Bethany Primitive Baptist Church Records, Elba,
Coffee County, Alabama, December, 1828 to 1847
Flyleaf page: Lowndes County, David Donaldson Day Book
Page 1: Bethany Church Book
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having emigrated into the state of Alabama ____ County of Dale; do unanimously agree to be constituted into a church styled the Bethany Baptist Church of Christ, on the following articles of faith:
1st We believe in one only true and living God, and that there are three personalities in him; the father, son and Holy Ghost; and that these three are one.
2nd We believe the Scriptures of the old and new testament to be the word of God, and the only rule for faith [__] practice. [There may have been a fragment of a word or a complete word in the brackets. The photocopy did not reveal it.]
3rd We believe in the doctrine of eternal and particular election.
4th We believe the doctrine of original sin.
5th We believe in man’s inability to recover himself from the fallen state he is in by nature by his own free will ability.
6th We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only by the imputed righteousness of [____] [too faint to read from photocopy.]
7th We believe God’s elect shall be called [______] and sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
8th We believe that the saints shall persevere in [_____] and never finally fall away.
9th We believe that baptism and the Lord’s supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ and that true believers are only subject of those ordinances and the true mark of baptism [______].
10th We believe in the resurrection of the dead and general judgment.
11th We believe that the punishment of the wicked be everlasting ______.
Page 2:
12th We believe that a minister has the right to administer in those ordinances but such as are regularly called and come under the imposition of [______] the Presbytery. Subscribed to 17th December, 1828.
Archer Carter
Matthew Burt
Herron? Wise
Archibald Rials
John McCain
Kesiah Rowe
Zelpha? Nelson
Rebecca Wise
We do certify that by the request of the brethren and sister above named that we constituted them into a church called the Bethany Baptist Church of Christ on December 17th, 1828.
Presbytery George Brown, Willamon? Hill
Page 3:
Saturday, December 28th, 1828. The church met in conference, received by [______]. Test Elizabeth Rials.
Saturday, Jan. 26th. Rec’d by experience, Sister Fanny.
The church in conference, Feb. 4th, 1829.
Whereas a complaint was laid in against Brother John McCain for neglecting attending our conference, we appointed brother Herron? Wise to cite him to our next conference.
The church in conference April 25th [_____].
1st Took up the case of brother John McCain for the charge laid against him for neglecting conference and also for habit of making use of improper language, his refusing to give satisfaction. We excommunicate him.
2nd Agreed to call a presbytery to ordain a deacon.
3rd Agreed to commune at our next August meeting.
4th Appointed brother Archer Carter our clerk.
The church in conference Sept. 26th, 1827.
Received by letter, Sisters Beady Owen and Rebecca ?Cauly.
The church in conference Feb. 26th, 1831.
Received by letter, brother Joshua Dickson.
The church in conference March 24th, 1831
Rec’d sister Elizabeth Donaldson by letter.
The church in conference April 25th, 1831
Rec’d by voucher, brother David Donaldson.
Page 4:
The church in conference, May 25th, 1831
Rec’d by experience and baptised the sisters Nancy Miller, Priscilla Donaldson, and Rebecca Bankston.
The church in conference, June 24th, 1831
Rec’d by experience and baptised sister Elizabeth Donaldson.
2nd Liberated? Licensed? our beloved brother, David Donaldson to preach the ever blessed Gospel of Christ where God, in his divine providence may send him.
The church in conference, July 22nd, 1831
Received by experience and baptised the sister and brother Elizabeth Boyse? and Elijah ?Cheser.
The church in conference, August 7th, 1831
Rec’d by experience and baptised brother John A. Owen.
The church in conference August the 24th, 1831
Appointed brothers M. Burt, D. Donaldson, A. Carter as delegates to the associates.
Saturday, 15th [___], 1831
Rec’d the sisters by experience, ______and Priscilla _____. Brother A. Carter and sister Elizabeth _____applied for a letter of dismission. Granted.
There being no clerk and no ______made? of our last conference, I ?hope? ______.
Page 5:
Saturday, December 24, 1831
Met pursuant to adjournment. Proceeded to elect a clerk. Brother J. A. Owen was unanimous by chosen regular clerk, and opened a door for the reception of members.
1st Received by letter, Brother A. Carter.
2nd Received brother D. Donaldson by letter.
3rd Took up the references relative to the accusation laid in against Brother Dickson. He not being present, the case was referred till next conference. Brother Rials nominated to cite him to the next conference for trial.
4th Took up the reference of the petition of Brother J. A. Owen relative to a constitution of a church at the school house which was withdrawn.
5th Authorized Brother Rials to purchase vessels for the use of the church, which we promise to pay him for when delivered.
6th Agreed to wash feet at our commune meeting in April annually, then adjourned till the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in January. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Saturday, January 24, 1832
______.
2nd ______
______.
Page 6:
March 24, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members either by experience or by letter.
2nd Inquired for the union of the church, and brother D. Donalson came forward and acknowledged himself to have been guilty of excessive ?pation? and unchristian-like conduct, and after hearing his acknowledgements for the same, and seeing visible marks of repentance for his wrongs, the church forgave him and restored him to fellowship, but thought it most advisable to withhold his license, and let him remain silent until the brethren of the sister churches should become acquainted with the proceedings of this church on this case.
3rd Appointed Brother D. Donalson to procure wine for our communion in April next, then adjourned till the Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in April next. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Saturday, April 21, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Reconsidered the case of Brother D. Donalson and set him at letter ?by to preach the Gospel.
2nd Resolved that all members of this church, particular the male members, shall attend our conferences, and in case of failing to do so, that they do rise at the next conference and give satisfaction to the church, and in case they shall not attend two meetings, that the church shall send some of the brethren to cite them to conference to be dealt with for neglect of duty. Then adjourning till Saturday before the 4th Lord’s day in May next. J. A. Owen, Clerk.
Saturday, May the 22nd, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members.
2nd The church ?joined in union.
3rd Agreed to call a Presbytery consisting of brethren W. Hill and T? W___
Page 7:
to ordain our brother D. Donalson to the administration of the Gospel, then adjourned till the Saturday before the 4th Lord’s day in June next. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Saturday, June 23, 1832 Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members.
2nd Brother J. A. Owen petitioned for an order for a constitution, which was granted.
3rd Brother Owen called for letters of dismission for himself and his wife, sister ____. Owen also for the sisters Brannon and Rebecca Cauley and Sister Terman? Also for Brother Chesher, which was granted, and brother J. A. Owen ordered to write them letters.
4th Appointed the brethren Wall and Dozier and Burt as a Presbytery to constitute the above dismissed members in a church at the school house in Covington County and ordered Brother J. A. Owen to carry the ?letters of this church to Brother Wall and Dozier to meet at said school house in Covington County on the Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July next.
5th Delegated the brethren ?Burt, Donalson, Carter and Rial to the next union meeting to convene at ?Beuleut Church in P___ County on Friday before the fifth Sabbath in July next, then adjourned till Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July next. J. A. Owen, clerk.
Page 8:
July ______Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members;
2nd Rec’d by experience-one.
3rd Rec’d by letter-one.
4th Made choice of D. Donaldson, clerk.
?Sept. ____ Met pursuant to adjournment.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Rec’d four.
Oct. _____ Opened a door for the reception of members. Rec’d by experience-two. One by letter.
Nov. _____
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Rec’d none by experience. Restored one.
2nd Made choice of brother D. Donaldson, junior Deacon.
April ____ Met pursuant to adjournment. Opened a door to receive members. Received letter b [end of writing]
Page 9:
1835, April 25 The church in conference.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members; Rec’d by letter then ____, Brother Henry L? Cain? And Joseph W. Coon?
May 23 The church in conference.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Rec’d by ______, Brother James Coon
2nd Entered into a resolution to make a church fund, which was agreed on by a unanimous ___.
3rd On motion, made by one of the brethren and second in order to wash feet ______which passed.
July 25 The church in conference
1st Rec’d and baptised brother Nathaniel Beck, Brother William Childer?, Sister Elizabeth Childer, Brother George Clark.
Page 10:
Brother Alexander Codyford, Sister Brannan ?Talse?
August the 23rd, 1825 Met in conference.
1st Opened a door to receive members. Received by letter Sister ?Mary Fairfield?
September, Saturday 26, 1835
We, the Baptist Church of Christ at Bethany in conference
1st Opened a door for the reception of members rec’d by experience, Brother Thomas Clark and Sister Jane Beck.
2nd Proceeded to make arrangements for the association whereupon we appointed the brethren Burt, Carter and Coon, and in case of failure, Brother George Clark and contribute two dollars for the printing of our minutes.
Saturday, October 24, 1835 The church at Bethany met in conference.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Rec’d by experience, Brother Daniel Sutty.
Page 11:
November Saturday the 21st, 1835 The church at Bethany met in conference
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by experience, Brother Pleasant Hemphill and Sister Susan Beck and Sister Elizer Clark and rec’d by letter Sister J? ?Siber? ?Secey?
Saturday, January 24th, 1836 The church at Bethany met in conference.
Opened a door for the reception of members. Restored Brother Joshua Dickson to fellowship.
Saturday, February the 26th, 1836. The church at Bethany met in conference.
Brother Carter laid in a grievance against Brother Joshua Dickson for intoxication and using profane language and proceeded to appoint brethren Aleander N. Bodiford and George Clark to cite him to our next conference.
Saturday, March the 28th, 1836. The church at Bethany met in conference. Took up the case of Brother Dickson and by his refusing to give satisfaction, we discommunicated him from the fellowship of the church.
Page 12:
Saturday, June the 25th, 1836 The church at Bethany met in conference.
Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by letter, Rubin Searcy and Lemuel Flaningham, and Nelly, his wife, and William Wasden.
Saturday, September the __, 1836 The church at Bethany met in conference.
1st Proceeded to appoint [crossed out ‘to appoint’] to make arrangements for the association, whereupon we appointed the Brethren M. Burt, A. Carter, G. Clark, and in case of failure, H. Coon and contributed three dollars for the printing of the minutes. We ‘chused’ brother Nathaniel Beck as our deacon.
October 22, 1836. The church at Bethany met in conference.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by experience, Mary Standby.
2nd Granted ___ Brother Carter a letter of dismission.
October 23rd, 1836. Received by experience, Sister Nancy Standby, Sister Elizabeth Wasden and Sister Elizabeth Bodiford.
Page 13:
November Saturday the 26, 1836 The church at Bethany met in conference.
Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by experience our beloved sisters Lucindy Poor and Judah Clark.
Saturday, December 24th, 1836. The church at Bethany met in conference. Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by letter our beloved brother David Donolson [Donaldson] and our beloved sister Elizabeth Donolson [Donaldson] and Sufphona [Suphronia] Ray.
January, Saturday the 21st, 1837. The church at Bethany met in conference. Appointed the brethren, Daniel Sutly? And William Childers to visit brother Pleasant Hemphill to know the reason of his not attending our conferences.
Saturday, February 25th, 1837 The church at Bethany met in conference.
1st Opened a door for the reception of members. Received by letter, Brother Thomas King and brother Elias Sexton and Celia Sexton, his wife.
2nd Took up the case of brother Hemphill and by his refusing to come forward and give satisfaction, we discommunicated him from the fellowship of the church.