Old People's Meeting-1896

According to previous arrangement, the old folks' meeting was held at Mt. Salem Baptist church on October 2nd. The former pastors of the church and the old folks, far and near, were especially invited to attend. At least 600 person were with us. The large church house was filled to overflowing. Many stood at the windows to hear the gray haired veterans of the cross tell of former days and of their hopes for the future. After the usual devotional services, Rev. M. L. Heifner delivered a short and welcome address.

Rev. J. G. Swinney of Clarence and Rev. James Burton of Kaseyville, each interested the congregation with talks concerning the church in an early day.

We then adjourned for dinner. The long table in the grove was filled with the best viands the country could afford. All seemed to enjoy themselves as they shook hands, ate and talked of bygone days.

At two o'clock the congregation again convened and listed to an interesting talk from the aged Brethren Wigginton, Sparrow, Ancell, Mansfield, and Dodson. Brother J. H. Thompson of Macon also made an interesting address.

The exercises were interspersed with old-time songs, led by Rev. J. Mansfield, that "sweet singer in Israel."

More than a hundred person over the age of sixty, with a greater number between fifty and sixty, seated on the front seat and in chairs around the pulpit made a scene that many will not soon forget.

We were glad to honor these old people. The world in general bows to age, gives it precedence, and listens with deference to its opinions. That is right.

Old age wants reverence and respect, and should have it. Below as complete a list as I could get by the help of H. H. Hutchinson of thos over sixty years old:

Name	Age
B. F. Stokes	71
Chas. Baker	71
J.W. Thompson	82
H. T. Brock	64
W. C. Smith	79
W. G. Riley	73
M. Hornback	69
Wm King	77
John King	80
Liberty Noble	87
Riley Brock	67
Wm Chandler	75
T. H. Winkler	61
Thos. Noble	77
J. W. Herrington	75
J. S. Woolverton	66
G. W. Dowell	63
J. R. Buckley	60
E. W. Hutchinson	63
Wm Hardister
J. W. Darby	65
G. W. Jackson	67
G. G. King	71
G. W. Saunders	77
J. T. Ridgway	70
W. R. Brock	69
JAcob Heifner	62
W. M. Baker	67
F. P. Tuggle	71
Aaron Teter	67
Howell Dowding	77
John Jackson	72
L. F. Wright	70
Sidney J. Jones	63
P. R. Powell	66
Austin Bailey	71
J. W. Brock	62
W. R. Brown	71
F. M Brock	65
G. A. Coulter	66
B. F. Watson	66
M. F. Brock	60
Seymour Needler	66
W. J. Boney	62
J. S. Albright	67
Wm. Cochran	68
Thos. Heifner	60
Green Moore	63

Name	Age
Millie Noble	78
Irene Watson	66
Sarah Cox	77
Rebecca Brock	63
Sarah Cockran	64
Sarah Saunders	69
Lucy Lamb	65
Sarah J. Wright	61
Elizabeth Lucas	68
M. E. Halhburton	68
Mariah King	65
Elizabeth Corbin	79
Nancy Harris	88
Barbara Brock	60
Polly Vanskike
Emeline Teter	62
Sarah E. Hutchinson	70
Alfrena Winkler	60
Elizabeth King	74
Catherine Brown	66
Patsy Brock	71
Mary King	70
Sarah F. Moody	75
Caroline Robinson	78
Susan Powell	60
Mariah McCanne	87
Hannah Snow	73
Bettie Jones	69
Melissa Jones	60
Isabell Sparkman	61
Minerva Petty	64
Sally A. Tuggle	64
Betsy A. Lamb	74
Betsy Brown	62
Polly Herrington	66
Eliza J. Tuley	78
Martha Nichols	67
Mary Haverly	60
Matilda Gass	69
Amanda Coulter	68
Susan Sparrow	74
Sarah Swinney	72
Mahalla Hardister	81
Anna Jackson	67
Susan Ellis	61
Mary Stokes	66

Mt. Salem was organized in 1841 and her pastors are as follow: Revs. J. W. Swinney, James Moody, Joseph Oliver, James Porter, James Burton, Mr. Simmons, G. C. Sparrow, J.W. Saunders, Green Carey, M.F. Williams, R. J. Mansfield, James Coleman, R. Harrison, M. L. Heifner, and Townsend Wright.