The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1893-02-28
the basement, used for class meetin'
and Sunday school.

the basement, used for class meetin'
and Sunday school.
In the rear of the lot was a long
shed, under which the people from
the surrounding country housed their
critters, while the men and women
folks listened to the "wOrd."
On Sabbath morning in those DAYS
the children were taught to look
solemn. The KID that dared to laugh
was a sample of sin. The child in the
family who could look the
sickest was regarded as the one who
was the most pious and closest to the
kingdom.
i was considered one of the most
solemn cusses in that Sunday school.
1t was solemn time in lite.
We all went to Sunday school in
the basement about eight o'clock a. m.
Was there two hours.
l. it any wonder that ! am bald
headed and deacon?
On entering the audience room YOU
would turn around, take a seat, facing
the pulpit. 1t was about fifteen feet
high.
The preacher, Elder Baker was
then hunting the hvmn book for
hymn and the Bible for a text.
He gave out the melody to be sung
and then the choir in the back end Of
the church. stood up to sing led by
Deacon Heminway. a sort Of
single footed deacon, who was a sly
fox in many ways.
1t was by Divine permission that
Deacon Lewis Parker would rasp
away on an immense bass viol.
That was enough.
The deep tones Of cat-gut getting
scraped, started Deacon Sam Knapp,
out Of the church and many Others
followed.
They were opposed to any kind of
a musical instrument in the house of
God.
Those who went out >taid until the
singing and playing had subsidized and
then returned.
Then the good old preacher would
preach from that pulpit with sound
ing board over his head, from first
to twenty-thirdly-two hours to two
and a-half, quitting when he had ex-
hausted himself and his hearers too.
Another hymn was given out, put
ting special emphasis on the metre.
be it long or short.
The choir sang and the feline intes-
tine did duty again.
OF course about One-half of the con-
gregatiOn Withdrew, only to return
and hear the benediction.
Those who went out, intended to
show their disapproval of the bass viol,
for in those DAYS the devil was sup
posed to have an abiding place in
ali stringed instruments.
After preachin' it was 90 with
others ofthe family to the class meetin',
where another hour was put in lookin'
solemn, sad and sedate
The church quarreled then, which
made commOti0n in the surrounding
over the introduction of =
big fiddle into the meetin' house to as
ist in making music.
They could not stand that then,
md now they are rebelling against
having prize fights on and in the
,hurch property.
What will be the next innovation
o trouble the Methodist church which
tands near a hotel known as the
Upper Tavern" where whisky has
'een sold since the last gun Of the
war was fired.
When We all started for home
N Sunday, after all the
ervices, / did not know
ny stomach and bowels from lot Of
hoe strings or chips i was so fam
she'd.
Nowadays the kids and old folks
at more on Sunday than any other
lay. wear white collars and cuffs, and
ctually sing and chew gym.
And they have prize tights in the
hurch hall, besides.
Nearly all who were interested in
hurch matters in those day are on
he other shore.
1t is to be hoped there will be no
lrsic introduced there but that all
an endorse.
Thine for the people now on earth.
SIMEON DINwIDDIE,
Deacon.