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: Sorry so long between post! Have returned from a few days of rest - work is getting extremely stressful due to the budget crisis here at UVA (if anyof you folks hear of a company/place that needs a pretty good computer person, let me know!) Cheers to all). Saturday before the 3rd Lord's Day in September 1833 Met in Conference and after a sermon by Brother Pittman, a door was opened for the reception of members. No applicants. The committee of ways and means reported that in consequence or sickness they had failed to prepare their draft and the reference was continued. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in October 1833. Met in Conference and after sermons by Brethren Martin and Magee, opened a door for the reception of members. No applicants. The committee of ways and means reported the following draft as a plan of operating for the preservaton of order among the blacks, which was received and adopted. We, the committee, appointed by Bethany Church to draft a plan to rule the colored people that when worship commences, it shall be their duty to take their seats in the place provided for them and keep the same during worship without a lawful excuse. 2nd. When worship is done they are to abscond themselves from the meeting house. 3rd. If the said colored people do not comply with the above rules, we request that the pateroles to take notice of them and take them and chastise them according to law. 4th. If the aforesaid Church thinks proper at any time, she can appoint a committee to apply to the captain of the trust for a commission for the purpose of patteroling the colored people at said meeting house. James Baggott, Clk, Pro Tem. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in November 1833 Met in Conference and after a sermon by Brother Martin, opened a door for the reception of members. No applicants. Proceeded to the choice of a preacher to supply us for the ensuing years and Brother J. Pl Martin was chose, but deferred to give a postive answer till next meeting. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in November 1833 Met in Conference and after a sermon by Brother Martin, opened a door for the reception of members. No applicants. Brother Martin answered the call of the Church, viz: that seeing the Lord did not prosper his labors, he could not consent to supply any longer until we should make an effort to obtain a supply elsewhere. Where upon it was resolved to proceed for the choice of other preacher to supply us for the here year and Brother Norvel Robertson, Jr., was unanimously chosen, whereupon, it was further resolved that he be called to the pastoral office and in case he will not accept of it, then that he supply us for one year. On application, a letter of dismission was granted to Sister Pernine Bishop.