowed long enough to copy.
); When Jesus Christ was here below,
= He taught his people what to do;
q And if we would his precep pts keep,
= We must attend to washing feet.
For on that night he WAS betrayed,
j. He for us all pattern laid;
o. Soon as his supper he did eat,
He rose and washed his folio wers' feet.
N He washed hem all, though all were clean
,, Save Judas who was full of sin;
May none of US, like Judas, sell :.
Our Lord for gold and go to hell. =. .