Church Records, Bethlehem Association 1878, Conecuh, AL submitted by Nancy Bell ****************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************************************** Excerpts from the "Alabama Baptist", Oct. 31, 1878; page 1; Col. 2-4; photocopy from Samford University Library, Birmingham, AL. "Reminiscences" By DAVID LEE Number V "Heresy Introduced Into Bethlehem Association" In the year 1826 Elder WM. McKEE came as a "messenger from the Cahaba Association to the annual meeting of the Bethlehem, which was held with the Mars Hill church, Conecuh County. I do not know in which county he resided, whether Bibb, Perry, or Greene. He was a contemporary of Elders CHARLES CROW, WM. CALLOWAY and JOSEPH RYAN, eminent ministers of the Cahaba Association; and was frequently their co-laborer and traveling companion. From 1826 to 1830 he traveled and preached a good deal in the Bethlehem Association. He was considered an able defender of the divinity of Christ; and was sometimes quite severe on Unitarianism. And as one error is almost sure to beget another of an opposite extreme, so it happened to Elder McKEE. He slid back to an old effete error called Sabellionism. Among the number (of followers of McKEE) was JAMES H. WELLS, of Bethel Association, who wrote a book in defense of the doctrine; WILLIS WHATLEY, of the Bethlehem Association, and others of less note. I do not know what became of Mr. WELLS. The last I heard of him was in Oct. 1834. His publisher, Mr. MAQUIRE, of Tuscaloosa, told me that Mr. WELLS had not paid him for publishing his book. The Cahaba Association, at Mt. Moriah church, Bibb county, during the session of 1830, unanimously denounced McKEE's doctrines. Mr. McKEE was excluded by his church; and some years after died, I believe in Talladega county. Elder WHATLEY was a prominent minister in the Bethlehem Association. His residence was in Clark County. The first time the writer ever took a seat as a delegate in an Association (Sept. 1828) Elder WHATLEY was the moderator. The session of 1829 Elder WHATLEY preached the annual sermon. His text was: "But we see Jesus." Heb. 9. Elder McKEE was present. ALEX. TRAVIS was moderator. Elder KEDER HAWTHORNE was appointed to preach the forenoon sermon the next day (Sabbath), and McKEE the afternoon. I heard Elder K. WARREN say to some one sitting near, "I must help him." Some time afterwards an informal meeting was appointed to be held at Salem church, Monroe County.