Transcribed from handwritten Bethany Baptist Church records by Eddie Mikell, all rights reserved. E-mail mikell@virginia.edu for purchasing information on Lawrence County and Jefferson Davis County publications available on CD and hard copy. Now available on e-bay! (Eddie note - boy these guys took excommunication pretty serious!) Fryday before the 3rd Sunday in August 1830. Met in Conference. Opened a door for the reception of members. No applicants. Brother Jesse Simmons stated that he had been in an affray at the election some short time past and after an examination of the affair and a statement from Brother Simmons of his feelings on the subject, he was forgiven. Conference was opened again on Sunday morning for the reception of members. Received by letter, Sister Elizabeth Johnson. Saturday before the 3rd Sabbath in September 1830 Met in conference, after a sermon by Brethren Grant and Martin, a door was opened for the reception of members, No applicants, no business. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in October 1830 Met in Conference, after a sermon by Brother Martin, a door was opened for the reception of members. Brother Ralph Simmons came forward and related the dealings of God with hi in his backsliding state and was restored by unanimous consent to the fellowship and Communion of the Church. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in November 1830 After a sermon by Brother Martin, a door was opened for the reception of members. No applicants. 2nd. Resolved to proceed to the choice of a preacher by ballot to supply us for the next ensuing year, and Brother John P. Martin was unanimously chosen. Application was made by Brother Stamps for a letter of dismission for Brother William Sparks (a beloved deacon) and his wife which was granted, and the clerk instructed to write the letter expressive of their office and station. Resolved that at our next meeting we make choice of a deacon to supply the place of Brother Sparks. Saturday before the 3rd Sabbath in December 1830. Met in Conference. Opened a door for the reception of members. No applicants. 2nd. Proceeded to the choice of a deacon and Brother George Granberry was chosen. 3rd. Read a letter directed to us by our Sister Church Palistine relative to the situation of Martha Nelson, formerly a member in Church, but excommunicated by us, which letter informed us that they are in possession of the charges against which we had in time past sent to them at their request. That past she had repeatedly made confession and acknowledgements of her faults to them and that they had fellowship with her conduct and acknowledgements upon which testimony said Church was unanimously agreed to restore Sister Martha Nelson to fellowship and granted her a letter of dismission. Brother John P. Martin promised to attend us another year, according to the call at last meeting.

It's also interesting to note that here, as in many of the old church records, somebody was granted fellowship after excommunication and immediately got a letter of dismission. Make one wonder if they had truly repented but felt uncomfortable in that church (how far was another one?), OR was it sort of a renewed license to "go forth and sin some more"? <G> Brenda