Minute book, 1809-1933 (Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell, N.C.)

5 The Presbytery who had been previously called to Ordain our beloved Brother Josiah Crudup proceeded in due order to do so

August Meeting 1813

North Carolina } To all whom it may concern Wake County } We whose names are subjoined being duly called as a presbytery have examined into the character, the call and qualifications of our beloved brother Josiah Crudup and with the consent of the Baptist Church of Christ at Hephzibah Meeting House to which he belongs, and by Prayer, fasting and imposition of hands have set him apart to the important work of the Ministry. He is hereby authorized to enjoy all the privileges and to perform all the duties attached to the Ministerial function whereever he may be called, either occasionally or statedly. Given under our hands this 8th day of August Anno Domini 1813

A true Copy } William Lancaster, Elder Attest, } Robert J. Daniel, Elder Johnston Britt Clk. } John Purifoy, Elder

September Meeting 1813

None received.

October Meeting 1813.

None received. The Raleigh Association assembled at this time.

November Meeting 1813.

None received.

December Meeting 1813.

Recd. by experience + Baptized Elizabeth, wife of Drewry Horton.

January Meeting 1814.

Granted a letter of Dismission to Bro. Reuben Jordan.

February Meeting 1814.

None received.

March Meeting 1814.

Recd. by experience + Baptised Hezekiah Magsey [?].

April Meeting 1814.

Disappointed on account of a meeting at Middle Creek Church for Reconciliation.

6 May Meeting 1814

Received by Letter Sally Bagwell from Rocky Spring Church.

June Meeting 1814.

Lee Wilder who had been excommunicated for a false charge against Johnson Britt, came forward and acknowledged before the Church that he believed the sd. Britt to be innocent of the charge, and wished the Church to forgive him; the Church therefore restored sd. Wilder to fellowship again.

Excommunicated Neezer a servant for profane swearing.

July Meeting 1814.

Recd. by experience + Baptized Edney Hicks wife of William Hicks. -- Excommunicated --

August Meeting 18184

Recd. by Letter Dixon Jordan from the Rocky Spring Church Johnston County; likewise his wife. --

Excommunicated Polly Jordan for fornication.

September Meeting 1814

Recd. by experience + Baptized Lucy Alford. - dismissed and Martha Collins. At the same time the Church appointed brother John Parker to prepare a Letter to send to the Association to be held at Liberty Meeting House Johnston County, and that twenty five shillings be sent to the Association fund; also that Rightman Hilliard + Lott Robertson be appointed Delegates to sd. Association. --

Ordered that Johnson Britt get a blank Book of Records for the use of the Church, and that the Church pay for the same.

October Meeting 1814.

Disappointed on account of the Association at Liberty Meeting House Jo. Co.

7 November Meeting 1814, none recd.

December Meeting 1814

No Conference on the account of rain.

January Meetng 1815

Dismissed by Letters William Hicks + Wife, and Elizabeth Jordan. Record Book presented by brother Britt and recd. by the Church.

February Meeting 1815

Restored William Fowler upon confession of error + repen-tance; who had been excommunucated for Drunkenness.--

Brother Rightman Hilliard, John Parker + Joseph Shaw was appointed by the Church to see and enquire of brother Lee Wilder the cause of his long absence from the Church, and to enquire into the state of his mind, and citw him to attend at our next Conference, and for the above Committee to make Report thereof; also to enquire into the report of his abusing his Wife.

March Meeting 1815

The Com. above appointed for to enquire into the cause of brother Wilders long absence, the state of his mind, and the report of his abusing his Wife, submitted the following report: That they had seen brother Wilder and conversed with him relative to the above charges, and he informed them that he wished the Church to exclude him. The Church agreed to wait on him until next meeting, and appoin -ted Cade Alford + James Nowell to converse a second time with him on the subject and make report to our next meeting.

April Meeting 1815

Conference being opened, brother Newell Reported to the Church, that he had seen brother Lee Wilder, and demanded of him his reasons for non attendance at the Church. no satisfactory answer given; further if he did not wish to con-

8 -tinue in the Church; answer given by brother Wilder that he did not wish to continue in any Church, and therefore wished the Church to excommunicate him.

The Church therefore excommunicated the said Wilder for non attendance, for the sin of abusing his Wife and confessing that it was his desire to be expelled from the Church. At the same time the Church entered into a Resolution, that if any member of this Church should be absent two meetings of Conference in succession, that one or two members should be appointed to see such member or members, and enquire of them the reasons of their non attendance, and cite them to attend the next conference to answer in all such failures. At the same time brother Cade Alford informed the Church that Peyton Alford a brother of the Church, has absented himself for several Meetings. Brother Amos Horton was appointed to go and see the sd. brother Alford and know the reason of his absence from the Church and cite him to attend at our next meeting and answer to the Church for his non attendance.

May Meeting 1815

None received.

Brother Amos Horton who was appointed to see brother Peyton Alford relative to his non attendance at the Church, reported as follows, that he has seen brother Alford, on the subject of his non attendance, and that he said his Wife had been in a low state of health which was the cause of his absence from the Church, and cited the said brother Alford to attend conference at our ear-ly meeting - the brother failed to attend, information reaching the Church, that the situation of his Wife requir-ed him to attend at home, which was satisfactory to the Church.

[Underlined] It was agreed at the same time that the Deacons [end underline] of the Church should be exempt from all Church expenses except that of supporting the Sacramental Table.

9 The Church in Conference agreed in favour of a Singing School being opened and held in our Meeting House agreeably to request, provided the Teacher would keep good order in sd. Meeting House during the continuance of his School, and oblegate himself to make all damages good, if there should be any to the Meeting House done during the Continuance of his School by Students or Visitants. Ordered therefore that brother William Broadwell, Henry Jordan, and Johnston Britt see thereto. Johnson Britt Clk

June Meeting 1815

No Conference on the account of the Pastor being ab-sent.

July Meeting 1815

None Recd. At the same time brother Burwell Bell from the X Roads Church Wake Co. brought forward an accusation against brother William Fowler of this Church for writing + publishing two letters which the sd. brother Bell deemed calculated to injure his reputation; Brother Fowler confesses he was wrong for writing such Letters, in consider -ation of which the parties dissatisfied appeared to be recon-ciled, and each have the hand of fellowship. --

At the same meeting our respected Pastor said he would be glad to know the mind of the Church respecting the general meeting altering certain Clauses of the Constitution in order thereby for it to be more favourable; it was left to votes, -- Male voters 15 against the Meeting and 7 in favour in taking the female votes a majority appeared in favour of the general Meeting.

August Meeting 1815

Recd. by experience + Baptised Clary a Servant of John Richardson. At the same time Rightman Hilliard, William Fowler + Johnson Britt were appointed by the Church to take notice of disorderly people that visited the Meeting, such as being Spirits to sell or drink, and if such persons did not desist cause the law to be put in force against them, and