The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-05-11
Serge 2unkeH.

"HardshelIs" at old Hardeman
church and l wish that all of Georgia
could be there.
Hardeman church Is among the Oldest
churches in our county and being located
in a typical "Hardshell' settlement, IL
mas never become tainted with any OF
the newfangled ideas nor departed from
the primitive customs that were SO com
mon with our fathers and under which
sociablity hourished, a reverence for
age was the rule and a dependence on
God was the prop to sustain.
Me and nv folks and Brown and his
folks are preparing for the day. Tho
second Sunday in May and the second
Sunday In August the two Sundays
of every year, from time immemorlal,
that these people have held their big
m,eeting days and the occasion never
grows less with those who are raised IN
that faith and who have been so sue
cessful in preventing the encroachments
of progress within their fold. Just as II
has been for years, on this second sun
day people Will flock there from every
direction. a few in buggies many IN
wagons, some on horses and some afoot.
They will begin to arrive at the churcn
full two hours before meeting time and
as they arrive they will gather in groups,
the men on one side under the trees and
the ladies on the other, and there is
where the great sociability OF the occa-
sion is made manifest. Saunter around
from group to group and you will soon
know of everything that is passing in
each settlement If any have died you
will soon learn 1t, and you may learn
Of all the characteristics OF the departed
one ii any are sick you viii miss them
and soon know what doctor is attend
lf1.- &c hnt
Used how the doctor compares with
other doctors and, certain, you will hear
Of many remedies that cured others af-
fected with the same disease. All the
marriages will be made known, and IL
there are any now babies you will learn
neither they are girls or boys and which
side Of the house the baby favDrs. Such
as this will furnish a pleasant pastlme
until the preacher arrives and song is
started by some OF the old brothers and
sisters which calls the congregation In
side the church. Thus It has been for
ears and so it will be on this second
Sa bbAth. and We are all anxious for ths
coming who have felt the delights and
hope that tine same old customs may
always attend the meetings at Harde-
man
There IS nothing strange in ali these
customs to old people, for all old people,
whether Of town or country, have seen
just such but that q church should re-
tain them in such purity within 10 miles
Of the greatest city OF the south IS
rather n wonder and may strike some
young and progressive" folks as not
Being the best conditions to be desired,
but the people of Hardeman are salts
fed with 1t all, ana if they are pleased
who should object? The very sQuatting
around in groups and every fellow whit
thing as they do white. has a charm for
US and the song, perhaps
"An hail the power Of Jesus' nams.
Let angels PROSTATE fall,
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him Lord Of All
which calls the crowd inside Is sweetsr
to me than ali the music OF the opera
and takes us back through all the years
to feast on memories that seem so dear
down to The grave.
AS already stated, the second Sunday
is an extra occasion. 1t is foot washing
day with the Hardshells and this only
occurs twice in the year Whoever may
attend one of these meetings on the idea
Of seeing them wash feet viii be disap-
pointed If they expect to find anything
III the ordinance Of a light or frivolous
nature. II IS the IIardsheus sacramento
occasion and Is serious all the way
through, and is more calculated to bring
tears than 10 create fun for the Idle and
thoughtless who may attend through Gu
riosity to see the washing of fset"
There is certain to be a good old
fashioned sermon. with several good
songs by the whole congregation before
the sacrament begins and these are liza
bic to touch any sensible person with
IA INN c.ffl hot
fun before the rite Of washing feet be
gins; but if it does not, then when feet
washing does begin the yeriest fool Will
discover that it is not al all funny.
The ladies gather on one side and the
men on the other when sacrament begins.
a cloth IS taken from the table and tho
bread and wine partakeu OF Just about
as IN other churches, and with which (
nope there are none 50 heathenish as 10
not be familiar. Then feet-washing be
gins, and 1t IS just as impressive as the
taking of bread and Wine The men
wash each others feet, the ladies' wash
the ladies'. 4 man pulls off his coat.
I9ls up ms sleeves puts towel round
ms waist, ana then humbIy kneeling he
washes the brothers foot that sits nest
10 him. In turn this passes TIL all ara
washed, and the whole is SO serious az
to put the scoffer to shame and 10 draw
nearer TO God the most thoughtless youth
of the land
No stranger is allowed to depart from
the Hardeman settlement without their
dinner. Brown anticipates this with the
greatest pressure. and at dinner is an
other sOclable hour. The truth IS that
an the day is a feast of sOciabiIity Tbs
people grow up in SOciability Babes ars
carried to the church at every meeting
they grow up together and learn 10 love
each other, ana they love the old cburon
ana the trees around and the spring
WHeLo tHey saunter to Queuch their