The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-07-09
WORSH|PPERs
Madison Citizen Attends A
Religious Service that
IL An Inspiration.

CEDAR haplus, Ia, July ITO the
Editor: A few evenings ago. while
riding with some friends, / passed a
little wooden building, which | was
informed was an African Methodist
church. Right there and then l re.
solved that that that should be my
church for this day. So very early
this morning. very much to the dis
gust of some of my cultured friends, /
started alone. passed Sc me wealthy
and fashionable tabernacles and made
my way to this humble ''nigger
church." as some call it. / was met
at the door by a gentleman (please en-
phssize that word "gentlemsn"). He
was u Chesterfield in grace, ease and
cordiality, and he was u pure blood,
no faint of white blood in his veins.
He seated me in a cool place by the
window and gave me a fan. He at
once made me feel at ease and at
home by his gracious and hearty
welcome. This was but one of the
several warm greetings l received
right there. 1t gave me a wonderful.
ly pleasant sensation. The warm
grasp of the hand, the kindly words.
the friendliness and good cheer of it
all. 1t wiped out all feeling of loneli-
ness and kindled don't be startled) a
feeling OF Brotherhood. / almost
wished that some of my white ac-
quaintauces were 'niggers" il a black
skin always overs such a warm heart.
Sunday school opened soon after l en-
tered. 1 was the only white person
there. / was invited to take a seat
with the bible class. Moses" was
much surprised at the knowledge dis
played by both teacher and class of
the life, character and teachings of
Moses. Among other things the
teacher gave vent to a burst of ele-
quence that would have done credit
to u platform orator when he alluded
to Lincoln as the Moses who had
led their people out of bondage into
liberty. The superintendent at the
close took up the subject before the
whole school. He briefly, but clearly,
so the children conld understand, re-
viewed the life of Moses.
Talk about ignorancel / wish some
of our white, aristocratic churches
could have some of these colored men
as teachers in their Sunday schools.
They would illuminate, vitalize, in
struct and enthuse. After the Sunday
school came the regular services. and
such singing There was no vocal
athletics and gymnastics and daring
feats. | heard no one MARBLE and
tremble and then with n supreme
effort shoot up to the letter "x" and
explode until all feared they had burst
something; but it was sweet. harmoni
Gus and soul-stirring. wish / could
decribe music as | understand it and
hear it. Amy way, they had my kind
of music. / have only one criticism
to make of their singing could
understand the words. They have not
learned that singing the words is
among the ''lost arts" They have
not learned that one of the beauties
of modern singing is to conceal the
words. 1t gives a greater play to the
imagination of the audience to wonder
Wudt ~ ~ al dpOubs Auc bOA uiOu Was
a pure, simple gospel sermon, coming
from and going straight to the heart. /
am sure the hearers carried the words
home and to their places of business,
and they were an inspiration to better
things. AS is their custom, they had
IA Testimony" meeting after the SER
mon. There was no urging, no pain
full silence, but with promptness many
followed in quick succession with short
and very human responses. When all
was through the minister called upon
''the stranger 10 their midst" The
stranger made no apologies or excuses.
He had become infected with the spirit
of the meeting. / trust his remarks
did no harm.
Let me say in conclusion, / feel
more interested in our colored people
than ever before. | have more Ia ith
in their ability and moral worth. If
we can eliminate OUT %prejudices, free
them from the wrongs of the white
man, release them from the pit where
they have been kept for 80 many ages
and give them all the advantages we
have and surround them with the same
environments, in time they will be-