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Reverend Fordwich arrives at Ike Godsey's store to make an important phone cal. He has arranged for Ezekiel L. Henshaw, a reputed preacher, to perform the sermon at their annual Revival meeting. John Walton listens from a distance as he loads supplies into his truck. The Reverend invites John to come out to the meeting but John wishes him better look with the other lost sheep.
Mary Ellen comes home from a break at Nursing School. At dinner the discussion focuses on the revival meeting and Olivia’s desire to see her remaining children baptized at the meeting. John says that they can each choose in their own good time. Olivia and John have never agreed on the topic. John is not one to put on a suit and attend a church service.
The Reverend greets Ezekiel Henshaw at the bus station who wants to immediately make his mark on the community by confronting the sinners gathered at The Dew Drop Inn. When they arrive Rev. Fordwich sees Ben who is waiting to go coon hunting with Yancy who stopped in to see Sissy and quench his thirst. He admonishes Ben and sends him home to report his behavior to his parents. Yancy brings him home and Rams into the chicken coop. When Ben’s mother learns that where Ben has been she demands that he attend the baptism ceremony.
Olivia witnesses to John hoping that he will reconsider his choice to be baptized. A thunderstorm arrives sending John running out to cover the lumber with a tarp so that he will still be able to cut it in the morning. A bolt of lightning strikes near him causing John to lose consciousness. He wakes up on the couch surrounded by his concerned family. He sends them all to bed stating that he is just fine. He concedes that since the wood is now wet he will go to the sermon in the morning.
At the church service Rev. Henshaw delivers a hellfire and brimstone sermon. Corabeth and Mary Ellen go up to the pulpit to be blessed and accept Jesus. Ben feels the guilt of being discovered at the Dew Drop Inn and pledges his soul at the front. and Yancy Tucker takes refuge from the rain in the church. He hears the call and joins Ben as well. The Reverend turns his gaze towards John and becomes even more heated. John gets up to his feet but instead of going to the front his exits out the back. Olivia goes after him. John says he will not be yelled at. Olivia replies that he is fighting for his soul but John says that he will do his own fighting.
The baptism is held at Drucilla’s Pond. Corabeth is dunked while members of the church community. Yancy goes next and even Ben makes the decision to be baptized. Emily Baldwin asks her sister Mamie if they were baptized and she says of course they were but not like that, they were sprinkled instead.
Later after the service Olivia talks to John. He says that he doesn't see the point of being yelled at and thrown in the water. He just figures all it will do is get him wet. Olivia believes that he is a good man and that God must see him that way too. She then suggest that maybe he will reconsider being baptized next year. He laughs at how she'll never give up.
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