The way it once was

I remember doing some research several years back, in preparation for My Masters Thesis, and remembered some things I found to be rather common in the 40s and probably much earlier. A church would set the beginning date for a revival, some called them "a protracted meeting" and not set a ending date. the meeting would go until one of the Deacons would stand and make a motion to end it. Then there would be a motion to schedule a Baptism service, and motion to schedule an annual Conference. During this conference an opportunity would be given for any one to make "Acknowledgements" or be turned out of the Church. Then the "doors of the Church" would be opened to receive members. those who had been Baptized, and others who wanted to join said Church, were received. Another item was to call a pastor for the following year. All this and more was done in the annual meeting and it took all day to do it. How would You like to go through that? One good thing it only happened once a year.