Invisible Institution Worship

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Worship in the Invisible Institution Slaves developed a worship life of their own in secret places at times determined by the slave community. They met in secluded places where no one could find them except fellow slaves. Some of the secluded places were in brush arbors also known as bush or hush arbors, slave cabins, woods, deep gullies, swamps or in a place they called the bottoms. This secret life of worship became known as Invisible Institution. The slaves basically risked their lives to meet in these secret places. They would suffer harsh consequences if they were caught. The biblical message of salvation assured deliverance from oppression and hope for the future. The places they met were considered sacred spaces. They would use quilts and blankets that was saturated with water to muffle the sounds of the worship. They also had large, black, iron wash pots full of …show more content…
On occasion, these songs functioned even more explicitly as expressions of resistance, encoding messages about secret gatherings or carrying directions for escape. Since worship was to take place in secrecy worship was called or announced long before the community assembled. There was generally an understanding among the slaves as to the time and place of the meeting which was confirmed in a song as the slaves went about their work. Prayer was and is today the most important way to remain in communication with God. Prayer time which occurred frequently provided additional impetus for communal participation. Slave songs served a dual purpose. Through songs, at worship or at work, slaves communicated with one another. Many songs couched in religious language not only expressed the faith of the people but also provided signals for the time and place of the next underground railroad meeting. Which could lead them out of human bondage into

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