Bethel Baptist Church Records, Rapides Parish Louisiana Submitted by Pamela Strother Downs Transcribed to text file by Lynda Weldon Date: May 9, 2007 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** July 24, 1898. The pastor baptized Henry Hard. Paid the pastor $6.80. A. D. Mayo, Mod. Willie Strother, Clerk August 27, 1898. G. N. Strother conducted devotional services. James Ware Sr. led in prayer. In the absence of the pastor G. N. Strother was chosen moderator pro. tem. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The letter to the association was read and approved. The messengers to the association were instructed to make no pledges at the association. Crittenden Perkins was granted a letter of dismission. A resolution authorizing the appointment of a finance committee at the next meeting. The committee was to consist of a treasurer and three collectors. The territory of the church was to be divided into three districts, one for each collector. The money collected was to be for the support of the gospel and for church funds. $1.55 was collected for minutes and $1.35 for missions. G. N. Strother, Mod.pro tem Willie Strother, Clerk October 21, 1898. G. N. Strother conducted devotional services. He was then chosen moderator pro tem. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. According to the action of the previous meeting, Willie Strother was appointed Treasurer, James Ware, John Strother and Alec Strother were appointed collectors. By motion the part of the resolution providing for the division of the church territory into districts was recinded. Authorized by the church the moderator appointed as messengers to the district meeting, C. Ashworth and John Coker, and as alternates Henry Strother and Harvey Odom. The clerk was instructed to write a letter to Rev. A. D. Mayo concerning his pastorate here. G. N. Strother, Mod. pro tem Willie Strother, Clerk November 26, 1898. G. N. Strother conducted devotional services. G. N. Strother was chosen moderator pro tem, and Frank Perkins Clerk pro. tem. Rev. L. M. Nichols was chosen as pastor of the church. G. N. Strother, Mod. pro tem Frank Perkins Clerk pro tem Dec. 24, 1898. Elder L. M. Nichols conducted devotional services. Brother Nichols was chosen Moderator pro tem. Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. Charges were preferred against John Ware, Solomon Ware, James Willis, Manuel Ashworth and Wm. McDaniel for using intoxicating liquors. L. M. Nichols, Mod. Willie Strother, Clerk