Schley County GaArchives Church Records.....Annual Mtg. description Philppi Church Copyright Date July 1, 1938 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Harris Hill http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002514 February 28, 2006, 1:25 pm The Ellaville Sun Friday, July 1, 1938 Vol. 2, No. 1 PHILIPPI BAPTISTS RETAIN OLD FAITH 102 Year-Old Church Host to Annual Three-Day Meeting, Opening Today; Principles and Customs of Historic Church Are Told in Interview with Its Pastor (Editor's Note: Here is a story of abiding faith, and we are presenting it with the reverence such a story demands. Material was obtained by an interview with Elder S.H. McCorkle of Ellaville who approved the article in its published form as authentic and sincere.) Men and women of great and small belief flock to historic Philippi Primitive Baptist church near here today (Friday) for the opening of the traditional three-day "July communion meeting" of worshippers who hold fast to the deep faith and sincere simplicity of their forefathers who established the church 102 years ago. The major event of the church program for the year, meeting annually attracts hundreds of denomination members and interested persons from a wide area. Elder S.H. McCorkle of Ellaville, the pastor, has invited Elder M.A. Hall of Arabi, Ga., and Elder W.H. Hancock of Macon to assist in conducting the meeting. Services will begin each morning at 10 o'clock and dinner will be served on the grounds Sunday at noon. Gasoline and highways and streamlining, destroyers of countless rural churches, schools and general stores, have neither altered the simple rituals of these staunch people nor lessened their reverence for the deep convictions and lasting faith of their ancestors. Significant and striking is the Primitive Baptist minister's complete reliance upon "the help of God" for his sermons. "In my nine years as a pastor, I've preached about 1800 sermons," declared Elder Hassell McCorkle, "I never prepared an outline, or made any notes. I simply read a passage from the Bible, and take a text. To preach the gospel I rely solely on the help of God and the reading of the Bible. The light-haired, 40 year-old pastor said he did not know of a Primitve Baptist preacher who did otherwise. Constitution of the church and practice forbid use of musical instruments but congregational singing of old-time hymns is an important part of all services. Custom dictates that the brethren sit on the right hand side of the church and the sisters on the left, but this is not a rule and sometimes is not carried out, explained Elder McCorkle. Climax in Sacredness The meeting reaches its climax in sacredness on Sunday with the profoundly moving communion supper and footwashing ceremonies. "Close communion" is strictly observed and members of other denominations are not allowed to take part. The pastor breaks the bread and pours the wine. Prayer pleading that the act may be blessed is offered. "Then the brethren and sisters gird themselves with towels and begin to wash each others feet," said Elder McCorkle. "Common wash basins are used and both feet are bathed." "We do this as an act of humility. We do it because we feel it right. We get a happiness and joy from it that we can't get anywhere else." Prayer appealing for Divine guidance is said. The people burst into song, joining in such time-tested hymns as Amazing Grace. Sweeping emotion marks the service. Many cry, sometimes there is shouting. Followers of other creeds, or no creed at all, witnessimg the service for the first time often are stirred by its sacredness that they cannot restrain tears. "After the service," continued the Philippi pastor, "we Strike hands as a token of love and appreciation. This time we extend an invitation to everybody who is present to take part." Acquaintanceships Renewed This service usually is held during the forenoon, and ends the annual meeting. Dinner time comes late, no sooner than 1 o'clock. Basket lunches are spread and the fellowship of the gathering takes on a note of added wholesomeness. Scores of people annually choose this day for "homecoming" in order to visit relatives and renew old acquaintances. Love of the Almighty and of a man for his neighbor does not stand alone in these throngs---the love of a boy for a girl shares interest. Down through the decades, particularly during the wagon and buggy eras, courtships have flamed. And, members recall, many have gone the long way to the altar. The weather-beaten house of worship has a history almost as old as the church itself. It was erected many years before the War between the States as a two- story compartment structure, one side being for the use of slaves. After the war, the building was reduced to its present size and negro affiliations ended. Philippi is one of the ten churches comprising the Upatoie Primitive Baptist Association. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/schley/churches/annualmt76nbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb