First Baptist has always had a heart for the orphans. The record shows that a total of $18.00 was raised for the orphanage at Arcadia.Church discipline was practiced in those early years. An interesting statement is made in the church minutes of October 6, 1907. "Preaching by pastor Geiger, after which the church went into conference for the purpose of appointing committees to see members guilty of unchristian conduct. It was reported that Bro. had been dancing and a committee composed of W. A. Hoffman and J. R. Mathers were appointed to investigate this report. Committee composed of Mrs. A.O. Frink and Mrs. John Simmons were appointed to see Sister relative to reports of unchristian conduct. A committee of Sister Albert Mathers end Sister Hoffman were appointed to see Sister as to her coolness to the church and influence she is yielding to by worldly people. All committees to report at prayer meeting Thursday night the 1Oth. Bro. Geiger reported he had received a letter from Sister and daughters and asking that their names be stricken from our church books, but had since seen Sister and she resuested that her name remain, but and wished theirs withdrawn as they were not living in accordance with church discipline. Their names were ordered stricken."
These minutes show that the Church and members were taking their membership seriously. Names have purposely been omitted, but the but the account has been preserved to give us a peek at how the Church was functioning in 1907.
The records for 1908 show that A. A. Keith was called to preach twice a month. He was from Ft. Meade, Florida. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Church minutes provide a further insight into the seriousness of church membership. It is recorded on August 2, 1908 that "Brother presented himself for restoration on having failed to live a Godly life and fallen short of his duty as a child of God. He was unanimously accepted under his acknowledgement to lead a better life and was sorry for his past wrongs."
On October 10, 1908 the Church minutes show that regular was shown for the orphans in Arcadia. "A collection was taken in Sunday School for orphans' day for orphanage at Arcadia resulting in collection of $12.20."
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