The Story of Black Jack Bethel Church : Page 16

who were baptised the day before. A call was made to Brother Lawrence to serve the church for another year at a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars, for one Sunday a month. Brother Lawrence notified the church after the conference that he would accept the call. The church, on motion, gave their thanks for Brother Nutt for his assistance in the ordaination service. "Bethel church has sent up for missions this year, including five dollars sent by Dr. C. R. Henderson thru Mrs. A. F. Miller of Yazoo City, $50.00."

October 22, 1899 - In the absence of the church clerk, who had gone with Brother A. V. Rowe, then corresponding secretary of the Mississippi Baptist State convention, the minutes were read by Dr. Henderson. "to the Harmony Association at Good Hope Church near Couparle City Madison Co." F. H. Pepper had moved to Port Gibson, Mississippi, and requested his letter and this request was granted.

March 25, 1900 - The minutes read - "Owing to inclement weather the congregation was small and no collection for missions was taken and we postponed the observance of the Lord's Supper until April meeting."

April 22, 1900 - "No services held, owing to unprecedented floods the Ill. Cen. R.R. is broken in several places and Bro. Lawrence we suppose can not get here."

May 16, 1900 - A collection for missions was taken. Twenty dollars was received, and applied to State missions.

September 1, 1900 - Brother C. M. Chapman held a week long meeting. Brother B. F. Miller was asked to serve as pastor for the remainder of the year 1900. Ethel Watlington was received for baptism. Brother Miller consented to serve as pastor and administered baptism on the fourteenth of September.

September 16, 1900 - Brother Miller informed the church that one sister church at Unity would have the association to meet with them on the Friday before the fourth Sabbath in October. Seems some of the membership was favorable to joining Harmony Association. Also, belonging to that association was Good Hope near Camden, and still an active church.

November 18, 1900 - A collection was taken for Foreign Missions, in the amount of ten dollars, and forwarded to Brother A. V. Rowe, corresponding secretary of the Baptist State Convention. The Lord's Supper was observed and, "it was agreed that we should hereafter observe the Season quarterly each year."

November 29, 1900 - The Thanksgiving Service was held by Pastor B. F. Miller, and an offering of nine dollars, was taken for the Baptist Orphanage at Jackson Brother Miller was extended a call to serve the church for the year 1901. The salary "to be 150 and as much more as we could collect." Brother Miller at once accepted - Then in addition to the nine dollars called by the church for the Orphanage, five dollars was given to Dr. Henderson, five by W. J. Watlington, one dollar by what looks to be Mrs. Hereford, but was not found to be on the rolls. Brother Miller gave ten gallons of molasses, valued at five dollars - making a total of twenty-five.

December 16, 1901 - The pastor was called to assist in the burial of little Printis Luse, son of Deacon Luse. A Christmas service was to have been held but the planned speaker was unable to attend.