The Story of Black Jack Bethel Church : Page 11

selected to represent the church at the up coming associational meeting. Those being - W. F. Watlington, Henry Watlington, and A. G. Pepper.

February 28, 1875--Brother Grammar resigned as pastor.

March 1875--Brother R. A. Venable was called to preach for the remainder of the year.

December 26th 1875--A. G. Pepper resigned as clerk, and A. H. Pinkston was elected to take his place. Brother Venable was called as pastor for another year.

February 27, 1876--Pastor Venable and W. F. Watlington were appointed as a committee to "wait on" delinquint sisters. A certain brother who was present asked that his trespasses be forgiven, and this was so granted.

June 18, 1876--At this time Brother Venable is still pastor and A. H. Pinkston remains the clerk. One member of the previously appointed committee for delinquint members wished to withdraw charges against a brother and another bagged? to be excused - this was granted and another selected.

July 23, 1876--Brother J. R. Hughes was called to be pastor at Bethel, ?e to the fact that Brother Venable withdrew his services from the church. Brother Hughes was allowed seventy-five dollars and expenses for the remainder of the year.

August 26, 1877--Appearing in the minutes, for the first time, was the directive that a sister be granted a letter of dismission "when joined to another church of same faith & order."

September 23, 1877--Brother Matt Lyon was the preacher for the day, and after the service the conference elected as delegates to the association, which was to be held at Brandon, Mississippi - John Lessell, W. F. Heard, and A. H. Pinkston with alternates Henry Watlington, John Hendricks, and Camel Bull. Of interest is the fact that in former years, as many as thirty copies of the associational minutes were ordered - twenty being the usual amount - in the last three years, only ten were requested. In an earlier conference the clerk was ordered to keep a strict account of the funds. With compassion, we realize that our ancestors were struggling under the economic condition of the times.

November 27, 1877--Brother Edd Matt Lynn was called as pastor for the next year with a salary of two hundred dollars. He was to preach every fourth Sunday and the Saturday before.

January 27, 1878--After Brother Lyon preached and the church met in conference A. H. Pinkston resigned as clerk. H. C. Watlington was elected to fill his place. Sister May Stubblefield was appointed to "wait on" delinquint members and Amanda Pepper was appointed to assist the deacons in collecting the preachers salary. Let it be noted that this early church used its ladies for service other than the food brigade. The amount of money collected that day was fourteen dollars and twenty-five cents.

May 1878--Brother Lyon preached, after which, the minutes from the last conference were read. The clerk read the membership roll, and it was agreed to drop three names - two sisters and one brother. The clerk was requested to write another and cite him to appear at the next meeting, and answer the charges of