A Time Of Healing 

Chapter V

The year 1877 saw the official end of reconstruction when President Hayes ordered the last federal troops from New Orleans and Stephen Packard, the last of the carpet-bagger governors resigned, leaving the South forever changed. 1 The War had taken a dreadful toll and no family was left untouched by death and destruction. Some families, including that of Jonathon and Sarah Ferguson, had lost as many as three sons. Others mourned husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, and dear friends.

The choice of pastor was crucial. Much healing and strengthening had to be done and only a God-led man with a true pastor's heart could do the job. John West Melton, a school teacher and part time preacher from Alabama, was such a man. Under his leadership the church once again began to grow in strength and in numbers. Expulsions from fellowship became infrequent and a building program was begun to enlarge and improve the church building. For the first time in the history of the church, women were appointed to business-related committees and considered in the establishment of a quorum for voting.

Rev. Melton had a special love which he shared with his church and that was the love of music. He gently bullied the church into the purchase of the first hymnals, The Baptist Hymn Book, for a choir and often sang special music with his sons. During W. C. Friley's three week revival of 1878, there were thirty-three rededications and twenty-eight additions to the church.

In 1879 W. H. McGee took over the pastorate of Minden, Homer and Mt. Lebanon and served in that capacity for two years. 2 Rev. McGee continued the good work begun by Rev. Melton and helped stabilize the financial condition of the church with the election of the first church treasurer, J. H. Simmons. This election did indeed help in the collection of funds but proved embarrassing when Bro. Simmons tried to collect a pledge from a man recently expelled from fellowship for drinking intoxicating beverages! The expelled member later came before the church and admitted he was guilty of the charge of drinking too much and just could not afford the travel time to apologize to the church every time he got drunk.

Another man had expressed regret concerning his drunken behavior and was told to come that night to the church conference to apologize and be reinstated. He couldn't, he said mournfully, because he was too drunk to come.

The church began to see increasing numbers of expulsions for various reasons and cases in which members accused of various offenses moved their own expulsion. Unrest grew to the point a charge of heresy, the only one in the history of the church, was considered against Jonathon Ferguson. Bro. Ferguson, a pillar of the church, continued to serve on various committees during the months long debate. In the end, the church determined he had the right to believe as he chose, reaffirming basic Baptist beliefs. This proved too much for Rev. McGee and he refused the pastorate for 1881, though he remained on good terms with the church and even served as supply pastor at a later time.

Once again, Rev. Melton came to the church and offered his special healing skills. Gradually, the expelled offenders came back to the church, offering apologies and promises to do better. Already over worked by pastorates at Coal Springs Baptist Church, Hebron and Rocky Springs, Rev. Melton declined another pastorate but introduced to the church a young, vibrant preacher by the name of William P. Carter. At the beginning of Rev. Carter's term as pastor, he and Rev. Melton conducted a mini-revival of only two days and were rewarded by the addition of fifteen new members, fourteen by baptism!

Footnotes:
1. Huber, p. 18
2. DePingre, Major. A History of the First Baptist Church, Minden, Louisiana 1844-1969, p. 47.

Church Index  | Claiborne Parish | AHGP Louisiana