 Chapter 22 of Dread, A Tale of the Great Disable Swamp, by Harriet Beecher Stowe. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Read by William Jones, Benita Springs, Florida. Chapter 22 The Worshipers The camp meeting is one leading feature in the American development of religion peculiarly suited to the wide extent of country and to the primitive habits which generally accompany a sparse population. Undoubtedly, its general effects have been salutary. Its evils have been only those incident to any large gatherings in which the whole population of a country are brought promiscuously together. As in many other large assemblies of worship, there are those who go for all sorts of reasons. Some from curiosity, some from love of excitement, some to turn a penny in a small way of trade, some to scoff and a few to pray. And, so long as the heavenly way remains straight and narrow, so long the sincere and humble worshipers will ever be the minority in all assemblies. We can give no better idea of the difference of motive which impelled the various worshipers than by taking our readers from scene to scene on the morning when different attendants of the meeting were making preparations to start. Between the grounds of Mr. John Gordon and the plantation of Canemaw stood a log cabin, which was the trading establishment of Abidja skin plant. The establishment was a nuisance in the eyes of the neighboring planters from the general apprehension entertained that Abidja drove a brisk underhand trade with the Negroes and that the various articles which he disposed for sale were many of them surreptitiously conveyed to him in nightly installments from off their own plantations. But of this nothing could be proved. Abidja was a shrewd fellow, long, dry, lean, leathery with a sharp nose, sharp little gray eyes, a sharp chin, and fingers as long as birds claws. His skin was so dry that one would have expected that his cheeks would crackle whenever he smiled or spoke, and he rolled in them a never-failing quid of tobacco. Abidja was one of those over shrewd Yankees who leave their country for their country's good, who exhibit wherever they settle such a caricature of the thrifty virtue of their native land as to justify the aversion which the native-born Southerner entertains for the Yankee. Abidja drank his own whiskey prudently, however, or, as he said, never so as not to know what he was about. He had taken a wife from the daughters of the land who also drank whiskey but less prudently than her husband so that sometimes she did not know what she was about. Sons and daughters were born into this promising couple, white-headed, forward-dirty and ill-mannered, but amid all the domestic and social trials, Abidja maintained a constant and steady devotion to the main chance, the acquisition of money. For money he would do anything. For money he would have sold his wife, his children, even his own soul if he had happened to have one, but that article, had it ever existed, was now so small and dry that one might have fancied it to rattle in his lean frame like a shriveled pea in last year's pee pod. Abidja was going to the camp meeting for two reasons. One, of course, was to make money, and the other was to know whether his favorite preacher, elder string-fellow, handled the doctrine of election according to his views. For Abidja had a turn for theology and could number off the five points of Calvinism on his five long fingers with unfailing accuracy. It is stated in the scriptures that the devils believe and tremble. The principal differences between their belief in Abidja's was that he believed and did not tremble. Truth's awful enough to have shaken the earth and veiled the sun, he could finger over with as much unconcerned as a practiced anatomist the dry bones of a skeleton. You, Sam, said Abidja, to his only negro-hellet, you mind you study that air barrel so that it don't roll out and pour a pail full of water in at the bone. It won't do to give it to him too strong. With skin-flip you may case if you don't, I shan't wait for you cause whatever the rest may do. It's important I should be on the ground early. Many a dollar lost for not being in time in this world. Hurry, woman. I am ready, but Polly ain't, said Mrs. Skinflin. She's busy a-plastering down her hair. Can't wait for her, said Abidja, as he celled up of the house to get into the wagon, which stood before the door into which he had packed a copious supply of hams, eggs, dressed chickens, cornmeal, and green summer vegetables to say nothing of the barrel of whiskey aforesaid. I say, Dad, you stop, called Polly from the window. If you don't, I'll make work for you, for you come home. You see if I don't, darn if I won't. Come along, Ben, can't you? Next time we go anywhere, I'll shut you up overnight to begin to dress. Polly hastily squeezed her fat form into a red calico dress and seasoned a gray summer shawl with her bonnet in her hand, rushed to the wagon and mounted. The hooks of her dress successively exploding and flying off as she stooped to get in. Darn if I know what to do, said she. This year old Darn gear coats all off my back. Gals is always fools, said Abhija consolingly. Stick in a pin, Polly, said her mother, in an easy sing-song draw. Turn, you old woman, every hook is off, said the promising young lady. Stick in more pins, then, said the mama, and the vehicle of Abhija passed forward. On the verge of the swamp, a little beyond Tiff's cabin, lived Ben Dakin. Ben was a mighty hunter. He had the best pack of dogs within thirty miles around, and his advertisements, still to be seen standing in the papers of his native state, detailed with great accuracy the precise terms on which he would hunt down and capture any man, woman or child, escaping from the service and labor in that country. Our readers must not necessarily suppose Ben, to have been a monster for all this, when they recollect that within a few years both the great political parties of our union solemnly pledge themselves, as far as in them lay, to accept a similar vocation, and as many of them were in good in regular standing in churches and had ministers to preach sermons to the same effect, we trust they'll entertain no unreasonable prejudice against Ben on this account. In fact, Ben was a tall, broad-shouldered, bluff, hearty-looking fellow who would do a kind turn for a neighbor with as much goodwill as anybody, and accept that he now and then took a little too much whiskey as he himself admitted, he considered himself quite as promising a candidate for the kingdom as any of the company who were going up to camp meeting. Had anyone ventured to demonstrate with Ben against the nature of his profession, you could probably have defended it by pretty much the same arguments by which modern theologians defend the institutions of which it is a branch. Ben was just one of those jovial fellows who never could bear to be left behind in anything that was going on in the community and was always one of the foremost in a camp meeting. He had a big, loud voice and could roll out the chorus of hymns with astonishing effect. He was generally converted at every gathering of this kind, though through the melancholy proclivity to whiskey before a lunatou, he usually fell from grace before the year was out. Like many other big and hearty men, he had a little pale, withered, moon-shiny wisp of a wife who hung on his elbow much like an empty work bag. And Ben, to do him justice, was kind to the wilted little mortal as if he almost suspected that he had absorbed her vitality into his own exuberant growth. She was greatly given to eating clay, cleansing her teeth with snuff and singing methodist hymns and had a very sincere concern for Ben's salvation. The little woman, set resignedly on the morning we speak of, while a long-limbed, broad-shouldered child of two years with bristly white hair was pulling her by her ears and hair and otherwise maltreating her to make her get up and give him a piece of bread and molasses. And she, without seeming to attend to the child, was giving earnest heed to her husband. There's a despot press of business now, said Ben. There's James Niggers and Smith's Polly and we ought to be on the trail right away. Oh, Ben, you ought to tend to your salvation if for anything else, said his wife. That's true enough, said Ben. Meetings don't come every day. But what are we to do with this yearin, pointing to the door of an inner room? This yearin was no other than a negro woman named Nance who had been brought in by the dogs the day before. Laws, said his wife. We can sit here, septling to eat and leave the dogs in front of the door. She can't get out. Ben threw open the door and displayed to view a low kind of hutch without any other light than that between the crevices of the logs. On the floor, which was hard-trodden earth, said a sinewy, lean, negro woman drawing up her knees with her long arms and resting her chin on them. Oh, Nance, how are you, said Ben, rather cheerfully? Poorly, Massa, said the other in a sullen tone. Nance, you think your old man will wail you when he gets you, said Ben. I reckons he will, said Nance. He always does. Well, Nance, the old woman and I want to go to a camp meeting and I'll just tell you what it is. You stay here quiet while we are going and I'll make the old fella promise not to wallop you. I wouldn't mind taking off something of the price. That's fair, ain't it? Yes, Massa, said the woman in the same subdued tone. Does your foot hurt you much, said Ben? Yes, Massa, said the woman. Let me take a look at it, said Ben. The woman put out one foot, which had been loosely bound up in old rags now saturated with blood. I declared, if that air dog ain't a peeler, said Ben, Nance, you ought to have stood still. He wouldn't have hurt yourself. Lord, he hurt me, though I couldn't stand still, said the woman. It ain't nature to stand still with a critter's teeth in your foot. Well, I don't know as it is, said Ben, good naturally. Here, Miss Dakin, you bind up this here gal's foot. Stop your noise, sirree! He added to the young aspirant for bread and molasses who, having dispatched one piece, was clamoring vigorously for another. I'll tell you what, said Ben to his wife. I'm going to talk to that old elder settle. I run some more niggers for him than any man in the county, and I know there's some reason for it. Niggers don't run into swamps when they're treated well. Folks that profess his religion, I think, ought to starve their niggers no way. Soon the vehicle of Ben was also on the road. He gathered up the reins vigorously, threw back his head to get the full benefit of his lungs, and commenced a vehement camp-meeting melody to the tune of, Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the lamb? A hymn, by the by, which is one of Ben's particular favorites. We come next to Tiff's cottage, of which the inmates were a stir in the coolness of the morning bright and early. Tiff's wagon was a singular composite article, principally of his own construction. The body of it consisted of a long packing box. The wheels were all odd ones that had been brought home at different times by crypts. The shafts were hickory poles, thinned at one end, and fastened to the wagon by nails. Some barrel hoops bent over the top, covered by coarse white cotton cloth, formed the curtains, and a quantity of loose straw dispersed inside was the only seat. The lean one-eyed horse was secured to this vehicle by a hornet's made of old ropes. But no millionaire, however, ever enjoyed his luxuriously cushioned coach with half the relish with which Tiff enjoyed his equipage. It was the work of his hands, the darling of his heart, the delight of his eyes. To be sure, like other mortal darlings, it was to be admitted that it had its weak points and failings. The wheels would now then come off, the shafts get loose with a hornet's break. But Tiff was always prepared, and on occasion of any such mishaps he would jump out and attend to them with such cheerful alacrity that, if anything, he rather seemed to love it better for the accident. There it stands now before the enclosure of the little cabin, and Tiff, and Fanny and Teddy, with bustling aciduity, are packing and arranging it. The gum-tree cradle trough took precedence of all other articles. Tiff, by the private advice of Aunt Rose, had just added to this an improvement which placed it, in his view, tip-top among cradles. He had nailed to one end of it a long splint of elastic hickory which drew just over the baby's face. From this was suspended a morsel of salt-pork which this young scion of a noble race sucked with a considerable relish while his large round eyes opened and shut with sleepy satisfaction. This arrangement Rose had recommended, in mysterious tones, as all-powerful in making sucking babies forget their mammies, whom otherwise they might pine for in a manner prejudicial to their health. Although the day was sultry, Tiff was arrayed in his long-skirted white greatcoat, as his nether garments were in too dilapidated a state to consist with the honour of the family. His white-felt hat still bore the band of black crepe. It's amazing good day. Bless the Lord, said Tiff. Peers like these ear-birds would split their trouts, praising the Lord. It's a mighty good sample to us anyway. You see, Miss Fanny, you never see birds put out nor snarly-like, rain or shine. These auras are praising the Lord. Lord, it seems as if critters is better than we be. And as Tiff spoke, he shouldered into the wagon a mighty bag of corn. But failing in what he meant to do, this bag slid over the side and tumbled back into the road. Being somewhat of the oldest, the fall burst it asunder and the corn rolled into the sand with that provoking alacrity which things always have when they go the wrong way. Fanny and Teddy both uttered an exclamation of lamentation. But Tiff held on to his sides and laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks. Oh, why that there is the last bag we's got. And there's all the corn are running out into the sand. Oh, Lord, it's so curious. Wife, what are we going to do, said Fanny? Oh, bless you, Miss Fanny, said Tiff, as bound to do something anyhow. Clear for it now if a hand got a box, and Tiff soon returned with the article in question which proved too large for the wagon. The corn, however, was emptied into it pro-tim, and Tiff producing his darning needle and thimble set down seriously to the task of stitching up the hole. The Lord's things ain't never in a hurry, said Tiff. Corn and tatles will have their time, and why shouldn't I? There, he said, after having mended the bag and replaced the corn, that air is better now, nor it was before. Besides his own store provisions, Tiff prudently laid into his wagon enough of garden stuff to turn a penny for Miss Fanny and the children on the campground. The Thomas-Syria department, in fact, might have provoked appetite even among the fastidious. There were dressed chickens and rapids, the coon of foresad, bundles of savory herbs, crisp, dewy lettuce, bunches of onions, radishes, and green peas. Tell the air what, children, said Tiff, will live like princes, and you mind, order me around well. Let folks hear you, what's the use of having a nigger, and nobody knowing it. And everything being arranged, Tiff got in and jogged occasionally along. At the turn of the crossroads, Tiff, looking a little behind, saw on the other road the gordon carriage coming, driven by old hundred, arrayed in his very best revel-shirt white gloves and gold hat-band. If ever Tiff came near in his heart, it was at that moment. But he retreated stoutly upon the idea that however appearances might be against them, his family was no less ancient and honorable for that. And therefore, putting on all his dignity, he gave his beast an extra cut as who should say I don't care. But as ill luck would have it, the horse at this instant giving a jerk wrenched out the nails that fastened the shaft to one side. And it fell trailing dishonored on the ground. The rope harnessed, pulled all the rye, and just at this moment the gordon carriage swept up. For I drive such an old trash, said old hundred scornishly, pulls all the pieces every step. If that there ain't poor white folksy establishment, I never cede one. What's the matter? Said Naina, putting her head out. Oh, Tef, good morning, my good fellow. Can we help you there? John, get down and help him. Please, Miss Naina, the horses are so full of tickle this year morning, I couldn't let go no ways, said old hundred. Oh, laws bless you, Miss Naina, said Tef, restored to his usual spirits, tamed nothing, broke in extraordinary good place this year time, I can hammer it up in a minute. And Tef was as good as his word, for a round stone and big nail made it all straight. Praise, said Naina. How are little Miss Fanny and the children? Miss Fanny, if Naina had heaped Tef with presence she could not have conferred the inexpressible obligation conveyed in these words. He bowed low to the ground with the weight of satisfaction and answered that Miss Fanny and the children were well. There, said Naina. John, you may drive on. Do you know, friends, I've set Tef up for six weeks by one word, just saying Miss Fanny has done more for him than if I had sent him six bushels of potatoes. We have yet to take our readers to one more scene before we finish the review of those who were going to the camp meeting. The reader must follow us far beyond the abodes of man into the recesses of that wild desolation known as the dismal swamp. We passed over vast tracts where the forest seems growing out of the water. Cypress, red cedar, sweet gum, tulip, poplar, beech, and holly form a goodly fellowship waving their gasoline bowels above. The trees shoot up in vast columns, fifty, seventy-five, and a hundred feet in height, and below are clusters of evergreen gall bushes with their thick and glossy foliage mingle in with swamp honeysuckles and grapevines, twining barrier and laurels, and other shrubs forming an impenetrable thicket. The creeping plants climb seventy or eighty feet up the largest tree and hang in heavy festoons from their branches. It would seem impossible that human feet could penetrate the wild, impervious jungle, but we must take our readers through it to a clear spot where trunks of fallen trees long decayed have formed an island of vegetable mold which the art of some human hand has extended and improved. The clearing is some sixty yards long by thirty broad and is surrounded with a natural rampart which might well bid defiance to man or piece. Huge trees have been filled with all their branches lying thickly one or the other in a circuit around and nature seconding the efforts of the fugitives who sought refuge here has interlaced the framework thus made with thorny cat priors cables of grapevine and thickets of Virginia creeper which running wild in their exuberance climb on to the neighboring trees and swinging down again loose themselves in the mazes from which they spring so as often to form a virtuous wall fifty feet in height. In some places the laurel with its glossy green leaves and its masses of pink tipped snowy blossoms presents to the eye rank above rank a wilderness of beauty the pendants of the yellow jasmine swing to and fro in the air like sensors casting forth clouds of perfume a thousand twining lines with flowers of untold name perhaps unknown as yet to the botanist help to fill up the mosaic the leafy ramparts sweep round on all the sides of the clearing for the utmost care has been taken to make it impenetrable and in that region of heat and moisture nature in the course of a few weeks admirably seconds every human effort the only egress from it is a winding path cut through with a hatchet which can be entered by only one person at a time and the water which surrounds this island entirely cuts off the trail from the scent of dogs yet is to be remarked that the climate in the interior of the swamp is far from being unhealthy lumbermen who spend a great portions of the year in it cutting shingles and staves testify to the general solubility of the air and water the opinion prevails among them that the quantity of pine and other resinous trees that grow there impart a balsamic property to the water and impregnate the air with a healthy resinous fragrance which causes it to be an exception to the usual rule of the unhealthiness of swampy land the soil also when drained sufficiently for purposes of culture is profusely fertile two small cabins stood around the border of the clearing but the center was occupied with patches of corn and sweet potatoes planted there to secure as much as possible the advantage of sun and air at the time we take our readers there the afternoon sun of a salty june day is casting as long shadows over the place and a whole choir of birds flying in the branches on the ground in front of one of the little cabins lies a negro man covered with blood two women with some little children are grouped beside him and a wild figure whom we at once recognize as dread is kneeling by him busy in efforts to staunch a desperate wound in the neck in vain the red blood spurts out with a pulsation of the heart with a fearful regularity telling too plainly that it is a great life artery which has been laid open the negro woman kneeling at the other side is anxiously holding some bandages which he has stripped from a portion of her raiment oh put these on quick do it's no use said dread he is going oh don't don't let him go can't you save him said the woman in tomes of agony the wounded man's eyes opened and first fixed themselves with a vacant stare on the blue sky above then turning on the woman he seemed to try to speak he had a strong arm he tries to raise it but the blood wells up with the effort the eye glazes the large frame shivers for a few moments and then all is still the blood stops flowing now for the heart has stopped beating and an immortal soul has gone back to him who gave it the man was a fugitive from a neighboring plantation a simple-hearted honest fellow who had fled with his wife and children to save her from the licentious persecution of the overseer dread had received and sheltered him and built him a cabin and protected him for months he provisions of the revised statutes of North Carolina in acts that slaves thus secreted in the swamps not returned within a given time shall be considered outlawed and that it shall be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever to kill and destroy such slaves by such ways and means as they shall think fit without any accusation or impeachment of crime for the same it also provides that when any slave shall be killed in consequence of such outlawry the value of such slave shall be ascertained by a jury and the owner entitled to receive two-thirds of that evaluation from the sheriff of the county wherein the slave in olden times the statute provided that the proclamation of outlawry should be published on a Sabbath day at the door of any church or chapel or place where the divine service should be performed immediately after divine service by the parish clerk or reader in the spirit of this permission a party of negro hunters with dogs and guns had chased this man who on this day had unfortunately ventured out of his concealment he succeeded in outrunning all but one dog which spring up and fastening his fangs on his throat laid him prostrate within a few paces of his retreat dread came up in time to kill the dog but the wound as appeared had proved to be a mortal one as soon as the wife perceived really dead she broke into a loud wail oh dear he's gone and was all for me he did it oh he was so good such a good man oh do tell me is he dead is he dread lifted the yet warm hand in his a moment and then dropped it heavily dead he said deep undertone of suppressed emotion suddenly kneeling down beside him he lifted his hands and broke forth with wild vehemence oh lord god doom vengeance be longeth show thyself lift up thyself thou judge of the earth renderer reward to the proud doubtless thou art our father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not thou or lord art our father our redeemer thy ways are everlasting where is thy zeal and thy strength and the sounding of thy bowels toward us are they restrained then tossing his hands to heaven with a yet wilder gesture he almost screamed oh lord oh lord how long oh that thou was rend the heavens and come down oh let the signs of the prisoners come before thee our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth as when one cuteth and cleaveth would we are given as sheep to the slaughter we are killed all the day long oh lord a vengeance of our adversaries these words were spoken with a vehement earnestness of gesture and voice that hushed the lamentation of the mourners rising up from his knees he stood a moment looking down at the lifeless form before him see here he said what harm had this man done was he not peaceable did he not live here in quietness tilling the ground in the sweat of his brow they sent the hunters upon him because he wanted to raise his corn for himself and not for another because he wanted his wife for himself and not for another was not the world wide enough isn't there room enough under the sky because this man wished to eat the fruit of his own labor the decree went forth against him even the curse of Cain so that whosoever findeth him shall kill him will not the lord be avenged on such people as this tonight they will hold their solemn assembly and blow the trumpet in their new moon and the prophets will prophesy falsely and the priest will speak wickedly concerning oppression the word of the lord sayeth unto me go unto this people and break before them the staff beauty and the staff bands and be a sign unto this people of the terror of the lord behold sayeth the lord therefore have I raised thee up and led thee through the wilderness through the desolate places of the land not sown as dread spoke his great black eye seemed to enlarge itself and roll with a glassy fullness like that of a sleepwalker in a synumbulistic dream his wife seen him prepare to depart threw herself upon him oh no don't leave us you'll be killed some of these times just as they killed him woman the burden of the lord is upon me the word of the lord is as a fire shut up in my bones the lord sayeth unto me go show unto this people their iniquity and be a sign unto this evil nation breaking away from his wife he precipitated himself through an opening in the thicket and was gone end of chapter 22 the worshippers chapter 23 part 1 of dread a tale of the great dismal swamp by Harriet Beecher Stowe this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information more to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by William Jones Benita Springs, Florida dread chapter 23 part 1 the camp meeting the place selected for the camp meeting was in one of the most picturesque portions of the neighborhood it was a small, partially cleared spot in the midst of a dense forest which stretched away in every direction in cool green aisles of checkered light and shade in the central clearing a sort of rude amphitheater of seats was formed of rough pine slabs around the edges of the forest the tents of the various worshippers were pitched for the spending of three or four days and nights upon the ground is deemed an essential part of the service the same clear stream which wound round the dwelling of Tiff prattled its way with a modest gurgle through the forest and furnished the assembly with water the Gordonants having come merely for the purpose of curiosity and having a residence in the neighborhood did not provide themselves with a tent the servants however were less easily satisfied and Rose shook her head and declared or accurately that the blessing was sure to come down in the night and deemed that wanted to get a part of it would have to be there consequently Nina was beset to allow her people to have a tent in which they could take turns and stay all night as candidates for the blessing in compliance with that law of good human indulgence which had been the traditionary usage of her family Nina acceded and the Gordon tent spread its snowy sails to the rejoicing of their hearts and Rose predominated about the door alternately slapping the children and joining the course of hymns which she heard from every part of the campground on the outskirts were various rude booths in which whisky and water and sundry articles of provision and fodder for horses were dispensed for a consideration Abidja skinflint here figured among the money changers while his wife and daughter were gossiping through the tents of the women in front of the seats under a dense cluster of pines was the preacher's stand a rude stage of rough boards with a railing about it and a desk of small slabs supporting a Bible and hymn book the preachers were already assembling and no small curiosity was expressed with regard to them by the people who were walking up and down among the tents Nina leaning on the arm of Clayton walked about the area with the rest and Clayton leaned on the arm of Uncle John and Aunt Nesbeth and Aunt Maria came behind to Nina this scene was quite new for a long residence in the northern states had placed her out of the way of such things and her shrewd insight into character and her love of drollery found an abundant satisfaction in the various little points and oddities of the scene they walked to the Gordon Tent in which a preliminary meeting was already in full course a circle of men and women who were dispersed with children were sitting with their eyes shut and their heads thrown back singing at the top of their voices occasionally one or other would vary the exercise by the clapping of hands jumping straight up into the air falling flat on the ground screaming dancing and laughing oh set me up on a rock screamed one eyes got up screamed another just of a man's poured in between I got experience cried one and forthwith began piping it out in a high key while others kept on singing eyes got experience shouted Tom Titt whom Aunt Rose with maternal care had taken with her no you ain't neither sit down said Aunt Rose kneading him down as if he had been a batch of biscuits and going on at the same time eyes on the rock of ages screamed a neighbor I want to get on a rock edge ways screamed Tom Titt struggling desperately with Aunt Rose's great fat hands bind yourself out crack you over said Aunt Rose and Tom Titt still continuing rebellious was cracked over accordingly with such forces to send him head and full most on the straw at the bottom of the tent and indignity she resented with loud howls of impotent wrath which will ever made no impression on the general whirlwind of screaming shouting and praying Nina and Uncle John stood at the tent door laughing heartily Clayton looked on with his usual thoughtful gravity of aspect and turned her head away with an air of disgust why don't you laugh said Nina looking round at her it doesn't make me feel like it said Ann it makes me feel melancholy why so because religion is a sacred thing with me and I don't like to see it travesty said she oh I don't respect religion any the less for a good laugh at its oddities I believe I was born without any organ of reverence and so don't feel the incongruity of the thing as you do the distance between laughing and praying isn't so very wide in my mind as it is in some peoples we must have charity said Clayton for every religious manifestation barbarous and half civilized people always find the necessity for outward and bodily demonstration in worship I suppose because the nervous excitement wakes up and animates their spiritual natures and gets them into a receptive state as you have to shake up sleeping persons and shout in their ears to put them in a condition to understand you I have known real convergence to take place under just these excitement but said Ann I think we might teach them to be decent these things are not to be allowed I believe said Clayton intolerance is a rooted vice in our nature the world is as full of different minds and bodies as the woods are of leaves and each one has its own habit of growth and yet our first impulse is to forbid everything that would not be proper for us no let the African scream dance and shout and fall in trances it suits his tropical lineage and blood as much as our thoughtful inward ways do us I wonder who that is said Nina as a general on the ground proclaimed the arrival of someone who appeared to be exciting general interest the stranger was an unusually tall portly man apparently somewhat past the middle of life whose erect carries full figure and red cheeks and a certain dashing frankness of manner might have indicated him as belonging rather to the military than the clerical profession he carried a rifle on his shoulder which he set down carefully against the corner of the preacher's stand and went around shaking hands among the company with the free and jovial air that might almost be described by the term rollicking why said Uncle John that Father Bonnie how are you my fine fellow what you Mr. Gordon how do you do said Father Bonnie grasping his hand in his and shaking it hardly why did you tell me he said looking at him with a jovial smile that you have fallen from grace even so said Uncle John I'm a sad dog I dare say oh I tell you what said Father Bonnie but it takes a strong hook and a long line to pull in you rich sinners your money bags and your niggers hang around you like millstones you're too tough for the gospel ha said he his fist at him playfully but I'm going to come down upon you today with the law I can't tell you you want the thunders of Sinai you must have a dose of the law well said Uncle John thunder away I suppose we needed all of us but now Father Bonnie you ministers are always preaching to us poor dogs on the evils of riches but somehow I don't see any of you that are much afraid of owning the horses or niggers or any other good thing that you can get your hands on now I hear that you've got a pretty snug little place and a likely drove to work it you'll have to look out for your own soul Father Bonnie a general have echoed this retort for Father Bonnie had the reputation of being a shrewder hand at a bargain and of having more expertness in swapping a horse or trading a Negro that any other man for six counties round he's into you now old man said several of the bystanders laughingly oh as to that said Father Bonnie laughing also I go in with Paul they that preach the gospel must live the gospel now Paul was a man that stood up for his rights to live as other folks do isn't it right says he that those that plant a vineyard should first eat of the fruit haven't we power to lead about a sister a wife says he and if Paul had lived in our time he would have said a drove of niggers too no danger about his ministers being heard by riches while you laymen are so slow about supporting the gospel at the elbow of Father Bonnie stood a brother minister who was in many respects his contrast he was tall thin and stooping with earnest black eyes and serene sweetness of expression a threadbare suit of rusty black evidently carefully worn show the property of his worldly estate he carried in his hand a small portmanteau probably containing a change of linen his Bible and a few sermons Father Dixon was a man extensively known throughout all the region he was one of those men among the ministers of America who keep alive our faith in Christianity and renew on earth the portrait of the old apostle quote in journeyings often in weariness and painfulness in watchings often in hunger and in thirst in fastings often in cold and nakedness besides those things that are without that which come upon them daily the care of all the churches who is weak and they are who is offended and they burn not close quote everyone in the state knew and respected Father Dixon and like the generality of the world people were very well pleased and thought it extremely proper and meritorious for him to bear weariness and painfulness hunger and cold in their spiritual service leaving to them the right of attending or not attending to him according to their own convenience Father Dixon was one of those who had never yielded to the common customs and habits of the country in regard to the holding of slaves a few who had been left him by a relation he had at great trouble and expense transported to a free state and settled there comfortably the world need not trouble itself with seeking to know or reward such men for the world cannot know and has no power to reward them their citizenship is in heaven and all that can be given them in this life is like a morsel which a peasant gives in his cottage to him who tomorrow will reign over a kingdom he had stood listening to the conversation thus far with the grief yet indulged in air which he generally listened to the sallies of his ministerial brothers Father Bonnie though not as much respected or confided in as Father Dixon had from the frankness of his manners and a certain rude but effective style of eloquence a more general and apparent popularity he produced more sensation on the campground could sing louder and longer and would often rise to the flights of eloquence both original and impressive many were offended by the freedom of his manner out of the pulpit and the stricter sort were known to him that when out he never ought to be in and when in never out as the laugh that rose at his last sally died away he turned to Father Dixon and said what do you think I don't think said Father Dixon mildly that you would ever have found Paul leading a role of Negroes why not as well as Abraham the father of the faithful didn't he have 300 trained servants servants perhaps but not slaves said Father Dixon for they all bore arms for my part I think the buying selling and trading of human beings for purposes of gain is a sin in the sight of God well now Father Dixon I wouldn't have thought that you had read your Bible to so little that I wouldn't believe it what do you say to Moses he let out a whole army of fugitive slaves through the Red Sea said Father Dixon well I tell you now said Father Bonnie if the buying selling or holding of a slave for the sake of gain is as you say a sin then three fourths of all the Episcopalians Methodists Baptists and Presbyterians in the slave states of the union are of the devil I think it is a sin not withstanding said Father Dixon quietly well but doesn't Moses say expressly ye shall buy of the heathen round about you there's into him said a Georgia trader who having camped with a cough of Negroes in the neighborhood had come up to camp meeting all those things said Father Dixon belong to the old covenant which Paul says was annulled for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof and have nothing to do with us who have risen with Christ we have got past Mount Sinai in the wilderness and have come unto Mount Zion and ought to seek the things that are above where Christ siteth I say brother said another of the ministers tapping him on the shoulder it's time for the preach to begin you can finish your discussion some other time come Father Bonnie come forward here and strike up the him Father Bonnie accordingly stepped to the front of the stand and with him another minister of equal height and breath of frame and standing with her heads on they uplifted instantorian voices the following him brethren don't you hear this sound the Marshall trumpet now is blowing men in order listing round and soldiers to the standard flowing as the sound of the him rolled through the aisles and arches of the woods the heads of different groups who had been engaged in conversation were observed turning toward the stand and voices from every part of the campground took up the air as suiting the action to the words they began flowing to the place of preaching the him went on keeping up the same Marshall images bounty offered life and peace to every soldier this is given when the toys of life shall cease a mansion bright prepared in heaven as the throng pressed up and came crowding from the district aisles of the wood the singers seemed to exert themselves to throw a wilder vehemence into the song stretching out their arms and beckoning eagerly they went on singing you need not fear the cause is good let who will to crown aspire if this to cause the martyrs bled and shouted victory in the fire in this cause let's follow on and soon we'll tell the pleasing story how by faith we won the crown and fought our way to life and glory O ye rebels come enlist the officers now are recruiting why will you in sin persist or waste your time in vain disputing all excuses now are vain for if you do not sue for favor down you'll sink to endless pain and bear the wrath of God forever there is always something awful in the voice of the multitude it would seem as if the breath that a crowd breathed out together in moments of enthusiasm carried with it a portion of the dread and mystery of their own immortal natures the full area before the pulpit and in the distant aisles of the forest became one fast surging sea of sound as negroes and white slaves and freemen saints and centers slaveholders slave hunters slave traders ministers elders and laymen alike join in the pulses of that mighty song a flood of electrical excitement seemed to rise with it as with a voice of many waters the root can't went on hark the victors singing loud emanuel's chariot wheels are rumbling mourners weep through the crowd and satan's kingdom now is tumbling our friend ben dakin pressed to the stand and with tears streaming down his cheeks exceeded all others in the energy of his vociferations ben had just come from almost a fight with another slave hunter who had boasted a better trained pack of dogs than his own and had broken away to hurry to the campground with the assurance that he had given fets when the preaching was over and now he stood there tears rolling down his cheeks singing with the heartiest earnestness and devotion what shall we make of it poor heathen ben is it any more out of the way for him to think of being a Christian in this manner than for some of his more decent brethren who take Sunday passage for eternity in the cushioned New York or Boston pews and solemnly drows through very sleepy tunes under a dim hazy impression that they are going to heaven of the two we think ben's chance is the best for in some blind way he does think himself a sinner and in need of something he calls salvation and doubtless while the tears stream down his face the poor fellow makes a new resolve against the whiskey bottle while his more respectable sleepy brethren never think of making one against the cotton bale then there was his rival also Jim Stokes a surly foul mouth swearing fellow he joins in the course of the hymn and feels a troublesome vague yearning deep down within him which makes him for the moment doubt whether he had better knocked down ben at the end of the meeting as to harry who stood also among the crowd the words in tune recall but too vividly the incidents of his morning interview with dread and with it the tumultuous boiling of his bitter controversy with the laws of society in which he found himself in hours of such high excitement a man seems to have an intuitive perception of the whole extent and strength of what is within himself and if there be anything unnatural or false in his position he realizes it with double intensity Mr. John Gordon likewise gave himself up without resistance to be swayed by the feeling of the hour he sung with enthusiasm and wished that he was a soldier of somebody going somewhere where a martyr shouting victory in the fire and if the conflict described had been with any other foe than his own laziness and self indulgence had there been any outward tangible enemy at the moment he would doubtless have enlisted without a loss of time when the him was finished however there was a general wiping of eyes and they all sit down to listen to the sermon father Bonnie led off in an animated strain his discourse was like the tropical swamp bursting out with a lush abundance of every kind of growth grave gay grotesque solemn fanciful and even coarse caricature provoking the broadest laughter the audience were swayed by him like trees before the wind there were not wanting touches of rude pathos as well as earnest appeals the meeting was a union one of Presbyterian and Methodist in which the ministers of both the nominations took equal part and it was an understood agreement among them of course that they were not to venture upon polemic ground or attack each other's peculiarities of doctrine but Abidjah's favorite preacher could not get through a sermon without some quite pointed exposition of scripture bearing on his favorite doctrine of election which caused the next minister to run vehement tilled on the eve of doctrines of free grace with a eulogy on John Wesley the auditors meanwhile according to their respective sentiments encouraged each preacher with a cry of amen glory be to God go on brother and other similar exclamations about noon the services terminated pro temp and the audience dispersed themselves to their respective tents through the grove where there was an abundance of chatting visiting eating and drinking as if the vehement denunciations and passionate appeals of the morning had been things of another state of existence Uncle John in the most cheery possible frame of mind escorted his party into the woods and assisted them in unpacking a hamper containing wine cold fouls, cake pies and other delicacies which Aunt Katie had packed for the occasion Old Tiff had set up his tent in a snug little nook on the banks of the stream where he informed passersby that it was his young Massa and Massa's establishment and that he Tiff had come to wait on them with a good natured view of doing him a pleasure Nina selected a spot for their noonie at no great distance and spoke in the most gracious and encouraging manner to them from time to time See now can't you behave themselves? He said grimly to old hundred who came up bringing the carriage cushions for the party to sit down upon Real quality says into things I tell you what blood sees into blood Miss Nina sees these here children ain't the common sort that's what she does Ooms said old hundred such a must as you keep up about your chilling tell you what they ain't no better than other white trash now you talk that their way I'll knock you down said old Tiff who though appeasable and law-abiding creature in general was driven in desperation to the last resort of force John what are you saying to Tiff? said Nina who had overheard some of the last words go back to your own tent and don't you trouble him I have taken him under my protection the party enjoyed their dinner with infinite relish and Nina amused herself in watching Tiff's cooking preparations before departing to the preaching ground he had arranged a slow fire on which a savory stew had been all the morning simmering and which on the taking off of the pot lid diffuse and agreeable order through the place I say Tiff how delightfully that smells said Nina getting up and looking into the pot wouldn't Miss Fanny be so kind as to favor us with a taste of it Fanny to whom Tiff punctiliously referred the question giving bashful consent but who shall describe the pride and glory that swell the heart of Tiff as he saw a bowl of his stew smoking among the Gordon vines praised and patronized by the party and when Nina placed upon their simple board, literally a board and nothing more a small loaf of frosted cake in exchange it certainly required all the grace of the morning exercises to keep Tiff within the dew bounds of humility he really seemed to dilate with satisfaction Tiff how did you like the sermon? said Nina days pretty far Miss Nina there's a good deal of quality preaching what do you mean by quality preaching Tiff? why dead air kind is good for quality full of long words you know I suspect it's very good but poor nigger like me can't see his way through it you see Miss Nina what I study on lately is how to get these year children to Canaan and I hers first with one ear and then to the other but appears like ain't Claire about it yet there's a heap about Moes and everything else and it's all very good but appears like I ain't Claire after all about that error they says come to Christ and I says where is he anyhow breast you I want to come that talks about going in the gate and knocking on the door and about marching on the road about fighting and being soldiers of the cross and the Lord knows now I'd be glad to get the children through any gate and I could take them on my back and travel all day on any road and if there was a door bless me if they wouldn't hear Old Tiffa rapping I suspect the Lord would have further open it would so but after all when the preaching is done there won't appear to be nothing to it there ain't no gate there ain't no door no way and there ain't no fighting except when Ben Dagon and Jim Stokes get join about their dogs and everybody comes back eating their dinner quite comfortable and appears like they want no such thing they's been preaching about that air troubles me does so cause I want further to get these year children in the kingdom some way or other I don't know but some of the quality would know more about it well hang me if I haven't felt just so said Uncle John when they were singing that hymn about enlisting and being a soldier if there had been any fighting doing anywhere I should have certainly gone right into it and the preaching always stirs me up terribly but then as Tiff says after it's all over there's dinner to be eating and I can't say anything better than to eat it and then by the time I have drunk two or three glasses of wine it's all gone now that's just the way with me they say as said Tiff that we must wait for the blessing to come down upon us and Aunt Rose says it's them that shouts that gets the blessing and I've been shouting till eyes most beat out but I hasn't got it then one of them said none of them could get in but the elect but then to other ones he seems to take different and in the meeting they tells about the scales falling from their eyes and I wish they'd fall from mine I do so Miss Nina now you could tell me something oh don't ask me I don't know anything about these things I think I feel a little like Uncle John there are two kinds of sermons and hymns one gets me to sleep and the other excites and stirs me up in a general kind of way but they don't either seem to do me real good for my part I am such an enemy to stagnation said Clayton that I think there is advantage in everything that stirs up the soul even though we see no immediate results I listen to music see pictures as far as I can uncritically I say here I am see what you can do with me so I present myself to almost all religious exercises it is the most mysterious part of our nature I do not pretend to understand it therefore never criticize for my part said and there is so much in the wild freedom of these meetings that shocks my taste and sense of propriety that I am annoyed more than I am benefited there spoke the true well-trained conventionalist said Clayton but look around you see in this wood among these flowers and festoons of vine and arches of green how many shocking unsightly growth you will not have had all this underbrush these dead limbs these briars running right over trees and sometimes choking and killing them you would have well-trimmed trees and velvet turf but I love briars dead limbs and all for the very savage freedom every once in a while you see in a wood a jazzyman or a sweet briar or a grapevine the throes itself into a gracefulness of growth which a landscape gardener would go down on his knees for but cannot get nature resolutely denies it to him she says no I keep this for my own you won't have my wildness my freedom very well then you shall not have the graces that spring from it just so it is with men unite any assembly of common men in a great enthusiasm work them up into an abandon and let everyone let go and speak as nature prompts and you will have brush and underwood briars and all grotesque growth but now and then some thought or sentiment will be struck out with a freedom or power such as you cannot get in any other way you cultivated people are much mistaken when you despise the enthusiasm of the masses there is more truth than you would think in the old vox populi vox day the voice of the people is the voice of God there is truth in it I never repent my share in a popular excitement provided it be of the higher sentiments and I do not ask too strictly whether it has produced any tangible result I reverence the people as I do the woods for the wild grand freedom with which their humanity develops itself I'm afraid Nina said and as but in a low tone to the letter I'm afraid he isn't orthodox what makes you think so ant oh I don't know his talk hasn't the real sound you want something that ends in asian don't you ant justification and sanctification or something of that kind meanwhile the department of abhija skinflint exhibited a decided activity this was a long low booth of polls and roofed with newly cut green vows here the whiskey barrel was continually pouring forth its supplies to customers who crowded around it abhija sat on the middle of a sort of rude counter dangling his legs and chewing a straw while his nigger was busy in helping his various customers abhija as we said being a particularly high Calvinist was recreating himself by carrying on a discussion with a fat little turnipy brother of the Methodist persuasion I say he said string fellow put it to you Methodist this morning it did nail on the head I thought not a bit of it said the other contemptuously while Elter Baskham charred him up completely there wasn't nothing left of him well said abhija strange how folks will see things while it's just as clear to me that all things is decreed while that air nails everything up tight and handsome it gives a fellow a kind of comfort to think on it things is just as they have got to be all this free grace stuff is dreffel loose talk if things is decreed before the world was made what there seems to be some sense in there coming to pass but if everything kind of turns up whenever folks thinks on it the kind of shaky business I don't like this tying up thing so tight said the other who evidently was one of the free jovial order I go in for the freedom of the will free gospel and free grace for my part said abhija brother grimly if things manage my way I shouldn't commune with nobody that didn't believe in election up to the hub you strong election hers to use among the elect said one of the by standards you wouldn't be so crank about it if you didn't now see here if everything is decreed how am I going to help myself that there is none of my look out said abhija but there is a pint of my mind rest on everything is fixed as it can be and it makes a man mighty easy end of dread chapter 23 part 1 the camp meeting chapter 23 part 2 of dread a tale of the great dismal swamp by Harriet Beecher Stowe this is a LibriVox recording all the rocks recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by William Jones Benita Springs Florida dread chapter 23 part 2 the camp meeting in another part of the campground ben dakin was sitting in his tent door caressing one of his favorite dogs and partaking his noontide repast with his wife and child I declare said ben wiping his mouth wife I intend to go into it and serve the Lord now full chisel if I catch the next lot of niggers I intend to give half the money towards keeping up preaching somewhere around here I'm going to enlist now and be a soldier and said his wife Ben just keep clear of Abhijal skin flints counter won't ya well I will learn if I won't said Ben I'll be moderate a fellow wants a glass or two to strike up the hymn on you know I'll be moderate the Georgia traitor who had encamped in the neighborhood now came up do you believe stranger said he one of them dirt niggers of mine broke loose and got in the swamps while I was at meeting this morning couldn't you take your dog here and give him a run I just gave nine hundred dollars for that fella cash down oh what you going to him for said Jim Stokes a short percy vulgar looking individual dressed in a honey shirt of blue Kentucky Jean who just then came up why adorn ya his dogs ain't no breed tall mine's the true grid I can tell ya they's the true Florida bled hounds I seen one of them air dogs shake a nigger in his mouth like he had been a sponge poor Ben's new found religion could not withstand the attack of his spiritual enemy and rousin' himself notwithstanding the appealing glasses of his wife he stripped up his sleeves and squaring off challenged his rival to a fight a crowd gathered round laughing and batting and cheering on the combatants with slang oaths and expressions such as we will not repeat when the concourse was routed by the approach of father Bonnie on the outside of the ring look here boys what works of the devil have you got round here none of this on the campground this is the lord's ground here so shut up you're swearing and don't fight a confused murmur of voices now began to explain to father Bonnie the cause of the trouble oh oh said he let the nigger run you can catch him fast enough when the meetings are over here's your salvation ah don't you be swearing and blustering around come boys join in a hymn with me so saying he struck up a well known air when Israel went to Jericho oh good lord in my soul in which one after another joined and the rising tumult was soon asswased I say, said father Bonnie to the traitor in an undertone walking away you got a good cook in your law day got a prime one said the traitor and a number one cook and no mistake picked her up real cheap and I'll let you have her for eight hundred dollars being used a minister you must think the gospel is a better trade than it is said father Bonnie if you think a minister can import to pay at that figure why? said the traitor you haven't seen her it's dirt cheap for her I can tell you a sound strong hearty woman a prudent careful housekeeper a real pious methodist a member of a class meeting why eight hundred dollars ain't anything I thought to get a thousand for her but I don't hear preaching for nothing always think right to make a discount to ministers why couldn't you bring her in said father Bonnie maybe I'll give you seven hundred and fifty for her couldn't do that no way said the traitor couldn't indeed well after the meetings are over I'll talk about it she's got a child four years old said the traitor with a little cough healthy a likely kid I suppose I should want a hundred dollars for him that won't do well said father Bonnie I don't want any more children around my place than I've got now but I tell you said the traitor so likely boy by the keeping of him won't cost you anything and before you think of it you'll have a thousand dollar and grown on your own place well said father Bonnie I'll think of it in the evening the scene on the picturesque and impressive those who conduct cap meetings are generally man who without much reasoning on the subject fall into a sort of tact influencing masses of mind and pressing into the service all the great life forces and influences of nature a kind of rude poetry pervades their minds colors their dialect and influences their arrangements the solemn and harmonious grandeur of night with all its mysterious power of exalting the passions and intensifying the emotions has ever been appreciated and used by them with even poetic skill the day had been a glorious one in June the sky of that firm clear blue the atmosphere of that crystalline clearness which often gives to the American landscape such a sharply defined outline and to the human system such an intense consciousness of life the evening sun went down in a broad sea of light and even after it had sunk below the purple horizon flashed back a flood of tremulous rose colored radiance which taken up by a thousand filmy clouds made the whole sky above like a glowing tent of the most ethereal brightness the shadows of the forest aisles were pierced by the rose colored rays and as they gradually faded star after star twinkled out and a broad moon ample and round rose in the purple zone of the sky when she had risen above the horizon but a short space her light was so resplendent and so profuse that it was decided to conduct the evening service by that alone and when at the sound of the hymn poured in and arranged themselves before the preaching stand it is probable that the rudest heart present was somewhat impressed with the silent magnificence by which God was speaking to them through his works as the hymn closed Father Bonnie addressing to the front of the stage lifted his hands and pointing to the purple sky and in a deep and not unmelodious voice repeated the words of the Psalmist the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork day and to day utter of speech and night and to night showeth knowledge oh you sinners he exclaimed look up at the moon there walking in her brightness and think over your oaths and your cursings and your drinkings think over your back biting and your cheatings and your quarreling and your fightings how do they look to you now with that blessed moon shining down upon you don't you see the beauty of our Lord God upon here don't you see how the saints walk in white with the Lord like her I daresay some of you now have had a pious mother for a pious wife or a pious sister that's gone to glory and there they are walking with the Lord walking with the Lord through the sky and looking down on you sinners just as the moon looks down and what does she see you doing your wife or your mother or sister that's in glory does she see all your swearing and your drinkings and your fightings and your hankerings after money and your horse racing and your cock fightings oh sinners but you are a bad set I tell you the Lord is looking now down on you and out of that moon he is looking down in mercy but I tell you he'll look down quite another way one of these days oh there'll be a time of wrath by and by if you don't repent oh what a time there was at Sinai years ago when the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder and the mountain was all of a smoke and there were thunderings and lightnings and the Lord descended on Sinai that's nothing to what you'll see by and by no more moon looking down on you no more stars but the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat ah did you ever see a fire in the woods I have and I've seen the fire on the prairies rolled like a tempest and men and horses and everything had to run before it I have seen it roaring and crackling through the woods and great trees shriveled in a minute like tender I have seen it flash over trees 75 and 100 feet high and in a minute there'd be standing pillars of fire and the heavens were all ablaze and the crackling and roaring was like a sea in a storm there's a judgment day for you oh sinner what will become of you in that day never cry Lord, Lord, too late too late, man you wouldn't take mercy when it was offered and now you shall have wrath no place to hide the heavens and earth are passing away and there shall be no more sea there's no place for you now in the universe by this time there were tumultuous responses from the audience of groans, cries clapping of hands and mingled shouts of glory and ah, man the electric shot of the multitude acted on the preacher again as he went on with a yet fiercer energy now is your time, sinners now is your time come into the altar and God's people will pray for you now is the day of grace come up, come up you that have got pious fathers and mothers in glory come up father, come up mother, come up brother, come young man we want you to come ah, there is a hardened sinner off there I see his lofty looks come up, come up you rich sinners you will be pouring up in the day of the Lord I can tell you come up, young woman you daughters of Jerusalem with your tinkling ornaments come, saints of the Lord and labor with me in prayer strike up a hymn, brethren strike up the hymn and a thousand voices commence the hymn stop, poor sinner stop and think before you further go and meanwhile the throng entreaty and urging one and another to come up and kneel before the stand multitudes rushed forward groans and sobs were heard as the speaker continued with redouble vehemence I don't care, said Mr. John Gordon who sees me I'm going up I am a poor old sinner and I ought to be prayed for if anybody Nina shrank back Clayton's arm so vehement was the surging feeling of the throng around her that she wept with a wild crimulus excitement oh, do take me out it's dreadful Clayton passed his arm around her and opening away through the crowd carried her out beyond the limits where they stood together alone under the tree I know I'm not as good as I ought to be but I don't know how to be any better do you think it would do me any good to go up there? do you believe in these things? I sympathize with every effort that man makes to approach his maker said Clayton these ways do not suit me but I dare not judge them I cannot despise them I must not make myself a rule for others but don't you think that these things do harm sometimes? alas, child what form of religion does not it is our fatality that everything that does good must do harm it's the condition of our poor imperfect life here I do not like these terrible threats can fear a fire make me love besides I have a kind of courage in me that always rises up against a threat it isn't my nature to fear if we may judge our father by his voice and nature he deems severity a necessary part of our training how inflexibly and terribly regular are all his laws fire and hail snow and a vapor stormy wind fulfilling his word all these have a crushing regularity in their movements which show that he is to be feared as well as loved but I want to be religious in certain situations not driven by fear but drawn by love you can guide me about these things for you are religious I fear I should not be accepted as such in any church it is my misfortune that I cannot receive any common form of faith though I respect and sympathize with all generally speaking preaching only weakens my faith and I have to forget the sermon in order to recover my faith I do not believe I know that our moral nature needs a thorough regeneration and I believe this must come through Christ this is all I am certain of I wish I was like Millie she is a Christian I know but she has come to it by dreadful sorrows sometimes I'm afraid to ask my heavenly father to make me good because I think it will come by dreadful trials if he does and I said Clayton speaking with great earnestness would be willing to suffer anything conceivable if I could only overcome all evil and come up to my highest ideals of good and as he spoke he turned his face up to the moonlight with an earnest fervor of expression that struck nine night deeply I almost should have to hear you say so you don't know what it may bring on you he looked at her with a beautiful smile which was a peculiar expression of his face in moments of high excitement I say it again he said whatever it involves let it come the exercises of the evening went on with a succession of addresses varied by scene of hymns and prayers in the latter part of the time many declared themselves converts and were shouting loudly Father Bonnie came forward brethren he shouted we are seeing a day from the Lord we've got a glorious time oh brethren let us sing glory to the Lord the Lord is coming amongst us the excitement now became general there was a confused sound of exhortation prayers and hymns all mixed together from different parts of the ground but all of a sudden everyone was startled by a sound which seemed to come peeling down directly from the thick canopy of pines over the heads of the ministers woe unto you the desire the day of the Lord to what end shall it be for you the day of the Lord shall be darkness and not light blow ye the trumpet in Zion sound and alarm in my holy mountain let all the inhabitants of the land tremble for the day of the Lord cometh there was a deep sonorous power in the voice that spoke and the words fell peeling down through the air like the vibrations of some mighty bell men looked confusedly on each other but in the universal license of the hour the obscurity of the night the multitude of the speakers no one knew exactly whence it came after a moment's pause the singers were recommencing when again the same deep voice was heard take away from me the noise of thy songs and the melody of thy vials for I will not hear them saith the Lord I hate and despise your feast days I will not smell in your solemn assemblies for your hands ye filed with blood and your fingers are greedy for violence will ye kill and steal and commit adultery and swear falsely and come and stand before me saith the Lord ye oppress the poor and needy and hunt the stranger also in thy scourges found the blood of poor innocents and yet ye say because I am clean shall this anger pass from me hear this ye that swallow up the needy and make the poor of the land to fail saith when will the new moon be gone that we may sell corn that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes the Lord hath sworn saith I will never forget their works I will surely visit you the audience thus taken in the obscurity of the evening by an unknown speaker whose word seemed to fall apparently from the clouds in a voice of such strange and singular quantity began to feel the creeping awe stealing over them the high state of electrical excitement under which they had been going on predisposed them to a sort of revulsion of terror and a vague mysterious panic crept upon them as the boating mournful voice continued to peel from the trees hear, oh ye rebellious people the Lord is against this nation the Lord shall stretch out upon the line of confusion and the stones of emptiness for thou saysst I will ascend to the stars I will be as God but thou shall be cast out as a pominable bridge and a wild beast shall tread thee down how, fir tree, for thou art spoiled open thy doors, old Lebanon that the fire may devour thy cedars for the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the land the Lord shall utter his voice before his army for his camp is very great in the altitudes in the valley of decision for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision the sun and the moon shall be dark and the stars withdraw they are shining for the Lord shall utter his voice from Jerusalem and the heavens and earth shall shake in that day I will cause the sun to go down at noon and darken the whole earth and I will turn your feast into morning and your songs into lamentation woe to the bloody city it is full of lies and robbery the noise of a whip the sound of the rattling of wheels of the prancing horses and the jumping chariot the horsemen lift us up the sword and glittering spear and there is a multitude of slain there is no end of their corpses they are stumbling upon the corpses for behold I am against thee saith the Lord and I will make thee utterly desolate there was a fierce wailing earnestness in the sound of these dreadful words as if they were utter in a paroxysm a fright by one who stood face to face with some tremendous form and when the sound ceased men drew in their breath and looked on each other the crowd began slowly to disperse whispering in low voices to each other so extremely piercing and so wildly earnest had the voice been that it actually seemed in the expressive words of Scripture to make every ear to tingle and as people of rude and primitive habits are always predisposed to superstition they are crept through the different groups of wild legends of prophets prophets strangely commissioned to announce coming misfortunes some spoke of the predictions of the judgment day some talked of comets and strange signs that had preceded wars and pestilences the ministers wondered and searched around the stand in vain one auditor alone could had he desired it make an explanation Harry who stood near the stand had recognized the voice but though he searched also around he could find no one he who spoke was one whose savage familiarity with nature gave him the agility and stealthy adroitness of a wild animal and during the stir and commotion of the disperse audience he had silently made his way from tree to tree over the very head of those wandering at his strange boating words till at last he descended in a distant part of the forest after the service as Father Dixon was preparing to retire to his tent a man pulled him by the sleeve it was the Georgia traitor we have had an awful time tonight said he looking actually pale with terror do you think the judgment day really is coming my friend said Father Dixon it surely is every step we take in life is leading us directly to the judgment seat of Christ well said the traitor but do you think it was from the Lord the last one that spoke turned if he didn't say awful things enough to make the hair rise I tell you what I've often had doubts about my trade the ministers may prove it's alright out of the Old Testament but I'm turned if I think they know all the things that we do but then I ain't so bad as some of them but now I've got a gal out in my gang that's dreadful sick and I partly promised her I'd bring a minister to see her I'll go with you friend said Father Dixon and forthwith he began following the traitor to the racks where their horses were tied selecting out of some who were tied there their own beasts the two midnight travelers soon found themselves prodding along under the shadow of the forest bows my friend said Father Dixon I feel bound and conscious to tell you that I think your trade a ruinous one to your soul I hope you'll lay to heart the solemn warning you've heard tonight why your own sense can show you that a trade can't be right that you'd be afraid to be found in if the great judgment day were at hand well I rather spec you speak the truth but then what makes Father Bonnie stand up for it my friend I must say that I think Father Bonnie upholds the soul destroying error I must say that as conscience bound I pray the Lord for him and you both to your conscience my friend whether you think you can keep to your trade and live a Christian life no the fact is it's a damn bad business that's just where it is we ain't fit to be trusted with such things that come to us gals and women well I feel pretty bad I tell you tonight cause I know I haven't done right by this year gal I ought her to have let her alone the devil or something possessed me and now she has got a fever and screeches awfully I declare something she says go right through me Father Dixon groaned in spirit over this account and felt himself almost guilty for belonging ostensibly and outwardly to a church which tolerated such evils he rode along by the side of his companion breaking forth into occasional ejaculations and snatches of him after a ride about an hour they arrived at the encampment a large fire had been made in a cleared spot and smoldering fragments and brands were lying among the white ashes one or two horses were tied to a neighboring tree and wagons were drawn up by them around the fire in different groups lay about fifteen men and women with heavy iron shackles on their feet asleep in the moonlight at a little distance from the group and near to one of the wagons a blanket was spread down on the ground under a tree on which lay a young girl of seventeen tossing and moaning in a disturbed stupor a respectable looking mulatto woman was sitting beside her with a gourd full of water with which from time to time she moistened her forehead with her eyes closed as the trader came up well, Lance how does she do now? said the trader measurable enough, said Nance she'd done been tossing and throwing around and crying for her mama ever since she went away well, I brought the minister said he tried Nance to wake her up she'll be glad to see him the woman knelt down and took the hand of a sleeper she said, wake up the girl threw herself over with a sudden restless toss oh, how my head burns oh, dear oh, my mother, mother mother why don't you come to me father Dixon approached and knelt the other side of her the mulatto woman made another effort to bring her to consciousness Emily, here's the minister you was wanting so much Emily, wake up the girl slowly opened her eyes large, tremulous dark eyes she drew her hand across them as if to clear her sight and looked wistfully at the woman minister minister, she said yes, minister you said you wanted to see one oh, yes, I did she said heavily my daughter said father Dixon you are very sick yes, she said very, and I'm glad of it I'm going to die I'm glad of that, too that's all I've got left to be glad of but I wanted to ask you to write to my mother she is a free woman she lives in New York I want you to give my love to her and tell her not to worry anymore tell her I tried all I could to get to her but they took us and mistress was so angry she sold me I forgive her, too I don't bear her any malice cause it's all over now she used to say I was a wild girl and laughed too loud I shouldn't trouble anyone that way anymore so that's no matter the girl spoke these sentences at long intervals occasionally opening her eyes and closing them again in a language manner father Dixon, however who had some knowledge of medicine placed his finger on her pulse which was rapidly sinking it is the usual instinct in all such cases to think of means of prolonging life father Dixon rose and said to the trader unless some stimulus be given her she will be gone very soon the trader produced from his pocket a flask of brandy which he mixed with a little water in a cup and placed it in father Dixon's hand he kneeled down once again and calling her by name tried to make her take some what is it said she opening her wild glittering eyes it's something to make you feel better I don't want to feel better I want to die she said throwing herself over what should I want to live for what should she the words struck father Dixon so much that he sat for a while in silence he meditated in his mind how he could reach with any words that dying ear or enter with her into that land of trance and mist into whose cloudy circle the soul seemed already to have passed guided by a subtle instinct he seated himself by the dying girl and began singing in a subdued plaintive air the following well known hymn hark my soul it is the lord tis thy savior hear his word Jesus speaks he speaks to thee say poor sinner love us thou me the melody is one often sung among the negroes and one of which from his tenderness and pathos is a favorite among them as oil will find its way into crevices where water cannot penetrate so song will find its way where speech can no longer enter the moon shone full on the face of the dying girl only interrupted by flickering shadows of leaves as father dixon sung he fancied he saw a slight tremulous movement of the face as if the soul so worn and weary were upborn on the tender pinions of the song he went on singing can a mother's tender care cease toward the child she bear yes she may forgetful be still will I remember thee by the light of the moon he saw a tear steel from under the long lashes and core slowly down her cheek he continued his song mine is an eternal love higher than the heights above deeper than the depths beneath true and faithful strong as death thou shall see my glory soon when the work of faith is done partner of my throne shall be say poor sinner love us thou me O love of Christ which no sin can worry which no lapse of time can change from which tribulation persecution and distress cannot separate all redeeming all glorifying changing even death and despair to the gate of heaven thou hast one more triumph here in the wilderness in the slave coffin and thou come us to bind up the broken hearted as the song ceased to rise mother used to sing that she said and can you believe it daughter yes she said I see him now he loves me let me go there followed a few moments of those strugglings and shiverings which are the birth pangs of another life and Emily lay at rest father Dixon near me by her side and I thought about the fullness of his heart in an earnest prayer rising he went up to the trader and taken his hands said to him my friend this may be the turning point with your soul for eternity it has pleased the lord to show you the evil of your ways and now my advice to you is break off your sins at once and do works meet for repentance the shackles of these poor creatures and tell them they are at liberty to go my bless your soul sir this year lots of worth ten thousand dollars said the trader who was not prepared for so close a practical application do not be too sure friend that the trader is peculiar in this the very same argument though less frankly stated holds in the bonds of Satan many extremely well bred we find respectable men who would gladly save their souls if they could afford the luxury my friend said father Dixon using the words of a very close and uncompromising preacher of old what shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul I know a viet said the trader doubtfully but it's a very hard case this I'll think about it though but there's father Bonnie who wants to buy and dance it would be a pity to disappoint him but I'll think it over father Dixon returned to the cap ground between one and two o'clock at night and putting away his horse took his way to the minister's tent here he found father Bonnie standing out in the moonlight he had been asleep within the tent but it is to be confessed that the interior of a crowded tent on a campground is anything but favorable to repose he therefore came out into the fresh air and was there when father Dixon came back to enter the tent well brother where have you been so late said father Bonnie I have been looking for a few sheep in the wilderness whom everybody neglects said father Dixon and then in a tone tremulous from agitation he related to him the scene he had just witnessed do you see he said brother what iniquities you are counting and seeing now here right next to our camp a slave coughle in camp man and woman guilty of no crime driven in fetters through our land shaminess in the sight of every Christian nation what horrible abominable iniquities are these poor traitors tempted to commit what perfect hells are the great trading houses for men women and children are made merchandise of and where no light of the gospel ever enters and when this poor trader is convicted of sin and wants to enter into the kingdom you stand there to apologize for his sins brother Bonnie I much fear you are the stumbling block over which souls will stumble into hell I don't think you believe your argument from the Old Testament yourself you must see that it has no kind of relation to such kind of slavery as we have in this country there is an awful scripture which says he feet on ashes a deceived heart hath turned him aside so that he cannot deliver his soul nor say is there not a lie in my right hand the earnestness with which father Dixon spoke combined with the reverence commonly entertained for his body gave great force to his words the reader will not therefore wonder to hear what father Bonnie impulsively and easily moved as he was wept at the account and was moved by the exhortation nor will he be surprised to learn that two weeks after father Bonnie drove a brisk bargain with the same trader for three new hands the trader had discovered that the judgment day was not coming yet awhile and father Bonnie satisfied himself that Noah when he awoke from his wine said cursed be Canaan we have one scene more to draw before we dismiss the auditors of the camp at a late hour the Gordon carriage was winding its way under the silent checkered woodland path Harry who came slowly on a horse behind felt a hand laid on his bridle with a sudden start he stopped oh dread is it you how dared you how could you be so imprudent how dared you come here when you know you risk your life live said the other what is life he the love of his life shall lose it besides the Lord said unto me go the Lord is with me as a mighty and terrible one Harry did you mark those men hunters of men their hands red with the blood of the poor all seeking unto the Lord ministers who buy and sell us is this a people prepared for the Lord men dead in the swamps whom their dogs have torn his wife is a widow his children orphans they eat and wipe their mouth and say what have I done the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord are we I know it said Harry gloomly and you join yourself unto them don't speak to me any more about that I won't betray you but I won't consent to have bloodshed my mistress is my sister oh yes to be sure they read scripture don't they cast out the children of the bond woman that scripture for them dread said Harry I love her better than I love myself I will fight for her to the last but never against her nor hers and will you serve Tom Gordon said dread never said Harry dread stood still a moment through an opening among the branches the moonbeam streamed down on his wild and dark figure Harry remarked his eye fixed before him on vacancy the pupil swelling out in glassy fullness with a fixed sonam you lick stare but he spoke in a hollow altered voice like that of a sleepwalker then shall the silver cord be loosed and the golden bowl be broken yes cover up the grave cover it up now hurry come to me or he will take thy wife for a pray dread what do you mean said Harry what's the matter he shook him by the shoulder dread rubbed his eyes and stared on Harry I must go back he said to my den foxes have holes the birds of the year have nests and in the habitation of dragons the lord hath opened away for his outcasts he plunged into the thickets and was gone end of dread chapter 23 part 2 the camp meeting