The National tribune., 1894-10-11
TuF coon OLD WAY,


the pleasure of visiting the scenes of my youth
ful days, which is q hitter-sweet pleasure IN
the lives of many of US. As arrived III the
neighborhood ! was told that "protracted meet
ing" was to begin that day at an old church
near by.
The place where the church is situated was
once very thriving and prosperous Tennessee
town. Before the war and before the North
Carolina & ST. Louis Railroad was built, leaving
il mile to one side, important commercial
interests ceutered there. But new towns grew
up along the railroad, and the old town began
to 90 down, until now only few rude houses
are left to mark its site.
AsI had often attended church at this place
in earlier years, a desire came over mo to make
one of the audience at the protracted meeting
So l started OH horseback and at lively gait,
being already late
When | arrived large crowd was assembled.
both upon the inside and the outside OF the
church | was told there was not an GROccu-
pied seat in the house. but managed to tnd
place to sit down inst inside the door.
1t seemed that all present were DESTROYS OF
spiritual blessing for the amen corners ]"
were fairly packed.
The church, old when / can first remember,
looked indeed venerable, tiRe1orn and wea-
Their beaten now, for it had stood the storms OF
almost a century.
As sat and gazed around I could see some
Traces OF OiDeT QaNa- ~ oCChtS thSp eaiD ~ 80
of time always leaves something unmarked by
which we may recognize dear, familiar scenes.
Long. forgotten recellections came over me, and
/ thought of my days of boyhood, when life
was without burden and care.
There are rests along lifes way where the
tired and footsore traveller may rest and be
happy in the light of other days.
The preacher, who was in every respect an
"old-time man." was just ready to commence
his sermon He was of that denomination that
puts more stress upon the Holy Spirit than
education to aid them in their sermons. They
claim to never study their sermons, but to be
governed entirely by the Holy Spirit.
He prefaced his sermon by some remarks
concerning the two worlds connected with
eternity, waiting for his text to be impressed
upon his mind. At last it came to him, and
for one hour and hall, in a sing-sOng style,
he preached to that congregation.
He wanted to know how many would come
to a continuous service, and said he believed
they ought to "commeuce a meeting, and not
wait till the sweat was got up" lie said he
meant business. He had lots of work to do at
home if they did not want him there that
he had not saved many bundles of fodder
yet"
He asked all who wanted a meeting to rise,
and those who did not to keep their seats, aud
then announced that the meeting had been
carried by tight fit"
Then followed the good old-time hand shake,
and the parson requested song while this was
going on. Said he. Sing Amazing Grace "
Just at this moment one brother started off
with ALAS and did my Savior bleed" This
song was sung, but the hand-shake was just
fairly commenced.
Sing on" said the parson; "Sing Amaz-
ing Grace" but another brother started off
with "0h land Of rest, for thee sigh This
song was sung, and still the hand shake was
pOf, ea.1 10
"sing Amazing Grace, that's the song like"
So one brother started Amazing Grace" but
got it about three keys above octave, and
after climbing faithfully after it, he had 10 give
it up.
Brethern," said the parson, whats the
matter with your singing faculties" He then
announced preaching at "early candle light
ing" and warned all that wanted even start
with the preacher to be on hand prom pity at
the hour, or else he would have taken his text
aud gone "galloping." Thus closed service
under " the good old way"
Education has made wonderful change in
the worship of God, but I could but wonder if
these people in their own plain way did not
really enjoy more heartfelt religion than is
enjoyed by the more formal. Legally
@. Elmer Slater, Haley, Tenn.
SONG FOR FLAG CONCERTS.
The following song, tune America" makes
can sing or declsim we'll is to be furnished
with rather a long flag stsg. He then
takes his place on the platform. holding the
flag in position to address it, and then sings
or declaims the first stanza.
Second stanza: Draw the flag to the side,
staff perpendicular, resting on the floor. Take
a duplicating position. body thrown back, face
turned upward, hand lifted imploringly; voice
clear. low, soft, entreating
Third stsnza: Turn To the audience, shaking
oat the flag. making ready to lift it. and wave
IT at the third line, and to wrap it around the
body At the beginning Of the sixth line with
the word Thus"
If a suitable flag has been furnished, and the
actor has entered into the spirit Of the song
| and followed directions, he will be robed in
| the grandest mantle mortal ever wore, max
ing telling picture at the end as the curtain
| falls The words follow:
OLD FLAG.
My eountry's flag OF thee
Flng Of the noble free.
ofihee sing;
The flag fathers bore
Where deadly missiles tore
Many brave hearts made bare
| Thy life to
| o God. who rules above
Author Of peace and love,
| Our flag defend;
| Should hand Of traitor daro
| It's silken folds to tear
Or seek to mar a star.
God strike him dead
And when / laid to rest,
| The flag love the best,
Above me wave;
Around my ashes cold
/ This siken talisman fold,
| Thus flesh and spirit hold
] In loved embrace.
B. ii. Trip, Kenoma. Mo.