RELIGION

"Could you'uns come to the funeral? They're thar now."  I was startled by seeing a neighbor in the door making this request.  I had heard of the untimely death of an infant, but this was the first hint that our presence was desired.  Miss Smith was not able to go, so hastily changing my dress, and with a few directions from her, I hurried away to conduct my first funeral.  I had an Episcopal prayer-book in my hand and searched for the order for the burial of the dead as I hastened along, my heart quaking over this new undertaking.  How earnestly I prayed for help; I do so desire to teach these people, as shy and hard to win as the wild birds of the forest, almost; and while their hearts are tender in the presence of death, seems a good time to win them. (1910, Guerrant, Edward. The Galax Gatherers, p.172)

"It was more than a mile from the home to the graveyard on the hillside.  There they were patiently waiting as I drew near.  The school-house was a few yards away, and the school teacher and children were clustered around.  The early morning sunshine filtered through the leaves.  The kind neighbors had borne the little casket on their shoulders from the home, three miles away, to lay it among its kindred.  We sang 'Jesus Lover of My Soul.'  The father sobbed as if he needed such a refuge.  The next week he must appear at court.  Then as the service proceeded, the Lord strengthened and helped, and once more I proved that when He requires anything of us, any work, He give us strength to do it.  Just at the last, the casket was opened.  It was made of pine just to fit the baby, and covered with white muslin, fringed around the edge of the lid with scissors.  Over the baby's face was a square of white cambric, cut in a fanciful way with the scissors.  When this was removed we saw a beautiful child, very handsome, large and fine, but he had closed his eyes in death as soon as he had opened them on this earth.  And so we laid him away to rest, the sunshine, the birds and the children, making a sweet picture."  (1910, Guerrant, p. 172-173.)

"In a feud town of eastern Kentucky, not long ago, I saw two Holiness exhorters prancing before a solemnly attentive crowd in the courthouse square, one of them shouting and exhibiting the 'holy laugh', while the other pointed to the Cumberland River and cried, "I don't say if I had the faith, I say I have the faith, to walk over that river dry-shod!"  I scanned the crowd, and saw nothing but belief, or willingness to believe, on any countenance.  Of course, most mountaineers are more intelligent than that; but few of them are free from superstitions of one kind or other.  There are today many believers in witchcraft among them (though none own it to any but their intimates) and nearly everybody in the hills has faith in portents." (1913, Kephart pp.270-271)