Original subtitles

AURELIUS! HERE'S ANOTHER LETTER FROM EDDIE,

BEGGING ME TO COME LIVE WITH HIM.

WELL, IT'S ONLY NATURAL.

HE WANTS HIS FATHER NEAR HIM.

BUT YOU WOULDN'T BE HAPPY IN THE CITY.

AND WE COULDN'T DO WITHOUT YOU, ANYHOW.

BLESS YOU,

THAT'S THE SWEET LORD SHINING THROUGH.

BROTHER SHEFFEY, THERE'S NO WAY I COULD PAY YOU BACK

FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR FOLKS ALL OVER THESE MOUNTAINS--

INCLUDING ME AND MY OWN KIN.

YES?

DOES ROBERT SHEFFEY LIVE HERE?

YES, HE DOES INDEED.

COME IN.

THAT'S BROTHER SHEFFEY.

SIT DOWN.

MY EYES HAVE FADED,

AND I DON'T RECOGNIZE YOU.

WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART, MY YOUNG BROTHER?

OH, UH, WELL,

I'D BETTER TEND TO SOME CHORES . . . OUTSIDE.

I'M SORRY TO RUN YOU OUT.

OH, IT HAPPENS ABOUT TWICE A WEEK.

FOLKS COME FROM ALL OVER

TO GET HELP FROM BROTHER SHEFFEY.

I WANT YOU TO FORGIVE ME FOR SOMETHING.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO FORGIVE YOU FOR?

YOU'LL HATE ME.

HATE YOU?

HATE ME AND DESPISE ME.

OH, GOD, FORGIVE ME

AND SAVE MY WRETCHED SOUL!

SON, WHATEVER IT IS,

TELLING ME DOESN'T COUNT FOR MUCH,

BUT TELLING JESUS WILL TAKE AWAY THE SIN,

NO MATTER HOW BIG.

I CAN'T TELL HIM.

NOT UNTIL I'VE COME HERE.

I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THAT . . .

BUT I CAN'T.

A PEACE THAT'S MADE WITH GOD

DOESN'T NEED THE FORGIVENESS OF MAN.

BUT THERE WAS A TIME, I'LL ADMIT,

WHEN I DIDN'T THINK THIS WAY.

I WAS ABOUT YOUR AGE

WHEN I FOUND THE LORD,

AND I GUESS

I WAS JUST ABOUT AS WORTHLESS A SINNER

AS THERE COULD BE.

ROBERT?

[AUNT ELIZABETH] WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

OUT.

PLEASE COME IN HERE WHERE I CAN HEAR YOU.

NOW THEN, I ASKED YOU WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

I WAS GOING TO MEET SOME-- FRIENDS.

IT ISN'T NECESSARY TO BE VAGUE, ROBERT.

I KNOW VERY WELL WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE.

BUT I WAS SPEAKING OF YOUR PURPOSE.

PERHAPS YOU'VE CONSIDERED RETURNING TO COLLEGE.

I DON'T THINK COLLEGE SUITS ME.

WHAT DOES SUIT YOU, ROBERT?

IT WAS YOUR LATE UNCLE'S WISH

THAT YOU WOULD BE PROVIDED

WITH A FINE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY,

BUT YOU HAVEN'T SHOWN THE SLIGHTEST INITIATIVE.

YOUR LIFE IS WORTHLESS, ROBERT.

UNCLE JAMES WAS JUST ABOUT

THE RICHEST MAN

IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTY,

BUT NOW HE'S DEAD,

AND WHAT GOOD DID

HIS MONEY DO HIM?

IT'S TAKEN CARE OF YOU IN FINE STYLE,

FOR WHICH YOU DON'T EVEN SEEM TO HAVE

COMMON GRATITUDE.

I'M SORRY, AUNT ELIZABETH.

IT'S JUST THAT,

THERE MUST BE MORE TO LIFE

THAN MAKING MONEY.

ITS SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY'S RUNNING AROUND

LIKE A HEADLESS CHICKEN,

TRYING TO GET THINGS AND DO THINGS

WITHOUT A REAL PURPOSE.

MY HEAD'S LIKE A

BUMBLEBEE'S NEST.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

WHATEVER IT IS,

I'M SURE I HAVEN'T FOUND IT YET.

WELL, YOU'D BETTER FIND IT SOON.

AND IN THE MEANTIME,

I WILL THANK YOU NOT TO BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.

DO TRY TO JOIN THE FAMILY FOR THE EVENING MEAL.

[MULEY] I SAYS TO HIM,

"MY SINS HAVE BEEN LAYING HEAVY

ON MY HEART LATELY, PREACHER.

I THINK I'LL BE THERE."

[LAUGHTER]

[MULEY] HEY, ROBERT! COME ON IN!

YOU'RE JUST IN TIME HERE.

CLEFUS, ME, AND SHEM HERE,

WE'RE ALL GOING UP

TO THE REVIVAL MEETIN'.

COME ON!

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING FUN.

OH, LOOK AT ROBERT THERE.

HE'S SO SOMBER, HE COULD SOUR MILK.

BUT HE NEEDS TO BE TEE-TOTALLY SAVED.

OH SAY, THAT'S WHAT MY MAMA'S ALWAYS TELLING ME.

NOW, CLEFUS, THERE'S NOTHING MORE FUN

THAN A REVIVAL MEETIN',

ESPECIALLY IF YOU GOT SOME CORN COBS.

YOU CAN KIND OF LIVEN THE PLACE UP A BIT.

NOW YOU'RE TALKIN'. COME ON!

LET'S GO PELT THE OLD SIN SOCKER.

[CONGREGATION SINGING "BRETHREN WE HAVE MET TO WORSHIP"]

? WILL YOU PRAY WITH ALL YOUR POWER, ?

? WHILE WE TRY TO PREACH THE WORD? ?

? ALL IS VAIN UNLESS THE SPIRIT ?

? OF THE HOLY ONE COMES DOWN; ?

? BRETHREN, PRAY, AND HOLY MANNA ?

? WILL BE SHOWERED ALL AROUND. ??

BE SEATED, FRIENDS. BE SEATED.

OUR SERVICE IS ALMOST OVER,

BUT GOD'S PLAN IS SO SIMPLE,

IT DOESN'T NEED A LONG SERMON TO EXPLAIN IT.

OUR SCRIPTURE DEALS WITH THE PROPHET ELIJAH.

BY THE HAND OF GOD,

ELIJAH WAS TAKEN INTO HEAVEN

IN A FIERY CHARIOT . . .

YOU RECKON MY MULES WILL CATCH FIRE

ON THE WAY HOME?

BE NOT DECEIVED. GOD IS NOT MOCKED.

SOME OF YOU HAVE COME HERE TONIGHT

WITHOUT KNOWING WHY YOU'RE HERE.

THERE MAY BE THOSE IN THIS ROOM

WHO HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING

WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

THIS BIBLE TEACHES US THAT WE'RE ALL SINNERS.

IT ALSO SAYS THAT SINNERS

CAN HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD.

MAYBE THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

THE COMFORTING HAND OF . . .

[GASPS FROM CONGREGATION]

WELL, THIS BOOK TEACHES US

HOW WE CAN HAVE THAT COMFORT.

YOU GET HIM.

NO! LET HIM ALONE.

[PREACHER] GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD,

HE SENT HIS SON JESUS

DOWN FROM HEAVEN

TO BE A SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS . . .

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS ACCEPT GOD'S OFFER.

IT'S A FREE GIFT.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?

I GOT TO HEAR HIM OUT.

[MULEY] WASN'T HURTIN' NOTHING, ROBERT.

WE WAS JUST HAVIN' SOME FUN.

I'M ALL RIGHT.

MY GLASSES.

THE COMMOTION SEEMS TO BE ABOUT OVER, FRIENDS.

BE SEATED AND WE'LL FINISH THE SERVICE.

NOW LOOK HERE-- LOOK AT THIS BIBLE.

GOD'S OFFERING US A FREE GIFT,

AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS ASK HIM FOR IT.

I'M GOING TO ASK GOD TO GIVE COURAGE TO ANYONE

WHO FEELS GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT URGING HIM

TO COME FORWARD

AND SEE FROM THE BIBLE HOW TO BE SAVED.

WELL, THE SERVICE IS OVER FOR TONIGHT, FOLKS.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

I'M SORRY FOR WHAT THEY . . .

WHAT WE DID.

THEY'RE REALLY NOT SO BAD.

MOST OF THE CRYING ANGUISH IN HELL

SURELY COME FROM PEOPLE

WHO DON'T THINK THEMSELVES BAD.

NOW, SON, IS THAT WHY YOU CAME UP HERE?

TO APOLOGIZE TO ME?

NO.

IN GOD'S SIGHT,

ALL MEN WITHOUT CHRIST ARE EQUALLY BAD.

PREACHER, WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT SEARCHING.

I'M THE ONE YOU WERE TALKIN'. . .

PREACHER,

IS IT AS EASY AS YOU SAY IT IS?

IT IS.

SAY, YOU SOUND EDUCATED.

CAN YOU READ?

YES.

THEN READ THIS.

FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD

SHALL BE SAVED.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME, SON?

ROBERT.

ROBERT SHEFFEY, SIR.

WELL, ROBERT SHEFFEY,

DO YOU BELIEVE THIS BOOK?

YES.

THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS

ASK GOD'S FORGIVENESS AND BE SAVED.

CAN I DO IT NOW?

YOU CAN DO IT NOW.

ROBERT'S LATE AGAIN.

[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]

YOU'RE LATE, ROBERT.

I'M SORRY, AUNT ELIZABETH.

I APOLOGIZE.

WELL, COME ON IN AND HAVE YOUR SUPPER.

AUNT ELIZABETH,

THERE'S SOMETHING I WANT TO TELL YOU.

YES, ROBERT?

AUNT ELIZABETH, EVERYBODY,

THERE'S SOMETHING I'VE GOT TO SAY.

YOU'VE ALREADY TOLD US THAT, ROBERT.

YES, WELL I . . .

I ACCEPTED

THE LORD TONIGHT.

[AUNT ELIZABETH] YOU WHAT?

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

AT A REVIVAL MEETING.

ROBERT, I SHOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU

IN THE OTHER ROOM.

DOES OUR FAMILY CHURCH NOT SUIT YOUR LIKING?

I NEVER HEARD THERE WHAT I HEARD TONIGHT.

WE ARE NOT SHEEP OF ITINERANTS.

AUNT ELIZABETH, I DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOU.

IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?

TO SHAME US?

TO TEAR DOWN THE GOOD NAME

OF YOUR DEAD UNCLE?

AUNT ELIZABETH . . .

I HAVE TRIED TO BRING YOU

AND YOUR BROTHER UP

AS MY OWN SONS, WITH DIGNITY,

WITH PROPER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

IF YOU HAD TO MAKE SOME SORT OF COMMITMENT,

WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE DONE IT

IN A MORE GENTLEMANLY MANNER

AND IN YOUR OWN CHURCH?

I DIDN'T MAKE SOME SORT OF COMMITMENT.

I WAS SAVED.

AND I DIDN'T DO IT IN OUR CHURCH

BECAUSE NO ONE EVER ASKED ME.

IT WILL BE HARD TO FORGIVE YOU, ROBERT,

IF YOU INSIST ON CONTINUING TO HUMILIATE ME.

I'M NOT TRYING TO HUMILIATE YOU.

I THOUGHT YOU'D BE HAPPY.

I THOUGHT YOU'D BE GLAD I BECAME A CHRISTIAN.

ROBERT, YOU WERE BORN A CHRISTIAN

AND REARED A CHRISTIAN.

WE ARE NOT WEEPING, BREAST-BEATING,

REPENTANT SINNERS

LIKE FARMERS AT A CAMPGROUND MEETING.

RELIGION IS A GOOD THING.

NO ONE BELIEVED THAT MORE STRONGLY

THAN YOUR UNCLE AND I.

BUT RELIGION, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE,

HAS ITS PROPER PLACE.

I HAVE TRIED TO GIVE YOU A GOOD START IN LIFE,

BUT YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING

UNLESS YOU LEARN TO . . .

TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS.

I'LL GIVE YOU A DAY OR TWO

TO THINK THIS OVER, ROBERT.

AFTER YOU HAVE CALMED DOWN,

YOU WILL COME TO ME

AND APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR RASH BEHAVIOR.

I'LL APOLOGIZE FOR NOTHING.

I'VE DONE THE RIGHT THING.

THE ONLY THING I'VE BEEN WRONG ABOUT

HAS BEEN THE MISPLACED VALUES

OF THIS FAMILY.

I'LL NOT HUMILIATE YOU ANY MORE.

WHOA, BOY.

LET'S GO.

COME ON.

[MAN PREACHING]

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING TO JESUS

FOR ALMOST 2000 YEARS,

AND NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN CAST OUT.

GOD SAYS TO ALL THOSE THAT WILL COME UNTO HIM

HE WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT.

WON'T YOU COME AND ACCEPT JESUS?

NO DOUBT THERE ARE THOSE HERE

WHO HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF

THIS FINAL DECISION FOR YEARS,

AND YOU KNOW YOU OUGHT TO BE SAVED,

BUT YOU KEEP TELLING GOD,"NO, NOT YET."

BUT ONE DAY GOD'S MERCY WILL COME TO AN END.

PERHAPS THERE ARE THOSE IN THIS ROOM

WHO HAVE LOVED ONES, A MOTHER, A WIFE, A HUSBAND,

WHO'S SPENT HOURS ON THEIR KNEES PRAYING

FOR YOU TO COME TO CHRIST.

COME ON.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

IF GOD'S SPIRIT IS SPEAKING TO YOU,

WHY DON'T YOU GIVE IN?

IT WOULD BE A TERRIBLE THING

TO HEAR THE GOSPEL,

AND YOU KNOW THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS.

YOU KNOW YOU OUGHT TO BE SAVED,

AND YOU LEAVE THIS ROOM TONIGHT UNSAVED.

YOU MAY NEVER HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY.

YOU MAY NEVER COME THIS CLOSE AGAIN.

JUST THINK OF THE REJOICING IN HEAVEN

OVER ONE SOUL THAT GOD LOVES

WHEN HE QUITS FIGHTING

AND COMES TO HIM.

AND THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL BLESSING

FOR GOD'S SERVANT

WHO POINTS THAT SOUL TO CHRIST

AND URGES HIM TO OVERCOME

THAT FINAL BARRIER.

LORD, WE THANK THEE

FOR THIS SOUL

THAT HAS COME TO THEE.

WILL THOU DISMISS US WITH THY LOVE AND MERCY,

IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU, MY DEAR BROTHER.

DO WE HAVE A VISITING CIRCUIT RIDER IN OUR MIDST?

OH, NO. I'M NOT A PREACHER.

I JUST SPOKE A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

TO A MAN THAT NEEDED IT.

WELL THEN, GOD'S HAND IS ON THE EXHORTER

AS WELL AS THE PREACHER.

DO YOU CONSIDER THIS WORK YOUR CALLING?

I DON'T KNOW.

YOU SAID I WAS A SERVANT,

A SERVANT OF GOD.

AND SO YOU ARE.

YOU HAVE DONE GOD'S SERVICE ALREADY.

I'M CASS WILKERSON.

I'M ROBERT SHEFFEY.

[WILKERSON] I'M PROUD TO MEET YOU, ROBERT.

SAY, I WONDER.

YOU SOUND LIKE YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME EDUCATION.

I WENT TO COLLEGE FOR AWHILE.

WELL, LISTEN.

I'VE GOT A PROPOSITION FOR YOU.

WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A TEACHER FOR OUR CHILDREN.

WE CAN'T PAY MUCH, BUT . . .

I'LL TAKE IT.

IT'S ONLY $30 A . . .

I'LL TAKE IT.

MY PRESENT SITUATION DOESN'T SUIT ME VERY WELL,

AND . . . AND I'LL TAKE IT.

FINE.

BY THE WAY, I NOTICED WHAT YOU DID HERE.

WE DON'T HAVE A REGULAR PREACHER

OR CIRCUIT RIDER AT THE FORGE.

MAYBE YOU COULD DOUBLE AS OUR PASTOR . . .

I'M NOT QUALIFIED . . .

WELL, I SAW YOU SPEAK . . .

I COULDN'T SPEAK TO A GROUP.

WELL, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

I DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT YOU, ROBERT SHEFFEY,

BUT I'VE GOT A FEELING

YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE A FINE TEACHER FOR OUR CHILDREN.

IS IT A BARGAIN?

YES, SIR.

[WOMAN] HOWDY, CASS.

HOWDY, BERTHA.

GUESS THIS MUST BE THE NEW SCHOOLTEACHER.

JUST LIKE I PROMISED.

BERTHA, I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO MEET ROBERT SHEFFEY.

HOW DO YOU DO?

ROBERT, THIS IS MRS. KINCANNON.

WE WERE HOPING YOU'D STILL

MAKE THAT EXTRA ROOM AVAILABLE.

[MRS.KINCANNON] SURE CAN.

ROBERT WILL WANT TO SEE HIS ROOM

AND GET WASHED UP FOR SUPPER.

GOOD DAY.

MRS. KINCANNON.

COME ALONG, ROBERT.

IF THE ROOM SUITS YOUR LIKING,

IT'LL BE $10 A MONTH,

INCLUDING MEALS.

WASHING WILL BE EXTRA THOUGH.

WELL, WHAT DO YA THINK?

DO YOU THINK I CAN TEACH CHILDREN, MRS. KINCANNON?

APPARENTLY MR. WILKERSON THOUGHT SO.

HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME.

I PROMISED HIM I'D GET

A LETTER OF REFERENCE FROM COLLEGE,

BUT THAT WON'T PROVE I CAN TEACH

OR DO ANYTHING ELSE.

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN'T TEACH?

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE

TO SPEAOF A GROUP,

ANY GROUP.

I JUST CAN'T SAY ANYTHING.

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOU NEVER HAD

ANYTHING REALLY IMPORTANT TO SAY.

I MEAN SOMETHING YOU REALLY BELIEVED IN.

MRS. KINCANNON, I FEEL LIKE--

LIKE GOD HAS SOMETHING FOR ME TO DO,

BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

HE WOULDN'T ASK ME

TO DO SOMETHING I COULDN'T DO,

WOULD HE?

NO, HE WOULDN'T,

BUT HE MIGHT WANT SOMETHING

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW YOU CAN DO YET.

GOD IS OUR FRIEND TO LOVE AND TALK TO

AS WE TALK TO OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS.

LORD, WE THANK YOU

THAT YOU'RE SO NEAR TO US CONSTANTLY.

AND I PRAY, LORD, THAT YOU WILL BE WITH THESE CHILDREN

AND HELP THEM TO SEE YOUR BEAUTY,

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

[CHILDREN] . . . AND HEALTH AND STRENGTH AND EYES

THAT I MIGHT SEE.

[APPLAUSE]

YOU DID FINE.

WELL, SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SPRING PLANTING AND SUMMER.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOURSELF?

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

TEACHING HAS HELPED ME.

BUT MY CALLING'S IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.

I HEARD THERE'S A REVIVAL GOING ON OVER AT SALTVILLE.

MAYBE I COULD RIDE OVER THERE AND LEND A HAND.

OUGHTN'T YOU TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME FOR YOURSELF?

MAYBE MAKE A VISIT BACK TO SEE YOUR AUNT.

I SAID I'D NEVER GO BACK, AND I WON'T.

SHE SHAMED ME WITHOUT MERCY,

AND IT'S HARD TO FORGIVE HER.

BESIDES,

SHE PROBABLY WISHES TO SEE ME EVEN LESS

THAN I WISH TO SEE HER.

HELLO, THERE.

HELLO YOURSELF, LADY.

HAVE YOU TRAVELED FAR?

BEEN TRAVELING TWO DAYS NOW.

I SPENT THE NIGHT BACK ALONGSIDE THE ROAD.

I FOUND OUT THESE SPRING NIGHTS ARE STILL COLD.

AYE, THAT THEY ARE LAD.

I WAS HOPING YOU MIGHT HAVE ROOM FOR A LODGER.

I HAVE MONEY TO PAY, OF COURSE.

WELL, LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT YOU.

YOU'RE NOT A DRUMMER,

AS YOU HAVE NO WARES.

NO, I'M NOT A PEDDLER.

I'M A TEACHER WHEN SCHOOL'S IN SESSION.

RIGHT NOW I'M . . .

I'M JUST A SERVANT OF THE LORD.

I'M ROBERT SHEFFEY.

WELL, NOW. I'M SHED MCCOMB.

AND YOU'RE IN LUCK, LAD.

WE GOT HAM AND BLACK-EYED PEAS,

AND THERE'S ONLY ME AND MY GOOD WIFE.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY, LAD.

COME ON INSIDE.

ELLIE.

SO YOU'RE HEADED TO A REVIVAL AT SALTVILLE?

HOW LONG WILL YOU BE PREACHING?

OH, I'M NOT THE PREACHER.

I'M JUST GOING TO TRY AND BE OF SOME HELP.

HOW'S THAT, LAD?

SOMETIMES A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR TESTIMONY

SPOKEN AT THE RIGHT TIME CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

IT'S ALL A MAN NEEDS TO DECIDE TO ACCEPT THE LORD.

WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT,

I HOPE YOU WON'T TAKE IT AMISS . . .

OH, LAD, I KNOW WHAT YOU'LL BE ASKING,

AND WE DON'T TAKE IT AMISS AT ALL.

BUT THE FACT IS THAT ELLIE AND I,

WELL, WE'RE BOTH TRUSTING THE LORD.

SHED, WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH?

WHAT ABOUT IT?

WELL, MR. SHEFFEY HERE COULD DO IT.

OF COURSE HE COULD.

I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF IT.

WHAT CHURCH?

OUR CHURCH.

I HELPED BUILD IT.

UH, BUT, WE DON'T HAVE A PREACHER YET,

NOT A REGULAR ONE AT LEAST.

WE'RE IN NEED OF A GOOD SERMONER.

YOU COULD DO IT.

I COULD NO MORE PREACH THAN RISE AND FLY.

NOW, LAD,

AN EMPTY CHURCH HOUSE IS THE DEVIL'S DELIGHT.

NOW SUPPOSE WE . . .

SUPPOSE WE JUST DISAPPOINT HIM A BIT

WITH A SERMON?

BUT I CAN'T PREACH.

WE DON'T NEED A FANCY SERMON, LAD.

JUST TELL US WHAT THE LORD HAS LAID ON YOUR HEART.

SURELY THAT'S WHY HE SENT YOU TO US.

I'LL TRY.

I'M NOT PROMISING ANYTHING, BUT I'LL TRY.

I'LL BE BACK THROUGH HERE SOON.

MAYBE, I CAN DO IT THEN.

IT'S TIME, LAD.

EVERYONE'S HERE.

THE PLACE IS FULL.

DEAR . . .

DEARLY BELOVED,

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TODAY FROM THE BOOK OF . . .

GENESIS.

THE MESSAGE FROM THE SCRIPTURE TODAY IS . . .

THE MESSAGE IS . . .

THE MESSAGE IS . . .

LET ME GO.

EASY.

I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.

EASY NOW, LAD.

I'LL NOT LET YOU FAIL, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

YOU'RE GOD'S MAN. I'M SURE OF THAT NOW.

HOW?

I'VE FAILED. I'VE MADE A FOOL OF MYSELF.

NO, NO! SO YOU'RE AFRAID.

SO WHAT OF THAT?

IT SHOWS YOU'VE A PROPER RESPECT

FOR YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES.

'TIS A FEARFUL THING TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD.

BUT I'LL NOT LET YOU QUIT.

NOT IF I HAVE TO CARRY YOU BACK IN THERE MYSELF.

WHAT WOULD I SAY?

JUST TELL US . . . TELL US ANYTHING.

TELL US YOUR TESTIMONY. HOW YOU WERE COME TO THE LORD.

AND THAT'S HOW I CAME

TO ACCEPT THE LORD.

I WENT TO THE REVIVAL FOR THE WORST REASON,

BUT GOD, IN HIS MERCY, OVERRULED.

JUST AS HE OVERRULED HERE TODAY.

LORD, DON'T LET US FORGET

THAT WHEN YOU GIVE US YOUR COMMANDS,

YOU GIVE US THE STRENGTH WE NEED--

BUT NOT MORE THAN WE NEED

BECAUSE THEN WE PROUD CRITTERS

WOULD TAKE THE CREDIT OURSELVES.

WE ASK THIS

IN THE NAME OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR, AMEN.

I KNEW IT.

I KNEW YOU WERE SENT OF PURPOSE

TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD TO US.

I'M THINKING THE DEVIL IS MORE

THAN A LITTLE UNHAPPY TODAY, LAD.

YOU DONE WELL, BROTHER.

THANK YOU, BROTHER.

YOU DONE WONDERFUL, BROTHER.

THANK YOU.

MA'AM.

THANK YOU.

WHOA.

WELL, OLD FRIEND, THAT WASN'T SO BAD.

[HORSE SNORTS]

ALL RIGHT, I ADMIT IT WAS

A LITTLE TOUGH AT FIRST.

BUT YOU KNOW, OLD FRIEND?

THE LORD WAS HELPING ME.

I COULD FEEL IT.

MAYBE I COULD BE A PREACHER--

THAT IS,

IF THAT'S WHAT THE LORD WANTED ME TO BE.

AND IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK AS IF HE DOES.

I'M AFRAID MR. . . . UH . . . SHEFFEY

THAT THE PRESIDING ELDER

DOES NOT FIND YOUR REQUEST

FOR LICENSE TO PREACH TO BE IN ORDER.

YOU SIMPLY CANNOT EXPECT

THE EXAMINING COMMITTEE

TO PUT ITS STAMP OF APPROVAL

ON A PERSON OF YOUR . . .

UH, IRREGULAR BACKGROUND.

IRREGULAR?

VERY LITTLE COLLEGE TRAINING,

AND, UH, NO SEMINARY OR THEOLOGICAL TRAINING.

BUT MANY OF THE CIRCUIT RIDERS

ARE HARDLY EDUCATED AT ALL.

MR. SHEFFEY,

WE HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING

INTO YOUR BACKGROUND.

AND?

WE FOUND THAT YOU WERE

A MAN OF SOME AMBITION,

SINCERE, PERHAPS,

BUT THAT YOU ARE A BIT PECULIAR

IN YOUR ACTIONS.

PECULIAR?

LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE HEARD . . .

I'LL SPEAK QUITE FRANKLY.

WE'VE HEARD, FOR EXAMPLE,

THAT WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TEACHING SCHOOL,

YOU, INSTEAD, TAKE THE CHILDREN OUT INTO THE WOODS

AND TELL THEM STORIES.

WELL, YES, BUT . . .

WELL, THERE'S MORE.

THERE'S YOUR PRAYING.

IT'S ABNORMAL.

YOU'VE BEEN OBSERVED PRAYING FOR HOURS

BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,

AND YOUR PRAYERS IN YOUR CLASSROOM ARE UNNATURAL, TOO.

ONE BOY REPORTED THAT YOU SOUND

AS IF YOU ARE TALKING RIGHT TO GOD.

THAT MAY BE SO, BUT TELL ME,

TO WHOM DO YOU TALK WHEN YOU PRAY?

BE THAT AS IT MAY, MR. SHEFFEY,

WE DO NOT WANT OUR LICENSED PREACHERS

ACTING IN PECULIAR WAYS.

BUT THE BIBLE SAYS

ANYONE WHO PREACHES THE WORD OF GOD

WILL BE CONSIDERED PECULIAR

BY THE REST OF THE WORLD.

I DOUBT IF YOUR WANDERING

ALL OVER THE MOUNTAINS

CAN BE CONSIDERED PREACHING.

AT LEAST, NOT FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD.

I DO THE BEST I CAN

WITH THE TALENTS GOD HAS GIVEN ME.

NO DOUBT.

MR. SHEFFEY,

WHY DON'T YOU RECONSIDER YOUR CALLING.

PERHAPS YOU COULD DO SOME GOOD

AMONG THE SIMPLER CLASSES.

I WILL.

I CERTAINLY WILL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE.

AND YOU MAY BE ASSURED

THAT I WILL PURSUE WHATEVER GOD CALLS ME TO DO

WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR OFFICIAL SANCTION.

OF COURSE, NO ONE CAN KEEP YOU FROM GOING ABOUT

AS AN UNLICENSED ITINERANT.

GOOD DAY, MR. SHEFFEY.

[MRS.KINCANNON] HERE'S SOME SIDE MEAT, DRIED BEANS.

NOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO COOK THEM IN I DON'T KNOW.

SO FAR MOST FOLKS HAVE BEEN

PRETTY GRACIOUS TO TAKE ME IN.

BE SURE YOU DON'T WEAR YOUR WELCOME OUT.

MRS. KINCANNON, I NEVER ACCEPT

A FAMILY'S HOSPITALITY

UNLESS I'M SURE GOD'S LAID IT

ON THEIR HEARTS TO HELP ME.

ROBERT, YOU'RE LIKE A CHILD.

I NEVER SAW ANYBODY SO SURE OF WHAT GOD WANTED HIM TO DO.

I'M AS SURE AS IF I GOT ONE OF THOSE

NEW FANGLED TELEGRAPH MESSAGES.

MAYBE IN A WAY I HAVE.

JESUS SIMPLY WENT ABOUT,

DOING GOOD AND PREACHING EVERYWHERE HE WENT,

AND I WANT TO PATTERN MY MINISTRY AFTER HIS.

I DON'T NEED MAN'S APPROVAL,

AS LONG AS THE SWEET LORD CAN LEAD ME

BY HIS WORD AND HIS SPIRIT.

I'LL BE BACK IN A FEW MONTHS.

GOODBYE, BERTHA.

WHERE YA HEADED FIRST?

UP TOWARDS TAZEWELL.

BUT THAT'S NOTHING BUT MOUNTAINS.

IT'S TEN MILES BETWEEN CABINS.

NOTHING BUT TRAPPERS AND MOONSHINERS.

BUT THEY NEED THE GOSPEL, TOO.

BESIDES, I'M FOLLOWING SOME THEOLOGICAL ADVICE.

'BYE, ROBERT. BE CAREFUL.

WELL, GIDEON.

GOD HAS GIVEN US A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

WHOA, BOY.

YOU KNOW, GIDEON,

I HOPE BROTHER TORTOISE WAS GOING IN THAT DIRECTION.

WHOA, BOY.

PROBABLY SOMEBODY SHOOTING A SQUIRREL.

ALL RIGHT, PREACHER MAN.

NOW GET ON THAT THERE HORSE OF YOURS,

AND MAKE SOME TRACKS.

NEXT TIME I CATCH YOU AROUND HERE PREACHIN' OR PRAYIN',

I'M GONNA AIM JUST A LITTLE LOWER THAN YOUR HAT.

YOU GET OUT OF HERE.

I SAID GET.

WAIT!

COME TRAIPSING TO PESTER IN OTHER FOLKS' BUSINESS, MISTER?

[SHEFFEY] WHAT'S THIS MAN DONE TO YOU?

I DON'T SUPPOSE IT'S ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS.

FIRST OF ALL, HE'S TRESPASSIN' ON MY PROPERTY.

JUST LIKE YOU ARE.

THIS MAN'S UNARMED.

WELL, I ONLY AIMED TO SCARE HIM A LITTLE BIT,

BUT I'M BEGINNING TO WISH I'D SAVED MY BULLET FOR YOU.

I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS AND KIND OF CARELESS WITH THIS HERE GUN.

NOW YOU GET YOUR FRIEND AND GET.

IS THIS YOUR STILL?

WELL, NOW WHOSE ELSE YA THINK IT IS?

AND HOW MUCH LIQUOR CAN YOU RUN IN THIS STILL?

WELL, IF EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD,

I'D RUN MIGHT NEAR 50 GALLON A DAY.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THAT?

I SELL IT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[PREACHER] YEAH, HE SELLS IT,

TO BROKEN-DOWN OLD MEN.

SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

I GOT THE LIQUOR FOR SALE,

AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT,

AND THERE AIN'T NO LAW AGAINST IT NEITHER.

I SUPPOSE YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE PREACHERS TOO.

I GUESS I AM.

YOU START YOUR PREACHING AND PRAYING 'ROUND HERE . . .

DEAR LORD, YOU'VE TOLD US IN YOUR WORD THAT STRONG DRINK IS WICKED,

AND THAT YOU DESPISE DRUNKENNESS.

LORD, WE KNOW IT'S NOT YOUR WILL FOR THIS MAN TO BE THE MEANS

OF TURNING OTHER MEN INTO WIFE BEATERS AND CHILD ABUSERS

AND WORTHLESS, DRUNKEN IDLERS.

LORD, DESTROY THIS STILL.

MAKE A MIGHTY OAK TREE TO FALL ON IT,

AND TO BREAK IT TO PIECES AND DESTROY IT FOREVER. AMEN.

THAT'S A PLUMB FUNNY PRAYER, MISTER.

THERE AIN'T AN OAK TREE

IN 200 YARDS OF THIS WHOLE PLACE.

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE GOD'S POWER.

ONLY THE FOOL SAYS IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD.

CONFOUND IT, MISTER.

YOU'VE HAD TIME FOR YOUR PREACHIN' AND PRAYIN'.

NOW GET YOUR FRIEND AND GET ON OUT OF HERE.

LET THIS BE FAIR WARNING TO YA.

NEXT TIME I FIND YOU ON MY PROPERTY PREACHIN' AND PRAYIN',

I'M GONNA SHOOT BOTH OF YOU. NOW GET OUT OF HERE.

[PREACHER] THAT SCUM.

WHY DOES GOD LET PEOPLE LIKE THAT LIVE?

WHY DOESN'T HE JUST KILL THEM WHEN THEY GET SO ROTTEN?

EXCUSE ME, BROTHER, BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME.

FRAZIER.

TYLER FRAZIER.

[SHEFFEY] YOU'RE DOING GOD'S WORK BACK THERE.

DON'T LET BITTERNESS IN YOUR HEART

ROB YOU OF YOUR BLESSING.

BROTHER FRAZIER, YOU MUST FIND FORGIVENESS

IN YOUR HEART FOR THAT MOONSHINER.

WHY?

BECAUSE GOD'S WORD COMMANDS IT.

GOD DOESN'T TELL US TO FORGIVE WHAT THAT MAN'S DOING.

IS IT THE LIQUOR YOU'RE ANGRY WITH RIGHT NOW?

THAT MAN'S THE MEANEST LIQUOR- MAKER IN VIRGINIA.

LOOK WHAT HE DID TO ME.

BUT I SAY UNTO YOU WHICH HEAR, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES;

DO GOOD TO THEM WHICH HATE YOU;

BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU;

AND . . . AND PRAY FOR THEM THAT DESPITEFULLY USE YOU.

BUT THAT MAN'S HINDERING GOD'S WORK.

YES, AND THAT WE MUST PRAY AND WORK AGAINST,

BUT NOT THE MAN HIMSELF.

YOU MUST FORGIVE HIM.

HATRED AND BITTERNESS IN YOUR HEART

WILL RUIN YOUR OWN EFFECTIVENESS FOR GOD.

[MEMORY OF AUNT ELIZABETH]

YOU WILL COME TO ME AND APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR RASH BEHAVIOR.

I'VE GOT TO GO.

CAN YOU RIDE ON ALONE?

IT'S ONLY A MILE TO MY CABIN.

WE CAN SPEND THE NIGHT.

NO, I CAN'T STAY.

BUT THE WEATHER-- IT'S GOING TO STORM TONIGHT.

NO MATTER.

I'VE WAITED TOO LONG NOW.

GOOD-BYE.

LOOKS LIKE A BAD STORM COMIN'.

LET'S MAKE HASTE, OLD FRIEND.

[CRACKING]

AUNT ELIZABETH?

IS ANYBODY HOME?

AUNT ELIZABETH?

AUNT ELIZABETH!

ANNIE!

WHY, MR. ROBERT, I DECLARE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHERE'S AUNT ELIZABETH?

MS. WHITE'S GONE TO GLORY.

SHE'S WHAT?

DEAD. BURIED TWO DAYS.

TWO DAYS?

ANNIE, I DIDN'T KNOW.

THEY TRIED TO REACH YOU.

I'VE BEEN IN THE WILDERNESS PREACHING.

I WANTED TO SEE HER.

DID SHE EVER MENTION ME?

SHE MENTIONED YOU OFTEN.

SHE LEFT SOMETHING FOR YOU.

YOU AND MS. WHITE WERE SO MUCH ALIKE.

BOTH OF YOU PROUD FOLKS.

BEFORE SHE DIED,

SHE SAID WHEN YOU CAME BACK HERE,

I WAS TO GIVE YOU THIS.

THANK YOU, ANNIE.

[VOICE OF AUNT ELIZABETH] "DEAR ROBERT,

THE SHEEP IS HONORED BY GOD FOR ITS MEEKNESS.

RIDE UPON THE SHEEPSKIN, ROBERT.

PRAY UPON IT,

AND REMEMBER THE HUMILITY OF THE SHEEP.

YOU WERE RIGHT; MY VALUES WERE MISPLACED.

GOD HAS SHOWN ME

THAT THE ONLY THING OF TRUE VALUE IN THIS WORLD

IS SALVATION THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

I HAVE ACCEPTED HIM AS MY SAVIOR.

MAY YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LORD

AND SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY ALL YOUR LIFE.

KIND REGARDS, AUNT ELIZABETH."

SHE'S FORGIVEN ME.

SHE KNEW I'D CONQUER MY OWN PRIDE.

SHE DIED TRUSTING THE LORD.

I WASN'T TOO LATE.

GIDEON, A DAY LIKE THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SHOUT FOR JOY.

I FEEL LIKE A NEW CREATURE SCRUBBED CLEAN.

YOU GOT TO BE ROBERT SHEFFEY.

I'M A SERVANT OF THE LORD.

DO I KNOW YOU?

NO, BUT MOST EVERYBODY AROUND HERE

KNOWS ABOUT YOU.

WHEN I HEARD THERE WAS SOMEONE UP HERE

PRAYIN' ALONE ON THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN,

FIGURED IT HAD TO BE YOU,

SO I COME UP ON PURPOSE TO MEET YA.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?

OH, ABOUT TWO HOURS.

COURSE, THAT DON'T COUNT THE TIME

IT TOOK ME TO GET HERE

AFTER THE TRAPPER WHO SAW YOU UP HERE

CAME BY AND TOLD US.

I'M JAMES STAFFORD.

PLEASED TO MEET YA, MR. STAFFORD.

I THANK THE LORD FOR SENDIN' YOU BY TO ENCOURAGE ME.

IT'S NOTHING TO ALL THE FOLKS

YOU'VE ENCOURAGED ALL THESE YEARS.

FACT IS, I COME UP ON PURPOSE

TO ASK YOU TO TAKE YOUR MEAL WITH US.

MY WIFE AND FAMILY BE RIGHT PROUD IF YOU WOULD.

WELL, GIDEON,

I DON'T THINK WE'LL TURN DOWN THIS INVITATION,

WILL WE?

YOU ALWAYS TALK TO YOUR HORSE THAT WAY?

WELL, GIDEON'S PRETTY GOOD COMPANY;

NEVER DISAGREES WITH ANYTHING I SAY.

[HORSE NEIGHS]

AT LEAST HARDLY EVER.

[SHEFFEY] I GUESS GIDEON WILL BE AS GLAD AS I AM

TO GET TO THE CAMPGROUND.

HE'LL HAVE A LONG TIME IN THE CLOVER

WITH NOTHIN' TO DO BUT GET FAT.

[MR.STAFFORD] JIMMY.

JIMMY, TAKE CARE OF PREACHER SHEFFEY'S HORSE.

YES, SIR.

THANK YOU, SON.

LISTEN, YOU BE GOOD TO HIM.

BE SURE TO GIVE HIM A DRINK OF COOL SPRING WATER--

FRESH, MIND YA-- AND 12 EARS OF CORN.

YES, SIR, I WILL.

ALLOW YOU COULD USE A COOL DRINK OF WATER YOURSELF.

COME ON INSIDE.

THANK YOU;

THAT LOOKS GOOD.

[MR. STAFFORD] NOW THAT WE'VE MET,

I SHOULD TELL YOU

THAT YOUR NAME AND WORK

ARE NOT UNFAMILIAR TO THIS HOUSE.

WE'VE OFFERED PRAYERS FOR YOUR WORK,

MORE THAN ONCE.

I'M OBLIGED TO YOU.

THAT'S THE MOST PRECIOUS FAVOR

WE CAN GIVE TO EACH OTHER.

WILL YOU OFFER THANKS FOR US?

I WILL

AS SOON AS OUR DEAR SISTER HERE IS FINISHED.

WELL, I'M FINISHED NOW, MR. SHEFFEY.

HAVEN'T YOU FORGOTTEN THE DUMPLINGS?

I DON'T ALWAYS FIX DUMPLINGS

WITH STEWED CHICKEN.

OH.

DEAR LORD,

WE THANK THEE FOR THIS DEAR FAMILY

AND FOR THEIR KIND HOSPITALITY

TO THY SERVANT.

AND WE'RE GRATEFUL

FOR THESE MATERIAL PROVISIONS,

BUT EVEN THOU KNOWEST, LORD,

THAT CHICKEN WOULD BE BETTER WITH DUMPLINGS.

AMEN.

MR. SHEFFEY, I DECLARE.

NOW I KNOW YOU'RE ROBERT SHEFFEY.

EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD MUST BE TRUE.

MR. SHEFFEY, WE HEARD

THAT YOU WERE A MAN OF PRAYER.

A MAN WHO FELT SO CLOSE TO GOD HE COULD JUST

TALK TO HIM ABOUT ANYTHING,

AND I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL.

I DO TOO,

AND I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER

THIS YOUR HOME AS YOU TRAVEL--

ANYTIME YOU PASS THIS WAY.

WE CAN DO THAT FOR THE LORD.

THE NEXT TIME

WE'LL HAVE DUMPLINGS.

WOULD YOU SPEAK AT OUR LITTLE MOUNTAIN CHURCH?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MISSIONARY WORK.

[JIMMY] OH, WHAT ABOUT THE INDIANS;

DO YOU PREACH FOR THEM?

OH, YES, I HAVE.

BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW INDIANS LEFT NOW

IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.

OH. WHAT ABOUT THE BLACKS

OR IS THAT A DANGEROUS QUESTION

IN THESE TIMES?

OH, NO.

I FIND THAT THE DEAR BLACK FAMILIES

ARE AS GLAD TO HAVE ME IN THEIR HOMES

AS THE WHITE FOLKS,

AND THEY USUALLY SERVE ME DUMPLINGS.

NO DOUBT, YOUR WIFE SERVES YOU DUMPLINGS TOO.

I HAD A WIFE, BUT SHE DIED ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

RIGHT SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

YOU EXPECTING A GOOD CROWD AT THE CAMP MEETING?

I DON'T RIGHTLY KNOW.

THE ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN OFF THE LAST FEW YEARS.

[MR. STAFFORD] TIMES ARE CHANGING, I RECKON.

TIMES ARE, BUT MEN AND WOMEN AREN'T.

WE STILL NEED THE GOSPEL PREACHED.

I'D BE RIGHT SORRY TO SEE THE END

TO THE CAMP MEETING.

IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY TIME ALL YEAR

WE GET TO SEE ANYBODY MUCH.

I DOUBT MR. SHEFFEY WOULD COUNT THAT

A REAL GOOD REASON, ELIZA.

[SHEFFEY] OH, I COUNT THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD'S PEOPLE

ONE OF THE MAIN BLESSINGS OF THE MEETING.

IT'S A BLESSED SIGHT

TO SEE THE PREACHING SHED PACKED

WITH THOUSANDS OF FOLKS SINGING AND HAPPY TOGETHER.

AND I PRAISE THE SWEET LORD

FOR HUNDREDS OF SOULS I'VE SEEN TRUST CHRIST.

EDUCATION CAN'T DO THAT.

NO, I RECKON IT CAN'T.

WELL, BROTHER SHEFFEY,

I EXPECT WE'LL BE THERE.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT,

AND I'D APPRECIATE IT

IF YOU'D INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS,

WE WANT TO HAVE A GOOD CROWD.

HEY, MISTER!

HEY!

DID YOU PASS AN OLD WOMAN ON THE TRAIL?

WHO?

HAVE YOU SEEN AUNT SIS, THE MIDWIFE?

NO, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY ON THE TRAIL.

SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE WORKIN' ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TODAY;

I'VE GOT TO GET HER.

IS SOMEBODY IN YOUR FAMILY SICK?

IT'S MY SISTER;

SHE'S IN BAD LABOR-- REAL BAD.

YOU POINT ME TOWARD YOUR HOUSE;

I'LL GO BACK THERE AND DO WHAT I CAN.

IT'S BACK YONDER, THE WAY I COME;

I'LL GO THIS WAY.

[GIRL SCREAMS] OH, MAMA!

CAN I GO GET HER HUSBAND?

[GIRL CRIES]

HAS HE BEEN SENT FOR?

SHE AIN'T GOT NO HUSBAND.

WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO

IS CALL FOR ALL THE GIRLS IN THE COUNTY SEAT;

[GIRL CRIES]

MAYBE IF THEY SAW A LITTLE OF THE AGONY SIDE OF IT,

THEY'D DO SOME DIFFERENT THINKING.

PERHAPS SO.

BUT OUR DEAR JESUS IS VERY NEAR TO US ALL

WHEN WE'RE IN AGONY OF MIND AND BODY.

LET'S JUST MAKE HER AS COMFORTABLE AS WE CAN.

[GIRL SCREAMS]

OH, MAMA.

IT WON'T BE LONG NOW, CHILD.

[MAMA] AUNT SIS IS A COMING.

[AUNT SIS] HOWDY, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

[SHEFFEY] AUNT SIS.

WELL, I'D BETTER GET BUSY.

YOU MEN FOLK BE GONE.

OH, BROTHER SHEFFEY, YOU BETTER SAY A LITTLE PRAYER.

THEY AIN'T COMIN' SO EASY TODAY.

I'VE LOST ONE ALREADY.

[BOY] SO YOU'RE PREACHER SHEFFEY;

I HEARD OF YOU.

AND YOU KNEW MY PA.

WHAT WAS THE NAME AGAIN?

ARCHIE TILTON.

I DON'T REMEMBER HIM.

YOU OUGHT TO;

I HEARD HIM TALK OF YOU PLENTY OF TIME.

HE WAS A MOONSHINER,

AND HE SAID YOU PRAYED AGAINST HIS STILL,

AND HE SAID THAT AFTER YOU PRAYED

A BIG TREE--AS BIG AROUND AS A WAGON WHEEL--

COME DANCIN' DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

AND LANDED SMACK DAB ON HIS STILL

AND SQUASHED IT AS A STEPPED-ON CHICKEN EGG.

THE LORD BE PRAISED IF YOUR FATHER CHANGED HIS WAYS.

PA NEVER MADE ANOTHER DROP

OF LIQUOR AFTER THAT.

HE'S IN HEAVEN NOW, ANYWAY.

SON, WOULD YOU GO GET MY SHEEPSKIN OFF MY SADDLE?

I SEE THE SUNBEAMS COMIN' THROUGH THAT TREE YONDER

LIKE THE VERY GATES OF HEAVEN ARE OPEN,

AND I WANT TO PRAY.

[BABY CRIES]

IS THE GIRL ALL RIGHT?

OH, OF COURSE SHE IS.

THOSE YOUNG ONES MAKE A LOT OF NOISE,

BUT THEY'RE AS TOUGH AS PINE KNOTS.

MR. SHEFFEY.

MR. SHEFFEY.

MR. SHEFFEY,

I . . . I KNOW I'VE SINNED,

BUT WILL GOD FORGIVE ME

AND USE MY SON AND NOT CURSE HIM?

GOD'S ALWAYS MERCIFUL,

AND LIFE'S ALWAYS A NEW BEGINNING.

LET'S PRAY.

THIS YOUNG SISTER HAS CONFESSED

HER SIN TO ME ALREADY.

THOU CANST TAKE HUMAN MISTAKES

AND GLORIFY THY NAME,

THOUGH WE MUST ALWAYS BEAR THE SCARS OF OUR SINS.

LORD, WE ASK OF THEE A MIGHTY THING TODAY.

TAKE THIS LITTLE INFANT BOY

AND MAKE OF HIM THINE ADVOCATE

WHO'LL STAND IN A HUNDRED PULPITS ACROSS THIS LAND

AND BRING A THOUSAND SOULS INTO THY KINGDOM.

LORD, THY SERVANT SHEFFEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW

BEFORE I JOIN THEE IN HEAVEN,

THY PLAN FOR THIS LITTLE LIFE. AMEN.

NOT A BAD CROWD TONIGHT EITHER.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK.

GOD HAS BLESSED OUR EFFORTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, ROBERT?

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

IT'S UP SOME OVER LAST YEAR,

BUT WE'VE MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

I CAN REMEMBER

WHEN WE HAD AS MANY PEOPLE

STANDING OUTSIDE THE SHED AS INSIDE.

WE HAVEN'T DONE BADLY THOUGH.

NO, PRAISE GOD, WE'VE SEEN MANY SOULS

TRUST THE LORD.

WELL, SOMEBODY MUST THINK WE'RE A SUCCESS;

WE'RE HAVING SPECIAL VISITORS TONIGHT.

TWO CONFERENCE OFFICIALS JUST CAME IN.

WELL NOW, WE MUST LET NEITHER THE PRAISE

NOR THE CENSURE OF MAN DIVERT OUR ATTENTION

FROM GOD'S WORD.

THERE'S STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE HERE TONIGHT.

ARE YOU ONE OF THE PREACHERS TONIGHT,

BROTHER SHEFFEY?

NO. I FEEL A GREAT BURDEN.

I BELIEVE I'LL SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE LORD

DURING THE PREACHING.

BUT, BROTHER SHEFFEY,

YOU SHOULD BE ON THE PLATFORM

WHERE THE FOLKS CAN SEE YOU.

[SHEFFEY] I'M GOING TO PRAY THAT MEN AND WOMEN

WILL TURN THEIR EYES FROM THE PLATFORM

SO THEY CAN LOOK INTO THEIR OWN HEARTS.

[INAUDIBLE CONVERSATIONS]

HEY, WAIT UP!

BROTHER SHEFFEY!

[SHEFFEY] HELLO, OPAL.

SEE HOW MUCH HE'S GROWN?

THERE YOU ARE, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

YOU SEE, WE'RE ALL HERE.

WELL, PRAISE THE LORD FOR THAT.

FOUR OTHER FAMILIES FROM OUR CHURCH ARE HERE TOO.

THAT'S HALF OUR CONGREGATION.

WELL, THANK YOU, DEAR FRIENDS, FOR YOUR HELP.

HELLO, MR. SHEFFEY.

HELLO, ELIZA.

GOD HAS BLESSED YOUR MEETING, AND I'M THANKFUL FOR YOU.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER MEETING, NEXT YEAR?

LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE.

AND WILL YOU STILL BE TRAVELING AROUND?

ELIZA, MAKE HASTE.

THE SERVICE IS STARTING.

[SHEFFEY] I'LL STILL BE TRAVELING.

[SONG LEADER] BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

LET US OPEN THE SERVICE THIS EVENING WITH "HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION."

? HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION, YE SAINTS OF THE LORD, ?

? IS LAID FOR YOUR FAITH IN HIS EXCELLENT WORD. ?

? WHAT MORE CAN HE SAY ?

? THAN TO YOU HE HATH SAID ?

? TO YOU WHO FOR REFUGE TO JESUS HAVE FLED. ??

THIS EVENING MY TEXT IS FOUND IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 3:14-16.

"AND AS MOSES LIFTED UP THE SERPENT IN THE WILDERNESS

EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP

THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH

BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON

THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM

SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

HERE ARE THREE GLORIOUS AND GRAND TRUTHS

OF THE WORD OF GOD I CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION.

[PREACHER] OH, MY DEARLY BELOVED,

CAN'T YOU SEE THAT OUR LORD'S WORDS OF SALVATION ARE SIMPLE?

FOR JUST AS THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LOOKED IN FAITH

UPON THE SERPENT OF BRASS AND LIVED,

SO MUST WE LOOK UPON OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

THE PROPHET ISAIAH CRIED,

"LOOK UNTO ME ALL YE ENDS OF THE EARTH AND BE SAVED.

FOR I AM GOD AND THERE IS NONE ELSE."

THERE ARE MANY HERE TONIGHT WHO ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR SOULS.

DELAY NO LONGER,

BUT ARISE NOW AND COME TO THIS ALTAR

AND RECEIVE CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR.

COME NOW, I BEG YOU.

[CONGREGATION SINGS]

? COME YE SINNERS, ?

? POOR AND NEEDY, ?

? WEAK AND WOUNDED, ?

? SICK AND SORE; ?

? JESUS READY STANDS TO SAVE YOU, ?

? FULL OF PITY, LOVE, AND POWER. ?

? I WILL ARISE AND GO TO JESUS, ?

? HE WILL EMBRACE ME IN HIS ARMS; ?

? IN THE ARMS OF MY DEAR SAVIOR; ?

? O THERE ARE TEN THOUSAND CHARMS. ??

[PREACHER] "COME NOW, LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD.

THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET,

THEY SHALL BE AS WHITE AS SNOW.

THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL."

"COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR

AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN OF ME.

FOR I AM MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART,

AND YOU SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS."

[SHEFFEY] WELCOME, SISTER.

WAIT, PLEASE.

OUR FELLOWSHIP WOULD BE RICHLY BLESSED IF YOU WOULD JOIN US.

I'D HARDLY FIT IN THERE.

IS THERE ANYTHING ON YOUR HEART?

OF COURSE NOT.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS.

I JUST CAME TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE MAKING FOOLS OF THEMSELVES.

YOU CAN SATISFY YOUR CURIOSITY BETTER INSIDE.

IN THERE?

I'D BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WHOLE TOWN.

WILL YOU COME BACK AGAIN?

I DON'T KNOW.

I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.

SAVE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THEM.

JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AS WELL AS THEIRS.

DIED? I'M NOT READY FOR DEATH.

DEATH TO SELF IS THE FIRST STEP TO ETERNAL LIFE.

HERE, I GIVE THIS TO YOU.

IT'S RED AND ALIVE LIKE I AM.

YOU'LL HAVE TO GET

THE FADED WHITE FLOWER OF DEATH

FROM SOMEBODY ELSE.

"BEHOLD NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME."

IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD HAS MADE YOUR SOUL ANXIOUS TONIGHT,

COME NOW TO THIS ALTAR AND RECEIVE CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR.

TIME AND AGAIN THE SPIRIT OF GOD HAS SPOKEN TO YOUR HEART,

AND MAYBE NEVER AGAIN HE'LL CALL.

MAYBE TONIGHT.

THIS IS THE LAST HOUR.

COME NOW, I BEG YOU.

COME NOW.

YOUNG MAN, HAS THE LORD SPOKEN TO YOUR HEART TONIGHT?

I CAN'T GO DOWN THERE;

EVERYBODY WOULD SEE ME.

LET'S SLIP OUTSIDE THEN.

GOD WILL MEET YOU ANYPLACE.

NO, I COULDN'T.

RIGHT HERE.

RIGHT IN YOUR SEAT THEN.

NO. DON'T TELL ME ABOUT IT.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

AS YOU WILL.

THE LORD SAID, "BEHOLD I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND LET HIM COME IN.

NEXT YEAR, I PROMISE.

NEXT YEAR, NOT NOW.

[MAN BEHIND SHEFFEY] BROTHER SHEFFEY,

I NEED TO BE SAVED.

[SHEFFEY] AMEN. AMEN.

[SHEFFEY] YOU'VE SEEN WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS,

AND YOU KNOW WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED

AND WHAT YOU HAVE BELIEVED.

TAKE MY BIBLE.

HIDE GOD'S WORD IN YOUR HEART.

[OTHER MAN] THANK YOU, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

THANK YOU.

[MAN ON STAGE] MR. SHEFFEY, MIGHT I HAVE A WORD WITH YOU?

CERTAINLY. SOMETHING ON YOUR HEART?

NO.

I HAD SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT TO SAY TO YOU.

DO YOU KNOW ME?

NO . . . I . . . WELL, I BELIEVE I DO.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD.

I'LL COME RIGHT TO THE POINT.

SOME YEARS AGO,

I WAS COMPELLED TO TURN DOWN

YOUR REQUEST FOR A LICENSE.

IT WAS NOT MY DECISION.

I MERELY RELAYED IT TO YOU.

BUT I AGREED WITH IT AT THE TIME.

IT APPEARED THAT YOU DID.

IN SHORT, MR. SHEFFEY,

I'VE COME TO TELL YOU THAT IT WAS A WRONG DECISION.

YOUR SUBSEQUENT ACTIVITIES HAVE INDICATED

THAT YOU DO INDEED HAVE AN APTITUDE FOR YOUR WORK.

I HAVE LITTLE NATURAL APTITUDE,

ONLY GOD'S CALLING.

FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD,

YOU'RE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR

THE SUCCESS OF THIS CAMP MEETING.

MR. SHEFFEY,

I'VE COME TO OFFER YOU OUR OFFICIAL SANCTION.

I HEARD YOU'RE THE ONE

THAT WANTED TO DO AWAY WITH THESE REVIVAL MEETINGS.

NOT ENTIRELY,

NOT QUITE CORRECT.

MY CONCERN SINCE MY RECENT ELECTION AS THE PRESIDING ELDER

OF THIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN THAT TIME AND MONEY--

GOD'S MONEY, OF COURSE--NOT BE WASTED.

BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE A BIG CROWD,

YOU WANT TO GET IN ON IT.

THE WORLD IS CHANGING.

NOW THAT THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES IS OVER,

THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS OPENING UP TO NEW IDEAS.

WITH BETTER SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION,

I BELIEVE THE CAMP MEETING WILL DIMINISH.

YOU MAY BE RIGHT,

BUT I BELIEVE IT'LL GRIEVE THE LORD.

IT'S PROGRESS.

IT'S PROGRESS BUT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

I'LL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CAMP MEETINGS,

BUT I WON'T NEED YOUR HELP TO DO SO.

YOU MUST REALIZE THAT BY REFUSING OUR SUPPORT,

YOU MAY ACTUALLY BE HASTENING THE END

OF THE VERY THING YOU SOUGHT TO SAVE.

IS THAT YOUR CHOICE?

CHOICE?

IT'S NO CHOICE AT ALL.

AS FAR AS I CAN TELL,

YOU DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THE GOSPEL I PREACH,

BUT YOU TELL ME THAT BY YOUR SUPPORT

I CAN HAVE BIGGER CROWDS

AND KEEP THE CAMP MEETINGS OPEN LONGER.

YOU WANT ME TO DO SOMETHING I BELIEVE IS CONTRARY

TO WHAT THE BIBLE COMMANDS.

IT'S AGAINST THE SCRIPTURES

AND AGAINST MY CONSCIENCE.

I WILL NOT DO IT.

VERY WELL, MR. SHEFFEY.

I COMPLIMENTED YOUR INFLUENCE,

BUT DON'T OVERESTIMATE IT.

[TYLER FRAZIER] ROBERT, I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU.

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

YES, I HEARD.

YOU WERE RIGHT, DEAD RIGHT.

[SHEFFEY] TYLER, WE'VE GOT TO WORK HARDER THAN EVER,

THAT'S ALL.

YOU ALREADY COVER MORE MILES IN A YEAR

THAN ANY THREE REGULAR CIRCUIT-RIDING PREACHERS I KNOW.

I MEAN, WE'VE GOT TO PRAY HARDER.

THAT REMINDS ME, I HAD THE STRANGEST EXPERIENCE TONIGHT.

I MET A YOUNG WOMAN HIDING BEHIND THIS TREE,

LISTENING TO THE PREACHER.

WELL TO DO?

SHE WAS DRESSED RIGHT FANCY.

YOU KNOW HER?

HEARD OF HER.

I DON'T KNOW HER NAME, THOUGH.

FROM SOME WEALTHY FAMILY.

PREACHER MAIDEN.

[MAIDEN] YES.

BROTHER BOB TALKED WITH OUR MYSTERIOUS VISITOR TONIGHT.

THAT POOR GIRL,

I FEEL SORRY FOR HER.

SHE COMES TO THE SERVICES QUITE OFTEN,

BUT SHE NEVER COMES INSIDE.

SHE NEEDS TO BE SAVED,

AND SHE KNOWS IT;

BUT SHE'S AFRAID

SHE'LL HAVE TO GIVE UP HER SOCIAL STANDING.

A RICH, YOUNG WOMAN COMING SECRETLY BY NIGHT.

REMINDS ME OF NICODEMUS

IN THE BOOK OF JOHN.

LADY NICODEMUS.

WELL, I HOPE I DIDN'T SCARE LADY NIC AWAY FOR GOOD.

[MAIDEN] I DOUBT THAT.

THERE AREN'T MANY THAT CAN GET AWAY

WHEN YOU PRAY FOR THEM.

WHERE ARE YOU HEADED ON SUCH A DAY, BROTHER?

HUNTING FOR A JOB;

HEADING DOWN TO THE SAW MILL.

IF THEY DON'T HIRE ME,

GUESS WE'LL PLUMB STARVE TO DEATH THIS WINTER.

YOU OUGHT NOT TO BE OUT IN THIS WEATHER

IN CLOTHES LIKE THAT.

AIN'T GOT NO OTHERS;

NO SOCKS AT ALL.

BESIDES, IT WEREN'T AS BAD WHEN I STARTED.

FROM HERE SAW MILL'S JUST AS CLOSE AS HOME.

HOLD ON A MINUTE.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

TAKING OFF MY SOCKS.

WHAT FOR?

FOR YOU, OF COURSE.

MY TOES MIGHT WELL BE FROZE AS YOURS.

MY BOOTS ARE BETTER THAN YOURS;

BESIDES GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF MY NEEDS.

I'LL BE PRAYING THAT YOU GET YOUR JOB.

MUCH OBLIGED.

MUCH OBLIGED.

WHAT'S THAT NOISE OUTSIDE?

PAPA.

HELLO!

WHO'S THERE?

IS THAT YOU, BROTHER SHEFFEY?

JIMMY, QUICK!

JIMMY, TAKE CARE OF PREACHER SHEFFEY'S HORSE.

OH, MR. SHEFFEY.

WHAT HAPPENED?

HE MUST HAVE GOT CAUGHT IN A SNOW STORM

UP IN THE MOUNTAIN.

OH, MUST YOU RIDE IN SUCH WEATHER?

FACE IS ALL CUT TO PIECES BY THE SLEET.

WE WEREN'T EXPECTING YOU

THIS TIME OF YEAR, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

I WAS WONDERING

HOW TO GET YOU THE SOCKS I KNITTED FOR YOU LAST WEEK.

HERE THEY ARE.

I HOPE YOU LIKE INDIGO.

YES.

INDIGO WILL BE FINE.

[SHEFFEY] I THINK A FAIR EXCHANGE IS IN ORDER.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ELIZA.

OH,THE SCARLET LETTER BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.

WHEREVER DID YOU GET IT?

THANK YOU, ROBERT.

I OFTEN THINK THAT THIS HOME MEANS TO ME

WHAT THE HOME OF LAZARUS, MARY, AND MARTHA MEANT TO JESUS.

THAT'S A GREAT COMPLIMENT.

I MEANT IT TO BE.

ELIZA, HOW LONG HAVE I KNOWN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

WELL, LET'S SEE.

ONE SUMMER YOU STOPPED BY

ON YOUR WAY TO PREACH TO A CONVICT CAMP.

AND THE NEXT YEAR YOU WERE OFF TO CONVERT

ALL OF WEST VIRGINIA.

ONLY THE SOUTHERN HALF.

THEN AFTER THAT YOU WERE OFF TO THE CUMBERLAND GAP

AND THEN . . .

WITH A GOOD MANY STOPS COMING AND GOING

AT MY FAVORITE PLACE.

DO YOU FEEL AT HOME HERE?

I FEEL AT HOME WITH YOU.

ELIZA,

I WOULD BE HONORED IF . . .

ROBERT,

I . . . CAN'T PRETEND THIS IS A SURPRISE.

WE BOTH KNEW WHERE OUR HEARTS HAVE BEEN LEADING US.

THE POSSIBILITY HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THIS HOUSE.

AND?

MY PARENTS ARE AFRAID

THAT YOUR CONSTANT TRAVEL

WOULD BE A HARDSHIP FOR ME.

ELIZA, WHAT ARE YOUR FEELINGS?

I'LL COME TO THAT.

FIRST, I WANTED YOU TO KNOW

HOW MY FAMILY FEELS.

THEY STILL BELIEVE IN YOU AND YOUR WORK.

NOW ROBERT,

WHAT WERE YOU SAYING A MINUTE AGO?

WHEN?

WHAT?

WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO ASK ME?

I SAID, I WOULD BE HONORED IF . . .

IF . . .

ROBERT, ARE YOU ASKING ME TO MARRY YOU?

I WAS.

THEN I ACCEPT.

WHAT?

I ACCEPT.

YOU DO?

OH, YES.

I'LL MARRY YOU.

WELL, YOU SURE WENT AROUND THE COWSHED ABOUT IT.

ROBERT, WE'RE TOO OLD TO FOOL OURSELVES.

I LOVE YOU, AND I WANT TO BE WITH YOU.

BUT I BELIEVE IN YOU, TOO,

AND I WANT TO HELP YOU IN YOUR WORK.

GOD IS GOOD.

I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR MINISTRY

JUST LIKE BEFORE.

I'LL TRAVEL LESS, ELIZA;

I'LL MAKE A HOME FOR YOU.

NO, ROBERT.

YOU FOLLOW GOD'S CALLING AND I'LL BE CONTENT.

I DO LOVE YOU.

GOD IS SO GOOD.

ROBERT!

DOES MRS. SHEFFEY LIVE HERE?

INDEED SHE DOES.

WE'RE NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT MR. SHEFFEY, THOUGH.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME, ELIZA.

OH, YOU'VE BEEN GONE SO LONG, DARLING.

I MISSED YOU.

WHERE'S EDDIE?

EDDIE, WHERE ARE YOU?

PA!

IN THE APPLE TREE.

PA!

HELLO.

HELLO, EDDIE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

HAVE YOU BEEN A GOOD BOY?

HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING LATELY?

NO, YOU WANT TO GO?

I'D LIKE TO GO.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU.

OH, GOOD.

AND FOR YOUR MOTHER TOO.

COME AROUND HERE.

GIDEON, LET'S SEE.

THE BIG ONE IS FOR YOUR MOTHER.

OH, THANK YOU DARLING.

AND THE BEST ONE IS FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

AND HOW HAVE THE MEETINGS BEEN?

OH, WE HAD A WONDERFUL REVIVAL.

[SHEFFEY] GOOD MEETINGS.

THESE ARE ALL PRAYER REQUESTS.

THERE'S SO MANY.

THERE'S MORE.

PAPA, I'LL MAKE A LIST SO YOU CAN REMEMBER THEM ALL.

I'LL PUT THESE ASIDE.

I'LL GET TO THEM WHEN I CAN.

IT WILL SOON BE TIME FOR ME TO RIDE THE CIRCUIT

TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE CAMPGROUND.

YOU CAN'T PERSUADE EVERYBODY

ALL BY YOURSELF.

ELIZA, IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT ME, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO.

WHATEVER GOD WANTS YOU TO DO,

I'LL STAND WITH YOU.

I KNOW YOU WILL;

YOU'RE A PEARL OF PRECIOUS WORTH.

DO WE KNOW ANYBODY NAMED BEAMER?

[MRS.SHEFFEY] OH, THAT ONE.

SHE SOUNDS LIKE SHE'S IN BAD TROUBLE.

SHE SENT A HOMEMADE MAP.

SHE LIVES SOMEPLACE CALLED BEAR WALLOW IN WEST VIRGINIA.

IT'S TOO FAR;

IT'S DANGEROUS.

ROBERT, YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME.

YES, I AM.

YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GO

BECAUSE IT'S TOO FAR.

AND BECAUSE IT'S DANGEROUS.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND

OF PEOPLE ARE UP THERE.

THEY'RE PEOPLE IN NEED.

THEY SENT FOR ME.

EVERYBODY SENDS FOR YOU.

THEY THINK YOU'RE SOME KIND OF MIRACLE WORKER.

WELL, IF THEY DO, I MUST GO AND DISAPPOINT THEM.

BESIDES, I CAN INTRODUCE THEM TO SOMEONE

WHO CAN WORK A MIRACLE IN THEIR LIVES.

ALL RIGHT,

BUT PLEASE, DARLING, BE CAREFUL.

I WILL, ELIZA.

WHO IS IT?

[SHEFFEY] ARE YOU MRS. BEAMER?

YEAH.

I'M ROBERT SHEFFEY.

I HAD A LETTER . . .

OH, BROTHER SHEFFEY,

I KNOWED YOU COME.

MAMA SAID IF I EVER NEEDED ANYBODY FOR ANYTHING, YOU'D COME.

NO MATTER WHAT.

I . . . CAN'T TAKE IT NO MORE.

HE'S GONNA KILL ME.

AND MAYBE THE BABIES TOO.

YOUR HUSBAND PUT THOSE CUTS

AND BRUISES ALL OVER YOU?

YES.

HE'S NOT SUCH A BAD MAN

WHEN HE'S NOT DRINKING.

HONEST, HE'S NOT.

AND WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

I DON'T KNOW, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

OUT DRINKING.

YOU CAN'T TALK TO HIM WHEN HE'S DRINKING.

[DRUNKEN SINGING]

HE'LL KILL YOU IF HE CATCHES YOU HERE.

[MR. BEAMER] WOMAN, GET MY VITTLES.

YOU BE A HUSTLING NOW OR I'LL WHIP YOU AGAIN.

HE'S OUT COLD.

HE'LL BE LIKE THAT FOR FOUR OR FIVE HOURS,

AND THEN HE'LL WAKE UP.

AND THEN HE'S SOBER?

THEN HE STARTS DRINKING AGAIN.

THAT'S WHEN HE STARTS BEATING ME.

IF I TAKE HIS LIQUOR, HE'LL KILL ME.

WE CAN'T TALK TO HIM.

WE'LL TRY SOMETHING ELSE.

BROTHER SHEFFEY,

WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS CLOTHES OFF?

[SHEFFEY] THERE'S NO CLOTHES IN HELL.

NOTHING TO HIDE BEHIND.

IN HELL?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

YOU'RE NOT GONNA . . .

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOUR MAN A TASTE OF HELL--

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY.

OH.

PLEASE, DON'T HURT HIM.

[SHEFFEY] YOU BRING SOME FIRE FROM THE STOVE.

OH, THAT LIQUOR WILL STING HIM.

LET'S TAKE HIM HOME.

HE'LL DO BETTER. I KNOW HE WILL.

STAND BACK, CHILD.

OH.

HUH.

HUH.

WHAT?

NO!

OH, NO.

NO!

AHHH!

OH, NO. NO.

NO.

NOOO!!

HELP! NO!

NOOOO!!!

UUH.

HE'S ALL RIGHT.

I'D BETTER BE ON MY WAY NOW.

I'LL RIDE THROUGH THE CLEARING

AND GET SHED OF THE EVIDENCE OF OUR DEED.

WHAT IF HE REMEMBERS?

HE'LL NEVER MENTION IT TO YOU.

A MAN RETURNING FROM HELL

WON'T CARE TO TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A SOBER HUSBAND

FOR AWHILE.

I'LL STOP BACK LATER, MRS. BEAMER.

THE ONLY THING THAT WILL CURE HIM PERMANENTLY

IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

IF I CAN TALK TO HIM,

MAYBE I CAN WIN HIM TO THE LORD.

THANK YOU, MR. SHEFFEY.

? HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION, ?

? YE SAINTS OF THE LORD, ?

[CONTINUES HUMMING SONG]

WHAT'S THE TROUBLE, OLD BOY?

SURELY MY SINGING'S NOT THAT BAD.

[SHEFFEY] WHAT'S THIS?

WHAT HAPPENED?

DON'T RIGHTLY KNOW.

MY HORSE JUST DROPPED DOWN LIKE HE WAS SHOT.

I'M AFRAID HE'S A GONER.

WELL NOW, WE'RE NOT FAR FROM A TOWN.

YOU CAN BUY ANOTHER HORSE THERE.

I AIN'T GOT BUT FOUR DOLLARS.

YOU KNOW OF ANY FOUR-DOLLAR HORSES FOR SALE?

DON'T LOSE FAITH NOW.

GOD WILL PROVIDE IF WE TRUST HIM.

LET ME TALK TO THE LORD ABOUT IT.

[SHEFFEY] DEAR LORD, WOULD YOU REQUIRE SO MUCH?

THERE'S NO USE PRAYING.

GO GET YOUR HARNESS.

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

YOU'LL NEED YOUR HARNESS TO PUT ON GIDEON HERE.

WE AIN'T BEGGARS.

I TOLD YOU I AIN'T GOT NO MONEY.

YOU NEED NO MONEY.

THE LORD'S LAID IT ON MY HEART TO DO THIS FOR YOU.

TAKE HIM FOR JESUS' SAKE.

WE'LL PAY YOU BACK SOMEHOW.

OH, NO.

GOD WILL SUPPLY MY NEEDS.

ONLY . . . LEAVE ME ALONE WITH HIM A MINUTE.

OLD FRIEND,

IT'S NOT WHAT I WANT;

IT'S WHAT I MUST DO.

I WON'T FORGET HOW YOU'VE SERVED ME--

THROUGH THE SNOW AND ACROSS THE MILES.

YOU'VE BEEN A GOOD FRIEND.

WE'D KIND OF LIKE TO KNOW WHO WE'RE OBLIGED TO.

I'M ROBERT SHEFFEY.

SO YOU'RE BROTHER SHEFFEY.

FOLKS SAY WHAT YOU PRAY FOR ALWAYS COMES TO PASS.

SOMETIMES PRAYING CAN BE AN EXCUSE.

THE HORSE WAS ALREADY PROVIDED;

THERE WAS NOTHING TO PRAY FOR.

GOD BLESS YOU.

BE KIND TO HIM,

AND HE'LL GIVE YOU GOOD SERVICE.

FEED HIM ONLY GOOD GRAIN.

AND GIVE HIM FRESH LIMESTONE WATER.

BYE, OLD FRIEND.

WHY, BROTHER SHEFFEY, IS THAT YOU?

IT'S ME.

THE SWEET ANGELS ARE NOT OUT TODAY.

HOW COME YOU'RE WALKING, PREACHER?

I GAVE GIDEON AWAY TO A NEEDY FAMILY.

CAN YOU LOAN ME A HORSE TO GET HOME, AURELIUS?

[AURELIUS] YOU KNOW I WILL, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

[MAN ON PORCH] HOLD ON, NOW.

I'LL PAY FOR YOU A NEW GIDEON.

JUST HAPPENS THERE'S A HORSE AUCTION TOMORROW.

NOW AIN'T THAT A COINCIDENCE.

[AUCTIONEER] $50 ONCE, $50 TWICE,

SOLD TO THE MAN IN THE BROWN HAT FOR $50.

BRING ON THE NEXT HORSE.

AIN'T THAT A DANDY, BOYS?

LOOK AT THOSE FEET.

LOOK AT THE CONFORMATION.

ANYONE WOULD BE PROUD TO OWN THIS HORSE.

[NYE FINLEY] THAT'S THE HORSE

WE NEED TO BUY FOR THE PREACHER.

WHO'LL START THE BID?

65.

65 I GOT. NOW WHO WILL GIVE ME 70?

75.

80.

82.

82 DOLLAR BILL NOW.

90.

90 I GOT. WOULD ANYBODY GO 95?

LAST TIME AROUND.

$90 ONCE? $90 TWICE?

91.

$91 THEN.

$91 ONCE, TWICE. HOT DIGGITY! SOLD FOR $91 RIGHT OVER HERE.

THERE'S YOUR NEW HORSE, PREACHER.

I WON'T WASTE ANY TIME OR EFFORT;

I'LL CALL YOU GIDEON.

BRING MY SADDLE AND BRIDLE.

JUST A MINUTE PREACHER,

THESE HORSES ARE FRESH FROM THE WEST.

THEY'VE NEVER BEEN BROKEN YET.

WE'LL GET ALONG JUST FINE.

YOU CAN LET HIM GO.

MOVE ALONG, GIDEON.

THANK YOU, FRIENDS.

YOU'VE BEEN KIND TO GOD'S SERVANT.

COME ON. GIDDYUP, GIDEON.

ROBERT, ROBERT, IT'S ELIZA, DARLING.

I'M HERE.

[AURELIUS] BROTHER SHEFFEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

I REMEMBER THE STREAM.

WHAT HAPPENED?

[AURELIUS] FAR AS WE CAN TELL,

YOUR HORSE SAVED YOUR LIFE.

AURELIUS FOUND YOU AND BROUGHT YOU HOME.

THAT WAS SEVERAL DAYS AGO.

SEVERAL DAYS . . .

I NEED TO GET BACK ON THE TRAIL.

NO.

THE DOCTOR SAYS

YOU WON'T BE RIDING ANYWHERE

FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU MUST REST NOW, DARLING.

[SHEFFEY] TOBY, I APPRECIATE YOUR DRIVING ME

ALL OVER CREATION WHILE I'VE BEEN SICK.

IT'S BEEN A BLESSING TO HELP YOU

IN YOUR WORK, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

I'LL BE ABLE TO RIDE GIDEON AGAIN SOON.

WHOA.

[ELIZA] ROBERT.

ELIZA.

DID YOU HAVE A GOOD TRIP, DARLING?

WONDERFUL TRIP, ELIZA.

OH, BUT LOOK!

HERE WE STAND LEAVING POOR TOBY.

GOOD DAY, MRS. SHEFFEY.

TOBY, THANK YOU.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

HAVE YOU TAKEN CARE OF YOURSELF, ROBERT SHEFFEY?

I STAYED WITH THE BEAMERS.

THEY TOOK GOOD CARE OF ME.

DID YOU SEE EDDIE THIS TRIP?

YES, AND LOOK AT THE NEW SUIT HE GAVE ME.

THAT BOY, HE'S GOING TO SPEND ALL HIS MONEY ON US.

HELLO, ZEKE.

OH, DARLING.

ELIZA, I HAD A WONDERFUL TRIP.

THAT BUGGY'S NOT AS GOOD AS GIDEON,

BUT IT WAS A GREAT BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO VISIT THE SICK

AND HELP BEAR THEIR BURDENS.

WELL, JUST REMEMBER, WHEN YOU GET GIDEON BACK:

NO MORE THAN TEN MILES AT A STRETCH.

YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON A HORSE FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS.

WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN,

I'M GOING TO ASK THE LORD

WHY HE MADE A WOMAN'S HEAD SO HARD.

AND HE'LL TELL YOU IT'S TO MAKE UP FOR YOUR SOFT ONE.

HELLO, BROTHER BOB; YOU AT HOME?

THAT SOUNDS LIKE TYLER FRAZIER.

BUT . . . WHAT WOULD BRING HIM NOW?

[TYLER FRAZIER] HELLO, BROTHER BOB.

[SHEFFEY] HELLO, BROTHER TYLER.

ELIZA.

TYLER COME ON IN.

WARM YOURSELF BY THE FIRE.

TYLER, YOU'RE HERE SO SOON.

I WASN'T LOOKING FOR YOU UNTIL SPRING.

I'M NOT READY TO LEAVE

FOR THE CAMPGROUND CIRCUIT YET.

I'M AFRAID THERE WON'T BE ANY NEED FOR THAT THIS YEAR, BOB.

THE CAMP MEETING'S BEEN CLOSED.

CLOSED?

ROBERT.

WHY? WHAT HAPPENED?

SAME OLD EXCUSE--

NOT ENOUGH INTEREST, NEW AGE.

TYLER, THEY CAN'T DO THIS.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

WE'LL OPEN THE MEETING ON OUR OWN.

IT'S NOT THAT EASY.

LOTS OF PROBLEMS-- VERY LITTLE PUBLIC SUPPORT,

NO OFFICIAL CHURCH SANCTION.

THAT CAMPGROUND WAS BUILT BY PEOPLE LIKE US,

PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN IT.

SURELY THEY CAN'T KEEP US FROM USING IT.

SOME WOULD LIKE TO.

AT ANY RATE, THERE'LL BE NO MEETING THIS YEAR.

IT MAY TAKE A FEW YEARS,

BUT WE'LL BRING IT BACK.

WE CAN DO IT.

WE MUST.

HI, MR. SHEFFEY. HI, MR. SHEFFEY. HI, MR. SHEFFEY.

[FRAZIER] IT ISN'T GOING TO BE

THE BIGGEST CROWD WE'VE EVER HAD,

BUT IT'S NOT BAD FOR A NEW BEGINNING.

FROM WHAT I HEAR,

THE ONLY REASON THERE'S A MEETING AT ALL

IS BECAUSE OF YOU AND BROTHER SHEFFEY.

I WONDER IF EVERYTHING I'VE HEARD

ABOUT HIM IS TRUE.

LIKELY IT IS.

I'VE NEVER KNOWN HIS EQUAL.

HE'S LIKE ONE OF THE MIGHTY WARRIORS OF THE FAITH

IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS.

CLOSER TO GOD THAN MOST OF US CAN EVEN IMAGINE.

WHEN WILL BROTHER SHEFFEY BE ARRIVING?

EXCUSE ME.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

WHAT ARE YOU BOYS DOING?

PUT THOSE PIPES OUT.

WE AIN'T HURTING NOTHING.

YOU'RE ENDANGERING A THOUSAND PEOPLE.

THINK WHAT COULD HAPPEN

IF ONE OF THESE WOODEN BUILDINGS CAUGHT FIRE.

THE WHOLE PLACE WOULD BE GONE IN A MINUTE.

YEAH,

IT MIGHT AT THAT.

NOW, TAKE THOSE PIPES OFF THE PREMISES.

BROTHER SHEFFEY! BROTHER SHEFFEY! BROTHER SHEFFEY!

HELLO, BOYS AND GIRLS.

BROTHER BOB, SO GLAD TO SEE YOU.

I WANT YOU TO MEET ED BAILEY HERE.

HE'S FROM THE CONFERENCE.

WELL, MR. BAILEY,

I HOPE THE CONFERENCE HASN'T SENT YOU HERE

TO HINDER OUR WORK.

NO, BROTHER SHEFFEY.

I'M HERE ON MY OWN BECAUSE I LOVE THE CAMP MEETINGS,

AND I'VE HEARD WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THIS ONE.

THEN WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET.

MR. SHEFFEY?

MR. SHEFFEY.

YES?

IT'S ME, MR. SHEFFEY. ED BAILEY.

WHAT IS IT?

IT'S WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE CONFERENCE.

I APOLOGIZE IF I WAS ABRUPT.

NO, I . . .

WELL, YOU WERE,

BUT YOU WERE RIGHT IN WHAT YOU SAID.

I FEEL IT MYSELF.

I GUESS THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

YOU SEE THE NEW ATTITUDES

CREEPING IN AMONG YOUR LEADERS.

IT'S SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

THEY PICK THE BIBLE APART;

CRITICIZE EVERYTHING I BELIEVE,

AND THEY DO IT SO SMOOTHLY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK.

LOOK.

WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO DO?

THEY WANT TO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS

BECAUSE IT'S RESPECTABLE,

BUT THEY TRY TO TEAR DOWN EVERYTHING

THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS EVER BEEN BASED UPON.

THEY SAY THAT CHRIST IS NOT THE SON OF GOD,

BUT THEY TRY TO SUPPORT A RELIGION

THAT'S BASED ON THIS VERY FACT.

THEY CLAIM THAT THE BIBLE IS ONLY A HUMAN BOOK,

BUT EVERYTHING THEY KNOW ABOUT THEIR RELIGION IS BASED ON IT.

THEY CLAIM TO FOLLOW CHRISTIANITY

AND THEN DENY EVERYTHING

THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS EVER TAUGHT.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND,

THERE'S SO MANY OTHER GOOD MEN

WHO STILL BELIEVE EVERYTHING I BELIEVE.

THERE ARE A GOOD MANY,

BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE LESS AND LESS INFLUENCE.

IT'S ALWAYS THE LIBERAL ATTITUDES THAT ARE ATTRACTIVE.

YOU THINK I MUST MAKE A CHOICE.

IT WILL NOT BE AN EASY CHOICE.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

MY CHOICE IS EASY . . .

OR RATHER IT'S ALREADY MADE.

YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS DENIED

A PREACHING LICENSE,

IT WAS A GREAT SORROW TO ME.

BUT I DETERMINED TO FOLLOW

THE LEADING OF THE LORD ANYWAY.

IN THESE LATTER YEARS

I HAVE COME MORE AND MORE TO REJOICE

THAT I AM NOT OBLIGATED.

I DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE

BETWEEN MY LOYALTY TO SOME ORGANIZATION

AND THE WORD OF GOD.

WHEN YOU PUT IT LIKE THAT,

IT'S NOT REALLY MUCH OF A CHOICE.

DOESN'T SEEM SO TO ME.

IT'S MORE A MATTER OF COURAGE.

BROTHER SHEFFEY, WILL YOU PRAY FOR ME?

WE DIDN'T HAVE AS BIG A CROWD AS WE'D HOPED,

BUT IT'S A START.

WE'LL DO BETTER NEXT YEAR.