The mesengers met agreeable to appointment and after some remarks, with regard to a point of order in which Joseph Wattson, John J Jackson, Isaac R Hite and others participated, Joseph Wattson in the Chair and Isaac R Hite Secretary. The question then being, Shall the letter from the congregation worshiping at Bausermans be read or not, the yeas & nays being called for, the question was decided in the affirmative to wit Joseph Wattson, Marten Beohm, William Barr, Joseph Hawkings, Andrew Hoffman, Reuben Bowers, & Isaac R Hite after which the cooperation proceeded to receive the mesengers from the congregation worshiping at Staunton and Bordons to wit H Dawson from the congregation at Staunton, and Abraham Saum, Marten Miley & Isaac W Allen

from the congregation at Bordens, in the reception of which, there was not one dissenting voice. The following questions being put by the Moderator

1st Question Is the congregation at Blossers in Page County Va in harmony and order, from which no answer was given in consequence of the non attendance of a mesenger or mesengers

2d __________Is the congregation worshiping at Unioun (?) Meeting House & Narrow Passage school House alternately in harmony and order, Andrew Hoffman, Reuben Bowers & Isaac R Hite the mesengers answer in the affirmative.

3d __________Is the congregation worshiping at Wardensville in Hardy County in harmony and order, Joseph Hawkings the

mesenger answers in the affirmative.

4th__________Is the congregation worshiping at Bordens in

Shenandoah County Va in harmony and order, Abraham Saum,

Marten Miley & Isaac W Allen answer in the affirmative.

5th__________Is the congregation worshiping at Walnut

Springs School House Shenandoah County Va, in harmony and

order, Joseph Wattson, Marten Beohm & William Barr answer in

the affirmative

6th__________Is the congregation worshiping at Staunton

Augusta County Va, in harmony and order, H Dawson answers in

the affirmative.

1st Unanimously resolved that the letter from Bausermans, or the congregation worshiping at Bausermans School House be filed with the proceedings of this day and that Brother John J Jackson be furnished with a copy, when called for.

The following letter from certain individuals in the congregation worshiping at Bausermans School House read by Moderator.

To the cooperation at Narrow Passage

Dear Brethren

Grace mercy and peace be mulitplied for you through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Upon mature reflection we deem it a matter due this cooperation as well as ourselves to state some things explanatory of our course, growing out of our want for information with repsect to the authority of any given congregation or cooperation of churches.

It is a fact of considerable notariety that the church which were want to meet at Zions and Bordons School House have been involved in a great difficulty. She has been in a quite disorderly condition. It affords pleasure however to state that those difficulties were adjusted publicly in the presence of a large congregation -- that an amicable and peaceable division was formed alike(?) honourable and praisworthy to both congregations -- the one to meet with her own officers at Borden School House, and the other at Zion School House. We have no hesitation in admiting that we erred in attempting to press those difficulties upon the cooperation -- more especially as they decided that they would not here them, that they were beyond their jurisdiction.

The fact of a congregation being independent so far as her family matters are concerned and bound to all the rest of the churches by th tie of faith and love is proof positive to us now that ought ot attend to her own family matters, And to urge her difficulties upon other churches is only calculated to sever the tie of faith and love, We understand now that no new power is created by any number of congregations which does not exist in each one sepperately -- because the cooperation claims no legislative authority. Whatever wrongs therefor have grown out of our course in the cooperation is to be attibuted to the effort our difficulties upon the Brethren. This being conceded we trust the Brethren will perceive that others follow as a matter of course. Nore should the errors we have committed be attributed to the whole congregation whne only a few individuals were involved. That wrongs have been committed by many during our long protracted difficulties forces itself irresistably upon our minds. This may be owing to our wnat of discrimination or to some defect in our judgement, or it may be accounted for by such causes as the Brethren think best. Still the wrongs of any individual will not excuse us and therefor as we desire forgiveness of God we freely forgive others, and intend to forget or dismiss from our minds all the unpleasent circumstances which have transpired. All our difficulties having been settled we partook together of the rich memorials of the Saviours love and formed ourselves into two sister congregations. We trust the world instead of saying "see how these christians hate one another will be enabled to say "behold how these christians love one another." Behold how good and hwo pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointments upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard that went down to the skirts of garments. As the dew of herman, and as the dew that decended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commenced the blessing life for evermore. Psm 134.

With respect to Brother Jackson we take pleasure in exonerating him from any charge or charges whihc may have been proffered against him, at the same time admitting that we were mistaken when those charges were proffered. We regard it as highly magnanimous and praiseworthy in him in expressing his sorrow for any harsh remarks which may have given offence; and which may have been supposed applicable to us.

May the Lord preside over your deliberations, guide you by his unerring council and guard you by his mighty power.

All of which is respectfully submitted

A Strickler

October 23d 1846 Isaac Rhodes

2d Resolved that Brother John J Jackson remain with us as the Evangelist & be sustained

3d Resolved that Brother John D Ferguson be, & is hereby requested to remain in the Valley, & be sustained to labour with Brother Jackson conjointly and seperately for the term of six months.

4th Resolved that Abram Saum be appointed Treasurer to receive all moneys deposited for the support of the gospel, & pay the same to the Evangelists.

5th Resolved that the words "none other" be stricken out of the first resolution of the report of the cooperation at Walnut Springs, August 15th 1846.

6th Resolved that the mesengers of the cooperation furnish the secretary with a Book or the means to procure a Book when when 35 cents was contributed.

7th Resolved that should any Brother distinguish himself as a teacher or public speaker, upon a recommendation from the congregation to which, or of which he is a member, to the cooperation a certificate shall be given him when he is approved

8th Resolved that the next cooperation meeting be held at Bordens school house, Shenandoah County, Va

9th Resolved that this meeting adjourn untill Saturday before the 1st Lords day in May 1847.

Isaac R Hite
Secretary

Joseph Wattson
Mod