Singleton: Man feels within him a calling to the high hills

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Calling hills are place for renewal,” was originally published in the Sept. 7, 1989 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Throughout history, there has been evidence that for some unknown reason, man has felt within himself a calling to go into the high hills or mountains for a reassurance of his well-being or spiritual needs.

If one turns to the Holy Scriptures and reads the Old and New Testaments, one will again find reference where many of the men of the Bible journeyed to the high mountains or hills for conversation with the Creator or meditation with themselves.

In the early history of our country, back when the west was in its infancy, always there were men of the mountains. Men who in many instances left fortunes or lives of plenty to wander aimlessly within the high areas for the rest of their lives. And with most of these mountain wanderers, never was there a desire to return to the good life that they had known earlier.

Feeling of freedom

If we should research and try to find out why the high places have drawn certain individuals, we would be greatly surprised at our findings. We probably would find a great feeling of freedom when one chooses the high places.

We know that the air is always cooler and cleaner among the hilltops. We would experience a certain feeling of security, even though, many times, we are alone. And, as man rests among the lofty peaks, a feeling of being a part of the universe comes over him.

For those who wish to reach to the heavens and feel the closeness of our Creator, the high hills or the mountains are the place to go. I am not saying that one cannot experience closeness with the Almighty down in the flat lands. I do know, however, that it seems so much easier to communicate when you stand on the high ground and lift your arms to the heavens.

If you have never witnessed the freedom of the high hills or mountains, you should do so at your earliest possible convenience.

Pause for a moment and listen to the lullaby of the gentle winds as they sway the tall pine trees to and fro. Be quiet; listen to the sounds around you. Listen to nature as it speaks to everything that you hear. Absorb the peace that will come upon you. Clear your mind of all thoughts except those that are in harmony with the moment.

A conversation

Remember: you are a part of the universe. You have a place here, just as all other beings. And, as the feeling of total peace comes over you, raise your arms and look to the heavens, and He will be there. He will talk to you and you to Him.

Our history often refers to the early Indian as a savage. But over the years, we have become much poorer because we did not heed many of the teachings of the Red Man. He knew where peace was to be found. He also knew where to go to talk to the Great Spirit about events that he knew were above and beyond the reasoning of his fellow earth dwellers.

The Red Man would go to the hills and cleanse himself when his spiritual life needed nourishment. He knew when the time was ripe for an awakening. He knew that he must journey to the highest hilltop or the highest mountain, even though it might mean long journeys and harsh undertakings. He always knew when the time was at hand to go and make peace with the Great Spirit.

I believe that man has not changed in his basic needs over the many years. Our concepts have changed, and we have lost much of the desire to search for the high places. I believe that the feeling is still there, but only a few of us retain the ever-strong desire to reach for the heavens and obey the callings.

Leave it there

I do know this beyond a shadow of a doubt: that my life has retained much of its richness because when troubles are upon me, I continue to seek out the high places and leave that which bothers me in the hands of the One who knows all.

Today in our modern world, one might joke about what I have just said. A person would be crazy to leave the comfort of an air-conditioned house and pull himself away from that beloved television and go to some way-off hill and stand and listen. Perhaps this is true, but if searching for the high places and reaching toward the heavens is being crazy, I’m awfully glad that I’m touched in the head

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)