Vote For the November Cover

[Eric Tipton]

Greetings:

It is time to vote for the November Cover of the Authentic Campaigner. Please vote for the image that you feel is the most authentic. If your image is one of the final three, we are requiring that you provide some background information about the inspiration or impression for the image in this thread.

We encourage conversation about the impressions portrayed as well as any documentation that might be available that would add to the discussion. The intent of the selection process is to determine why you think one image is superior to another.

Image #1 - Click here to view.
Image #2 - Click here to view.
Image #3 - Click here to view.

Thanks to everyone who submitted. Good luck to the finalists.

This poll will close in five days.

[Spinster]

First, the basics on image #1:

A Baptism at Doctor's Creek. Perryville Battlefield, Kentucky

Perryville On The Farm, 2007 . Image by Wendall Decker

In the water, Sarah Burns, Steve Bowlin, Cami Simpson, Travis Simpson, Garrett Burns. On the opposite bank are Chris Propes, Mr. Gevedon, and Rick Bailey.


Then, the larger picture:

A Believer's Baptism in the 19th century was a rite of passage--a public profession of belief and claiming of salvation in an era when the Christian faith held a central and primary influence in society. And, for most Protestant denominations, that Baptism could take place once a person reached 'the age of reason' , could be considered responsible for their own sin, and responsible for asking for that forgiveness. That Baptism was done primarily by 'immersion' , and often took place in some body of water near the church. Participants were often clad in white, while witnesses might be either in Sunday clothing or white gowns, depending on the denomination. This particular image is not posed from a specific image, but has common features of such Baptism and Revival images made throughout the 19th century.

Pictured here is a real Believer's Baptism--that of Sarah Burns. This is not a posed piece, it is real, and captures a real sacrament. She is surrounded by various members of the community of faith within the living history community, many of whom are not in the image, but standing behind the photographer. Many of us have worked and played together for a long time--and in the last several years have been increasingly intentional in forming the sorts of extended family relationships that marked 19th century life. In a very real way, Sarah Burns is surrounded by her extended family as she publically claims the Glory God created within her.

One popular hymn of the era often suggested for Baptismal services bears this verse:

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Charles Wesley's great hymn speaks of the stages in Christian life, that God created us in Glory and we are changed by that Glory. The 'washing' of a Baptism is simply a symbol of that which has already been done for us.

And, a personal note:
I did not see Sarah's Baptism in June--I held the image in my hands for the first time less than a month ago. I was scheduled to be there, my van was packed, and I planned to stay several more days after. It was an important occassion, one where folks should be present. And I counted it very important--I had come to have a deep respect for this quiet, industrious, studious girl during the more than two years we spent as a group, preparing for Banks Grand Retreat.

Instead, two days before, I lifted my own Mother in my arms, transfering her from bed to chair, when she quickly and quietly changed from glory into Glory. And on the day and hour of Sarah's Baptism, I stood before another community of faith, fixed my eyes on a stained glass window of flowing blue water, and envisioned the swift cold blue waters of Doctor's Creek as my friends stood in it, took my Father's arm, and followed my Mother's coffin down the aisle.

Many of the images we study have lost their names, their locations, their stories, leaving us only with the richness of the human faces looking out at us. Each one has their own story and their own life, full of meaning and richness and glory.

As a community we have chosen to remember them--and in so doing, have made our own lives richer.

Mrs. Lawson
Weaver, Spinster, Strong Fast Dyes
Terre Lawson--Winston Free-State/First Confederate Legion/AOT

[boreguard]

Photo Number 2 is of myself and brother Patrick Landrum at the LSU Rural Life Center. We are outside one of the buildings there in the antebellum community that's recreated there. We being members of the ancient fraternity of free and accepted mason's are standing in waiting on the rest of the craft to assemble as the sign hanging on the fence suggest.

I have to admit I like the other two a whole lot...my favorite is that girl of brother Craddock's what a sweet heart she is.
DN

[MissMaggie]

Mrs. Lawson you've gone and made me cry. You have expressed so well the sentiments I share about the tragedy of period images. We have the story that comes with the one you have posted for our viewing, the deeply personal moment of a young lady and her friends as well as the loss of your mother which prevented your attendance and I am truly sorry for your loss. However, there are so many more images that also have such touching stories attached only to have them lost to time and failing memory. The sorrow of that fact is only out done by the fact that there are millions more people who have neither a name or an image to remember them by anymore. It all really does give a person a much stronger reason to portray these people in the most dignified and accurate manner that we may.

[huntdaw]

While all are nice images, my vote goes for #1. I think it portrays a unique part of civilian life that we rarely see done at events. There's the church call of course on many a Sunday morning but this almost seems to be a moment in time and reminds me of numerous photos of early 20th century Ozark baptisms I have seen - some in icy ponds!

A nice civilian image of an overlooked aspect of 19th century life.

[Yankeeboy]

These images are all of good content and subject, if I had my choices I would have all three in the AC. Being a fellow brother I throw my vote in for number 2. I remember a few years back that a few of us fellow masons put on a period meeting. I really would like to see more of this it was a great event to honor our fellow past brethren.

[MissAnnaMae]

Excellent picture, Miss Terre! And the story behind it makes it even more of a winner. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[Bruce Schultz]

I took photo No. 2 at the battle of Baton Rouge. The scan is quite dark and doesn't do the picture justice. Of course I must reveal that I voted for my own picture, but I have to admit that No. 3 is the superior image and No. 1 is quite unusual.

[Emily Burns]

Ms. Terre,
Your words of love for our extended family and my oldest child Sarah are a very real blessing this morning. When my child came to the age where she desired a closer path with God I thought that having the immersion at a place she loves would make the day even more special for her. Surrounded by her family, I don't think I will ever forget the smiles on her face. I was so proud. There was a hole in our midst and our thoughts were very much with you and your own spiritual journey that day.

Much love,
Emily Burns

[BigRonFH]

My vote has to be for #2. There are so many brothers in the hobby (and on the AC) that it just fits so well. Besides, Masonry aside, it's just such a great picture!

Ron Hopkins
Co. D, 13th US Inf
Unity Lodge #130 AF&AM