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Houston, Texas
December 27, 1977
Lucille Westbrook
Route 4, Box 247
Nashville, Ark 71952
Dear Lucille,
I must again express my personal and sincere thanks for the copy of your
(book) compilation, "Corinth Revisited By Its Kinfolks 1977". This will be
a very helpful aid to those interested & researching these families. It has
been a help to me!
I am sending ... excerpt(s) (from) four letters written to the editors &
publishers of "The Gospel Advocate" relative to the church at Corinth. The
first two letters were written by John S. Robertson and if you note from the
the bottom of page 186 in your book, S.B. Reese writes ... "After the church
was organized, probably two years, they built a very good house just across
the road from the cemetery. This house was not a log house as was common
those days, but a frame building of fairly good size. Pretty soon a man by
the name of John S. Robertson preached for them several years ..."
The last two letters were written by Elijah Kelley, Sr. ...
Sincerely yours,
David L. Kelley
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ENCLOSURE
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Excerpt from a letter written by John S. Robertson to the editors and
publishers of the Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tennessee and printed
therein ... Vol. 4, November 1858, page 347:
REPORT FROM ARKANSAS.
Bros. Fanning and Lipscomb: ... Our next meeting was held with the church
at Corinth, Pike Co., embracing the fourth Lord's day in last month, which
resulted in five valuable accessions.
In company with Elder William Kelley, we arrived at this place on Friday
last, and commenced a meeting under very unfavorable circumstances; but our
prospects have been brightening ever since. We have had eleven accesions,
among them are some of the most worthy citizens of the community; persons
who have heads and hearts that would do honor to any cause they might
espouse. The truth has gained a glorious victory here. May the Lord bless
the brethren and sisters here and elsewhere, and may the truth prevail over
the earth ...
Yours in one hope,
J.S. Robertson
Mt. Ida, Ark., Oct. 6, 1858
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Excerpt from a letter written by John S. Robertson to the editors and
publishers of The Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tennessee and printed therein
... Vol. 7, September 1861, page 298:
CO-OPERATION MEETING.
Dear Brethren: -- Our Co-operation meeting at Corinth, Pike Co., closed last
Lord's day, having continued ten days. It was one fo the most happy and
triumphant meetings I ever attended, circumstances considered. The whole
community was in motion. Military meetings were held almost every day within
a few hundred yards of the meeting calling for volunteers, which kept the
people much excited, but notwithstanding this, we had good audiences, and a
clear demonstration that the gospel, when faithfully presented, is the power
of God unto salvation. The result was 24 accsions, 22 by confession and
obedience, two of who were Methodists, and two who had been immersed. We had
the pleasure of having Bro. A.M. Dean of Texas, who happened to fall in with
us on his way to visit his friends in Tennessee. He preached two discourses
for us on Lord's day, and we were truly delighted with him. He has the happy
art of presenting the gospel in it most simple form, and to the
understanding of all. Brother Dean is neither a speculative nor political
preacher, but preaches "the Word" ...
J.S. Robertson
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Excerpts from a letter written by Elijah Kelley Sr. to the editors and
publishers of The Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tennessee and printed therein
... Vol. 8, No. 52, December 25, 1866, page 826:
ANTOINE, Pike county, Ark. Sept. 24, 1866
Bros. Fanning & Lipscomb: ... in company with Bros. William and Wesley
Kelley ... From Okolona we went to Corinth, Pike county, where we commenced
meeting on Saturday before the third Lord's day in this month, and closed
Monday night. The result was nine additions by confession and immerson. The
meeting was well attended, and the prospects are encouraging. The
congregation at this place numbers one hundred and three. To the Lord be all
the praise. Hoping that he may bless the administrations of his Word in all
parts of his mortal vineyard, I remain yours in hope of eternal life.
Elijah Kelley
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Letter written by Elijah Kelley Sr. to the editors and publishers of The
Gospel Advocate, Nashville, Tennessee and printed in Vol. 10, January 2,
1868, page 16:
LETTER FROM ELIJAH KELLEY, SR.
ANTOINE, PIKE CO., ARK., October 15, 1867
Bros. Fanning and Lipscomb: -- I have just seated myself to write you a few
lines, to let you know the cause of Christ is still alive in this county.
Fourth Lord's day in September, I visited the congregation at Corinth and
delivered three discourses and had three accessions to the congregation.
Second Lord's day in October, I had preached three discourses at Green's old
store, six miles from Corinth. Had five additions by confession and baptism,
adding to the congregation eight at the two meetings, and, I believe, a good
prospect for more. To the Lord be all the praise. The brethren at Corinth
speak well for the cause - an humble, devoted brotherhood.
Yours in Christ,
Elijah Kelley Sr.
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David Kelley 2002