Baptism of Percy J Magrew

Any time you start a conversation about Tabernacle Revivals, you will probably have an opportunity to discuss baptisms. I have eaten a lot of birthday cakes since those tabernacle memories and sometimes recollections can be a bit hazy, but I do remember that shortly after the revival finished, folks would gather down at the creek. Why the creek? Well, we were a small community and lucky to have a church house for Sunday Service. We had electric lights and ceiling fans but we did not have running water. Thus, the creek was our source of water that was big enough to serve as a baptistry. Our church in Alexander, was near the banks of Green’s Creek and about a mile upstream was a place we called “The Long Hole.” There was a cutaway in the bank that led into this part of the creek that was about waist deep to the preacher and the creek bottom was fairly smooth rock which made it ideal for baptisims. You see, baptisms in outdoor bodies of water was about all that was available to small churches in rural settings and these areas in natural surroundings gave these countryfolk a reverent and spiritual feeling. This was located on private property, I think it was the Garret Ranch, and there was an access trail along the west side of the creek that allowed folks to get to a place where we could access the Long Hole. This trail was mainly there to allow Elbert Munroe to get to his place farther up the creek. When folks arrived for the baptizing, they would gather close the edge of the creek while the preacher would wade out and wait for the ones being baptized to join him. The folks would bow their head while the preacher prayed, then songs like “When My Savior Went To Calvary,” “On My Way To Canaan’s Land,” and “Give Me That Old Time Religion” would be sung while the preacher quoted scripture and one by one baptized these new Christians. I was saved at a tabernacle revival long about the fall of 1953 along with some of my buds and we so looked forward to getting baptized in the creek. However, by then our church was becoming a bit more modern and I think the church ladies preferred a clean place to sit and fan as they discussed important matters. Well now, inside a church building, as opposed to a wild and wooly creek bank, usually had fewer flies and mosquitoes that a feller had to swat, if they had screen wire over the open windows and maybe worked up a fly drive before the service. So, instead of the heat and dust at the creek bank, we drove to Dublin and used the baptistry at Second Baptist Church and the preacher helped us to know that this was a solemn experience as we followed God’s instructions to be baptized just as Jesus was following God’s instructions when John the Baptist baptized Him. This country boy and his friends had spent a lot of time swimming up and down Green’s Creek and I was sure disappointed that we did not use the creek for our baptizing. But the ladies were happy and afterward served cool-aid and cookies which made us boys and the preacher happy. You see, a baptism is a wonderful uplifting experience! And to tell the truth, ain’t nobody happy if the church ladies ain’t happy.

Baptism of Percy J. Ma-Grew ‘Twas early fall, church folks didn’t really need a fan, Tho the ladies swung ‘em anyway, The preacher had called for revival to fill the churches plan, The Deacons met to set the day.

A tabernacle work crew gathered up their brooms and rakes, They knew this job must be done, Knocking down the wasp nests an’ spider webs is what it takes, Not a surprise to anyone.

Folks had come from far an’ near to meet the preachers bid, They’d asked their neighbors to join them, An’ church folks were pleased to see just how many did, They flat filled that tabernacle to the brim.

During this week of preachin’, several came to the front, To take the preacher by the hand, To talk of decisions made an’ some their sins to confront, Just tryin’ to understand.

We’d had preachin’ an’ a singin’ now, dinner on the ground, One day in the early fall, Soon we’d head toward the creek where folks would gather ‘round, When they heard the baptism call.

Now, there was a good many youngsters that had come forward, An’ a couple of ladies too, A young feller who had found life to be quite hard, An’ then… ol’ Percy J. MaGrew.

The preacher rejoiced an’ smiled to see this group come down, Tho Percy made him shake his head, ‘Cuz his reputation was a bit shaky in this small town, An’ was easily misled. You see, Percy was a feller prone to shady deals, An’ the preacher knew him well, Aww he was a likeable sort, tho character reveals, An’ his bad habits, one could foretell.

Now the preacher waded into the creek, while folks gathered near, An’ he baptized them young to old, But when he came to Percy, the crowd let out a cheer, This miracle to behold. Now Percy seemed to be quite proud as he waded ‘crost the creek, The preacher cringed a little bit, But he knew Percy was there, salvation to seek, An’ for Percy, this took grit.

The preacher took Percy by the hand to lead him out, Deep enough where he could be sunk, An’ folks crowded close as possible to whistle an’ shout.

An’ cheer when Percy got his dunk. Now there was jubilation when this deed was done, ‘Til voices wore down from loud to faint,

Faces beamed with a holy light like the shinin’ of the sun, When ol’ Percy became a saint.

Now the moral of this story should be plain to see, Whatever life’s paths we trod, Percy, even with his trials an’ tribulations, would agree, All the glory belongs to God!

© Ol’ Jim Cathey

Give me that old time religion! Come join us as First Baptist Church Marlin as we experience revival! October 12-15 at 7:00 p.m. For Gospel preachin’ by Dr. Keith Fordham. God bless each of you and God Bless America!