The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-11
The Churches at Claiborne
 And Their Old Members

Peggy was an invariabie attendant on the meetings, and as the preacher warmed up she became nervous, but she finally shouted and then swooned. The louder he exhorted.' the louder she shouted; and the louder she shout Cd. the more he had to strain his voice. These spells" were 50 frequent that the boys would say: "Old Peggy win soon be on" She would begin to sway back and forth. then grunt and groan, shout and faint.
 In the congregation below sat a maiden lady of uncertain age. neither Der of the church. a devoted and rcgu- lar attendant. This spinster or maiden lady had an unfortunate habit of bleaching her face with flour and chalk. When the preacher got animated and Peggy lost her balance, she. too. lort control (whether from over-howing re lfgion or sympathy with Peggy, I can't say), and gave vent to copious teers, which unburthened her soul and made fnroads on her plastered cheeks.
 The brine flowed down the furrowa and ditches and when dried presented 6 physiognomy to excite the risibles Of an ascetic. I mention this as a warning and advice to any of your fair readers. who in search of Venus girdle, Indulge in cosmetics, to be care full not to put their lacrymose glands to work at funerals or other public as- sembiies, liable to emotional scenes.
 Mir. Roley was a regular attendant of those meetings and was, among other members. often called to lead in prayer He was an Englishman. had been a sailor. was quite original ana impulsive. Soon as we called. he would suddenly drop on his knees and rapid ly repeat his prayer by note as sudden ly close, and rise as he spoke. "Amen' and Amen and that Is the way to talk it."
 Camp mettings, generally held by the Methodists. were a religious feature In those days, annually at some eligible and desirable location.
 Suggsville and Grove Hill. Clarke county. were often chosen as suitapie places. In the summer or fall or the year, a site was selected near the town, and near spring of water tents of cloth and boards were erect ed. and a capacious arbor fmproyised with branches of trees as covering to protect from the sun; a large stand as pulpit was placed in the rear and ruoe benches were placed for the congrega- ton with pine straw for carpet and to kneel upon. The congregation was assembled at the sound of horn. Temporary tables were placed near the tents of the hosts and were loaded with spread of good viands. refresh ing to the eye and delectaoie to the palate.
 They were we'll attended by young and old for many miles around. The young men and ladies had an en1oyabie time. It was harvest time. especially for lovers, and cupid got In his work. It was considered good form for the gallants to ecsort the girls to and rom the spring, and from the tents to 'he arbor or stand.
 Many ministers congregated and al- ternated in the pulpit. Much religious interest was aroused and often great excitement manifested. After sermon by one. another would exhort eWhiie the congregation sang) and call TOT molrners At times the mourners oe- came nervous and lost control of their feelings and the preachers sometimes got oyerwrought. Instances and occa. sfons when mourners were called ana didn't come to the altar fast enough, the exhorter lost control and exclaim- ed. More straw. more straw! Souls go- ing to h-l for the want of straw.
 The singing was often impromptu' and several volunteer choirs at the same time from different parts of the big tent, its melody resounding to the smaller tents. On one occasion a con- cert from one side sounded to- deaf man like female voices singing "Oh for a rnana asoh for a manifestation of divine love-" From the other side seemed to come a response from male voices, "Give me Sal. give me Saliva ton" Of course there was no collu- sion. but a singular coincidence.
 Those were halcyon days for civic and religious enjoyment. religion pure and unadulterated. alas! never to re- turn. It Is sad to think the Presby- terian Church in Claiborne will never. again resound with the eloquence of Hamilton or Nott! the Methodist will never reverberate with the pathetic ap- peaIs of a Dickinson or Heard (and Frazier since the war) nor the old Me- Conico again litsen to the warnings Of Travis or Talbert (Uncle Jack.) It Is sadder to know that the Presbyte- rian Church was soon after the war given up to the negroes; the Methodist taken down and moved to Perdue Hill; the Baptist blown down by a storm. and a new church built on Perdue Hill. The old members are all dead or scat tered and those of the new generation few in numbers, and all of these churches in a state of decadence.
 Selma. Oct. 8. 1909.