The Story of Black Jack Bethel Church

Chapter I
EARLY BEGINNINGS OF BLACK JACK BETHEL CHURCH
(Taken from Minute Book number one beginning in 1843 (first four pages being lost))
"Agreeable to previous appointments Elders J. Veazey and Burdette met the Brothers and Sisters at Black Jack whose names are below and after a sermon Delivered by Brother Burdette from the 16# Chapter and 15# verse of St. Matthew.

Procede by the request of the Brethern present to examine thare Credentials And being satisfied that they had bin baptisted upon a profession of thare faith and ware orderly members of the Baptist Denomination constituted them a regular Baptist Church upon the faith of thare Union Baptist Association."

This opening paragraph, the original spelling being used, was followed by rules of Decorum for the regulation and governing of this new church.

No rule seemingly was left uncovered to enable this young church to conduct its business in a courteous and Christian manner.

One rule says "any person wishing to speak shall rise from his seat and address the moderator and shall not be interrupted unless he depart from the subject, or use improper language--in such case it shall be the duty of the moderator to call him to order." There were eleven more articles in the same tone or direction.

A listing of members were then given as follows:

Names of Males	Names of Females
George J. Wilson L	Pernefesy Wilson L
John McCormack L	Susannah Etheridge L
William Blan E	Susan Sprouls E
D. C. Henderson L	Sarah Bell E
R. F. Sprouls L	Margaret McCormack
A. L. Brown E	Saline Blan
William Houson L	Mrs. E. F. Pickett L
J. C. Bull E	Maryann Henderson L
Seaborn R. Pickett E	Adaline Kuhn L
Munford Pickett E	Sarah Sprouls L
Robert Bull L	Martha Etheridge L
J. D. Monk E	Mrs. Kuhn E
William Bull L	Susan Bull L
William Starlin L	Lyda Bull E
Seaborn B. Pickett	Susan Warner E
L. O. Wilson E	Susan Brister E
	Harritt Bull E

Names of Black
Jim belonging to John Bull	Ned belonging to G. Wallace
Anarchy belonging to R. R. Pickett	Edmund belonging to Mrs. Brown
Chloe & Mary belonging to C. A. Rain	George belong to Ambrose B..(?)
Sarah belonging to J. Ellison	Isaac belonging to Robert Fisher
Happy belonging to Seaborn Pickett

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