Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 23

The seventy-fifth annual session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church in Scott County, Mississippi on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August for two days of worship in song service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

President Mark Davis brought the class to order with 37b. Chaplain Arlon Gardner led in prayer. Thanks were given to Mr. Alfred Bailey for providing comfort and beauty for the convention.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 76b, 87; Vice President John Van Horn 47b, 171; Secretary Jean Gray 297, 114b; Chaplain Arlon Gardner 448t, 457; Mike McNeil 573 (CB), 522 (CB); Hugh McGuire 174 (CB), 565; Billy Hollingsworth 39b, 236; Joe Cobb 28b, 38b.

RECESS

The singing resumed with President Mark Davis leading 74b. Leaders: Henry McGuire 442, 408; Andrew Albers 267b (CB), 39 (CB); John Hollingsworth 176t, 82t; Tim Gray 40, 101t; Gaston White 84, 66; Denise Richardson 28t; Darlene Reynolds 336t (CB), 348t (CB). Chaplain W.M. Allen returned thanks for the noon meal.

LUNCH

After a bountiful lunch the singing resumed for the afternoon session with President Mark Davis leading 29b. Leaders: Emily Mayes 235, 145b; W.M. Allen and Henry McGuire 75, 282; Hugh Bill McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire 200, 196; Ann Fox 45t, 143; Misty Mullis 480, 358; Ann Ballard 490, 421; Bobby Caldwell 281b (CH), 216t; Junie McNeil 319, 145t; Bill Hogan 51 (CH), 138t (CB); Ester Mann (assisted by dad, W.M. Allen) 346 (CH), 318.

President Mark Davis called for a motion to open the convention for business. For the election of officers, a motion was made and seconded to retain the same officers. Various committees were appointed. Officers/Committees: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Secretary—Jean Gray; Chaplain—W.M. Allen; Arranging Committee—Junie McNeil; Memorial Committee—John Hollingsworth and Ester Mann; Locations Committee—Henry McGuire, John Van Horn, and Arlon Gardner; Business and Credentials Committee—Hugh McGuire, Tim Gray, and Colvin Mann; Resolutions Committee—Andrew Albers and Alice McGuire.

RECESS

The singing resumed with President Mark Davis leading 65. Leaders: John Merritt and Gordon Cotten 258 (CH), 380 (CH), 85; Brenda Merritt 142, 336; Warren Steel 224, 378b; Mark Tew 338, 273; Anne Steel 268, 178; Colvin Mann 147t, 164; Hannah Albers 392 (CB).

Announcements were made. A new singing will be held near Vicksburg. Alfred Bailey stated that there was a need to establish a building fund.

President Davis led “The Drone” as the dismissal song, and W.M. Allen dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, August 24

President Mark Davis opened the Sunday morning session with 30t. Chaplain W.M. Allen offered the morning prayer. President Mark Davis welcomed everyone, offered a special thanks to Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, and recognized delegates from Chickasaw and Calhoun counties.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 36b, 29t; Vice President John Van Horn 217, 176b; Secretary Jean Gray 119, 108 (t? b?); Chaplain W.M. Allen 59, 117 (CH); Hugh McGuire 54 (CH), 320, 507 (CB); Arlon Gardner 183, 373, 378t; Billy Hollingsworth 484b (CB), 225t (CB), 365 (CB).

RECESS

President Mark Davis brought the class back to order with 207. Leaders: Wilma Mitchell 248 (CH), 569 (t? b?); Andrew Albers 344, 109t (CB), 559 (CB); Henry McGuire 91, 327, 269; John Hollingsworth 460, 230, 138t; Gaston White 63, 35, 186. Chaplain W. M. Allen returned thanks.

LUNCH

President Mark Davis brought the afternoon session to order leading 61 and 78. Leaders: Darlene Reynolds 184 (CH), 355 (CH); Hugh Bill McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire 299, 159; Ann Ballard 204, 512, 268; Tim Gray 222, 308 (CH); Haley Gray 289 (CH); Haley Gray and Madelyn Freeman 388; Ann Fox 101t, 567; Ester Mann and W.M. Allen 171, 288, 136; Bobby Caldwell 86 (CH); Bobby Caldwell, Hugh McGuire, and Hugh Bill McGuire 117.

The 2:00 p.m. committee reports were given. The Memorial Committee led 100 and 76 (CH), and concluded with prayer by W.M. Allen; and the Business and Resolutions Committee reported. It was moved and seconded to accept all reports as given. Antioch Primitive Baptist Church requested the convention next year.

RECESS

President Mark Davis brought the class to order leading 48t. Leaders: Paula Freeman 350 (CH), 168 (CH); Junie McNeil 104, 32t; Colvin Mann 155, 355; Hannah Albers 145b; Billy Hollingsworth 172 (CH); Gaston White 192; Ann Ballard 335; Hugh McGuire 393 (CB).

A motion was made to adjourn. Announcements were made. A special thanks was given to Mr. Alfred Bailey and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church. The class was dismissed with “The Drone” and prayer by Chaplain W.M. Allen.

President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Secretary—Jean Gray.