Bienville-Natchitoches-Red River County Louisiana Archives History .....Old Saline Saline Baptist Church - Bienville, Parish, La. September 7, 1844 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Pauline S. Mobley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00028.html#0006760 July 24, 2010, 8:48 pm The oldest record and minute book of the Saline Church is organized in the following mannier: Church Covenant and Rules, list of 61 Charter members. The Abstract of Faith, The Gospel Order, and Rules of Decorum. Church Covenant; Whereas Almighty God, Our heavenly Father hath by his Grace called us, whose Names are here unto subscribed from Darkness to light-and from the Power of Satan into the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ and all of us have been regularly Baptized upon profession of Our Faith, and have given ourselves to the Lord and to one another in a Gospel Church to be governed and guided by a proper discipline according to the Word of God. We do therefore, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by his assurance covenant and again to keep up the discipline of the Church we are members of in the most brotherly affection, while we endeavor functually to attent the following Rules: (12 are listed. Here are two Examples. Rule 2 In Brotherly Love to Pray for one another, and to watch over each other for good. Rule 10 - To use all means to promote peace, union, harmony, and love among the Children of God, and this let our lights shine before the World. The list of the 61 members came next as follows: Signed by mutual consenst of these members on September 7, 1844. l. Christopher Koonce 32. Allen Morris 2. Robert Byas 33. Timon Prothro 3. William Prothro 34. Patsy Koonce 4. J.C. Brown, Sr. 35. Ann Prothro 5. Absolom Wolloms 36. Eliza Wolloms 6. William Mobley 37. Mary A. Brown 7. John Wolloms 38. Elizabeth Rushing 8. Issac Rushing. 39. Lucinda Eliott 9. Jesse Mobley 40. Martha Mobley 10. Philip Koonce 41. Elizabeth Murphy 11. Joseph Murphy 42. Hannah Murphy 12. Robinson Murphy 43. Caroline Riddlehover 13. Madison Mobley 44. Susan Brown 14. Madison Eliott 45. Harth A. Koonce 15. Joseph Wolloms 46. Mary Ross 16. Solomon Mabry 47. Adah Riddlehover 17. John Snead 48. Sarah Ann Mobley 18. -----Prothro 49. Elizabeth Prothro 19. James A. Sloan 50. Martha S. Baughhman 20. Guy Ross 51. Nancy Courtney 21. John Riddlehover 52. Lenora Brown 22. Joshua Prothro 53. Martha Brown 23. Morgan Prothro 54. Ann Johnson 24. James Prothro 55. Rebecca Murphy 25. John Courtney 56. Sarah Prothro 26. G.W. Brown 57. Elizabeth Koonce 27. Philip Brown 58. Sophronia Head 28. David Malone 59. Nancy Hassen 29. L.R. Head 60. Evelina Prothro 30. Solom Prothro 61. Lenora Brown, Jr. 31. L.E. Prothro Following the list of the First Members, the Abstract of Faith sets forth in Twelve Articles The Belief In One God, in the Doctrine of Election, their belief in Resurrection of the dead, Belief in enternal punishment and eternal Life for the Saints. Page 2 The Gospel Order which comes next is made up of six articles stating that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, The Only Law Giver, and the belief is stated that only regularly Baptisted Belivers have a spiritual right to partake in communion of the Lord's Table. Pages 7, 8, and 9 of the record book set forth 21 Articles called Rules of Decorum. The first fourteen of these rules set up the procedures to be followed by Public Confession before the Church. The Church may reprove, rebuke, forgive, or expell the Offender as the Church felt best. Amenments to these Church Rules can be added. The Saline Church was constituted the 7th of September, 1844 by the following brethen: George Baines, Bean and John Burnett. The Church then opened her door for the reception of members and received by experience: Sister Ann Brown,Sister Eliza Wolloms and Bro. Absolom Wolloms. On September 8, 1844, the Church opened her door and recived by Letter, Ben and Dolly, George W. Baines and received by experience four members. Conference was always held on Saturday before the second Sunday of each month. Rev.George Baines and Rev. Purkins were the earliest Preachers. Rev. Baines was called to serve the Year 1845 as her paster. The first case of discipline was against Bro. John Wollom for intemperance but on his giving satisfaction, the case was dismissd. When a Brother or Sister was reported for unchristiam conduct or intemperance or moving away without Letter of Dismission from the Church-- Always a committee was appointed to go directly to the person or to write if necessary and then report their answer to the Church. Reason for excluding membrs from Fellowship of the Church were: Leaving his family without cause, drinking, dancing, unchristian conduct, swearing, playing cards, or engaging in fights: Also, lying, adultery, and fornication where sometimes the basis for excluding persons. Bro. John Courtney was accepted as a Deacon in February, 1845, he being a Deacon of the Church from which he came. In June, 1845, inquiry was made whether Bros. Guy Ross and William Mobley would serve the Church as Deacons. They both agreed and were ordained by Rev. Bains and John Burnett acting as Presbetery. In September, 1845, the letter prepared by the Clerk for the Asssociation was read. Delegates to this First Association were Guy Ross and William Mobley. Four letters of Dismission were granted at this meeting in 1845, to John and Nancy Courtney, William Prothro an Martha Baughman. (A letter of dismission was given to a person when he moved, and this letter was given by him to the Church where he next united.) In December, 1845, Rev. Baines was unanimously called to serve another year as the Paster. In April, 1846, Rev. Baines was recommended as a suitable agent to procure such books, for the Sabbath schools as he thought best. The Church stated it had entire confidence in his judgment and ability on this matter. On the Second Sabbath of May, 1846, two of the brethern confessed to drinking too much spirits and Bro. Issac Rushing confessed he had been guilty of un- christian conduct. These statements were received as satisfactory to the Church. In Conference of September, 1846, The Church read and adopted the Letter to the Association and agreed to send $5.00 to the Association Fund. In December 1846, Rev. Baines was again called to serve as Pastor for a year. Page 3 Saturday before the second Sabbath in November, 1847, was set aside for the election of Deacons. Friday before was set as a day of fasting and prayer. Bro.G.W. Brown was selected to be ordained at the next Sabbath as Deacon. In November 1848, Letters and Delegates were sent to te Baptist Convention at Mt. Zion Church, Bossier Parish. Rev. James Paxton, who had supplied several times in Bro. Baines' absence, was called as pastor, in December, 1848. In February, 1849, three men were excluded from the Fellowship of the Church for the following reasons: drunkenness, playing cards and swearing. As Rev. Baines was no longer with them a Resolution was adopted in February, 1849 stating that the Church took pleasure in expressing their entire confidence in Bro. Baines as a christian, a minister and a man. On motion in July, 1850, one sister Hannah Green was excluded from Fellowship for treating the Church with contenpt by non-attendance. The Church agreed to bear with Sister Murphy for non-attendance, her health being delicate. The Church resolved in August, 1850, to petition the Association to advise some means by which the Church could cooperate with other benevolent institutions and missionary causes. In September, 1850, these person were received at Saline Church as candidates for baptism to be baptized as members of Castor Church: George Johnson, Eliza Johnson and Sercy Prothro. In January, 1851, Mr. Thomas Carlisle, who ha been excluded from a Church in Mississippi asked to be taken into fellowship here. He was accedpted into the watchcare of the Church, while his letter was investigated. March, 1851, a Letter was read asking the aid of the Saline Church in building a Church house at Sparta. In June, of this year the Paster Bro. Paxton, was solicited by the Church to preach a missionary sermon at the next meeting, In August, the Church voted to send delegates to the Red River Association. In November, 1951, Bro. Paxton was unanimously chosen as Pastor again by ballot. On a motion in March, 1852, a committee of five men was appointed to ascertain what each member should pay to defray annual expenses of the Church. In November of that year the Rules of Decorum were read. the keeper was required to scour the house four times each year, to scour the benches and table once and to sweep the House fefore each conference, the job was taken by Bro. J.R. Head at $8.00 per annum. Bro. Head was also Church Clerk at this time. In June, 1852, the Church voted to become a member of the Baptist State convention of North Louisiana. The Meeting of the Saline Church in September, 1852, was protracted from day to day for ten days. The word was preached by Brethern, Paxton and M.M. Wallace and seemed to have the desired effect. The Church was aboundatly revived and refreshed and sinners were awakened to a sense of their danger, and many sought and found the Lord Precious to their souls, fourteen members were added by Baptism. In February, 1853, a committee of five was appointed to consider what addition of the Church was necessary and what the probable cost would be. The report of the committee was accepted, but was amended to read that the new addition would be roofed with shingles and 18 sash lights would be used. In the conference of June, 1853, Bro. Joshua Prothro stated in a letter that he could no longer remain a menber of the Church, there being two members in it whom he could not fellowship, and he asked that he be excluded. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter. After the report of the committee the two brethren were excluded and Bro. Joshua Prothro was restored to the fellowship of the Church. Page 4 Brother M.M. Wallace asked for a letter of dismission in December, 1853, as he was leaving, also he asked for ministerial credentials as he had been an ordained Minister serving this church at times. November 1854, the church called Hanson Lee of Mt. Lebonon, La., to be the Pastor. Time for the regular meeting was change to the second to the third Sabbath. In conference of September, 1855, The Treasurer read his annual Report; $1.75 was the balance in the Treasury. On motion, the District Office of Treasurer and his duty was thrown upon the Deacons. In December. 1855, Bro. J.O. Prescott was called as Pastor. In July, 1856, a meeting was protracted for 10 days. the word was preached by Rev. Prescott, Scarborough, Paxton, and Harrell. Over thirty people accepted by Baptism and Letter. In 1856 Letters of Dismission were granted to Bro. Fair and his wife, Ursula Fair, Sarah Jane Rushing, Bro. Riddlehover and his wife. Warren W. Boylston was keeper of the Church and Church Clerk. In October, 1858, Rev. John E. Harrell was elected as Pastor. On motion in January, 1859, the Church resolved to incorporate itself and Bro. Brown was appointed to attend to it. In December, 1859, Bro Prescott was called to be the Pastor, but he declined. G.W. Brown and Samuel Sprawls were appointed as a committee to visit Mr. Lebanon and solicit the services of some of the ministers for that year. Bro. John Harrell was called for the remainder of that year. In November, 1860, a committee consisting of G.W. Brown, J.J. Boylston, Samuel Sprawls, W.W. Boyston, William Mobley and Issac Corbett was appointed to superintend the building of a new Church House at the Saline Church. Later Bro. John Blume was added to the committee. The Church according to a request from the Carolina Church in January, 1861, soliciting aid to settle a difficulty appointed G.W. Brown and William Mobley. Also J.J. Boylston was appointed to this committee in January, 1861. In May, 1861 a resolution stated: "Whereas several members of our Church having volunteered to go to the defense of our Country which is threatened by invasion, be it resolved that we will one and all remember them at the Throne of Grace, praying God to protect them and bless them and ultimately restore them to us, and that they may be kept by the Power of His Grace from evil while they are away. Rev. B.S. Sweat and Bro. G.W. Brown were appointed as delegates to the Baptist State Convention in June, 1861. On October 11, 1861, the Building Committee begged leave to report that an effort had been made to build a Church, and a contract was entered into for the completion of same, but our Country becoming involved in War rendering everthing precarious and the probability of the contractor going to War made him unwilling to comply with the stipulation and knowing that it is right to do to others as we would they should do to us, we were not willing to compell him, but we still propose trying to build and hull in the house, if we can do nothing more, all of which is respectfully submitted. In November 1861, Rev. Harrell was called to the Pastoral care of the Church indefinitely. His salary was to be he sum of $200.00 a year. (Brother Harrell was still the Pastor in 1884 and perhaps even later.) In October, 1863, the Church resolved to raise $100.00 toward paying a Missionary in the Army. The building committee was authorized to pay Bro.J.J. Boyston their note on part of the Church for the material and lumber on hand to build the Meeting House. Said note to be paid when we have good currency, and that if God permit, they would build the house during the ensuing summer. Dimensions of the House were to be 40' by 48'. In February, 1865, Bro. J.J. Boylston was appointed and ordained as a Deacon. In March, April, May and July, of 1865, preaching was held in the Ridge Meeting House by Rev. Hartsfield, where the doors were opened for membership in the Saline Church. Page 5 In Octobr 1865, a committee was appointed to arrange an assessemnt, tax on the part of the members to defray the incidental expenses of the Church. The resolution was rescinded in November, 1865, and the committee discharged. The Church then voted voted to take up a collection quarterly to defray the expenses of the Church. By motion of Bro. Sweat, on December 24, 1865, the Church resolved to go into a committee of the whole to raise funds to pay for the completion of the new Church house. On December 9, 1866, a committee was asked to report on the number of orphans left by Civil War soldiers. Fifteen girls and sixteen boys were listed as orphans in the area. Application was made on March 11, 1867, for permission to build a Masonic Academy on the corporation limits of Saline Church. Permission was granted. In May, 1868, a motion was carried that rescinded the Act passed to exclude members who absent themselves from the Church for a period of twelve months. In October, 1868, Liberty Hill requested a delegation of three members to sit with them in council upon matters of the Church. Brethren Blum, J.J. Boyston, and Samuel Sprawls were appointed. In March, 1869, a motion resolved that the Church take up a collection on the Sabbath following for the purpose of raising funds for the support of Bro. Hartwell in his Mission in China. In september, 1872, Bro. D.M. Simmons was recongnized as a Deacon of this Church and requested to act as such, Also in this month the Church according to previous appointment took up a public collection to assist in paying Bro. John Dupree's salary for his labor as a Missionary amoung us. In August, 1877 delegates were appointed to Red River Baptist Association which met at Antioch Bapist Church in Claiborne Parish, La. This concludes the main facts in the First Church Record Book of Old Saline Baptist Church. The next Book begins in 1879 and 1880 and was burned in a house fire. This original Minute Book is held in the Bank of Saline vault, and is on Microfilm at the Library of La. Tech University. Mrs. L.H. Britt Retyped in 1978 Written in 1960 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/bienville/history/other/oldsalin119gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 17.8 Kb