overflowing, and the congregation sang their own hymns. The singing ascended and poured forth like a melodious torrent; and the heads, feet, and elbows of the congregation moved all in unison with it, amid evident enchantment and delight in the singing, which was in itself exquisitely pure and full of melodious life.
The hymns and psalms which the negroes have themselves composed, have a peculiar, naïve character, child-like, full of imagery and life. Here is a specimen of one of their popular church hymns.
| “ | What ship is this that's landed at the shore? |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! | |
| It's the old ship of Zion, hallelujah, | |
| It's the old ship of Zion, hallelujah. | |
| Is the mast all sure, and the timber all sound? | |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! | |
| She's built of gospel timber, hallelujah, | |
| She's built, &c. | |
| “ | What kind of men does she have on board? |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! | |
| They're all true-hearted soldiers, hallelujah. | |
| They're all, &c. | |
| “ | What kind of Captain does she have on board? |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! | |
| King Jesus is the Captain, hallelujah, | |
| King Jesus, &c. | |
| “ | Do you think she will be able to land us on the shore? |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! | |
| I think she will be able, hallelujah! | |
| I think, &c. | |
| “ | She has landed over thousands, and can land as many more. |
| Oh, glory hallelujah! &c., &c.” |
After the singing of the hymns, which was not led by
any organ or musical instrument whatever, but which
arose like burning melodious sighs from the breasts of
the congregation, the preacher mounted the pulpit. He
was a very black negro, young, with a very retreating
forehead, and the lower portion of the countenance
