--In
the Rev. Mr. Nolley's congregation, (colored,) on Sunday afternoon last, a colored man walked into the church, clad in military costume.
After a few moments of secret devotion, he sent to the minister a paper, which proved to be a certificate from
the Rev. Mr. Keener, Presiding Elder of the New Orleans District, stating that the bearer was an acceptable member of the
M. E. Church South, in the city of
New Oorleans--‘"a pious and a reliable man."’ At the close of his discourse,
Mr. Nolley invited him to say a few words to the congregation.
He readily consented.
Among other things, he stated that he was connected with the ‘"Washington Artillery,"’ from the city of
New Orleans, who had come here to resist the enemies of their country.
He begged an interest in the prayers of the congregation in his own behalf, and in behalf of his company: that, if they should be called into the field of battle, they might be ‘"protected, and gain the victory over their enemies."’ At the close of his remarks, he offered up a prayer in the same strain.
He prayed fervently for his master and mistress in the city of
New Orleans.
He prayed for his company of soldiers — that they might ‘"get the victory."’ I need not say that the minister and whole congregation responded hearty ‘"amens"’ to these petitions.
This man is a type of the vast majority of the colored people in all the
Southern States.
They will be true to their masters and true to their country.
Let
A. Lincoln and his horde of Abolitionists arm themselves well against the prayers and other efforts, even of the colored population of the
South.
