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! (All you good folks: didn't mean to vanish on you guys, but I have had the worst time of allergies/flu/cold/etc. since the day before Easter! I have just now finally felt like typing. And on the positive side, I received both a short phone call and an e-mail from my son in Iraq! - Eddie) Saturday before the 3rd Lord's Day in December, 1826 Met in conference, Brother Martin preached 1st. Opened a door for the reception of members. 2nd. Received the reception of the report of our deligates to the Sister Church at Society Hill upon which the Church unanimously decided that she was still dissatisfied with the Church at Society Hill and appointed Brethren Wylie White and George Granberry to write again to Society Hill Church proposing to them to choose two Churches and for us to choose two Churches, also and request them to send us each at least three or more helps for us and them to submit our difficulty with the facts in relation to its to them. 3rd. Also, appointed Brethren Wylie White and George Granberry to bear the letter and make the nomination and appointment of Churches on our past to attend as helps. 4th. Noticed the reference in relation to Brother Fryday and appointed Brother George Granberry to write a letter to Brother Fryday by Brother Robertson, stating to him, that if he would send by the bearer what was due in the neighborhood and such acknowledgement for his transgression as we can receive the non performance of his promises to pay what he was owing, he could get a letter and if he did not, he would be excommunicated immediately. Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in January 1827 Met in conference, and received the report of our messengers to the Society Hill Church which was satisfactory. 3rd. Brother George Granberry reported that he failed in conveying a letter to Brother Fryday and agreed to lay over that case till our March meeting. Brother Sparks reported that an existing difficulty between Sister Nelson and Sister Langford was finally settled. Application was by Brother Noble for a letter of dismission for Sister Goodson, which was granted. February, 1827 After a sermon preached by Brother J. P. Martin, from John the 14th, and 5th, opened a door for the reception of members and received Brother William Ellington by letter. Orders that the Clerk examine our Church book and report to the Church at our Conference the decision formerly made by the Church on the subject of washing of feet. Ordered by Church that Brother John Carlisle have a letter of dismission. Saturday before the 3rd Lord's Day in March, 1827. Met in Conference, after a sermon by Brother Robertson and Extortation by Brother Martin, a door was opened for the reception of members. 2nd. The case of Brother Fryday was taken up and ordered that a letter be written and directed to the Red Creek Church, stating the charges and grievances and that without an immediate redress the discipline of the gospel will be administered. Received the report of the clerk on the subject of washing feet, which was that in December 1823, the Church agreed to practice annually. Saturday before the 3rd Lord's Day in April, 1827. Met in conference and after a sermon delivered by Brother Martin, opened a door for the reception of members. None offered. Ordered that Brother Wylie White officiate as Clerk for the present term. Ordered the Clerk write a letter in answer to the Brethrens' request from Big Black. 3rd. Ordered that Brother Stamps inquire of Brother Levi Noble his situation with respect to serving the Church as clerk, whether he can attend regularly and promptly or not, and if his situation will not admit of his regular attendance to request him to resign. 4th. Received five copies of the annual report of the Mississippi State Convention.