A number of brethren and sisters residing in the vicinity of Big Bone Springs, most of whom were members of the Middle Creek [now Belleview] Baptist Church, having thoughtfully and prayerfully considered the matter, and having been encouraged by the hearty concurrence of the mother church and her pastor, were on the 25th of May, 1843, by a large and judicious council convened by request, at the Wallace school house, recognized and solemnly declared to be the Baptist Church of Christ at Big Bone.The constituent members, numbering forty-four persons, were as follows: Males - Robert Huey, Dr. James R. Hawkins, Thos. Huey, Samuel Huey, John Q. Johnson, John C. Riley, William Mason, Samuel Mason, Richard B. Johnson, Oscar W. Huey, James T. Mason, Henderson Davis, John Mason, G. W. Huey, Jacob Hardisty, Thomas Mason, Robert M. Fowler, George G. Johnson, Elisha Wells, John McHatten and Robert, a colored man.
Females - Matilda Huey, Sarah A, Hawkins, Elizabeth Allen, Jane Huey, Nancy Mason, Caroline McManama, Lucinda Mason, Elvira Huey, Henrietta Huey, Mary Jane Mason, Cynthia Johnson, Sarah Mason, Nancy Mason, Isabella Allen, Martha E. Allen, Elizabeth Davis, Mary Jane Huey, Nancy Keenan, Elvira Johnson, Nancy McHatten, Emily McHatten, Jane and Margaret, colored sisters.
Of this enrolled membership, only about twelve survive: four males and eight females. And of that number only eight continue members of this church, viz., brethren J. C. Riley, Washington Huey, Jas. T. Mason, and sisters Matilda Huey, Caroline McManama, Lucinda Mason, Isabella Allen and Nancy McHatten. Three sisters uniting in this organization were formerly members of East Bend Baptist Church. The others were from Middle Creek, the most of whom had professed religion during the great revival of 1842.
Middle Creek Baptist Church shared liberally in this gracious revival. Some of her faithful members, whose hearts and homes were ever ready to welcome the minister of the Word, and the worship of God, resided in this vicinity, and having a great care and anxiety for their households, and their neighbors, greatly desired the more frequent publication of the gospel among them. An arm of Middle Creek Baptist Church was extended to this locality, authorizing her pastor, Eld. Robt. Kirtley, and the brethren who should be associated with him in his meetings, to extend the usual opportunity, to receive on a profession of faith and baptize such into her fellowship.
"The word of the Lord grew and multiplied." A large number in this community professed Christ during the fall and winter of 1842, and Big Bone Baptist Church is properly the fruit of this revival.
The church held her first business meeting immediately after the organization, May 25th, 1843. Appointed Robt. Huey moderator and Dr. James R. Hawkins clerk; and arranged to hold another business meeting on the fourth Saturday in the same month, in connection with worship on the Lord's day. At which time the church fixed upon the fourth Saturday in the month as the time of her regular business meeting, and extended to Eld. Robert Kirtley an earnest and unanimous invitation to become her pastor.
The invitation was accepted in the spirit in which it was given, and he who had preached to them in the day of their espousal, who had baptized the most of them, and had counseled them in all their undertakings, in the affectionate spirit of a Father in the gospel, entered upon this service, which was continued through a number of years with the manifest blessings of God. At this same meeting sister Adaline Allen was received for baptism. The first after the organization of the church. Brethren Robt. Huey, Dr. J. R. Hawkins, Samuel Mason, Jacob Hardisty and John V. Johnson were appointed trustees; and brother Samuel Mason agreed to act as sexton.
"The membership of the church dwelt together in unity." A spirit of devotion and religious activity prevailed; and there were accessions by baptism at almost every meeting during the year. The most of the number have since passed away. Among whom were brethren Littleberry Allen, Edward Rice, and within the past few weeks brother Matthew McHatten has also gone to his rest. Sisters Adeline Allen and Eliza Riley are about the only survivors.
The church, by letter through her messengers, made application for admission in the North bend Association and was received into that body August 18th, 1843, with fifty-one members.
The Lord's Supper was celebrated by this church for the first time on the Fourth Lord's day in September, 1843.
At the meeting in October, brethren Thomas Huey and John C. Riley were unanimously chosen by the church for deacons, and on Sunday, 26th of November, ordained to that office. The deacons were recognized as the divinely constituted treasurers of the church. They made their first financial report at the December meeting; and by an order of the church the annual report of the deacons is submitted at the December meeting, and whatever deficit exists, is promptly made up by voluntary contributions, and the church debt is canceled at the close of each year.
The trustees reported at the meeting in January, 1844, that they had procured a title from General John Wallace for seven acres of land, five of which were purchased and two donated, for church purposes; also on which to erect a school house and to lay off a burying ground; and that said title had been duly recorded in the county clerk's office.
The subject of building a house of worship having been discussed publicly and privately; at the meeting in March, 1844, the church resolved to erect a house of worship on the ground recently purchased, and appointed a building committee, consisting of brethren Robert Huey, Henderson Davis and James R. Hawkins, who were authorized and empowered to raise money, contract for the building, superintend its erection, pay for the same and report to the church. The house was contracted for, at a cost of $1,200; and some months subsequent to this, the committee reported the house complete, received and paid for. The church accepted the report with satisfaction, discharged her committee and occupied the house. The sisters of this church having raised by private subscription a respectable sum of money, appropriated it to the purchase of lamps, books, chairs, tables, etc., for the benefit of the church. At the same meeting in March, 1844, Samuel Huey was appointed assistant clerk, to relieve Dr. Hawkins when called off on professional business. The church decided to celebrate the Lord's Supper on the fourth Lord's day in March, June months of 1848. Sister Ann Rice in 1845, and brother Elroy Garrison in August of the and October.
There were but few accessions to the church after the close of 1844, until the closing same year were the only persons received by baptism during this interval.
The North Bend Association was held with this church for the first time in August 1845. The meeting was largely attended and characterized by a good interest. At the November meeting of this year Dr. Hawkins resigned the clerkship and subsequently, brother Matthew McHatten was chosen clerk. Early in 1847, brother Thomas Huey, having desired, particularly on account of domestic afflictions, to be relieved of the duties of deacon. Robert Huey was chosen to that office, and on Sunday, 24th of April, 1847, ordained as one of the deacons of this church, which office he magnified and "used well" until the day of his death. Near the close of 1845 the church set apart a lot of ground for a cemetery, and in January following appointed brethren Robert Huey and Samuel Mason to superintend the management of the same.
In 1846 the subject of supporting the ministry engaged the attention of the brethren. After a free interchange of views, evincing an entire unanimity of sentiment, it was resolved that at the meeting in May, annually, an effort should be made to raise funds for that purpose, and that such funds should be placed in the hands of the deacons, to be appropriated as the church should direct. This plan was adopted particularly with reference to the labors of her first pastor, Eld. Robert Kirtley, and was pursued for a number of years, at least, so long as his pastoral connection with the church continued. At the meeting in July, 1848, the church resolved that her annual contribution to state missions should be made up and reported in her letter to the North Bend Association, and from thence through that body forwarded to its destination. This plan was pursued for a few years only.
In June of this year brother George H. Scott and his wife, sister Agnes Scott, having removed to this neighborhood, were received by letter from the Burlington Baptist Church. Brother Scott had been licensed to preach, and had been encouraged by the brethren of this church, as well as by those of Burlington and Middle Creek Baptist Churches to exercise his gift in a way of preaching. The subject of his ordination was considered and decided upon. A council was invited to convene with the church on the fourth Saturday and Lord's day in December 1848. After the usual examination, the council concurring in the decision of the church, it was agreed to attend to the ordination on the Lord's day following December 24th. The day proving very inclement, it was thought best to defer the ordination until Wednesday, December 27th, on which day brother Scott was ordained to the gospel ministry by Elder Robert Kirtley and Perriander C. Scott.
There was at this an awakening interest among the membership of the church, and more than an ordinary spirit of engagedness. Three persons had been received for baptism on the first Lord's day in the month. There was a growing demand for preaching. The meeting was continued through the entire week of the ordination: over the fifth Sunday, December 31st, preaching and other devotional exercises, morning and evening by Eld. Robt. Kirtley, Perriander Scott and Geo. Scott. During the time and in connection with the third and fourth Sunday meeting in January, 1849, eighteen persons were received and baptized. The church was greatly strengthened and encouraged. The spirit and effects of this revival were witnessed through several following months; seven others having been received for baptism before the first of December next. The year 1849 was signalized by the fearful ravages of cholera through many sections of our country. Our own county suffered much. The church set apart the first Friday in August as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. In February 1851, brother McHatten was at his own request released from the duties of the clerkship, and in September following, brother J. C. Riley, the present clerk was chosen to that office. Brother George H. Scott preached to the church on the first Sunday in the month during the year 1849 and 1850 and the first half of the year 1851. He was taken sick and died on the 24th of August, 1851. His labors were well received, and he was "esteemed very highly in love for his work's sake."
Eld. Robert Kirtley had preached to the church regularly from the organization, on the fourth Saturday and Sunday, and occasionally at other times. His labors in the church and in the community prior to the organization had been abundant; it may be truly said, that through his ministry the church had been planted and watered.
In January 1852, by a special arrangement agreed upon between this church and the executive board (of the North Bend Association, the writer of this historical sketch, who had been employed by said Board) to labor as an evangelist in the bounds of the association, also agreeing to the arrangement, commenced his labors with this church, preaching on the first Lord's day in every month. The church had regular preaching two Sabbaths in the month, and enjoyed an ordinary measure of prosperity. The last Thursday in October was observed as a day of fasting and prayer. Many at times were oppressed in spirit because of the low estate of Zion, and felt the need of humbling themselves "under the mighty hand of God."
The beginning of the year 1853 was characterized by nothing special in her history, save the decease of two of the oldest members, viz., brother John Mason on the 5th of March, and sister Elizabeth Allen on the 9th of May. The church had passed through the first decade of her history, commencing with a membership of forty-four, she had received thirty-seven by baptism and fifteen by letter; having dismissed by letter sixteen, excluded two, deceased five, retaining a membership in May, 1853, of seventy-three persons.
Part II
In the former section of this history, published in the minutes of last year, an omission of two lines occur, which mars the sense of the passage to which it belongs, introduces a ludicrous error, and leaves out a fact which, though modestly introduced, is explanatory and essential to the continuity of the entire history. On the last page, 22nd line, after the words "Executive Board," read, "of the North Bend Association, the writer of this historical sketch who had been employed by said Board," &c.This history having been brought forward to the close of the associational year in 1853, the present sketch will begin with that date. The seed sown in past years had taken deep and permanent root in the hearts of many. The grace of God had more fully abounded than was known or anticipated at the time. There were tokens of the Spirit's presence and power which had not been fully discerned. The regular and ordinary ministrations of the Word were not altogether in vain. On the first Lord's day in August the present pastor was joined by Elders John Lee and Paschal Todd from a neighboring Association, who continued a number of days together, preaching to the church with acceptance. "The hand of the Lord" was with His people. From the 10th to the 22nd of August thirty-five persons were accepted for baptism, three by relation, and one by letter. There were additions also during the fall months at almost every meeting. The revival spirit which commenced in this church was extended to others, and was prevalent over a large extent of territory, continuing to manifest itself in a good measure during the entire year. Eight others were received for baptism, and one by relation, up to the 1st of December, and nine during the year 1854. A number of our honored and useful members were received during this period of ingathering. The church was decidedly strengthened, not merely in numbers, but in growth and spirituality of her membership. In the year 1854 the Association again met with this church. It was hailed by the brethren not merely as an occasion for a cordial greeting and in unstinted hospitality, but for co-operation in advancing the interests of the common cause.
Early in the year 1855 a committee was appointed to lay off certain grounds belonging to the church for a cemetery; and to make such disposition of the lots as to create a permanent fund for the purpose of improving and taking care of the grounds. This fund has from time to time been added to, and so judiciously managed that now it has reached the respectable sum of $1,272. Out of this sum, during the past year, an appropriation has been made for building a vault, which is now nearly completed. Following the revival in 1853, meetings for preaching and other devotional exercises were often held in the town of Hamilton, and an arm of the church was extended there.
There were but few additions to the church in 1855, and but one during the year 1856. This was, indeed, a season of coldness and worldly mindedness. Many of the brethren and sisters, however, deploring the low state of spirituality and religious activity, were mindful of the necessity of maintaining the purity and integrity of gospel order. Cases of discipline were attended to, delinquent members looked after, and a commendable zeal displayed in striving together for the maintenance of the peace and prosperity of the church. The loss of a number of useful members by death and removal added to the sad and discouraging aspect of the times. During this year (1856) the church extended to her present pastor an indefinite call to preach on the first Lord's day in the month, his engagement with the Executive Board of the Association having ceased. He was also enabled, by an exchange, to attend frequently on the fourth Saturday and Sunday, the increasing years of Elder Robert Kirtley, and his remoteness from the field of labor, making it difficult for him to attend regularly.
The following year (1857) was one of more prosperity. For a long interval there were no meetings protracted for special effort, but at her stated times of worship the church would often come together two and three days in connection, morning and afternoon or night. The congregations were large and attentive; the Gospel was increasingly valued; the spirituality and zeal of the church was heightened. There were frequent additions during these meetings. The religious life of the church was gradually progressive. Her spirituality seemed at no time to rise very high, nor yet to sink very low. During the years 1857 and 1858 quite a number were added to the church, among whom we recognize some of our most valued members while others of them have "fallen asleep," or have been dismissed to unite with other churches. The discipline of the church was exercised with a good degree of faithfulness, being characterized by a spirit of patience, forbearance and a disposition to reclaim the offending parties.
In November, 1857, Brother B. M. Allen was appointed an assistant Moderator, and, as occasion has required, has served the church in that capacity. On the 2nd of February, 1859, Sister Jane Huey, who was one of the constituent members, and, for many years previous to the organization of the church, one of the few Godly persons in this locality, died at an advanced age, highly esteemed in her life and lamented in death.
About this time Elder Robert Kirtley whose ministry had been greatly valued by the church, and who was revered and beloved by all as a father in the Gospel, now with the weight of years and increasing infirmities resting upon him, withdrew from active participation in the pastoral work. The burden and responsibility rested upon the present pastor, who now preached to the church regularly on the fourth Saturday and Sunday, and such other times as he could arrange consistent with his engagements with other churches.
During the great storm of 1860, which occurred on the 21st of May, Samuel Huey, an esteemed and useful brother, who was also one of the constituent members of the church, was killed by the stroke of a falling limb. It was a sad providence, though we trust overruled for good. During the great commotion which followed on the opening of the civil war and the prevailing spirit of strife, anarchy and confusion which spread itself over the entire country, this church was preserved in comparative peace. The same "Gospel of the grace of God," without admixture, was preached without the borders. Unity and a conservative spirit characterized the actions of the church. Patience, forbearance and impartiality her discipline.
Until about the beginning of the year 1864 no very marked changes in the condition of the church occurred. There were, indeed, lamented deaths among her members, and occasional dismissals by letter, but no very special features of progress or retrograde.
In February, 1863, Brother Joseph Ambrose was invited by the church to preach on the first Sabbath in the month. He visited the church a few times on the first, and then for a few months on the second Sunday, but finding the inconvenience too great on account of the distance of travel and his condition as an invalid, soon discontinued his visits. The Association met with this church during the year 1863. It was a meeting of interest, excellent in spirit, harmonious in action, and left an impress for good upon the church and community.
The second decade in the history had now passed, during which period she had received by baptism 75, by letter 9, by relation 4, having dismissed by letter 35, excluded 8, and lost by death 15, retaining a membership in 1863 of 103 persons. In the close of 1863, a spirit of inquiry and thoughtfulness began to engage the attention of the church in relation to the order, progress and spiritual condition of the membership. Delinquents were sought out and labored with; such as walked disorderly were dealt with. A more anxious desire for the preaching of the Word was manifest.
In January, 1864, a meeting was continued by the pastor from the fourth Saturday and Sunday, Brother Furgus German, then laboring as an evangelist in the bounds of the Association, rendering valuable assistance. From the 28th of January to the 6th of February twenty-two persons were received for baptism, and two at the following meeting. One of our present deacons, Brother C. T. Rice, was of that number. The spirit of the meeting and its general effect upon the membership was good. The church made decided progress during that dark and gloomy period, and looked forward with hope and renewed zeal.
To meet the growing demand for preaching, afternoon or night meetings were frequently held at Hamilton, and also in the town of Union, where for several years meetings were conducted at the public school house. In March, 1866, an arm of the church was extended there. Wherever in the boundary of the church stated worship was maintained and Gospel preached, the membership in large numbers were in attendance. The church seconded the efforts of the pastor, and his labors were consequently the more efficient.
During the year 1867 the church made substantial repairs to her house of worship at a cost of $300.
In the summer and fall months of 1868 there was manifest more than an ordinary spirit of engagedness. The regular meetings of the church were largely attended, and often three days in connection.
In October a meeting was held, Elder R. E. Kirtley assisting, at which time, and at subsequent meetings, a goodly number were received for baptism. The church was edified, strengthened and encouraged.
Again in the fall of 1870, the church experienced a revival season with a goodly number of accessions. About the beginning of 1871 an arrangement was effected with the church at Bullittsburg, by which the pastor could divide his time on the second Sunday equally between the two churches, preaching on that day at Bullittsburg during the fall and winter months, and at Big Bone during the spring and summer months.
At this time the minds of the brethren were considerably exercised in regard to building a house of worship in the town of Union. A committee was appointed to report on the feasibility of the enterprise. The report made was not favorable, and the project for the time was suspended. In March, 1872, Brethren J. C. Riley, B. M. Allen, O. W. Huey and C. T. Rice were appointed to fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees. In May of the same year the church extended to Brother R. E. Kirtley an invitation to preach for her one Sabbath, which he did acceptably, and to the edifying of the church during the year. In July Brother C. T. Rice was chosen for deacon, and on the fourth Saturday in September was ordained to that office.
During these years the church sustained the loss of many esteemed and valued members by death and removal to other localities. On the 27th of December, 1867, Brother Samuel Mason, one of the constituent members, a good and useful man, died. Sister Nancy Mason, another of the constituent members, at an advanced age, died February 17th, 1870, and Brother Colbert Johnson on the 17th of August, 1872.
The statistical changes of the church during the third decade were 68 received by baptism, 27 by letter, 2 by relation; dismissed by letter 39 deceased 15, excluded 9, giving a total membership at the close of the associational year in 1873 of 137.
The past ten years in the history of the church has in some respects been an eventful period. Her spiritual progress, though not what the brethren and sisters may have desired or hoped for, has, nevertheless, in some important particulars, been marked and decided. The growth and activity of her membership, not at all times alike apparent, has, upon the whole, been irregularly progressive. Her numbers have slowly, though steadily, increased. The church and pastor have mainly relied upon the regular preaching of the Word at the stated seasons of worship. In July, 1878, the pastor was assisted in a meeting of interest by Brother C.G. Skillman, at which time there were valuable additions.
At another time, in the winter of 1880, he was assisted by Brother A. M. Vardiman, during which time, and in the few following months, a goodly number were added to the church. The greater number of accessions, however, until within the past year, have been in connection with the regular and ordinary meetings, and this, in no small degree, has contributed to keep alive the activity, zeal and spirituality of the church.
In 1875 the church made some repairs to her house of worship at a cost of $117.37. The annual meeting of the Association was held with her this year. In the close of which, and on the day following, an interesting centennial meeting was held, which had been arranged for by the church, and to which several distinguished brethren had been invited, whose presence and participation in the exercises added to the interest of the meeting. This was followed by the appointment of a Centennial Committee to collect funds for missionary and educational purposes, in accordance with the plan adopted by the committee of the General Association of the State. Though a number of her members had given bonds to our Theological Seminary, and some of them had duplicated their bonds, yet a respectable sum was raised.
In 1876 the church erected a neat and comfortable house of worship at a cost of $1,600 in the town of Union, five miles distant, for the maintaining of worship there, quite a number of her members either residing in the place or the immediate vicinity, since which time preaching has been maintained there with a considerable degree of regularly.
In 1877 Brother G. W. Huey was appointed a Trustee to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of Brother O. W. Huey, and very recently Brother David Clements has been appointed to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of Brother J. C. Riley, Dr. Wm. Blanton having been previously appointed. The present Board of Trustees consists of Brethren C. T. Rice, B. M. Allen, G. W. Huey, David Clements and Dr. Wm. C. Blanton. Brother C. T. Rice was also, in 1877, after the decease of Brother Robert Huey, appointed as Assistant Moderator; he and Brother Allen being under appointment of the church to act in that capacity as occasion may require.
In January, 1880, the pastor having induced the church at Burlington to release him from preaching to them on the third Sunday (which he had done for many years), was enabled to give the entire half of his time to this church. Since then the church has had regular preaching on the 2nd and 4th. A very noticeable feature in the history of the church during this interval of years, is the large number of deaths of esteemed members, among whom were some of the most prominent and useful brethren. Berry Allen, a beloved and esteemed brother, died November 25, 1873. Robert Huey, a man of God, identified with the church in all her work from her organization, exemplary in his walk, wise in counsel, prompt and faithful in action, for many years an honored deacon, and deservedly regarded a pillar in the church, died March 2, 1876. Thomas Huey, who has been previously mentioned as one of the first deacons, a beloved and useful man, died April 17, 1877. Oscar W. Huey, who was also one of the constituent members, diffident and unassuming, yet prompt, diligent and useful in action, died July 27th of the same year. Oscar Krisler, Wm. S. Huey, Nathan Conley and Samuel Welden were all removed at short intervals. The church was sadly bereaved during the years of 1876-77. It should be mentioned also, as a tribute to the memory of Martha Weaver, a faithful, Godly sister, who died February 23, 1879, that among the last cares which engage her heart were those of anxiety for the welfare of the church and the cause of the Master. She left a bequest of $200 to the church, to be used in maintaining the worship of God and the preaching of the Gospel.
The present associational year has been a very remarkable one in the history of the church. A good interest was manifested in the meetings during the months of September and October. There was one addition by baptism. On the second Lord's day in November a meeting was commenced. The church seemed in a good degree prepared for it - ready to come together, anxious to hear the Gospel. "The time to favor Zion had come." On the day following the commencement of the meeting Brother E. N. Dicken met with us, "coming in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ." His preaching during the two weeks of the continuance of the meeting "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom," but certainly seemed to us "in demonstration of the spirit and power of God." Never in all the experience of the writer was it more apparent that the Lord was with His people. An earnest spirit of devotion engaged the membership. A cordial Christian sympathy an a spirit of hearty co-operation grew and increased from day to day, until a climax seemed to be reached, when the whole church appeared to be overpowered by a conscious realization of the presence of God, and were melted into one common unity of love, thought and action. Fear came upon all the people, and believers in very considerable numbers, "were added to the Lord." During the meeting, which was continued but two weeks, there were forty-four additions, and eight at subsequent meetings, which together with the one in October, make fifty-three additions by baptism during the associational year. Of that number there were twenty-nine males and twenty-four females, eighteen heads of families and two entire households. The influence of this glorious revival has been very marked and salutary, both upon the membership and community. The church has had her faith strengthened, her zeal inflamed, and the growth and activity of her membership greatly stimulated. Through the following months she has kept up with unabated interest two largely attended weekly prayer meetings, one assembling at her regular place of worship and the other in an adjoining neighborhood at the houses of Brethren John Mitchell and John Sebree.
In addition to the regular Sunday School, which is continued during the entire year, and which has been sustained with increased spirit and zeal, two mission schools have been organized, one at Union and the other at Hamilton, and are conducted with hopeful prospects. The year, however, has not passed without sad and afflictive providences. The church has been called to lament the loss of three of her aged and esteemed members - Sister F. Grimsley, on the 19th of March and Sister Nancy McHatten on the 21st of July. Brother John C. Riley, who had participated earnestly, faithfully and joyfully in the late revival, began perceptibly to fail during the closing winter months, and on the 21st of March passed to his reward above. Like Robert Huey, he was identified with the church in all her work from the beginning -- was one of her first deacons, and continued to magnify his office till death. He was esteemed very highly among the brethren, and regarded as a pillar in the church. Subsequent to the decrease of Brother Riley, who, also, for many years was Clerk, the church, with singular unanimity, on the fourth Saturday in June chose Brethren B. M. Allen, G. W. Huey and David Clements, who, at the following monthly meeting on the fourth Saturday in July, in the presence of a large assembly, were set apart by ordination to the office of deacon, and Brother T. L. Utz was chosen Clerk.
The benefluence of the church during the past years can not now, with any degree of accuracy, be minutely detailed. She has usually made her annual contributions to the benevolent work of the denomination. During the past year her contributions to the State and Associational Missions, to Foreign Missions, Home and Indian Missions, and to aid in building houses of worship, have amounted to $380. The present state of the church is now characterized by a remarkable measure of peace, activity and spiritual prosperity. Since 1873, 100 persons have been received by baptism, 21 by letter, 1 by relation; 38 have been dismissed by letter, 26 deceased, and 8 excluded. Present total membership, 187.
[From the North Bend Baptist Association Minutes, 1882, 11-15; 1883, 11-16. This document was photocopied from microfilm records at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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