‘Why should they move?’ asked the teacher.
‘Because they are in seats reserved for the white ladies and gentlemen, and there are plenty of them standing. Those seats over there are for colored people and those women can take them.’
‘Well, I don’t know that there is any distinction as to color in a church and they won’t move,’ answered the teacher.
The usher seeing that a scene was probable if he insisted upon the negro women moving, sought Patrolman Whitley, who was near the tent, and telling him that the tent belonged to the Rev. Mr. Tillman, asked him to remove the women. The patrolman entered the tent and approaching the party, repeated the request.
‘Well, we are satisfied with these seats,’ said the teacher.
‘I can’t help that,’ said the patrolman, ‘this tent belongs to Mr. Tillman and he wants these seats. Over there are seats for those negro girls. You ladies can remain here, but they must move.’
‘What difference does color make?’ asked the teacher.
‘I don’t know, only I know they must move. Now if they don’t go I will have to take you all out, and if I take you out I’ll make cases in police court against you. I am sorry to disturb you, but it is my duty.’
The two teachers and the negro girls held a consultation in a low tone a few minutes, and then arising from their seats swept out. When outside the tent one of the teachers called Patrolman Whitley to her and said:
‘I was never treated so shamefully before. I never knew before that one’s color made any difference in a church before the Lord.’
‘I don’t know what it does before the Lord,’ answered the patrolman, ‘but down South here it makes a difference. In this section we have nothing like social equality, and never will, in church or out of church.’”
In the “Notes” of last month I spoke of the floods that threatened the destruction of plantations and villages in Western Mississippi. From Mississippi I passed over into Texas, and this was passing from flood to drought. In some sections of the latter State there have been only two showers in as many years. Cattle are dying by thousands on prairie ranches. Water is held at fabulous prices, and in some sections it is impossible to get it, even for gold. The reports of suffering which come from the Western part of the State are painful in the extreme. All Christian hearts are turning in agonizing prayer to Him “who holds the waters in His hand.” Special prayer services are held in many places, and every Sabbath petitions are offered in the pulpits for rain. It is a fearful experience through which Texas is passing just now, and unless relief comes speedily the loss of property will be enormous, and the lives of the settlers will be endangered.