have
frequently noticed the effect of this black man's oratory upon some of
his audience. I have known him to solemnize his whole audience, a few
numskulled negroes alone excepted. While he has been thus thundering
and lightning, sullen moans and hollow groans issue from different
parts of the room; a proof that his zealous harrangue solemnizes some
of his hearers; while a part of them are making grimaces, or betraying
marks of impatience; but no one dare be riotous; as near the preacher
sat his majesty king Dick, with his terrible club, and huge bear-skin
cap. The members of the church sat in a half circle nearest the
priest; while those who had never passed over the threshold of grace,
stood up behind them.

A little dispute, if not quite a schism, has existed between Simon,
the priest, and deacon John. The latter, while in the family of a
royal Duke, had learned that it was proper to read prayers, already
made, and printed to their hands; but Simon said, he should make but
few converts if he _read_ his prayers. He said that prayers ought to
spring at once, warm from the heart; and that _reading_ prayers was
too cold a piece of work for him or his church. But John said, in
reply, that _reading_ prayers was practised by his royal highness the
duke of Kent, and all the noble families in England, as well as on
board all his Britannic majesty's ships of war. But Simon, who had
never waited on royalty, nor ever witnessed the religious exercises of
an English man of war, would not believe this practice of the British
nation ought to have weight with the reformed Christians of the
_United States_. There was a diversity of opinion in the black church;
and the dispute once grew so warm, that Simon told John, that it was
his opinion, that "he who could not pray to his God, without a book,
would be damned."

His majesty king Dick finding that this dispute might endanger the
peace of the church, and, possibly, diminish his own influence,
advised that the dispute should be left to the decision of a
neighboring methodist preacher, who sometimes visited the prison, in a
labor of love. The preacher came, and heard patiently, the arguments
of both sides, and finally decided, as king Dick doubtless foresaw, in
favor of Simon. He said that the reason why his royal highness the
duke of Kent, and all the royal family, and all the nobility and
parliament men _read_ their prayers, was, because they had not time to
make them, each one for