--Luke Burchett MOUNTAIN PREACHER When the Sabbath day is dawning in the mountains, And the air is filled with bird song sweet and clear, Once again I think of him who lives in spirit, Though his voice has silent been for many a year. And the music of the simple prayer he uttered Seems to echo from the highest mountain peak, And the people still respect the holy teaching Of that mountain preacher, Zepheniah Meek. I can see him there upon the wooded hillside, While between two giant Trees of Heaven he stood, And the blue skies formed a canopy above them, As befitting one so humble, wise and good. And he reads of how the Tree of Life is blooming, From the thumbworn leaves of God's own book of love, While the wind sweeps gently through the Trees of Heaven And they seem to whisper softly up above. Oh, your name still lives among Big Sandy's people, Though your earthly form is molding 'neath the sod; May your memory linger in their hearts forever, While your spirit rests in peace at home with God. --D. Preston CHURCH IN THE MOUNTAINS This was composed by a little girl in Rowan County, Kentucky, after she had been to church in the mountains on Christy Creek in that county in 1939. Have you been to church in the mountains? 'Tis a wonderful place to go, Out beneath the spreading branches Where the grass and violets grow. Hats hang around on the trunks, Coats lay across the limbs, No roof above but heaven, They sing the good old hymns. So they pray and preach together And sing in one accord, My heart within rejoices To hear them praise the Lord. Though seats are rough, uneven, And they lay upon the sod, There can be no fault in the building, For the Architect is God. Through years--it's been a custom That prayer should first be made, And then the others follow, Their praises ring in wood and glade. There in the temple of temples, They tell of the glory land, While they beg the many sinners To take a better stand. They beg the sinners to listen As they explain God's love, Telling of home that's waiting In the mansions up above. Still praising God, the Father, Who gave His only Son, The meeting service closes Just as it had begun.