At such meetings and on other occasions, songs like the one reproduced at the start of this chapter added immeasurably in expressing a distinct African American spirituality. Hymns recounting the stories of Abraham, David, Daniel, and Jesus were sung with fervor, both to offer hope for the age to come and to encourage perseverance in the present. Where possible, these songs were also acted out, often in the “shout,” a counterclockwise, circular dance that recalled African ritual. Christianity could