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ag~inet the cabin door — ~ sideways, to keep the sound. o:r their v~,1ces from ~esoaping“ or being ~ieard trom the outside. Then, the s1a~ea would sing, pray, and relate experiences all night long. Their great, so~zl—hunger1ng d~esire was freedom -~ not that they loved. the Yankees or hated their masters, but merely longed. to be free and hated the institution of slavery.

Practically always, every Negro attendant of these meetings felt the spirit of the Lord ~toueh him (or her) just before day“. Then, all would arise, Shake hands around, and begin to chant the canticle above quoted. This was also a signal for adjournment, and, after chanting 15 or 20 minutes ‚ all would shake hands again and go home — - confident in their hearts that freedom was in the offing foe‘ them.