Jeremiah 6.16 "Thus saith
LORD, Stand ye in ways, and see, and ask for old paths, where is good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein."Today, Wednesday, July 12, 2005, I rode by my old home church, Youmans Chapel. Seeing church brought back many fond memories.
The year was 1959, and I was in second grade. The members of Youmans Chapel Baptist church called my Daddy, late Rev. A.J. Rozier, to be their pastor. This small country church was located in a farming community and congregation was made up of some down to earth folks. We sang hymns out of old hymnal...I can still hear song leader say, "Get your song book and turn to page 57 and let's all sing Amazing Grace like we mean it." Some of other songs that still ring in my ears are "On Jericho Road", "Camping in Canaanland", "Just a Little Talk with Jesus", and "I'll Fly Away". Several of congregation could really sing and piano player sure could rattle them keys. Back in those days, we didn't have nurseries and such, so babies and all little children sat with their parents. Daddy was a bi-vocational preacher...he also sold furniture. He knew that God had called him to preach and pastor at Youmans Chapel. I can see him now, standing behind that wooden pulpit, delivering a message to hungry congregation...a message straight from throne of God.
We had a few small Sunday School rooms, but we had no social hall. The sanctuary was not air-conditioned, so we used those hand-held cardboard fans to ward off heat of hot Georgia summertime. We did have two gas space heaters for cold of wintertime. After all week revivals, we would have Sunday dinner spead on tables set up under towering pine trees. Man, there sure was some good home cooked food and deserts at those Sunday eatings! After dinner, we would go back into church and have special singing. I immensely enjoyed hearing those good old gospel songs even though I was a small child. Daddy preached at Youmans Chapel until mid 1965, and then was called to another church. The Lord called Daddy home in 1966..he was 40.
Some of families who attended Youmans Chapel were kin to each other, and to Mr. Youmans, who donated land for church. I fondly recall Carters, Youmans, Eatons, Godwins, Howells, Pittmans, Bowens, Moores, Battens, Dowlings, Harpers and Bryants. All these folks hold a special place in my heart. Sister Margaret Bacon played piano, and her husband, Gene, was a close friend of my Daddy's. Those two could really sing, and they had beautiful children. Brother Gene and my Daddy are now singing around throne.
