Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 21

The Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention convened at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for the seventy-six session on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August. President Mark Davis called the class to order, thanked the members of Antioch Church for hosting the Convention, and led 37b. Chaplin Arlon Gardner led in prayer. Mark Davis led 47b. Mr. Alfred Bailey welcomed everyone.

Various committees were appointed through-out the proceedings: Arranging Committee—Junie McNeil and Nancy Van Den Akker; Business Committee—Hugh McGuire, Tim Gray, and T.J. Funderburk; Memorial Committee—John Hollingsworth and Ester Mann; Location Committee—Henry McGuire, W.M. Allen, and Arlon Gardner.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 209; Vice President John Van Horn 201, 189; Secretary Jean Gray 63, 31t; Chaplain W.M. Allen 59, 108t; Chaplain Arlon Gardner 65, 448b; Tim Cook 73b (CH), 322 (CH); Andrew Albers 496t (CB), 269; John Merritt 261b (CH), 386 (CB); Wanda Gregg 40, 460.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with President Mark Davis leading 160b. Leaders: Hugh Bill McGuire, Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Drew McGuire 200, 198; Nancy Van Den Akker 37(CH), 133; Mike McNeil 522 (CB), 573; Warren Steel 428, 53b (CB); Linda Funderburk 128, 373; Joe Cobb 28b, 38b. Chaplain W.M. Allen returned thanks for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by President Mark Davis leading 291. Leaders: Eric Schedler 86, 455; Ann Fox 45t, 123b; Anne Steel 122, 318; Tim Gray 182, 220; Mako Cook 51 (CH), 30b; John Hollingsworth and Hugh Bill McGuire 236; Ester Mann 127, 171; Natalie Davis 572; Junie McNeil 43 (CH), 64; Hugh McGuire 67, 505 (CB); Darlene Reynolds 355 (CH); Darlene Reynolds and John Hollingsworth 184.

A business session was held to elect officers. A motion was made and seconded to retain the same officers: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Secretary—Jean Gray; Chaplains—W.M. Allen and Arlon Gardner.

President Mark Davis led 240 in memory of Durward Scarborough.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Vice President John Van Horn leading 137. Leaders: Hannah Albers and Andrew Albers 87 (CB), 145b; Bobby Caldwell and Hugh McGuire 281 (CH), 216; Katie Zukof and Eric Schedler 504, 372 (CH); John Plunkett 139 (CH), 67b; Henry McGuire 183, 442; Eric Schedler 196 (by request); Alfred Bailey 117 (CH) (by request).

After announcements were made, President Mark Davis led “The Drone” as the closing song. W.M. Allen offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, August 22

President Mark Davis opened the Sunday morning session with 30t. Chaplain W.M. Allen offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 123t, 129; Vice President John Van Horn 120, 106, 203; Secretary Jean Gray 418, 297; Chaplain W.M. Allen 75, 282; Chaplain Arlon Gardner 39t, 316 (CH), 155 (CH); Junie McNeil 147t, 179, 145t; Andrew Albers 318 (CB), 268b (CB), 472 (CB).

RECESS

Vice President John Van Horn brought the class to order with 119. Leaders: Natalie Davis 354b, 345t; Drew McGuire 114, 40, 155; Terre Schill 32t, 168, 224; Hannah Albers and Rhoda Albers 444, 180 (CB); Kurt Davis 45t, 274t, 126. Chaplain Arlon Gardner returned thanks for the noon meal.

LUNCH

President Mark Davis brought the afternoon session to order leading 61. Leaders: Hugh McGuire 53, 82t, 83b; John Hollingsworth 138t, 506 (CB); Bobby Caldwell 36b, 68b, 565; Ester Mann 59, 355, 480; Henry McGuire 78, 300, 269; Darlene Reynolds 188t (CH), 264 (CH), 128t (CH); Hugh Bill McGuire 393t (CB), 344 (CB), 563 (CB).

The 2:00 p.m. committee reports were given.

The Memorial Committee, John Hollingsworth and Ester Mann, led 127 and 117 (CH) in memory of Alma Allen of Enon Church in Chickasaw County, Mississippi; and in honor of Martha Sellers of Collins, Mississippi who is sick and shut-in. Arlon Gardner closed the memorial with prayer.

The Business and Credentials Committee, Hugh McGuire, Colvin Mann, and Tim Gray, submitted their report: Several counties and states are represented at the convention with delegates and visitors. We find a quorum present. We recommend $200.00 be given to Antioch Church to offset expenses.

The Resolutions Committee, Andrew Albers and Alice McGuire, submitted their report: We, the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Convention hereby resolve to thank:

• Our God and Savior for the opportunity to sing His praises once again and enjoy the fellowship arising there-from;
• Our Chairman and all other officers for their labors on behalf of the convention;
• All who worked to make this singing a success, with special thanks to those who furnished the delicious meals both days;
• Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention again this year, with special thanks to Mr. Alfred Bailey and other members of the Church and community for their hospitality and kindness.

The Location Committee, Henry McGuire, W.M. Allen, and Arlon Gardner, submitted their report: We recommend that next year’s 77th Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention be held at Enon Primitive Baptist Church, near Houston, Mississippi.

A move was made and seconded to accept all reports.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with President Mark Davis leading 175b. Leaders: Vice President John Van Horn 49 (CH); Secretary Jean Gray and Hugh McGuire 408; Chaplain W.M. Allen 490; Chaplain Arlon Gardner 278t; Terre Schill 121t, Andrew Albers 209 (CB); Ester Mann 258 (CH).

A motion was made to adjourn. Announcements were made, and special thanks were extended to Alfred Bailey and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church.

President Mark Davis led 46 as the closing song. Chaplain W.M. Allen offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

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