Bermuda (August 1, 1834) It was more than 150 years later, but the hundreds who attended the Emancipation Day Service at Dockyard over the weekend experienced an emotional high that slaves must have felt on that special day in 1834.

Not only was there an array of clergy representing denominations around the Island, but hymns and old spirituals to uplift all.

The annual event, held in front of the old Clock Tower building on Saturday night, began with a selection from the Bermuda Regiment Band under the direction of Capt. Barrett Dill.

As usual the Regiment band was on time, in step and in tune.

And with Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills as moderator the event moved along smoothly.

Delivering the welcome address at the event sponsored by his Ministry, Community and Cultural Affairs Minister, the Hon. Leonard Gibbons, asked that everyone to place high value on liberty.

"We have freedom of choice, not freedom from choice,'' he reminded the mixed audience. "True freedom means responsibility.'' In addition to several prayers and scriptures read by ministers, Government Sen. Wendell Hollis read the Emancipation proclamation from the Premier on behalf of the Government. And the Rev. Goodwin C. Smith read stirring extracts from the sermon preached by the Hon. and Ven. Archdeacon Spencer on August 1, 1834.

But it was the Miracle Temple Angelic Choir and the dance -- presented by the National Dance Theatre, that took the evening to its emotional climax.

Following a fitting performance by the St. Paul AME Church's Senior Choir, the Miracle Temple Angelic Choir rocked the bleachers with a spiritual advocating the power of prayer.

The choir, under the direction of Mr. John Woolridge, was so captivating that they even had hands clapping, feet tapping and Casemates prisoners stretching their necks from their windows to get a look.

Needless to say, the choir received a warm round of applause when they finished.

Opera singer Mrs. Marcelle Clamens's rendition of Ride on Jesus and He's Got the Whole World also went over well with the wide-ranging audience.

The woman, who is described as one with a voice that comes along once in a lifetime, hit high notes on key with ease.

Accompanied by pianist Mr. Lloyd Matthew she also received a loud, warm round of applause.

But a 14-minute brilliant performance by dancers from the National Dance Theatre brought the audience to their feet.

The dance, which portrayed the life of Mary Prince -- a slave who eventually escaped to Britain via Antigua and wrote a book documenting her life in Bermuda as a slave -- was definitely the highlight of the evening.

Choreographed by Mrs. Conchita Ming and performed by Miss Crystal Caesar as Mary Prince and accompanying dancers Miss Cathy Aicardi, Miss Erin Field, Miss Andrea Lopes and Miss Rachel Van de Weg, the performance was nothing short of emotionally moving.

Performing solo for at least five minutes, Miss Caesar, along with narrator Miss Grace Rawlins, took the audience back to the days when people -- slaves were treated as nothing more than property.

Even if one were deaf, they could have easily followed Mary Prince's story by the young Bermudian dancer's facial expressions and timely movements.

Dressed in an appropriate light brown, long, sleeveless gown, Miss Caesar was eventually joined by the four dancers as they moved gracefully to Mark Isham's Let Them Be Free and Michael Jackson's Will You Be There.

The performance was so impressive that the young dancers received a standing ovation -- which ended appropriately with the St. Paul's choir singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic accompanied by the Regiment band. Carol Parker.

HARMONY -- Members of St. Paul AME Church senior choir lifted their voices in praise to God during the Emancipation Service.