Some people came to church by horse and wagon, they would put hay in the wagon bed so the horses could enjoy themselves during the service. During the summer of course there was no air conditioning so the windows were open. It was not unusual for wasp to fly around in the church house, distracting from the service. Boys would look in at the windows, and flirt with the pretty girls. But during the winter windows were closed and a fire was built in the big stove that sat in the center of the isle. There was no Electricity so oil lamps were used for lighting, Oil was also used to start a fire in the big stove. Now I do not remember it but I was told by reliable sources that once while the preacher was up preaching I got hold of the oil can that was kept under the rostrum and emptied it in the floor. Guess it was good that they had the lamps full for it would have been a dark church. Mind you, I do not remember this event nor do I say it was true. It was just story I have heard all my life.
Lynn camp was a church that used only one Bible, The King James Version was all we knew about and we worshiped one God too, the creator of the earth and all that is therein . We believed that Christ would return, it would be for only one reason, He said I go away, and if I go away, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am you will be also. So his reason is because he promised to return for those that believe in him. You know I still believe the same old way. I was taught there to not be tossed to and fro by every doctrine.
As I grew up I realized I needed a change in my life, so at age thirteen I accepted Jesus as my salvation . He is the only God, I trust him with my life and soul. He has been there always.
What a change seventy years has done. There have been two new buildings! I am sure there have been changes in Bibles and in the minds of people.I guess about as far back as I can remember I have known the family of Jonah & Effie Phillips .They were good people and loved by people throughout the community. All the children went to Lynn Camp School. It was there that I went to school, played with Harold and became well acquainted with him. Guess I would say, he was one of my best buddies. Lynn Camp Church was where we went to Church together. Once upon a time, as people were coming outside the Church after the close of the service, Two strange good looking girls came out with the Phillips kids, "It was the Phillip's kids cousin's," I was just a country boy and didn’t know how to approach strangers, especially pretty girls. So in an effort to attract their attention, I took up a small stone, placed it on my fingers and flipped it toward them. That got their attention alright, not such good impression. I guess if I had it to do again I would approach it in a different way......Not the end of the story.
Things went on with life as normal until I was in the Navy in Shoemaker, California. There appeared, out of nowhere, Harold, my longtime friend. I was unaware of his even being in the Navy.. We spent quite a bit of time together there, and exchanged names and addresses of girls we knew. The name and address he gave me was one of the girls I had tried to gain attention of, using the rock. I wrote her, not mentioning the rock. She didn't answer right away. However she did send me a Greeting card later. I was not so interested in the card, It was the sender I was interested in! I wrote back and we began writing letters and exchanging pictures.
I went to see Retha, in Tennessee, when the war was over and I came home. I guess it was love at first sight. She was riding a bicycle in the front yard. I thought it was the second time I came to see her that I proposed to her but she thinks it was the third. We always had our little differences, It was a short courtship and has thrived for over sixty years together. When people ask Retha " How did you meet John?” She always replies, "He threw a rock at me." If I had it to do over again, I would do the same thing , so you see it all worked out really well ! So if you see someone you are really attracted to , just toss a rock in their direction . It works !
