“KING DAVID’S DANCE” AND THE “HOLY MARCH.”
The signification of the above terms may not be familiar to all our readers, and hence a description of them may prove of interest. They are religious exercises, and constitute a part of the regular Sabbath worship of the colored Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, Ala. The members of this church are very emotional, and exceedingly demonstrative in their religion. The order of services each Sabbath are as follows: A Union Sabbath-school is held from nine to half-past ten A.M., after which one of the leading brethren conducts a prayer-meeting for about an hour.
Then preaching begins. The young minister preaches a sermon first, and he is followed by the old minister, who preaches another sermon from the same text. Mourners are then called for, the doors are opened to receive members, and other necessary business transacted, after which the benediction is pronounced.
It is then about three P.M. Instead of going home, the members all remain, move the benches aside, and prepare for “King David’s Dance” and the “Holy March.” The first consists in forming a circle—or “ringing up,” as they term it—joining hands, and jumping up and down, keeping time to the tune of some lively “spiritual song.” This performance is carried on for some time, and then they march the “Holy March.”
This is done by forming in single file, each one placing his hand on the other one’s shoulder, and marching around and around, going through a number of bodily contortions, better seen than described. They march and dance alternately until about sundown, when, completely exhausted, they go home.
During these exercises they shout and scream vehemently. The above is a true statement of the manner in which the colored people here, of the Baptist connection, worship. The so-called “King David’s Dance” would remind one more of the war-dance of some savage tribe. Several other churches in the neighboring settlements carry on these performances.—The Southern Sentinel.