Evening journal., 1921-08-29
MODERN SCENES
AT QUARTERLY
Auto Supplants Old-Time
Rig for Negroes Flock
ing to Celebration
EVANGELISTS HOLD
STREET MEETINGS

There was an impressive absence
OF old-time scenes and a predomi-
nance of the modern on all sides
Yesterday. when the one hundred
and seventh anniversary OF Big
Quarterly" Sunday was observed az
A. u. Nj. p. Church. Eighth ana
French streets yesterday, with more
than 1900 Negroes in attendance
from Pennsylvania. New Jersey
MARYLAND and Delaware. A number
came from New York to attend the
event. Hundreds OF automobiles
motor trucks and motorcycles
brought the visiting Negroes to Will
mlngton.
A motorcycle club from Philadel-
phia Travelled down from the Quak-
er City. Countless automobiles from
Pennsylvania and surrounding
states were parked along French
street all the way TO Twelfth. Some
of the Negroes drove their own cars
and others had cars loaned them by
their employers. Traffic was so
thick in and around the vicinity OF
the A. U. M. p. Church that It be-
came necessary for the police to
rope off the block between Eighth
and Ninth on French street. only
a few OF the visiting people from
the country came In carriages.
Numbers OF them also used the
trains and trolleys.
While the main services were In
the church, the block from Eighth
to Ninth was scene Of many i'm
promptu evangelistic meetings, one
evangelist in particular going
through Billy Sunday gestures
and contortions as he expounded the
story of Isaiah.
1t was an orderly. well-dressed
gathering. with a noticeable absence
OF the old-time Negro. who is rapid
ly passing into history.
All OF which caused Clarence
Cooper. Negro utility man OF the
west side. to remark: This amt
big quarterly no more. It's down at
Middletown now" He referred to
a Negro campmeeting near Middle
town.
The Rev. J. W. Brown, pastor OF
the A. u. NJ. p. Church, was in
charge OF the services in that ediice,
the seat OF big Quarterly" The
services opened with a love feast at
7 o'clock in the morning. followed
by preaching services in the church,
the lecture room, and the grow, in
the rear OF the church. During the
day pastors Of various local and
out-of-town churches visited A. u.
NJ. z. church.
Speaking upon the "Pre-eminenco
of Christ" Rev. J. VI. Bell presi-
dent of the confere.- se. preached al
the main service OF the day. Rev
Bell took as his text, "And He is
the head of the body. the church
the first born Of the dead. that He
might have in all things the pre-
eminence." He spoke OF the pre-.
eminence Of Christ in all things. and
asserted that no individual. except.
ing Christ, could bring a new thinf
from an old thing. At the same
hour. Rev J. T. Rector addressed
a service in the grove at the rear
OF the church.
The love feast. which opened
the services. was conducted by Rev
G. n. Walker and Rev ]. c. Denni-
son. and lasted from 7 o'clock until
. o'clock. Both speakers dwelt or
the future OF the Negro race, and o
tho part IL will play in the history o
the world
There were also preaching service
NJ $50 o'clock and 7.45 o'clock. Wis
itlng pastors. Including Rev. d. ]
Russell. OF Philadelphia; Rev. A
Hammonds. OF New Jersey. and Re,
DR.. Hines. OF Salem. New jersey
addressed the congregations. Musi
was furnished by the choir OF tn
church. OF which Mrs e. Chippe
is directress and Professor Williai
Chippey. organist.
Big Quarterly Sunday is an ar
nual event at A. U. NJ. p. church. n
oldest Negro church IN this city. TT
day was established 107 years az
by Peter Spencer. founder Of Il
church. who selected the las, Su
day in August. following the cor
pletion OF the edifice. as the date Z
he first Big Quarterly. Every ye
the day has been observed.
Wilmingtonians OF a quarter ce
fury ago will recall the vast tide
colored worshippers that flowed
French street on Big Quarterly. CT
tunes Of a variety long since RE-
gated TO fashions discard adorn
the visitors. and all manner OF n,
extinct equipment from the gran
father high hat to the hoopsk
could be observed.
Taking advantage OF the thron
attending big Quarterly" pic
pockets robbed many unsuspecti
worshippers of their money. Due
the crowd. IL was easy working I
the light fingered crooks. One ms
Walter Glasgow. was relieved OF 5
II was said. while others report
losing smaller amounts.
KN0CKTn 0TVT UJITCN