The Story of Black Jack Bethel Church : Page 5

August 1849--D. C. Henderson and J. C. Bull were selected as delegates to the Central Association. We had before this time belonged to the Union Association. Julious Watlington, and wife Elizabeth, and daughter Martha joined the church by letter. Sister Happy was presented a letter by dismission.

September 1849--The brother who had been temporarily excluded was restored to full fellowship, Brother J. N. Knight accepted the call to be the Pastor for 1850.

July 1850--The minutes stated "there be an amendment made on the distribution of the collection taken up at our last meeting. It shall be appropriated to the spread of the gospel in our own land and to build churches." The same brother that had been in trouble before, was in trouble again, and required the church to select a committee to "wait on" him. James Sulivan and wife were furnished letters of dismission. Delegates to the Central Association, to be held with the Richland Baptist Church of Holmes County, were chosen.

December 1850--The minutes for the fourth Sunday show the support for the spread of the gospel among the colored people. Showing the early missionary zeal of this young church.

April 1851--It was recorded in the minutes that a brother was excluded from the church for horse racing. Brother Knight was asked to serve again as pastor.

July 1851--A faithful member came forward and confessed that he had "offended against the church by becoming intoxicated, and that was truly sorry for his conduct on that occasion, and hoped that he would never be caught so again. He hoped that the church would forgive him. The church, on motion, granted forgiveness.

August 1851--A protracted meeting was held which began on the Friday before the fourth Sunday and continued ten days. Received for baptism were John T. Fletcher. Rubin Ethridge, Miss. Jefisonia Callom, Miss. Frances Penny, Miss Mary Penny, Mrs. Elizabeth Handley, Miss. Ann Eliza Bell, and Miss. Mary A. Fletcher, and Elizabeth Watlington by letter.

September 1851--The church elected J. C. Bull, J. D. McCormack, and C. W. Bennett to serve as delegates to the Central Association to be held at Ba?'s Creek, Baptist Church, in Hinds County.

October 1851--D. C. Henderson was elected clerk to replace C. W. Bennett who asked for and received a letter of dismission.

November 1851--William Watlington was received under the watch care of the church and letters of dismission were furnished to Susan Etheridge and Rubin Etheridge.

January 1852--"No meeting for want of a Pastor." Brother B. Hodges did later accept the call for the remainder of the year 1852.

December 1852--On Saturday before the first Sabbath it was resolved that day to call Brother H. W. Portwood to the care of the church for 1853. John McCormack, Sister McCormack, and Sister Handley asked for and were granted letters of dismission.

May 1853--The first recording of the minutes for the year was on a vary sad