Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Sacred Harp singing at Jordan’s Chapel Methodist Church was held on the fourth Sunday in October. The class was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman Lonnie Rogers leading songs on pages 112 and 33b. The morning prayer was offered by Rev. Julian Murphy, pastor of the church. B.J. Harris led songs on pages 303 and 343b.

The class organized for the day with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Lonnie Rogers; Vice Chairman—B.J. Harris; Arranging Committee—Hester Edwards; Memorial Committee—Ruth Brown and Henry Johnson; Secretary—Mary Florence Smith.

Leaders: Lonnie Rogers 101t; Mary Florence Smith 208, 277; B.M. Smith 318, 222; LaRue Allen 106, 141; Reba Norton 61, 164; Eugene Forbes 203, 172; Everette Denney 146, 119; Glenda Collins 81t, 345b; Rodney Ivey 300, 358.

RECESS

Vice Chairman B.J. Harris brought the class back to order leading song on page 503. Leaders: Jeff Sheppard 392, 335; Eunice Webb 283, 378b; Bud Oliver 480, 145t; Evelyn Harris and Leann Webb 47t, 155; Oscar McGuire 276, 336; Floy Wilder 183, 142; Henry Johnson 47b, 70b; Ruth Daniel 378b, 68b; Jeff Sheppard and Beth Rangers 49b.

LUNCH

Lonnie Rogers brought the afternoon session to order leading song on page 410t. Leaders: Mary Florence Smith 29t, 37b; Bud Oliver 343, 270; Frank Bell and Pam Brown 274t, 339.

Ruth Brown and Henry Johnson presented the memorial lesson. Ruth Brown talked about the troubled times in which we are living and how the tragedy in New York affected so many lives. She asked each of us to pray for the President, and that we need to stop and count our blessings each day.

Henry Johnson led songs on pages 341 and 467 for the following deceased: Eula Johnson, Cecil Edwards, Nelda Tolbert, Eloise Watkins, Gene Wakefield, Grady Price, Essie Mae Yates, John Heflin Murphy, Dura Mitchell, Ula Brady, Sara Redding, and Barney Lee.

B.M. Smith led song on page 340 for the following sick and shut-ins: Vivian Rogers, Mozelle Sheppard, Coy Ivey, Marie Ivey, Roy Nelson family, Polly Moore, and Freeman Wootten. After a moment of silent prayer, the memorial was closed with prayer led by Mary Florence Smith.

The class resumed singing with the following leaders: LaRue Allen 273; Jimmie Denney 313t; Eugene Forbes 212; Everette Denney 405; Glenda Collins 124; Rodney Ivey 475; Tabitha Murphy and Evelyn Harris 452, 45t; Oscar McGuire 573; Floy Wilder 535; Jeff Sheppard and Beth Rangers 388, 63; Eunice Webb 436; “Happy Birthday” was sung to Hester Edwards whose birthday is October 30th.

Rev. Julian Murphy thanked all who came today, and invited everyone to come again next year.

Lonnie Rogers, Frank Bell, and B.J. Harris led song on page 460 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed with prayer led by Frank Bell.

Chairman—Lonnie Rogers; Vice Chairman—B.J. Harris; Secretary—Mary Florence Smith.