Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 2nd annual Sacred Harp singing at Poplar Springs Primitive Baptist Church, north of Bowdon, Carroll County, Georgia, was held on the fourth Sunday in September. Cecil Roberts called the class to order at 10:00 a.m. leading 56t. Cecil welcomed everyone, and then Jack Nelson offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Judy Chambless 146, 82t; Glenda Collins 100; Richard Delong 77t (in honor of Charlene Wallace), 337; Gary Davis and Karen Flagg 565, 47b; Philip Denney 101t, 84; Tony Hammock 89, 426t; Jack Nelson 136, 480.

RECESS

Cecil Roberts called the class back to order leading 35. Leaders: Barbara Brooks 457, 274b; Rebecca Over 544, 77b; Robert Chambless 33b, 39b; Bert Collins 274t, 421; Virginia Dyer 217, 222.

A business session was held. There was discussion whether to continue the singing for another year and change the start time from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This change is to be notated in the minutes book. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Richard Delong; Vice Chairman-Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell; Arranging Officer—Judy Chambless.

Some members of the church mentioned they wanted to have a two-day convention, but were told that they didn’t have enough support. A motion was made to move the singing from Sunday to Saturday at 10:00 a.m., and then withdrawn. Options to have a two-day singing at Poplar Springs Primitive Baptist Church mentioned to consider were the Georgia State Convention or possibly the United Convention. It was also noted that the church would have to send a letter of request for a convention be held there. It was reiterated that the motion change from Sunday to Saturday was withdrawn. A motion to continue to have the singing on the fourth Sunday in September and change the start time to 10:00 a.m. was made. The motion carried, and the business session was closed.

Oscar McGuire led 515 and 163b. The memorial lesson was conducted by Richard Delong. The deceased remembered were Darrell Swarens—Illinois; Louise Holland, Alan Lambert, Daniel Lanier, Wawena Entrekin Miles, Audrey Ruth Garner, Florice Akin, and Ruth Ayers—Georgia; Daphene Causey, Mike Jones, and Willodean Barton—Alabama; Eugene Horst—Pennsylvania; and Steve Helwig—Oregon. Richard spoke in memory of the deceased, and led 154.

The sick and shut-ins honored were Ruth Daniel, Charlene Wallace, Lucy Garner, Karen Rollins, Velton Chafin, Ottis Sides, Mildred Patterson, and Eugene Forbes. Richard Delong and Fallon Cook led 176t for the sick and shut-ins. Cecil Roberts closed the memorial with prayer. Shane Brown offered the blessing of the noon meal at the tables.

LUNCH

Cecil Roberts brought the class back to order leading 319. Leaders: Winfred Kerr 521, 283; Daniel Williams 290, 472; Sherrell Cleino 335, 127; Cain Cook 146; Donna Bell 48t, 542; Shane Brown 285t, 373; Fallon Cook 159, 294 (for Mildred Patterson); Joyce Heath 164, 155; Rebecca Over 197; Daniel Williams 74t; Glenda Collins and Bert Collins 454; Shane Brown 339; Fallon Cook 37b; Tony Hammock 112; Jack Nelson 300; Oscar McGuire 229; Richard Delong 327 (in honor of Karen Rollins, who was able to come to the afternoon session of singing).

Announcements were made. Richard Delong, Cecil Roberts, Donna Bell, and Judy Chambless led 323t as the closing song. Daniel Williams offered the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Richard Delong; Vice Chairman—Cecil Roberts; Secretary—Donna Bell