Franklin County GaArchives Church Records.....Grove Level Baptist Church ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jacqueline King http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00016.html#0003809 July 26, 2006, 3:22 pm Grove Level Baptist Church Grove Level, Banks County, Georgia Minutes and Membership Roll 1802-1902 and 1902-1942 As microfilmed by the Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Department of Archives and History, State of Georgia, Homer, Georgia 22 August 1964. Part 6 Records of Grove Level Baptist Church (January 1855- January 1855 [first few lines of copy are missing] 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 6. Appointed correspondents to Candler’s Creek Breth. James Rylee and T. F. Anderson. 7. On motion the church authorizes the clerk to give Br. Moses H. Sanders a certificate showing that he is a member in full fellowship and that he is authorized to exercise his gift in public in prayer, exhortation or doctrine in the bounds of this church. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Feb. 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against Br. John Greenway for drinking to excess, and excluded him. 6. The church appointed Breth. T. Turk, E. Anderson and M. Sanders to inquire into a report unfavorable to the christian character of sister Ruth Hambrick and report to our next meeting. Appointed the following correspondents (viz) to Beaverdam Breth. Bush and Greenway, to the Line Breth. Meeks and Hill. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in March 1855, Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us in council. 3. Called for correspondents and received from Beaverdam Breth. Anthony and Thomas, from Oconee Brother Catlett, from Candler’s Creek Breth. Bowen and David, from the Line Breth. Smith and Cape. 4. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference and hear the reports of the committee appointed to see sister Hambrick. Said committee report satisfaction and the church received and adopted their report. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 7. Received a request from Candler’s Creek church for helps to settle a difficulty in that church. Granted their request and send Breth. J. Rylee, H. Sanders, N. Meeks, F. Ballew and E. Anderson. 8. Appointed the following delegates to the Union Meeting, (viz) Breth. J. Rylee, W. Wyley and H. Sanders alternate. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in April 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us in council. 3. Read the decorum. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience James K. Cowen 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 7. Read and adopted the letter to the Union meeting. 8. Appointed the following committee, (viz) Breth. James Rylee, H. R. Anderson, Nacy Meeks, Thomas Bush and E. Anderson to retire and make out a report relative to the pecuniary affairs of Br. Moses Sanders and also that of his father Br. Minyard Sanders. The committee retired a few minutes and returned and made the following report, (viz) that as far as we know Br. Moses H. Sanders has no property in his own hands but his father, Br. Minyard Sanders, pays taxes on about ten thousand dollars worth of property and has 8 children the most of whom are grown. The church received and accepted the report of the committee and the clerks were ordered to write to the faculty at Penfield and send them the report. Appointed the following correspondents, (viz) to Oconee Breth. Cowen and Anderson, to Candler’s Creek Breth Ballew and Greenway. We record with great sorrow the death of our beloved sister Nancy E. Turk who departed this life on 20th April 1855. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in May 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter sister A. M. F. Loggans. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Beaverdam Breth. Bush and Sanders, to the Line Breth. E. Anderson and J. Loggans. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in June 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Received correspondents as follows from Candler’s Creek Breth. David and Dovere (?), from Oconee None, from Beaverdam Breth. Anthony and Bennet, from the Line Breth. Smith and Caudle. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against sister Sarah Greenway for fornication and excluded her from the church. Dismissed by letter sister Olive Inglish. Appointed the following correspondents, (viz) To Oconee Breth. Ballew and Anderson. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 4. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 5.We record with sorrow the death of our beloved sister, Annie, a servant of Br. Bush’s. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in August 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and found all in peace. 6. Received a request from Candler’s Creek Church for helps to settle a division among the brethren of that church upon discipline. Granted the request and appointed helps as follows, (viz) E. Anderson, T. Bush, M. Sanders, J. Rylee, W. Wyley and T. F. Anderson Sr. Appointed the following delegates to the Association (viz) E. Anderson, T. Bush and J. Rylee, and H. Sanders alternate. Money sent for Minutes $2.10 cts. For Association Mission H. Sanders $1.00 and J. Rylee $1.00. For Indian Mission M. Sanders 50 cts. Appointed correspondents as follows (viz) To Beaverdam Breth. E. Anderson and T. Turk, to the Line Breth. Ballew and Ellison. Protracted the meeting until Friday the 24th August, during which time the church received by experience James Chasteen and his wife Keziah F. Chasteen, William Savelle, David Hill, Moses H. Sanders Jr., Mary J. Chasteen and Mary Vaughn. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Sept. 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Received correspondents as follows from the Line Br. Chambers, from Candler’s Creek Breth. Reed and Evans, from Oconee Breth. [can’t make out] and Wilson, from Beaverdam Br. Mize. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up the case of Br. William Henry and appointed the following committee (viz) Breth. Bush, Chasteen and H. Sanders to inquire ino the case and get all the information they can and report to our next meeting. Took up a charge against Br. Joberry Slater for getting drunk and swearing and appointed the following committee to see Br. Slater, (viz) Breth. M. Sanders, Ritchey and G. Sanders and cite him to our next meeting. Read and adopted the letter to the Association. By motion the church went into the call of a Pastor and the appointing of clerks for the ensuing year. Whereupon Br. W. C. Smith was unanimously called to the Pastoral care of the church and he accepted the call and H. R. Anderson and J. Rylee were appointed clerks. No. of members in Grove Level Church Whites 164 Blacks 27 Total 191 Associational year ended. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Oct. 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience Br. John Mize and his wife Jane Mize and sister Jane Foster. Sister Lucinda Brooks returned and was received into full fellowship. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. William Henry and excluded him from the fellowship of the church for unchristian conduct and ordered the clerks to publish him in the Christian Index and request all other churches throughout the Union to copy the same. Took up the case of Br. Joberry Slater, and he came forward and made a ful acknowledgment and the church agreed to bear with him. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against sister Nancy Greenway for the sin of fornication and excluded her from the fellowship of the church. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Nov. 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited Brethren and sisters of sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience Sister Nancy Bowen. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 6. Appointed Br. James Rylee Treasurer for the balance of this year and for the ensuing year. Dismissed by letter Sister Nancy Wheeler and Br. G. W. Sanders. Appointed correspondents as follows, To the Line Breth. E. Anderson and B. Rylee, To Beaverdam Breth. E. Rucker and Chasteen. We record with sorrow the death of our beloved sister Elisabeth Jones. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Dec. 1855. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference with singing and admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Received correspondents as follows, From Candler’s Creek Br. David, From Oconee None, From Beaverdam Breth. Thomas and Mize, From the Line Breth. Smith and Cape. 4. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 5. Inquired for the reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 7. Dismissed by letter Sisters Amanda Wyley, Louisa Wyley and Liza, a servant of Mr. Simmons. 1856 The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s Day in Jan. 1856. Br. Smith- Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 4. Called for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against Br. Joberry Slater for drinking too much spirits and swearing and refered [sic] it to next meeting and appointed Breth, Owen and Ritchy to cite Br. Slater to next meeting. Dismissed by letter Br. Moses H. Sanders and Br. William J. Wyley and his wife Georgia A. E. Wyley. Appointed correspondents as follows, To Candler’s Creek Breth. Meeks and Sanders, To Oconee Breth. Loggans and Sanders. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Feb. 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and sister Nancy Wheeler returned her letter of dismission and was received into the fellowship of the church. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. Joberry Slater and from the reports of Br. Ritchy continued it til next meeting and Br. Ritchy was appointed to cite him to next meeting. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed delegates to the Union meeting at Academy as follow (viz) Breth. E. Anderson and H. Sanders. The clerk to prepare a letter. 7. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Beaverdam Breth. Bush and Thurlkeld. To the Line Breth. J. Loggans and B. Rylee. 8. Dismissed by letter Sister Margaret Baugh and Br. Franklin Owen and his wife Keziah Owen. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in March 1856. Br. Smith being absent Br. M. Sanders was appointed Moderator. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Received correspondents as follows, From the Line Br. Murry. From Beaverdam None. From Oconee Br. Wilson. From Candler’s Creek Breth. David and Atkins. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. Joberry Slater (he being present) and after some acknowledgments from him the church agreed to bear with him. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 7. Read and adopted the letter to the Union Meeting. We record with sorrow the death of our Colored Brother David, a servant of David Anderson’s. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in April 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against Sister Ruth Hambrick for drinking too much and for using unchristian language, and refered it to next meeting and appointed Breth. M. Sanders and N. Meeks to cite her to attend next meeting. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Oconee Breth. Wyley and Hendrix. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in May 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of sister Ruth Hambrick and after some investigation it was refered to next meeting and Breth. E. Anderson and J. Hill appointed to procure testimony. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, To the Line Breth. E. Anderson and M. Sanders. To Beaverdam Breth. Wyley and Rucker. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in June 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Received correspondents as follows from Candler’s Creek Breth. David and Duncan, from Oconee Br. Thornton, from Beaverdam Br. Mize, from the Line Br. Smith. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Br. John E. Harper and his wife Harriett Ann Harper, and Br. Johnson Bradley. 5. Inquired for reference and took up the case of sister Ruth Hambrick (she being present) and after investigation she was excluded from the church. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None received. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, To Oconee Breth. E. Anderson and Ellison, To Candler’s Creek Breth. Anderson and Ballew. We record with sorrow the death of our beloved Brother John Toney. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in August 1856. Br. Smith being absent Br. M. Sanders acted as Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience Benjamin S. Smith and by recantation Mary, a servant girl belonging to Br. Bush. 4.Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and having received a letter from Br. William Prater requesting letters of dismission for himself, his wife and daughter, the church refered the matter to next meeting on Br. Prater’s account, there being no objection to his wife and daughter having letters, and requested the clerk to write to Br. Prater and cite him to next meeting also to inform him about the reports that are against him in the neighborhood. 6. Appointed delegates to the Association as follows, Breth. F. Ballew. H. Sanders and M. Sanders, Alternates, Breth. J. Rylee, N. Meeks and E. Anderson. 7. Appointed the following correspondents (viz) To the Line Breth. J. Loggans and B. Rylee. To Beaverdam Breth. T. Bush and N. Meeks. 8. Appointed the following committee of 7 Brethren to attend to the Blacks and help keep good order during meeting times, (viz) E. Anderson, S. Cowen, B. Rylee, R. Chasteen, A. Ritchy, W. A. Ellison and J. E. [or C] Harper. Protracted the meeting until Wednesday evening [illegible] during which time the church received by experience Julia Cowen, Tempy Wheeler, Harriet Jones, Tabitha R. Chasteen, Jane Cowen. Dismissed by letter Dinah a servant girl belonging to Mr. Daniel. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Sept. 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Received correspondents as follow from Beaverdam Breth. Anthony, Thomas and Mize, from Oconee Breth. Wilson and Thornton, from Candler’s Creek Br. Evans, from the Line Br. Parsons. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter sister Rachael L. Richardson. 5. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. William Prater, and continued it til next meeting and dismissed by letter his wife Sister Dosha [Dasha] Prater and his daughter Sister Mary Ann Prater. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 7. Read and adopted the letter to the Association. 8. Sent up for Minutes $2.10 cts. S. [L.?] B. P. Society $5.50. 9. Dismissed by letter Br. Westley Wyley and his wife Martha Wyley, Br. Jeptha Rucker and his wife Aly Rucker, Br. Theodore Turk and his wife Elizabeth Turk, Sisters Mary Hendrix, Elizabeth Hendrix, Mourning Sanders and Caroline Sanders. 10. By motion the church went into the call of a Pastor for the ensuing year, Whereupon Br. W. C. Smith was unanimously called to the Pastoral care of the church and he accepted the call. 11. On motion the present clerks were continued for the next year. 12. Appointed Breth. W. A. Ellison, J. E. Harper, M. Mize and J. L. Ivie to lead in music. 13. Appointed Br. James Rylee Treasurer for the next year. Sabbath, Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience Narcissa Hendrix. Protracted the Meeting until Tuesday evening and received by experience Thurza Hendrix. Dismissed by letter Br. Andrew Hendrix and Sister Thurza Hendrix. No. of members in Grove Level church Whites 152 Blacks 26 Total 178 Associational year ended. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Oct. 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. Prater’s requesting the church to grant him a letter of dismission and after some investigating continued it til next meeting. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Received a request from our Sister church at Oconee for our Deacons to meet with them on Friday before the 4th Lord’s day in Nov. next to take into consideration the propriety of ordaining Br. J. F. Catlett to the Gospel Ministry. 7. Appointed the following correspondents to Oconee, Breth. Meeks and Hendrix. 8. Dismissed by letter Br. Jefferson Davis and his wife Polly Davis. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Nov. 1856. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Br. Samuel Wilson and his wife Sister Mary Wilson and Sisters Ruthy Wilson, Martha E. Jones and Mary L. Jones. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. William Prater and granted his request and authorized the clerk to send him his letter. 5. Inquired to the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, to the Line Breth. Meeks and Mize, to Beaverdam Breth. M. Sanders and Greenway. 7. Dismissed by letter Sister Mary E. Stevenson, formerly Walker, also Br. John J. Mize and his wife Sister Mary J. Mize. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Dec. 1856. No conference on Saturday in consequence of the inclemency of the weather. Sabbath. The church received a request from her sister church at Oconee for helps to assist in the ordination of Br. J. F. Catlett to the Gospel Ministry. Said request granted. 1857 The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Jan. 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by singing. 2. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Sister Elmina Blackwell. 3. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 4. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Candler’s Creek E. Anderson [inksplotch covers most of name] and Harper. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Feb. 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by admonition. 2. Invited brethren and sisters if sister churches to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Sister Martha Bolds. 4. Inquired to reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Beaverdam Breth. Bush and M. Sanders, to the Line Breth. E. Anderson and B. Rylee. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in March 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened with singing and prayer. 2. Invited the visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Received correspondents as follows, from Candler’s Creek Breth. Duncan, Evans and David, from Oconee none, from Beaverdam Br. Mize, from the Line Breth. Smith and Parsons. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against sister Lettitia Jones and Harriet Jones for dancing and appointed the following committee, (viz) Breth. H. Sanders, E. Anderson and R. Chasteen to see the sister Joneses and cite them to next meeting. Took up a charge against Br. Joberry Slater for absence and appointed Breth. Ritchy, Bush and R. Chasteen to see Br. Slater and cite hin to next conference meeting and also to inform him that there are reports in circulation unfavorable to his christian character. Appointed the following correspondents, (viz) to Oconee Breth. Harper and Ellison. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in April 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for and took up the reference of the two sister Joneses and the church agreed to bear with them. Took up the case of Br. Joberry Slater and excluded him from the church. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and found all in peace. 6. Appointed the following delegates to the Union Meeting at Cabin Creek (viz) Breth. H. Sanders and J. K. Cowen. Alternates E. Anderson and N. Meeks. The clerk to prepare a letter. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in May 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter sister Elizabeth A. Hill. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Read and adopted the letter to the Union Meeting. 7. Dismissed by letter Br. Johnson Bradley. 8. Appointed correspondents as follows, to Beaverdam Breth. Bush and M. Sanders, to the Line Breth. Harper and Ellison. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in June 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Called for and received correspondents as follows, from the Line Br. Chambers, from Candler’s Creek Br. Evans, from Oconee, None, from Beaverdam, None. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened with singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows viz, to Oconee Breth Loggans and M. Sanders. Sabbath, appointed Breth. Ivie and Ellison correspondents to Candler’s Creek. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in August 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed the following delegates to the Association, viz, Breth. M. Sanders, R. Chasteen and T. Bush, Alternate W. A. Ellison. The clerk to prepare a letter. Appointed the following correspondents, to Beaverdam Breth. E. Anderson and H. Sanders, to the Line Breth. J. L. Meeks and B. Rylee. We record with sorrow the death of our beloved sister Nancy Norwood and our beloved Brother S. J. Sanders. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in Sept. 1857. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Inquired for correspondents and received from the Line Brethren Parsons and Cockram, from Beaverdam Brethren C. Mize, Lord, Thomas, and T. G. Mize, from Oconee Br. Wilson, from Kandler’s Creek Br. David. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Br. Moses H. Sanders. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. All in peace. 7. Read and adopted the letter to the Association. 8. Money sent up for minutes $2.00 cts. For Association Mission $9.25 cts. On motion the church went into the call of a Pastor for the ensuing year. Whereupon Elder W. C. Smith was unanimously called to the Pastoral care of the church, and he accepted the call. Appointed Brethren J. E. Harper clerk and H. R. Anderson assistant clerk for the next year. Appointed Br. James Rylee Treasurer for next year. Dismissed by letter Br. James Little and his wife Ann Little. No. Of Members in Grove Level church, Whites 149 Blacks 26 Total 175. Associational Year Ended. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Oct. 17 1857. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was Opened by Singing & Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren & Sisters to Seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of Members. 4th Inquired for referance. None on record. 5th Inquired for the Fellowship of the Church. All in Peace. 6th Appointed the following Corespondents (Viz) To Oconee Breth. T. F. Anderson and S. Loggans, to Candler’s Creek J. Rilee & E. Anderson. 7th Dismissed by letter Sister Mary Ballard and Sister Edy Henderson. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Nov. 15 1857. Brother Smith Mod. 1st Conference was Opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren & Sisters to Seats in Counsel with us. 3rd Opened a Door for the Reception of Members. None Received. 4th Inquired for the Peace & Fellowship of the Church. Nothing Presented. 5th Appointed Corespondents as follows to the Beaverdam Breth. T. Bush & T. Greenway, to the Line Brethren N. Meeks and J. Cowen. 6th Dismissed by Letter Sister Nancy Bowen. 7th On Motion Agreed to invite the Baptist Churches Generally in this Section of the Country to Meet with this Church on Friday before the 3rd Lord’s day in March by Letter and Delegates to form a Convention preparatory to having a New Association. The Church Met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in December 1857. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conferance was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in Counsel. 3rd Received Corespondents as follows, from Beaver Dam Bro. Mize, from Oconee Br. Jackson, from Candler’s Creek Bro. Bar [?], from the Line Brother Smith. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. Brother Franklin Owen returned his letter of dismission and was received into full fellowship. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented. 7. Dismissed by letter Bro. Samuel J. Loggans and his Wife Sister Mary Loggans and his daughters Elizabeth and Martha Loggans also Sister Catherine Wheeler. Sister Kiziah Owen’s Letter of dismission was returned, she having departed this life without uniting with any other Church. We therefore record with Sorrow the death of our beloved Sister Kiziah Owen. Sabbath-Called Conference and Dismissed by letter Bro. James Loggans and his wife Sister Rebecca Loggans. 1858 The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Feby. 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conferance was opened with Singing & Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of Members and received by letter Br. A. C. Stephenson and his wife Mary Stephenson. Br. Stephenson is authorised in his letter to exercise in public and we receive him as being authorised to exercise. 4th Inquired for the Peace of the Church. Nothing presented for record. 5th Appounted Brethren J. Rilee, H. Sanders, T. Bush & T. F. Anderson delegated to the March Convention of Grove Level. 6th Appointed the following correspondents viz. to Beaverdam Brethren Bush and Thurlkill, to Line Brethren Sanders and Meeks. The Church met on Saturday before the Third Lord’s day in March 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conferance was opened by Singing & Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in Council. 3rd Inquired for and Received Corespondents as follows, from the Line Brethren L. [?] Smith, J. Chambers and R. Jordan, from Candler Creek Brethren David & Evans and H. Atkins. 4th Opened a door for the Reception of Members. None Received. 5th Inquired for refferance. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the Church and appointed Brethren J. Hill, H. Sanders and A. C. Stephenson to see Bro. D. Hill and Bro. H. Sanders and R. Chasteen to see Bro. H. Walker and Cite them to next meeting. 7. Appointed the following Committy H. Sanders, J. Rylee, H. P. Anderson, T. F. Anderson, T. Bush and J. E. Harper to prepare a Report on the Subject of Plays for the Consideration of our next meeting. The Church met before the 3rd Lord’s day in April 17 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Admonition. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a Door for the reception of members. None received. 4th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented. 5th Inquired for reference and took up the Case of Br. David Hill for not attending Church and for having used unchristian language. Continued the Case til next meeting and appointed Bro. John Hill to see the Bro. And inform him that his case was continued. 6th Took up the case of Bro. Haiden Walker for not attending Church. He being present made acknowledgments and the Church agreed to bear with him. 7th Call for the Report of the Committee on the Subject of Plays, and they made the following report, your committee to whom was referred the subject of Plays at our last meeting have thought proper to embrace in their Report Dancing, Twistification and all the Popular Amusements of the day engaged in by some of our Church Members, and to call them Carnal amusements after viewing the subject in its various lights. We beg leave to make the following Report, to wit that we do not believe the scriptures authorise Church members engaging in such amusements, but on the contrary condemns them for it. We hardly think it necessary to enter into a labored argument to prove that such amusements are Carnal. No one we presume will Contend that they are Spiritual and if they are not Spiritual they are Carnal, in support of our position we quote some Scripture Rom. 8th, 6, 7 to be Carnally minded is death because the Carnal mind is enmity against God. Rom. 12th, 1, 2 I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, and be not conformed to this world but ye be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that Good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 2nd Corinth. 6th, 14, 15, 16, 17th As ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath Righteousness with unrighteousness and what Communion hath light with Darkness, and what Concord hath Christ with Belial, or what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel, and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols, as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God and they shall be my People, wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. 1st Peter, 4th, 1,2,3, forasmuch them as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath Ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of the time in the flesh to the lusts of men but to the will of God, for the time past our life may suffice as to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasviciousness, lusts, excess of nine reveling banquetings and abominable Idolatries. 1st John, 2nd, 15, love not the world neither the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him. 1st Thess. 5th, 22, abstain from all appearance of evil. Coloss. 3rd, 17th, and whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him, fearing that our report will be too lengthy, we forbear making any Comments on the above Scriptures and accompany them with some remarks. John 14th, 6, Jesus saith unto him I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. Coloss. 2nd, 6th, as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord walk ye in him. Now the Saviour says I am the way, and the Command is to walk therein. If the saviour partook of amusements while here in this world, the Christian has the privilege of doing so too. For Christ is the way walk ye in him. Again if the Saviour taught his disciples that they can partake of amusements, then we have the warrant for doing so, but if he neither partook himself nor taught his Disciples that they might we have no warrant for doing so, and we cannot find in the New Testament where he or his Disciples participated in any amusements whatever. Therefore we do not believe that Christians should participate in Carnal amusements. We will now notice a passage from Scripture which is quoted by those who favor Carnal amusements, Luke 15th, 25, now his Elder son was in the field and as he came and drew nigh to the house he heard music and dancing. We do not understand this Scripture to mean that there was music and dancing literally, it is a Parable or figure of the Prodigal Son, used on that occasion by the Saviour to show to his heaven that there was Joy or rejoicing when a Sinner returned from the folly of his ways, again the Psalmist David is sometimes quoted as authority for dancing. Now that the Psalmist danced no one denies, but he lived under a different dispensation to what we live under, and he danced to the praise of God and we would that we could say as much for those who dance in our day. The Psalmist did not dance for amusement as is done now a days, dancing cost the first Baptist that ever lived his head, and that of itself is enough to make us think that it is improper. In conclusion we will say to those who advocate Church members dancing (if there are such) that at this day and time dancing generally goes hand in hand with wickedness, and they who participate do not praise God in the dance but dance for their own amusement. Therefore Resolved that we as a Church disapprove of our members participating in Carnal amusements and be it further Resolved that we disapprove of our members permitting such amusements to be carried on at their Houses, and the Report was adopted and ordered that a Copy of the Report be sent to the Christian Index for Publication. 8th Appointed as Correspondents to Oconee Breth. M. Hendricks and M. H. Sanders. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in May 15th 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by admonition. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4th Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. David Hill and after investigation he was excluded from the fellowship of the Church. 5th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented. 6th Dismissed by letter Sister Nancy Waters. 7th Appointed Correspondents as follows, to the Line Breth. E. Anderson and J. Hill, to Beaverdam Brethren R. Chasteen and A. C. Stephenson. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in June 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in Conference. 2nd Received as Correspondents from the Line Brethren Smith and Parson, from Beaverdam, Candler’s Creek and Oconee none. 3rd Opened the door for the reception of members. None received. 4th Inquired for reference. None on record. 5th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented. 6th On motion the Church agree to meet on the fourth of July for Prayer and Thanksgiving. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July 1858. Br. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters of Sister Churches to seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented for record. 5th Appointed as correspondents to Oconee Brethren M. Sanders and J. Greenway. The Church met on the 3rd Lord’s day in August. Br. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sister to Seats with us in Council. 3rd Inquired for refferance. None on record. 4th Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented. 6th Received a request from Bro. J. M. Turk for a letter of dismission, which was granted. Also dismissed by letter Sister Rachael Conley. 7th Received a request from Bro. J. L. Ivie for a letter of dismission for himself and wife. Continued the request and appointed Brethren Meeks and Sanders to see Bro. Ivey and request him to attend next conference. 8th Appointed delegates to the Union Meeting as follows, Brethren M. Sanders and Thurlkill alternate Bro. H. Sanders. 9th Appointed delegates to the Association as follows, Brethren J. Rylee, T. Bush and E. Anderson. Alternates Brethren Genl. T. F. Anderson, H. Sanders and N. Meeks. 10th Appointed Correspondents as follows, to the Line Brethren F. Ballew and M. H. Sanders, to Beaverdam Brethren T. Bush and M. Sanders. Protracted the meeting and on Monday the 16 Received into the fellowship of the Church by Experience Sister Mary E. Teasler, Polonia Vaughn, Virginia Vaughn, and Mary Ann Vaughn, and Tuesday 17th Received by Experience Perry M. Vaughn, and Wednesday the 18 Sarahan [Sarah Ann] Wilbanks and William Meeks and Thursday 19th Amanda Walker, David Yeargin and by letter Isaac Wood and Wife Elizabeth Wood. Friday 20th by Experience Mary Ballew, Dr. T. N. White, Harriet Bell, J. B. Chasteen and Restored Sarah Greenway. The Church met on Saturday the 22nd August and Restored Bro. John Greenway. Sister Caroline Sanders returned her letter of Dismission and received by Experience Minervia Hendricks, servant girl of Moses Hendricks and Mary Anderson, servant of Genl. T. F. Anderson. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Sept. 19 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in Council. 3rd Received correspondents as follows, from Beaverdam Brethren Thomas, Mize & Lord, from the Line Brethren Smith, Cochran and Parson, from Candler’s Creek Brethren Duncan and Barr, from Oconee none. 4th Opened a door for the reception of members and received by experience Robert Jones, Permelia Frances Curry, Jane a servant girl of James Norwood and Steve a Servant Boy of Hardy Strickland. 5th Inquired for reference and took up the Request of Bro. J. L. Ivie for a letter of Dismission and Bro. Ivie being present withdrew the request. 6th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church. Nothing presented for record. 7th Read and adopted the letter to the Association. 8th Sent up for Minutes $2.00 9th Collected for Bro. W. R. Goss $10.00 for Services rendered at our late August meeting. 10th Dismissed by letter Sister M. C. Parson. 11th On motion the Church went into the call of a Pastor for the ensuing year whereupon Elder W. C. Smith was unanimously called to the Pastoral Care of the Church and he accepted the Call. 12th On motion the present Clerks were continued for the next year, and Brother James Rylee was continued as Treasurer for the next year. Associational Year ended. No. of members in Grove Level Church Whites 105 Blacks 29 Total 192 The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in October 16 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Bro. Amos Viols and Wife Sister Millean Delila Viols. 4th Inquired for the fellowship of the Church and took up a charge against John A. Ivie for swearing, drinking too much Spirits and using slandering language toward Females and appointed Breth. M. Sanders, F. Ballew and R. Chasteen to see Br. Ivey and cite him to next meeting. 5th Appointed correspondents to Oconee Brethren J. L. Meeks and Genl. T. F. Anderson. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in Nov. 19 1858. Bro. Smith Mod. 1st Conference was opened by Singing and Prayer. 2nd Invited visiting Brethren and Sisters to Seats with us in Council. 3rd Opened a door for the reception of new Members. None received. 4th Appointed Correspondents as follows, to Beaverdam Brethren T. Bush and R. Chasteen, to the Line Brethren W. A. Ellison and John Hill. 5th Inquired for reference and took up the charges against John A. Ivie, he being present made full acknowledgments and the Church agreed to forgive him. 6th Dismissed by letter Bro. A. C. Stephenson and Wife, Sister Mary Stephenson, also Brother T. W. White. The Church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in December 1858. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by singing & prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Called for and received correspondents as follows, viz., from Beaverdam Breth. Thomas, Toney and Mize. From the Line Br. Parsons. From Kandler’s Creek None. From Oconee None. 4. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against Br. David Greenway for unchristian language and unchristian conduct and appointed Brethren J. Rylee and B. Rylee to see Br. Greenway and cite him to next meeting. Appointed delegates to the Union Meeting at Athens Friday before the 3rd Lord’s day in January next as follows, Breth. H. Sanders, E. Anderson and J. K. Cowen. Dismissed by letter Sister Elizabeth A. Hill and sister Tempy Wheeler. 6. The committee who were appointed to examine the meeting house and report what repairs were necessary, made the following report, viz., That twenty feet be added to the west end of the house and remove the pulpit to that end. Make two windows below and one above in the end and for each side remove the doors to the centre in the sides of the house. Tare [sic] down the room at the East end of the house and weatherboard up the end of the house, leaving one door for the use of the blacks, and fill out the house with seats. The entire North side of the house is to be recovered. On motion the report of the committee was received and adopted and the same committee was continued as a building committee, which is composed of the following brethren, viz. H. Sanders, T. F. Anderson Sr., M. Hendricks, T. Bush, E. Anderson, J. Rylee and F. Ballew. 1859 The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in January 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats with us in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. David Greenway and continued it til next meeting, and the church requested that he attend the conference meeting. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Read and adopted the letter to the Union meeting. 7. Appointed the following correspondents, to Kandler’s Creek, viz., Breth. J. Rylee and M. Sanders. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in February 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference with singing & prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren & sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of new members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference and took up the case of Br. David Greenway and excluded him from the fellowship of the church. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against sister Ruthy Wilson for the sin of fornication and excluded her from the fellowship of the church. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, to the Line Breth. E. Anderson and J. L. Meeks, to Beaverdam Breth, M. Sanders and J. Rylee. Dismissed by letter Br. Moses H. Sanders. On motion Br. James K. Cowen was authorized to exercise in publick in the bounds of this church and in the bounds of the churches with which this church corresponds. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in March 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayers. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Called for correspondents and received from Beaverdam Br. Wray [sic], from the Line Br. Smith, from Kandler’s Creek None, from Oconee None. 4. Opened and door for the reception of new members and received by letter Br. Thomas L. Carson. 5. Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church and took up a charge against Br. John Greenway for neglecting to attend his conference meetings and for drinking too much spirits, and excluded him from the fellowship of the church. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in April 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Conference was opened by prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members and received by letter Br. Hugh Atkins and Sister Susannah Atkins, Emaline Cox, Br. John N. Garrison, a Deacon, and his wife Sister Clara A. Garrison. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in May 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened Conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed correspondents as follows, viz., to the Line Brethren J. R. Cowan & Ellison, to Beaverdam Brethren J. Rylee, M. Sanders. 7. Dismissed by letter sister Nancy Harbon [Harben]. 8. Inquired for absentees and Br. John A. Ivie was reported as being absent two meetings and the church appointed brethren H. Sanders and M. Hendrix to see Br. Ivie and cite him to next meeting. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in June 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Called for correspondents and received from Oconee Br. Lyle, from Beaverdam Br. Evans, from the Line Br. Cochran, from Kandler’s Creek none. 5.Inquired for reference. None on record. 6. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 7. Appointed the following brethren correspondents to Oconee, viz. J. K. Cowen and E. Anderson. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in July 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by admonition. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Received requests from our sister churches Oconee and Beaverdam for the Deacons of our church to assist them in ordaining Deacons. Their request granted. We record with sorrow the death of our beloved sister Mary E. Teasler. Sabbath. Received by letter Lucy, a colored sister belonging to Mr. James Ellison. The church met on Saturday before the 3rd Lord’s day in August 1859. Br. Smith Mod. 1. Opened conference by singing and prayer. 2. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seats in council. 3. Opened a door for the reception of members. None received. 4. Inquired for reference. None on record. 5. Inquired for the fellowship of the church. Nothing presented. 6. Appointed the following brethren delegates to the Association, viz. James K. Cowen, H. Sanders and Nacy Meeks. Alternates, James Rylee and Hugh Atkins. The clerk to prepare a letter. Money sent up for Minutes $2.00 cts. M. Sanders $1.00 for Indian Missions H. Sanders $1.00 for Indian Missions H. Sanders $1.00 for Association Miss. J. Rylee $1.00 for Indian Missions Appointed correspondents as follows, viz. To Beaverdam Brethren E. Anderson and Harper, to the Line Brethren J. L. Meeks and Hill. Brother William Perry and his wife Margaret Perry having had letters of dismission from this church some years ago and having lost them, they now request the church to grant each another letter of dismission, in place of the ones lost. The church granted their request. Authorized the clerk to give Br. M. Sanders a letter of recommendation. Appointed Brethren T. F. Anderson Sr., J. Rylee, T. Bush, H. Sanders, E. Anderson, M. Hendrix and F. Ballew a committee to draft a plan for building a new Meeting house, and report to the Church as soon as expedient. Tuesday 25 August, Received by experience Harriet Vaughn. [ending page number 202] Note-The General Assembly of Georgia passed an Act on December 11, 1858 creating from parts of Habersham and Franklin counties a new county, called Banks, the creation of which would take effect 1 February 1859. All ensuing transcriptions will be posted on the Banks County GenWeb sites. My deepest appreciation to Judy Campbell who furnished the copies from microfilm on which this transcription was made. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/franklin/churches/grovelev295gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 53.5 Kb