The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-30
"OLDS FOLKS DAY.
Pleasant Occasion at Colony With
Large Crowd in Attendance
Several Addresses.


many OF us were looking forward to
this day as it was to be the first time
in the history of cold Colony con-
gregation" to celebrate what is now
known as "old folks day." I felt sure
that my old friend Kay of Prosper
ity would be present, both to take
part and to write up the occasion
which would free me from this bur-
densome task. Yes, he should have
been there by all means, and we are
not going to accept any Of his flimsy
excuses for not doing so.
Anyway Mr.. A. H. Kohn, who is
better known in The Herald and
News as old man Kay, deserves the
honor of the organization of cold
folks day" He was the first one who
introduced such revival among the
old folks about years ago in his
church, and we trust that it may con-
tinue to spread until it reaches out
over all the Christian world.
Pastor j. A. Sigh acted as chair
man Of the day. At II o'clock the
senting capacity of the church was
about filled and still they continued
to come. All the available benches
were placed is the aislcs and it wasn't
very long until they too, were filled
and still all the people could not be
CONVENIENTLY seated. This was not an
evidence of curiosity seekers, but an
evidence of love and honor to both
God and to the blessed old fathers
and mothers.
Mrs. Carrie Crosson was al the or
gan and with her choir opened the ex-
ercises with music. Rev. Sigh then
invited all the old folks to occupy the
front seats. After singing the 233rd
Hymn, "Come We that love the Lord
and let your joys be known" he then
read the scripture lesson and prayer
was offered by Rev. q. w. Beden-
baugh.
Rev. Sigh then made most ap-
propriate and fitting address of well
come.
Next was sang Hymn 1T, "Chil-
dren Of the Heavenly King as we
journey sweetly sing" Rev. J. D.
Bowles was the first speaker. Rev.
Bowles said that he was one of those
long windcd old gogies and it would
take him about an hour and a half
to get through. Half an hour to get
ready, half an hour to say what he
wanted to say and half an hour to
stop. His subject was 80 years ago.
"Then and now" After commenting
upon the progress Of church work in
general he told Of the old style of
worshiping. Had revival meetings
when penitents had to go to the altar
to be prayed for. Sometimes the ex-
citement ran so high until people
would lie down and roll OH the floor
That was the way old folks mad to
get religion in those good old days
The preacher who managed to get
up the biggest shout was the man who
was counted the biggest preacher
Those penitents were asking what
must we do be saved9 And while
they were praying and singing some
would be shouting Said that he al,
ways prevailed against such excite
ments and did what he could to kcer
them down. While You are praying
I want you to pray and while you are
singing | want you to sing. | never
wanted any shouting and singing al
the same time. What is religion and
how can we get itq Some say that
there is no religion in the church
nowadays since there are no revival
meetings, and since The people have
quit shouting.
There has been a wonderful stride
Of education since those good old days
which has brought about this Won
derful change. Do you know what
kind of books were used in our Sun
day schools so years ago? There was
Mt any international helps then, the
children only had the spelling book
while the older and further advanced
in learning used the Bible.
But T am not going to condemn
those good old revivals. There wa:
a great deal Of good came from them
Fifty years ago I bowed in this church
as penitent.