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Story
February 24, 1912
The Muskogee Cimeter
Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma
What is this article about?
On a Sunday afternoon at the fair grounds in the city, Reverend Solomon S. Jones led the baptism of about eighty Negro converts in a pool, observed by thousands despite initial levity from some visitors. The event proceeded solemnly amid disagreeable weather.
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EIGHTY NEGROES WERE BAPTIZED.
Many visitors went to scoff but the real solemnity of the ceremonial touched them and an orderly crowd watched the Negro baptismal held at the fair grounds in this city Sunday afternoon.
Fully five thousand Negroes were gathered in the grand stand and hundreds surrounded the pool just across the track in the infield where the immersions took place. Reverend Solomon S. Jones, pastor of the First Baptist Church, colored, presided. The converts marshalled by Rev. Jones and his assistant marched to the pool, while the immense congregation sang "Jesus Washed My Sins Away."
Some levity was occasioned as the first few candidates stepped forward for immersion, but the Reverend Jones addressed the crowd and told them that the occasion was not a circus, but a solemn ceremony believed in and entered into by the colored followers of the Baptist faith and asked that due respect be shown them.
His admonition hushed the few who were there to be amused and the baptisms proceeded in orderly sequence. About eighty converts were immersed. The weather was very disagreeable, a cold wind and clouds of dust covering the enclosure.
---Times Democrat.
Many visitors went to scoff but the real solemnity of the ceremonial touched them and an orderly crowd watched the Negro baptismal held at the fair grounds in this city Sunday afternoon.
Fully five thousand Negroes were gathered in the grand stand and hundreds surrounded the pool just across the track in the infield where the immersions took place. Reverend Solomon S. Jones, pastor of the First Baptist Church, colored, presided. The converts marshalled by Rev. Jones and his assistant marched to the pool, while the immense congregation sang "Jesus Washed My Sins Away."
Some levity was occasioned as the first few candidates stepped forward for immersion, but the Reverend Jones addressed the crowd and told them that the occasion was not a circus, but a solemn ceremony believed in and entered into by the colored followers of the Baptist faith and asked that due respect be shown them.
His admonition hushed the few who were there to be amused and the baptisms proceeded in orderly sequence. About eighty converts were immersed. The weather was very disagreeable, a cold wind and clouds of dust covering the enclosure.
---Times Democrat.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Providence Divine
What keywords are associated?
Negro Baptism
Fair Grounds
Reverend Jones
Baptist Church
Immersions
Solemn Ceremony
What entities or persons were involved?
Reverend Solomon S. Jones
Where did it happen?
Fair Grounds In This City
Story Details
Key Persons
Reverend Solomon S. Jones
Location
Fair Grounds In This City
Event Date
Sunday Afternoon
Story Details
Reverend Solomon S. Jones presided over the baptism of about eighty Negro converts at a pool in the fair grounds infield, with thousands gathered singing hymns; initial levity from scoffers was quelled by his call for respect, and the immersions proceeded orderly despite poor weather.