two to six, sat before
Each sex entered the meeting-house through a different door and sat in its apportioned half of the building . On each side of the room rows of black hooks were set into the walls . On these hooks the sisters hung their bonnets and the shawls and the brethren placed their hats and overcoats during the service . The preachers , varying in number from two to six , sat before a long table in the front part of the meeting-house . When the duty of preaching devolved upon one of them he simply rose from his seat and delivered his message . As Aunt Maria and her two followers took their seats on a bench near the front of the church a preacher rose . `` Let us join in singing -- has any one a choice ? ''