Opinion

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.

(Oct. 6, 2025) – Falls County Judge Jay T. Elliott issued a local disaster declaration Monday due to the threat of wildfires fueled by drought and severe weather conditions. The declaration activates emergency plans and allows for emergency measures to protect lives and property.

Allen Shivers joinedDwight Eisenhower on Oct. 14, 1952 for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Alamo. This unprecedented show of support by the Democratic governor for the Republican presidential nominee crushed any hope Adlai Stevenson had of carrying the Lone Star State.