Named in Letter from Bethsaida Church, Fayette Co to Hopeful Church Fayette Co regarding a controversy between several churches regarding a Rev E S Duke. Several letters were written between some churches about this man. Bethesaida's Letter to Hopeful. Georgia, Fayette county. The church of Christ at Bethsaida, to her sister church at Hopeful. Dear brethren: Permit us in Christian regard to inform you that we are aggrieved with you, for receiving into your fellowship, a refractory member of our church in a manner that we deem disorderly. The case is that of your receiving Rev. E [Edward] S Duke, at a time when he was under censure of this church, for an offence against the church; on which account a letter of dismission formerly granted him, and then in his possession, was, by order of the church taken from him, previous to his going away. And the case then at issue, in connection with his contemptible conduct, has been prosecuted against him so far as to bring out he sentence of his excommunication founded on the annexed charges against him. 1st. For declaring a non-fellowship with the church. 2nd. And his utter obstinacy in refusing to hear the church. 3rd. His contemptible manner of leaving the church. 4th. And also for charges brought against him from our sister church at Bethel, Heard county for falsehood. Dear brethren, this is therefore to request you to retract your hasty step and restore the satisfaction which you have so unjustly taken away. We send you this by the brethren, J. S. Dodd, D. Kite, E. Pate, E. Dodd and D. Smith. Done in Conference, May 20th, 1837. G. B. Davis, Mod'r. J. S. Dodd, Clk. [Source: The Primitive Baptist, 24 Feb 1838, newspaper microfilm.] Lindy Hard