In the early to mid 1950’s, there was not a lot of recreation or things to do for past time. In the spring and summer, when revival season would begin, my father and mother, Blon and Lillion Johnson, would take my sister and me to all the revivals around about the community whatever the denomination of the church might be. I suppose the first time I ever heard the old fashion gospel preached was at Rocky Mound Missionary Baptist Church in northern Macon County.
I was not raised in a Missionary Baptist Church. I always attended Maple Grove General Baptist Church. My grandfather, Millard Johnson, was a deacon at that church.
I don’t recall when I became lost, but I had gone to the altar many times before I got saved. When I was twelve years old, I was attending a one-room school at Mt. Union. When revival would begin at Mt. Union Methodist Church in southern Allen County, the teacher would take all the children and walk to church each day. It was there, one weekday, the third week in July 1955, the Lord saved my soul.
I can still recall where we all were setting that day. I was not on the altar when I was saved. I was on the floor on the left hand side of the pulpit when the Lord saved me. I turned to my right, and the first person I saw was Mr. George Jones. I don’t remember if I said anything to him or not. I do remember going back to my seat with the other children
After church, when we returned to school, I got up and told everyone that the Lord had saved me at church that day.
