Occupying the Pulpit

I had been the Chief Administrative Officer for Mayor Dumas for about 2 years when he asked me to represent him at a Founder's Day celebration at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. This is a large Baptist Church in downtown Baton Rouge with primarily black members. The Pastor was my good friend, the Reverend T. J. Jemison.

At the appointed time (11:00 AM) I arrived at the Church and took my place along with a number of elected local politicians such as the District Attorney, several judges, Councilmen and State legislators. The rest of the Church was completely filled with its regular membership.

The Choir started singing some beautiful gospel music and continued and continued. Then the Reverend said a prayer and proceeded to welcome all the guests. He then announced that the collection plates would be passed. The choir began singing some more gospel music as the collections continued.

As soon as the collection plates were presented "down front" the Reverend announced that an additional collection would then be take for the "tithers", and that only checks should be written for this. The choir was instructed to start singing again as the collection plates were passed among the congregation.

Then after these tithes had been received, Reverend Jemison announced for the third time that another collection would be collected to pay the note that was due on the building at that time. Once again, the choir began to sing and the plates were offered to the congregation.

Finally, after all these collections were finished, the Reverend prayed over this and thanked every one with a big smile on his face. He then said, "Our good friend, Mair (Mayor) Dumas could not attend Church today, but he has sent his "right hand man", who is my good "Mefodis" friend, Mr. Gene to bring us greetings from the "Mair". Come on up here to the pulpit, Brother Gene".

With a startled look on my face and complete surprise, I had no choice but to follow his invitation. There I stood in the pulpit of the largest black Church in Baton Rouge, filled to overflowing with Church members and highly elected local officials. I was almost bewildered but somehow I managed to say a few words on behalf of the Mayor. The congregation was most helpful to me when I would pause, and they would all say, "AAAAA - MEN" in unison.

After an extended sermon by the pastor and more choir singing we were dismissed. By then it was about 1:30 PM. Virginia had been waiting for me since 12:00 noon when our Church had been dismissed. This had been quite an experience for a white person from the hills of Arkansas.