around in their frenzy, but when the hand-shaking
began and each one danced up to us, keeping time with the music and
shook our hands in time, until the measure changed and they passed on to
the next, we realized that we had, indeed, been taken right in. Thus the
meeting closed, and many left--two, rigid in their spasms, lying on the
benches.

But we found that the more devoted ones were to stay longer still, and
as one of the sisters came up and asked me to stay and see them get real
happy shouting, we did so. And now commenced a religious dance,
perfectly indescribable, and as long as I have been in the South it was
perfectly new to me. The leader started down one of the aisles chanting
a weird plantation song, and every joint in his body moving in time with
the measure; the sisters took it up and followed two by two until there
was a complete circle all around the church, all dancing in time with
the music. We were told that they would keep that up until morning.

It is rarely that we attend anything of this kind, but I think we had
enough of the old-time religion to last us through 1890 at least. We
have a number of scholars from this church, and it makes my heart sad
when I think how hard it will be for them to put what they are taught in
school with the example of their parents in this church. We have had
many inquiring ones in school lately, and it is difficult for them to
see how simple is the entrance to the narrow way contrasted with all the
excitement in their church religion.

* * * * *

A DIFFERENT "WATCH NIGHT" MEETING.

Since the foregoing article was in type, we have received the following
sketch of a "Watch Night" meeting in one of the churches of our
Association.

It is quite a custom among the colored people to hold "Watch Night"
meetings. These meetings are largely attended and are full of fervor and
interest. Our "Watch-Night" was a very precious one--it was held from 10
to 12 o'clock: it was divided into four half-hour services, viz:
1--Prayer and praise; 2--Bible reading; 3--Address by pastor, and 4--A
testimony meeting. The last five minutes was spent in silent prayer, and
at 12 o'clock, when the New Year was announced by booming of cannon and
the ringing of bells throughout the city, we united in singing our song
of New Year greeting, "What a Happy New Year," while extending to one
another the right hand of fellowship. At the close of the service all
prese