In the early 1800's the country church was the center of social activities. All members of the community knew the schedule of the church and were expected to attend church events. Some country churches had preaching services every other Sunday but all had Wednesday night prayer meetings in the homes of the church members. The country preacher was a highly respected community leader. Even, the preacher's children were held to a higher level of discipline. Most preachers lived in modest middle-class homes, but no one had heard of a millionaire preacher. Morality ruled the day. A man was only as good as his word and a hand shake was the only contract needed. Very seldom did an unmarried girl become pregnant. When that happened, the father demanded that the boy step up and marry the girl in a so-called "shot-gun wedding." If the girl had multiple sexual partners, the girl was allowed to name the boy she thought was the father. The Christian Church ruled the community. All churches set aside one week for an annual Church Revival. This was the time when working-class farmers came home early from the fields to prepare for the nightly church meetings. The revival was a time when the renewal of the Holy Spirit was enacted. It was a time when uncontrollable spirit-filled shouting's were not limited to Pentecostal churches only.On the Sunday following the revival the ladies of the church would prepare for the big event of the season, a "Church Dinner." Each church-lady would cook several special items, bring them to the church, and all church members would enjoy a great dinner spread on a long plank table by the side of the church. It was a day of fellowship for the entire community. An afternoon of great gospel singing would follow. The annual church dinner was a special event. It was a day of fellowship and everyone was invited. There was plenty of food for one and all and no one left hungry. There was fried chicken and country baked ham, with many kinds of potato salad and other vegetables. The greatest treats were the deserts. There were chocolate pies, lemon pies, and pecan pies. There were chocolate cakes, coconut cakes, and carrots cakes, with large pans of chocolate pudding, and banana pudding. It was a special treat for a hungry, growing nine year whose mother always made sure he had a plate. Only the women of the community knew how many long hours of hard work were involved in preparation for all the delicious treats that were served on this special day. Brother Myers was one of the most popular gospel preachers of Northern Louisiana. He started preaching when the main mode of transportation was the donkey. This book is a series of memories from a nine year old boy who attended many of church services conducted by Brother Myers. It was a time when there were no radios, televisions, or telephones, and the main possibility for entertainment centered a round the church. This was a great time in American history. The kind of fellowship that evolved around the Christian Church was one of the main ingredients that made America great.
