Cumberland

Abstract

L- Do you have any final thoughts about Appalachian character? Is there anything about it that has not appeared in print that you think is worthy of note? W- As I stated earlier, the Appalachian person is basically concerned with religion. He might be as wicked as it is possible for one to be, but he reserves religion for himself. He looks forward to the time when he will hear a voice and know that it's time to identify with one of the hardline churches. He does this following a mystical experience, and he wants to be relieved of his sins by confessing them. So if he made a couple with his neighbor's wife—one time, ten years ago, say—he might feel compelled to confess. And this confession is sometimes used most wickedly. L- How so? W- Well, you made a cuckold of your neighbor long ago. Now, you want to stand up in church and confess? L- The consequences may be unpleasant. But are you saying that the man's motive in confessing is wicked? W- Yes; I think it is. The idea is that he wants to hurt his neighbor and can now do so in the name of God and under the cloak of religion. This is typical behavior. L- A man will confess adultery because he got the spirit of the Lord and wants to cleanse his soul. He's sincere in this belief but at the same time he wants to hurt his neighbor? W- He plays it for all that's in it for him. When a man gets down and rolls in the sawdust, we can't know whether he's sincere or whether he's acting. One of the tenets of our religion is "total depravity." Satan lives in the heart of man. Because we do not forget that, we see our fellows as capable of the blackest of sins even in the saintliest of guises. CUMBERLAND Brand new golf courses and re-hab houses old political machines—still Grants for water systems and funding for arts and crafts old fights for equality—still ñans for better recreation and more big businesses old petitions for justice—still — Jenny Galloway Collins 27 OO Winter Remembered ...

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