A
Anonymous
Guest
Summer 1962
It didn't take long for us boys to notice. Our adventures at Carter's house was interrupted by much hollering and hooting at the local Four-Square Gospel Church. Now, this little church was located at the end of Thomas Road. It was a humble little place; a white-frame structure with asphalt shingles that had a sanctuary that would seat (maybe) 150 folks. It had huge rectangular windows evenly spaced--probably four on each side--on both sides of the sanctuary. Most had screens but a couple of them did not. The Sunday School rooms "T'ed" off the back with perhaps four rooms on either side of the sanctuary. There was a huge Sycamore Tree to the right of the church we kids called the "love tree." It served as a great tree to climb and to carve your latest squeezes (and yours) initials.
It was getting dark this day and the summer revivall was in full swing. In all our goin's on, we had forgot about it. But the sounds of the Four Square Faithful were not to be denied.
Gary and I grinned at each other and decided we would go over near the end of the meetin' and peer in one of the open windows. We soon found one without a screen and watched. Now, we were not interested in church. We were interested in the "church girls." <img src="/metal/html/wink.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
"> From passed experience, we knew those "church girls" were good for a smooch or two after the meetin', if we could get past the old decon's radar.
So there we were, perched on the outside window sill watchin' to the old preacher holler and jump around, sweatin' profusely. "Look over there Carter, that one in the blue dress is MINE, you hear me?" (She's the one that had the four hooks on the underthing she was wearin'. I knew it would be worth it if I ever got past em. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b"> I was really goal driven in the Locust Years donchaknow) "Yeah, yeah, yeah Garrett, I hear, but you stay away from EulaMae!" "Yeah, I hear!" With our territories staked out I caught the eye of the beauty in the blue dress. I knew her from before. Her smiles meant the good times were about to ROLL. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b"> <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
All of a sudden, it was as if the preacher had been hit by a holy broom handle twixt the ears. He staggered back to the podium, hand on his head and said, "Ooohhhh saaaaiiints of Goooaaad- dah! I have just-ah received word-dah from the Allmiiiii-tee Goooaad-dah, that-tah we are to have ah testimony time-mahh. (Now many of the churches of today are too sophisticated for that today, donchaknow, but when it does happen, they are called "popcorn testimonies." That's when you stand up, turn white from fear of addressing such a crowd, and you sit down after a few undescernable mumblings.) <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
But this place was about to get into high gear. I looked at Carter and rolled my eyes, groaning inside. This was sure to put a damper on our smooch time after the service. First one and then another told of how bad they'd been and how much God had changed their lives. Carter and I should have taken it in, but, as before, we were too cool (and too proud) for that mess and soundly rejected His callings in spades.
Well, everybody had about contributed, including my little beauty in the blue dress (heh,heh,heeaaah, oh yeah). I decided that I would give her something to talk about NEXT week, in a little while <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> . Anyway, toward the end, everything was finally winding down.
The summer night was so thick with humidity and it was a hot night. All the windows were open--even the ones without screens, ready to accept even the sleighest of breezes. The problem is, bugs love 300 watt light bulbs and open windows. The church had probably 10 bulbs spaced evenly, dangling from cords from the ceiling. Nobody minded the insects too much, we all were used to them since no one had AC in those days.
Finally, the oldest old lady of the congregation, charter member of the church, began to rise. The old man beside her assisted as he could. The crowd fell silent and everyone looked toward her as this old saint of God mustered her last ounce of strength to tell of what He had done for her. Everyone was in awe--even us two urchins peering from the window. Her cane was unsteady and her arm quivered as she placed her frail little body's weight on it and stood, with years of weight upon her old shoulders, to a stooped erectness as much as possible. <img src="/metal/html/frown.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
Once she had stood (it seemed like it took three minutes for her to get from the pine board seat to the standing position) she placed her left hand on the back of the pew in front of her and then she hesitated to gather her godly thougths. Her squinting eyes were gazing around the room. She had their 100% attention. She took in her breath and began her story.
But just at that time, if I'ma lyin', I'ma dyin', the MOTHER of all June bugs came careening into the sanctuary from an open window. It was attracted to and orbited two or three of the suspended bulbs for a time. Once completely disoriented, it made a "B" line for the old jetsel who had just begun her testimony. The devil himself musta been in that thar June Bug! Now listen: In one, fluid motion, with the power and grace of Nolan Ryan times 2, she wound up and >>>SMACKED<<< that bug, with the most PERFECT of follow-thrus you ever did see on ANY pro baseball game!!! That bug never had a chance. She knocked that puppy into right centerfield and it went >>>SSPPLLAATTT!!!<<< into the far wall. <img src="/metal/html/shocked.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":shock"> <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol">
Well, EVERYONE cracked up; the preacher, the old deacons, the members and most of all and loudest of all us to heathen boys. "Did you see that sh*t, Carter??" "Haaiiilll yeah. How could I MISS it??" In our delirium, we musta overdid it. Before we knew it one of the old lost deacons had each us by an ear and unassed us from the window sill and escorted us off the property post-haste! He finally let his death-grip on our ears go once we reached the pavement of Hiway 5--some 10 yards from the front door. <img src="/metal/html/frown.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=""> <img src="/metal/html/shocked.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":shock">
Mr. Carter was watching and we could hear him laughing from his front yard-a full 75 yards from the front door of the Four-Square Church. "What happened over there boys?" Well, we told him and I thought he was gonna bust a gut laughin' so hard. <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol">
We looked back and by now the last of the Four-Square Faithful were departing the area. Mr. Carter said, "You boys will have to wait 'til tomorrow night for them girls. That revival will go on through the week ya know."
We were foiled that night, but we both knew, God willin', we would be back over there before the week was out. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b">
The old Four Square Church is modernized now, much different than before. I still remember standing and waiting at the bus stop there, huddled in one of its protective corners on the coldest of mornings. Travis always had a lighter to make us a little fire. It's different, as we all are a bit different. In some ways it,as we, are still the same.
Thank God He never gave up on me. Carter and I graduated from High School together in 1966. I went into the Navy as a dental tech/medic and he into the Army as a door gunner. He was never was the same after that. Gary went to prison a couple of times for first one thing then another. He's been out now for the past 10 years or so, last I heard. He's been married more times than I can count and happiness has surely been elusive for him. He continues to reject Christ, sad to say. As for me, well, I've had some prisons of my own--just like anyone else--not the kind with bars, but prisons, none the less. I have been blessed because my prison doors were opened and I received my pardon on December 19, 1998 My blessings FAR outweigh my prisons, praise the Lord. <img src="/metal/html/please.gif" border=0 width=29 height=15 alt="lease">
I know I'm not near where I need to be folks, but I thank God every day that He saw me through and delivered me from...<STRONG>The Locust Years</STRONG>.
Thanks for comin' along. <><
Arkie John
It didn't take long for us boys to notice. Our adventures at Carter's house was interrupted by much hollering and hooting at the local Four-Square Gospel Church. Now, this little church was located at the end of Thomas Road. It was a humble little place; a white-frame structure with asphalt shingles that had a sanctuary that would seat (maybe) 150 folks. It had huge rectangular windows evenly spaced--probably four on each side--on both sides of the sanctuary. Most had screens but a couple of them did not. The Sunday School rooms "T'ed" off the back with perhaps four rooms on either side of the sanctuary. There was a huge Sycamore Tree to the right of the church we kids called the "love tree." It served as a great tree to climb and to carve your latest squeezes (and yours) initials.
It was getting dark this day and the summer revivall was in full swing. In all our goin's on, we had forgot about it. But the sounds of the Four Square Faithful were not to be denied.
Gary and I grinned at each other and decided we would go over near the end of the meetin' and peer in one of the open windows. We soon found one without a screen and watched. Now, we were not interested in church. We were interested in the "church girls." <img src="/metal/html/wink.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
"> From passed experience, we knew those "church girls" were good for a smooch or two after the meetin', if we could get past the old decon's radar.So there we were, perched on the outside window sill watchin' to the old preacher holler and jump around, sweatin' profusely. "Look over there Carter, that one in the blue dress is MINE, you hear me?" (She's the one that had the four hooks on the underthing she was wearin'. I knew it would be worth it if I ever got past em. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b"> I was really goal driven in the Locust Years donchaknow) "Yeah, yeah, yeah Garrett, I hear, but you stay away from EulaMae!" "Yeah, I hear!" With our territories staked out I caught the eye of the beauty in the blue dress. I knew her from before. Her smiles meant the good times were about to ROLL. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b"> <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
">All of a sudden, it was as if the preacher had been hit by a holy broom handle twixt the ears. He staggered back to the podium, hand on his head and said, "Ooohhhh saaaaiiints of Goooaaad- dah! I have just-ah received word-dah from the Allmiiiii-tee Goooaad-dah, that-tah we are to have ah testimony time-mahh. (Now many of the churches of today are too sophisticated for that today, donchaknow, but when it does happen, they are called "popcorn testimonies." That's when you stand up, turn white from fear of addressing such a crowd, and you sit down after a few undescernable mumblings.) <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
">But this place was about to get into high gear. I looked at Carter and rolled my eyes, groaning inside. This was sure to put a damper on our smooch time after the service. First one and then another told of how bad they'd been and how much God had changed their lives. Carter and I should have taken it in, but, as before, we were too cool (and too proud) for that mess and soundly rejected His callings in spades.
Well, everybody had about contributed, including my little beauty in the blue dress (heh,heh,heeaaah, oh yeah). I decided that I would give her something to talk about NEXT week, in a little while <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
"> . Anyway, toward the end, everything was finally winding down.The summer night was so thick with humidity and it was a hot night. All the windows were open--even the ones without screens, ready to accept even the sleighest of breezes. The problem is, bugs love 300 watt light bulbs and open windows. The church had probably 10 bulbs spaced evenly, dangling from cords from the ceiling. Nobody minded the insects too much, we all were used to them since no one had AC in those days.
Finally, the oldest old lady of the congregation, charter member of the church, began to rise. The old man beside her assisted as he could. The crowd fell silent and everyone looked toward her as this old saint of God mustered her last ounce of strength to tell of what He had done for her. Everyone was in awe--even us two urchins peering from the window. Her cane was unsteady and her arm quivered as she placed her frail little body's weight on it and stood, with years of weight upon her old shoulders, to a stooped erectness as much as possible. <img src="/metal/html/frown.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
">Once she had stood (it seemed like it took three minutes for her to get from the pine board seat to the standing position) she placed her left hand on the back of the pew in front of her and then she hesitated to gather her godly thougths. Her squinting eyes were gazing around the room. She had their 100% attention. She took in her breath and began her story.
But just at that time, if I'ma lyin', I'ma dyin', the MOTHER of all June bugs came careening into the sanctuary from an open window. It was attracted to and orbited two or three of the suspended bulbs for a time. Once completely disoriented, it made a "B" line for the old jetsel who had just begun her testimony. The devil himself musta been in that thar June Bug! Now listen: In one, fluid motion, with the power and grace of Nolan Ryan times 2, she wound up and >>>SMACKED<<< that bug, with the most PERFECT of follow-thrus you ever did see on ANY pro baseball game!!! That bug never had a chance. She knocked that puppy into right centerfield and it went >>>SSPPLLAATTT!!!<<< into the far wall. <img src="/metal/html/shocked.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":shock"> <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol">
Well, EVERYONE cracked up; the preacher, the old deacons, the members and most of all and loudest of all us to heathen boys. "Did you see that sh*t, Carter??" "Haaiiilll yeah. How could I MISS it??" In our delirium, we musta overdid it. Before we knew it one of the old lost deacons had each us by an ear and unassed us from the window sill and escorted us off the property post-haste! He finally let his death-grip on our ears go once we reached the pavement of Hiway 5--some 10 yards from the front door. <img src="/metal/html/frown.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="
"> <img src="/metal/html/shocked.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":shock">Mr. Carter was watching and we could hear him laughing from his front yard-a full 75 yards from the front door of the Four-Square Church. "What happened over there boys?" Well, we told him and I thought he was gonna bust a gut laughin' so hard. <img src="/metal/html/lol.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":lol">
We looked back and by now the last of the Four-Square Faithful were departing the area. Mr. Carter said, "You boys will have to wait 'til tomorrow night for them girls. That revival will go on through the week ya know."
We were foiled that night, but we both knew, God willin', we would be back over there before the week was out. <img src="/metal/html/tongue.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":b">
The old Four Square Church is modernized now, much different than before. I still remember standing and waiting at the bus stop there, huddled in one of its protective corners on the coldest of mornings. Travis always had a lighter to make us a little fire. It's different, as we all are a bit different. In some ways it,as we, are still the same.
Thank God He never gave up on me. Carter and I graduated from High School together in 1966. I went into the Navy as a dental tech/medic and he into the Army as a door gunner. He was never was the same after that. Gary went to prison a couple of times for first one thing then another. He's been out now for the past 10 years or so, last I heard. He's been married more times than I can count and happiness has surely been elusive for him. He continues to reject Christ, sad to say. As for me, well, I've had some prisons of my own--just like anyone else--not the kind with bars, but prisons, none the less. I have been blessed because my prison doors were opened and I received my pardon on December 19, 1998 My blessings FAR outweigh my prisons, praise the Lord. <img src="/metal/html/please.gif" border=0 width=29 height=15 alt="
lease">I know I'm not near where I need to be folks, but I thank God every day that He saw me through and delivered me from...<STRONG>The Locust Years</STRONG>.
Thanks for comin' along. <><
Arkie John