Early County Georgia - History - Blakely Baptist Church (Macedonia) ************************************************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************************************************ This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Eldridge BLAKELY BAPTIST CHURCH (Formerly The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church) THE BEGINNING The first Baptist minister to locate in what is now Early County was Elder Miller Brady who settled here in 1825 or 1826. In 1827 he was preaching in the residence of a Mr. Hustus Studstill on Judge Ransom's plantation about three miles east of Blakely near what is now called "Blue Hole." Mr. Brady also preached at Grimsley's Mill and near the "Old Factory." Among his earliest converts were Judge James Bush, William and Susan Phillips, Phillip Tyson, Thornton Feroler and others. These were baptized in Mill Creek, organized a church known as "Smyrna" and put up a log house for a place of worship. This church seems to have furnished the major portion of the constituent members of the original Blakely Baptist Church. "Smyrna" continued for a number of years as a member of the Bethel Baptist Association, until about 1842, but, taking an anti-missionary attitude, soon disbanded and the location of the old building is not now known. Thomas Muse came to Blakely in 1836, running one of the three stores in the village. He was a devout man and soon began to gather friends about him in prayer-meetings. Rev. William Harrell, about the same time, settled on Major Crawford's plantation on Spring Creek, and soon the cottage prayer meeting moved out to "The Academy", some mile or more north east of the present Court House where there was a fine spring and Mr. Harrell preached there. It was decided that there was need for a church organization in Blakely and under the leadership of Thomas Muse on July 1, 1837 a church was constituted with Rev. Peter Eldridge and Rev. Stephen Rowe serving as a Presbytery. Rev. William McElvy preached the sermon that day and became the first pastor and the following names appear as signing the Covenant: John M. Cody, Lee Walker and wife, John Stewart and wife, Edwin B. Lightfoot, and wife, Sarah Stinson, Sina Cody, James Phillips and wife, Kesiah McCormack, Joseph A. Johnson and wife, John J. Dickson, Thomas Muse and Gooley Ann Jordan, seventeen named. It is a matter of note that these were all white people. The adoption of a Constitution, Articles of Faith, Name etc. was perfected at a later meeting, on July 24, 1837, the proceedings of that meeting beginning: To Whom it May Concern: Know ye that this covenant and agreement is entered into by the following persons to be hereafter named for the purpose of and with the intention of showing our obedience to the precepts of the Gospel. Joining ourselves together in the bonds of church government we do hereby covenant and agree to watch over each other for good and in love to be by each other admonished, reproved, rebuked and instructed in the fear of God under the following rules of Decorum and Articles of Faith. Agreed that the name of this church shall be MACEDONIA. MEMBERS In these ninety six years more than two thousand souls have come into fellowship in the Blakely Baptist Church. This "Vine of the Lord's planting," with seventeen members at the beginning has now 446 on its roll. Within three years of its constitution a "state of revival" was manifest and members were added each month for several years. In a meeting in 1842 eighty were baptized and in recording it the Clerk was led to write: "O give thanks unto the Lord". In 1857 the list shows 299 members, 119 of these being colored. In 1860 there was a gracious revival lasting twenty two days. Again, in 1871, a great revival held by Rev. Thomas Muse, the church being without a pastor, resulted in many additions -- two of whom remain with us to this day. In 1905 "Ernest Willie", W. D. Upshaw, did the preaching in a revival which added many to the membership of the church. The growth has been steady for many years, at ten year intervals the records show: 1872, 135; 1882, 119; 1892, 127; 1902, 135; 1912, 236; 1922, 337; 1932, 446. While the constitutuent members were all white, it is note-worthy that the first person to join was a colored sister, "Marthy, the property of Major Jordan," and from this beginning the colored brothers and sisters were as much a part of the church as were the white members, and rendered a rich, spiritual service. At the first they were always referred to as above quoted but in 1850 the word was changed and the name was always written ". . . . the servant of . . . ". In illustration of how these colored members were considered we would quote from the Minutes: Nov. 30, 1839: "A charge alledged against brother Henry, the property of Mr. Phillips, for attempting to conceal a part of the money he found in the pocket book of Mr. Hooks he picked up in the road. A Committee was appointed to wait upon Brother Henry." Aug. 6, 1843: "Albert, a colored brother, the property of Bro. A. A. Williams, being impressed with a desire to exhort his fellow servants to live to the Lord and in His service, and to turn away from sin and Satan, it was agreed that he has permission from this church, so far as it may be lawful for us to give it to him, to use his gift and to urge his fellow servants under permission of his master and under his direction." (It was necessary to use the utmost caution in dealing with the slaves. They were a great problem." Under date of December 24, 1865, the first colored person to be listed with a "sir name" is found: "Judy Wade, colored, was received for baptism," and the next year another item: "Received by letter, Bill, a colored brother formerly a servant of John T. Howard, now calling himself William Loving." It seems that the freed slaves selected names for themselves which pleased their fancy and rarely used the family name of their "Old Master." One more item: In 1867 Fred Grist, colored, was ordained, by a presbytery of white preachers to the full work of the Gospel ministry. This preacher did a great work in a long and blessed life of service to his race. It was in 1868 that the following was passed: "On motion of J. H. Wade a committee of three was appointed to confer privately with the colored members in regard to the propriety of building them a house of worship and organizing them a church of their own" The committee was pastor J. M. Davis, W. W. Fleming, Sr., and R. W. Wade, and the result was the constitution of "New Era Baptist Church" with the same Articles of Faith and rules of Decorum as the white church from which they came. BUILDINGS The church, after its constitution in the "Blakely Academy" built a good log house 30 x 40 feet, on the other side of town and began the cemetery around its doors. Some twenty years later a larger building was erected on the same location. In 1859 we find they "raised funds to build a fence around the church and cemetery", and "agreed to purchase a sufficient number of candlesticks made of tin to serve the church for lights when filled with candles, and to employ some suitable person to take charge of and light up same, the salary for said service not to exceed $50, per annum." During the war period, with money scarce, we find this record: "The following persons agreed to take charge of and light up the church for a month each: Benj. Collier, J. H. Wade, J. W. Perry, Dr. Standifer, W. W. Fleming, Peter Howard, M. T. Alexander, D. M. Welborn, D. M. Wade and John Boatwright." In 1884 the lot where the church now stands was bought, the old lot was sold to the city, and a good wooden building was erected on the south-west corner of the lot. This building was used for about twenty seven years. The Blakely Church was one of the first among the Baptist churches to furnish a home for their pastor. In 1851 a lot was bought and a house built and the pastor was urged to live in Blakely. Five different residences have been thus used, the present lovely home being built in 1926. In 1907 the building of a new house of worship was discussed but the time seemed not propitious. The committee to solicit funds met with small success. In October of 1910 a legacy of $2,000 was left by Mrs. Emma C. Gay which inspired others and under the leadership of a strong committee headed by the pastor, Rec. O. L. Jones, the present good brick structure was completed in 1912. In 1922 enlargement was made by digging out and building a basement for Sunday School classes, and in 1932 additional room for classes was obtained by the donation by Deacon J. O. Bridges of the use of a dwelling house across the street from the church. PASTORS "It shall be the duty of the church to set apart a day of fasting and prayer to Almighty God to direct the minds of His people whenever a pastor is to be chosen" So reads the first article in the Decorum of the church, and the Father's blessing has been upon the good men who served during these ninety six years. Thirty-two men have "gone in and out before these people," and their names and the year they began serving are here listed: William McElvy, 1837; James S. Lunsford, 1838; Lewis Everingham, 1839; Thomas Muse, 1846; Wiley S. Leggett, 1851; Columbus Smith, 1860; W. D. Cowdry, 1862; T. H. Stout, 1862; J. M. Davis, 1867; William M. Davis, 1869; W. L. Curry, 1871; C. A. Woodson, 1873; J. W. P. Fackler, 1874; L. R. Sims, 1875; J. A., Munday, 1878; W. H. Norton, 1879; J. H. Corley, 1880; Z. T. Weaver, 1888; W. C. Cleveland, 1893; A. C. Wellons, 1895; H. L. Crumbley, 1897; W. H. Patterson, 1899; B. W. Davis, 1900; N. W. Hurst, 1905; C. M. Murchison, 1908; T. M. Galphin, 1910; O. L. Jones, 1910; J. A. J. Dumas, 1914; Alex W. Bealere, 1920; Spencer B. King, 1921; J. S. Hartsfield, 1925; F. G. Cocks, 1930; Spencer B. King, 1931. MISSIONS "The Macedonia Church was not constituted for mere form, nor to afford a place in which to hospital Christians, but was established as a work-shop in which His people might glorify God." So said "Uncle Tommy Muse" in the long ago, and from the very first this church has been loyal to the work of the Kingdom. The first action of the church in July, 1837, was to make an offering "For associational purposes" -- the work we now call Missions. It amounted to only $3.00 but that represented a real sacrifice to the little band of seventeen pioneers. This missionary spirit caused much trouble here, and everywhere that coveteousness and the desire to do God's will locked horns, for the first pastor accused "the majority of Macedonia Church of being missionary robbers and pirates" and was asked to resign because he was anti-missionary. An effort was made to heal the breach and the church adopted a resolution "that the Missionary subject shall not be made to touch of fellowship in this church", but the difference was there and in 1840 thirty one members withdrew. Two years later a motion was passed to refund to these "all they had paid on the church building, with interest." Much local misionary work was done in those years when churches were few and preachers a rarity. In 1843 "Permission was granted to the Bethel Association missionary to receive and baptize members into this church." "Arms" of the church were "extended" to various sections and the pastor and deacons were often preaching in "outstations" both to the negroes and to all who would assemble for such services. At least four good churches have resulted from this work: 1842 Mt. Pisgah, 1845 Beulah (Cedar Springs), 1852 Bainbridge and 1861 Colomokee. In 1857 funds were raised to purchase Bibles, Tracts and other religious literature for distribution in the county. That this church was missionary is evidenced in that funds were sent to the assocation and sent direct for missionary purposes throughout the years and many records indicate that the church has ever been ready to cooperate and to conform to plans of work. In 1866, as a result of the war and hard times the missionary spirit was lagging, and the preachers must have been lagging also, for we have a record: "It was moved and adopted that our pastors be requested to preach a missionary sermon at out next meeting." Back in the earlier years records were so imperfectly kept that it is impossible to name accounts, but special committees were frequently named to solicit funds, and it is evident that the Blakely Church has been faithful in its "Stewardship of the Gospel." May it so continue. A good indication of the Father's blessing upon a church is found in those who go out from its membership to preach the Good News. The Blakely Church has been greatly blessed in this regard. On May 5, 1838 Thomas Muse was "set at liberty," as they expressed it in those days, and on May 29, 1840 he was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry. Edmund Cody was "Liberated" in 1842 and ordained in 1845. Rev. Mr. Cody returned to his native South Carolina and did a great work in a long life of blessed service. Four colored brethren went out from this church in the days before the war, as preachers of righteousness. Rev. Robert Taylor was licensed and ordained by this church, 1884, and had a fruitful ministry. On June 10, 1909 young Carl Devane was granted a license and the church ordained him June 23, 1912. Dr. DeVane, after doing a good work in this section has been pastor for the past ten years of a great church in Alexandria, La., where the Lord is blessing his labors. CHURCHES CLERKS AND DEACONS One of the most important officers in a church is the Clerk and Blakely church has been richly blessed with efficient clerks. Records have been well written and all preserved. The first clerk was Thomas Muse, 1837-1840 and he was followed by Joel W. Perry who served thirty five years, 1840-1852 and 1857-1880. James H. Wade served 1852-1857. During the last fifteen years of Joel w. Perry's term he was away much of the time and W. W. Fleming was "Assistant Clerk." The officers who served as clerks since 1880 are: R. B. Taylor, 1880; 1881 G. A. Granberry, 1885 J. W. Alexander, Jr.; 1890, R. E. Powell, Jr.; 1891, Hope Alexander; 1893, J. N. Evans; 1895, Hill B. Buchanan; 1900, A. M. Irwin; 1907 T. S. Woodard; 1908, W. W. Fleming for twenty two years and 1930 W. R. Alexander. In Acts 6: 1-7 we have the story of the election of the first deacons, and since that time these "servants" have been talked about, fussed at, criticized, but have rendered a large service in the churches. Two of the original members of "Macedonia" Church were ordained deacons, others were ordained, many others brought letters indicating they were ordained deacons, and the church has been well supplied throughout the years. Formerly all ordained deacons were in active service but in later years it has seemed wise to have a definite number (now 12) to serve as a "Board of Active Deacons" and assign to them certain tasks, the leadership of groups of members, etc. In the following list, which we have tried to make complete, the term of office is indicated as nearly as possible, and those who are now members of the Active Board are marked with a star (*). Lee Walker, 1837-40; Joseph E. Johnston, 1837-40; William Castleberry, 1838-41; Samuel Smith, 1839-?; Edmund Cody, 1841-45; William H. Wade, Sr. 1843-56; Peter Howard, 1847-d. 1909; Henry J. Hays, 1885-?! T.E. Fort, 1892-96; C. E. Morse, 1893-1908; C. C. Ellison 1900-02; N.T. Spivey; 1902-02; W. Z. T. Bridges, 1903-10; G. A. Cole, 1904-?; W. R. Lanier, 1907-07; J. A. McDaniel, 1907-07; T. S. Toole, 1908-26; John Underwood, 1908*; J. O. Bridges, 1908*; O. D. Brunson, 1908-d. 1917; R alph M. Hobbs, 1908*, R. M. Underwood, 1908-13; W. A. Kitchens, 1911-14; Wade H. Powell, ?-1912; W. R. Alexander 1938*; W. W. Fleming, 1913-d. 1930; T. B. McDowell, 1920-; J. D. Abernathy, 1920-24; Dr. C. R. Barksdale, 1920*; J. D. George, 1920-; A. E. Langford, 1923-; J. V. Tabb, 1924-25; Dr. S. P. Holland, 1924-d. 1932; J. G. Craft, 1924-; T. O. Whitchard, Sr. 1926*, H. A. Walton, 1926*; J. E. Beckham, 1928*; Alto Warrick, 1928*; F. A. Barham, 1928*; W. M. Mangham, 1928-32; W. R. Putkett, 1929*; Duncan Hall, 1931*; Derrell Felder, 1931-32; J. W. Scarborough, 1932-; S. W. Sessions, 1932-; Alvan T. Fleming, 1932*. CHURCH FINANCES Church records in the earlier days had little to say about finances; it was too near the time when Baptists had resisted, even to strips and imprisonment, the laws which had forced them to support the "Established Church", and our people were adverse to "allowing money to be mentioned" in the church. The first record of money appears under date of August 31, 1839: "Agreed the church pay Thos. Muse, Dr., $4.37 1-2 for a Bible and Hymn-book." The question of Pastor's salary, though no amount was named, had some notice. On April 3, 1841: "Agreed that the members of the church come to the next Conference prepared to pay their subscription for the support of the ministry for the year 1840" - Running a bit behind, as usual! Finance Committees have worked hard, bands of good women have been appointed to "assist," and many plans have been tried to raise funds needed to "keep house for the Lord". Year after year subscription lists, fore-runner to the "Every Member Canvass", were inscribed on the clerk's books. It was customary for many years to read out the names with amouth paid, and appoint committees to "wait on" those who had failed to pay. Later assessments were levied and those who failed to settle up were "dealt with." It will be noted that only "heads of families" were considered in these financial matters, and the poorer members were not considered. Paul's teaching that "every one of you" should have a part in this was not observed. The Church Treasurers have had the larger part of the responsibility for raising the money probably in excess of a hundred thousand dollars, total and their names are worthy of listing. The first Treasurer named was Peter Howard in 1864; R. W. Wade, 1878; W. A. McDowell, 1887; W. A. Boyett, 1888; A. H. Smith, 1889; A. G. Powell, 1894; W. H. Powell, 1899; R. W. Brown, 1902; Wade Brunson, 1903; G. A. Cole, 1905; Wade H. Powell, 1906; A. D. Hariss, 1908; R. M. Underwood, 1909; J. O. Bridges, 1912; Mrs. J. E. Chancy, 1912; W. R. Alexander, 1914, L. J. George 1915; W. L. Rhodes, 1917; C. R. Barksdale, 1923; H. A. Walton, 1928. CHURCH DISCIPLINE ". . . . . and do hereby covenant and agree to watch over each other for good and in love; to be by each other admonished, reproved, rebuked and instructed in the fear of God" --So reads the beginning of the old Church Covenant entered into in 1837, and it has been evident all through these years that our members were fit subjects for such reproof, for, until recent years, "discipline" occupied a large part of the time of our church and a large portion of the space in the church records. Of course it would not do to put down for public gaze the faults and foibles of our loved ones gone, - we read somewhere: "When God Forgives He Forgets" -- but it is exceedingly interesting to read the records and see how there was hardly a Conference but there were "charges preferred" or "committees appointed to labor with" those who had gone astray. In many instances members were "excommunicated", as they called it in these days, on grounds which would seem frivolous today, and grave injustice might have been done in some cases, but for the most part this rigid discipline kept the standard of Christian living and loyalty to the church on a much higher plane than is now known. From time to time we find record of charges being filed against a brother for "not paying his just debts", and unless he made satisfactory arrangements he would be excommunicated. And they were careful about granting letters "in full fellowship"! "Application was made for letters of dismission for . . . . and wife. Upon motion the request was continued and the clerk was instructed to write them that we must have satisfactory evidence that they had been living as Christians should before letters can be granted." In the 1850's again in the 1870's and the 1890's (and it seems to continue about every twenty-five years!) a wave of dissipation, drunkenness and dancing, seemed to sweep the land and scores of the members of the church were excluded on these grounds. As an aftermath of the War between the States a terrible condition seems to have existed. Immoralities of the grossest kind were of frequent occurrence. We think things are bad today, but if the clerk's records speak the truth conditions were infinitely worse fifty years and more ago. THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES Blakely and the Blakely Church had a full part in the struggle of the '60's. Minutes during the 1850's carry many expressions which show the feeling which war running high, and when the war had begun there were many references to the intense interest felt by all the people. Some short items we would quote: May 5; 1861: "Resolved that leave of absence be granted our pastor, Bro. Smith, during his term as Chaplain of the Early Guards and that his salary be continued. Resolved that our prayers go with him and the Company to which he is attached, for their preservation and success and their early and safe return. Resolved that our Pastor and the other members of the Early Guards who are members of our church be and they are hereby constituted an arm of this church with full authority to administer the ordinances of God's House during the campaign." On June 1, 1861: "Agreed to observe the 13th. day of June as a day of fasting and prayer in accordance with the proclamation of the President of the Confederate States April 5, 1862: "Made a tender of our church bell to the Confederate States government through Governor Brown, for the purpose of aiding in the manufacture of cannon." On June 2, 1864; "Agreed to give the carpet on the floor of the church to the Soldiers' Aid Society to be disposed of as they see fit." One more: August 6, 1864: "Granted leave of absence to Pastor Stout for one month to visit the army and preach to the soldiers. CHURCH MUSIC Not the least part of the worship of God is the service of song. At the beginning, as was true in all the other churches, there was no instrument of any kind to aid the human voice, but we note, (June 2, 1838) "Bro. Joseph S. Vann appointed Chorister of the church." There is no record of the purchase of an organ, but in June, 1885, we find that "the sale of the old organ was ratified", and suppose that they bought a new one as they entered the new location. Miss Mina Collins was church organist for a number of years previous to 1900, Miss Willie Pearl Davis succeeded her and in 1906 Miss Jetta Womack was elected, followed several years later by Miss Annie V. Womack who is the present efficient and faithful Choir Director and Pianist. For some twenty years the Blakely Church has enjoyed the additional music of an orchestra under the leadership of Mr. John L. Underwood. Great emphasis has been laid on the singing of God's praise and both the congregational and special music has been of a high order. SUNDAY SCHOOLS, ETC. Our forefathers seemed to think that a Sunday School was an organization to itself, and for long years there was no connection with the church. The first mention is found in a Report to the Bethel Association in 1855 which referred to "a Sabbath School", as if it had been of long standing. In 1873 the Church elected R. W. Wade, Superintendent, and W. W. Fleming Assistant, and from that time the records are clear, the Superintendents serving being, 1885, J. B. Hobbs; 1892, T. E. Fort; 1893, W. H. Kilpatrick; 1895; J. B. Hobbs; 1896, R. H. Powell 1900 J. L. Underwood; 1910, B. R. Collins; 1925, J. V. Tabb; 1925, Dr. C. R. Barksdale. Quite evidently there has been a Woman's Missionary Society in the Blakely Church for a long number of years, and junior auxiliaries for serveral decades. In 1894 we find the first mention: "It being reported that Mrs. _____, an invalid sister, is bed-ridden and needs attention, be it understood that the Sunbeams are authorized to minister to her necessities." There is no record, however, of these organizations or their work on the clerk's book until recent years. Similarly the B. Y. P. U. has done a goodly work among our your people for many years, probably since very early in the century, but no official record appears until 1920 and we shall not lengthen this sketch with matters of recent date. (a Picture) A group of workers, teachers and pastors of the Ninth Annual Encampment of the Bethel Association. July 13-17, 1931. Front Row, Miss Mary Paul, a visitor, Miss LeLand Cooper, Mrs. Richard Parrish, Miss Dorothy Floyd, Mrs. J. J. Heard, Miss Pearl Yarbrough; Second row; J. D. Parker, T. F. Callaway, E. E. Eller, Mrs. E. E. Eller, Back row: J. C. Grimes, E. E. Steele, Wm. Bodenhemer, D. B. Nicholson. Source: "History of Bethel Association" - Alexander Lee Miller, Gammage Print Shop, 1934, Americus, Georgia - pages 146-154