Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 21

The seventy-first session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Convention was held at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August for two days of worship in song services to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The class was called to order by President Mark Davis leading song on page 37b. W.M. Allen welcomed everyone and led the morning prayer. President Mark Davis led song on page 36t.

Mark Davis welcomed everyone and thanked Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention. Nancy Van Den Akker was appointed as the Arranging Person.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 126; Vice President John Van Horn 448t, 384; Secretary Jean Gray 82t, 75; Jim Fields 58, 127; Mike McNeil 131 (t? b?), 204 (CH) (in memory of Bennie Rigdon); Ben Burroughs 178, 299; Darlene Reynolds 354 (t? b?), 145b; Dan Coit 162, 87 (CH); Elizabeth Muhleisen 503b, 475; Jeanie Fields 452b, 45t.

President Mark Davis welcomed everyone, and then appointed committees as follows: Business and Credentials—Tim Gray, Arlon Gardner, and Hugh McGuire, Jr.; Memorial Committee—Wilma Ann Mitchell and Wanda Gregg.

RECESS

President Mark Davis brought the class to order leading song on page 317b. Leaders: Joe Cobb 28b, 38b; George Easley 34b, 438; Wanda Gregg 40, 63; John Kanode 507b (CB), 229 (CB); Robert Handel 28 (t? b?), 489b; Will Austin 571, 54t. Arlon Gardner led in prayer and thanks for the food.

LUNCH

The singing resumed with President Mark Davis leading song on page 123t. Leaders: Billy Hollingsworth 186, 236; Junie McNeil 319; Wilma Mitchell 569b; W.M. Allen 108t, 490; Andrew Albers 195, 85b (CH); Hugh McGuire 455t (CB), 53 (CB); Ester Mann 171, 180; John Merritt, Kurt Davis, and Cayla McGuire 392, 240 (for Durward Scarborough, a faithful singer who was in the hospital at Newton.)

At 2:00 p.m., President Mark Davis called for a motion to open the convention for business to elect officers. A motion was made and seconded to retain the same officers with the exception of the chaplain who was not present: President—Mark Davis; Vice President—John Van Horn; Secretary—Jean Gray. Arlon Gardner was elected Chaplain. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 442, 183; Charles Franklin 99; Brenda Merritt 111b; Arlon Gardner 166b, 39t.

President Davis paid tribute to Mr. Alfred Bailey and other members of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for the use of their facilities.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Mark Davis leading song on page 163b. Leaders: Bobby Caldwell 46t (CH), 63t (CH); Nancy Van Den Akker 142, 81t (CH); Regina Glass 410 (t? b?), 269; Virginia Carter 49b; Hugh McGuire 289 (by request from Harry Beemon); Kari Lundgren 344; Tim Gray and daughter, Haley Gray 434, 220, 192; Rob Jahncke 46.

A motion was made and carried to adjourn. Announcements were made. President Mark Davis led the “Drone”, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, August 22

President Mark Davis opened the Sunday session, welcomed everyone, and led song on page 101 (t? b?). Chaplain Arlon Gardner led the morning prayer.

Leaders: President Mark Davis 87, 155; Vice President John Van Horn 77t, 168; Secretary Jean Gray 288, 418; Chaplain Arlon Gardner 388, 522 (CB); Mark Davis 117 (CH) (by request from Mr. Alfred Bailey with thanks to Antioch Primitive Baptist Church); Tim Cook 511, 480; Mako Cook and Tim Cook 301, 184 (CH); Ben Hogan 50 (t? b?), 49 (CH); Andy Davis 192, 217.

RECESS

President Mark Davis appointed Junie McNeil and Andrew Albers as the Hospitality and Resolutions Committee.

Leaders: Vice President John Van Horn 72b; Darlene Reynolds 145t, 64; Kurt Davis 354b, 274t; Elizabeth Muhleisen 515b, 159; L.B. Smith 58; Hannah Albers and Andrew Albers 239b (CH); Wanda Gregg 408, 146; John Kanode 563 (CB), 571 (CB).

LUNCH

The class resumed singing with President Mark Davis leading song on page 488b (CB). Leaders: Regina Glass 86, 215; Will Austin 508 (CB), 542 (CB); Robert Handel 536 (CB), 140 (CB); Junie McNeil 176t, 176b; Andrew Albers 378b (CB), 95 (CB), 393 (by request); Hugh McGuire 442b (CB), 515 (CB); Tim Gray 61, 172; Henry McGuire 405, 430.

A business session was held at 2:00 p.m. for the purpose of hearing committee reports.

Business and Credential Committee—Submitted by Tim Gray, Arlon Gardner, and Hugh McGuire, Jr.

We report that several counties and states are represented at the convention with delegates and visitors. We find a quorum present. We collected $485.00, and added to the $323.90 in Newton County Bank, for a total of $808.90. A motion was carried to give Antioch Primitive Baptist Church $100.00 for expenses with thanks.

Memorial Committee—Submitted by Wanda Gregg and Wilma Mitchell.

Wanda Gregg led “Pilgrims Farewell” (185) and “Long Sought Home” (235b) in memory of: Louise Hogan, Trudie Mayers, Johnny Porter, Bessie Rigdon Todd, Chester Hollingsworth, Inez McGuire, and Louise Probst.

Resolutions and Hospitality Committee—Submitted by Andrew Albers and Junie McNeil.

(1) We resolve to thank our Creator for the opportunity to praise Him in song.

(2) We thank all the members of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for the invitation, work, and use of their fine facility.

(3) We thank all the singers and members of the community for a delicious dinner both days.

(4) We thank the Chairperson and all officers for their labors to make the convention a success, and their willingness to serve another year.

(5) We thank everyone who came to listen and sing both days.

(6) We thank everyone who worked, including members of all committees.

All reports were read and approved. As thanks to Mrs. Alfred Bailey, President Mark Davis led song on page 117 (CH).

RECESS

The singing was called to order. Leaders: Charles Franklin 85b (CH), 68b (CH); Mark Davis 454 (by request from Ester Mann); Nancy Van Den Akker 303 (CH), 333 (CH); Mark Davis 358 (by request from Mrs. John Kanode); Andy Davis 254; Mark Davis 348b (for Mrs. John Kanode’s brother in Henderson, Texas); Arlon Gardner 341 (for his grandmother, Mrs. Ellen Guthrie), 45 (t? b?) (by request).

Announcements were called for followed by a motion to adjourn. President Mark Davis again thanked Antioch Primitive Baptist Church and to all for a fine dinner. The “Drone” was sung, and the class was dismissed with prayer led by Chaplain Arlon Gardner.

The church invited the convention to meet again with them at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in August, 2000.

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