congregations of negroes shall be allowed within said parish after
sunset; but such public meetings and congregations may be held between
the hours of sunrise and sunset, by the special permission in writing of
the captain of patrol, within whose beat such meetings shall take place.
This prohibition, however, is not intended to prevent negroes from
attending the usual church services, conducted by white ministers and
priests. Every negro violating the provisions of this section shall pay a
fine of five dollars, or in default thereof shall be compelled to work
five days on the public road, or suffer corporeal punishment as
hereinafter provided.