Gordon County GaArchives Church Records.....Liberty 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: Kenneth Jarrett http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00016.html#0003868 December 21, 2005, 9:53 am LIBERTY BAPTIST CHURCH One mile west of Ranger, Ga, Gordon County This is an abbreviated history of the church in III parts. Part I is extracted from a condensed written record of books A and B of the minutes of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Gordon County, Georgia. It covers the period from the date the church was founded, July 21, 1858, to August 10, 1907, a period of 49 years. This part concludes with a written memorial to the memory of John A. Horton, who was a constituent member when the church was founded. No other such memorial appears in the records. Part II covers the period, August 11, 1907 to June 6, 1977. This part is supplemented beyond existing records. For example, the item entitled “Foot- Washing” might be better told if church records for the period considered were available. A list of the church membership in 1911 is included, a list of pastors known to have served the church, a list of known deacons, and comments on church buildings. Many records of this period, notably, 1922-1936, and others have been lost or destroyed. Part III, with some narration, is a list of identifiable graves in the cemetery. July 21, 1858 We the undersigned members met at Jarrett’s school house and forming ourselves into a committee on presbytery when the following members presented letters from sisters churches, Viz: Brethren Sisters W.B. Jarrett Mary Jarrett W.W. Jarrett Hannah Blalock B. Chastain S. Jarrett P.M. Jarrett Lucinda Horton J.M. Smith Evaline Batson D. Blalock Frances Smith Jasper Batson Rutha Chastain F.S. Jarrett Sarah A. Smith The letters being read and the members duly examined on doctrine and discipline were constituted into a gospel church upon the following Articles of Faith, and Rules Of Decorum, known and distinguished by the name of Liberty. W.T. Flemming) A. Chastain)Presbytery ARTICLES OF FAITH 1. We believe in the only one true and living God, the father, word and Holy Spirit. 2. We believe that the scriptures comprising the old and new testament are the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice. 3. We believe in the doctrine of election through santification of the spirit and belief in the truth. 4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. 5. We believe in man’s incapacity by his own free will and ability to recover himself from the fallen state in which he is by nature. 6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God by the imputed righteousness of Christ only. 7. We believe the Saints shall persevere in Grace and never fall away. 8. We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances instituted by Jesus Christ and that believers are the only subjects and that immersion is the apostolic mode. 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and general judgment, and that the felicity of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal. 10. We believe that no minister has any right to administer the ordinances of the Gospel but one who is regularly baptized, called and comes under the impositions of the hands of a presbytery. 11. We believe that none but regularly baptized members have a right to commune at the Lord’s Supper. RULES OF DECORUM 1. The church shall have a moderator and clerk chosen by the members present. 2. The church shall meet in conference once in each month. 3. Each conference shall be opened by singing and prayer. 4. It shall be the privilege of each member to speak on any subject provided they rise and address the moderator. 5. No member shall be interrupted while speaking unless they depart from the subject under consideration. 6. No member shall speak more than twice on the same subject without leave of the church. 7. The moderator shall have the privilege of speech as any other member provided the chair is filled. 8. No male member shall leave in time of conference without lief of the moderator. 9. It shall be the duty of each male member to attend in conference or give a satisfactory reason for their absence. 10. The church shall keep a regular record of the proceedings of the church and read them before the church adjourns. 11. The appellation of brother shall be used in our address to each other while in conference. 12. Any move made and seconded shall be taken under consideration of the church before another is proposed unless withdrawn by him who made it. 13. All questions before the church shall be decided by a majority of the members present. Only in case of fellowship which shall be unanimous. 14. It shall be the duty of the church to commemorate the Lord’s Supper twice in each year, in May and October. 15. Amendments to the rules may be made at any time when two thirds of the members present deem it necessary. CHURCH COVENANT We trust that we have by divine grace been brought to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ and by the influence of his spirit to give ourselves to him so we do now solemnly covenant with each other (as God shall enable us) to walk together in brotherly love; that we will exercise christian care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully warn, rebuke and admonish our brethren as the case may require; that we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together not omit the great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and others; that we will participate in each others joys and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each others burdens and sorrows; that divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; that we may strive together for the support of the faithful and evangelical ministry among us and spread the gospel abroad; that we will through life admist evil report, and good report, seek to live to the glory of God who hath both called us out of darkness in to this marvelous light. After organizing, the church met in conference. Elected David R. Blalock Clerk for the remainder of this year. Named the church Liberty. Agreed to join the Middle Cherokee Association. Elected John M. Smith, Ben Chastain and Wm. B. Jarrett as delegates to the Association. Elected Wm. T. Flemming pastor for the remainder of this year, 1858. W.T. Fleming, Moderator D.R. Blalock, C.C. August 28, 1858. Met in conference after services by Bro. Buchannon. Received by experience Sister Fannie Blalock. Found the church in peace. W.B. Jarrett, J.M. Smith and B. Chastain were appointed to select a burial ground for the church. Read and adopted the associational letter. H.F. Buchannon, Moderator D.R. Blalock, Clerk December 5, 1858. On Sabbath the church calls on the congregation to help elect a supply. W.T. Flemming was the choice. W.T. Flemming, Moderator D.R. Blalock, Clerk January 1, 1859. Met in conference. Adopted report of committee selecting a burial ground on B. Chastain’s land. W.T. Flemming, Moderator D.R. Blalock, Clerk The foregoing four items are representative of entries made in the minutes at each conference, during the ensuing 49 years. Hereafter extracts from the minutes will be identified by date, briefly stated and the name of the moderator and clerk will be omitted. March 15, 1859. Employed F.S. Jarrett to make a table for the church. Not included in the church minutes is the following, derived from other sources. Land for the church, school, and burial ground. By deed dated April 16, 1859, William B. Jarrett, conveyed to Benjamin Chastain, David R. Blalock and John M Smith, Trustees, a tract of land, one acre more or less, “for said Liberty Baptist Church and for the use of the neighborhood at large for a schoolhouse and for religious purposes.” The tract is part of land lot No. 217, 24th District, Second Section, Gordon County, Ga. By deed dated April 16, 1859, Benjamin Chastain conveyed to W.B. Jarrett, David R. Blalock and John M. Smith, Trustees, a tract of land consisting of one acre, more or less to be used as a public burying ground. The tract is part of land lot No. 215, 24th District, 2nd Section, Gordon County, Georgia. Deed was recorded July 21, 1859, in deed book No. 452, page 466. October 15, 1859. Elected W.T. Fleming. Supply for the ensuing year. June 30, 1860. Brother Jarrett states that sister Batson has circulated false reports on Sister Nancy Jarrett. August 4, 1860. Excluded Sister Bacon from fellowship. 1861. January, February and March, no conference. 1862. January, 1862 through April 1863 no conferences. Note: these were the Civil War years. January 23, 1864. Agreed to meet in conference each 4th Saturday each month. April 23, 1864. Ordained Brother I.J. Woolsy to the ministry. September 23, 1865. During a week of protracted services received by experience: R.J. Parker, Jas.W. Blakenship, Norman Adams, Hugh Taylor, Wm. C. Adams, C.F. Horton, R.P. Blalock, Christopher C. Waters, T.R. Todd, Martha E. Smith, Malinda Adams, Missouri Blankenship, Frances Adams, Mary E. Jarrett, California Adams,Rhoda Brooks, Tarisa Waters. By enrollment, Mary Brooks and Judah Dodd. May 24, 1866. Read Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum. Aug 25, 1866. Called roll of membership. (Not recorded) September 9, 1866. Received by experience: S.M. Blalock, Nancy A. Horton, Malinda J. Horton, Burgess Scoggins, Cynthia Brooks, Joshua Horton, John A. Chastain, Josephine M. Holmes, Elizabeth M. Holmes, Elijah Peay, J.W. Erwin, Elizabeth J. Erwin, George W. Horton, Caroline Horton, Ana Julia Phillips, Mary Adcox. By restoration, Catherine M. Hewitt. By letter Mary Holmes, and Emily Scoggins. January 27, 1867. Licensed Brethren J.N. Parker and J.H. Carter to preach. July 26, 1867. Bro. J.N. Parker brings a charge against Brother E. Adams--failure to comply with arbitration decision in matter complained of April 27, 1867. January 25, 1868. Preferred charges against Bro. E. Adams for dancing and excluded him from fellowship. February 22, 1868. Took up the case of Bro. D.R. Blalock for slandering his wife and excluded him for same. May 25, 1868. Bro. Fleming (pastor) refuses to “Lay Hand On” Br. N.W. Blalock, (Seeking to be ordained for the ministry) June 16, 1869. Bro. Hugh Taylor excluded for long absence. June 22, 1870. Received a letter from Bro. J.A. Chastain, declaring himself unfit for membership in the church and requesting that his name be removed from the church book. Excluded him. July 27, 1872. Preferred charge against Bro. Zilmon Adams for taking that which was not his and walking disorderly and excluded him for same. He was restored to membership Sept 12, 1891. September 27, 1872. Query by Bro. J.M. Smith: “How long should a church retain a member in fellowship and said member guilty of nonattendance?” After several speeches it was answered thus: “The Scriptures not specifying the length of time, we do not, but advise where a church knows a member guilty of nonattendance for several meetings, that the church send a committee to inquire the cause and if no scriptural reason be assigned for non attendance that he be excluded.” June 19, 1873. Rev. Wm.T. Fleming (first pastor) departed this life. May 21, 1874. Church agrees to engage in Feet-washing. November 21, 1874. Preferred charges against A.J. Sanders for larceny and excluded him for same. February 29, 1875. On motion agreed to “liberate Bro. I. E. Wofford.” Note:(There is no record available indicating that he was ordained as a minister). He did however, conduct “divine services” on occasion and often assisted in protracted meetings. He was most faithful in church attendance and often called upon by the pastor “to lead us in prayer.” Invariably he began a prayer by quoting from Psalms 8:1 “O Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who has set thy glory above. The heavens.” Then skipping to Psalm 19.1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork...” Descendants of his and his two sons, John and Tatum Wofford, still attend Liberty Church. August 21, 1875. Bro L. Morgan excluded from membership for holding a letter and slurring the church. Also, elected J.M. Smith, J.W. Erwin and J.A Horton, I.E. Wofford and F.S. Jarrett, Trustees of church property. April 22, 1876. Preferred charges against James Shelnutt for hickory whipping John Gibson. Excluded him June 24, 1876. August 26, 1876. F.M. McElroy excluded for adultery. September 23, 1876. Samantha Wofford excluded for fornication. March 23, 1878. Appointed I.E. Wofford, F.S. Jarrett and J.W. Ashworth to investigate a report that Bro and Sister J.C. Phillips were having parties in their home. April 27, 1878, Sister Phillips vindicated herself. Bro. Phillips was excluded. (He was restored Jan 24, 1880.)Also, changed 9th Rule of Decorum to read, “From three meetings absence they shall come on the 4th and render excuse.” Later agreed to erase 9th Rule. Later restored it. Mary Stubblefield excluded for fornication. November 23, 1878. J.A. Horton and W.L. Williams ordained as Deacons. September 24, 1881. Excluded Bro. Akin on charge of profanity. (Restored him May 24, 1882). November 27, 1881. Sister Emeline Phillips excluded for fornication. August 22, 1882. Excluded Sister Mitchell for departing from the faith. FROM BOOK B “The first 24 pages having been destroyed and many other minutes mutilated the following is a copy of all that is left.” File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/gordon/churches/libertyb266gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 14.9 Kb