Minute book, 1803-1885 (Little Conetoe Primitive Baptist Church, Edgecombe County, N.C.)

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Decorum or rules of conferance

We the Baptist Church of Christ at Little Conetoe Creek meetinghouse are convinced of the necisity of meeting together as often as once a month to discharge our duty in a brotherly manner as Christ has commanded us in his injunction by the apostle Paul in his epistle to the Hebrews 10 Ch 25^th verse where we are exhorted not to forsake the assembling our selves as the manner of some is but so much the more as you see the day approaching!! Therefore, we believe the following rules are necessary to be attended to.

1^st. The conference shall be formed of the members of this church, with the members of any of our sister churches that are present. Acts 24 Chap. 23 verse Acts 15 Chap. 6 verse.

2^nd. Conference ought to be opened and closed with prayer in praise to Allmighty God. 1st Timothy 2nd Chap. 1^st verse 1^st Thessalonians, 5^th Ch. 17 + 18 verses.

3^rd One ought to be chosen to act in the character of mode-rator, whose duty it shall be to assertain the sense of conference on any question that is before them and shine to keep good order and harmony in conference. 1^st Cor 14^th Chap 40^th verse.

4^th The members names ought to be enrolled and [illegible] pulled over and a significant mark set to the names of the absent members. Act 1^st. Ch 15^th verse.

5^th A door ought to be opened forthe reelection of new members who ought verbally to relate their experiences or give an account of the work of Grace upon their Souls, and unanmous satisfaction shall be obtained, it shall be manifested by the Pastor moderator or Deacon, giving them the right hand of fellow-ship, receiving them in due form. 1^st. Peter 3^rd Ch 15^th.

6^th No complaint ought to be brought into conference of a private nature until the aggreaved party have executed the directions given by our Lord in the 18^th. Chap of Matthew 15, 16 + 17 verses.

7^th. But one person ought to deliver a speech at a time and rising from his deat to do the same. Cor 14^th Ch 4^th v.

8^th. Every motion made and seconded ought to be taken undue consdieration, unless withdrawn by the person that made it. Every querry presented, ought to be thrice read, before it is received for debate, and if a majority be for receiving it, it ought to receive an answer. Mo. intriccate querry ought to be [illegible] received.

9^th. If the majority shall be aggreaved, at the determin-ation of the majority, they ought to let the same be known immediately; if satisfaction cannot be obtained in such cases, it may be necessary to send for help from sister Churches. Acts 15^th Ch and [illegible]^th verse.

10^th The minutes of conference ought to be read before rises and corrected if need require. 1^st Corinthians, 14^th Ch 40^th verse.

11^th The following particulars are [illegible] before conference. 1^st neglecting to attend conference, 2^nd absenting thereupon, without leave. 3^rd whispering or laughing in time of public speech, 4^th speaking more than thrice to one thing without leaf [?], 5^th speaking with the appearance of wrath [?] or in a degrading manner, 6^th or the moderator neglecting the rules of his duty.

12^th Amendments may be made to these rules at any time, when the conference may deem it necessary.

No conference from sept 1822. to the commencement of this Volt. in July 1823.

Monthly meeting Saturday before the 3^rd. Lords day in July 1823. Met in conference Elder Thos Dupree was chosen moderator, 1^st A door was opened for admission of new members but but no-one came forward. 2 dismissed in due form.

Yearly meeting Saturday before the 3^rd Lords day in Sept 1824. Met in conference Eld Thomas Dupree was chosen moderator. 1^st a door was opened but no one came forward. 2^nd. Broth James Thigpen and William Shelton was appointed delegates to the Rehukee association, to be held at the greatswamp meeting house to commence Saturday before the first Lords day in Oct inext, and that bro Jessee Little prepare a letter and that we send one dollar to the fund. 3^rd. Resolved that the death of Sister Anna Lawrence be recorded. 4^th Sister Eley Buantyn [?] applied for a letter of dismission, the same was granted. [illegible] The conference then adjourned in due form.

Yearly meeting Saturday before the 3^rd. Lords day in Sept 1825. Elder Thomas Dupree was chosen moderator. 1^st A door was opened, but no one came forward. 2^nd Bro Jessee Little departed this life on the 18^th august 1825. 3^rd. Broth John Lawrence and James Jones are appointed delegates to attend our next association in Oct and we send one Dollar to the fund. 4^th Bro James Thigpen appointed

deacon by a unanimous voice 4^th dismissed in due form.

Quarterly meeting Saturday before the 3^rd. Lords day in March 1826. Met in conference Elder Thomas Dupree was chosen moderator. 1^st. at door was opened, but no person came forward. 2^nd Bro John Lawrence [illegible]is requested to attend our next conference and that bro Wm Shelton notice him. 3 Resolved that [?] commence to