Bethabara Baptist Church - Revision history

Adam at 00:48, 28 August 2023

2023-08-28T00:48:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:48, 28 August 2023
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	== Organization ==		== Organization ==
	This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,</span>
	1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be</span>
	used for a school house and house of worship, and free for all the		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >used for a school house and house of worship, and free for all the</span>
	different denominations then existing around them. It stood three quarters of a mile west of where Bethabara Church currently stands. Called Tribbel’s School House, it was named for the first teacher, Jack Tribbel. At that time the building stood on the east end of Tribbel’s farm. The building operated as both a school and church until its occupants outgrew the building, prompting them to construct a new one in 1832 in the current cemetery. At this point, Panther		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >different denominations then existing around them. It stood three quarters of a mile west of where Bethabara Church currently stands. Called Tribbel’s School House, it was named for the first teacher, Jack Tribbel. At that time the building stood on the east end of Tribbel’s farm. The building operated as both a school and church until its occupants outgrew the building, prompting them to construct a new one in 1832 in the current cemetery. At this point, Panther</span>
	Creek was the nearest Baptist Church, had kept up regular services for some		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >Creek was the nearest Baptist Church, had kept up regular services for some</span>
	time, styling it as the "Arm in the Forks of Panther Creek, Daviess		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >time, styling it as the "Arm in the Forks of Panther Creek, Daviess</span>
	County, Ky.," and in 1825 dismissed some members by letter to form		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >County, Ky.," and in 1825 dismissed some members by letter to form</span>
	a church there.		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >a church there.</span>

	== First Members ==		== First Members ==
	These members, with a few others, met in the log house on October		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >These members, with a few others, met in the log house on October</span>
	5th, and with the assistance of Elders Ancil Hall, James H. L. Moorman,		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >5th, and with the assistance of Elders Ancil Hall, James H. L. Moorman, </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">William Moorman, and David J. Kelley, organized Bethabara Church</span>
	William Moorman, and David J. Kelley, organized Bethabara Church
	with ten constituent members. The names of these members were:		<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >with ten constituent members. The names of these members were:</span>
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|-		\|-
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Joseph M. Martin \|\|		\| Joseph M. Martin \|\|
	<br> \|\|		<br>
	<br>		<br>
	\|}		\|}

Adam at 00:45, 28 August 2023

2023-08-28T00:45:23Z

Show changes

Adam: Added Location History at top

2016-09-28T21:25:16Z

Added Location History at top

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 28 September 2016
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	[[File:BethabaraBaptistChurch2016.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in March 2016. Photo by [[http://www.apimagery.com AP Imagery]]]]		[[File:BethabaraBaptistChurch2016.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in March 2016. Photo by [[http://www.apimagery.com AP Imagery]]]]

			==Location History==
			# '''1825-1832''': Log Building & Tribbel Schoolhouse about 3/4mi West of Current Location
			# '''1833-1854''': Hewn-Log Building with Shingle Roof on Cemetery Property
			# '''1854-Current''': The Current Clay/Brick Building
			#* '''1885''': Addition/Expansion
			#* '''1939''': Added 7 new Sunday School Rooms
	==Organization==		==Organization==
	This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,		This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,
	1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be		1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be
	used for a school house and house of worship, and free for all the		used for a school house and house of worship, and free for all the
	different denominations then existing around them. At this point, Panther		different denominations then existing around them. It stood three quarters of a mile west of where Bethabara Church currently stands. Called Tribbel’s School House, it was named for the first teacher, Jack Tribbel. At that time the building stood on the east end of Tribbel’s farm. The building operated as both a school and church until its occupants outgrew the building, prompting them to construct a new one in 1832 in the current cemetery.At this point, Panther
	Creek the nearest Baptist Church, had kept up regular services for some		Creek the nearest Baptist Church, had kept up regular services for some
	time, styling it as the "Arm in the Forks of Panther Creek, Daviess		time, styling it as the "Arm in the Forks of Panther Creek, Daviess
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	Bethabara Church became a member of the Goshen Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with previous arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.		Bethabara Church became a member of the Goshen Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with previous arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.

	This church has been a mother to other churches. She has furnished members in a whole or in part for the following daughter churches: Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Karn's Grove, Hopewell, Friendship, and Dawson. The origin of Macedonia Baptist Church came about because of two factions that had arisen within the membership of Bethabara Church the feelings grew so intense that finally the pastor, Elder Rueben Cottrell, and 21 members were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Later, however, on the advice of a committee called in to help the church in her difficulties, these brethren and and sisters were restored to fellowship and granted letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a new church. They received the sum of $116.66, half the estimated value of the Church property, to aid them in building a new house of worship. Elder Cottrell, in turn, gave Bethabara a deed to the Church property. The mother and daughter Church have maintained the best of feelings for one another since that time and at present, have the same pastor. This has been true on another occasion.		==Daughter Churches==
			This church has been a mother to other churches. She has furnished members in a whole or in part for the following daughter churches: Macedonia(1849), Sugar Grove(1860), Karn's Grove, Hopewell(1885), Friendship(1890), and Dawson. The origin of Macedonia Baptist Church came about because of two factions that had arisen within the membership of Bethabara Church the feelings grew so intense that finally the pastor, Elder Rueben Cottrell, and 21 members were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Later, however, on the advice of a committee called in to help the church in her difficulties, these brethren and and sisters were restored to fellowship and granted letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a new church. They received the sum of $116.66, half the estimated value of the Church property, to aid them in building a new house of worship. Elder Cottrell, in turn, gave Bethabara a deed to the Church property. The mother and daughter Church have maintained the best of feelings for one another since that time and at present, have the same pastor. This has been true on another occasion.

	==New Location and New Brick Building==		==New Location and New Brick Building==

Adam: Added deeds

2016-09-28T18:05:49Z

Added deeds

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 28 September 2016
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	rural Church in the Association. The second century of activity has been		rural Church in the Association. The second century of activity has been
	entered into and the prospects are bright for a very useful future.		entered into and the prospects are bright for a very useful future.

	{{Rone}}		{{Rone}}

	==Deed Information==		==Deed Information - 1815-1964==
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|-		\|-
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	\|-		\|-
	\| 1913 \|\| Bethabara Cemetery \|\| J B Hite \|\| 96-53 \|\| 1ac Habit		\| 1913 \|\| Bethabara Cemetery \|\| J B Hite \|\| 96-53 \|\| 1ac Habit
			\|-
			\| 1952 \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| Habit Library Association \|\| 219-380 \|\| Lot Habit
			\|-
			\| 1890 \|\| Fred Habit \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 55-554 \|\| 1/6ac Habit
			\|-
			\| 1890 \|\| H C Miller Jr \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 53-336 \|\| 1/4ac Habit
			\|-
			\| 1890 \|\| R F Crady \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 53-322 \|\| 2/3ac Habit
			\|-
			\| 1932 \|\| Southern Bell Telephone \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 128-556 \|\| Right of Way
			\|-
			\| 1937 \|\| Green River Rural Electric \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 142-411 \|\| Right of Way
			\|-
			\| 1938 \|\| A Kirk \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 143-24 \|\| 1/4ac Millers Mill Rd
			\|-
			\| 1951 \|\| Edward C Rummage et al \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 212-546 \|\| 1.22ac Millers Mill Rd
			\|-
			\| 1955 \|\| Robert E Camp \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| 243-427 \|\| 2 Lots Habit
	\|}		\|}

	[[Category:Churches]]		[[Category:Churches]]

Adam: Added Deed Info

2016-09-28T17:05:56Z

Added Deed Info

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 28 September 2016
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	[[File:BethabaraBaptistChurch2016.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in March 2016. Photo by [[http://www.apimagery.com AP Imagery]]]]		[[File:BethabaraBaptistChurch2016.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in March 2016. Photo by [[http://www.apimagery.com AP Imagery]]]]

			==Organization==
	This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,		This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,
	1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be		1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be
Line 11:		Line 12:
	a church there.		a church there.

			==First Members==
	These members, with a few others, met in the log house on October		These members, with a few others, met in the log house on October
	5th, and with the assistance of Elders Ancil Hall, James H. L. Moorman,		5th, and with the assistance of Elders Ancil Hall, James H. L. Moorman,
Line 62:		Line 64:
	other than the Church.		other than the Church.

			==New Meeting House==
	On November 17, 1832, plans were made for a new meeting house to		On November 17, 1832, plans were made for a new meeting house to
	be built on the northeast corner of Brother Cottrell's farm, on the site		be built on the northeast corner of Brother Cottrell's farm, on the site
Line 212:		Line 215:
	\|}		\|}

	Bethabara Church became a member of the ~~Gshen~~ Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with ~~previOus~~ arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.		Bethabara Church became a member of the Goshen Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with previous arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.

	This church has been a mother to other churches. She has furnished members in a whole or in part for the following daughter churches: Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Karn's Grove, Hopewell, Friendship, and Dawson. The origin of Macedonia Baptist Church came about because of two factions that had arisen within the membership of Bethabara Church the feelings grew so intense that finally the pastor, ~~elder~~ Rueben Cottrell, and 21 members were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Later, however, on the advice of a committee called in to help the church in her difficulties, these ~~bretheren~~ and and sisters were restored to fellowship and granted letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a new church. They received the sum of $116.66, half the estimated value of the Church property, to aid them in building a new house of worship. Elder Cottrell, in turn, gave Bethabara a deed to the Church property. The mother and daughter Church have maintained the best of feelings for one another since that time and at present, have the same pastor. This has been true on another occasion.		This church has been a mother to other churches. She has furnished members in a whole or in part for the following daughter churches: Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Karn's Grove, Hopewell, Friendship, and Dawson. The origin of Macedonia Baptist Church came about because of two factions that had arisen within the membership of Bethabara Church the feelings grew so intense that finally the pastor, Elder Rueben Cottrell, and 21 members were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Later, however, on the advice of a committee called in to help the church in her difficulties, these brethren and and sisters were restored to fellowship and granted letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a new church. They received the sum of $116.66, half the estimated value of the Church property, to aid them in building a new house of worship. Elder Cottrell, in turn, gave Bethabara a deed to the Church property. The mother and daughter Church have maintained the best of feelings for one another since that time and at present, have the same pastor. This has been true on another occasion.

			==New Location and New Brick Building==
	By the year 1852, the old log church had been a grown by the church and the brother and set on foot and a planned to erect a new house of worship. At the present site at the time was considered too small a committee of five, therefore, secured the present location any rectitude a brick house 40 x 50 feet. The clay from which the brakes were made was secured from the same hill on which the church was organized. This new house of worship was first used in November 1854, and was completed at a cost of $1,134.19. Many who were not members of the church or denomination made gifts for this work. By the year 1885, plans were made to enlarge and improve the house of worship. The house was made 12 feet longer, 4 feet higher, a new slate roof was put on, as well as other necessary improvements. This work cost about $2,500. The bell which still calls the people to worship was installed at that time. During the year 1939, the church completed seven new Sunday School rooms on the inside of the building. This has proved to be a valuable asset to the church's work. Besides her own houses of worship, the church also gave the old house of worship to the colored members to be used as their own house of worship after 1854. The colored members were also given permission to put a new roof on this building. The Church, with the assistance of the Whitesville, Macedonia, and South Hampton Churches, erected a mission chapel in the Hopewell community which later became Hopewell Baptist Church. In like manner she cooperated with Bell's Run, Sugar Grove, Whitesville, Macedonia, and Owensboro First Churches in erecting a mission chapel at Laffoon which is now the Friendship Church.		By the year 1852, the old log church had been a grown by the church and the brother and set on foot and a planned to erect a new house of worship. At the present site at the time was considered too small a committee of five, therefore, secured the present location any rectitude a brick house 40 x 50 feet. The clay from which the brakes were made was secured from the same hill on which the church was organized. This new house of worship was first used in November 1854, and was completed at a cost of $1,134.19. Many who were not members of the church or denomination made gifts for this work. By the year 1885, plans were made to enlarge and improve the house of worship. The house was made 12 feet longer, 4 feet higher, a new slate roof was put on, as well as other necessary improvements. This work cost about $2,500. The bell which still calls the people to worship was installed at that time. During the year 1939, the church completed seven new Sunday School rooms on the inside of the building. This has proved to be a valuable asset to the church's work. Besides her own houses of worship, the church also gave the old house of worship to the colored members to be used as their own house of worship after 1854. The colored members were also given permission to put a new roof on this building. The Church, with the assistance of the Whitesville, Macedonia, and South Hampton Churches, erected a mission chapel in the Hopewell community which later became Hopewell Baptist Church. In like manner she cooperated with Bell's Run, Sugar Grove, Whitesville, Macedonia, and Owensboro First Churches in erecting a mission chapel at Laffoon which is now the Friendship Church.

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	==Deed Information==		==Deed Information==
	1850 ~~from Ruben~~ Cottrell ~~(Deed~~ I-572 is 1.5ac Panther Creek)		{\| class="wikitable"
			\|-
			! Year !! Grantee !! Grantor !! Deed Record !! Description
			\|-
			\| 1850 \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| Rueben Cottrell \|\| I-572 \|\| 1.5ac Panther Creek
			\|-
			\| 1886 \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| John M Glass \|\| 44-151 \|\| 5/6ac O'boro
			\|-
			\| 1890 \|\| Bethabara Baptist Church \|\| Daviess Co Board of Education \|\| 55-334 \|\| 1ac Habit
			\|-
			\| 1913 \|\| Bethabara Cemetery \|\| J B Hite \|\| 96-53 \|\| 1ac Habit
			\|}

	[[Category:Churches]]		[[Category:Churches]]

Adam: Added 2nd Photo

2016-09-28T15:13:05Z

Added 2nd Photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 28 September 2016
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	[[File:BethabaraChurch.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in Habit, KY]]		[[File:BethabaraChurch.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in Habit, KY]]
			[[File:BethabaraBaptistChurch2016.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in March 2016. Photo by [[http://www.apimagery.com AP Imagery]]]]

	This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,		This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,

Adam: Added Image

2016-09-28T14:22:07Z

Added Image

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:22, 28 September 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:BethabaraChurch.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Bethabara Baptist Church in Habit, KY]]

	This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,		This historic and influential Church was organized on October 5,
	1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be		1825, in a log house built by the citizens of the neighborhood to be

Adam at 13:54, 28 September 2016

2016-09-28T13:54:39Z

@@ Line 219: / Line 219: @@
 This Church in her early history was very strict in disciplinary measures. Three brethren were appointed as peacemakers, whose duty it was to report to the Church any difficulties between members, or an unbecoming conduct on the part of any member. That these officers did their duty nobly is attested by the fact that scarcely a meeting was held without reports of discord or misconduct. Exclusions were frequent and were without regard to race, wealth, social standing or church position of the one excluded. At least one deacon and one minister were excluded and charges were preferred against another minister. Even one of the peacemakers was later excluded. The Church dealt with members for having committed such offenses as threatening to sue one another, wanting to fight, slandering their neighbors, being punished in a court of law, absenting themselves from more than two business meetings of the Church without good reason, leaving the house during business sessions without the consent of the Moderator, separation from husband or wife, contempt of the Church, refusing to heed the call of the Church and many other similar acts, not to mention the grosser crimes such as dancing, swearing, gambling, rioting, drinking ardent spirits to excess, selling liquor, etc. The office of peacemaker was abolished in 1842. Nevertheless the Church continued to call for "the peace of the Church" at the opening of each business session. A large majority of those excluded were later restored to fellowship after they had manifested a spirit of repentance.
-Bottom of page 153...
+As has already been noticed, the Church had many colored members as a number of the white members were slave owners. These were later given permission to hold their own worship services superintended by a committee of the white brethren to see that the services were conducted in an orderly way. After the Civil War, the colored members were freed to pursue their own ways.
 ==Deed Information==
 from Ruben Cottrell (Deed I-572 is 1.5ac Panther Creek)
 [[Category:Churches]]

Adam at 01:06, 28 September 2016

2016-09-28T01:06:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:06, 28 September 2016
Line 210:		Line 210:

	Bethabara Church became a member of the Gshen Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with previOus arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.		Bethabara Church became a member of the Gshen Association in the year 1826. Up to the year 1844, the Church was represented almost annually in the gatherings of that body. In accordance with previOus arrangements, messengers from the following Churches met with the Bethabara Church on November 1-3 1844 to organize the Daviess Count Baptist Association: Owensboro (First), Rock Spring (Yelvington), Buck Creek, Pleasant Grove, Bell's Run, Mt. Liberty, Green Briar, and Fredonia (extinct). The 50th session of the Association met with Bethabara in the year 1893 and plans are now on foot for the 100th session to be held at the same place in 1943. In the meantime, this Church has entertained the sessions of the Association in the years 1854, 1879, 1909, and 1931. This coming session will mark the 6th time the Association met with the Church.

			This church has been a mother to other churches. She has furnished members in a whole or in part for the following daughter churches: Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Karn's Grove, Hopewell, Friendship, and Dawson. The origin of Macedonia Baptist Church came about because of two factions that had arisen within the membership of Bethabara Church the feelings grew so intense that finally the pastor, elder Rueben Cottrell, and 21 members were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Later, however, on the advice of a committee called in to help the church in her difficulties, these bretheren and and sisters were restored to fellowship and granted letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing a new church. They received the sum of $116.66, half the estimated value of the Church property, to aid them in building a new house of worship. Elder Cottrell, in turn, gave Bethabara a deed to the Church property. The mother and daughter Church have maintained the best of feelings for one another since that time and at present, have the same pastor. This has been true on another occasion.

			By the year 1852, the old log church had been a grown by the church and the brother and set on foot and a planned to erect a new house of worship. At the present site at the time was considered too small a committee of five, therefore, secured the present location any rectitude a brick house 40 x 50 feet. The clay from which the brakes were made was secured from the same hill on which the church was organized. This new house of worship was first used in November 1854, and was completed at a cost of $1,134.19. Many who were not members of the church or denomination made gifts for this work. By the year 1885, plans were made to enlarge and improve the house of worship. The house was made 12 feet longer, 4 feet higher, a new slate roof was put on, as well as other necessary improvements. This work cost about $2,500. The bell which still calls the people to worship was installed at that time. During the year 1939, the church completed seven new Sunday School rooms on the inside of the building. This has proved to be a valuable asset to the church's work. Besides her own houses of worship, the church also gave the old house of worship to the colored members to be used as their own house of worship after 1854. The colored members were also given permission to put a new roof on this building. The Church, with the assistance of the Whitesville, Macedonia, and South Hampton Churches, erected a mission chapel in the Hopewell community which later became Hopewell Baptist Church. In like manner she cooperated with Bell's Run, Sugar Grove, Whitesville, Macedonia, and Owensboro First Churches in erecting a mission chapel at Laffoon which is now the Friendship Church.

			Not only has this Church been a mother of Churches but many of her members have been licensed and ordained to the work of the ministry. In this number is a colored brother. They have been as follows: Hardin H. Ellis, licensed on December 19, 1840, and ordained in July, 1841; Nelson, a colored man, licensed early in 1857 and ordained in October of the same year; Isaiah Wheeler, licensed in 1857; James W. Bristow, licensed in 1886; Myron Gordon, licensed in 1886; Reet Jones, licensed in 1897; and Bunyan Bristow, a grandson of Elder Jasper Bristow, licensed in 1900.

			This Church in her early history was very strict in disciplinary measures. Three brethren were appointed as peacemakers, whose duty it was to report to the Church any difficulties between members, or an unbecoming conduct on the part of any member. That these officers did their duty nobly is attested by the fact that scarcely a meeting was held without reports of discord or misconduct. Exclusions were frequent and were without regard to race, wealth, social standing or church position of the one excluded. At least one deacon and one minister were excluded and charges were preferred against another minister. Even one of the peacemakers was later excluded. The Church dealt with members for having committed such offenses as threatening to sue one another, wanting to fight, slandering their neighbors, being punished in a court of law, absenting themselves from more than two business meetings of the Church without good reason, leaving the house during business sessions without the consent of the Moderator, separation from husband or wife, contempt of the Church, refusing to heed the call of the Church and many other similar acts, not to mention the grosser crimes such as dancing, swearing, gambling, rioting, drinking ardent spirits to excess, selling liquor, etc. The office of peacemaker was abolished in 1842. Nevertheless the Church continued to call for "the peace of the Church" at the opening of each business session. A large majority of those excluded were later restored to fellowship after they had manifested a spirit of repentance.

			Bottom of page 153...

Adam at 22:23, 27 September 2016

2016-09-27T22:23:42Z

Show changes