------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following are just selected pages from Pleasant Ridge Church book of minutes dated 1856-1900's ------------------------------------------------------------------------ August 1858 At the conference meeting in August 1858 to August 3rd, called for references.When the committee appointed to prepare a history of the church, submitted there we report. Which was received and adopted and the committee discharged. Resolved that the clerk be required to record the history in the new church book and send a copy to the Mississippi Baptist for publication. The History of Pleasant Ridge Church Tippah County Mississippi. The church constituted with nine members, by Elders J. M. Griffin and M. C. Night, January 4, 1842. From which time until the 19th February 1843. There are no record. But from the catalog of names it is evident that six additional members were received into the fellowship of the church whether by letter or experience we cannot now be determined, but we have been informed by some of the oldest members that although few in number and without any regular pastor for the first 18 months, the brethren assembled themselves together regularly once a month. In the evoking (illeg.) the great dispenser of gospel of the light to blip their efforts and guide them in the way of all truth. Following the footsteps of primitive churches they erected their building on the Rock Christ Jesus and looked for above the gloomy clouds that clustered around them, for help. Sufficient for them in the hour of trial. Knowing that whilst Paul may plant and Apollos water, God alone giveth increase. Having no suitable house in which to worship, and in the midst of a thinly settled community and without a pastor some were discouraged and made proposition to dissolve. But the faithful few with that faith that hopeth the Great Head of the church would ? safe his presence and invigorate the plant that owed it existence to the immediate effusion of the Holy Spirit. And whilst Providence has guided the affairs of individuals to his own glory and the good of the church, many of the faithful that were in the constitution have lived to realize the full fruition of their long cherished hopes. But where are they now. Whilst some have removed from the bounds of the church. Others have been taken by the hand of death to a higher and holier habitation to dwell with the spirits of just men made perfect and none not even one can be found among us whose name was in the organization of the church. How soon have they seeped (?) away. Today we stand in their foot prints-tomorrow we go hence and assign our places to those who hasten after us. On the 21st July 1843 the pastoral services of Elder P. Scally or Seally were secured and for three years his labors were abundantly blessed. The fruits of which were made manifest in the addition of 27 members by Baptism and 34 by letter. Under the pastoral care of this brother the church was received into the fellowship of the Chickasaw Baptist Association, September, 1845. On the 6th August 1843 H. F. Berry was elected Church Clerk and on September following was ordained a deacon. He resigned the Clerkship August 1844 and G. V. Gambrell was elected in his stead. Who also resigned December 1844 and J. F. Harrington was elected. The church received into fellowship Elias E. Garrison July 1844 and J. F. Harrington August, 1844 as deacons recommended by letter from other churches. Elder M. Ball was called to the care of the church 1st January 1846. He entered upon his duties with the zeal and ability peculiar to his christian character. It is not over province to speak of his fidelity in proclaiming the word of God as the great Fountain of Life. Let the swelling numbers of those only who have drank at the fountain of living water through his instrumentality voice their voices. It is enough during a period of four years he baptized into the fellowship of the church 120 and received by letter 31 members. J. F. Harrington clerk of the church assigned June 1846, at which time D. E. Gambrell was elected and served with fidelity until January 6th 1847. When he was called by death from the labor of the faithful. In February following our present clerk J. B. Gambrell was elected and in May following was ordained to a deacon. J. A. Simpson was also ordained a deacon, April 1849. Unable to secure the services of Elder W. Ball for a longer period. The church called to her care Elder L. Ball Brother of the former who has been the regular supply to the present. It is sufficient for us to say the Lord has blessed him. The promise, So I am with you always has been his strength in weakness and the power of his mission in winning souls to Christ. His improved ? eloquence has usually been accompanied by the sword of the spirit, his cutting down the servants of Satan and humbling the hearts of the unrighteous before the throne of the most high. It has nevertheless been patient in stirring from the slumbering embers of the church the time spirit of the Christian religion. Causing every heart to rejoice and attuning every emotion of the soul to the song of "dying love and redeeming grace". The labor of love lives in the memory of the Church but the fruits thereof will only be known in the morning of eternity. During his ministry to the present 191 have been added to the church by Baptism 52 by letter and restored the fellowship for the following deacons were received by letter under the pastoral care of Elder L. Ball, David, Gambrell, March 1851. J. C. Hiett, 1851, J. H. Oswold June 1854, P. R. Thomas September 1856. It is proper to state that J. D. Rogers was liberated to exercise his gift in preaching or otherwise August 1854 and in November 1857 he together with T. W. Montgomery were regularly licensed to preach the gospel. The latter was a preacher in good standing in the Methodist Society at the time he made application to the church for Baptism. A committee which had been previously appointed for the purpose offered to the church an abstract of principles ( the same as set forth in the minutes of Chickasaw Baptist Association) which were unanimously adopted March 1858. The same committee had also prepared Rules of Deacon which were also adopted by the church. Upon a careful examination of the records it is found that the church since its organization to the present, Aug. 1858 has received by baptism 338 by letter 117 and 7 by restoration and has for the same time dismissed by letter 152 and excluded 67 and there is now a membership of 196. April 1860 April 2nd Opened the door of the church. Received by letter J. B. Ried and wife S. J. Reid. 3. References against Brother Carder. The committee report that he acknowledge that he had used unchristian language. That he will not attend conference and that he would as soon the church would exclude him as retain him in fellowship. On motion he was excluded. 4. All in peace. May 1860 After sermon went into conference. 1. Invited visiting brethren to seat with us. 2. Opened the door of the church and received by letter Wm. Ford and Elizabeth his wife. 3. All in peace. 4. G. V. Gambrell sent a report to church that he had been intoxicated and requested the church to wait until next meting as he was not able to attend his request was granted. 5. Granted letter so dismission to Elizabeth Wages and Jane Swann. February 1862 - No Meeting. March 1862 After service by our Pastor church set in conference. 1. Invited visiting brethren and sisters to seat. 2. Opened the door for the reception of members. None. 3. Called for the fellowship of the church all in peace. 4. No other business offering. Adjourned. From March till 1st of June 1864 the Church met very irregular from the fact of frequent Federal raids and rumor of raids. The minutes of the meetings have been lost or mislaid so that the regular records can not be made. There was no business transacted further than to go threw the usual form. No case of discipline and only one received by letter and that one was lettered out the same year. Elder J. Boswell served the church with his usual zeal and energy until June 1864 at which time the church house fell down and having no house to which to meet the church became is organized and scattered, and remained in this condition till the 5th Sabbath in October 1865. At which time Elder L. Ball called the church together at a school house (recently built) in the neighborhood and finding the church so badly disorganized proceeded to reorganize it. When 76 names were involved, the meeting was protracted till Thursday at which time Elder Ball was compelled to close this meeting. Having preached day and night for six days and five nights with great power (though in feeble health) during which time seed was sown that we trust will spring up and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. On Monday the church spent some time in conference. Granted letters of dismission to Bro. G. B. Barry, Bro J. J. Austin, Sister Darcas Austin. November 1865 Saturday before the 4th Sabbath in November. Church met and after prayer by Bro.Gambrell chose Bro.Hiett mod pro ten and Bro.Gambrell Clerk Proten. 2. Opened the door for the reception of members. Received none. 3. Enquired for the fellowship of the church all in peace. 4. Called for general business where Brother Gambrell after some remarks with began rebuilding our church house, moved that we appoint a committee to draft a plan for the house and draw subscriptions. Raise means for building to supervise the building of the house and report to the next conference. The same being second, appointed brethren J. B. Gambrell H. Wigington, J. A. Simpson, W. S. Green and Mr. Elias Mc. 5. Went into the election of a Pastor for the next year which resulted in the unanimous choice of E. D. Kendall Pastor and brother F. M. Gober Clerk. Neither of whom being present the Clerk pro ten ? September 1869 Opened the door of the church. Received by Experience Sister M. C. McElroy and F. J. Williams. Sunday opened the door of the church and received by experience Sisters Parmelia Chism and M. A. Davis. Sunday night opened the door of the church. Received by experience Brethren H. H. Wages, John C. Bray and Sister Harriet Monk, M. A. Chism, S. M. L. Jackson and Terresia J. Wesson. Monday night opened the door of the church and received by experience Brethren J. M. Gober, T. L. Wesson, M. L. Gossett and Sisters Elizabeth Adair, Susan Bennett and Edithia Lominick. Tuesday night opened the door of the church. Received by experience Brother F.Prather, and Sister C. E. Prather and by restoration Sister Elizabeth Wages. Wednesday opened the door of the church. Received by letter Sister S. A.Davis and by experience ? Breth William Gossett and Lewis B. Gambrell. October 1869 - No conference consequence of inclement weather. April 1871 The church met. Our pastor being belated, conference was opened by prayer by brother J. B. Gambrell. Observed the usual order of business. 1. Called for absentees. Brother W. S. Green gave satisfactory reason for his absence. 2. Called for general business. Granted letters of dismission to Brother G. W. Wages his wife, his daughter Elizabeth and his son H. H. Wages. On motion and second adjourned. August 1871 Had no conference but on Wednesday commenced a protracted meeting which continued 8 days during which time by experience Brethren Brice Wages E. C.Roberts and Sisters M. M. McKeown Jinsey Gossett. Brother H. W. Chism having been a member of this church before it was disbanded came forward and requested that his name be enrolled which request was granted. The meeting closed Wednesday night